I don't feel Bene gets enough respect from the Panther faithful

[beastson]

Problem is, can Tillman play the Nickel?

[Bartin]

Problem is, can Tillman play the Nickel?

 

Or safety like many are wanting him to?

 

As far as I know, he has exclusively been an outside CB in a zone scheme for his entire career and it's my bet he was brought here to do just that.

[Khyber53]

I hope Bene and Norman work out to be a great tandem for years to come, but let's face it, right now, none of our people in the secondary are playing at an elite level. None of them have reached that pinnacle yet. It'll be great if they, or one does, but we're still quite a ways from being among the best. Tillman will help us get there, a little bit by playing, a lot by instructing.

 

[iamhubby1]

I keep hearing how many of us want Bene to go back to being our nickel corner.  I've listened to some Charlotte sports talk, and they figure Charles Tillman will start opposite Norman, pretty much removing Bene without much thought whatsoever. (Not that I'm saying Tillman would be bad by any means.  I'm quite confident in his ability.  In fact, he is better than Bene right now.)

 

 

I think it would be a mistake to put Bene back at the nickel.  This guy is brimming on top corner ability.  It is very rare to have a guy like this at such a young age in NFL standards.  I want him to continue to progress in that.  To me, moving him back to being a part time nickel seems like we would put a lid on him.  Not that I believe his talent would regress or anything, but I just don't want to move him from that spot.  What I saw from him in his starts last year was downright incredible.  He legitimized our young secondary when Cason and White left it a gaping hole earlier in the season.  He has the skills of a true shut down corner, and I want him to continue to develop that in remaining our starter.  Now where would Tillman play if Bene is still the starter?  I've said before Tillman should take Harper's spot.  I wouldn't mind if Tillman took Boston's spot in the starting lineup because Tillman should definitely start.  Just not at the cost of Bene's spot.

 

 

Late last year, people stopped throwing to Norman's side because they knew he was our best corner.  Yet we still did great against the pass because Bene showed up on the other side and took offenses best hit.  I think Tillman should start because I believe he's our best defensive back right now besides Norman.  So that means either Bene will be off the field if Tillman starts at corner, or we put Tillman at safety.  I rather see Tillman at safety and keep Bene on the outside.  At least that's my hope.  A lot of people want Bene back at nickel.

I'm one of those who don't see the need to move him inside.  People can talk about his 40 time all they want, but I've seen him run step-for-step, down the sidelines, with some fast receivers.  I like him on the outside, but it all boils down to where the coaches want him.

I think all three of you have the right beginning. You just didn't carry it out to its logical conclusion. Put Peanut at FS on early downs, move him to corner on passing downs. Bene' gets to play outside, and we keep Peanut on the field.

2 WRs on the field Bene' is outside. 3WRs and he goes to nickel.

Unless. We draft another Bene' who can start at nickel, and move Peanut to FS.

 

 

I hope Bene and Norman work out to be a great tandem for years to come, but let's face it, right now, none of our people in the secondary are playing at an elite level. None of them have reached that pinnacle yet. It'll be great if they, or one does, but we're still quite a ways from being among the best. Tillman will help us get there, a little bit by playing, a lot by instructing.

By the end of the year, Josh was playing as well as anyone. I would say that may qualify as elite. So we have that going for us.

[London Loves Luke]

The versatility and depth is exciting, but for me I always think the 'round peg for round holes' approach works best. Bene was a good outside corner and a great nickel. Playing him at nickel let's you have your 3 best DBs in their 3 best positions on the field at the same time. Perfectly good with that.

[heel31ok]

I hope Bene and Norman work out to be a great tandem for years to come, but let's face it, right now, none of our people in the secondary are playing at an elite level. None of them have reached that pinnacle yet. It'll be great if they, or one does, but we're still quite a ways from being among the best. Tillman will help us get there, a little bit by playing, a lot by instructing.

 

still in need of an elite talent cb  for the future.

 

[panthers55]

Lets see how it plays out in camp.  Seems to me that who plays where will be determined on the field and not in a message forum.  It doesnt matter what people think here as much as it matters what each brings on the field.  But I have no problem saying Tillman is going to be the starter in May given he is a multi-probowler at corner and Bene doesnt even have 1 year of starting experience at the corner position.  It is Tillman's position to lose.

[MV%doe]

Nickel is the base D. You need 3 CBs, bene just happens to be great at both nick and outside. Tillman/ norman have never played at nick that I've heard of. Best for the current team to play bene at NB.

[CPantherKing]

Maybe this will clear it up.

 

There are different nickel packages.

 

McDermott will run a majority of his defense out of a 'big nickel' or a 2-4-5 on 2nd and 3rd down.

 

The 'big nickel' requires a DB who can cover hybrid TEs, support the run at the LoS, and cover the seam man to man if needed.  This is where Tillman will factor in for the defense. In Chicago, when the Bears defense faced a spread formation with a large WR or hybrid TE at the Y Tillman would be matched to that receiver. Tillman is also capable of playing down in the box and taking on blockers when offenses use bunch and spread formations on running downs. This allows the defense to hide whether they are in zone or man.

 

Godfrey had this role before he was cut and he stunk. Colin Jones took this roll over and he did well but struggled at times. They tried Benwikere at this spot early in the season, but he was out of position and the veteran QBs like Flacco and Rothlisberger took advantage of him. So, needless to say the Panthers could not use the meat of their defensive play calling with Hardy out and no one who could man the nickel position in their 'big nickel' packages. That is why Kuechly and Davis had to cover so much ground last season with all the offenses throwing spread formations at the Panthers.

[Kuech the Sneak]

He's our best nickel on the team, we'll be in nickel 80% of the time anyways so it's not a big deal. Not really a downgrade

[SOJA]

tillman to which safety spot? Certainly not FS- we need speed there and if you move him to SS do we cut Roman? 

[R0CKnR0LLA]

Richard sherman 2.0

Tillman needs to get comfy on the bench

[heel31ok]

Maybe this will clear it up.

 

There are different nickel packages.

 

McDermott will run a majority of his defense out of a 'big nickel' or a 2-4-5 on 2nd and 3rd down.

 

The 'big nickel' requires a DB who can cover hybrid TEs, support the run at the LoS, and cover the seam man to man if needed.  This is where Tillman will factor in for the defense. In Chicago, when the Bears defense faced a spread formation with a large WR or hybrid TE at the Y Tillman would be matched to that receiver. Tillman is also capable of playing down in the box and taking on blockers when offenses use bunch and spread formations on running downs. This allows the defense to hide whether they are in zone or man.

 

Godfrey had this role before he was cut and he stunk. Colin Jones took this roll over and he did well but struggled at times. They tried Benwikere at this spot early in the season, but he was out of position and the veteran QBs like Flacco and Rothlisberger took advantage of him. So, needless to say the Panthers could not use the meat of their defensive play calling with Hardy out and no one who could man the nickel position in their 'big nickel' packages. That is why Kuechly and Davis had to cover so much ground last season with all the offenses throwing spread formations at the Panthers.

not that I think Godfrey was great but could you not know he would suck when they moved him? he was set up to fail which is fine, just don't act surprised or even blame him for that one.

[CPF4LIFE]

Tillman is not better then bene right now.