Stop it with the oversized DT talk....

[Zod]

There have been plenty of outstanding defensive lines that feature smaller but quicker DT's. Size does not necessarily mean much. Look at Tampa Bay's dominating defense with Warren Sapp and Anthony McFarland. Together, they weighed 15 pounds less than our interior DTs. Its about the scheme, not the size.

McClain and Fua could prove to be an effective tandem. Right now they are not reacting as quickly as they would be given a full offseason program.

I'm really not concerned as concerned with DT as I am with our CB situation, which is much...much worse.

[YoungPanthers89]

yeah, mcclain is gonna be a pro bowler remember?

[nosuchthingasapanther]

size has never been an issue for me when it comes to the position...

...talent on the other hand....

[Zod]

yeah, mcclain is gonna be a pro bowler remember?

Yeah, and?

[HeatCheck]

I am with you to a certain extent. DT needs to be addressed but upgrading the CB position will do more for this team. It will obviously help the pass game and in turn the run game.

We are struggling against the run. Safeties are a big part of that but they are having to help with the CBs instead of focusing their attention in the backfield. Our DEs need to step up in the outside run game as well. When Beason comes back he will also help.

Upgrading one DT won't do much for this team, but upgrading one CB should. But I find it hard that we will do that much upgrading unless it is through a trade.

[YoungPanthers89]

Yeah, and?

just saying our problems will be solved when we have a beast like mcclain.

[Zod]

We are struggling against the run because our rookies are having to think instead of react. a tenth of a second is everything in this game in terms of the defensive line play. Once they settle in and muscle memory takes over, it will be night and day.

[BeasonBeastingBacks]

do people not realize how big the jump is from college to NFL as a rookie?

now that jump is even bigger with only 3 weeks of actual practice due to the lockout

[Zod]

DT play is more about leverage than weight. Being a fat ass only allows you to be more sloppy in your technique. A fullback with superior leverage can move a 350 pound lineman.

[drkmay]

I dont understand why everyone is in panic mode right after a motherfuggin lockout... Jeez ppl. New coaching staff, new players, new scheme. Can we give it some time before we go bat crap crazy? The front office has made our bed for this season lets see what Coach Riv and his staff can make happen. In others words: CALM DOWN REBUILDING TAKES TIME NOT ONE SHORT RUSHED OFF-SEASON.

[Davidson Deac II]

I do agree that they may eventually become solid defensive tackles, once they gain some experience. I don't agree that the situation at corner is worse. Good defense starts at the line. If your line sucks, then your defense sucks, regardless of whats behind it. If we can get some pressure on the qb, that might mask our problems at cornerback. But with rookie dt's, consistent pressure isn't going to happen until they get that experience.

[Zod]

I say we are worse at CB because we have veterans there who are not pulling their own weight, many times in man coverage. There should not be much of a difference in man coverage than previous years.

[panthers55]

If we go with what we have we will be abused for at least the first half of the season until our rookies get enough experience to know what they are doing. There is little you can do to get them ready quicker, it takes time. Rivera seems to suggest that we have who we are going to go with so it is unlikely things are going to improve soon. Frankly expect a rocky ride and lots of gaping holes for now. Should they have brought in a few vets. Depends on whether they are trying to win now or in the future. I expect with the lockout and shortened season and so many new guys this year, we are just going to suck it up and play for down the road. This is largely going to be another throw away year where we work to get experience and not worry about wins or losses.

[CardiacCats]

our dl sucks, face it. half the reason the cbs are so bad is because opposing qbs have 10 minutes to throw and a cb can only stick on a wr for so long