New Defense?

[firstdayfan]

I've been hearing a lot of players use this as an excuse for the lack of execution, in fact, I think Damion Lewis said, "We're tring to get this new defense down, get the hustle down..." Am I the only one that wants to throw the BS flag out there on this one. "get the new defense down", are you kidding, these guys are professionals and have played football their entire lives and they have been putting in these defense for months and they are still trying to "get it down."

I might buy this if there was some other team out there that completely changed their defense...hmmmm, oh yeah, the Green Bay Packers changed from a 4-3 to a 3-4, a much more drastic change than ours, and they have been stellar so far in the preseason. Who's running that defense? Dom Capers and we all know how complicated and intricate his zone blitz schemes are. If they can switch to this defense and at least look as if they know what they are doing then why are we having so much trouble doing the same?

I heard someone make a good point about Meeks and it was this, "he doesn't have Manning and that offense covering up the weaknesses in his defense." A smaller, faster defense that "runs to the ball" is perfect for a high scoring team like the colts. But we are NOT the colts, we are the PANTHERS, and we run the ball and try not to make big mistakes. This defense should be bigger, stronger, and punish anyone who is even around the ball. I have a feeling that we will see a change next year in the same way we went from a zone blocking running game to a power running game, it just won't be this year.

They could get it together and really fly around a make some plays but early indications are that they won't. Remeber we face McNabb, Ryan, and Romo the first three games of the season, Flacco is a good QB but these guys are better.

They need to get this "NEW" defense down in a hurry.

[Guild]

I think it is possible that some details of the defense have changed to an extent that the players are making mistakes while they are trying to mentally adjust to these changes which in turn is having effects on both fundamental and schematic play errors. That said I am confident we can adjust and play good defense, tackle well, and force turnovers. We just need to get to it and prove me right.

My biggest worry is that we may not be true contenders (for the Superbowl) for a season or two while we get things straightened out which, considering our year last year, could be a real shame because in the offseason I thought we looked perched to make another run at the Big Game for a couple seasons to come.

[joemac]

Ok, well say that you are a computer programmer, and you have been messing with computers all your life....say one day at work a new boss comes in and says that you have to start programming in a totally different language, right away. Sure, you might know how to program, and you might even be sort of familiar with some of the concepts in this new language, but it still would probably take some time to be proficient in it.

[bLACKpANTHER]

i hate the fact that we are still rebuilding through the draft..

dont get me wrong thats fundamentally the way to go- BUT, you build through FA when you are maybe 1-2 players away.. we were 12-4 and on a train-track to the superbowl until the Arizona game.. we were exposed for the faulty D-line we had and the poor QB play..

it goes without saying- we need D-line help.. and prolly not just 1 guy..

i dont think the ship is sinking, we have a long season to go.. i just would like to see something happen soon, because it should've already happened..

[pnthrs]

Ok, well say that you are a computer programmer, and you have been messing with computers all your life....say one day at work a new boss comes in and says that you have to start programming in a totally different language, right away. Sure, you might know how to program, and you might even be sort of familiar with some of the concepts in this new language, but it still would probably take some time to be proficient in it.

Maybe, but you would still know how to type. We cant tackle - thats not "new" it has been a problem on multiple Fox teams - mostly in years we go 7-9 8-8.

[firstdayfan]

Ok, well say that you are a computer programmer, and you have been messing with computers all your life....say one day at work a new boss comes in and says that you have to start programming in a totally different language, right away. Sure, you might know how to program, and you might even be sort of familiar with some of the concepts in this new language, but it still would probably take some time to be proficient in it.

I agree with you but would that cause you to make fundamental mistakes like...well I can't think of any for computers. But like the poor tackling or lack of turnovers. I'm not disagreeing with you and I know that there are some growing pains in learning a new defense but with the talent we have should we play this poorly at this point in the preseason. I know the games don't count but the perfomances do. If we can't get it together before the bye we will be giving up a ton of yardage to those teams. Although I still think we could beat Philadelphia as they are struggling as well. The Falcons scare me and if Dallas wasn't at home then I think we could beat them as well.

Also, do you think the defense is even functional considering our offense. Games will be close and the defense will be relyed upon to make big plays and stop the other teams at critical times. The goal line stand the other night was a great start but we need to get better on third down so they can get off the field and give the offense more chances. I keep waiting for the defense to get better but its like being on a sinking boat, once one leak is stopped two more pop up.

[Guild]

Maybe, but you would still know how to type. We cant tackle - thats not "new" it has been a problem on multiple Fox teams - mostly in years we go 7-9 8-8.

Continuing to work within this comparison:

True enough but the typing may be slower and you may well type the wrong things and make other fundamental (read: logic) errors as you get adjusted to the new programming language.

[CRA]

Maybe, but you would still know how to type. We cant tackle - thats not "new" it has been a problem on multiple Fox teams - mostly in years we go 7-9 8-8.

Sure, any new coach/defense is going to take time so that things become second nature. However, plenty have of teams have made much bigger/harder changes and that isn't a crutch they are using for poor preseason performace.

Bottom line is these problems were exposed last season and is more of a talent problem based on what Carolina wants to do. The tackling has gotten worse but most of the other areas of concern were exposed last year during the regular season.

[Guest BradThomas]

I could almost buy that argument if it weren't for the fact that this defensive scheme is supposed to be "simpler" than the defensive scheme they ran last year.

[pnthrs]

Continuing to work within this comparison:

True enough but the typing may be slower and you may well type the wrong things and make other fundamental (read: logic) errors as you get adjusted to the new programming language.

Ok but everyone has stated that this D was "easier", "simpler", "not as complicated" from coaches to players.

Also we arrived at training camp later than 90% of teams and left training camp early. If this D requires more fundamentals then get you asses on the practice field.

We also had weeks of pre camps and time to implement this D mentally before physically. If we were having trouble with that I would expect nothing more than complete dedication until it is 2nd nature.

If this was my "programmer" I would have him learning this system a lot more diligently before the rubber hits the road Sept 13th.

[Guild]

There are many ways that you could read into the terms "easier" and the like being used to describe the defense. You could go with what seems obvious or maybe while the coverages are simpler what each player has to do and watch for on the field became more complex.

Hell if I know for sure though, just putting it out there.

[firstdayfan]

I could almost buy that argument if it weren't for the fact that this defensive scheme is supposed to be "simpler" than the defensive scheme they ran last year.

I agree 100% with you. I also want to throw this out there to everyone, can you name something that the defense has improved upon in three preseason games? The only thing I can think of is that the run defense might have improved slightly, most of that starts with the fact that Nick Hayden has improved as an individual player. The whole defense not so much.

[Guild]

I agree 100% with you. I also want to throw this out there to everyone, can you name something that the defense has improved upon in three preseason games? The only thing I can think of is that the run defense might have improved slightly, most of that starts with the fact that Nick Hayden has improved as an individual player. The whole defense not so much.

We've improved upon the experience of backups to critical players I guess... darn what a stretch to answer your question.

[firstdayfan]

We've improved upon the experience of backups to critical players I guess... darn what a stretch to answer your question.

Hehehehe, its cool. I really don't think there is a good answer, I agree with you though that guys like Anderson, Munnerlyn, Favorite, Hayden, and Connor are getting some good looks.