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

[Peppers90 NC]

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. 

Does 72-0 mean anything? They were growing but I'd put 96, 03 and 13 above the 02 and probably even the 08 D

[Castavar]

what kind of system does jacksonville run on offense anyway?  seeing as to how they're probably the most ignored team in the league outside of the titans i really have no idea.  if they think they're going to pound it between the tackles and then test us deep then it might be a blowout as that's the kind of offense we're probably best configured to handle.  if they run more west coast concepts then that could be trouble if that early season rivera weirdness makes a return.

TBH, I have no idea. I watched probably only one game last year of them, and I saw no system whatsoever. However, I'm pretty sure they have Greg Olson as coordinator now, and I think he runs variations of the WCO, and he loves to air it out. So I expect a lot of passes. Other than that, I have no idea.

[Snake]

Unless Ealy really improves and KK balls out I doubt it.

[pantherphan96]

Hardy was a freakish talent. If he could have kept his head on straight... Dude will have quiet stretches and then just absolutely dominate 2-3 games at a time each season. I'm betting he stills gets 10+ sacks this year. Hope Ealy improves and Alexander stays on the straight and narrow.

[Davidson Deac II]

Does 72-0 mean anything?

Not really. 

[Peppers90 NC]

Not really. 

I didn't think so, it's forgettable. The amount of points that defense gave up to the Falcons in 2 games.

[Kuech the Sneak]

There's a few question marks but if ealy or frank step up at the other end, and if tillman still has it, and if Coleman can overtake Harper and give quality snaps then they can be scary good. Top 10 at least

[Davidson Deac II]

I didn't think so, it's forgettable. The amount of points that defense gave up to the Falcons in 2 games.

Looked it up, actually it was 71 points.  That being said, you are correct, Atlanta lit us up that year.  We had a hyper aggressive defense in 02 and that played into Vick's hands. But 6 offensive turnovers and a plethora of 3 and outs, sacks, and other offensive miscues contributed to that total. 

 

Fwiw, Fox took a while to figure out defending Vick.  He was injured in 03 so that defense didn't have to face him.  He lit us up in 04, we finally managed to do something with him in 05. 

 

The 02 defense allowed fewer points than the 03 defense, despite a offense that was top 5 in the league in turnovers.  The fact that it performed so well despite getting little or no help from the offense is why I think they are the best. 

[pstall]

I wanted a top notch cb or s in free agency to think so.

[davos]

I think this defense is in some awesome shape. 

This is a year where Short, Boston & Bene can step up into major roles for the future.  I think their stepping up into proven top-talent types is even more critical than some deficiencies being somewhat unfilled.  TD, Luke and CJ are proven all-pro level.  And damn our LB group is downright nasty.  

I think we'd all like a savvy and athletic SS leading the secondary but Coleman could do just fine with this crew.  He's proven to be very good when with a good squad around him...one of which we have.    

 

About the DL: The nice thing is I'm still taking our rotation over most in the league. 

[Mr. Scot]

Looked it up, actually it was 71 points.  That being said, you are correct, Atlanta lit us up that year.  We had a hyper aggressive defense in 02 and that played into Vick's hands. But 6 offensive turnovers and a plethora of 3 and outs, sacks, and other offensive miscues contributed to that total. 

 

Fwiw, Fox took a while to figure out defending Vick.  He was injured in 03 so that defense didn't have to face him.  He lit us up in 04, we finally managed to do something with him in 05. 

 

The 02 defense allowed fewer points than the 03 defense, despite a offense that was top 5 in the league in turnovers.  The fact that it performed so well despite getting little or no help from the offense is why I think they are the best. 

That was Del Rio's year as DC here.

Hes proven over and over since then that mobile QBs are his Achilles heel.

[panthersphan]

I like the patch work job Gman has done with the secondary, but We still could use a major upgrade there.