Evero's defense will be fast and aggressive.

[panthers55]

https://pantherswire.usatoday.com/2023/07/04/panthers-ejiro-evero-fast-aggressive-defense-chuck-pagano/

One thing I want to see is how aggressive this zone coverage will be. Historically it hasn't been.

[mccjeff]

I am really looking forward to seeing what Bryce can do but honestly this defense is what truly has me intrigued. It can be anywhere from a completely disorganized clusterfack to a terminator-esque AI dominating machine of nightmares for opposing offenses. 

[Jackie Lee]

47 minutes ago, panthers55 said:

https://pantherswire.usatoday.com/2023/07/04/panthers-ejiro-evero-fast-aggressive-defense-chuck-pagano/

One thing I want to see is how aggressive this zone coverage will be. Historically it hasn't been.

Judging by how much churning they're doing on the D-line I'm nervous about the zone coverage/QB pressure combo. I know he's willing to blitz more than previous DC's so that might help on obvious passing downs

[Pejorative Miscreant]

Haven’t paid much attention yo defense as it has been overshadowed by new toys on the other side of the ball. But yes it will be interesting to see. I have questions on who compliments Burns and how our backfield shakes out. Not overly concerned (yet) but I hope Horn/DJax are healthy and ready to go.  

[DaveThePanther2008]

I believe the entire key to our defense will be how the backend performs.  If Horn and Jackson stay healthy, I think this defense could be very special.  We have many good players up front. 

The keys are Jackson and Horn and that is my worry.  Neither seem to be able to stay healthy.  Our only other hope is that others on the roster step up in a big way.

However, if they do stay healthy Evero will be able to do many exciting things with our defense.  He's a proved DC that can lead a top 10 defense.  No reason we shouldn't be inside the top 10. 

Let's go.

[TheMaulClaw]

7 hours ago, DaveThePanther2008 said:

I believe the entire key to our defense will be how the backend performs.

It's that pretty much the key to any successful relationship.

[panthers55]

I know that everyone is excited about the offense but how well we do this year will be based on how the defense does. If we want to make noise this year we need to be a top 5 defense. Historically teams go deep in the playoffs due to a dominant defense.

[shaqattaq]

10 hours ago, mccjeff said:

I am really looking forward to seeing what Bryce can do but honestly this defense is what truly has me intrigued. It can be anywhere from a completely disorganized clusterfack to a terminator-esque AI dominating machine of nightmares for opposing offenses. 

Honestly, I only know the basics of who does what in a 3-4 base so I'm intrigued AF also. We're still missing a few pieces unless Evero can coach up a few historically mediocre players at CB and OLB, but it'll be fun to watch.

[PNW_PantherMan]

9 hours ago, DaveThePanther2008 said:

I believe the entire key to our defense will be how the backend performs.  If Horn and Jackson stay healthy, I think this defense could be very special.  We have many good players up front. 

The keys are Jackson and Horn and that is my worry.  Neither seem to be able to stay healthy.  Our only other hope is that others on the roster step up in a big way.

However, if they do stay healthy Evero will be able to do many exciting things with our defense.  He's a proved DC that can lead a top 10 defense.  No reason we shouldn't be inside the top 10. 

Let's go.

If Horn and Jackson can stay on the field, it will help for sure.  But in my view, I'd say its the opposite.  If the front 7 can generate lots of QB pressure, the defensive backfield's job is going to be infinitely easier.  Even the best corners in the league can't cover forever.  But a good rush can make almost any NFL level corner look like a star.

If the combination of our front 7's speed with Evero's scheme can get to the QB, I think our defense will be very good.

[CPcavedweller]

15 hours ago, panthers55 said:

https://pantherswire.usatoday.com/2023/07/04/panthers-ejiro-evero-fast-aggressive-defense-chuck-pagano/

One thing I want to see is how aggressive this zone coverage will be. Historically it hasn't been.

Modern 3-4. Smaller, quicker.

I'm interested to see if we have the personnel to run it efficiently yet. 

[CRA]

I'm sure it's fluid and dependent on actual play.  I think lots of coaches want to be aggressive.  And they will be as aggressive as their players actually allow for it to be a smart idea.   So yeah, dependent on our backend. 

[panthers55]

1 hour ago, CPcavedweller said:

Modern 3-4. Smaller, quicker.

I'm interested to see if we have the personnel to run it efficiently yet. 

I haven't heard many folks that think the transition will be difficult. We brought in folks up front who have played in a 3-4 and guys like Shaq have played in one under Rivera.  We do have the personnel to run it. The bigger issue is how comfortable the players are running it and can they play without overthinking things.

[MHS831]

This is why I say that Barno and Johnson might really excel in this defense--I realize he was talking about the back end, but do not underestimate what the OLBs could bring, especially if Burns is attracting attention on the other side.

 

 

[ladypanther]

What some of his players in Denver said about him:

https://theathletic.com/4089161/2023/01/16/ejiro-evero-nfl-head-coach-candidate/

 

For him to get that opportunity somewhere, I think he is more than deserving of it,” Broncos safety Justin Simmons said after Denver’s win over the Chargers to close the season. “He is just a tremendous leader. I could be up here for hours just talking about how amazing of a coach and a man he is. I’m just really appreciative of him, and he deserves it.”

It also did not go unnoticed by Denver’s front office that a handful of the team’s top defensive players produced career-best seasons during their first year in Evero’s scheme.

Anywhere you turn while examining Denver’s defensive roster, you’ll find a player who improved during Evero’s first season as a defensive coordinator.

“He helped my game so much this year,” Simmons said. “Just when you think you know a good amount, you always learn so much more from a new mind and a new set of eyes and the way that he coaches and the way that affects coaches, the assistant coaches around the defensive room. I’m just so thankful for him and his leadership. I’ve learned so much from him, both on and off the field.”

Evero has worked for some of the greatest defensive minds in football since entering the NFL as a quality control assistant with the Buccaneers in 2007, shortly after his college career as a safety at UC Davis ended. In Tampa Bay, Evero worked for defensive coordinator Monte Kiffin. Across stops to follow with the 49ers, Packers and Rams, Evero learned from Vic Fangio, Capers, Wade Phillips and Raheem Morris.

Evero absorbed bits and pieces from each coach’s unique style during those first 15 years of his career, taking mental notes about what he would incorporate into his own leadership approach when he one day ran a defense or a team and what he might let go. That experience, and the process by which he maximized its benefit, created a style that is uniquely Evero’s, one that deeply resonated with the players he coached this season.

“He provides all the qualities you need in a coach,” said Surtain, who was also named a starter for the AFC Pro Bowl roster this season. “He’s a great leader, very outspoken, brings a lot of energy into the room and he’s just a great person in general. A great people person. You can go to him for anything. On the football field, he’s just going to go out there and bring all the energy. He’s going to do what is best for the team.”

 But it didn’t take long for players to notice the differences in Evero’s version of the scheme [ from Fangoi's]and what it allowed players to do. Namely, it gave them more freedom to trust their instincts within the confines of the system.

“This is the most fun I’ve had since I’ve been in the league (while) playing this type of defense and (with) this amount of control,” said Jewell, who had a career year in his fifth NFL season. “It’s been fun to play for him and just to hear his insight. (He is) very vocal about it, and he’ll talk about every single small, little thing and there’s no miscommunication there. It’s fun to talk to him. He’s an open book on the defense and a great teacher.”

His communication skills are of a high level,” Rosburg said. “He’s really good in dealing with his coaches and dealing with his players. He deals with them directly and he has a certain level of performance that he expects. He’s going to keep them to that. Those types of coaches have a high ceiling because there is a lot of different ways to do things. … You are open to other ideas, but when you decide, ‘This is the way that it’s going to be,’ well, then this is the way it’s going to be. He’s got all of those qualities.”

The impact made by Evero during his one season in Denver could perhaps best be illustrated by the public way in which his players have clamored for his return — either as head coach or defensive coordinator — in 2023. 

 .....the team recognizes that the young coach’s knack for scheming and connecting isn’t some well-kept secret.

“You stack those traits,” Surtain said, “and you have a great coach.”