ESPN's David Newton talks defensive flexibility

[top dawg]

Just when I thought about making a general thread about how sneaky good our defense could be, David Newton pens a decent article on how our new additions may benefit the Panthers' unit and give Phil Snow even more flexibility that he obviously covets!

Newton touched on what Rhule has spoken about more need for--not speed, which I'd argue was an obvious focus as well considering our acquisitions, but pressure.

 

"Pressure as in reaching a one-year, $8 million deal with former Arizona edge rusher Haason Reddick, who had 12.5 sacks last season, and reaching a two-year, $8.1 million deal with former Los Angeles Rams defensive lineman Morgan Fox, who had six sacks last season."

 

And, to be totally honest, I didn't realize Fox had that type of ability, which one could argue may have only been a product of playing among some great NFL talent, but I feel that he may surprise. It's not like Spiderman, YGM, Brown, Roy, Shaq, Perryman, Chinn and others are chopped liver. I expect he will surprise. He may even be at least as good as Obada (whom I'm still hoping will return). Plus, he's younger than Obada. And, he also has that versatility of being able to play from DE or DT (as Newton noted).

 

"Adding Reddick, Fox and free-agent pickup Denzel Perryman at middle linebacker to a lineup that already includes 2020 sack leader Brian Burns, 2020 NFL rookie of the year candidate Jeremy Chinn, 2020 first-round pick Derrick Brown and 2020 second-round pick Yetur Gross-Matos should give Snow the talent and position flexibility to throw almost any scheme he wants at opponents."

 

"Flexibility" can't be understated! And some may disagree--hell, I did before I really thought about it--but Snow did a helluva job with such youngins sprinkled with glorified JAGs on defense, so I can't wait to see what the burgeoning mad scientist comes up with once he "gets into his new bag"! You better believe that Reddick will play a major part. Not only does it make sense simply because we acquired him and paid him relatively well for a year, but because he let it be known, as stated in a PFT article by Josh Alper, exactly what he was looking for before signing with someone.

 

“I want my number to be called,” Reddick said. “I want to be one of the guys that’s called on to make plays. I want the fit and the feeling to be right. I want a mutual understanding between me and the coaching staff about what’s expected, what’s to be done, and the effort I’m going to give."

 

And, who better to call his number than the guys that believe in him and understand what he can do and is about?

 

“I love Haason,” Rhule told an Arizona radio station in 2017 after Reddick was selected by the Cardinals with the 13th pick. “He’s everything that’s right with college football. He’s tough, he’s hard-nosed. ... He’s relentless.

“In a day and age where guys on defense don’t run to the football anymore because of all the tempo, and guys don’t play hard all the time, Haason set the standard for our defense.’’

 

So strap up boys and girls, I'm predicting a fun ride, and that's before we've even seen the last move in free agency! I suspect we'll find a good pairing with Action Jackson...

 

https://www.espn.com/blog/carolina-panthers/post/_/id/34837/panthers-building-defense-behind-versatile-pass-rushers-in-free-agency?device=featurephone

[Mage]

2 minutes ago, top dawg said:

And, to be totally honest, I didn't realize Fox had that type of ability, which one could argue may have only been a product of playing among some great NFL talent, but I feel that he may surprise.

Fox is a very solid player and amazing depth.  He actually was someone that jumped off the screen to me when Donald went down with an injury against the Seahawks.  I don't think he's a guy you want as a full-time starter, but that isn't what we'll need him to do here.  I loved the signing and I think he's going to do a great job helping alleviate the lack of pressure whenever we have to take Burns off the field.

Our signings on defense have been fantastic this offseason.  It lets us focus on (outside of QB) CB, S, and OL in the draft.

[Waldo]

Another offseason working on upgrading the DBs and we will be a real powerhouse D. If I had to guess low teens this year, maybe even cracking top 10 depending on the DBs. Maybe one of the 2nd year CBs steps up and makes a big improvement from last year. 

[Captain Morgan]

Considering the job our new coaching staff did with what they were given last year, I can't wait to see what they can do with these guys....and a freaking off season.

[Panther'sBigD]

The first comment under the initial tweet about signing Morgan Fox was a Rams fan stating, "Someone with the Panthers knows what they're doing." Went on to respond to another comment about Fox benefitting from the Aaron Donald Effect by countering  saying that he really excelled on his own, and had developed some really technical, effective moves. 

It's always nice to see thoughtful commentary on a player from someone who watched them every week and was bummed to see them go. 

Excited to see what Snow can do with a full arsenal. 

The rest of the comments were Rams fans saying FUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUCK, etc.. 

Edited March 19, 2021 by Panther'sBigD

[TrevorLaurenceTime22]

I suspect with a decent corner in the draft we will be much better on defense this coming season.

[MrBubba]

But who gets shipped out for Watson?

[Jesse]

Any chance we can put "David Newton" into the filter as Darren Newhouse?

[top dawg]

1 hour ago, MrBubba said:

But who gets shipped out for Watson?

At this point, even I would lean toward accepting that that ship has sailed. If and/or when Watson becomes available, I think that his market will have taken a major hit, so all the talk of two defensive players, this that and the other looks like a wrap!

[Khyber53]

Before we declare defensive wizardry... we only shut down Detroit last year and there were games, multiple ones, where we never even forced the other team to punt. Once the other team got the ball, no shutdowns, just whether they'd score a TD or run out of steam and kick a FG.

That's not wizardry, that's mumbo jumbo.

Maybe it was a lack of personnel, but I saw, more than anything, a lack of aggression. Our defense often had the game dictated to them rather than them imposing their will, or even slight problems, on the other team. 

I sure hope it gets better, but I'm not sold on Snow yet. He coached like a little old lady last season. I need to see better from him and the players.