A.J. Klein (3 year, $15 mill, $10M guaranteed)
 

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.

Re: A.J. Klein (3 year, $15 mill, $10M guaranteed)
 

Welcome aboard AJ! Admittedly I don't know much about him in terms of strengths and weaknesses but I like what I'm hearing! Let's not forget that he gets to work with Mike Nolan now as well so it could be a very bright future.

Re: A.J. Klein (3 year, $15 mill, $10M guaranteed)
 

Now this will be big bang fir the bucks

Re: A.J. Klein (3 year, $15 mill, $10M guaranteed)
 

5 million a year for a player who has been a back up his whole career? Not saying he won't start for us but sheesh, that's a lot for a part time player.

Re: A.J. Klein (3 year, $15 mill, $10M guaranteed)
 

I bet Nolan whispered his name softly in Paytons ear. I think we got a stud on the cheap. Now if we can land Hankins in FA and draft OLB Cunningham, I would be a happy, happy camper.

Re: A.J. Klein (3 year, $15 mill, $10M guaranteed)
 

He's not coming here to be a part time player. He was also behind the best MLB in the NFL. When he did start, the Panthers didn't skip a beat.

I'm excited about this guy.

Re: A.J. Klein (3 year, $15 mill, $10M guaranteed)
 

A.J. Klein 4.66 40. 20 bench. 33 vertical



*don't let the comparison to Scott Shanle scare you
NFL Events: Combine Player Profiles - A.J. Klein

Re: A.J. Klein (3 year, $15 mill, $10M guaranteed)
 

Hagan finally gets his man!! LOL

Re: A.J. Klein (3 year, $15 mill, $10M guaranteed)
 

Its obvious he's not a Dont'a Hightower, but I'm convinced its an upgrade to playing Robertson in the middle.

At worst I think he'll be NFL average with a decent ceiling. Thats better than what we've had lately.

Craig can now go back to WLB and thrive.

Re: A.J. Klein (3 year, $15 mill, $10M guaranteed)
 

Wanted him during that draft and always had to watch him play for the panthers since. finally

Re: A.J. Klein (3 year, $15 mill, $10M guaranteed)
 

He's in the 2nd tier of free-agents (3-star F/A) that most of us agreed we should target instead of the mega-splash guys. Thats kinda what we just did.

Re: A.J. Klein (3 year, $15 mill, $10M guaranteed)
 

Smart move good price makes us better immediately and leaves us a leeway to make more moves

Re: A.J. Klein (3 year, $15 mill, $10M guaranteed)
 

I suppose this move takes Foster off the draft wish list.

Re: A.J. Klein (3 year, $15 mill, $10M guaranteed)
 

I wouldn't rule Foster out at all. Klein can also play outside.

Re: A.J. Klein (3 year, $15 mill, $10M guaranteed)
 

Supposedly so can Foster, although a bunch of fake drafts have him heading to Cincy. It will allow us to look at the edge or the D backfield.

Re: A.J. Klein (3 year, $15 mill, $10M guaranteed)
 

Yep and a lot of people actually project Foster to be a better fit as a weakside LB.

Re: A.J. Klein (3 year, $15 mill, $10M guaranteed)
 

I hope not. Reuben is the most complete collegiate LB prospect in the nation. He is still high on my draft "wish list" at pick #11.

Re: A.J. Klein (3 year, $15 mill, $10M guaranteed)
 

I would take Cunningham at OLB everyday over Foster.

Re: A.J. Klein (3 year, $15 mill, $10M guaranteed)
 

Loving these signings.

Re: A.J. Klein (3 year, $15 mill, $10M guaranteed)
 

And Reuben Foster at the strong side

Re: A.J. Klein (3 year, $15 mill, $10M guaranteed)
 

To be honest I don't know to much about the guy. I hope you're right. Maybe I'm living in the 90's but 5 million a year seems steep for a player with less than 15 starts.

Re: A.J. Klein (3 year, $15 mill, $10M guaranteed)
 

Kinda, it depends on how the contract is structured. We paid 5/yr for Curtis Lofton several years ago.

10 million guaranteed over 4 years (2.5 per year) isn't exactly gonna break anyone in todays NFL.

Re: A.J. Klein (3 year, $15 mill, $10M guaranteed)
 

Finally, some off season news that doesn't suck. Other than some of the coaching changes.

I think this guy could be more than solid. He seems like a breakout player in waiting. It would sure be nice if he is.

Re: A.J. Klein (3 year, $15 mill, $10M guaranteed)
 

Re: A.J. Klein (3 year, $15 mill, $10M guaranteed)
 

Klein MLB
Robertson WLB
Anthony SLB?

enter TJ Watt in round 2.
T.J. Watt OLB/DE/TE Wisconsin 6042 243 4.65 #42 rJr
While SLB is written all over him. SDE could be a solid option also.


Need a cover LB?
Round 1/2
Zach Cunningham MLB/OLB Vanderbilt 6032 230 4.67 #41 rJr
Haason Reddick, WLB/ILB, Temple 6014 237 4.54 #58 rSr

Round 4/5
Jordan Evans ILB/OLB/SS Oklahoma 6021 232 4.51 #26 Sr

Need a project?
Tyus Bowser, OLB, Houston 6021 240 4.65 #81 Sr
Duke Riley WOLB/SS/ILB LSU 6005 231 4.58 #40

The signing of AJ open a world of options. The front 4 has to keep him clean. Something the saints were not good at last year. The main reason I wanted Johnathan Hankins over Nick Fairley,

It is a solid start

Re: A.J. Klein (3 year, $15 mill, $10M guaranteed)
 

I don't keep up much with LB'er speed. Is 4.66 slow? Shanle was solid but I want spectacular!:bng:

Re: A.J. Klein (3 year, $15 mill, $10M guaranteed)
 

We maybe drafting spectacular!!!!

Re: A.J. Klein (3 year, $15 mill, $10M guaranteed)
 

4.66 isn't bad at all, especially not with his size.

Re: A.J. Klein (3 year, $15 mill, $10M guaranteed)
 

Watt is overrated. He's where he is because of the last name. Give me Cunningham in rd 1 or beckwith in rd 4.

Re: A.J. Klein (3 year, $15 mill, $10M guaranteed)
 

I think we're all going to be very happy with this fellow...

Re: A.J. Klein (3 year, $15 mill, $10M guaranteed)
 

Its not blazing but it isn't horrible either. He looks pretty fast on film.

Re: A.J. Klein (3 year, $15 mill, $10M guaranteed)
 

I just want to know if LB coach Mike Nolan wants this guy and thinks about him.

If he wanted him him then I'd be ok.

Re: A.J. Klein (3 year, $15 mill, $10M guaranteed)
 

i would expect Nolan to have som input on the signing on FA LBs. Anything else would be quite strange.

Re: A.J. Klein (3 year, $15 mill, $10M guaranteed)
 

He's a good player. Very solid. Plus, he takes away the Panthers experience behind LK. Who, God bless him, is one play away from retirement.

Re: A.J. Klein (3 year, $15 mill, $10M guaranteed)
 

Truefully speed is over rated in the NFL. Not sure why it is brought up that much by news guys. I mean the difference between 4.0 and 4.66 is .66 of 1 second lol. Thats not a huge difference.
Also doesnt matter if it cant be sustened, endurance, like cooks can do. To prove that point the great Walter Payton ran 4.84 second 40-yard dash.
Im not sure alot of test in the combine are worth much.

Re: A.J. Klein (3 year, $15 mill, $10M guaranteed)
 

No, Watt is being HURT by his last name similar to QB Carr was just waiting to be taken early in the 2nd if judged on his own merits.

Re: A.J. Klein (3 year, $15 mill, $10M guaranteed)
 

Carolina will probably replace him with Riley from LSU...some think he will be better that Deion Jones...

Re: A.J. Klein (3 year, $15 mill, $10M guaranteed)
 

He's the heat seeking missile Debo is just without the same ball skills. Love this guy.

If you've watch TJ Watt play on Saturdays, you'd know it isn't his last name that makes him a good player. That said, it doesn't hurt that he has the blood line and intensity his brother shares. That's a positive.

Re: A.J. Klein (3 year, $15 mill, $10M guaranteed)
 

Isn't Robertson MLB? I didn't get to see many games last season so hopefully he played a different spot and Klein is here to replace what Laranitus was supposed to be?