David Newton, ESPN Staff Writer 8y

Luke Kuechly shows he is Panthers' Captain America in win over Dallas

ARLINGTON, Texas -- Carolina Panthers linebacker Luke Kuechly wouldn't wear sequin-studded loafers like the ones quarterback Cam Newton donned after Thursday's 33-14 victory over the Dallas Cowboys.

He wouldn't stand in the corner of the end zone and go into a wild, animated and verbal celebration after successfully defending a receiver the way cornerback Josh Norman did in the fourth quarter.

He wouldn't do the dab or twist or any of those dances Newton does after touchdowns.

Kuechly isn't a showman.

"That's what you think," Newton said with a smile. "Luke's a little firecracker. He has a dark side. I don't want to kind of give away who he is, but a person that plays like that is not just a nice guy.

"C'mon now. He has the smile, the charisma, the lawyer look, but he has like a demolition mentality."

For much of Carolina's 11-0 start, Kuechly and the Carolina defense have been overshadowed by an offense ranked third in the league in scoring and a quarterback who has gotten as much attention for his touchdown dances as he has for the touchdowns.

Thursday's win was a reminder that Kuechly and the league's fourth-ranked defense are alive and well.

Kuechly intercepted passes on consecutive plays (with only a kickoff between them) in the first half. He returned the first one 32 yards for a touchdown. He didn't dance. He didn't taunt. He trotted to the sideline after each and got ready for the next play.

Kuechly is, as Newton likes to call the defensive captain, the Panthers' Captain America.

When asked earlier this week what he would be most thankful for on Thanksgiving, Newton immediately said, "Captain America Luke Kuechly."

Newton knows how important Kuechly is to their success. The Panthers know.

That Carolina went 3-0 while Kuechly was sidelined with a concussion was huge. It showed that this defense, this team, isn't built around one player. But to win games like Thursday's when the offense struggled, to win games in the playoffs, the Panthers need Kuechly.

"He's one of those special inside guys," veteran defensive end Jared Allen said. "Obviously, you can't take anything away from Ray Lewis and [Brian] Urlacher and guys like that. But the way Luke's going right now he's definitely putting himself in that level."

What Kuechly did on consecutive interceptions was proof of the mental and physical preparation he does to be in the right position to make those plays. Not since Marcus Robertson of the Oilers in 1997 has a player had back-to-back picks. Robertson did it on the last play of the first half and first of the second half. He had an entire halftime to rest between them.

Kuechly had only a few minutes after the Panthers kicked off.

"He's playing heads-up football," Panthers coach Ron Rivera said. "He's really into it. He's understanding what his opponent's trying to do. He's expecting, anticipating, very well."

Rivera said Kuechly actually called the audible that set up the first interception. Kuechly gave the credit to outside linebacker Thomas Davis.

Regardless, with Kuechly and Davis playing at the level they are, the Panthers will continue to win games.

"He's the guy," wide receiver Ted Ginn Jr. said. "Without him or TD orchestrating that defense, we don't know where we'll be."

The Panthers need no-nonsense players like Kuechly now more than ever, when the world is telling them how great they are. Kuechly doesn't hear the noise because he's always away in the film room or weight room getting ready for the next game.

He's vanilla in many ways. But the Panthers have enough characters. Vanilla helps keep them grounded.

Newton referred to Kuechly as "Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde" when asked to elaborate on his dark-side reference. Then in the same breath he reminded Kuechly is Captain America.

"Because he makes plays," Newton said. "He shows up and he prepares extremely well. That's what people really don't see about this whole team."

Kuechly sets the standard. For most of this season he has been overshadowed by the glitz. But you don't have to wear sparkly shoes or dance to shine, as Kuechly showed on this day.

"That's Luke," Newton said. "We all love him. I wouldn't want him any other way."

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