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Greg Hardy Needs to be the Full-Time Starter

Proudiddy

By Proudiddy,
in Carolina Panthers

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Proudiddy Grand Master

Proudiddy

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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.

I think this is a factor that hasn't gotten nearly as much attention as it should - the DT play. I still think it should be Johnson and Hardy starting and rotating the other guys in. But, no doubt, the DT play is questionable. Landri is a player. Outside of that, the other guys seem to be tweeners - as in, they aren't really run stoppers but they aren't really pass rushers either, so they just kind of take up space and none of them are that big.

That being said, it seems to be a kind of tradeoff. It appears to me from Meeks' history, he prefers these tweener type DTs. They aren't big but they do move pretty well. Outside of Landri, our guys aren't great pass rushers and don't get much burst or push upfield. In looking at the history of his defenses, even the Colts Superbowl winning team, if I'm not mistaken, they were horrible in run defense that whole season. But, when the playoffs came around they became pretty stout somehow...

I'm starting to think the tradeoff is that the smaller DTs are by design in order to allow the defense to be vulnerable to the run, so the offense will be less tempted to pass. As in, we allow them to run on us to lure them away from the pass and the big play - as long as our coverage holds up, we will defend the pass well and the only way they can really beat us is through the run... Which in a way makes sense because the league has become much more about the pass.

If our DTs were built better for one aspect over the other, it would be to rush the passer b/c they're smaller, but they're not naturally talented at it, so they're just kind of taking up space. I'm not really a fan of it for the long-term b/c I'd like to have a big guy in there to stop up the run as well.

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.

I'm so happy for Anderson right now man. I had high hopes for him when we drafted him, and despite some of the grumblings on the board of his weakness in coverage, I thought he would be fine the more he played. I really started lobbying for him to start after what I saw in his performance against the Saints his rookie year.

He has not disappointed, and he's kind of like my adopted player, I'm proud of him, raised him from a rookie... I hope we re-sign him long term and he continues to start along with Beas and TD.

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Baschski Newbie

Baschski

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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

What are you talking about, the majority of the snaps? Brayton and Johnson are the starters. Brown and Hardy rotate in behind them. Brown isn't getting any majority of snaps.

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Snake Grand Master

Snake

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Hardy isn't big enough for running downs yet.

He needs about a year to eat/lift up.

Still dose not make since why he is not out there on passing downs.

Also with all the 3 down lineman plays we use I still dont see why not use Norwood. He def could handle zone coverage and would be the 4th rusher we need on those plays.

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trucpfan Experienced

trucpfan

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What are you talking about, the majority of the snaps? Brayton and Johnson are the starters. Brown and Hardy rotate in behind them. Brown isn't getting any majority of snaps.

Brayton was injured about two games right? Brown took the majority of the snaps we won so my responses will be nice.

Anyone who thinks the best combination of starting DE's on our roster doesn't include Tyler Brayton should exit the forum immediately.

I like Brayton like the next man but Hardy's intagibles are well ahead of braytons as a rookie, I would honestly say is a better pash rusher. Brayton holds up well against the run so he takes the edge there but overall we need strip sacks constant pressure and Hardy actually offers more I know you might not want to hear that but he does. Now after getting enough practices down I think Hardy should be in the starting lineup with a heavy rotation. Just my opinion based on the havoc he creates whenever he is on the field, Brayton is the vet with the experience so I can uderstand your thoughts but Im sure he could rotate and have the same impact the more Hardy plays the more sacks are accumalated.

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Fiz Newbie

Fiz

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Still dose not make since why he is not out there on passing downs.

Yeah there is. Hurney and fox spent a first and second on him. You're not going to bail on him for a sixth rounder you lucked in to in a contract year.

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