Looking at the secondary

[Mr. Scot]

Joe Person interviewed new Panthers corner AJ Bouye for his latest article in The Athletic. Besides interesting stuff about Bouye (pronounced "boo-yay", by the way) there's also some talk about plans for this year's secondary.

It sounds like the initial plan is to use Donte Jackson and Jaycee Horn as the starting outside corners while Bouye plays the nickel spot. Person also mentions that Bouye played some safety in college. There's no suggestion in the article that he'll play there with the Panthers, but given our seeming lack of depth there the thought crossed my mind.

It's a great read if you're interested (subscription required, of course).

Excerpts:

Bouye has started 69 games in his eight-year career, nearly all of which have come at outside corner. But with Jackson entrenched at one starting spot and the Panthers using the eighth overall pick on Horn, defensive coordinator Phil Snow told Bouye he’s needed at nickel back, a transition that is requiring Bouye to learn new coverage techniques, run fits and blitzing assignments.

Bouye played some safety in college, an experience he’s leaned on during Panthers’ OTAs as he tries to get comfortable covering in the middle of the field, without the sideline to assist him. He’s also been studying tape of NFL nickels to see how they play certain situations.

“When you’re on the inside, you know where your help is at. You can play certain routes easier, especially when you know concepts and know the game,” he said. “That’s why it’s been kind of good for me, just learning that kind of early and getting a good feel for it.”

...

Bouye understands why the Panthers want to immediately get Horn on the field. During the 2020 offseason, Oliver Davis, a private defensive backs coach, told Bouye he wanted him to take a look at another Atlanta-area corner — a South Carolina player who happened to be Joe Horn’s kid.

“We get out there and the first thing I notice was his size. I’m like, OK, he’s a big corner. I want to see how he moves. … I told him, ‘Man, you remind me of Jalen Ramsey,’” said Bouye of his former teammate in Jacksonville. “The size, the lift, the way he moves, athleticism. And his technique is just amazing.”

...

Besides Horn’s physical attributes, Bouye has been blown away by his professionalism. Bouye said Horn views every practice snap as an opportunity to improve — be it his stance, leverage or other details.

“He’s out there on the field, talking to me about stuff he noticed from reps I played when I was in Houston four or five years ago. As a rookie, I wasn’t studying the game like that. Compliments to his dad and the people around him,” Bouye said.

...

Bouye worked out with Horn a couple times this past offseason, as well, and plans to have him over to his home this summer to break down OTA tape and start studying the Panthers’ opponents. The golf simulator may have to wait.

Said Bouye: “I told him straight, I was like: ‘My expectations for you is you’re supposed to be Defensive Rookie of the Year. I don’t care what nobody else says. You were the first (defensive) player taken off the board, and you’re taking that approach.’”

...

He’s excited for the fresh start in Charlotte and appreciates how new teammates, such as Christian McCaffrey, Shaq Thompson and Jackson, have welcomed him.

“First day, D-Jack tells me how he’s a big fan of my game and just wanted to learn a lot from me. That’s why I’m constantly around him because he’s a great guy in the locker room. He has a great personality, a great sense of humor,” Bouye said. “We’re just always talking football on the field. Whether I do something wrong or he does something wrong, we’re not afraid to let each other know about it.”

...

“A.J.’s an ultimate pro. He’s a guy that is just a joy to have in the room — not only for the coaches, but especially for this young team that we have and this young secondary, young defense,” Jackson said.

“A.J. is a guy who can literally go play any position in the secondary at a high level. He’s very smart. He brings it every day. He’s not going to allow a day where the young guys see him not on his game.”

[RenoCarolina]

Excited to watch this secondary.  It really was our worst group last year.  As Rhule said after the draft, "we just could not get off the field".

To change a weakness to a strength in one offseason says a lot about team management.

Edited June 14, 2021 by RenoCarolina

[Little Goody Two Shoes]

Very promising.

[mrcompletely11]

I almost came thinking Horn can be our version of Jalen Ramesy.   His first few years in the league have been incredible. 

[Mr. Scot]

I know some folks on here think nickel back would be Donte Jackson's best role.

The Panthers clearly aren't leaning in that direction, at least not at this point.

Edited June 14, 2021 by Mr. Scot

[Khyber53]

4 minutes ago, Mr. Scot said:

I know some folks on here think nickel back would be Donte Jackson's best role.

The Panthers clearly aren't leaning in that direction, at least not at this point.

I think Jackson needs the sideline to help him, and that's not necessarily a bad thing, it's just his strength is speed more than scheme. 

I think this trio might work well for us, really well. If we can get success from our safeties (and Chinn is pretty much going to scare some receivers) then we're going to see a major shift in our win-loss ratio. If we can get more aggressive in the front seven, then it will be great.

[Mr. Scot]

1 minute ago, Khyber53 said:

I think Jackson needs the sideline to help him, and that's not necessarily a bad thing, it's just his strength is speed more than scheme. 

I think this trio might work well for us, really well. If we can get success from our safeties (and Chinn is pretty much going to scare some receivers) then we're going to see a major shift in our win-loss ratio. If we can get more aggressive in the front seven, then it will be great.

We'd be looking at a nickel package of Jackson, Horn, Chinn, Bouye and Burris.

[hepcat]

8 minutes ago, Mr. Scot said:

I know some folks on here think nickel back would be Donte Jackson's best role.

The Panthers clearly aren't leaning in that direction, at least not at this point.

I’ve been wondering why that is. Maybe they’ll train both Bouye and Jackson at nickel and swap them around to match opponents. At least that seems like a good idea on paper

[Khyber53]

1 minute ago, Mr. Scot said:

We'd be looking at a nickel package of Jackson, Horn, Chinn, Bouye and Burris.

Trying to not get over optimistic about this season, but honestly, I like that set up. Sounds better than most of what we've fielded for a decade.

[Captain Morgan]

we are a free safety away from one of the best secondary's in the NFL...amazing to say that thinking where we were a year ago.

also, Boo-yay is gonna get a lot of play in game threads this year

[ncstatekwi]

Very excited to watch this secondary!!

[Rubi]

The guy who’s gonna benefit the most from an improved secondary is Burns. Huge year inbound for that dude 

[kungfoodude]

45 minutes ago, mrcompletely11 said:

I almost came thinking Horn can be our version of Jalen Ramesy.   His first few years in the league have been incredible. 

I don't want to saddle him with too high of expectations just because sometimes there is an adjustment for young CB's.

But, it is super hard not to get very excited about what he can do. All the behind the scenes info seems to indicate he is very keen on perfecting his craft. That is extremely, EXTREMELY exciting.

[mrcompletely11]

5 minutes ago, kungfoodude said:

I don't want to saddle him with too high of expectations just because sometimes there is an adjustment for young CB's.

But, it is super hard not to get very excited about what he can do. All the behind the scenes info seems to indicate he is very keen on perfecting his craft. That is extremely, EXTREMELY exciting.

I hear you 100% but Ramesy was good his rookie year and all pro in his 2nd