Panthers run defense must force redirections

[Delhommey]

Over the past five seasons, the Carolina Panthers have effectively changed their offense from a balanced zone-blocking set to one of the best power-based rushing attacks in the NFL. Unfortunately, they have not been able to match this power on defense, and the team’s ability to stop the run has suffered. According to Football Outsiders defensive adjusted line yards numbers, the Panthers were among the best run-stopping teams in the NFL from 2002 through 2007, never ranking lower than ninth in DALY and allowing four or more yards per carry only in 2004. But as that formerly great front line got old, and the front office found pieces hard to replace, the numbers plummeted accordingly.

http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/news;_ylt=AtaGqB4X8FB5sTx241BSw_tDubYF?slug=ys-undersurveillancepanthers061710

Interesting look at tactics...

Also interesting seeing Ryan Kalil playing for the Dolphins.

[SorthNarolina]

good article, except for where he says that Ryan Kalil is a dolphin.

[monstercat]

The Panthers run defense was actually pretty good for most of that game though. In fact, they were a lot better overall later in the year than they were in the first 4-5 games. The Dolphins got a big chunk of that rushing yardage on just a couple of plays. Of course, that still sucks, but even good run defenses are gonna give up long runs every once in a while.

To tell you the truth though, as long as they have a good scoring defense (which they did last year) and keep playing good pass defense, I don't even care if the Panthers give up some rushing yardage.

[panthers55]

It is interesting that he used football outsiders analysis to discuss how our run defense was deteriorating yet he indicated that our power running game was one of the best. But football outsiders ranked our 2009 run blocking 17th in the league. We were 11th in power running, 23rd in getting stuffed and number 1 in reaching the second level. By their analysis we are middle of the pack not one of the best.

As for the run blitzing ideas I suspect that they don't know that Meek's defenses don't blitz often because sending linebackers makes you vulnerable to the pass particularly if they play action and fake the run and pass. Also much of our run blocking issues in 2008 and 2009 were due to injury at the DT position and not a lack of decent personnel. No doubt the defensive line is not as good as it was with Jenkins, Peppers, Rucker, and Buckner but even during the span of 2003 through 2007 we replaced Buckner, did without Jenkins for 2 years and saw Rucker decline in ability. We replaced them during that span at one time or another and still had decent results. In addition some of the decline in 2009 was also a change in philosophy from more of a read and read defense to one that attacks and goes after the quarterback often at the expense of run defense. That has been Meek's knock for the past 7 or 8 years. So I don't necessarily agree with some of the article's main points.

[PantherBob]

Ah yes the goood ol days when the defensive line was the strength of the team. Imagine if we had that dline with our current back 7. Too bad our dline is now the biggest weakness that is holding us back.

[Wither]

It is interesting that he used football outsiders analysis to discuss how our run defense was deteriorating yet he indicated that our power running game was one of the best. But football outsiders ranked our 2009 run blocking 17th in the league. We were 11th in power running, 23rd in getting stuffed and number 1 in reaching the second level. By their analysis we are middle of the pack not one of the best.

That is because some people use a lot of selective analysis, selective hearing or selective vision to push their opinion.

Yeah, I might be one of those people, but still.

[jarhead]

It is interesting that he used football outsiders analysis to discuss how our run defense was deteriorating yet he indicated that our power running game was one of the best. But football outsiders ranked our 2009 run blocking 17th in the league. We were 11th in power running, 23rd in getting stuffed and number 1 in reaching the second level. By their analysis we are middle of the pack not one of the best.

As for the run blitzing ideas I suspect that they don't know that Meek's defenses don't blitz often because sending linebackers makes you vulnerable to the pass particularly if they play action and fake the run and pass. Also much of our run blocking issues in 2008 and 2009 were due to injury at the DT position and not a lack of decent personnel. No doubt the defensive line is not as good as it was with Jenkins, Peppers, Rucker, and Buckner but even during the span of 2003 through 2007 we replaced Buckner, did without Jenkins for 2 years and saw Rucker decline in ability. We replaced them during that span at one time or another and still had decent results. In addition some of the decline in 2009 was also a change in philosophy from more of a read and read defense to one that attacks and goes after the quarterback often at the expense of run defense. That has been Meek's knock for the past 7 or 8 years. So I don't necessarily agree with some of the article's main points.

I think at least a portion of the jab against our DL is directed at Meeks who was also critisized in Indy for giving up to many rushing yards.

[panthers55]

That is because some people use a lot of selective analysis, selective hearing or selective vision to push their opinion.

Yeah, I might be one of those people, but still.

Yeah, we are all guilty of that. LOL

I think at least a portion of the jab against our DL is directed at Meeks who was also critisized in Indy for giving up to many rushing yards.

Likely so. Still his premise is that it is personnel and I would suggest it was injury and philosophy. Meeks does give up rushing yards for sure and his philosophy is to pressure the quarterback no matter what. Interestingly though despite the running yards given up, Meek's defenses are usually top 10. I would have preferred to give up less rushing yards last year but would prefer being a top 10 defense in total to one that was great against the run but porous against the pass. Particularly with the league going to more of a passing league.

[scpanther22]

I have to think we will be blitzing more this year.Becuase of the Norwood Pick

[panthers55]

I have to think we will be blitzing more this year.Becuase of the Norwood Pick

If we blitz more it will more a function of difficulty getting pressure with the front four and feeling like we can either match up well in a zone blitzing scheme or we have the athletes to be able to match up in a man to man defense this year. Blitzing using a straight cover 2 is suicide particularly against a quarterback like Brees who will pick it apart.