Panthers Defense: Second in Sacks, Second in INTs.

[Saca312]

This is quite the interesting statistic - especially considering how we started before the bye with 7.5 sacks. The only team we're behind in sacks is Cardinals - who bolstered their total against a depleted/unmotivated Rams offense - with 48 sacks total for the year.

Now, the INT stat was quite interesting. I never really thought we'd have so much takeaways in that area, but our LBers certainly help. Granted, we're also tied with four other teams with 17 takeaways, but still interesting to note.

What do you think of this? With the nice play of the secondary in the latter end of the year, plus an offseason of rest and retooling coming up, do you think we'll have a top tier defense next year?

Bonus stats:

Because you all know I love how our cornerbacks are gelling, here's some great statistics:

Bradberry, 20th best corner in the league, best rookie corner? I like that.

Daryl "Whiff" Worley leads the corners in the league with tackles? @CPantherKing will probably have something to say about that.

[gmonjimbo]

The defense has to do better on 3rd down and situational football. They allowed a lot of 3rd and long conversions. I still think the team needs another edge rushers.

[truthjuice]

It was a process. 

[GoobyPls]

But...but...but..... we need more pass rushers. 

[electro's horse]

Bizarre collection of statistics 

[Riverboat Ron]

Honestly we need a consistent DE that can rush the passer and hold up in the run game. Pair that with another safety and you'll see those gaps shrink.

[OldNorthPowell]

Yeah so let us draft more defensive players and ignore the offense. Sounds about right. That is all go about your day people.

[uncfan888]

They got better as the season went on. Need to get healthy, get a ball hawking SS like Jamal Adams and a solid DE and we're back on top. 

[mc52beast]

I think the entire coaching staff plus Gettleman knows 2017 is NOT another re-building year, so I'm expecting them to do whatever it takes to turn our team into a powerhouse... 

[OldNorthPowell]

1 minute ago, mc52beast said:

I think the entire coaching staff plus Gettleman knows 2017 is NOT another re-building year, so I'm expecting them to do whatever it takes to turn our team into a powerhouse... 

Except fire Mike Shula. You know the buddy buddy system.

[uncfan888]

8 minutes ago, OldNorthPowell said:

Yeah so let us draft more defensive players and ignore the offense. Sounds about right. That is all go about your day people.

They do need to go defense in the draft. It's not like we aren't missing some very important pieces. But the offense needs to be addressed too. They can do both

[OldNorthPowell]

Just now, uncfan888 said:

They do need to go defense in the draft. It's not like we aren't missing some very important pieces. But the offense needs to be addressed too. They can do both

Avoiding a difference maker in the first round on offense will come back to haunt the team. That is all. To each their own have a good day.

[top dawg]

7 minutes ago, Saca312 said:

 

Daryl "Whiff" Worley leads the corners in the league with tackles? @CPantherKing will probably have something to say about that.

Well, leading in tackles is not really what you want any of your CBs to do, but perhaps unlike @CPantherKing, I think Worley has shown steady promise and the ability to drastically improve his game with time. I can see light at the end of the tunnel. Worley's floor is adequate depth.

 

For all the talk about our DEs, they played adequately once the coaches got the chemistry right. Everyone began to gel, and Addison got the playing time he deserved. Addison's success has something to do with CJ getting back to form. 

Ealy is good depth, but I don't think he'll ever be what G-man thought that he was. We get a lit of pressure from our DTs, so re-signing at least one of them---hopefully both---is going to be paramount to our continued success. Butler is probably a baller, but we'll likely take a little step back and suffer some growing pains without  KK. I don't know what Ron and Dave were thinking when they dumped Love. They need to lock him up for another couple years IMO.

Our LBs are still our backbone, including TD. It will be interesting to see if Klein is re-signed. Mayo had an excellent game yesterday.

If we had only had some legit veteran depth in the defensive backfield this year, things may have gone different, but we look to be in good shape for the future.

[Mr. Scot]

9 minutes ago, uncfan888 said:

They got better as the season went on. 

Impossible.

I've been told you can tell a rookie is trash from their first play in their first game.