ESPN: Panthers have "worst group of D-tackles in the league"...

[SnarkAttack]

http://espn.go.com/blog/nfcsouth/post/_/id/10849/carolina-weakness-defensive-tackle

Steve Smith broke his arm and outside of him, this team has had very little in terms of receiving options of late. Without him, the Panthers will be among the weakest teams in this regard in the NFL -- even with a few rookie pass-catchers added to the equation. It seems as though there is a good chance Smith will be ready for the opener, but even if he is unable to go, the Panthers have a bigger weakness than their pass-catchers.

Even the most casual of fans realize Carolina lost Julius Peppers during free agency, but there is some young talent there in Charles Johnson and Everette Brown. At defensive tackle, Damione Lewis and Maake Kemoeatu are gone, and what remains is frankly very disturbing.

[+] EnlargeEd Wolfstein/Icon SMI

The Panthers traded for Louis Leonard last September, but he played in only two games before breaking his ankle.As of today, the foursome that should expect to see playing time at tackle consists of Nick Hayden, Louis Leonard, Tank Tyler and Corvey Irvin. And maybe Ed Johnson or Derek Landri will factor in. Seriously? Let me just go on record to say that this is the worst group of defensive tackles in the league, and I am not even sure that dubious competition is close.

I understand you can sometimes get away with tough guys who play hard and hold their ground at this position to help free up those around them, and I understand that several of these guys battled injury last season, but there isn’t a playmaker in this bunch, nor is there a guy who commands a double-team in the run game. Compounding matters for the long term, there isn't a young pup in the group who has yet to develop and is dripping with upside. I really don’t see a lot of hope here.

The Panthers’ run defense wasn’t very good last season. With this group of defensive tackles and now the loss of LB Thomas Davis (knee injury), expect it to be even worse in 2010. If the defense can’t get off the field, it will certainly make playing a ball-control, run-first style on offense all the more difficult.

[Kurb]

Compounding matters for the long term, there isn't a young pup in the group who has yet to develop and is dripping with upside

While one could argue on the "dripping with upside" opinion.

Tank, leonard, and Irvin are young players that are either really young (irvin) or placed in schemes they didn't really fit into (Tank/Leonard).

I still hate we didn't go after Corey Williams.

[SorthNarolina]

I do not honestly think it's that bad, not even close to worst in the league. Kemo and lewis wern't all that great to begin with.

[Darth Biscuit]

It is what it is.

You never know until we start playing games... looking at teams on paper is completely different than when they start playing.

[CharlotteBeer.com]

Honestly, I think we do have one of the worst groups of tackles in the league -- until they prove otherwise.

Whether they will or not remains to be seen. I like our defensive end situation, but I'm a bit worried about the tackles. Wish we would have drafted another.

[Peppers90 NC]

I do not honestly think it's that bad, not even close to worst in the league. Kemo and lewis wern't all that great to begin with.

They definitely will not be the worse when its all said and done, but right now, can we think of a team with less proven options? I wish I could but I can't

[CharlotteBeer.com]

Yeah, I'm not saying we have the worst defensive line as a whole. We just have the most unproven (maybe that's a better word than "worst") group of tackles the league.

I'm more confident in our ends than most.

[Acewalker]

http://www.carolinahuddle.com/forum/carolina-panthers/38601-espn-panthers-have-worst-group-of-d-tackles-in-the-league.html

Acewalker said earlier, "ESPN has the worst NFL analysts."

[methodtoll]

One name comes to mind when I think of this situation...

Jordan Carstens

This guy came in for Jenkins when Jenkins went out with a injury and played extremely well.

The reason I bring him up is because everybody seems to be doubting our DTs but lets wait until pre-season and see what they can do before judging.

[CharlotteBeer.com]

This guy came in for Jenkins when Jenkins went out with a injury and played extremely well.

The reason I bring him up is because everybody seems to be doubting our DTs but lets wait until pre-season and see what they can do before judging.

'Tis a good point. At one time, we had a bunch of no-names on our offensive line, many of which turned out very, very well for us. I can only hope we have the same success with some of these guys on our defensive line.

[SorthNarolina]

One name comes to mind when I think of this situation...

Jordan Carstens

This guy came in for Jenkins when Jenkins went out with a injury and played extremely well.

The reason I bring him up is because everybody seems to be doubting our DTs but lets wait until pre-season and see what they can do before judging.

Carstens routinley beat double teams, he was a huge find. Too bad he had those blood clots.

[Ohio]

If Nick Hayden see's the field this year, then we are done. Does anyone remember the Giants blasting him in last years preseason game. That was embarrassing.

[SorthNarolina]

They definitely will not be the worse when its all said and done, but right now, can we think of a team with less proven options? I wish I could but I can't

Yeah I am basing that on a few things. I think people overate kemo and lewis tremendously, they aren't going to be hard to replace. I don't think our scheme demands anything that these guys can't do. I also think they will play well based on how they looked earlier before injury.

[Argus Plexus]

I'm not that worried. I know from personal experience that if someone gives it 110% on everything, practice and during games, they will be great. That's what separates the players from the stars. Who want's it more?