Willie McGinest Top 5 Defenses: Carolina number 1

[aussiePanther]

4 hours ago, chris999 said:

Our philosophy has changed somewhat under the Rivera/gettleman era. Fox and Hurney were huge on DEs, but I think that Rivera runs a much more complex defense, and values QB pressure from anywhere, not just the end position.

I think they've been doing that since Hardy left because the DE play has underwhelmed. If he could have relied on the DEs to do what they were meant to I think he would have used 4 man rushes much more, like we did in 2013 when we got 66 sacks for the year.

It was just lucky for us that the worst DE play coincided with JNos breakout year and Kuechly redefining what's possible in pass coverage for a LBer.

[Adb6368]

22 hours ago, Nick_81 said:

No team does really, and some don't even have starters you can trust full-time.  This is the norm around the league, for every position.  You just have to hope your guys stay healthy.  If not, you play it by committee, and hope for the best.  I, personally, really like the guys behind our starters.  Are they starter material?  Probably not, at least not yet, but we have some really good situational guys, Addison in particular.  Again, if you really dig through every team's roster, they're all in the same boat.  Nobody has starters backing up starters.

I agree that no team has starters backing up starters but it's more of a surprise considering how much I thought G-man coveted the DE position. Our DL's have allowed us to have less of a focus on the DE position but the fact that we haven't drafted a high-round DE besides Ealy the last few years surprises me. Luckily it has been working so far and with the addition of Butler it looks like we are focusing more on the interior as opposed to the exterior rushing. I think most teams are opposite.

[Nick_81]

25 minutes ago, Adb6368 said:

I agree that no team has starters backing up starters but it's more of a surprise considering how much I thought G-man coveted the DE position. Our DL's have allowed us to have less of a focus on the DE position but the fact that we haven't drafted a high-round DE besides Ealy the last few years surprises me. Luckily it has been working so far and with the addition of Butler it looks like we are focusing more on the interior as opposed to the exterior rushing. I think most teams are opposite.

Well, he covets the line in general.  Offensive, and defensive.  I don't think it's that he's putting less focus on the DE's though.  I think it's more about the right DE not being there when we're picking, and there's no doubt in my mind that he would grab one, if he's there.

[PoundCat]

I try to guard against homer tendencies, but I think we do have a legitimate shot at finishing #1 in several key defensive categories. The addition of Mount Vernon can't be understated. Can you imagine a relatively fresh KK in the 4th quarter? I'm getting moist just thinking about it:)

[caatfan]

2 minutes ago, Nick_81 said:

 I think it's more about the right DE not being there when we're picking,

Exactly. They give grades to players and go by those grades when drafting. They don't circle a particular position and wait until a guy who plays that position beccmes available. With that strategy we wouldn't have KK ('What, another DT?') or Shaq ('What, another LB?').  

I hope Willie's right about the defense, but we don't need to be #1, just close.

[Adb6368]

10 minutes ago, Kuechly59 said:

Was I the only one who caught it when LT said FANTASY defense he doesn't nessisarly mean we will be #1 over all he's saying we will have the best fantasy defense which we had last season...

the panthers defense is geared to give up yards but also make a ton of big plays and turnovers... 

 

 

I actually think we have a better chance being #1 overall than #1 fantasy. As sad as it is to admit, I can't imagine how many fantasy points Norman got us last year. Depending on league, he single-handedly scored two TD's in the first 2 weeks. And defensive scores are one of the biggest fantasy impacts there is. Although I see some interceptions this year, I don't see the ballhawking being up to par from last year.

[Donald LaFell]

10 minutes ago, Kuechly59 said:

Sorry but if you think that you didn't pay enough attention JNO finished with 4 ints all in the first six weeks altogether he accounted for 6 of 34 turnovers....

I actually think Bradbury has a chance of having more picks as a rookie just because he won't be avoided giving him more opportunitys for turnovers.

Yeah ala Chris Gamble