Is Panthers Next Great Pass Rush Tandem Already On Roster?

[Growl]

This is a question I ponder today as news breaks of the Hardy debacle and the possibility of Charles Johnson facing intriguing financial ground after the upcoming season. Whereas the Panthers are lacking at a number of areas (Read: Offensive Tackle) DE is one position they have some players at. Obviously the hope is that the current pairing of Hardy & Johnson will stick around a few more years, with the Hardy situation being revealed to be vastly overblown and Big Money willing to become Not-Quite-As-Big Money, but still, it's a sort of relief to look at the players on the roster and see we have some quality personnel.

 

The rotation is so deep that there were times last year where the offense would, drive after drive, absolutely refuse to take a game. The defense would trot onto the field time and time again, but thanks to some good conditioning and a rotation of talented players at the DE spot, they would hold down the fort far more than was fair to ask of them.

 

Anyways, I divied up this list of great Panther pass rush tandems and though I'd take a look at the candidates to be the next.

 

 

 

1. Salt & Pepper

 

 

 

They were the first. Kevin Greene and Lamar Lathon were some of the first notable Panthers, and they contributed to Carolina having the grizzly defensive rep it has so long had. These two, along with some other dude named Sam Mills, contributed to the 1996 NFC West title run by being the driving force behind the league's second ranked defense. The tandem combined for 28 total sacks in 1996 and both players went to the Pro Bowl, helping to put the Carolina Panthers on the map. Greene was an especially nice pickup for Panthers fans, as stealing him away from Pittsburgh and their insufferable fans was a nice win for the fanbase.

 

 

 

 

2. Julius Peppers & Mike Rucker

 

 

For a time, the Panthers had arguably the NFL's best defensive linemen group since the start of the decade. Julius Peppers and Mike Rucker were matched up along with Kris Jenkins to form an elite defensive front that.was the driving force behind a Panthers' Super Bowl run. They together totaled 19 sacks on their way to 38, with second year DE Julius Peppers taking a step back form his rookie year after teams began to pay more attention to him (or it was just one of those Julius I don't really care things, but I'll be optimistic)  and Mike Rucker benefited, leading the team with 12 sacks in 14 games and adding a Pro Bowl appearance to his resume'. Though the numbers, on the surface anyways, may not be as impressive as their predecessors, you can't argue with the success.

 

 

3. Greg Hardy and Charles Johnson

 

 

Here we are at our current pairing, who I'd consider to be the best. Charles Johnson can be unstoppable at times, and even when he isn't that, he's one of the most consistent players on the field, being one of the best run stopping defensive ends in the league. Greg Hardy, unbelievably only 24 years old, is only now starting to enter his prime if elects to not throw it all away (if he hasn't already) and has become a strong run defender as well. There were times last year when these two would virtually single-handedly win games for this team, and it was quite the marvel. I don't know that that could ever be said about another pair of defensive linemen, but on days when the offense was sputtering and the Secondary was meh, these two would flip a switch and take over a game, destroying another team's offensive display in the process. It was one of the most spectacular things I've seen as a Panthers fan, and I can vividly remember watching my cheers turn into laughter time and time again as they two would be in the opponents backfield play after play after play before the ball was, wrecking havoc on smarmy little moles like Drew Brees and glennon-esque necks like Matt Ryan. Altogether they tallied 26 sacks with Johnson missing some time courtesy of a cheap shot in an arrogant franchise's last ditch losing effort. Hardy also notched a Pro Bowl and 2nd team All-Pro, and Johnson was snubbed yet again from much deserved recognition.

 

 

 

4. Kony Ealy, Mario Addison, Wes Horton, Frank Alexander..??

 

 

Sadly, a question we have to consider now is the potential of these young players.That said, each of them (except Ealy) has shown to be excellent relief rushers, and were a large part of the team having the second overall ranked defense in 2013. As much as Hardy's and Johnson's dominance made me giggle with glee at their dominance, I found even more joy in watching their backups come in and be effective starters. There was little dropoff when Johnson went down for a couple games, thanks to the fact that our backups at the position are good enough to start for a number of teams. Though Frank Alexander's perpetual idiocy might land him the Greg Hardy Trophy For Stupidity (behind the man for whom the award is named) he will still get another shot in training camp to prove he is worth holding onto. Addison is a supremely underrated player who has done nothing but play quite well when given the opportunity, and Wes Horton has also shown that has more than just potential as well. They combined for 5.5 sacks last year (as if that's relevant in this context) but showed time and time again that the DE position is this team's strength-which was only made stronger with the 2nd round selection of Kony Ealy. There is a reason to be optimistic here, and not just that McNutt-Had-A-Great-Incompetion-In-The-Atlanta-Game kind of optimism that tickles the jimmies of every Huddler over every training camp body that passes through the Charlotte, but a legitimate chance that the next great Panther pass rush duo may indeed be an answer which is already on the roster.

 

 

Unlike Offensive Tackle. Do you hear me Dave? UNLIKE BYRON BELL.

[Kuech the Sneak]

I'd say just try to keep Johnson for a few more years and pair ealy with him.

[TANTRIC-NINJA]

Frank Alexander is as good as gone IMO.

Dog house + poor second year production + drug suspension = unwilling free agent

[JawnyBlaze]

The next great pass rush tandem is, in my opinion, Hardy and Ealy.

[pantherfan49]

You forgot the Tyler Brayton years

[top dawg]

 

Frank Alexander is as good as gone IMO.

Dog house + poor second year production + drug suspension = unwilling free agent

 

 

 

With Hardy's situation as it is, I think Alexander can un-pucker a little bit.

[Fred G. Sanford]

Gotta take that jab at Julius!

[Kuech the Sneak]

The next great pass rush tandem is, in my opinion, Hardy and Ealy.

Depends what goes down with his legal situation

[CarolinaPanthers8789]

There's some young talent on this Panthers team at the defensive end position that is sure to show out if given the chance. Obviously Hardy and Johnson are the go-to guys but it's highly unlikely that both will be on the roster come next year whether it's due to Hardy's countless run-in's with the law ultimately giving the front office an uneasy feeling about a long-term deal for Greg; or whether it's due to Big Money's ridiculous contract figure that Hurney gave to him. However, we got some guys that can fill in by committee for whoever hits the road next year.

 

- Mario Addison is a good rotational guy who is good for two or three sacks a year

- If you're giving Hardy another chance then you might as well give Big Frank another chance because he has talent, he just needs to hone it, he's also good for three sacks a year.

- Kony Ealy has his head on straight and if he fixes his technique I really think he can become the Panthers version of Justin Tuck

- I know he's undersized and could be moved to linebacker but Alex Hall is another guy to keep an eye on, 16 sacks in a season is an impressive number... even for a CFL player.

- Craig Roh played really well in preseason and it came down to a numbers game for him, but he could possibly make the roster this year if the Panthers part with Alexander or if they think Roh has a bigger upside than Addison.

- Wes Horton has tons of upside and every time he stepped on the field he impressed, a future combination of Ealy and Horton might be something to think about.

[JawnyBlaze]

Depends what goes down with his legal situation

 

Yea, that's my point.  I think when it's all said and done, Hardy will be a Panther for a long time.  I don't think this altercation is going to be of the magnitude that gets him kicked off the team and I think he will be a Panther longer than CJ (however long that may be...as much as I love the guy).  Don't think Hardy's getting the boot over a first time problem for the team unless the girl's claims are substantiated and he actually did do what she said.

 

[JawnyBlaze]

... whether it's due to Hardy's countless run-in's with the law ...

 

One is countless :huh:

 

[carolina-chuck]

Hopefully it's Hardy (crossing finger) and Ealy for the next 5-7 years.

[CarolinaPanthers8789]

One is countless :huh:

Multiple speeding tickets... If a regular citizen was to get the same amount of speeding tickets Hardy has gotten in the short period he got them in their license would be suspended.

I know because I've been cuffed for going 20 over in Chapel Hill. Though there is no such thing as a felony speeding ticket, a lot of cops treat 20 over has a felony calling it reckless endangerment.

[Pejorative Miscreant]

Multiple speeding tickets... If a regular citizen was to get the same amount of speeding tickets Hardy has gotten in the short period he got them in their license would be suspended.

I know because I've been cuffed for going 20 over in Chapel Hill. Though there is no such thing as a felony speeding ticket, a lot of cops treat 20 over has a felony calling it reckless endangerment.

 

I think he only had 3 tickets and they were all reduced (which happens if you show up and pay court costs). Agree 3 tickets is a lot for a couple of years but my wife was in a similar situation and had a lead foot. We worked the system, paid fines and fees and dealt with high insurance but there was no revocation of her license. When it comes down to it Hardy has been charged with a few traffic violations and one (what now seems to be shaky) misdemeanor assault charge.  It is right to question Hardy's judgement and he definitely needs to grow up but to say he has "multiple run ins" with the law is a tad over the top IMO.