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Love what his former teammates had to say

Carolina Panthers LB A.J. Klein might have one edge over Luke Kuechly - NFC South- ESPN

CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- A.J. Klein might be faster than Luke Kuechly.

You heard it here first.

“And he’s faster than TD."

That would be outside linebacker Thomas Davis, who won’t admit anybody is faster than him.

But Klein is fast.

“I don’t think people quite understand his abilities, which is just fine with me," Carolina coach Ron Rivera said. “He’s a solid football player and does some good things for us."

Davis doesn’t hesitate to say Klein could start for 31 other teams.

“I honestly believe he could be a starter on any team," he said.

“It reaffirmed for us what we saw in A.J. before that," defensive coordinator Sean McDermott said. “To step in that role, to command the defense and control really what we’re trying to get done on defense, I thought he did a nice job and made plays at the same time.

“It’s one thing to get people lined up. It’s another to make plays. He did both of those extremely well."

Davis agreed.

“His ability to come in and lead the defense from a play-calling standpoint ... he doesn’t lack any confidence from that," he said. “He came in and did a great job, and we expect him to do the same thing this time."


“A.J. is a very smart, instinctive player, just like Luke," he said. “Luke and A.J. are two peas in a pod, as far as what they do all together.

“A.J.’s going to be ready, locked in, and you’re not going to see any difference."

“Luke is Luke. Everyone understands," Pro Bowl tight end Greg Olsen said. “But A.J. is considered a starter on this team. He’s starter-caliber talent. His production has been starter-caliber.

Klein’s versatility will make for interesting negotiations if the Panthers hope to keep him. If he plays well over the next few weeks, his price tag could be too expensive if another team offers him starting money.

Kuechly currently is the fourth-highest paid linebacker in the league at $12,360,313 million a year. Davis is tied for 12th at $9 million a year. The Panthers also still hope to re-sign Pro Bowl defensive tackle Kawann Short.

“I can’t imagine many teams, if they need a middle linebacker, that he wouldn’t be able to go there and be very, very productive," Coleman said of Klein. “You’re going to get the ultimate guy."

That sounds like something people have been saying about Kuechly for years.

“A.J. is a really good player," Olsen said. “On a lot of teams A.J. is an every-down starter. What he brings is toughness, intelligence. He’s more athletic and can cover ground maybe better than people anticipate."

Maybe faster than Kuechly.