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How to fix it (Defense)

Mr. Scot

By Mr. Scot,
in Carolina Panthers

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jpo287 Newbie

jpo287

Posted
Posted

Can't agree. The scheme is widely used for a reason. Mike Tomlin was running a Tampa 2 defense effectively just a few years back when he got hired by the Steelers. Problem is right now we have neither a) enough experience in it to be effective, not B) the proper players to run it (largely because of the defensive line hole).

Tampa 2 is a scheme who's time has come and gone. While it may have been widely used at one time, it isn't any longer. And even if it were still being used/effective, we do not have the personnel to implement it properly--hence, I say the scheme is the problem.

Rankings are a little deceiving (2006, for one, was an awful year overall) and they don't measure fundamentals.

Crisp technique, solid tackling, disciplined play, these are things you either see - or don't - when you watch a defense. Under Trgovac, we went from being solid tacklers to marginal tacklers to bad tacklers.

And today, we're still at "bad".

Well I can either go by opinions or facts/measurements--I prefer facts/numbers. Sorry but there is just no way you can be ranked as the best defense in the NFL one year without practicing strong fundamentals.

Trgo was here from 03 to 08. In his first four years, the defense was ranked 11th or higher every year. Heck, in 05 they were ranked 1st and in 06 they were ranked 2nd best:

http://www.footballoutsiders.com/stats/teamdef2005

They did drop off in 07 and 08 and maybe I'm making excuses but I can't help but think that was a combination of Fox getting "too" involved and having a drop-off in personnel. In particular, losing Jenkins was a huge blow to the defense and they have never recovered from that loss.

It's not for lack of trying. Drew Carter, Keary Colbert, Keyshawn Johnson, Ryne Robinson, and now Dwayne Jarrett. The team has indeed made an effort, and in the process found a number of guys people thought would be good. But they weren't.

It's at this point that the name of Richard Williamson comes up.

So what's worse: that they tried repeatedly but failed (and what would that say about their ability to evaluate and develop talent) or that they didn't try hard enough. In either case, it makes the coaching staff look bad.

Personnel are part of the problem, but not the whole thing.

On that we do agree.

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Mr. Scot Grand Master

Mr. Scot

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Well, we have now acquired a DT. Not the route I would have thought, but it's an effort.

Results yet to be determined. Meeks defenses at Indy did get a lot better against the run a few years back with the acquisition of Anthony McFarland.

Primary concern with Thomas? Durability.

Now fix the tackling and discipline and get some aggression into these guys (which could improve with Chris Harris back) and let's see what happens.

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Snake Grand Master

Snake

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Well, we have now acquired a DT. Not the route I would have thought, but it's an effort.

Results yet to be determined. Meeks defenses at Indy did get a lot better against the run a few years back with the acquisition of Anthony McFarland.

Primary concern with Thomas? Durability.

Now fix the tackling and discipline and get some aggression into these guys (which could improve with Chris Harris back) and let's see what happens.

We seem to be going after DTs that have been in Cover 2 as well so the learning curve should not be so great. Really this pickup is just a stop-gap and I dont expect much.

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monstercat Newbie

monstercat

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I still say that tackling is the #1 thing. This scheme works...I'm tired of hearing that it doesn't just because they're not shutting people down after 3 games. They are getting better, but you absolutely have to tackle in this scheme, or any scheme for that matter.

There were several chances for the Panthers defense to get off the field on 3rd downs against Dallas and against Atlanta if the first guy there would have just made the tackle. It really is that simple.

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scpanther22 Experienced

scpanther22

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I still say that tackling is the #1 thing. This scheme works...I'm tired of hearing that it doesn't just because they're not shutting people down after 3 games. They are getting better, but you absolutely have to tackle in this scheme, or any scheme for that matter.

There were several chances for the Panthers defense to get off the field on 3rd downs against Dallas and against Atlanta if the first guy there would have just made the tackle. It really is that simple.

:iagree:

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Sheldon Wolowizard Newbie

Sheldon Wolowizard

Posted
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Want to fix the D? Bench someone. Yah, it's not going to be pretty and hell, we could lose games because of it. But we're losing games anyway. How good is Pep going to look to anyone if he isn't playing. Not going to get that Haynesworth deal if he's riding pine because he doesn't care enough to bust his ass.

My opinion, but Fox showed with DeShaun Foster that your job is safe no matter what you do. If a guy never has to worry about losing his job, how hard is he going to perform? Competition breeds more competition. If you have to worry about losing your starting job to a backup, how much harder are you going to compete? Backups don't get deals that make headlines. Players want money, hell, we all do. Make them earn it. If they don't want to work, they don't need to play. Period. If I don't perform, I'd lose my job. These guys need to know the same goes for them.

That will send all the message some of these guys need.

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outlaw4 Veteran

outlaw4

Posted
Posted

I still say that tackling is the #1 thing. This scheme works...I'm tired of hearing that it doesn't just because they're not shutting people down after 3 games. They are getting better, but you absolutely have to tackle in this scheme, or any scheme for that matter.

There were several chances for the Panthers defense to get off the field on 3rd downs against Dallas and against Atlanta if the first guy there would have just made the tackle. It really is that simple.

You mean there's a dummies book for tackling?

[ATTACH]31574[/ATTACH]

And yes, watching our players unable to execute a fundamental thing such as tackling is pretty sad. Even worse, watching our players run into each other like Harry, Larrie, and Moe is just plain embarrassing.

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monstercat Newbie

monstercat

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Have to admit I'm mystified at the five days off on an 0-3 team.

An extra day off I could see, but this seems like too long a break.

I'm pretty sure that Fox can't make them practice for those 5 days, whether he wants to or not. They can come in on their own anytime they want though.

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