Carolina Panthers Defensive Turnaround

[Varking]

21 minutes ago, bigdog10 said:

Don’t underestimate the importance our offense possessing the ball for long periods of time is having on these numbers. 

A few posts up from yours I mentioned that. 

[Davidson Deac II]

I thought the run defense was bad yesterday.  But Atlanta just didn't run it enough, in part because we were ahead and in part because they didn't want to.  Of course, Gurley looks significantly better now, which didn't help us.  But we still allowed them to control the line of scrimmage when they ran.  

 

The pass defense certainly better than expected, and they made some big plays.  The interception followed by the long drive cinched the game.  Ryan made a bad throw, but we made him pay for it.  

[Proudiddy]

2 hours ago, Varking said:

It’s crazy to think we lost Bradberry and Luke, drafted 7 defensive players, signed Douglas like 4 minutes before the season started off the trash heap and had a new staff trying to learn these NFL players and these have been the early results. 

Again, love Rivera as a person, but it just shows how inept he and his coaching staff were not only at coaching, but also at developing a consistent culture and philosophy, as well as identifying and developing talent.

[mav1234]

I was really down on Snow.  Seems i was wrong. Rhule's faith does not seem misplaced, at least early.  Really impressed with how he's getting these guys to play!

[theinstrumental]

I thought that this was the least talented defense in the league and I've never been happier to be so wrong. We also don't have a ton of games against elite offenses coming up--OKC, NO x2, Tampa, and Green Bay are the only big ones. We might be able to hold onto these kinds of rankings for the full season.

[CRA]

I mean it is worth noting, we have played some neutered and injury plagued pass attacks in recent weeks. 

I mean this staff has done a great job this year.   But I'm pumping the breaks on how I view this back 7. 

[t96]

2 hours ago, Jeremy Igo said:

Panthers needed at least 3 rookies to make an impact as defensive starters and they got it. 

Friggin amazing. 

Just like the Aints' 2017 draft. That draft is the only reason they've been competitive the last 3 years. If our draft this year holds up like that then we're in great fuging shape going forward.

[yasuhara2241]

I will say this about our defense. Coaching has been great! I questioned the schemes so much and sometimes I yell when we only rush 3, but man it's successful. Yesterday's game was difficult because ATL had some long drives, but we kept them out of the end zone which is a pleasant change from the beginning of the year. 

I have been disappointed with Whitehead, Boston and KK but we replaced EVERYBODY on defense. No way to get it all right especially in one draft but I have been impressed that even with growing pains we have improved all over the field. 

 

[LinvilleGorge]

Honestly, it's nothing short of shocking. Phil Snow is the unsung hero of the NFL right now. We all thought our offense could be good with Joe Brady and our skill position weapons, but I doubt you could've found anyone who didn't think we were going to have one of the very worst defenses in the NFL this year. Our defense is currently outranking our offense #10 vs. #12 in total yardage and total yardage allowed respectively.

[grateflday]

Maybe someone can show me what I am not seeing and prove me wrong... It seams to me our LB group is pretty weak.  This is where I miss being at the stadium because I cant see as much when only watching on TV.  When I am watching live, I can see what everyone is doing not just what they show me on TV.   From what I have seen so far ... very rarely, if much at all, do our LB's make a solo tackle or step into the gap on the line to make a play, etc.  Nothing special or half decent happening at all at the LB position.   Its either a Dlineman, corner or saftey making a play.  The Panthers definitely need an upgrade in the LB position.  

[LinvilleGorge]

1 minute ago, grateflday said:

Maybe someone can show me what I am not seeing and prove me wrong... It seams to me our LB group is pretty weak.  This is where I miss being at the stadium because I cant see as much when only watching on TV.  When I am watching live, I can see what everyone is doing not just what they show me on TV.   From what I have seen so far ... very rarely, if much at all, do our LB's make a solo tackle or step into the gap on the line to make a play, etc.  Its either a Dlineman, corner or saftey making a play.  The Panthers definitely need an upgrade in the LB position.  

Whitehead is pretty bad. He's a backup caliber LB in a starting role. Shaq is a JAG starter. He's not bad but he's not great either. He's not gonna wake up one day and turn into Thomas Davis no matter what kind of contract we give him.

[grateflday]

15 minutes ago, LinvilleGorge said:

Whitehead is pretty bad. He's a backup caliber LB in a starting role. Shaq is a JAG starter. He's not bad but he's not great either. He's not gonna wake up one day and turn into Thomas Davis no matter what kind of contract we give him.

yeah.. pretty much how I see it.  Was hoping Jermaine Carter would emerge but that does not seam like it will happen.  Maybe as the season progresses it will.   An upgrade is definitely needed at the LB position.  

[DJ feed me moore]

3 hours ago, Castavar said:

Have we found a gem in Snow? I'm not going to lie, I did not like the Snow hire. Thought there were better DC options out there. But Rhule obviously knows wtf he's doing and believed in his guy from the start. Snow has this young defense playing fast. Deserves a TON of credit for this turnaround. It speaks volumes that Snow has FAR less talent than Rivera did last year, and still has the better defense.

It makes the Luke retirement hurt even more. But one huge positive about snow is his age. Unlike Joe Brady he will likely be with rhule through a large portion of his tenure here in Carolina. The loss of sean MCD was felt big time once he left. 

[Jeremy Igo]

Rhule and Snow are like peas and carrots. They will be together till Snow retires.