Preseason Run Defense: Some Perspective

[mr beauxjangles]

Last year the Panthers were 20th against the run, allowing 4.43 yards per attempt (1912 yards on 432 attempts).

During the preseason, our opponents ran 118 times for 535 yards for an average of 4.53 yards per attempt.

Last year, opponents ran 27 times per game on the Panthers. If we take the difference between the preseason yards/attempt allowed by the Panthers, and last season's yards/attempt allowed, we get 0.1 yard/attempt. At ana verage of 27 attempts per game, this translates into 2.7 additional rushing yards allowed per game by the Panthers run defense.

It is also worth noting that the four teams we played in the preseason were ranked 1st, 4th, 11th, and 23rd in rushing offense last year. That averages to 9.75 - top one third of the league. This is far better than the average of the teams we faced against all of last year (average 16.0625 rank for rushing offense).

Now of course, this is preseason, so it's all really irrelevant. And of course, this isn't limited to starting defense versus starting backfields. So just take it for what's it worth - not much other than a little perspective. I just thought it was interesting to illustrate that the run defense hasn't really taken much of a hit despite the issues of quality and quantity at the DT position.

[SorthNarolina]

On paper that looks ok but watching the games it was obvious we would have gotten gashed and the run D still needs some work. Especially the starting units.

The DTs were pushed around and those who were in position to make the tackle didn't.

[Peppers90 NC]

On paper that looks ok but watching the games it was obvious we would have gotten gashed and the run D still needs some work. Especially the starting units.

The DTs were pushed around and those who were in position to make the tackle didn't.

I agree, we failed the eye test.

[Snake]

I just hope the big boys they signed can clog the middle like Kemo did for us. Lewis is nothing without Kemo. Really I think Lewis was never a starter to begin with.

[CRA]

I don't know why everyone is so worried about the run defense.....it is the pass defense that we were horrible at last year......and there is no reason to believe the Panthers will be any better this year. At least if teams run on us it makes the odds for a close game better.......

[pstall]

The big stat from last year on D is the LACK of Red Zone stops.

We shore that up we can give up 5.0 a carry, as long as they don't score td's.

[megadeth078]

variables

[PhillyB]

The big stat from last year on D is the LACK of Red Zone stops.

We shore that up we can give up 5.0 a carry, as long as they don't score td's.

bend don't break?

[megadeth078]

bend but don't break does noooooooott wwoooooorrrkkkkk....

[Mr. Scot]

A few years ago (I think right when we picked up Kemo and still had Jenkins) nobody but nobody could run on us in the preseason.

When we got to the regular season, people were running all over us.

It's times like that I'm reminded that preseason is never as informative as people think.

[Doc Holiday]

a few years ago (i think right when we picked up kemo and still had jenkins) nobody but nobody could run on us in the preseason.

When we got to the regular season, people were running all over us.

It's times like that i'm reminded that preseason is never as informative as people think.

qft

[1789Cardiac Cats9020]

Last year the Panthers were 20th against the run, allowing 4.43 yards per attempt (1912 yards on 432 attempts).

During the preseason, our opponents ran 118 times for 535 yards for an average of 4.53 yards per attempt.

Last year, opponents ran 27 times per game on the Panthers. If we take the difference between the preseason yards/attempt allowed by the Panthers, and last season's yards/attempt allowed, we get 0.1 yard/attempt. At ana verage of 27 attempts per game, this translates into 2.7 additional rushing yards allowed per game by the Panthers run defense.

It is also worth noting that the four teams we played in the preseason were ranked 1st, 4th, 11th, and 23rd in rushing offense last year. That averages to 9.75 - top one third of the league. This is far better than the average of the teams we faced against all of last year (average 16.0625 rank for rushing offense).

Now of course, this is preseason, so it's all really irrelevant. And of course, this isn't limited to starting defense versus starting backfields. So just take it for what's it worth - not much other than a little perspective. I just thought it was interesting to illustrate that the run defense hasn't really taken much of a hit despite the issues of quality and quantity at the DT position.

the only part of the whole paragraph that mattered