Ron Fields went in and looked good against the run

[ItsPantone278]

haven't seen this discussed much, but I think we see more of him on the early downs. He was in on a few of the big runs as well, but he was also in on the stops. Could he be that situational boost we need on defense? I mean really a run stopping DT to play the early downs, and rotate with the rookies with a 4th DT was the plan in the first place when we signed Edwards right?

[thunderraiden]

Expecting 3rd round rookie DT's to stop the run on their first year? Priceless.

They made it clear they want to see what we have this year. Just like we saw what we had in Jimmy last year. If they end up being the weakest link, they will get replaced. You really didn't expect us to make the playoffs this year did you? If our defense is the reason we have a bad record, we will invest in defensive players in the offseason just like we invested in offense last year (save the 3rd round).

[ItsPantone278]

No, I didn't think we could make the playoffs. But I honestly think we could now. Look for Fields getting in to help stop the run. He looked good in limited action this past Sunday. Maybe he can be a difference maker and give everyone else a little boost by making a play.

[Eazy-E]

I noticed him when he came in because I didn't see Fua getting manhandled.

[ItsPantone278]

Fua ain't ready for full time NT. He's shown well at times, but it's a tough situation he's in being pretty much the only guy. I think he would be a lot better with some help.

[PantherFan52]

I dig what you're saying and all but how can we say anyone played well against the run. We let Matt buttfuging Forte gash us for 200 yards!!!!! UN fuging ACCEPTABLE

[jtnc]

Sione is horrid, I'd rather Fields in there.

[Double34Trouble28]

Not having Beason and TD makes the DT play look much worse. If that makes any sense.

They were so good they could get off of the blocks and still make plays.

[ItsPantone278]

Giving up multiple 40 yard runs can really pad a guys stats. But even with all those yards there were multiple times we forced them into throwing situations where we had an advantage. Just couldn't do it enough times. But I think having someone else finally come in and get Fua off a few plays we could see this defense play a lot better. Gaithier will probably play more as well.

[Herbert The Love Bug]

Frank Kearse!! Where you at big boy

[ItsPantone278]

I'll be hopeful if he's ever active

[vorbis]

Fua and McClain aren't terrible, they're just very inconsistent right now. I think this experience is just as good for their development as Cam's is for his. The Panthers have absolutely no physical presence at outside backer right now, so simple toss sweeps and off-tackles are big gainers if you can breach the LOS. If the D-tackles can't get penetration and slow down some of these running plays, then everything else goes haywire. I also think that aside from Charles Johnson, the ends are not on the same page in the running game. More youth and inconsistency.

Funny enough I think improvement by the offense in the red zone can go a long way towards masking this by putting mediocre and bad teams behind early and disrupting their game plans.