NoseTackle will be a huge focal point in our new Defense.

[DaCityKats]

and he will get bigger and stronger.

[SCP]

DT Sione Fua measured 6-foot-1, and weighed 310 pounds. ...

I feel better now

[The NFL Shield At Midfield]

They cited this game he had against LeCharles Bentley when we signed him, I was able to find a fan who made some highlights of it and he's rarely looked like that during his stay here.

Holy crap I remember that too. He destroyed Bentley in some preseason game against the Saints. Then the Browns handed him a huge contract and I don't think he ever even played a single snap for them because he annihilated his knee in training camp and it kept getting infected.

[Guest Setfree1012]

Well damn, we need a NT then. Both guys we drafted are 290ish. That's not very big for an NFL NT that is expected to take up 2 blockers. Maybe Fua will put on 10-15lbs.

Just an FYI Fua is listed at 310 lbs., and McClain is listed at 297 lbs. In our base 4-3 I think we'd be fine as far as size is concerned up front. On a personal level I'd love to see us get a true NT (in the 320+ range)

to really take up space and blockers.

[chef17]

http://www.panthers.com/media-vault/videos/Panthers-Insider/bdaf45f2-b3b7-480c-bf31-8e34621909c7#?id=bdaf45f2-b3b7-480c-bf31-8e34621909c7&channelName=Recent

After watching the Video Fua and mcclain are going to be a huge focus in the Defense. Especially Fua because he will play the Nosetackle position. Its a good chance he could even start this season if he plays well.

You do know this could be said of every player in the NFL

[Captain Obvious]

You do know this could be said of every player in the NFL

except for pickles.

[panthers55]

If all that matters was size then our NT would be Lewis Ellis at 315 or Tommie Duhart at 328. Fua is definitely a nose tackle but whether he is stout enough to stand up to NFL double teams like he did in college remains to be seen.

I would like us to pick up a proven veteran at NT and groom Fua for the future and use him in the rotation while he learns better leverage and technique. If he starts as a rookie we will get abused in the middle for at least the first half of the year.

As for Duhart (yeah I know, who???) He was on the practice squad last year he is bigger and just as strong as Fua. Fua did 30 reps at the combine, Duhard did 29. As for Ellis he was a project coming out in 2009. Yeah they are both projects but we have certainly combed the coal heaps looking for a diamond before.

[rayzor]

I would like us to pick up a proven veteran at NT and groom Fua for the future and use him in the rotation while he learns better leverage and technique. If he starts as a rookie we will get abused in the middle for at least the first half of the year.

agreed. regardless of potential at DT, there is no way we should go into the season with what we have now. i would like to see a proven vet come in for both UT and NT so that the younger guys could be groomed or to buy us time till we can find someone else.

it doesn't need to be a ton of money thrown at the position, just wisely spent money (of course that doesn't mean we should be cheap there at all).

[rayzor]

The panthers have too much strength at the linebacker position to be playing 5 down lineman

No one is talking about 5 down linemen. The NT functions differently than the UT. Hell they even explain it in the video to some extent.

yeah....there's ben a lot of talk about NT, but none of it has been in reference to a 5 man front. pretty sure the first time i have heard anyone talk about that is in this thread.

pretty much understood that we are talking about a NT in a 4-3 (which is used quite a bit) or a 3-4.

[Guild]

From what they said in the video the NT in this scheme will occupy two offensive lineman: A guard and the center. This will allow the Mike to make tackles freely.

[DaCityKats]

im sorry but the best way to groom them is by them seeing the field getting the experience. bringing in depth at the spot is needed but i believe that Fua will start week 1 as a 2 down NT in this system.

[DaCityKats]

From what they said in the video the NT in this scheme will occupy two offensive lineman: A guard and the center. This will allow the Mike to make tackles freely.

thats the job for all NT' s keep blockers off LB's and take up space.

[MHS831]

We need a 1 technique who is called a nose, and a three technique. The 1 lines up in the center/guard gap strong side and the three lines up in the guard/tackle gap weak side, depending on scheme. Each is responsible for 1 gap, so a smaller DT is acceptable at the three technique because speed and pass rushing are more important. The 1 technique or nose, needs a low center of gravity/some butt because he often gets double teamed--he needs to, anyway, to keep Beason free. The reason he gets doubled is because it is not fair for the guard to block him (angle to QB is bad), nor is it fair to expect the center to reach him, having to snap the ball. Most centers are smaller than guards too, as a general rule. So, he must sacrifice himself by taking on two blockers, not giving ground. If the guard and center show pass blocking, he must collapse the pocket using a bull rush. Double teaming is not as needed then, but if he can get movement up the middle, it opens blitz lanes and makes it easier for the DEs to get sacks. Just my 2 cents.

[panthers55]

We need a 1 technique who is called a nose, and a three technique. The 1 lines up in the center/guard gap strong side and the three lines up in the guard/tackle gap weak side, depending on scheme. Each is responsible for 1 gap, so a smaller DT is acceptable at the three technique because speed and pass rushing are more important. The 1 technique or nose, needs a low center of gravity/some butt because he often gets double teamed--he needs to, anyway, to keep Beason free. The reason he gets doubled is because it is not fair for the guard to block him (angle to QB is bad), nor is it fair to expect the center to reach him, having to snap the ball. Most centers are smaller than guards too, as a general rule. So, he must sacrifice himself by taking on two blockers, not giving ground. If the guard and center show pass blocking, he must collapse the pocket using a bull rush. Double teaming is not as needed then, but if he can get movement up the middle, it opens blitz lanes and makes it easier for the DEs to get sacks. Just my 2 cents.

What you are describing is a 4-3 under front but we will run a 4-3 over just as often. With 4 defenders and 5 offensive linemen there is always one guy getting doubled so the other tackle and the defensive ends get singled. those three are the ones who are supposed to get pressure and shoot the gaps. he won't typically be able to collapse the pocket unless the guard slides over to block the DE or to pick up a blitzing linebacker at which time the NT will be singled and then he has to collapse the pocket.

just sayin........