How concerned are you about the defense?

[Cat]

Things that I think can be fixed: Tackling needs to improve. Players weren't in the right position a few times. 

Things I'm not sure will be fixed: Dline pressure. I was concerned going into the season and game one against an oline without much continuity raised my level of concern. 

 

 

[uncfan888]

I am shocked that Sam Mills Fan is extremely worried after one game... Shocked!

[Camp Fodder]

1 hour ago, The_Rainmaker said:

Their run game made everything happen, the front 7 & secondary needs more time to Gel. Soliai, Butler, & Bradberry will become key pieces as we get midway into the season. 

Hopefully we aren't 2-6 by the time  they decide to get it together

[rippadonn]

NO pressure just patty cake. I was like "spear Trevor like they're spearing Cam!!!" 

Then I was like, oh :-/ ......bless em' they're trying really hard to get there 

D line should be embarrassed every time McDermott has to safety blitz

 

[CarolinaNut]

I just couldn't believe how poor the tackling was..boston and coleman were atrocious..and then the front four couldn't get any pressure..KK was a ghost out there

[CatMan72]

I'm concerned about our depth at DE, very little pressure on the QB when CJ/Ealy were out. We should be scanning for any trade opportunities (like Jared Allen last year) and should consider bringing Hardy back on a 1 year deal with the understanding that if he gets so much as a parking ticket he's gone. 

[CatMan72]

I'm honestly not as concerned about our tackling, with the way the NFL is these days it's going to take some time for everyone to get used to tackling and you can bet it will be a point of emphasis heading into the 49ers game. If the poor tackling is still an issue in week 4 or 5 then I'll get concerned. 

[shaqattaq]

1 hour ago, rippadonn said:

D line should be embarrassed every time McDermott has to safety blitz

wow....can't say that I disagree.

[Craig Pruitt]

4 hours ago, Bartin said:

I'm much more worried about the pass defense than I am about the run defense.

In run defense, Luke and TD both had pretty poor games by their standards. Luke was on the wrong side of the play a few times and TD got absolutely lit up by the Broncos FB. That is not something that I expect to continue at all. The 2nd unit on DL is an issue with the interior getting pushed around too much and Delaire and Addison are pretty useless against the run but I think it should be ok.

In pass defense, I really don't trust our front four to generate a ton of pressure outside of KK up the middle which means we will have to manufacture pressure through blitzing and that is where the problems with the secondary come in. If the front 4 isn't generating pressure by themselves then the secondary is going to get shredded. If we are having to blitz to generate pressure then I don't trust the secondary to hold down their coverages in man to man long enough for the QB not to be able to hit a hot route when he recognizes the blitz. Siemian was hitting his first read on just about every passing attempt against us.

I totally agree with your assessment on the pass defense.  Our edge rush looks weak. KK is going to receive special attention all year long after that breakout season last year. Even if Vern excels at DT we still need edge pressure.  If the DE's  don't bring it we are in for a long season. We've got to face Winston, Ryan, and Brees twice this year. If they're given as much time to throw as Siemens last game they are going to care us up.

Kurt Coleman had 7 INT's last year at the FS spot. I think he's better suited there. Unfortunately, we probably need him at SS because the rest of our Safties leave much to be desired or are unproven. I think we are going to miss Coleman's playmaking ability from the FS spot this year this year.

 Not having a "shutdown corner" is going to hurt. Bene is a competent corner but so far he hasn't demonstrated the ability to take away part of the field or lockdown an opposing's teams #1 WR. Bradbury athletically appears to be able to replace Josh, but we all know he's going to experience growing pains this year.  That said I didn't think he played that badly against Denver. I'm really hoping Worley can contribute by seasons end. No offense, but I just don't see Teddy Williams and Robert McClain keeping NFL QB's awake at night.

[MV%doe]

One game, first game, no QB tape, SB hangover\replay, etc etc

Im very concerned.

It seemed like each time broncos had a positive play, they got a first down. Panthers got saved by two turnovers, that took away easy points form the broncos. Missed tackles ,( I know it's near possible now to practice tackles) but panther need to find a solution. One of the big issues was McDermott getting owned, in both halfs! DL not taking advantage of a lesser talented OL. I got to stop here....

[Mr. Scot]

After one game, I'm not super concerned about much of anything.

Talk to me in a couple weeks.

[General_Purr]

Only concern is the huge mismatches with WRs we will face this year. If TD and Luke stay 100 percent and have the cardio to attack attack attack I think we can make it through. Love our D line. Thinking DG might add a mean DE in the draft for next year. 

Bradberry is gonna face some of the best football players to play the game, but I think he is solid and will only get better. I think Bene will have huge turnovers. I believe Ron will get Tre more ready to play heads up.

[Bartin]

13 minutes ago, Craig Pruitt said:

I totally agree with your assessment on the pass defense.  Our edge rush looks weak. KK is going to receive special attention all year long after that breakout season last year. Even if Vern excels at DT we still need edge pressure.  If the DE's  don't bring it we are in for a long season. We've got to face Winston, Ryan, and Brees twice this year. If they're given as much time to throw as Siemens last game they are going to care us up.

Kurt Coleman had 7 INT's last year at the FS spot. I think he's better suited there. Unfortunately, we probably need him at SS because the rest of our Safties leave much to be desired or are unproven. I think we are going to miss Coleman's playmaking ability from the FS spot this year this year.

 Not having a "shutdown corner" is going to hurt. Bene is a competent corner but so far he hasn't demonstrated the ability to take away part of the field or lockdown an opposing's teams #1 WR. Bradbury athletically appears to be able to replace Josh, but we all know he's going to experience growing pains this year.  That said I didn't think he played that badly against Denver. I'm really hoping Worley can contribute by seasons end. No offense, but I just don't see Teddy Williams and Robert McClain keeping NFL QB's awake at night.

This is a pretty prime example of what I'm talking about.

Bradberry gets torched and we have no safety help because we need to blitz Boston to create pressure. Now Boston does get there and Siemian panics but a better QB likely makes that throw for a TD and takes the hit or if the RB recognizes the blitz and picks up Boston rather than go to the other side of the line then even a bad QB like Siemian throws for a TD. None of the DL does a damn thing to generate pressure.

[Craig Pruitt]

1 minute ago, Bartin said:

This is a pretty prime example of what I'm talking about.

Bradberry gets torched and we have no safety help because we need to blitz Boston to create pressure. Now Boston does get there and Siemian panics but a better QB likely makes that throw for a TD and takes the hit or if the RB recognizes the blitz and picks up Boston rather than go to the other side of the line then even a bad QB like Siemian throws for a TD. None of the DL does a damn thing to generate pressure.

Dude, that was downright scary. This post made me feel worse than your previous one.