Why the defense looks bad.

[Cavscout]

DT

[jtm]

I hate that Norwood isn't panning out. I am really a big fan of his and he was such a dominate player in college in the SEC. At this point he really doesn't look any better than Brown. I can't wait for Hardy and Beason to get back. I agree with what others have said - Beason is the heart of our D and this makes a big difference. However, someone has to stop the OLine from getting to our linebackers.

[TAZZ]

Beason is not the answer

Connor played Mike last season with Beason filling in for Davis

Connor is a very capable Mike

But no Mike can play their position if the DT's can't keep the 300 lb boys off the Mike

Why has Ray Lewis lasted so long ?

Ray always has a big boy that keeps the big boys off of Ray

At this point

Rivera needs to

[A] Go out and get the 2 biggest ,meanest,experienced DT's left in F /A even if its a 1 season deal

or

Use this season as a learning experience and It Is What It Is !

Any help at D/ T would allow LB's to flow and Blitz

Would make DB's look better by adding more pressure on offense from the front 7

More pressure up front equals less time for QB's to access routes

[CatMan72]

Not having Beason hurts, be he isn't going to help the D-line not get pushed off the ball and his play with suffer if O-linemen are able to get to the 2nd level and block him.

[TAZZ]

Agreed Beason is Panthers Mike

But don't throw Connor out over something that would also hurt Beason

DT is the PANTHERS biggest defensive problem

It allows blocks on LB's

It allows picking up blitzes easier if one OL can handle one DT

It allows NO Pressure on QB's that step up in pocket

Which hurts DE rushes as QB is safe in pocket insread of deep for a rushing DE

It allows QB's in pocket more time to read the DB's and find a WR

It Allows RB's the 2nd and 3rd levels

DT is the foundation of the defense

cracks here and the rest of the defense crumbles

[SOJA]

DT is the problem

[TerriblePizza]

DT is by far the problem followed by CB.

Fua is getting destroyed out there. He can't get any sort of push. If he's supposed to be the big body bock eater, he's failing miserably. We need someone who can actually get a push off the ball.

[bleys]

our guys are still adjusting to the new defense..

[MickSmiley]

The terrible D has been the biggest story of the pre-season for the Panthers. They look horrible and the d-line is getting pushed around like a nerd during his freshman year gym class.

[nosuchthingasapanther]

our guys are still adjusting to the new defense..

name one defensive scheme that requires the defensive line to not control the line of scrimmage.

[OneBadassCat]

We have to get Hardy on the field and bring in a decent DT maybe two. Get Pat Williams and Kemo. Cut Hayden, bam stop gap solution.

[panthers55]

The problem to me seems to be poor gap integrity. The guys are working on stunts and blitzes but haven't yet learned how to make sure we cover every gap in the process. As others have said, we haven't clogged up the middle and forced teams to go outside. Instead we make it easy to run up the middle and to the outside. The defense has to take away one or the other so it simplifies what they have to protect. If you know that teams can't run up the middle on you it makes defending the edges easier. If you can't control the run you can't limit what the offense can do and are reacting instead of creating the action.

It does all start in the middle with a strong nose tackle. I don't know who is the answer, but I know where the problem lies.

[Borat]

IMO, Aubrayo Franklin should have been a Panther. No idea why y'all didn't sign him.

[bleys]

name one defensive scheme that requires the defensive line to not control the line of scrimmage.

Carolina Panthers