Fastest defense in Panthers history???

[Zod]

Thinking back I do not remember a faster defense on the field for the Panthers. All of the LBs and DE's can play sideline to sideline, the safeties are both young and able to cover large chunks of the field like never before.

But.... there is a downside here. I expect we will have trouble with power running games (think Brandon Jacobs). Many of our players are a bit smaller and faster, which won't be an issue against the shiftier backs like Chris Johnson last night. But wait until a huge OL lines up with a 250+ running back and just goes straight at us snap after snap. Like many great fast defenses in the past, I think we will be vulnerable.

[Darth Biscuit]

I think the D will do well this year barring injuries but you have a point... they won't look as good in the regular season when teams start game planning us and we'll have more trouble against the run than we have so far... I hope I'm wrong. Hopefully it will balance out if we can keep up the pass pressure and force turnovers.

[jloh]

...it seems the SBXXXVIII edition was very quick as well...maybe I just want to think that....

[Zod]

...it seems the SBXXXVIII edition was very quick as well...maybe I just want to think that....

They were, but I don't think Rucker had the speed that our DE's do now. Minter was not as fast as Godfrey or Martin.

[Lumps]

Easily the fastest line we have had, but I also think they are the smallest and lightest line they've had so it makes sense. This seems to be what Meeks specializes in, speed. No need to worry too much about run game with our linebackers but that is the area to be concerned about.

[DirtyMagic97]

Yea I definitely don't remember seeing a defense that is this fast. Every player is flocking to the ball on every play. It's tremendous to see a team that can cover sideline to sideline so quickly. I'm just interested to see what happens when the other offense can game plan for us, and starts using a lot of physicality up the middle.

[Matt Foley]

You nailed it, Zod. The Colts always had problems with the power running games. Their offense kept them off the field and protected them from that, though.

[PantherFanOne]

I have watched the Panthers from day one and i have to conclude that this is the fastest defense in history.

I can see concern about playing a smashmouth football team with a big OL and power RB,but with good DL penetration i feel that will offset the size factor.In other words stop the big RB's before they get up a full head of steam.

[TerriblePizza]

Imagine how sick our defense would be if TD was still healthy.

[Davidson Deac II]

I am not sure if I agree about having trouble with power running games. We are pretty big up the middle with Tyler and Leonard so we should be able to hold our own there. Our linebackers are a little small, but as long as we do well on the line, that shouldn't hurt us much.

[panthers34]

we owned jacobs last year we will do the same this year

[natty]

Teams will have to break tackles to run on us. I don't think it'll be a problem.

[bigdog10]

our d-line looks a lot like the colts d-line a couple years ago, however we have been able to stop the run thus far, while they got gashed.

I'm worried about teams using the screen play against us

[Sandy Claws]

I am not sure if I agree about having trouble with power running games. We are pretty big up the middle with Tyler and Leonard so we should be able to hold our own there. Our linebackers are a little small, but as long as we do well on the line, that shouldn't hurt us much.

:iamwithstupid:

I'll wait and see what happens with the cuts. We'll have a better feel after the Steelers.