Wait is this right? 12th ranked D?

[Doc LRB]

Great Job guys!!!!  Keep up the good work!!!!  Go Panthers!!!

 

[Daddy_Uncle]

Beef up our linebackers and maybe safeties next offseason and we are good at all 3 levels. I could see us being a top 5 defense pretty soon

[electro's horse]

2 hours ago, strato said:

Well I don’t know about being the 12th best in the league it says we have given up the 12th fewest yards. 
But they have been better than last. 
19 yards rushing

A shutout. 

Couldn’t sniff that last year. 

The shutout needs a GIANT asterisk 

[Jon Snow]

I'm not sure I buy that ranking. They are playing a lot better sure. But the competition hasn't been world beaters so proceed with caution. 

[PleaseCutStewart]

1 hour ago, Daddy_Uncle said:

Beef up our linebackers and maybe safeties next offseason and we are good at all 3 levels. I could see us being a top 5 defense pretty soon

I think we are fine at safety once we cut Nick Scott... Maybe a safety that specializes in coverage would help.

 

I think inside linebacker and a couple more down lineman (if we are still 3-4/nickel) are more important 

[Jmac]

Every team is up and down this season. Wouldn't suprise me if the improvement is real.

Could be a factor of the D starting to solidify with the newer players.

Edited 5 hours ago by Jmac

[electro's horse]

3 minutes ago, Jmac said:

Every team is up and down this season. Wouldn't suprise me if the improvement is real.

Could be a factor of the D starting to solidify with the newer players.

It’s not. It’s a factor of playing terrible QBs, or Penix having the worst game of his life. 

but beating up on the corpses of kyler Murray and Tua is a start. 

[mc52beast]

Let’s see what they do against a legit Dallas offense. But yeh, they have been much better than last year, having DB back helps. Dude is a man among boys.

[OldhamA]

13 minutes ago, Jmac said:

Every team is up and down this season. Wouldn't suprise me if the improvement is real.

Could be a factor of the D starting to solidify with the newer players.

I mean it's not rocket science.

Brown is back. You're getting production from Scourton and Umanmielen, allowing you to play Jones and Wonnum like the rotational players they are. Moehrig and Ransom have been added to the Safety room. Smith-Wade is a year more developed and you might have landed a contributor in Thornton at CB.

"Jimmy's and Joe's, not X's and O's." - Jimmy Johnson 

[Basbear]

The main deal is they are playing better than the 32nd rank unit. Certain groups/players have improved since the seasons start ie LBs, edges, and safety. I wanted to ban Evero form coaching at times last year.......

The test is this weekend.

I do feel they are around the 18th "best" defense. 

Sure there have been some awful teams, still I will take this 2025 season over 2024.

DL seem to be strength and injuries don't matter (minus dbrown).

CBs- Horn is a top 20 guy and even tho Mike Jack just had his worst game, he's had 20 other super solid ones. 

LB- They have improved each week and yes its still the top weak spot for the roster nerds. 

Safety- Rock says "Know your role" They are understanding that now. Similar to LBs, improved each week, yes even Nick " Im out in the parking lot depth " Scott. 

 

I mean if want the best part, given many are in their 1st and second NFL seasons.....future does in fact look like its going to decent at least. Plus these young bodies are getting snaps and making positive plays. 

I don't think Ive ever seen this many young players playing well at the same time. 

Think about it - 2027 lineup

ROLB- Nic scortheearth

DE- Dbrown

NT- Cam Jackson

DE- Crumedy 

LOLB- Prince

ILB- Wallace

ILB- 2026 2nd/3rd rounder

CB- Horn

CB- 2027 1st rounder/maybe Thorton???

NB- CSW

SS- Ransom

S- Trevian Thomas

Key backups- Bam, Thorton, Richardson, Reid, Harrsion-Hunter

 

If they keep getting better and develop, it will not be the best defense but it should be legit enough to be respected. 

Edited 4 hours ago by Basbear

[ColumbusCounty]

Aside from rushing the passer we're pretty good... great if compared to last year.We'd probably be top 5 if we weren't dead last in sacks and hurries. 

 

[trucpfan]

Imagine the numbers or defensive rankings possibilities if little man stoos dropping the football line a JV QB if he just chills on the goofy turnovers. Which cause sudden change which is hard when you just come off the field two plays ago. When the o does something this season the defense has responded with a energized effort to get the ball back 

[NAS]

Ranking still being based on total yards is very misleading and outdated. We’ve given a lot of teams short fields.

[strato]

I do not think yards is a good way to do it either. Too vague. Too score dependent. Maybe people don’t need to throw on you, maybe they do need to..