Jump to content
  • Welcome!

    Register and log in easily with Twitter or Google accounts!

    Or simply create a new Huddle account. 

    Members receive fewer ads , access our dark theme, and the ability to join the discussion!

     

So...Defensively, What Would You / Should We Do*


SetfreexX

Recommended Posts

For the sake of it, and to not have another Cam thread...In my opinion as bad as the offense was, I think we are good QB play / OL depth from fielding a top 15 unit with Brady at the helm and some of our skill position options to date, the depth can be addressed via FA or draft and by keeping Cam.

So let's operate with that in mind, at least while regarding the defense 

Our pass rush I believe finished 2nd in total sacks, a fairly impressive feat for a team that was so poor vs the run / trailed to often, considering who we have, and who is now a free agent, what would you do / what should we do...

 

Marquee Free Agents:

James Bradberry

Mario Addison

Vernon Butler

Bruce Irvin

Ross Cockrell

Tre' Boston

Javien Elliott

 

We still have the following under contract for 2020: https://www.spotrac.com/nfl/carolina-panthers/cap/ )

DL - KK Short / Dontari Poe / Efe Obada

Edge - Brian Burns / Marquis Haynes / Christian Miller 

ILB - Shaq Thompson / Jermaine Carter Jr. / Andre Smith / Jordan Kunaszyk

DB - Donte' Jackson / Corn Elder / Cole Luke

FS - Jones / Quinn Blanding

SS - Reid / TJ Green / Natrell Jamerson 

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

First thing you have to do is figure out your base defense, and at this point I believe the best option is to stay the course on converting to a 3-4, instead of reverting back to the 4-3.

While I've always preferred the 4-3, the 3-4 is more versatile on the field, and for the FO. It is simply easier to get the players to run the system, and they're typically cheaper than those required to run the 4-3.

If we run the 3-4 there will be quite a few skilled, young NTs available in the upcoming free agency market, and Brown is a beast in the draft if you go that direction.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I'm inclined to select Simmons over Brown at the moment, I think 2nd level versatility / athleticism is the key to a quality defense aside from the pass rush / defending the run. And based on the ''current roster'' with Poe and KK I think I'd like Simmons at 7. 

The LB's that can do it all are rare; he can play the run, cover, and blitz, then factor in ''elite'' athleticism / size. As disruptive as Brown and Kinlaw are I think Simmons' skill set is elite at the next level and would be a good fit next to Shaq. (The 2nd level pursuit would be crazy for us - Burns / Shaq / Simmons) 

And until I see Poe released, I don't see us taking Brown or Kinlaw, DL depth in FA or Day 2 of the draft would be the move in this scenario**

Link to comment
Share on other sites

No matter what happens we will be bad next year on defense just based off what we have/the free agents who may be gone/ the weird in between personnel of a 4-3/3-4. We were horrible last year but  I bet everything I have that people will still scream to fire Snow if he doesn’t turn us into a top 10 defense this year. Offense is much easier, you get a vet LT (Whitworth) or draft one with #7 overall pick and go with a FA guard or develop Daley into the role and use Little as backup LT and you are set...if we keep Cam.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

1 hour ago, SetfreexX said:

I'm inclined to select Simmons over Brown at the moment, I think 2nd level versatility / athleticism is the key to a quality defense aside from the pass rush / defending the run. And based on the ''current roster'' with Poe and KK I think I'd like Simmons at 7. 

The LB's that can do it all are rare; he can play the run, cover, and blitz, then factor in ''elite'' athleticism / size. As disruptive as Brown and Kinlaw are I think Simmons' skill set is elite at the next level and would be a good fit next to Shaq. (The 2nd level pursuit would be crazy for us - Burns / Shaq / Simmons) 

And until I see Poe released, I don't see us taking Brown or Kinlaw, DL depth in FA or Day 2 of the draft would be the move in this scenario**

Two of the worst defenses in the NFL last season were anchored by Luke Kuechly and Bobby Wager, hands down the two best MLBs in the game. Just saying.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

54 minutes ago, MHS831 said:

DO not underestimate the need at MLB and CB.  Luke is gone and it is not smart to re-sign Bradberry, it seems.

Javien Elliott was our highest rated cornerback!

https://www.derp/2020/1/9/21057621/final-2019-ratings-for-all-carolina-panthers-defensive-players-per-pro-football-focus

Just noting that Tre Boston was our 2nd rated defensive player and played 100% of defensive stats.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

1 minute ago, LinvilleGorge said:

Two of the worst defenses in the NFL last season were anchored by Luke Kuechly and Bobby Wager, hands down the two best MLBs in the game. Just saying.

That's very telling. Similar to a QB, an inside linebacker needs the line to help him stay clean and operate. 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

46 minutes ago, LinvilleGorge said:

Two of the worst defenses in the NFL last season were anchored by Luke Kuechly and Bobby Wager, hands down the two best MLBs in the game. Just saying.

Pretty sure Wagner had the same problems Luke had . . . DL was terrible.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

47 minutes ago, LinvilleGorge said:

Two of the worst defenses in the NFL last season were anchored by Luke Kuechly and Bobby Wager, hands down the two best MLBs in the game. Just saying.

Seattle also had a terrible pass rush, I think more than anything it goes to show how important QB is, because even with a bad defense, they made the playoffs. 

We also shared a slew of injuries up front on defense, and still finished 2nd in sacks.

And when both of these teams were at their best they had All-Pro MLBs at the helm, just saying. 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Archived

This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.


  • PMH4OWPW7JD2TDGWZKTOYL2T3E.jpg

  • Topics

  • Posts

    • Today, we are all Kucci... I miss our feral Russian attack goalie!
    • That was a good segment. Watched every minute of it and would highly recommend it to all fans.
    • "So much of what the Panthers are going to do next week isn't dictated by their preference, but by what happens above them. That's another benefit of not getting locked into need. For instance, if you're thinking you want a receiver, seeing five or six of them go off the board and reacting by taking the sixth or seventh off your list instead of the first (or second or third) something else isn't necessarily wise." https://www.panthers.com/news/ask-the-old-guy-back-into-the-weeds-of-the-nfl-draft-bryce-young-charlotte-hornets-mock-draft This is what some don't seem to get, I don't care how many times it is said: You're NOT going to draft an inferior person at one position, just because that position is perceived as, or is in fact, a bigger need. That would basically nullify, or at least lessen, the reason why you set yourself up via free agency to be able to take the BPA/BAP on the board in the first place.  Yes, the process is complex, very much involved and ongoing, but the overall philosophy is not rocket science. You set yourself up in order not to be pigeonholed into taking a lower graded player at the expense of a higher graded one. This is why Morgan, Gantt and countless of others say the same thing. This is why it's just nonsensical to set yourself in a position where you don't have to, but then act like you have to come hell or high water: "Oh, we have to draft [whatever position], and we can't draft [this position]."  I'm good with whatever they do, until proven otherwise, but even then, you have to be mature enough to know that drafting is an imperfect exercise, filled with hits and misses. And, you generally don't know if you've hit, and especially missed, right away. Moreover, like I've said before, sometimes two players--different positions or not--can both be hits on their respective teams, so in that sense, it's not purely about a right or wrong pick as much as it's about putting puzzle pieces together at the time the best way that you know how.  At the end of the day, people are going to believe what they want to believe, but one thing that's true is that what the Panthers do regarding the draft is dependent upon what others do, and what others do can and does change things. That being the case, it's just another reason why you can't go in with tunnel vision. The thought of doing that is preposterous.
×
×
  • Create New...