SB Nation Defensive Line Rankings (Panthers #26)

[CarolinaPanthers8789]

Link: http://www.sbnation....e-line-rankings

NFC South Rankings

Atlanta Falcons- 21st

Carolina Panthers- 26th

Tampa Bay Buccaneers- 27th

New Orleans Saints****- 30th

26. Carolina Panthers

Carolina was roundly criticized for standing by its current group of defensive tackles, a group of players hit hard by injuries. Ron Edwards, who turns 33 this month, is the best of the bunch -- and missed all last season with a torn triceps. Terrell McClain and Sione Fua both ended their rookie seasons on IR last year. The Panthers do have a pair of ends who can get to the quarterback inCharles Johnson and Greg Hardy. Expect bigger numbers from Hardy this season, his third, after he had 33 hurries and eight hits to go with just four sacks last year.

This ranking seems to be pretty spot on.

[nctarheel0619]

The way I look at our defense is simple. Can we get any worse?

[Gallagher]

Hey, at least we're second in the NFCS.

Playoffs? Playoffs!

[Toundra]

Fair enough, now the Panthers will bounce from 26 to 1

GO PANTHERS!

[Panthercougar68]

Weren't we 32nd in last years preseason rankings? Moving on up!

[caatfan]

"a group of players hit hard by injuries"

Let's see what happens if they can stay healthy. You can't grade guys who aren't on the field.

[Mage]

NFC South sure has some crap defenses.

[panthers55]

Given that we won't be highly dependent on the defensive line generating all the pressure this year it doesn't matter that our line is not at the top of the list. Then again I expect it to get better as the season proceeds and our defense gels.

[MrPickles]

Bucs have used so many high draft pics on DL and are still rated so low. Sucks to be them.

[rico6]

We are way too high.

[jarhead]

I do not know how we will stack up but I do feel we will be better if everyone is healthy.It will be interesting to see where the qb pressure will come from.If we get our lbs healthy it will make our entire defense look better.

[Guest fug]

I have to agree with that.

[panthers34]

look at it this way we have the second best in the nfc south