What is the best way to improve our pass rush?

[bleys]

So are you saying we have the talent or potential talent to emulate the Giants DL...rush 4 without an elite edge rusher? The Giants did a great job of putting a great front 4 on the field but that is hard to do. Most teams at least have an elite edge rusher. I am not trying to be smartass but trying to visualize how we are going to be able to pull this off given our talent pool and draft prospects

yes, the talent is there at DE.. you can't sit there and talk about a Giant's DL equation while ignoring a lack of DT's in that equation and assuming an elite edge rusher is going to fix the problem.

it's faulty mathematics.. without a push up the middle, the QB steps up into the pocket and the DE runs right by.. as a Panther fan, you all have had PLENTY of time to witness this already.

and also, as far as pass rushers go, people are too quick to forget how devastating Hardy and CJ were together early in the season without any help from the middle... (well, minus the flashes at times from McClain)

[CRA]

yes, the talent is there at DE.. you can't sit there and talk about a Giant's DL equation while ignoring a lack of DT's in that equation and assuming an elite edge rusher is going to fix the problem.

it's faulty mathematics.. without a push up the middle, the QB steps up into the pocket and the DE runs right by.. as a Panther fan, you all have had PLENTY of time to witness this already.

and also, as far as pass rushers go, people are too quick to forget how devastating Hardy and CJ were together early in the season...

that is under the assumption you are going to just rush your front 4. There are other ways to push the middle of the pocket...but that of course is easier to do when your LBs and 3/4th of your secondary don't suck in coverage.

Fox got a lot of pressure in Denver early. He had an elite pass rusher that was healthy in Von Miller. More than one way to harass a QB.

[koolkatluke]

that is under the assumption you are going to just rush your front 4. There are other ways to push the middle of the pocket...but that of course is easier to do when your LBs and 3/4th of your secondary don't suck in coverage.

Fox got a lot of pressure in Denver early. He had an elite pass rusher that was healthy in Von Miller. More than one way to harass a QB.

He also had Brodrick Bunkly in the middle who had a really good season.

Get better DT play and fast Lb covering the middle of the field we will have a better pass rush.

[koolkatluke]

Not to mention a Cb who doesn't have a throw at me sign on his uniform.

[jarhead]

I understand that a stong middle push will help but do you think there is a dt on the board that can ramp up without a couple of years under his belt? or do we bring in a vet and let these youg guys develope? I agree we put these guys we drafted last year in the 3rd in a position to fail.I was impressed with Poe but do not think he is so elite that he could make an imediate impact.Brockers is athletic but very raw in my opinion.

[bigdog10]

Having a better Saftey in place than Martin. This would allow Godfrey to come into the box and play off the edge (without having to worry about nobody covering his a$$)

[jarhead]

Having a better Saftey in place than Martin. This would allow Godfrey to come into the box and play off the edge (without having to worry about nobody covering his a$$)

Yea thats a no brainer we are going to half to upgrade that position which should not be difficult given who we have.Must upgrade our 2nd cb as well unless Hogan improves

[bleys]

that is under the assumption you are going to just rush your front 4. There are other ways to push the middle of the pocket...but that of course is easier to do when your LBs and 3/4th of your secondary don't suck in coverage.

Fox got a lot of pressure in Denver early. He had an elite pass rusher that was healthy in Von Miller. More than one way to harass a QB.

well, he was comparing our front 4 to the Giants and asking how we compare... our edge rushers aren't the question in that comparison, it's the push up the middle..

yes there is more than one way to skin a cat, and we both most likely agree Rivera/McDermott are well aware of that.. but regardless, you must address DT or the defense is spinning their wheels if the QB only has to step up in the pocket to avoid a rush..

I understand that a stong middle push will help but do you think there is a dt on the board that can ramp up without a couple of years under his belt? or do we bring in a vet and let these youg guys develope? I agree we put these guys we drafted last year in the 3rd in a position to fail.I was impressed with Poe but do not think he is so elite that he could make an imediate impact.Brockers is athletic but very raw in my opinion.

I think anyone trying to proclaim a DT in this class is going to come in and consistently play at an NFL caliber level is fooling themselves...

[Razeyfingers]

I understand that a stong middle push will help but do you think there is a dt on the board that can ramp up without a couple of years under his belt? or do we bring in a vet and let these youg guys develope? . .

we're on the clock with guys like Gross Gamble Smith and the other vets. I think if you take someone at 9 or anywhere in the mid 1st down, you're expecting someone that can come in and start right away. I'd be happy with any of those top 5 DT's, they all have impressive qualities. I would think any of them would meet our expectations after at least one year of development, but there's a couple that could help right now.

[koolkatluke]

we're on the clock with guys like Gross Gamble Smith and the other vets. I think if you take someone at 9 or anywhere in the mid 1st down, you're expecting someone that can come in and start right away. I'd be happy with any of those top 5 DT's, they all have impressive qualities. I would think any of them would meet our expectations after at least one year of development, but there's a couple that could help right now.

Gamble is only 28 he has a good 4-5 years left. I agree with most of this thoe.

[CRA]

we're on the clock with guys like Gross Gamble Smith and the other vets. I think if you take someone at 9 or anywhere in the mid 1st down, you're expecting someone that can come in and start right away. I'd be happy with any of those top 5 DT's, they all have impressive qualities. I would think any of them would meet our expectations after at least one year of development, but there's a couple that could help right now.

only thing those DTs are going to do is suck if you start them week 1. DTs like them are projects. Even ones that aren't projects are generally rotational guys trying to learn. Maybe some respectable play late.

[CatMan72]

Ron Edwards may have been that guy a couple years ago...he is getting old. At this stage, Ron would be a band-aid while we find someone to play.

You may be right, but I think having a season to rest is good news for an old war horse like Edwards... if he can just give us one good year while we develop some other guys, it could make a huge difference.

[CatMan72]

I understand that a stong middle push will help but do you think there is a dt on the board that can ramp up without a couple of years under his belt? or do we bring in a vet and let these youg guys develope? I agree we put these guys we drafted last year in the 3rd in a position to fail.I was impressed with Poe but do not think he is so elite that he could make an imediate impact.Brockers is athletic but very raw in my opinion.

Very few DT's can come into the league and have an immediate impact... just look at Dareus for a recent example. If you want an immediate impact, you need to find a vet... but it's pretty slim pickings out there right now. Hopefully Edwards can help and McClain may come out this year and surprise a few people now that he has some experience and will have a full offseason under his belt.

[mmmbeans]

dareus had 43 tackles, 2 pd and 5.5 sacks on a garbage line. that's an immediate impact and as good or better numbers than all our DT put up combined.