Carolina's Will of D

[Matthias]

I think it's no mistake now that if we are to win it all this year, it's going to be on the back of this defense.  That's not to say we have a horrible offense, but it's certainly not a strength.  Cam is still coming along in his development, and he has definitely taken strides since his rookie year.  I believe throughout his first year here, we would complain about Cam not taking his check downs, or making the short passes.  He's done that to perfection this season.  Once we get this team a deep threat receiving cast and some good run blockers, I fully expect this offense to be as dominant as our defense but there's no question we earn our bread with the defense.  With this topic, I want to take an in depth look at our main defensive weapons.

 

 

 

Defensive Line:

 

 

Where else can I start but to point out the inspired play of one Greg Hardy.  Even though he was playing decent to great prior to our last match up with the Saints, I truly believe a fire sparked within him when Sean Payton matched him up with a rookie in Terron Armstead.  We were basically saying if Hardy didn't have a good game against him, that he wouldn't be worth a big contract.  So he took it to the rook, and lit him up for three sacks. (Perhaps one sack Hardy got coming from the DT position, I don't remember)  After that game, most if not all of us was saying Hardy earned a good payday.  Yet he took an ever better show on the road, against a spoiler of a team in Atlanta.  I mean he was beating out some good double blocking (A Tackle and a Guard) to get one of his four sacks that day.  The only thing that was missing was perhaps the force fumble, strip sack.  Yet I believe he is due a fumble next game hehe!

 

 

CJ was having a good year before being kicked in the knee cap against the Patriots.  After that, he's been trying to get back to tip top shape.  This past Sunday I believe showed us that he is close to 100% again.  With some more time to prepare for our first playoff game, he should be ready to go.  With that said, his skillset goes without saying.  I mean the Kraken is coming into a league of his own, but when Big Money gets his hands on the QB, the chances are much higher for the ball to come out.  I don't know, perhaps my expectations are a little unrealistic, but these two guys here have to be the most fearful rushers for opposing QBs to play against. (The only other pair of DEs that I feel would rival ours, are the Rams' Robert Quinn and Chris Long)

 

 

Next up is our DT rotation.  Star Lotulelei has been awesome for us.  He is probably the MVP out of the first round this past draft.  His addition, along with Colin Cole, has shut down the run game of our opponents.  Most of the time when a runner got the ball in his hands and approached the middle of our D-line, he was soon after moving backwards.  For almost 8-9 years we've been crying for the next great DT after Kris Jenkins and we got one in Star.  Short and Dwan provide that nifty pass rush from the middle.  This DT rotation, and DE rotation on the back end, I predict will average 4 sacks or more a game. (Just from the D-line)

 

 

 

Linebacking Core:

 

 

Luke has gone from Jedi Knight, to Jedi Master in season two of his career.  Early on he struggled a little bit in pass coverage, and by struggling I mean against star tight ends.  Yet even then, he managed to snab a couple of ints while covering them.  When it comes to tackles of course, he is the best.  The best thing about the numbers he put up in the tackle department this year was not only it was about equal to what he had last season, but what he's done this season was done with less time on the field. (I haven't checked the stats, but I'm willing to bet our offense has had more time of possession than last year)  He's going to break well beyond 200 tackles in a season at some point, maybe a shot at MVP hee, but for this playoffs, I expect him to be all over the field and leading this defense to success.

 

 

Thomas Davis has shown us that if there is a will, there is a way.  Three surgeries on one knee, and zero problems.  With overflowing grace, he's had his best season yet.  It looks like he could keep pounding that drum for another 10 years!  Now we know how good TD is, but the guy is like a ninja out there, waiting in the shadows for the right moment to strike.  Time and time again, you'll see a 58 flash across the screen, leveling a back or receiver to the ground.  HIs best sneak attack however, is the blitz package.  In my opinion, Rivera and McDermott have been tamed concerning the blitz since perhaps the beginning of the year.  I believe we are going to see some explosive attacks this post season, as if the opposition didn't have enough to worry about.  The only question is how will our secondary fair when we do blitz?  Speaking of which...

 

 

 

Secondary:

 

 

Our secondary is the only question mark to this defense.  As a group this season, they have been pretty good.  It's only when one of our guys get singled out, that's when we start getting burned.  So playing as a group will be the key, and that's the key for this defensive unit on all three levels, but even more so for them.  For Melvin White, he's been one of our better cover corners back there.  There's been times he got punched in the mouth, but he always got back up and stood his ground regardless.  I never seen him lose his edge to the point of being in Rivera's dog house. (Like Josh Norman has been)  So I'm confident in his ability, even if he lose on a couple of plays.  The Capt. has been our X-factor for a few years.  He's a threat to take one to the house if he gets his hands on the ball, and he's a decent blitzer as well.  Drayton gives us experience back there, and Lester shown he can hold his zone down well.  "Fight like" Mike is our muscle back there.  Not making it easy for receivers coming across the middle, even in this new NFL. (The defenless receiver thing)  He's also a guy who can blitz, and perhaps might be the best unidentified blitzer coming from long range in the league with Polamalu's age starting to catch up with him.  Yep, together, this group can get the job done, and allow the front seven to do their thing.

 

 

 

Overall expectations in the Playoffs:

 

 

Average sacks a game- 7

 

Average turnovers- 3

 

Average yards allowed- 280

 

 

I believe we have the best defense in the league this year, and they will show out on our way to a superbowl victory.  This Panther team doesn't get enough respect, but that is going to change.  Everyone enjoy the Bye by the way.  I know we can get a little impatient anytime the Panthers aren't playing. B)

[Jackofalltrades]

D Will?

[scarface]

I thought this was a "One Piece" reference. 

[Matthias]

I thought this was a "One Piece" reference. 

 

Yep, that's where the reference came from.

[DecrypticShadow]

TL;DR..... The OP believes the Panthers have the best overall team defense in the league and their performance has not peaked yet. 

[SevyDamus]

Solid read. Thank You!