LB Jon Beason says Panthers defense will be 'blitz-happy and aggressive'

[Reapuh]

SPARTANBURG, S.C. – Jon Beason has a message for NFC South quarterbacks Drew Brees, Matt Ryan and Josh Freeman: Get ready, this isn’t the same Carolina Panthers defense you’re used to seeing twice a year.

“They’re going to have to do their homework this year,” Beason said confidently on Monday. “It’s not going to be, hey, we know about the Panthers and we know about their scheme. It’s going to be a completely different defense.”

In a word, Beason describes the new scheme being installed by coach Ron Rivera and coordinator Sean McDermott as “aggressive.”

Beason can barely contain his enthusiasm when he talks about what’s in store.

He said fans should expect twice as much blitzing as they did last year and an attacking style, one that will best utilize the returning linebacker corps of him, James Anderson and Thomas Davis.

He said this year’s defensive scheme and the one they used last year with Ron Meeks, now the secondary coach, is “night and day.”

“We will not sit back and be dictated to by anybody,” Beason said. “We’re going to dictate what we want to offenses. We’re going to be aggressive and blitz-happy and we’re going to force a quarterback to be in some uncomfortable situations. That part of it is going to be fun.”

Beason estimates the Panthers blitzed 30 percent of the time last season. This year, he expects they'll blitz 65 or 70 percent of the time.

The idea is to create more turnovers.

The Panthers scored only one defensive touchdown last season and that’s something they want to improve upon this year.

Beason is excited about the money the Panthers spent and the commitment they showed in keeping their core players on defense.

Not only did the Panthers re-sign all three starting linebackers to three-year contract extensions, but they also inked defensive end Charles Johnson to a six-year contract and drafted tackles Terrell McClain and Sione Fua in the third round.

But perhaps the biggest addition, at least in Beason’s mind, is free agent pickup Ron Edwards, the big defensive tackle who will serve as a space-filler who can take up blocks up front and free Beason to make tackles.

"That’s my bodyguard," Beason said.

http://carolinagrowl.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=951:lb-jon-beason-says-panthers-defense-will-be-blitz-happy-and-aggressive&catid=1:articles

I'm gonna like this defense

[Proudiddy]

Good article, but everything I expected. I have ALWAYS LOVED Jim Johnson's defenses and put them right on par with the Steelers and Ravens in terms of style and aggression.

[jherald]

GROWWWWWWLLLL! "Beast"on can't wait to peel some caps. Didn't Rivera say that he wants a solid defense because if it were up to him, we'd win games 7-6 all season long?

[smitty_89]

GROWWWWWWLLLL! "Beast"on can't wait to peel some caps. Didn't Rivera say that he wants a solid defense because if it were up to him, we'd win games 7-6 all season long?

Yep thats exactly right...priority #1 is having a solid defense because we know we have the personnel to be good from the first week...the offense will take some time to gel but will work its way out as the defense will be relied on to carry this team in the beginning.

[Snake]

LOL Philly fans loved how the Eagles would be aggressive on defense and I think we will like it too! Kinda funny if you think of it. They are going to a softer style of defense and we are going more aggressive.

[PantherBrew]

Guys, dont expect a dominant Defense week one.

History has shown us that it usually takes half a season for a defense to mesh, and to get comfortable with a scheme change. (2009 Packers D an exception).

Eventually we will have a top 5 D, but as with Cam, there is going to be some growing pains.

[countryboi]

this is the defense we always wanted.....

[blackcatgrowl]

I just chubbed.

[rayzor]

"bend, don't break" turns into "smash. kill. destroy."

[grateflday]

The biggest problem with the Fox team blitzing or style is ... 1) they were always so obvious when and where they were coming from and 2)it was pretty much usually just an LB/CB/Saftey or two, blitzing up the middle right into a bunch of lineman.

LOOKING FORWARD to seeing this new defense!!!!

[beastson]

LOL Philly fans loved how the Eagles would be aggressive on defense and I think we will like it too! Kinda funny if you think of it. They are going to a softer style of defense and we are going more aggressive.

All them damn CB's, they should

[Jangler]

[Jackofalltrades]

We knew this first at Ron's presser and it was reiterated at McDermott's hiring.

[SmootsDaddy89]

I have a Chud.