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

[TN05]

I'm not sure. We've had so many great defenses that it's a tough bar to cross. Our front four is not as good as 2003, and our secondary isn't as good as 2005. But on whole, we are a very solid defense. If Star, KK, and Norman take the next step and become elite, and Shaq does what we need him to, I could see this being better than 2013. The biggest question mark is defensive end. CJ is rock solid, but none of our other guys have proven to be anything special.

[UKPanther94]

 

Seems like people have quickly wiped from their memory banks those 6 blowout losses in 10 games that this Carolina defense allowed at one point last year.

Some of that was attributed to our offensive lack of firepower, and special teams, but we were downright putrid at certain points last year.

 

No doubt, but Cason/DeCoud/Godfrey etc contributed a ton to that, along with Bene's injury, I'll be surprised if the current defensive group allows anything near that mess

[TheRed]

 

No doubt, but Cason/DeCoud/Godfrey etc contributed a ton to that, along with Bene's injury, I'll be surprised if the current defensive group allows anything near that mess

Oh I definitely expect our defense to be improved off those departures alone. When you factor in the additions we've made, if we aren't improved, someone needs to be fired.

But as for best ever talk, I'm sober at the moment, so I'll need to work that in gradually.

[Batman]

The Hardy myth is alive and well on the huddle. It's gonna be hilarious when either Ealy or Alexander emerge and have more sacks than Hardy this season with CJ again being underappreciated and putting in another great year.

[Peppers90 NC]

The Hardy myth is alive and well on the huddle. It's gonna be hilarious when either Ealy or Alexander emerge and have more sacks than Hardy this season with CJ again being underappreciated and putting in another great year.

Hardy myth? Never heard of it.

[OneBadCat]

I'm not sure. We've had so many great defenses that it's a tough bar to cross. Our front four is not as good as 2003, and our secondary isn't as good as 2005. But on whole, we are a very solid defense. If Star, KK, and Norman take the next step and become elite, and Shaq does what we need him to, I could see this being better than 2013. The biggest question mark is defensive end. CJ is rock solid, but none of our other guys have proven to be anything special.

I think Tre Boston is going to develop into a solid starter. I would take Norman over Ken Lucas. Bene looks like starter material out there. They may very well surpass that duo in time.

This defensive line may end up being better than the 03 squad across the board.

Jenkins> Short but KK is trending up. I'd take Star over Buckner in heart beat and CJ is better than Rucker. Ealy and Alexander can't touch Peppers but they could be a good rotation.

The depth at DT is better now than it was in the 03 squad too.

I also have Keuchly and Davis edging out Morgan/Fields.

 

This defense could very well be the best in team history. It is potentially the most balanced we've ever had. Which is what we need because at some point the refs will allow holding on our beast d-line and we need the secondary to match up. Norman, Bene, and Tillman can do that.

[CoastalCat]

Oh I definitely expect our defense to be improved off those departures alone. When you factor in the additions we've made, if we aren't improved, someone needs to be fired.

But as for best ever talk, I'm sober at the moment, so I'll need to work that in gradually.

I think our 2013 defense with Hardy and Mitchell was pretty tough to beat. We shall see.

[Ivan The Awesome]

Without Hardy, no its isn't..  

[propagandamachine]

Key thing Is not to have 2 players and then poo depth but had solid players all around. Honesty I think Ron is building the closest thing to San Diego Chargers that will be seen for a while

[pantherclaw]

Reading this thread, makes me see that a lot of fans underestimate the talent we have at the defensive tackle position. 

We don't need hardy to still have a consistent pass rush. 

Our interior dline will enable our ends to shine.

[Mr. Scot]

Most dominant unit on one side of the ball or the other? Not feeling it.

The most balanced roster between all three phases of the game that we've seen in a while?

I think that's an actual possibility.

[luke nukem]

We are an elite Strong/Free safety away.

[KB_fan]

Most dominant unit on one side of the ball or the other? Not feeling it.

The most balanced roster between all three phases of the game that we've seen in a while?

I think that's an actual possibility.

Yeah, this.

[Davidson Deac II]

Best defense ever for the Panthers was the 2002 defense (to bad the offense was horrid that year).  If this defense comes close to that one, we should be in pretty good shape.