Defense, defense, defense...

[JUST-PLAIN-NASTY]

I don't believe that it does. When Faneca left, we learned that guys with 10+ years do not factor in to the formula.

We received a 5th comp for Faneca which to this very day is a mystery. Tank Summers didn't seem like compensation.

[Oviedo]

I believe Woods will be retained. I still think the Steelers offer Hood a contract. I don't believe the will go much North of what McClendon's deal.

I think the Steelers want Hood far more than some fans. Given what we ask our Def Line to do in this defense I would have no problem bring him back. He is solid if not great and he has the flexibility to play end and Nose Tackle when called upon. Who knows, maybe they just need to move him from left to right just like they needed to move Worilds from Right to Left

[NJ-STEELER]

Many are hard on Hood. He wasn't a "lottery" pick guys...He was the 32nd pick. He hasn't missed a game in 5 years tallying 80 straight. His numbers over the first 5 years were equal or better than Smith & Kiesel. They were 4th & 7th round picks...I know...But he will be 27 soon & if you get him for a modest contract you retain him. There is all guts & no glory in the front 3 of a 3-4...When you can find an unselfish football player who stays healthy with production...You don't cast him off. It appears Heyward has some "elite" in him like a Justin Smith...But consider yourself lucky when you find one like that...Not disappointed because the other one isn't a match.

there's plenty of 4-3 teams that might give him a try inside.

and if im hood, im probably going to a team where i can show off my talents the best. try to set up a big contract

[NJ-STEELER]

The point was, the defenses that they were a part of succeeded because they had elite talent. Do you mean to suggest that they wouldn't have succeeded in another system?

Please, point out to me the elite defenses that don't have any good players.

when has our 3-4 succeeded without great talent?

i posted (a couple weeks back) that carolina's only high picks on D were last year's and this year's 1st rounders. and they were a physical defense near the top of the league

[NJ-STEELER]

We received a 5th comp for Faneca which to this very day is a mystery. Tank Summers didn't seem like compensation.

once a player either gets 10 years in or is with the same team for 10 years, the compensation is downgraded

[Discipline of Steel]

Summers is a starter for the Bills...just saying

[Oviedo]

there's plenty of 4-3 teams that might give him a try inside.

and if im hood, im probably going to a team where i can show off my talents the best. try to set up a big contract

I agree. "Occupying blockers" does not play to Hood's strength's. If he goes to a 4-3 team that allows him to attack, he will do very well.

[Slapstick]

when has our 3-4 succeeded without great talent?

i posted (a couple weeks back) that carolina's only high picks on D were last year's and this year's 1st rounders. and they were a physical defense near the top of the league

While Greg Hardy was a 6th round pick, he is also a FA...let's see what the Panthers can do to keep him...

[thor75]

Summers is a starter for the Bills...just saying

I would rather have the streaking "Frank the Tank" from Old School than Summers. He was horrible.

[DukieBoy]

When the coaching staff put Heyward into the starting lineup, Ziggy Hood went to the bench. He only started again because of injury. I can't think of a clearer indication that they thought Keisel was performing better.

As for the comp pick formula, I know that signing your own does not factor into the formula. But if Hood leaves and signs elsewhere, that does become a factor in the formula. He could offset a signing; Keisel would not offset a signing.

Given his age, I think Keisel could be had for a veteran minimum contract. If not, then thank you for the memories and good luck elsewhere.

Finally, you don't need a high draft pick to replace Hood. Go with Keisel/Woods, and draft somebody like Brent Urban, DeAndre Coleman or Taylor Hart in the middle rounds. Or draft a NT and kick McClendon into the mix at LDE.

Heyward is athletic. Keisel is still athletic and knows his way around this defense. Hood is not athletic. I'd keep Keisel around another year for a reasonable price, draft an athletic replacement for Keisel to share the spot and learn to defense. Hood can go and play elsewhere, maybe find another defense that suits his strengths. 3-4 does not fit for him.

[feltdizz]

While Greg Hardy was a 6th round pick, he is also a FA...let's see what the Panthers can do to keep him...

They will probably lose him.... but they drafted Star in the first and another DT in the 2nd last year. The word around town is franchise tag and try to trade him for picks.

[Ernie]

Heyward is athletic. Keisel is still athletic and knows his way around this defense. Hood is not athletic. I'd keep Keisel around another year for a reasonable price, draft an athletic replacement for Keisel to share the spot and learn to defense. Hood can go and play elsewhere, maybe find another defense that suits his strengths. 3-4 does not fit for him.

agreed... and to add to this....even if they do not draft DE, keeping Keisel around another year would allow one of the guys on the roster a chance to rise to the top (ie Arnfelt, Woods, McClendon, etc) as his eventual replacement...without actually throwing them into the fire this year.
Keisel is still a solid player, and rotating those guys in will allow them to develop..while keeping Keisel fresh by limiting his reps. Theres also a ton of value in keeping Keisel around as a mentor to the younger guys.

[feltdizz]

agreed... and to add to this....even if they do not draft DE, keeping Keisel around another year would allow one of the guys on the roster a chance to rise to the top (ie Arnfelt, Woods, McClendon, etc) as his eventual replacement...without actually throwing them into the fire this year.
Keisel is still a solid player, and rotating those guys in will allow them to develop..while keeping Keisel fresh by limiting his reps. Theres also a ton of value in keeping Keisel around as a mentor to the younger guys.

I keep hearing the idea of keeping these old vets around as mentors and guess what happens? 2 or 3 games in thats all they are because they are old and injured.

I would prefer he coached instead of using the mentor angle.. that way we can have 2 youngsters at DE learning from Keisel.

[Ernie]

I keep hearing the idea of keeping these old vets around as mentors and guess what happens? 2 or 3 games in thats all they are because they are old and injured.

I would prefer he coached instead of using the mentor angle.. that way we can have 2 youngsters at DE learning from Keisel.

In Keisel's case...the dude is still a baller...and I'd be willing to bet we'd get more than 2 or 3 games of production out of him next year...especially if he sees reduced reps. It all depends on what he is willing to sign for.
I think you keep Keisel around as long as he is the best you have...and until someone beats him out.

[Oviedo]

In Keisel's case...the dude is still a baller...and I'd be willing to bet we'd get more than 2 or 3 games of production out of him next year...especially if he sees reduced reps. It all depends on what he is willing to sign for.
I think you keep Keisel around as long as he is the best you have...and until someone beats him out.

I agree. If he stays for a minimum contract then I think they should keep him. The guy is still one of the few Def Linemen on the team that can pressure the Qb