Could Kawann Short and Gerald McCoy be considered the best DT duo...ever?

[Saca312]

Well, in case you missed it, the Panthers signed Gerald McCoy yesterday. With three all pros and multiple pro bowls on his resume, he brings elite talent to the Panthers defensive front that already features another elite DT in Kawann Short.

Sure, I get it; Short wasn't as "productive" as most here would like. He didn't stack up the stat-line as he has in years past. Part of that was due to the odd down year of Dontari Poe, causing teams to largely focus their efforts on KK. Even then, I'd still argue there were plenty of instances where Kawann Short's elite level of play showed, even if it didn't translate to sacks. He still racked up plenty run stops, pressures and disrupted opposing offensive lines well.

With that being said, adding Gerald McCoy to this equation makes things interesting. Reminder that Tampa Bay's defensive line was largely ineffective at doing much, as teams focused their efforts on McCoy. Even then, he's still racked up six sacks last year, keeping up his streak of six plus sacks since 2013, and 21 quarterback hits. That's with most offenses keeping their focus on that big man.

Now with both of these stud DTs playing together, imagine the possibilities. Teams no longer can just focus on one of these players like they have in the past. These two are defensive tackles offenses have to respect. That right there makes this defense looking scary. Things will be opening up for guys like Addison, Irvin, Burns, Miller, Haynes, Cox, Obada and co. to wreck havoc. And you know Luke Kuechly and even Shaq Thompson will feast and fly around with those guys going around.

And hey, with the switch to a more 3-4 base, you have to remember Dontari Poe. Sure, no one's going to deny he had his worst season by far last year. Even I have no clue how that happened, as his past filmed indicated he was going to be productive for us. Reverting back to his niche in a 3-4 that saw him productive in Kansas City should do him wonders, alongside the fact that he will have two top tier defensive tackles beside him.

Anyhow, back to the title. I was scrolling through twitter, and noticed a particular falcons film guy make this comment. As he's from a division rival saying this, I found it as an interesting thought:

I mean, sure. People said the same thing about Aaron Donald and N. Suh last year. But, for context, there's a stat out there that stated Suh was the 5th best out of 7 Rams defensive linemen at getting pressure. For playing next to Aaron Donald, you'd think he'd have been more productive. Heck, his sack rate was also disappointing.

So, lowkey it could be possible the Panthers may have one of the best DT duos ever in place of that. Now, realistically they probably wouldn't be the best ever. That definitely is a stretch. But I don't think it's as far fetched to say they could be the best duo this year.

And if Dontari Poe returns to his normal form, they could be the best front three in the league.

What say you?

TL;DR - KK Short and Gerald McCoy = elite. Some falcons film guy on twitter argued they could be the best DT duo ever. I bring it up it's probably not going to be that extreme, but don't think it's unreasonable they may be the best duo this year.

[Tepper's Chest Hair]

The only thing I will concede is that they have amazing potential.  "Returning to form" is going to be a theme this year.  We need Poe, Short, McCoy to all play as well as we know they can/have.

I've had my heart broken too often by getting excited about players on paper before the season started.  That being said.  This off season is testing my ability to stay calm.

 

[LinvilleGorge]

I just hope we can get back to Star/Short level play. I think Kris Jenkins at his peak was the best DT the Panthers have ever put on the field, but Star/Short at their peak was the best DT tandem we've ever fielded.

[GoobyPls]

Lol no, both Short and McCoy haven’t played up to their billing this past season.

[Verge]

Not even the best in Panthers history.

[Moo Daeng]

No. Come on 

[GeorgiaBoyz]

Lmfaooo .. Saca gonna Saca . 

[Zaximus]

We thought Poe and Short were going to be one of the best so yeah it's too early to tell.

[Pup McBarky]

I'll be happy if they're merely the best in the NFC this year.

[Khyber53]

Right now, we can only hope that it's as impressive on the field as it is on paper. Sure would be cool!

[Hoenheim]

6 hours ago, Tepper's Chest Hair said:

 

I've had my heart broken too often by getting excited about players on paper before the season started.  That being said.  This off season is testing my ability to stay calm.

 

Russell Shepard immediately comes to mind lol. All that bark and no bite in real games. 

[MHS831]

6 hours ago, Saca312 said:

What say you?

I was hoping (when I saw we signed McCoy) that it was a 2-3 year deal , but I am sure a series of 1 year deals serves our best interest as well.

Glad I got that off my chest.

For your vision to be realized, We need some productivity out of the NT position now more than ever.  If Poe and whoever is behind him step up, that could be very scary.  

If Poe commands a double as he should, KK, McCoy, and Luke are going to be huge.  Huge I say.

[Peon Awesome]

Don't take this the wrong way cause I like McCoy a lot, but I would take Aaron Donald plus any DT in the league over McCoy and Short. Donald and Suh even in a statistical down year is not even close. 

Now if you said Donald plus my grandma, hmmm... I mean she'd be a liability; she's had a hip replacement and lives in a nursing home.  Yeah, I'd still take Donald.

[MHS831]

4 hours ago, Verge said:

Not even the best in Panthers history.

Buckner and Jenkins?  Debatable.