panthers55

They are outside linebackers. They are usually smaller guys who are very strong and athletic. Fox and Matos are better against the run for sure and being able to rotate guys in to keep them fresh is a real necessity which only happens when we have good depth. Snow is likely still figuring out what to do. This is the first adversity this team has faced. So this should be interesting to see what changes if any we make.

I don't get the we are small comment. Sure our OLBs are not large but Brown is 320 and 6' 5". Jones is 320 and 6'4" as well. Fox is 6'3" and light at 260. Nixon is 6'3" and 305. We are fast and athletic but not really small in the middle which is where all those cutback runs went. Brown was getting tossed and Jones was getting pushed as well. It was poor technique more than size to me. We played small but we shouldn't have.

Grew up an Eagles fan and really changed over to a total Panthers fan when we played them in 2005. Obviously now a Panthers fan but I still root for them when they aren't playing us. Next week I hope they are terrible and we win by 20.

Our interior is both big and athletic. Brown is 6'5" and 320. Jones is 6'4" and the same 320. That is what makes them so great. They are stout against the run and still athletic enough to create pressures. If we can take their running game out of the equation then Dak has to beat us all day long while pressured.

It depends on what defense we play this week. If we play man and load the box he won't get 50. Because Dak gets it out in under 2.5 seconds and the rush doesn't get their often, some teams play more guys deep and only rush 3 like Rivera used to do with Brees who threw on timing routes not when he felt pressure. Then zeke will have a field day. No I want man coverage and guys blitzing and creating chaos. I would rather live or die being aggressive and nasty. I just hope Snow keeps the hammer down. I hate those 3 man rush prevent zones that fools no one.

And if this were the past it might apply. But what does that have to do with this year? Not trying to be mean but all these post referencing the past are totally meaningless in drawing comparisons to the present.

Just so you know we don't care what you think and you picked the Saints against us so what do you know?? I don't know Dak stays healthy against this pass rush.

I can see why we went with Darnold over Fields. Justin may end up the better QB in the end but he could have benefitted from sitting behind a veteran. He looks lost out there and we needed a starter not a project. Darnold has experience and looks like a veteran in a new system. Hopefully, by the end of the season we are hitting on all cylinders.

I don't know about everyone else but I bet Darnold has lots of experience playing from behind. And last year we surely had lots of experience so I am not sure that they haven't faced adversity in the NFL. Just not this year so far. I think they will keep pounding. Especially the defense.

Depends on what you pick. Since 1995 how many superbowls has Dallas been in? 0, Panthers 2. Playoff wins since 1995- Dallas 7, Panthers 9 Have we been relevant since 1995? If not then by my stats neither have the cowboys.

This looks like a good pressure scheme and may end up being the best we have had. These players aren't our best rushers ever. Big difference.

Not sure how all of this will work out and whether we will get the results on the field that we want. But you have to give Fitts credit for swinging for the sense and trying to upgrade. Things are obviously looking up.

I found it interesting given how often you see guys get hurt with no contact supposedly just stepping or running. We have all hurt something like that for no reason but I find science worth learning about. From the injury to watching him afterwards it seemed clear he wasn't that hurt the way he was still moving. Horn on the other hand went right down and it was clear it was really painful and likely serious.

Likely. When it comes to head coaches owners miss more than they hit it seems always wanting the next wunderkind.

Exactly. If they bring in Brady for a HC job are they liking how he leads others or who he can bring with him. Will he have his own culture and ways of building a team or is a poor man's Rhule without the charisma. Those kind of issues will determine whether he gets a HC job or should. If an owner picks the next young talent just because of the Xs and Os hoping for the next Sean McVay might be disappointed that not everyone buys into a 32 year old head coach with 2 years total experience in the league.

If Darnold's career gets resurrected the guy you worry about losing is Sean Ryan. He will be the next quarterback whisperer on his way to an OC job. If Brady does leave he would be the next man up for OC here or elsewhere.

Whether he gets a hc job won't necessarily have anything to do with his playcalling ability. It is about whether he is the next Matt Rhule and can build a culture and and motivate his coaches and team. Lots of great OCs became middling to poor head coaches. The jobs are different and actually require somewhat different mindsets. With the perceived success of Matt Rhule so far early, teams will be looking for Brady to share those values and abilities as much as they value his football skills.

We could have signed them both. NO shows the cap is just a number to be manipulated. Not having Bradberry hurt up a lot.

I think Tom Brady is the ultimate game manager. So to me that is a compliment not a criticism.

This....I hope

Like last night, you have to beat them so badly even the refs can't blow the game for us.

This is exactly what I envisioned with Darnold. Be a solid game manager and get the ball out to his playmaker. If anything he is tougher and more solid then I realized. He is really becoming the leader of the offense and elevating the play of those around him. His elusiveness even makes the terrible line look better than it is. Overall he is working out better than most expected.

Worst 3-0 team ever. Woo hoo!!!!!

Taking a defensive player out of a game by not throwing his way is much easier than defending a player like CMC who gets the ball 30 times a game. So of course CMC is more important than Horn. It isn't even close. Horn was playing well but he wasn't a shut down corner by any analysis yet. CMC is our best offensive player and won't be easily replaced. The defense was still potent without Horn. It took a gutty effort by Darnold to make up for the CMC loss.

Reminds me of when Smith broke his arm in 2004 and we had a rash of injuries and finished 7-9. Benjamin wasnt a critical piece of the offense it turned out. CMC is totally different.