Secondary Coming Together

[Seltzer]

It's been encouraging as fans to follow Twitter the last few practices and hear positive feedback from the secondary, which has truly been a chink in the Panthers defensive armor ever since Gettleman arrogantly rescinded the franchise tag from Josh Norman, pissed away draft picks playing catch up, and all-around ruined a Super Bowl Caliber team.

But I digress... On thing that has become clear as part of the overall greater need to change up the defensive scheme, with Rivera has admitted has gotten stale over the last 8 years, is the need to have more coverage guys on the field to combat the wide-open offenses of the NFC South.

If you are not listening to the guys from 4 Man Rush, I highly encourage it.  These guys are behind the in-depth, quality film reviews, but they also do podcast and have been regular attendees to Spartanburg.

These guys go into greater depth about how well the secondary is playing, beyond the splash plays that make it on social media.  That is not to denigrate the growth and potential of DJ Moore & Curtis Samuel (or the overall WR corp), but more of a deeper context of how the secondary is poised to hold their own and how big the addition of Perry Fewell is.

Another thing they bring up is the potential to increase the number of dime defense (4 CB's, 2 S's) looks to combat 4 receiver sets, which are becoming more common in both the NFL and the NFC South in particular.

Rivera has already indicated how the nickel (3 CB's, 2 S's) has almost become the default defense.  I also think the Panthers realized the futility in putting Shaq in coverage so much.

I also think Rivera is every bit as invested in improving the secondary as the pass rush.  It will be interesting to see how it plays out.  

It seemed like for quite a while Rivera was almost singularly focused on stopping the run (and the Panthers were good at it for several years).  The proliferation of wide-open offenses makes that approach more obsolete.

I actually feel pretty good about the secondary.  I think a bigger question this year may be how effective we are stopping the run with a switch to a 3-man front and with having more defensive backs on the field more often.

 

 

[KB_fan]

4 minutes ago, Seltzer said:

If you are not listening to the guys from 4 Man Rush, I highly encourage it.  These guys are behind the in-depth, quality film reviews, but they also do podcast and have been regular attendees to Spartanburg.

First I've heard of them. Do you have a link?

Edit:

Nevermind!!  I see it now. For some reason it didn't load on my phone the first time.  Thanks.

[LinvilleGorge]

I certainly hope so. I expect a better pass rush, but if we significantly improve our pass rush AND we significantly improve in the secondary then by all means we should field an elite defense.

[countryboi]

you had me at Panther Podcast...subscribed 

[Black&BlueBubba]

I have been impressed with the secondary has shown so far this season.  And let’s remeber it’s not like we overhauled the personnel.  He Donte has another year under his belt.  But that’s about it.  

How often can we say in the past that the secondary has been owning the offense in Red Zone drills.  And our receiving core is better than it has been in years.

Long story short,  Perry Fewell gets my coach of the preseason so far   With second place going to Chase Blackburn.  

Amazing what can be done when you put quality coaches on the staff instead of your buddies.  I credit Tepper for forcing that change.   

 

[Rubi]

37 minutes ago, Black&BlueBubba said:

I have been impressed with the secondary has shown so far this season.  And let’s remeber it’s not like we overhauled the personnel.  He Donte has another year under his belt.  But that’s about it.  

How often can we say in the past that the secondary has been owning the offense in Red Zone drills.  And our receiving core is better than it has been in years.

Long story short,  Perry Fewell gets my coach of the preseason so far   With second place going to Chase Blackburn.  

Amazing what can be done when you put quality coaches on the staff instead of your buddies.  I credit Tepper for forcing that change.   

 

You can kiss that country club bullshit goodbye with Tepper. Dude is all smart money and winning. 

[Moo Daeng]

1 hour ago, Black&BlueBubba said:

I have been impressed with the secondary has shown so far this season.  And let’s remeber it’s not like we overhauled the personnel.  He Donte has another year under his belt.  But that’s about it.  

How often can we say in the past that the secondary has been owning the offense in Red Zone drills.  And our receiving core is better than it has been in years.

Long story short,  Perry Fewell gets my coach of the preseason so far   With second place going to Chase Blackburn.  

Amazing what can be done when you put quality coaches on the staff instead of your buddies.  I credit Tepper for forcing that change.   

 

Fewell and Rivera are buddies from Chicago. Coaches typically build their staff based on previous connections. Like Blackburn playing for Rivera as well as Riveras connections to McDermott and wilks. Not sure Tepper had anything to do with it other than the fact there was a clear owner to sign the coaching staff checks unlike last season.

[DaveThePanther2008]

1 hour ago, Moo Daeng said:

Fewell and Rivera are buddies from Chicago. Coaches typically build their staff based on previous connections. Like Blackburn playing for Rivera as well as Riveras connections to McDermott and wilks. Not sure Tepper had anything to do with it other than the fact there was a clear owner to sign the coaching staff checks unlike last season.

Agreed. Just like any job. When you interview you aren't just looking at qualifications but how they fit your team.

Shaking up the staff and replacing marginal coaches should be done regardless.

Fewell seems to be just what the secondary needs.

I am thrilled Blackburn has the special teams looking good early on. 

[rippadonn]

3 hours ago, Moo Daeng said:

Fewell and Rivera are buddies from Chicago. Coaches typically build their staff based on previous connections. Like Blackburn playing for Rivera as well as Riveras connections to McDermott and wilks. Not sure Tepper had anything to do with it other than the fact there was a clear owner to sign the coaching staff checks unlike last season.

No salary cap for coaching staff. The Panthers have one of the most impressive coaching staffs I've seen. Basically three guys who can headcoach and a couple rising to that level behind them.