Defensive transition next season?

[SorthNarolina]

If we bring back irvin, tyler, and leonard that's 3 spots that are almost gurranteed since we spent draft picks on them.

I think we should stick with irvin for a while because we've had too many developmental DT's be cut and run off somewhwere else in a few years.

With the uncapped year and no salary penalties I wouldn't mind seeing them unloading kemo. I don't think he'll be the same and he wasn't that great to begin with. We suffered without him but if we can find an old dinosaur that plays better than him I don't think he'll be to hard to replace. It would probably be smarter to see how he fits in meeks system even if it doesn't look good on paper. It's just my opinion that this is the begining of the end for him.

We need some young bluechip talent on the D-line. We've been depending on stop gaps for far too long.

[CanadianCat]

Meeks' Indy defenses were built....

and by Meeks you really mean Dungys right?

[TerriblePizza]

Yeah, the only noticable difference is the passing yards per game which went up by nearly 30 yards. I don't know if that is statiscally significant or not. In the end they are pretty much exactly the same defensively....not sure why they are getting the attention for improvement unless it's just a story to go with in the media.

THis year, teams were playing from behind a lot more against the Colts. There were a few games were the Colts had to come back and win in the 4th, but for the most part, teams were behind.

[kdrh5]

I don't see why so many people can't see the logic in taking a DT early. We don't have a legitimate 3-technique that can dominate his man--having one would open up a lot for this defense, though there's not a sure bet we'll find one in the second or third round. But if the best available player is a DT, then by all means, they should take him if other needs have been addressed.

Hollis Thomas is older and I'm not even sure he's under contract for next year.

Kemo and Lewis are both getting older and could be expendable in favor of a younger/cheaper/better option, and if there were a scenario where we needed to cut someone for cap room, those two would be the first names to come to mind.

Irvin was a third-rounder in a weak draft class at DT, and even though we had NO depth at DT last year, they still put him on IR because he wasnt ready. He might be a solid back-up, but I dont see him being a starter.

Leonard and Tyler both seem to be solid prospects, I'd say, but they arent established and havent proven anything yet.

[Smithers]

I don't see Meeks making any big changes, for 2 reasons:

1. We don't have the money.

2. This years D was better than any he coached, so why change to something that was not as effective?

[panthers55]

I don't see why so many people can't see the logic in taking a DT early. We don't have a legitimate 3-technique that can dominate his man--having one would open up a lot for this defense, though there's not a sure bet we'll find one in the second or third round. But if the best available player is a DT, then by all means, they should take him if other needs have been addressed.

Hollis Thomas is older and I'm not even sure he's under contract for next year.

Kemo and Lewis are both getting older and could be expendable in favor of a younger/cheaper/better option, and if there were a scenario where we needed to cut someone for cap room, those two would be the first names to come to mind.

Irvin was a third-rounder in a weak draft class at DT, and even though we had NO depth at DT last year, they still put him on IR because he wasnt ready. He might be a solid back-up, but I dont see him being a starter.

Leonard and Tyler both seem to be solid prospects, I'd say, but they arent established and havent proven anything yet.

Are you talking 0 technique which would be over the center like Kemo or Thomas did or are you talking 3 technique which is what Taylor or Lewis did this year lining up in the between the guard and tackle. You are mixing names and positions so I was unsure what you were referring to.

I would think we have some great DTs who have playing experience versus taking a draft pick who would certainly not start and would probably be on the practice squad or the bench depending on how high we drafted them. I know that the lure of drafting someone seems more interesting than sticking with what you have, but few players get drafted and contribute right away. I think we have more pressing needs that have to be addressed right away like WR and corner, for example. I would rather spend my second rounder on a shutdown corner in the Revis style who could come in and contribute or a wide receiver who could come in than a lineman who almost always needs years to develop. Plus we already invested trades and draft picks last year in the position.

I think we have a bunch of guys who filled in pretty well and with 3 guys coming back from IR, 2 of which would play the nose or 0 technique, I think we have more than enough to do the job and might have to cut some already.

[pantherclaw]

Actually, I believe it was more Dungy's preferance with the undersized players.

That being said, we drafted a not so large DT this last year, that they have expectations for. Our DT situation is the best it's been in several years now.

I'm not so quick to write Kemo off, but I also don't expect him to be able to beat out the others to start next season.

I do think we will continue to find talent to plug into the defense.

[The Question]

I don't see the point. Our defense was on fire towards the end of the season. I say we keep who we have and add a big tackle and maybe bring a backup corner.

[carpanfan96]

Bringing everyone make would be expensive, right now the panthers have to decide who to bring back. They can't really afford to bring them all back, even without the cap. Last couple of years the panther's Operating Income/profit was around 23 million dollars. 11 of these players are Defensive players. 3 DT's, 2 DE's, 3 cb's, 1 S and 2 LB's including a starter and one of our best players in Davis.

James Anderson*

Tyler Brayton

Thomas Davis*

A.J. Feeley QB

Jeff King* TE

Louis Leonard

Rhys Lloyd PK

Richard Marshall*

Josh McCown

Matt Moore QB

Muhsin Muhammad

Julius Peppers

Quinton Teal

Hollis Thomas

Tank Tyler

Keydrick Vincent

Dante Wesley

C.J. Wilson

[pantherj]

I noticed that Captain was sometimes abused by larger WRs. I'd like to draft a CB to come in and try to compete for the nickle spot. Not much to complain about on the defensive side of the ball. I'm thrilled at how many quality DTs and LBs we have on our roster. I think we'll be drafting for depth on defense.

[kdrh5]

Are you talking 0 technique which would be over the center like Kemo or Thomas did or are you talking 3 technique which is what Taylor or Lewis did this year lining up in the between the guard and tackle. You are mixing names and positions so I was unsure what you were referring to.

I would think we have some great DTs who have playing experience versus taking a draft pick who would certainly not start and would probably be on the practice squad or the bench depending on how high we drafted them. I know that the lure of drafting someone seems more interesting than sticking with what you have, but few players get drafted and contribute right away. I think we have more pressing needs that have to be addressed right away like WR and corner, for example. I would rather spend my second rounder on a shutdown corner in the Revis style who could come in and contribute or a wide receiver who could come in than a lineman who almost always needs years to develop. Plus we already invested trades and draft picks last year in the position.

I think we have a bunch of guys who filled in pretty well and with 3 guys coming back from IR, 2 of which would play the nose or 0 technique, I think we have more than enough to do the job and might have to cut some already.

Isnt it possible WR or CB could be addressed in free agency, allowing us to take the BPA, which might be a talented DT?

[carpanfan96]

With the players we have that are FA's and those with big bonuses (kemo, who I still expect to be cut). I don't see us having the luxury of having plenty 0 or 3 tech DT's, so we will most likely be drafting one if we're not able to resign all of them. Also, got to look at us possibly loosing Marshall, Wesley and Wilson. If we lose Marshall who takes his place. Same story with Peppers, who takes his place and who do we get to play the backup spot.... Lots of FA questions on defense that have to play out before we have an idea on where the team should go in the draft and in Free agency itself.

[kdrh5]

If we were to look at WR in FA, that would give us flexibility as far as positions we draft. If the pick is a DT, for instance, that player might not start initially, but in the next year or two when Lewis and Kemo are gone we'll have quality depth at the position ready to take on a starting role if need be.

IMO, a quality 3-tech is what our defense has been lacking for a while, but i wouldn't mind if that player were more of a 0-tech like Arthur Jones, a possible second rounder. If we draft a 3-tech, we have possibly a future starter in case Tyler doesnt play up to expectations and for when Lewis is gone. If we draft a 0-tech, we have a possible starter in case Leonard never pans out or Kemo isnt the same. I'm also taking into consideration the fact that we also don't know what type of player Irvin will be. I simply think it might be a smart move to bolster an important position on the team, while also thinking long-term. Any rookie DT might be a dud and not contribute immediately, but i look at that the same as if we were to draft a WR or CB.

[Mr. Scot]

and by Meeks you really mean Dungys right?

To a point. I don't think the Dungy/Meeks relationship was quite the same as Fox/Trgovac.

I think you'd have to say this season Meeks proved he could run a defense on his own, without needing Tony Dungy looking over his shoulder.