How can we improve our pass rush?

[Guest Bwood]

I truly wouldn't mid seeing Hardy in some packages where he moves inside as a bullrusher, much like they used Coples many times on plays he got pressure.

Keiser/Applewhite/Alexander need to get more reps. All of them are sack artists.

And we need to blitz our LB's more. Love seeing TD get that sack and Kuechly coming up the middle to disrupt the QB.

[panther4life]

Well that was really my question. What type of blitzs do you expect to see? and where will they come from.Do we have the pieces in place to make it happen? I am not trying to get into a pissing contest I just do not see the front 4 getting it done at a level to be a playoff contender.

There is more than 1 way to skin a cat, especially in football(unless your name is John Fox).

Pass rush from the front 4 is awesome if you can generate it. Not too many teams can, but that doesent mean that if you don't have a dominant front four your excluded from the playoff hunt.

Its very hard to guess what Rivera has up his sleeve, cuz he has not shown us much in preseason.

We have seen Davis come in as a situational rusher and get a sack on a delayed blitz, we have seen Munnerlyn come in on a nickel blitz and nearly get a sack.

I could see us sending just about any given player in on a blitz on passing downs. This year we can send more in because we have more players who can drop in coverage(especially at LB).

None of us are used to drawing up blitzes for a living, so to expect us to give you exact details of what Rivera is thinking is tough. Maybe the guy who played cam in madden can give us an example.

[carolina-chuck]

I hope you realize that Hardy is pretty much all muscle..he's not fat.

That' makes him even better to play the 3 tech. :P

[Peppers90 NC]

That' makes him even better to play the 3 tech. :P

He definitely moves inside when we anticipate the pass, but as far as first downs and a base 4-3, I can't see him taking McClain or Edwards spot. The coaches have been looking at Hardy and his versatility as even making him a rush olb, so they plan on moving him around a bunch.

[jtm]

Most teams, including the Panthers, do not show their true blitz packages and stunts in the preseason. If we aren't getting pressure in the regular season that is a cause for concern, but I wouldn't jump to conclusions based on a couple quarters in the preseason.

Riveria is a defensive mastermind and we have to trust that he knows what he is doing.

[panthers90]

http://www.merriam-w...onary/competent

Yes I am, if you read the definition of the word, you should be confident as well. I didnt say we had a prowbowler over there.

Norman didn't look great on Sunday. He's definetly better than Munnerlyn- but that doesn't make him competent...

[TheMaulClaw]

Start Keiser, from last year to this year he has been our most consistent and effective edge rusher. Guy deserves a shot.

[Ivan The Awesome]

I truly wouldn't mid seeing Hardy in some packages where he moves inside as a bullrusher, much like they used Coples many times on plays he got pressure.

Keiser/Applewhite/Alexander need to get more reps. All of them are sack artists.

And we need to blitz our LB's more. Love seeing TD get that sack and Kuechly coming up the middle to disrupt the QB.

I think Starting line up should be Johnson-Edwards-Hardy-Keiser. Rotate McClain and Fua while nebblett gets back, Then have Applewhite and Alexander come in on 3rd downs or whenever.

[La Pantera]

Start Keiser, from last year to this year he has been our most consistent and effective edge rusher. Guy deserves a shot.

Again, Keiser has looked great when he's rushed the passer, but he'd be a huge liability in early downs. Putting him on the field in obvious passing downs, is a good idea.

[mountainpantherfan]

The part of JJ defense that I always loved was how it really wasn't a 4-3 or 3-4 defense. There were concepts of both that he used at the same time. and not only did the offense not know where the blitz was coming from but they never really knew what player was playing what position. The mike would blitz and the QB would think that his player would then be open but really the Sam was the Mike and the SS moved up to the Sam and the nickel was playing the SS and the Will was playing the nickel. Concussed? Yeah that's the point.

Yeah versatile players are crap on a Fox team but if RR can actually use these dlinemen LBers and Safeties like JJ did, this defense will be great. It will all come down to play calling and game planning.

[jtnc]

I truly wouldn't mid seeing Hardy in some packages where he moves inside as a bullrusher, much like they used Coples many times on plays he got pressure.

Keiser/Applewhite/Alexander need to get more reps. All of them are sack artists.

And we need to blitz our LB's more. Love seeing TD get that sack and Kuechly coming up the middle to disrupt the QB.

Hardy is more of a finesse pass-rusher. Doesn't have many power moves.

[mj4life]

I think this is the single biggest deficiency that will keep us out of the playoffs? We simply do not have the talent pool to keep pressure on the qb in a 4-3 defense.This is the opportunity to show your defensive intellect.I doubt there will be an option in FA so your answer cannot be trade for JPP. Can a team use blitzes alone? Would some funky version of a 3-4 work? Can we rush 4 Des? Can we use TD as a pass rusher ?

Please do not say give Hardy more time to develop as your answer.

i think we have to do some of everything. the truth of matter is we have to come up with ways to create pressure, some stunts, some blitzing & what not. if i'm mcD & RR i move hardy or alexander inside little more & put either davis, keiser, or applewhite opposite CJ as stand up DE/LB. whatever we do i hope we never bring anything less than 5 on 3rd & anything

[TheMaulClaw]

Again, Keiser has looked great when he's rushed the passer, but he'd be a huge liability in early downs. Putting him on the field in obvious passing downs, is a good idea.

Maybe use him as a stand up OLB when we decide to utilize the 3-4, or start him against teams that have passed the ball more then run. So start Keiser against the Saints*, and then rotate him in against the Giants.

[La Pantera]

Maybe use him as a stand up OLB when we decide to utilize the 3-4, or start him against teams that have passed the ball more then run. So start Keiser against the Saints**, and then rotate him in against the Giants.

The Saints* are completely capable of running the ball. If Brees comes out on early downs and sees a weakness, he'll audible to try and exploit it. Its best to just put him in on obvious passing downs, to let him do what he does best. Get after the QB!