The Panthers' Defense Last Year Versus Play Action

[LinvilleGorge]

We couldn't stop the run last year. We were 25th in the NFL against the run. When you can't stop the run, you're hopeless against play action - especially when you're playing backup LBers and your safeties struggle with play recognition. Play action is all about the LBs and safeties. You're trying to sucker those guys in and we were playing a bunch of suckers last year. Not surprising.

[panthers55]

What is sad is that the defense would have been even worse if the offense hadn't been so good at controlling the ball and going on long drives to score and flip field position.

Why were we so bad?? Poor linebacker play and poor line play more than the secondary. THE secondary gets maligned because they gave up so many passes and were poor in coverage but what is forgotten is that the secondary had to work so hard tostop the run that they were overly concerned about playing run support first and pass coverage secondly. This article backs it up perfectly. When we were in passing situations we were not good but we ranked 20th which was in the middle. But against play action we were awful Why?? Our safeties and corner bit on play action all the time because tehy couldn't count on the line and linebackers to do their job. And how were our linebackers against the run or pass?? Abysmal.

Why will we be better??? The front seven will be much improved and with Captain as the nickel and either Hogan/Butler/Norman as the second corner we will be decent against the pass particularly with a better pass rush. Top 10?? Way too early to say but it is reassuring that in Rivera's second year working with a defense, they were almost always in the top 10.

[Growl]

This was last year. Think of all the marquee improvements we've made at desperate positions of need this offseason.

[MadHatter]

This was last year. Think of all the marquee improvements we've made at desperate positions of need this offseason.

You are getting three starters back from injury (one of which was your pro-bowl mlb who was the captain and leader of this defense). We added a CB in the draft who has looked very good in camp. You added a STUD LB in the first round. We added two safeties who should push our starters for playing time. Hardy is bulking up to maintain his stamina. Your rookies (who were unfairly thrown to the wolves) are a year older and have valuable experience starting.

There have been major upgrades to this defense. You are just too cynical to see them.

[Argus Plexus]

Cores=/=Corps

[KendrickPanther]

I'm not worried. Teams will feel pressure this year. Last year they were licking their chops to play our D.

[PantherPhann89]

Our defense as a whole was bad last year. Really looking forward to being dominant on both the offense and defensive side of the ball.

[pantherclaw]

Linebackers are the main reason for bad defense on play action.

Whom did we have starting the majority of last season in our lb core?

Oh, that's why our defense sucked against the play action.

[KendrickPanther]

And that good running teams run good play action bs is a myth. Two of the best teams in the league at play action passing were New England and Green Bay.

[pantherclaw]

And that good running teams run good play action bs is a myth. Two of the best teams in the league at play action passing were New England and Green Bay.

got to run enough that defenses respect the.run, making the play action work.

Doesn't mean ya have to be run heavy, but it does mean the offense needs some balance.

Peyton was always the king of play action, yet the offenses he led were never run heavy.

[KendrickPanther]

Yeah keep em honest. You just don't need to be amazing when you do it.

[The Faceless]

Personally, I love that our new safeties came from great defensive teams and coaching. Just having more discipline there is going to be huge.

[Keep Pounding]

And that good running teams run good play action bs is a myth. Two of the best teams in the league at play action passing were New England and Green Bay.

Those two teams have elite QB's, so using the PA wasn't really necessary to hit the deep strike. To use those two teams to back your claim, well is kind of off base.

I still do believe if you have a very good running game, teams will bite on the PA, I mean teams were running like crazy on us, every team had the best running game in the league when they played us, everyone in the league knew we couldn't stop the run, so teams game planned to use the PA, knowing we would over pursue the run.

[cultclassiccat]

Im drafting our D in all fantasy leagues this yr.

Let that soak in.