Bigger Problem: Interior Pass Rush Or Run Defense

[Snake]

keep in mind our prolific offense will likely force teams into positions where they've got to throw it to keep up. there will be a significant amount of pass rush going on at that point.

Only if we can stop the run. We scored plenty of points last year but it didn't matter. We need pass rush and run stop from three points.

[Jack Power]

Brockers. Even though he's not much of a pass rusher (though he does directly impact the passing game with his condor-like wingspan) I think he'll provide a significant indirect impact by moving the pocket back and not letting QBs step up to make throws. I can't even count the number of times Hardy in particular (but CJ too) ALMOST had a sack but the QB just stepped up to avoid it. Watching all the youtube on the top 4 or 5 DTs in this draft, no one commands the LoS like Brockers. Not even close. A "pass rusher" DT like Cox or Still would (eventually) be good enough at getting sacks themselves, but I just believe their total impact on the defense would be less than Brockers.

If we do take Brockers (or if we end up with another DT that has the same effect I described above), I'd be willing to bet money Hardy gets 8+ sacks this year. CJ could also take that step from consensus "very good" to consensus "elite" (I say consensus since we all already know he's elite, but the rest of the football world is a little behind). If we take Cox or some other "pass rusher" DT, I'd be surprised to see much improvement from Hardy. Obviously taking Coples or some other DE that would cut into Hardy's playing time would also have an effect.

I love this quote makes a ton of sense..... Brocker/Cox round 1 Chandler Jones/Nick perry round 2 pray that there is a corner in round 3 like Tru to trade up for or just go with hogan... i love JJ in the secound but i think a solid dt and pass rushing specialist will make up for the lack of corner. for example i dont thing the giants corners are all that good!

[CRA]

Its air Coryell.

Weren't the words from RR mouth that we needed to fix the pass rush?

Being healthy enough to actually run our defense will help.....a lot. Scheme generates pressure. We didnt run it much at all last year.

If we are listening to Rivera....DT isn't what he thinks we should be worried about

[CRA]

Only if we can stop the run. We scored plenty of points last year but it didn't matter. We need pass rush and run stop from three points.

Offense also stalled in the 2nd half pretty consistantly as well.....

If the offense could of came out at the half playing well....they could of won us a lot more games

[Frizzy350]

I'd say interior pressure is a bigger need. The biggest issue our defense had as a whole was lacking strength at linebacker. We got killed by slot receivers over the middle and tight ends. We also did poorly against runs to the outside - stretches and tosses in particular.

The second issue was how much space QB's had to step up into the pocket. Johnson AND Hardy did a great consistent job of putting pressure around the edges. Interior pressure fixes this. A good interior rusher will also occasionally get us a tackle for loss in the backfield on running plays.

[Snake]

Offense also stalled in the 2nd half pretty consistantly as well.....

If the offense could of came out at the half playing well....they could of won us a lot more games

The offense only stalled because it was expected to put up points on every drive and most of the drives started deep in our territory. Holding teams to 20 points instead of 30 would have gave us at least 2 more wins. For whatever reason you want to say the offense was effected by the defense.

[jarhead]

And as far as LaFell is concerned

According to ESPN's Adam Schefter, the Panthers "really like" third-year WR Brandon LaFell and believe he's "poised for a breakout." Some observers have pointed to David Gettis' return from a torn ACL as reason to think Carolina is comfortable at receiver, but LaFell's expanded role might mean more inside the organization. The Panthers have made no attempt to re-sign free agent Legedu Naanee. LaFell, who played behind Naanee for most of last season, flashed big-play ability while leading the team in "catch rate" (64.3 percent) and averaging 17 yards per reception.

I do not doubt they said that and Lafell did have flashes but I just dont see him as the true number 2 under our scheme.If there is a knock on LaFell its creating separation.He is good but not good enough in my opinion.

[davos]

When I say he needs time it is only because I think he will get better and better over the next few years. He could end up being our next Kris Jenkins.

I've not been on the same page with ya recently but honestly I can see us taking Brockers as much as Cox and beyond what I actually think about either, I have a weird suspicion that Brockers is more likely our big candidate for DT. He's a monster but at the same time isn't just some big NT. In 3 years, he could be a damn fine DT in this league if he wants to. He has the tools. Its all there.

Also @Jawny: nice post

And to the topic in general, I personally am just damn ready not to be run over by any running back who plays us. With Beason back hopefully at full capacity, we will improve but a guy like Brockers instantly gives us an upgrade and I'd feel comfortable having him in there on third downs. I also think he helps Hardy out more than anyone in the draft but Hatter is right to an extent. That's why we do need a rotational run-d guy at the edge but its not top priority. That's why I'd personally go Brockers/Cox>Coples. Then our staff can look to get us a DE and CB beyond the first or at the tail end barring any trades.

So basically, I'm on the Brockers train as much as Fletcher's. Both can be great respective to what they have the tools to do and both help us out.

The only others I'd consider are Ingram & Floyd at 9.

Cox, Brockers, Ingram, or Floyd (minus any surprises)

[panthers55]

For those thinking that the only way to get a pass rush is to bring in a DT, the mike linebacker will blitz 60% of the time and the Sam backer 50% of the time. Where do you think they will blitz?/? Yeah up the middle or off tackle. There are more ways to generate a pass rush than bringing in a 1 gap DT. If you have elite DEs who can hold the edge and pass rush and your NT is solid it allows you to bring players through the A and B gaps to pressure the quarterback. The problem is that you need linebackers who are quick and can cover the TE and running backs and a secondary which is solid. The lack of linebackers and secondary support was a much bigger issue than the D line last year. I am fine with bringing in a game changer on the D line but if you don't shore up the LBs and the secondary we will not be that much better off than last year.

[R0CKnR0LLA]

statistically we are better at generating pressure than stopping the run

i don't care though, with today's pass happy NFL give me a guy that can get after the QB

[La Pantera]

If we are listening to Rivera....DT isn't what he thinks we should be worried about

Yes he did. I take RR as a pretty straight up guy, but I don't think he would throw any group on D under the bus.

[davos]

For those thinking that the only way to get a pass rush is to bring in a DT, the mike linebacker will blitz 60% of the time and the Sam backer 50% of the time. Where do you think they will blitz?/? Yeah up the middle or off tackle. There are more ways to generate a pass rush than bringing in a 1 gap DT. If you have elite DEs who can hold the edge and pass rush and your NT is solid it allows you to bring players through the A and B gaps to pressure the quarterback. The problem is that you need linebackers who are quick and can cover the TE and running backs and a secondary which is solid. The lack of linebackers and secondary support was a much bigger issue than the D line last year. I am fine with bringing in a game changer on the D line but if you don't shore up the LBs and the secondary we will not be that much better off than last year.

Yeah man..McDermott is definitely friendly blitzing with the OLBs which is great once we have have some extras pieces in place. A guy like Bobby Wagner or that California ILB. But who I'm really enticed about considering just the top round playmakers: Ingram...he can definitely help out for a DE in our 4-3 and a OLB in our hybrid schemes.

If we take him, that's putting a lot of weight on further developing from the DTs we have minus Edwards. Its all priorities and I think we can get 3 potential starters with our first 3 picks in this draft to help us out. That's why its hard this year to really pick a guy...all of them help us bottom line. Its just priority and how much stock you put in certain positions and who they really want to grab and go make a move for. I'm liking the picture here regardless

[panthers55]

People who don't see Brockers as much of a pass rusher need to remember that he was a sophomore and was mostly double teamed throughout the year. He has the ability to develop into an elite guy with time. After all Cox who is supposed to be just an awesome pass rusher had 2.5 sacks his sophomore year. A half sack more than Brockers had his sophomore year. Meanwhile Brockers had twice the number of tackles his sophomore year. Brockers will continue to grow and develop into his NFL body while contributing along the way. He brings as much unique size and speed to the DT position as Coples does to the DE position.

[bleys]

I do not doubt they said that and Lafell did have flashes but I just dont see him as the true number 2 under our scheme.If there is a knock on LaFell its creating separation.He is good but not good enough in my opinion.

dude, he put up 17 yards / catch.. he created separation and as a 2nd year receiver, that's pretty good. lol