Dt - It Isn't Quite As Bad As You Think.

[Fan01]

I know everyone in the world was looking at each pick in the draft wondering if this was where we were going to find our new DT to shore up our Dline. Alas, we didn't draft anyone for the postion. I guess we actually should have listened to Rivera when he said he felt really good about our DT's. He repeatedly said to look at the way the defense played in the last 5 games (not including the last game against NO where we got blown out).

I'm not looking at the whole D, just the interior defense line. Our 3rd round rookies, Fua and McClain, got put on IR with 4 games left in the season but that's ok because this is where I get optimistic. After they went down we starting the following and this is what they did.

Nose Tackle (The big body guy who takes on 2 blockers most of the time)

Jason Shirley - 4 solo tackles, 2.5 sacks and 1 FF.

Frank Kearse - 7 solo tackles, .5 sacks and 1 pass defended.

DT, 3 technique (The smaller 300 lbs guy who tries to rush the passer)

Andre NeBlett - 8 solo tackles, 1.5 sacks

I've only went back and looked at stats so I have no idea who else they put out there. Nwagbuo played one game but that's it. They may have just rotated them and used Applewhite or another DE to play some DT. Those are pretty good numbers from players with very little experience.

I also found this quote from CBSsportsline.

Shirley, rookie Frank Kearse, and second-year pro Andre Neblett have been a boon to the run defense as well. Despite losing rookie starters Terrell McClain and Sione Fua, the Panthers have improved to 21st in run defense, allowing just 95.6 yards per during a 4-1 stretch.

With getting Ron Edwards back and with the play of Kearse and especially Shirely I think we're actually pretty freakin good at the NT position. The 3 technique DT position really does need an upgrade. Neblett is ok but should just be a rotational player. Hopefully Sua and McClain coming into their 2nd year will show a lot of improvement. If McClain, defensive scheme, or somebody we pick up can improve the 3-technique DT position we'll be really strong inside.

At the very least with the play of Shirley, Kearse and getting Edwards back I dont' see any problems with our linebackers being able to run free and wreak havoc.

All I saying is that when Ron Rivera says he feels good about our defensive tackle postion he actually mean it.

[heyyall]

It's bad, and that's not sugarcoating it. And the fact we didn't bring in ONE single DT from the draft or FA is truly appalling.

[Snake]

We need more dept and experience at DT. We should go out and get a Vet for a contingency plan.

[Peppa Jack Supreme]

Ive got a feeling that someone like Glen Dorsey ends up hitting the market during camp. I think that if Ron and Marty felt we needed another's body he would have got one.

[Ivan The Awesome]

I know people dismiss Ron Edwards coming back. They really shouldn't.

[pOpCoRnPoPpEr]

Needed one last season. Didn't get one.

[Rubi]

Shirley is a mutant of a human. That guy is enormous. 340 lbs of pure twisted steel

Shirley and Edwards. Starters for me

Fua is small and stumpy..kind of like a soda can. Doesnt look athletic to me. Doesnt have that big man power you need in the middle.

[pOpCoRnPoPpEr]

Edwards is nothing but a warm body. Always has been, always will be. I remember posting that he wouldn't be much help when they signed him and i was right.

[Floppin]

Edwards is nothing but a warm body. Always has been, always will be. I remember posting that he wouldn't be much help when they signed him and i was right.

That's only because he was injured. He's a very good DT. A space eating, double team taking, run stuffer. Not a flashy elite pass rusher, but he's perfect for what we need him for.

[frash.exe]

it's just the same argument reiterated again

[Black]

Edwards is nothing but a warm body. Always has been, always will be. I remember posting that he wouldn't be much help when they signed him and i was right.

That's a really silly way of looking at it. He had season ending surgery, unless you predicted that, you didn't really predict anything. As we stand now, he will most certainly start, and in doing so, "help".

When did we suddenly get so many trolls?

[pOpCoRnPoPpEr]

_{Posting my opinion on an average DT at best is not trolling. Maybe i'm just too blunt and to the point.}

[neverlosethefeeling]

I have one question for all of those who think it is unforgivable that we didn't get a DT in the draft or FA: Have you been paying attention... like... at all? RR and Hurney have stated on the record numerous times this offseason that they feel comfortable with the growth of both Fua and McClain, and believe getting Edwards back makes us instantly better at that position. There's never been a single indication that they're as uncomfortable with the DT position as everyone thinks they should be.

[Black]

_{Posting my opinion on an average DT at best is not trolling. Maybe i'm just too blunt and to the point.}

That wasn't even really directed at you, more heyyall.

The first part of my post was for you.