Notes
The drafting of Carolina Panthers DT Star Lotulelei and DT Kawann Short will help keep blockers off LB Luke Kuechly, and head coach Ron Rivera emphasized their presence will assist the secondary as well. 'They're going to help with the pass rush because the quarterback is not going to be able to step up,' Rivera said. 'A good front helps the back, and that's part of it.'
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Carolina Panthers LB Jon Beason said LB Luke Kuechly played well enough this season to remain as the team's starting middle linebacker.
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Carolina Panthers LB Luke Kuechly has been named the 2012 Defensive Rookie of the Year.
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NFL Network draft analyst Mike Mayock said that Notre Dame LB Manti Te'o does not have the same abilites that Carolina Panthers LB Luke Kuechly had a year ago. 'Kuechly was a tackling machine. Kuechly was set for today's NFL,' said Mayock. 'If you could match up a prototype inside linebacker with today's NFL, it is Luke Kuechly. With his speed he's a pass first linebacker. He can play three downs. You don't have to take him off the field in nickel; in fact, he's going to be better in nickel, so to me Kuechly is made for today's NFL. Te'o struggles a little bit more because he isn't naturally built that way. He isn't as naturally quick or the natural explosion or the change of direction like Luke. But that doesn't mean he isn't tough, instinctive and smart.'
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Carolina Panthers LB Luke Kuechly has been named NFC Defensive Rookie of the Month for December.
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Carolina Panthers LB Luke Kuechly had a game-high 11 tackles and an interception while moving to middle linebacker in Week 5 against the Seattle Seahawks with LB Jon Beason (knee) sidelined. The team could decide to keep Kuechly at middle linebacker even when Beason returns.
Carolina Panthers head coach Ron Rivera said LB Luke Kuechly could start at middle linebacker in Week 5 if LB Jon Beason (knee) is not able to play. The team has been reluctant to move Kuechly this early in the season.
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Carolina Panthers head coach Ron Rivera said the team will not consider moving LB Luke Kuechly to middle linebacker if LB Jon Beason (shoulder, knee) is not able to play Week 4 because the team does not want him to change positions this early in the season. Rivera indicated the team could use Kuechly as a middle linebacker in the nickel package if Beason is out an extended period of time.
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Carolina Panthers LB Luke Kuechly has performed well in pass coverage so far during training camp. Some believed it would take Kuechly some time before making an impact in that area.
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Carolina Panthers LB Luke Kuechly will wear jersey No. 59.
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Hot -- Moving Up in the Player Rankings.
Cold -- Moving Down in the Player Rankings.
Injury Concern.
Sleeper.