Finnegan will start off as a nickel CB

[Montsta]

It's been mentioned that the nickel corner has got to be the most cerebral of the bunch, and how you have a whole lot more field to cover than the outside guys. Bene excelled outside, so it makes sense to get a former all pro vet to play the nickel instead of watching Jones get manhandled every week. 

This is a good thing. 

[CPantherKing]

Finnegan will be on the #3/4 WR. He has the speed and  ability to cover over the middle. I am not worried. I was more worried with Colin Jones staying in at the nickel or dime position.

Colin Jones is good at ST, blitzing, run defense and intermediate zone coverage. Teams will attack him all the time he is on the field with speed in man to man situations. The rest of the defense is too strong. OCs want to stay away from Norman, Kuechly, Davis, and Tillman in short coverage. They are hesitant to go deep if they can not get behind Coleman. They do not have enough time with the pass rush to get it deep over the safeties. So, they have to go misdirection, crossing routes man to man against Colin Jones, and try to break a screen.

[hepcat]

With Norman and Finnegan, the Panthers are #1 in trash talking DBs.

[Seltzer]

I'm not going to crap on Colin Jones because he is a valuable part of this team, but he has had a very rough outing the last couple of weeks.  Now granted, the Redskins WR's are good (and Desean Jackson is a mismatch for most DB's on top of the fact Jones slipped on that play), and Cole Beasley is underrated as a slot WR.  

That being said, the Panthers are going to have to have good play on the slot WR in the playoffs if we play the Cardinals, or in a potential SB against a team like NE or CIN.  Larry Fitzgerald is lining up in the slot the majority of the time this year.

Colin Jones was signed to be a ST ace, and he has filled in admirably for the most part as our nickel CB.  However, Finnegan was a starter for most of his career and former Pro-Bowler.  If he still has anything left, could be huge for the rest of the season and also gives us flexibility in the playoffs.  I know the team likes Bene in the slot (mostly b/c he is the best CB we have for covering the slot), but he seems to play even better on the outside.

[pantherclaw]

2 hours ago, Jmac said:

Looks like they are throwing him right in the mix against N. O. Dude won't even have time to lace up his cleats, three days practice at best. Jones stunk it up so bad at nickel, that  a guy coming right off the couch will start. Jones is a ST's ace and back up, let's keep him there. This will be quite interesting Sunday.

Finn might be coming off the couch,   but don't dismiss his talent. 

[Jon Snow]

I hope he can hold up cause this defense needs a good nickle corner badly now that Tillman is sidelined.  Jones is a good backup safety but is in over his head covering the slot.  Our opponents now know this and will attack us relentlessly until we shore it up.  I'm hoping mighty mouth can back up his talk on the field or this undefeated streak will be short lived.

[KB_fan]

By the way... it's a bit off topic, but it relates to Gettlemagic and the types of free agents we're signing.

I've just finished listening to Kurt Coleman live on PFT radio, and it reminded me that he played for the Eagles.  So, what other NFC division did we play this year?  The NFC East...  Kurt talked about how all his 8 past games against Romo and the Dallas offense helped him anticipate where Romo was going to throw.  Look how he's been playing against Washington, Dallas... (and Philly too, I think, I don't remember his stats in that one).  But seriously, what smarts by our FO to add someone to our defense with experience in the other NFC division we'd be playing this season.  It had never even dawned on me until just now how great a move that was.

[therealmjl]

48 minutes ago, KB_fan said:

By the way... it's a bit off topic, but it relates to Gettlemagic and the types of free agents we're signing.

I've just finished listening to Kurt Coleman live on PFT radio, and it reminded me that he played for the Eagles.  So, what other NFC division did we play this year?  The NFC East...  Kurt talked about how all his 8 past games against Romo and the Dallas offense helped him anticipate where Romo was going to throw.  Look how he's been playing against Washington, Dallas... (and Philly too, I think, I don't remember his stats in that one).  But seriously, what smarts by our FO to add someone to our defense with experience in the other NFC division we'd be playing this season.  It had never even dawned on me until just now how great a move that was.

Interesting. Hadn't thought of that either.

Well now it's pretty much a lock that Coleman gets at least one pick vs Eli.

[firefox1234]

Finn probably wont get many snaps but this is the prefect time for him to get assimilated into the locker room and defensive structure. With the long week we have had and the fact that it looks like we have been working him out for a while he should be prepared for at least 10-15 snaps vs NO and he shud be fully prepared come playoffs

[MadHatter]

7 minutes ago, firefox1234 said:

Finn probably wont get many snaps but this is the prefect time for him to get assimilated into the locker room and defensive structure. With the long week we have had and the fact that it looks like we have been working him out for a while he should be prepared for at least 10-15 snaps vs NO and he shud be fully prepared come playoffs

Rivera said he will START next week at the Nickel position....not sure how that would be "probably not getting may snaps"

[Peppers90 NC]

Jones performed admirably last year covering in the slot but maybe that injury he miraculously recovered from this year has hampered his agility

[IGSaint]

Not a fan of this guy but I also know we can't continue to allow slot receivers feast on Colin Jones. If he makes great plays then who am i to hold a grudge. 

[rodeo]

3 hours ago, Cover2 said:

How bad is Tillman hurt though?

It doesn't really matter honestly. Even if he's only out 1 more game, a team serious about winning now is going to make a move for that 1 game, rather than keep it as a weakness.

[Snake]

Love all the couch GMs on here doubting a head coach and GM that actually know what they are talking about.