Does this defense have the potential to be the best Carolina has ever had?

[OnlyPantherFaninMaine]

Charles Johnson - Star Lotulelei - Kawann Short - Frank Alexander/Kony Ealy

Thomas Davis - Luke Kuechly - Shaq Thompson

Charles Tillman - Bene Benwikere (n) - Josh Norman

Roman Harper/Kurt Coleman - Tre Boston

Assume the injury bug doesn't bite us too bad. I really believe if Kony or Frank take the next step and have strong season that this defense can potentially be one of the best Carolina has ever had by season's end. The defense is the strongest I've seen here up the middle. I really think the versatility and coverage/blitzing ability of TD and Shaq will give offenses fits when Star and Short get a push up the middle. It's light out if Norman plays like he did to close out the season and Bene takes another step forward. The safeties are clearly the weak link of the defense and I'm not quite sure what to think of Boston (need to see more but I like his game) but I do like having a veteran back there in Harper and Coleman. By season's end, as we are rolling into the playoffs, this defense could potentially be playing at a level we haven't seen in Charlotte for a long time. I think it has the potential and upside to be better than 2013. I think we could give up an average of 14 a game or so and that's even with some of the high-powered offenses we will see in the Colts, Packers, and potentially the Giants and Cowboys. 

 

 

[CarolinaCoolin]

The safeties leave me worried. Roman Harper is just not starting quality anymore.

[hepcat]

If we still had Hardy, maybe.  The 2003 front 7 is better IMO.  Peppers and Jenkins in their prime were unstoppable.

[janderson20vt]

Best we've have ever had? No. I think it can be a top 5 defense this year though. LIke you said, Boston looked good at the end of last year but the sample size is still too small to really come to a conclusion on him and Harper is pretty bad in coverage at times. I love Norman and Bene but Tillman is old as hell and I wouldn't be surprised to see him get burned badly a few times. That's assuming he can even stay healthy. Front 7 will no doubt be beastly. I have high hopes for Ealy/Frank stepping up and Shaq was a stud at Washington that will only get better as the season goes along. The rest of the front 7 are self explanatory.

[stirs]

All the parts are in place except the pass rush.  The lack of a killer pass rush is all that holds us back.

[mpugh6]

When you look at the turnover ability of Tillman and Shaq, plus add in another year of experience to our young ballhawking secondary, Not to mention all the other beasts... Yeah, I think we will set team records, especially in turnovers. If we see Ealy get a lot better, I think we could be the top defense in the league this year.

[t96]

If we had Hardy, yes. But I don't see Frank or Ealy or anyone else stepping into his spot and playing nearly as well as him, so probably not. If one of them does though, it could have that kind of potential.  Coleman/Boston with Norman and Peanut/Bene could be a pretty solid secondary. Front 7 is elite.

[pantherphan96]

I would take our front 7 now plus Hardy and put it up against any former Panthers front 7. Hardy could easily explode for 15-20 sacks with CJ putting up his usual 10-15. Short can add some more while the backup rotation of Ealy, Addison, Alexander, and Horton would also fit in nicely.

[TheRumGone]

I think we're more balanced than 2013 but that front seven was freakish two years ago. Every single spot was pro bowl/all pro talent.

[OnlyPantherFaninMaine]

I think we're more balanced than 2013 but that front seven was freakish two years ago

I think Star and Short this season will be far better than they were their rookie year. Short really has the ability to be dominant with his size and first step and I think Star takes a step forward assuming the foot heals up fine. Definitely will miss Hardy's rushing ability and his strength against the run but I like the rotation we have there. I think Ealy and Alexander could combine for 12-15 sacks potentially. 

[TheRumGone]

I think Star and Short this season will be far better than they were their rookie year. Short really has the ability to be dominant with his size and first step and I think Star takes a step forward assuming the foot heals up fine. Definitely will miss Hardy's rushing ability and his strength against the run but I like the rotation we have there. I think Ealy and Alexander could combine for 12-15 sacks potentially. 

I really don't know. That would be a success if they put up those sack totals. But we need to look at overall play with them. Both of those players have the tools in run support and rushing the passer but...

people tend to forget how mean we were in 2013. We hurt people and made ppl fear us. The end of 2014 we  just played sound defensive football. Hardy made that front seven scary with his play and personality. And you could see it all coming in 2012 and the moment stars name was called on draft night. 

 

I think ealy will need more time. I think we can be good and like I said our dbs are light years better than 2013. 

[TheRumGone]

Also I'm serious when I say if hardy didn't miss an entire season, we were looking at losing a jj watt level talent this offseason. Hardy was rising not plateauing.

[Daddy_Uncle]

If we had Hardy still than maybe. I do think that Either Ealy or Frank will shine this season and have 10+ sacks. One of both of them will step up big time. So excited about our depth at linebacker. Shaq allows us to be able to do so many different things and will make it hard for OCs to game plan for. We have added more talent to our secondary. I am excited about what our defense can do. I just hope they come our strong from game one

[OnlyPantherFaninMaine]

I also see Shaq as a huge improvement to whoever has occupied that outside linebacker spot. All we need him to do is play like a first round player and I'm confident that he will. His athleticism and sideline to sideline ability with Luke and TD is just scary. He has an uncanny knack for the football...just like Luke and Thomas Davis. Those three are going to rack up a healthy amount of sacks, INTs, FF, and fumble recoveries this season. Really like the pass rushing element Shaq could bring to this defense on stunts. Will be interesting to see how we use him but I am feeling good about McDermott and Rivera getting the most out of his abilities.