Bucky Brooks with more impressions

[top dawg]

Several weeks ago, I remember when I created a thread delving into the differences between Steve Wilks and Sean McDermott, and how that may impact the defense. I mainly concluded (from some of the players own words) that there was a difference in Intensity, energy and expectation---a raising of the bar. There may have been a couple of huddlers that basically sneered at the thoughts as just "boilerplate." I am not going to mention any names, but here is the thread:

Well, I doubt anyone is laughing now at the thought of this Wilks-coached defense being anything but more intense and energetic, as well as more expectant of pure excellence than in years past. People in the know are taking note, and one of those people is one of my personal favorites, NFL analyst Bucky Brooks. Brooks was already interested in the Panthers defense as evidenced by his blurb in an article last week, but when Julius Peppers said that this unit was the "best" that he had ever played on, Brooks' interest was piqued, and he went to see what exactly was happening for himself.

Quote

 

From a personnel perspective, the Panthers certainly have the pieces in place to field an elite defense. The team is strong down the middle (defensive tackle, linebackers and safeties) with a pair of emerging cornerbacks (James Bradberry and Daryl Worley) who bring size, length and a knack for knocking pass catchers on the perimeter. In addition, the unit features a few greybeards at defensive end (Mario Addison, Charles Johnson and Peppers) still capable of tracking down quarterbacks in their 30s.

While the unit is strong as a whole, the best defenses in the NFL also feature a handful of blue-chip players (guys who rank among the top 10 at their respective positions) at key spots. As I touched on, it's crucial being strong down the middle. And the Panthers' defensive tackles and linebackers are among the best in the business. Kawann Short and Star Lotulelei are monsters on the interior against the run and pass. Short, in particular, is a pass-rushing dynamo with a ridiculous combination of strength, quickness and combat skills that overwhelms blockers.

At linebacker, Luke Kuechly and Thomas Davis mix high football IQs with explosive athleticism to snuff out running plays between the tackles or quick-rhythm crossing routes at intermediate range. The perennial Pro Bowl selectees are the brains of the unit; their ability to communicate anticipated plays helps others play faster at their respective positions. Whether it is Davis barking out the direction of the running play based on tendency pickups or Kuechly getting the unit into a better play call due to a pre-snap read, the Panthers' linebackers control the game from the second level with their superb communication and diagnostic skills.

With that in mind, Wilks should get a ton of credit for fostering tremendous communication between his players. He empowers his guys through diligent and detailed presentations, yet he doesn't bog everyone down with unnecessary information. Due."ring my talks with Panthers officials in the past, Wilks repeatedly received glowing remarks for his attention to detail and organization skills. As a tactician, the long-time NFL assistant is far more aggressive than his predecessor. After playing more zone coverage under McDermott than any other squad in the league in 2016 (79.9 percent), the Panthers have been one of the most aggressive blitz teams, with five-man rushes on 47.8 percent of their defensive snaps (second-most in the NFL).

"Something that's part of my nature, part of my demeanor is that we're going to be aggressive," Wilks told the team website shortly after taking over as defensive coordinator. "I'm talking about being aggressive in everything we do -- from the meetings and how we learn material to our walkthroughs and, of course, on the field. My biggest thing is that I want the offense reacting to us rather than us always reacting to them. We're goino be really aggressive, trying to set the tone."

 

So there you have it. Wilks is channeling his spirit of aggression through a clearinghouse of sorts, Luke Kuechly and Thomas Davis, radiating it throughout the entire defense which has the football smarts, athleticism and speed as a unit and individually to do more than just sit back in a zone and wait to react while opposing offenses comfortably carry out their game plans. Wilks has the personnel to dictate to the opposition, so he is going to ratchet up the pressure to maximize efficiency, while balancing sustainability through the express expectation that good and great players will be able to handle their business at all times. There will be no lack of energy, intensity, expectation, or communication. He realizes and fully understands that he has the ingredients of a special defense, and is going to optimize it to the best of his ability. Call it a window if you like, but the mix of smart and young upstarts, and experienced older---yet capable---veterans is not going to last forever, and Wilks is primed to take advantage of this opportunity.

The defense is not going to just spectate and react, but dictate and dominate.

I suggest that you also read what Brooks has to say about Dez Bryant. I couldn't help but think of our receivers and how they will fare once they hit their prime, and whether or not they are or will be known individually as a "jump-ball god" (as Aqib Talib referred to Dez). Are our receivers seemingly part of the problem of our offensive woes like with Big Blue, or are our offensive woes more about coaching, QB decisions and play, as well as a lack of O-line play (but not just about O-line play) as is the case with the Giants? Brooks makes the case that it is a combination of questionable play calling, QB decision or indecision, the inability of receivers to separate, basically no running game, and bad offensive line play that are at issue with the Giants. As for the Panthers...I'll just say that I don't think that the receivers or the running backs are the main issues, per se, so far this year...

http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000849394/article/dez-bryant-no-longer-elite-a-giant-problem-panthers-d-is-back

 

[joeyxfresco]

Anything less than a SB this year makes me want Wilks as our HC next year. If Ron is willing to fall on Shulas sword there's no reason we should lose the biggest HC candidate this upcoming offseason

[top dawg]

it would be nice if Shula (and Rivera) would take the weapons that we have at his disposal and start dictating to defenses. We have two highly versatile players with good football instincts. One has good speed and "quicks," while the other has serious speed and is perhaps the most explosive player on the roster. Samuel will absolutely kill the opposition in space, but yet and still he has barely been used. Just look how Taylor Gabriel gets his "assassin" on for the Falcons for some key plays throughout the game, and tell me why Byrd can't be similarly deployed. If Shula doesn't unleash the offense, much like Wilks has unleashed the defense, then he should be run out of town.

Look at PFF's scouting report on Samuel (which is representative of others).

Tell me that their bottom line doesn't kind of piss you off in light of what's happened the first couple of weeks

Quote

Samuel has a very similar skillset as former Florida Gator Percy Harvin, who also played for Urban Meyer. Samuel possesses excellent speed and agility, along with the ability to produce as both a running back and a split receiver. Samuel is a stronger runner who isn’t limited to being just a speed back. He’s capable of reading blocks as a running back and seems a bit more natural as a runner from the backfield than Harvin. While Samuel is a bit of a hybrid, he does not need touches schemed or manufactured for him. He can line up as a running back and be effective when just handing him the ball. He’s capable of getting open on downfield routes — although could still benefit from some polishing — and taking advantage of mismatches without forcing him screens and trick plays. That said, his flexibility can allow offensive coordinators to create mismatches easier and his ceiling may be tied to how well his coaches can do that.

Now the only thing that is giving Shula a pass on Samuel so far is obviously the hammy and chemistry issue, but Samuel has presumably been good for a month or so now, so time to see him in action.

[LinvilleGorge]

Have we used Samuel for anything other than a smoke screen?

[saX man]

19 minutes ago, LinvilleGorge said:

Have we used Samuel for anything other than a smoke screen?

For reals hombre.  We need to use him this week especially.  Need to at least try a few downfield to one of the faster guys we've brought in.  If not, we're sitting on our hands with unused weapons at our disposal.  

[TheSpecialJuan]

That was excellent, thanks

[panthers55]

2 hours ago, top dawg said:

it would be nice if Shula (and Rivera) would take the weapons that we have at his disposal and start dictating to defenses. We have two highly versatile players with good football instincts. One has good speed and "quicks," while the other has serious speed and is perhaps the most explosive player on the roster. Samuel will absolutely kill the opposition in space, but yet and still he has barely been used. Just look how Taylor Gabriel gets his "assassin" on for the Falcons for some key plays throughout the game, and tell me why Byrd can't be similarly deployed. If Shula doesn't unleash the offense, much like Wilks has unleashed the defense, then he should be run out of town.

Look at PFF's scouting report on Samuel (which is representative of others).

Tell me that their bottom line doesn't kind of piss you off in light of what's happened the first couple of weeks

Now the only thing that is giving Shula a pass on Samuel so far is obviously the hammy and chemistry issue, but Samuel has presumably been good for a month or so now, so time to see him in action.

I could say alot and agree on the Wilks comments. In fact I predicted when he took over that we would play more man coverage and less zone. As for offenses dictating to defenses, traditionally offense is more controlled and cerebral than defense. Most times you don't unleash an offense like you do a defense. Guys like Norwood can be aggressive on a play or two but it takes working together where defense is more helter skelter each guy does his own thing within the scheme. If you played or coached you know what I mean. I may not be explaining it well. 

[panthers55]

2 hours ago, LinvilleGorge said:

Have we used Samuel for anything other than a smoke screen?

Didn't he miss all of camp and most all of preseason? I figure he is just now getting up to speed where he knows what he is doing and can contribute.