What is the best way to improve our pass rush?

[CRA]

In the JJ 4-3 pass rush is provided differently than the scheme we have watched for years. LB are a big part of that equation...in the past improving the pass rush literally just meant the front 4... Rivera will be looking at the front 7 a little more

[Jesse]

I think it'd be ridiculous if we could pick up ZB and Coples. I think the idea of staying close to home and another Tar Heel would help Coples out with intensity.

[jarhead]

In the JJ 4-3 pass rush is provided differently than the scheme we have watched for years. LB are a big part of that equation...in the past improving the pass rush literally just meant the front 4... Rivera will be looking at the front 7 a little more

It almost seems he is suggesting a 3-4 type edge rusher. I wish I could read minds

[CRA]

It almost seems he is suggesting a 3-4 type edge rusher. I wish I could read minds

I think he just wants talent on his front 7. He can get pressure w/ talent. LB play was just as costly as anything else last year.

[Vagrant]

We need push up the middle. The single most underrated positions in all of football is a interior line presence on both sides of the ball. Namely the C and DT positions. If you can disrupt the comfort of the QB in the pocket, especially as the league turns more towards a passing league, then you can force him to make poor decisions, roll out into trouble where the ends are working to get free, and ultimately generate more defensive pressure that will help your secondary improve. We didn't get enough push up the middle last year from Fua and McClain and it showed up in the results. We need a difference maker at that position or at least a player that can move the LOS in the proper direction to command help blocking that will create holes in the line for our LB to shoot into. We can't have DT's that can be handled exclusively one on one and expect our DE's to get pressure working against their T and the G on the inside.

[mmmbeans]

I think it'd be ridiculous if we could pick up ZB and Coples. I think the idea of staying close to home and another Tar Heel would help Coples out with intensity.

cause he was so intense in carolina?

[rodeo]

Whitney Mercilus would help. ;D

Insensitive.

[mick eye]

By improving coverage in the secondary as well as stockpiling young talent on the dline. Guess what we have some potential in the interior. Neblett, Kearse, Yes Fua and McClain all need some time b4 we count them out. Hardy, Keiser, and CJ are all young and are a decent rotation. BUT i would like to add another DE in the first two picks of the draft. Along with that we need to give less looks to opposing QB's. Coverage sacks do happen. Just not for us. Bring in a legit guy across from Gamble and to eventually replace him and Hogan, Capt, and Butler slide to our other spots making the entire secondary better.

[panthers55]

I think CRA has a good point. Rivera talks about pass rush and we instantly assume it is from the DE and DT position alone and it surely could be as that is conventional wisdom. On the other hand if Rivera still believes that he wants to run Jim Johnson's 4-3 as his base defense, then linebackers have to be brought into the conversation. if you go back to Johnnson's version of the 4-3 you see that the MLB blitzes 65% of the time and the SAM blitzs 50% of the time while the WILL blitzes 10-15% of the time. Assuming that they account for some of these sacks when they blitz, it could be noted that he might be taking in account upgrading the linebacker corps particularly at the SAM and Will positions as well in order to generate more pass rush. he has already brought in some hybrid OLB/DE pass rushers like Applewhite and Diillard for when we go to a more 3-4 look on passing downs.

Food for thought.......

[CRA]

Von Miller was one the best pass rushers in the game this season before his injury...an Den didn't have great DT play. They need to improve at DT.

Pass rushing doesn't always mean rush your front 4...it didn't in Philly. Don't forget bc of injury we didn't get to see our new scheme really in action and that isn't bc Ron went down. I don't think Rivera talking about pressure means DT and upgrading Hardy as exclusively as some

[jtnc]

Von Miller was one the best pass rushers in the game this season before his injury...an Den didn't have great DT play. They need to improve at DT.

Pass rushing doesn't always mean rush your front 4...it didn't in Philly. Don't forget bc of injury we didn't get to see our new scheme really in action and that isn't bc Ron went down. I don't think Rivera talking about pressure means DT and upgrading Hardy as exclusively as some

I'm pretty sure Brodrick Bunkley played well for them. Not to mention they have Elvis Dumervil.

[Jesse]

cause he was so intense in carolina?

A 6th rounder has the chance to beat you out.

The idea of being move to interior line.

A corp of lbs that will harp on him if he screws up.

A loud Spanish coach who will blow up in his face.

His 2nd round teammate beating him to a starting position.

A big contract?

Just a few ideas as to why Coples would be motivated.

[mmmbeans]

look, i'm not suggesting we don't take him. but i just don't know what his deal is, i don't think making the team more like UNC is going to motivate him.

[CRA]

I'm pretty sure Brodrick Bunkley played well for them. Not to mention they have Elvis Dumervil.

Elvis isn't a DT...and DT play wasn't strong.

Denver lost a starting DT similar to us w/ Edwards they were banking on aiding them. Was a weakness in 2012.

Pressuring the QB doesn't mean you have to draft a DT this year. Ron Rivera made it clear we were so bad all over he couldn't even get aggressive (and his scheme, at least what we believe we will run, is about bringing it.....not a Tampa 2 rush your front 4).

D should look different this year. Should be the first glimpse of what we really are going to be.