The Double Dip: Three Seasons In

[Mr. Scot]

Panthers.com: Still a star in the making

 

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On the second defensive snap of the Panthers' playoff opener, defensive tackle Kawann Short got right into doing his thing, bursting through Seattle's line, putting pressure on the quarterback and forcing a bad pass that resulted in a pick-six.

But who knows if the Seahawks would have even been throwing on second down if they hadn't been thrown for a 3-yard loss on the first snap by Short's running mate?

"I did what I was supposed to do," defensive tackle Star Lotulelei said. "I had my number called, and I executed."

Short is having arguably the best season of any defensive tackle in the NFL – Lotulelei, in fact, would argue for that distinction. But Lotulelei, selected in the first round of the 2013 NFL Draft, one round before Short, is quietly having a notable impact as well.

The duo will be key when the Panthers host the Arizona Cardinals in the NFC Championship on Sunday evening.

"He's a big help," Short said. "That guy eats up the run game. He's producing.
 
"We're growing together, and it's going to be crazy what we do these next couple of years."

 

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But while Short's sack numbers are incredibly impressive at a position where stats are hard to come by, Lotulelei's numbers shouldn't be held against him.

"I know KK gets a lot of the press, but I feel like Star is doing just as much," fellow defensive tackle Kyle Love said. "And just watching them together, that's a real tandem. They're animals out there.

"We're not a big numbers team. We just feed off each other. One thing that this guy does may help the next guy. Let's say KK has a great game so the next week they're doubling him or trying tricky schemes surrounding him. That opens it up for other guys to make plays. KK making Pro Bowl and All-Pro, it's like we all made Pro Bowl and All-Pro – one unit."

The duo's relative strengths were pretty much a known quantity coming out of college after Short recorded 13 sacks his last two seasons at Purdue and Lotulelei recorded exactly half that total his last two seasons at Utah but utterly dominated against the run.

"KK and Star, they form a really good tandem inside," head coach Ron Rivera said. "Star seems to do a lot of the dirty work, a lot of physical work, and KK is explosive, a good pass rusher and inside move guy.

"It's a good combination for us."

 

[PandaPancake]

Nice. It just shows that we need both and I like how Star is looking forward to working with KK for the next few years.

[jayflip]

I've dreamed of having two dominant DTs since the Williams Wall in MIN showcased them in their prime. 

Nippleshorts is spoiling us. 

[Krucid]

I think as long as Getts is running the show we will always have a good Dline and Oline. Love these guys and the work they put in.

[chknwing]

did someone say double dip?

[shaqattaq]

Gettle-frikkin-magic

[Skydivingcows]

Star and KK Together.  It's Freak Nasty

 

 

[GRWatcher]

I love watching Star do his thing. Seeing that big fluffy black beard in the middle of the scrum lol. He's the cog that has all the other gears working on our defense. It's as if Kalil was in the middle of our defense. You don't often hear about either one but without them we'd be toast.