Greg Hardy Needs to be the Full-Time Starter

[pantherclaw]

I love greg hardy. The guy is a great athlete. He also makes rookie mistakes. At this point he isn't consistent enough to start over brayton and johnson.

He'll continue to get more play time. No worries.

[Proudiddy]

Why? Starting only means you are definitely in for one play. I agree with the previous poster, I like the rotation as it now stands. If you noticed, we were getting consistent pressure on the QB in the second half. Even if we didn't get many sacks, we were getting in their faces. Best we have looked all year in that regard I think.

I don't really care about the rotation itself b/c every team does it. I'm not saying sit Brayton down and not play him at all, that's unrealistic, and he does contribute. I'm just saying the starters get more reps and I'd like to see what Hardy would do with those reps as he appears to me to get more pressure per play than Brayton or Brown.

[Davidson Deac II]

I don't really care about the rotation itself b/c every team does it. I'm not saying sit Brayton down and not play him at all, that's unrealistic, and he does contribute. I'm just saying the starters get more reps and I'd like to see what Hardy would do with those reps as he appears to me to get more pressure per play than Brayton or Brown.

He does get more pressure, but I think we are going to see him primarily on passing downs until the staff gets more comfortable with him regarding run defense.

[R0CKnR0LLA]

Johnson and Hardy as starters and give them the majority of the snaps. Rotate in Brown and Brayton as needed. That is all.

[trucpfan]

I like the rotation. It seems Hardy was mentioned alot and yes he is good, But most teams use a rotation on the line and our's seemed to work pretty well yesterday.

Why? Starting only means you are definitely in for one play. I agree with the previous poster, I like the rotation as it now stands. If you noticed, we were getting consistent pressure on the QB in the second half. Even if we didn't get many sacks, we were getting in their faces. Best we have looked all year in that regard I think.

I equate starting to much more playing time that's all I mean.

Edit: I see Rock answered that for me niceee

[Fenrir]

Brown needs another year of strength training.

This.

He's got a good motor but needs some more strength to be able to beat an NFL offensive lineman.

[Jhyler12]

This.

He's got a good motor but needs some more strength to be able to beat an NFL offensive lineman.

Agree...

[scpanther22]

Brown needs another year of strength training.

I thought Brown bulked up a lot over the offseason...

its too early to call him a bust but he is not playing like a 1st rounder.

[Snake]

The times our DEs become factors is when Landri gets pressure. Its clear what are defense needs to be better.

[R0CKnR0LLA]

Brown through 6 games getting the majority of the snaps...

8 solo tackles, 0 sacks, 0 forced fumbles, 587 unsuccessful spin moves

Hardy in very limited action...

9 solo tackles, 1 sack, 1 forced fumble, 1 safety

[Snake]

Whatever happened to using Eric Norwood???

[philp]

Whatever happened to using Eric Norwood???

good question lol?

[Anybodyhome]

There are too many variables that make this nothing more than a guessing game.

First of all, while Carolina's pass defense is an NFL ranked top 5, this same defense has but 9 sacks all year. So, does the "rotation" change in an attempt to create more QB pressure and if so, how does it change?

I stated before the season even started the Panthers would be near or bottom of the list in sacks and pressure this season because of their relative weakness at DE. But not only has their relative weakness at this position hampered them the DTs getting pushed all over the field in the run game is really hurting them. When the DTs are weak against the run, the DEs are hesitant to get too far up the field knowing they may have to turn around and help stop the run. Likewise, the LBs are also reluctant to go after a QB knowing a RB could streak through that hole in a flash.

As long as Carolina has no Kemo or Jenkins- type DT, the DEs and LBs are forced into double duty. And the Panthers do not have the DEs on the roster necessary to make this work.

Everette Brown is, at best, an OLB in a 3-4. I can see bulking up or adding muscle, but we're talking about 15-20 pounds before he can handle a 290 pound DT. He just does not fit this defense.

Tyler Brayton is the experience factor for the D-line. He may not be great against the pass, but I want him in there when it's big play time.

I've always thought Charles Johnson will be good. Perhaps not great, but good. Right now he's the best Carolina has as a pass rusher- good.

Greg Hardy will get there. He'll be very good also, but needs to get accustomed to the speed of the NFL running game. I think that is the only reason his run support is questionable.

Eric Norwood is a 2-year project and I think he can be just as good as Johnson, maybe better. At least when he is game-ready I think the Panthers will have better options at DE than they do now.

[R0CKnR0LLA]

Norwood was going to be used as a pass rushing LBer but he's never going to see the field the way Anderson is playing. Defenses know that's all Norwood is in the game for, so they can key in to that and pick it up. Anderson is doing everything so when they blitz with him it's alot easier to catch the opposing offense off guard.