First Quarter Grades-Defense
October 3, 2008
by Steven Burton
Passing Defense: (7th overall) A
The Panthers secondary showed a vast improvement last year hidden in the lack of pass rush and big time bust David Carr. The trend is continuing this year with the Panthers able to shut down some solid receiving talent. While the secondary is yet to be tested by a dominant quarterback and likely will be with upcoming games against New Orleans, Arizona and later in the year New York and Denver the potential for one of the NFL’s best pass defenses remains. Chris Gamble is playing like a probowl cornerback and the maturation of Richard Marshall gives the Panthers a very strong nickel trio. It will be interesting to see the development of Godfrey who really has an opportunity in the coming weeks to become a contributor in the secondary surrounded by so much talent.
If the pass defense is to continue in its dominance two things have to happen down the stretch. First and foremost, the Panthers need more sacks. Seven in four games is average, which is to say, so far, adequate but it needs to be better. If the line can’t get it in four man rushes, blitzing fronts need to be shown and brought more often.
Pass Def MVP: Chris Gamble
Rushing Defense: (19th overall) B
After trading away Kris Jenkins it is understandable there has been some form of drop off on the Panthers run defense unit. However, when you consider the running backs the Panthers have faced thus far on their schedule their 19th overall ranking doesn’t do the team justice. Consider first that the Panthers haven’t allowed a 100 yard rushing day yet this season. That is after facing the consensus top two running backs in the NFL, the current Rushing leader on the current number one rushing team and the rookie leader in rushing yards. This speaks volumes about the front seven and I believe that once the Panthers get away from the elite backs the defense should be able to stifle a lot of runners like we saw against Atlanta and Chicago.
The defensive line has been effective but full credit here has to go to the linebackers. Nail Diggs has been a great strong side backer in recent weeks and Thomas Davis has really come into his own on the weak side. Nothing more can be said about Jon Beason except that he just might be the franchise’s best first round pick in the last five years.
Rush Def MVP: Jon Beason
Overall: (6th in Points) (8th in Yards) A
While the Panthers are sixth and eighth respectively in points and Yards, the defense can still find ways to improve. The defensive line should be getting more sacks and I don’t think it’s too much of a stretch to have expected more than one interception from a team who has thus far faced Gus Ferotte, a rookie and Kyle Orton. A fair number of passes have gone bouncing off finger tips and Houchuli did remove the Panthers chance at their second with a terrible call, but turnovers can help the Panthers to put nails in coffins and will shut doors that are generally left open late in games. That being said, at this pace the Panthers defense shouldn’t waiver too much from its top ten billing.
Overall Defensive MVP: Chris Harris, leadership, stout tackling, solid coverage and amazing passion.
