ESPN: Panthers have "worst group of D-tackles in the league"...

[SorthNarolina]

If Nick Hayden see's the field this year, then we are done. Does anyone remember the Giants blasting him in last years preseason game. That was embarrassing.

That's one reason people think so highly of kemo, he was replaced by nick hayden. That'll make anybody look good.

[stirs]

There could be nothing better to put on the bulletin board than this article.

If this cannot fire up our misfit toys, nothing will. Richardson should have paid this guy for the article.

[Baschski]

Nah. Maybe the most unproven group of DT's, but not the worst. Tyler was very solid last year and Leonard showed signs of being a playmaker before he went down. Irvin is a mystery since we haven't seen him play at all but, as much as no one on this board will admit it, Hayden improved throughout the season and isn't terrible as a second stringer. Don't forget, we can run Brayton at DT in certain situations as well.

[OneBadassCat]

Leonard is going to be a good starter and Tank has the potential to be one. I'm not all that concerned, I just want us to grab another big body before the season starts. I'd be happy bringing Hollis back.

[SnarkAttack]

Honestly, I think we do have one of the worst groups of tackles in the league -- until they prove otherwise.

Whether they will or not remains to be seen. I like our defensive end situation, but I'm a bit worried about the tackles. Wish we would have drafted another.

I agree - if you out yourself in the shoes of an "outsider," there is nothing to be excited about from our DTs. Do I think they'll be the worst DTs in the league at the end of the season? No. But I'm sure there are fans of a dozen more teams saying the exact same thing, so I guess we'll just have to let it play out. As far as our DEs go, I don't really see anything that gets me goin' there, either.

[SnarkAttack]

Yeah I am basing that on a few things. I think people overate kemo and lewis tremendously, they aren't going to be hard to replace. I don't think our scheme demands anything that these guys can't do. I also think they will play well based on how they looked earlier before injury.

I don't think anyone ever mistook Kemo for someone with immense talent. He did one thing well - take up double teams to free up Davis and Beason to wreak havoc. Who's going to that this year?

[Khyber53]

On paper, we're terrible at DT.

However, we don't play on paper. On grass and artificial turf, the jury is still out. Fox has had a knack for turning weaknesses into strengths here. Hopefully, he's got what he needs at the DT spots.

If not, it may not be the biggest problem ever as teams are running less and throwing more.

[CRA]

Yeah I am basing that on a few things. I think people overate kemo and lewis tremendously, they aren't going to be hard to replace. I don't think our scheme demands anything that these guys can't do. I also think they will play well based on how they looked earlier before injury.

The Kemo/Lewis combo was always below average. Kemo could run block and being so one dimensional hurt Carolina (like in 08) at the DT spot.

Despite being below average the Kemo/Lewis duo should be viewed as better than this incoming guys this year. Plus, they had Pep as a DE....they could get away with not collapsing the pocket (even though it did hurt). Pep is gone.

[SorthNarolina]

I don't think anyone ever mistook Kemo for someone with immense talent. He did one thing well - take up double teams to free up Davis and Beason to wreak havoc. Who's going to that this year?

Tyler most likely, he'll probably be better. For the money we were paying kemo he was a huge dissapointment. I would have rather had Ted Washinton instead of him.

[The NFL Shield At Midfield]

Kemoeatu wasn't the best fit for our Tampa 2 variant anyway. Pass rushing was not exactly a part of his skill set as a huge NT.

[Phoenaxe]

Can football season just start already? I'm very cautiously optimistic about our DT's this year. Hopefully they can all stay healthy and we spend most of our draft of Defense next year.

[bleys]

Our DLine could either tank, or step up like our Oline did in '08 or how our backups have stepped up the last 2 years when needed with little experience.

we'll have to wait and see..

[scpanther22]

Nah. Maybe the most unproven group of DT's, but not the worst. Tyler was very solid last year and Leonard showed signs of being a playmaker before he went down. Irvin is a mystery since we haven't seen him play at all but, as much as no one on this board will admit it, Hayden improved throughout the season and isn't terrible as a second stringer. Don't forget, we can run Brayton at DT in certain situations as well.

who can you think of thats worse?

I cant think of one 4-3 team.

[mick eye]

We have youth and potential on the Dline. I think Brown and Johnson are the future at the ends. I also have high hopes for Irvin, Leonard and Tank in the middle. People exaggerate about holes in our lineup. These writers need to shut up till some pre-season at least. Champions are not made on paper.

"I am an optimist. It does not seem too much use being anything else." -

Winston Churchill.