Stop it with the oversized DT talk....

[HeatCheck]

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

These passing plays have not been developing plays. Yes the QB has a great pocket to work with but it's not like they have been holding onto it for 5 seconds waiting for the DBs to be beat.

[Kevin Greene]

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.

Hmmmm.

Sapp was 303, McFarland 300lbs.

http://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/tam/2002.htm

Mclain 291, Fua 310lbs.

http://www.nfl.com/teams/carolinapanthers/roster?team=CAR

Sapp and Mcfarland far more talented than our DTs have shown? Yes.

Smaller? No.

[Zod]

Dungy tried to keep Sapp at 290, the weight at which he was drafted.

[Kevin Greene]

Dungy tried to keep Sapp at 290, the weight at which he was drafted.

Fair enough, it is also worth noting what should be the fiercest DT tandem in football in Suh and Fairley tip the scales at 307 and 298lbs respectively. So it aint just size, it's what you do with it.

At least that's what I tell the wife.

[Kevin Greene]

Oh also on the subject of our need at cornerback. Anyone see Patrick Peterson against the Bolts last night?

[TheRealDeal]

:(

[Silent Majority]

Technique has nothing to do with getting blown 4 yards off the ball. Nothing to do with not being able to fight off of any type of blocks. Nothing to do with being driven to the ground. Occasionally, they make good plays. For the most part, however, they are just not strong enough in thier base. Maybe next season, after being in an NFL S&C program...hopefully anyways.

[panther4life]

We should have done more to replace Marshall.

[Zod]

Technique has nothing to do with getting blown 4 yards off the ball. Nothing to do with not being able to fight off of any type of blocks. Nothing to do with being driven to the ground. Occasionally, they make good plays. For the most part, however, they are just not strong enough in thier base. Maybe next season, after being in an NFL S&C program...hopefully anyways.

All defensive line coaches disagree with you.

[TheRealDeal]

All defensive line coaches disagree with you.

Sometimes I feel people think we play in a backyard league where talent always prevails and fundamentals and technique are for the nerds that don't get picked to be on a team.

This isn't the NBA, technique and fundamentals are everything.

[nosuchthingasapanther]

Technique has nothing to do with getting blown 4 yards off the ball. Nothing to do with not being able to fight off of any type of blocks. Nothing to do with being driven to the ground. Occasionally, they make good plays. For the most part, however, they are just not strong enough in thier base. Maybe next season, after being in an NFL S&C program...hopefully anyways.

technique has everything to do with everything you mentioned.

dareus wasn't coveted as the top dt in the draft because of his size. it was because his technique is that of an NFL vet...his transition to the NFL has been flawless and impactful.

[Zod]

If you have been to camp and watched the dl drills, you will notice 95% of it is knees and hands. Whoever wins the battle of the hands typically wins the round, regardless of size.

[Silent Majority]

All defensive line coaches disagree with you.

Generalize much? I'm not saying technique is irrelevant. I am saying that technique is an accompaniment to strength, otherwise you could plug any jimmy or joe in there with good technique and it would work. Amazing how some people can just say something and the pack dogs just follow suit with no independant thought.

[bleys]

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

I've been trying to educate fools for a while now.. apparently the jump from college to the nfl is simply all about a good nights rest and many prayers to the heavens..