(NFL.COM Article) Ex-Colt Meeks inherits Panthers defense in need of improvement

[AKPantherFan]

Ex-Colt Meeks inherits Panthers defense in need of improvement

Associated Press

CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- How much better the Carolina Panthers will be on defense this season depends on several factors, including resolving the Julius Peppers stalemate.

But after two days of minicamp practices, it's clear that new defensive coordinator Ron Meeks does things differently.

Rick Havner / Associated Press

Ron Meeks, the Panthers' new defensive coordinator, hopes that he can turn around a unit that faded down the stretch last season.

It's safe to say the burly Mike Trgovac never ran alongside his players in drills. There weren't too many instances of Trgovac dishing out high-fives in practice, either.

But Meeks, a small and fit former defensive back, is all about energy.

"Well, that's what it's all about, isn't it?" Meeks said Saturday. "You identify yourself with how you practice and how you play. Instead of talking about it, you've got to try to do it. We try to have an up-tempo kind of thing. I think it's going to be good for the guys."

Meeks, 54, left the Indianapolis Colts in January and took over the Panthers' defense after Trgovac turned down a contract extension. Meeks inherits a unit that hemorrhaged points late last season and faces uncertainty with its best player. Peppers, a four-time Pro Bowl defensive end, wants to play elsewhere and has been absent from the weekend workouts.

"Hopefully, he's here pretty soon," Meeks said. "I think he's going to be a big part in what we do."

Meeks spoke confidently of how Peppers' unique pass-rushing talents will fit into a system that will resemble the "Tampa Two" defense he ran with the Colts, where most of the quarterback pressure comes from the defensive line.

Peppers, who hasn't signed his one-year, franchise-tag tender worth $16.7 million, had 14.5 sacks last season. The other three starters on the line combined for eight.

"Obviously, we have a special guy with special talent in Peppers," Meeks said. "Also, Tyler Brayton is a guy that can get pressure. We went into the draft looking at some guys that can give us obvious pressure. We think Everette Brown can be one of those guys."

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http://www.nfl.com/news/story?id=09000d5d8101e8c6&template=with-video-with-comments&confirm=true

[5158Poundin]

Nice article...I certainly hope Pep signs his tender so the FO can take action as necessary. If Pep is still uninterested in playing in a new defensive scheme for the Panthers....I'm hoping he'll sign the tender and give Meeks a try. If he's still feeling underutilized or that he's not given opportunities to maximize his freakish talent with Meeks' schemes....then at that point it's time to consider parting ways. I hope he'll at least consider the possibility........

[jasonluckydog]

Pepper sucks salt and like it.