Secondary Roles of Shaq, Bene, Tillman,etc.

[mpugh6]

After just one round of the draft, we already have a possible change on defense. The addition of Shaq Thompson could make our defense much more dynamic, but it could also reduce the role of our very underrated corner Bene Benwikere.

Gettleman and Rivera talked about Shaq's versatility some last night. The way I see it, Shaq will likely be out there for not only our base package, but also most nickel situations. Will the addition of Shaq give Bene a reduced role? Or do you expect Bene to start opposite Norman instead of Tillman? Some have even mentioned the possibility of moving Shaq or Tillman to safety. We also may add even more depth pieces in the coming rounds.

How do you expect our secondary to shape up?

[mbarbour21]

CB 1- Norman

CB 2- Bene

FS- Tillman

SS- Boston

[CelibatePimp]

I am confused myself. The plan is to have three LBs on the field at all times according to what we are told that means unless he's playing safety, it's going to be Tillman or Bene on the bench.

[CelibatePimp]

CB 1- Norman

CB 2- Bene

FS- Tillman

SS- Boston

 

I don't know if Boston can play SS.

[mbarbour21]

I could also see Shaq playing safety/LB hybrid in the Nickle defense. Swap out Boston.

[Gallagher]

No need for the Shaq signing to reduce Bene's role. We'll just play a 4-2-5 with Shaq rolled to SS, or if you prefer to think of him as a LB still, call it like a single safety set. 

 

Either way, I think our 11 best defenders are Shaq, Tre, Luke, TD, Tillman, Bene, Norman, Ealy, Star, KK and CJ. We'll find a way to get those 11 on the field at the same time.

[davos]

I don't know if Boston can play SS.

 

I don't watch UNC football unless they're playing the Hokies but didn't he play both in college?  Thought I remember his ability to play both has been mentioned.  9Correct me if I'm wrong though)

[CelibatePimp]

I don't watch UNC football unless they're playing the Hokies but didn't he play both in college?  Thought I remember his ability to play both has been mentioned.  9Correct me if I'm wrong though)

 

I thought he played FS in college but I don't know either. I guess I'm making an uniformed assumption.

[mpugh6]

No need for the Shaq signing to reduce Bene's role. We'll just play a 4-2-5 with Shaq rolled to SS, or if you prefer to think of him as a LB still, call it like a single safety set.

Either way, I think our 11 best defenders are Shaq, Tre, Luke, TD, Tillman, Bene, Norman, Ealy, Star, KK and CJ. We'll find a way to get those 11 on the field at the same time.

I completely agree with you here. That is the way I would like it to look, but the coaching staff does love Harper and I would be surprised if he doesn't see the field much.

[L-TownCat]

I don't watch UNC football unless they're playing the Hokies but didn't he play both in college? Thought I remember his ability to play both has been mentioned. 9Correct me if I'm wrong though)

He can play both. He's the fastest cover safety we have so moving him down in the box creates a mismatch of our own doing.

[KillerKat]

If we want him to replace TD, we need to stick him at OLB most of the time and only SS looks occasionally 

[O-Ther]

After just one round of the draft, we already have a possible change on defense. The addition of Shaq Thompson could make our defense much more dynamic, but it could also reduce the role of our very underrated corner Bene Benwikere.

Gettleman and Rivera talked about Shaq's versatility some last night. The way I see it, Shaq will likely be out there for not only our base package, but also most nickel situations. Will the addition of Shaq give Bene a reduced role? Or do you expect Bene to start opposite Norman instead of Tillman? Some have even mentioned the possibility of moving Shaq or Tillman to safety. We also may add even more depth pieces in the coming rounds.

How do you expect our secondary to shape up?

 

Shaq stays on the field with Bene or Tillman replacing Harper vs. 3+ WR sets.

 

When we face teams with bigger, older #2 WRs like Roddy White, Vincent Jackson, Marques Colston, or Andre Johnson, I'd expect Tillman to be the #2 CB. He'd match-up better against those bigger, slower guys.

 

When we face smaller, faster, younger #2 WRs like Victor Cruz, DeSean Jackson, or Randall Cobb, Benwikere should be the #2 CB to match-up against that speed and quickness better.

 

[KillerKat]

"He's going to allow us to put three very fast linebackers on the field. He's going to be a great fit with Thomas and Luke."

[panthers55]

Shaq stays on the field with Bene or Tillman replacing Harper vs. 3+ WR sets.

When we face teams with bigger, older #2 WRs like Roddy White, Vincent Jackson, Marques Colston, or Andre Johnson, I'd expect Tillman to be the #2 CB. He'd match-up better against those bigger, slower guys.

When we face smaller, faster, younger #2 WRs like Victor Cruz, DeSean Jackson, or Randall Cobb, Benwikere should be the #2 CB to match-up against that speed and quickness better.

I agree with you. I think that he will compete at weakside linebacker and learn how to play safety in practice until he is ready to start. He will learn as fast as he can and his effort hasn't been questioned so it will simply be a matter of getting enough reps at both positions in order to learn his responsibilities in this defense. As you know, McDermott's defense requires high accountability and any breakdowns can result in big gains for the opponent. I hope he is a quick learner and a good instinctive player. I like his athleticism but here we go again with the rookies. Call me biased but I like veterans to start until the rookies show they know what they should be doing all the time. Or have the speed to recover and minimize the damage. As a panther fan you have to hope he lives up to the faith the Panthers had in drafting him in the first round. I will be his biggest fan once he proves to be the best guy out there.