A Look At the Defense (As of 3/18/21)

[SetfreexX]

Image credit to (Panther Nation Podcast on youtube)

When you think about the pieces we have, and what was added, we may have just created the most versatile front we've ever had from a position flexibility standpoint. (Image is for reference only, not an indication of the depth chart for this discussion)

If rotational guys like Haynes, and Miller who's returning from a ''high risk'' opt out along with Roy continue to provide valuable snaps this defense could be in for a surprising year, a true-center fielder as Chinn / Burris are more natural strong safeties, and another corner with good size, and some IDL depth we're set up pretty good heading into the draft. 

I think we've set that side of the ball up pretty well, and in contrast to last year, I'd anticipate a offensively favored draft. 

How are you guys feeling about things now?

 

[joemac]

I think they're building an extremely fast, versatile, nasty defense.  We're a good QB away from making some real noise.

[therealmjl]

This is going to be a fast, fun, and hungry defense

[davos]

Yeah it's a really interesting 5-2 front.  I still anticipate a DB signing to help round out the 3-3-5 looks.  The whole 4-3 or 3-4 thing is very fluid these days.  Team's base defenses are played like 20% of the snaps.  More nickel and hybrid looks than anything else and we've got an athletic batch.

 

[electro's horse]

they better be the 2000 fuging ravens with this offense we're getting ready to trot out there

[MHS831]

Rushers often take 3 years to develop into what they are going to be---Johnson, Hardy, Rucker, etc. all blossomed year 3.  Burns is entering year 3 and Reddick just had a breakout year in Arizona in his fourth year.  I expect 20-25 sacks from them.  

I want Chinn as the QB of the secondary, at S not LB.  Yes, he can play in the box but he is so smart, we need him seeing the whole field and supporting those CBs. 

The LBs are solid if they can stay healthy--Carter is a decent backup who wants bag.  This is his year to earn it.

Cutting Kerr showed to me a lot of faith in Roy.  Expect him to step up.

All in all, we are 1 stud CB away.  I am not sold on Jackson's injury history and Pride is still young and developing. 

Hartsfield is another player that should be menitoned--according to Fua and I believe him, he looked good at the nickel spot last year.

Of course, as mentioned, we have a lot of variations to this and have the depth to make use of them.  Gonna need to stay healthy.

 

[davos]

1 minute ago, electro's horse said:

they better be the 2000 fuging ravens with this offense we're getting ready to trot out there

I mean, we backfilled the OL to set up the draft.

So if we don't do the Deshaun thing, we likely roll into the year with like Lance/Fields, Probs ~2 rookie OLs, a rookie WR, maybe a TE.

Dare they go all offense after going all defense?

[roaddog96]

I will admit that I was lost when FA began with what the FO was doing, but after letting the smoke clear from yesterday, I think that the D will be much improved and gives us a chance to be more competitive next year. The main concern on everyone's mind is injuries, but if that can be mitigated and a few more pieces in the back added via draft/FA, this D would cause a LOT of havoc due to the versatility of fronts that can be deployed.

[Ship]

I think it really paid off investing our entire draft into defense last year. If we got 3 starters from it with others in rotation or solid backups that’s a huge step for the team. I like the pickups. Worried about perryman both with injuries and what his role is on 3rd down. Very excited about reddick and wonder if he can be a Chris Clemons kind of guy for us. We need a little more depth with upside but I’m excited to see what this looks like at full strength 

[electro's horse]

9 minutes ago, davos said:

I mean, we backfilled the OL to set up the draft.

So if we don't do the Deshaun thing, we likely roll into the year with like Lance/Fields, Probs ~2 rookie OLs, a rookie WR, maybe a TE.

Dare they go all offense after going all defense?

I don't know how much ammo we're going to have to draft more players if they get Lance/Fields, probably Lance with the way the Panthers mobbed his pro day. 

I think they'd have to trade up with Miami. Just a thought. 

[07579394]

Both fix 4-3 under and 3-4

[davos]

11 minutes ago, electro's horse said:

I don't know how much ammo we're going to have to draft more players if they get Lance/Fields, probably Lance with the way the Panthers mobbed his pro day. 

I think they'd have to trade up with Miami. Just a thought. 

That's been in line with what I'm thinking; I agree.

R1:

Lance

R2/3/4 (one of these picks gone in the trade up):

+Maybe that Cosmi guy from Texas; grab at least 1 T/G

+There are WRs are to be had, good class

Basically, if we can get Lance (who I think we're locked in on) and end up with only like 4 or 5 picks, just score just 2-3 impact guys on offense and I think it's not too bad.  Call it a day.  May be a rough year but it sets up 2022.   I wouldn't discount some gadget-y RB later on and maybe a TE. 

[Stingray3030]

I don't think there is any chance we go all offense in the draft - makes no sense considering our needs.  We still need 2 DB's and a DT or 2 - having bodies in positions doesn't mean we are set.  And these guys are all signing 1-2 yr deals.  It all depends on the QB choice as everyone else said as well...if it is DeShaun then no way we go all offense.

I would hope we get 2 OL, 1-2 DL, 2 DB and a WR or TE - but of course FA isn't over yet.

I do like how this defense is forming up though - FINALLY might have a nasty LB core after losing Luke and TD.  We might actually be able to stop the run now.

[hepcat]

help needed at corner badly