Breakdown of Current Carolina Panthers Defensive Lineup for 2010
by LittleKing on Mar 17, 2010 9:00 AM EDT
36 comments
I don't think anybody saw the changes coming down the pipe, expect for the DE position of course. So how does the current defensive lineup look and what concerns will we be facing.
| Safety | |||
| Proj. Depth | Name | Age | Yrs |
| 1 | Chris Harris | 27 | 6 |
| 1 | Charles Godfrey | 24 | 3 |
It's interesting that the Panthers don't list Sherrod Martin as a safety although some fans think he should start there instead of Godfrey. But it does make it easy to figure out who will be starting at the safety position, right?. Actually I do wonder what the plan is for this position and if any shakeup will occur.
| Cornerback | |||
| Proj. Depth | Name | Age | Yrs |
| 1 | Chris Gamble | 27 | 7 |
| 1 | Richard Marshall | 25 | 5 |
| 3 | Captain Munnerlyn | 21 | 2 |
| 4 | Sherrod Martin | 25 | 2 |
| 5 | Marcus Hudson | 27 | 5 |
| 6 | C.J. Wilson | 24 | 4 |
| 7 | Marcus Walker | 23 | 1 |
The biggest question here is if Marshall will be offered a contract from another team. Only using a 2nd round tender is a head-scratcher and it wouldn't be surprising for him to receive an offer. I do think this was a wise move however as it gives Marshall a chance to test his value. A a higher pick would have surely locked him into the Panthers. Then whatever contract he is offered if the Panther choose to match would be at market value or receive a much needed draft pick. The way Munnerlyn and Martin performed last season its easy to why the risk was taken.
| Linebackers | |||
| Proj. Depth | Name | Age | Yrs |
| 1 | Jon Beason | 25 | 4 |
| 1 | Thomas Davis | 26 | 6 |
| 1 | Dan Connor | 24 | 3 |
| 4 | James Anderson | 26 | 5 |
| ? | Brett Warren | 25 | 1 |
| ? | Jordan Senn | 25 | 3 |
| ? | Mortty Ivy | 23 | 1 |
| ? | Quinton Culberson | 24 | 4 |
I really hadn't looked at our depth at the LB position before now, but maybe I should say what depth. I think Conner has the edge to start and since Anderson been on the team hold a close 2nd to Conner. The rest of the LB group I have no idea. This will be an interesting position to watch and see how the depth plays out.
| Defensive Tackle | |||
| Proj. Depth | Name | Age | Yrs |
| 1 | Tank Tyler* | 26 | 4 |
| 1 | Louis Leonard | 25 | 4 |
| 3 | Corey Irvin | 24 | 2 |
| 4 | Ed Johnson | 26 | 2 |
| 5 | Derek Landri | 26 | 4 |
| 6 | Nick Hayden | 24 | 2 |
I'm sure I don't have the order correct and I do wonder if we have the final pieces on the team. Yet, I also wonder how much emphasis we have put on the DT position just because of the injury issues last season. Of course the biggest concern for the full team is the whole defensive line. Out of all 7 DT currently on the roster they have a combined 3 starts for the Panthers. Yikes!
*UPDATED: Years pro for Tank Tyler*
| Defensive End | |||
| Proj. Depth | Name | Age | Yrs |
| 1 | Everette Brown |
22 |
2 |
| 1 | Charles Johnson |
23 |
4 |
| 3 | Hilee Taylor |
23 |
3 |
| 4 | Eric Moore |
29 |
5 |
This has to be the area with the largest question mark, no question asked. Can Brown and Johnson shoulder the load and what about the depth? Much a be debated about their readiness but obviously there is faith that they can hold their own. I do wonder when Hurney and Fox kew they wouldn't resign the DE that shall not be named or if they thought a long term deal could be reach. Regardless this is who we have and I would still expect some moment to the roster in this area.
I am by far more concerned about the how the defense will look than the offense, but I'm a believer in Meek's system and will keep the faith he can pull it off again.
1 recs |
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Lots of question marks, but lots of promise too... great post LK
I still think the reason we’re seeing Godfrey at FS over Martin is that he’s better is coverage. I think Martin has more upside, and is more of a ballhawk but until he can cover better it’s very risky to have Sherrod be the last line of defense if Hitman is being used in exotic blitz packages.
Really interested to finally see Dan Connor play significantly. He was amazing in college and was a natural tackler, hopefully it will carry over.
Finally, does anyone know why Tank Tyler and Ed Johnson were so old when they entered the NFL? Both two year pros at 26… seems odd to me for a defensive player.
Cat Scratch Reader's resident optimist.
I also blog the Panthers at www.realbitsofpanthers.com
by James The Aussie on Mar 17, 2010 9:12 AM EDT reply actions
Tank Tyler
It appears I listed Tank’s years pro incorrectly at 2. It should have been 4 according to Panthers.com
Not worried about LB's, DT, DE needs depth however
I like our depth at DT and we could still add one if not two in the draft such as a early second round like B. Price or a 3-4 round such as Ross out of ECU or L. Houston of Texas.
DE needs immediate depth and A. Carrington in the 3rd round makes sense and G. Hardy of Ole Miss is also an idea.
Either way look for the Cats to address D-Line needs in the draft I just hope we take care of our biggest need getting a WR and backup QB in the first two rounds but with some many QB’s available and DT being rich in the draft this years as well and with so many supposing coming available at our pick 48th overall look for us to add a DT with our second round pick.
Draft Waston out of FSU who is a undersized speedy OLB to fill a spot out on the roster for our LB’s and build up the depth asap. Waston should be available in the 4th round and many scouts are afarid that he is too small and needs the right system aka the Tampa 2 system.
I just pray B. Price of UCLA falls to us but I doubt it he is a young D-Lew with more speed.
Go Panthers.
by Holty_Panthers_Fan on Mar 17, 2010 9:42 AM EDT reply actions
So what gets fixed first?
DE probably, and through both Free Agency and the Draft. Unless Hilee Taylor has beefed up a little, I would be surprised to see either him or Moore on the final roster.
At DT we should be ok, if you believe in Irvin’s potential. If not, Tyler was a 3rd round pick who played well for Kansas City in their 4-3 defense, but who didn’t work out as a NT in their 3-4. A 3-4 NT needs to be an immovable object, and Tyler just isn’t big enough. He’s also no Glenn Dorsey, and Dorsey looks bad as a nose in the 3-4 spot. But what he CAN do is play a 4-3 NT, and he can also play the UT role just fine. This was a very good signing by the Front Office.
At Linebacker we really need some good bodies. I suspect we’ll get some special teams wonders here, that seems to be what management is going for this off-season. They’ve used Anderson to spell Davis in the past, which is why I, too, think Connor will get Diggs’ old spot.
In the secondary it’s worth remembering that Godfrey played CB in college and Martin played FS. Interesting that they switched them around in the pros, but we have some versatile guys back there who are pretty good in coverage. They’ll probably keep their gunners here, so I expect the final roster to be DB-heavy. They have all the talent they need here.
So on defense, in the draft I expect a DE taken early and a LB taken late. I wouldn’t be surprised to see them play in Free Agency for those positions as well.
After looking at the roster recently, I am not as worried as I was for our defense.
DE is priority #1 for the overall team, imo. However 2 moves can solidify the position. I would love for Brayton to be re-signed and then pick up another in the draft if they do not like any of the other vet’s in FA. With Johnson and Brown there is a lot of upside as they will be 24 and 23 respectively at the start of the 2010 season. Because of this I would like 1 or 2 vets to provide balance/experience.
DT has upside as well with the top 3, Leonard 26, Tyler 25, and Irvin 25 all pretty young. The other DT’s on the roster I do not have much confidence in personally. I would like to see Brian Price fall to us, but it won’t happen. He was an absolute beast his senior year. If a stud falls to us and there is not any value at other positions of need (DE & WR) then I can definitely see us getting another DT early.
LB is looking very solid in the top 4, but this is a big position of need due to potential injuries and a heavy reliance on LB’s in special teams. I agree that a 4th (or 6th) round pick is a probable/ideal target spot for a LB, a MLB more specifically as I have confidence that Anderson can play both WLB and SLB.
CB is set unless another team signs Marshall. This seems unlikely since FA is well underway, but never the less still possible.
S looks quite good also with Martin a possible utility man in the secondary and the signing of Hudson. I see us targeting a S in the 6th or 7th round with some TC players coming as UDFA.
Will Parker
Yeah my only concern is on the line
We have zero depth right now, so this will have to be addressed in both the draft and FA.
Some of the guys I like at either end or tackle (that might be available to us at 47) are:
Dan Williams, DT, Tenn.—Will probably be gone in the middle of the first round
Jerry Hughes, DE, TCU—Should be available, very skilled pass-rusher
Corey Wooten, DE, NWestern.—More of a run player, adding him and Hughes would be awesome.
Cam Thomas, NT, UNC—very strong player that could help immensely on 1st down.
Terrance Cody, NT, BAMA—Ditto, Mt. Cody may be sloppy, but he is effective.
Lamar Houston, DT/DE, TX, solid versatile, 3 down player.
Do or do not. There is no try.
I wonder if the FO is looking for another fatty now that Kemo is gone.
Leonard is pretty big at 6’4" 325. Tyler and Irvin are both a little over 300lbs while Ed Johnson and Hayden are a little over 290lbs.
Will Parker
by WillParker81 on Mar 17, 2010 5:10 PM EDT up reply actions
Oh woops.
If this is the case, then that would add value to Mt Cody, Dan Williams and even Cam Thomas. I think Cam is more of a 4th rounder though.
Will Parker
by WillParker81 on Mar 17, 2010 5:11 PM EDT up reply actions
He could go in the second with the demand for NT's.
Jake Delhomme, QB Carolina Panthers, 2003-2009.
120 TDs+16000+ passing yards=Good
89 INT's+27 lost fumbles=Bad
Most comeback wins since 2003=Priceless
by Flowing Willow on Mar 17, 2010 5:27 PM EDT up reply actions
As long as Fox has been here, we've always had a fatty. Not sure Leonard fits that description (he may not be fat enough).
Do or do not. There is no try.
I can hear it now..
“Alright, Leonard, for the first part of our conditioning program… Eat these boxes of Krispy Kreme chocolate covered, cream filled donuts. After that, we’ll work on the Twinkies.”
LOL
Leonard: But why, coach?
Fox: Because we need a fatty, and you are the chosen one, my son.
As long as the Panthers don't trade for Michael Vick or draft Tim Tebow, my sanity (what's left of it, at least) will remain intact for 2010.
I'm thinking a few rookies and some free agents after the draft and we'll be set.
This sig is dedicated to those cut in the 2009 purge.
by chinchillas sword on Mar 17, 2010 1:20 PM EDT reply actions
If an offer on Marshall isn't matched...
I would look for …
Corey Wootton DE in the second and Devin McCourty CB. Wootton will be the new Raheem Brock for Meeks’ defense, except more effective.
If Marshall is gone, Godfry will be the starter at CB and Martin will start at FS. Martin only needs to improve his tackling, no more games can be lost with him missing a Ricky Williams tackle.
Let’s also not rule out free agency players and players that will be cut during camp. The Bernard Pollard cut last year was shocking and the Texans benefited greatly. Look for the Panthers to be all over those types of cuts. It’s unfortunate that Panthers had already sent their fifth rounder for Tank Tyler…maybe we would be the ones with Corey Williams of the Browns on our roster, not the Lions. We would be set at DT if that were the case.
Anyone know what is going on with Osi Umenyiora of the Giants?? He was benched last season. Ya never know.
by jdough on Mar 17, 2010 2:23 PM EDT reply actions 1 recs
damn, good point on Corey Williams
Too bad. We probably would have traded for him had he been on the block last year. As it was, we were able to corral Louis Leonard from the same Brownies. You are right, I think we’d be good to go had we acquired Mr. Williams.
Do or do not. There is no try.
tackle
Na’il Diggs had an atrocious missed tackle in that game too on a Williams touchdown.
by SouthernPanther on Mar 17, 2010 2:33 PM EDT up reply actions
Well, we can add Brayton to the list of DEs now. I’d assume our starters are Brayton and Johnson now.
We can add Tyler Brayton to the list!
Word has it the Panthers just signed him to a 3 year deal. Nice to have at least one starting D-Lineman back.
I figured they would bring him back
I guess he was just shopping for more money and realized there was no one to give that to him. With him back in the fold I like our DE rotation a lot more. He also can play DT on passing downs so that is added depth there as well.
remarkable write up here.. former cardinal..? and it ends with “he’s a good pash rusher” great stuff..
Remarkable? Nah
The ‘writer’ said Brayton used to play with the Cardinals. Kinda undercuts his credibility.
Updates
I plan on revising this a few times during the offseason. Most likely after the draft and before TC.
Gamble, Harris, and Davis the only ones (and not Brayton) with more than more than 5 yrs experience.
We’re gonna field a young defense, no doubt — but… all these guys have experience – there are no rookies in there. Years 3-5 are when players really get it, and start to reach their full potential. (Case in pint: Thomas Davis)
I’m excited, not apprehensive, about the talent that Ron Meeks has at his disposal, and how he’ll choose to use them.
"...and how he’ll choose to use them."
That, to me, says it all. After the magic he worked last year, I just don’t think the FO is going to set him up to fail and I don’t believe he’s going to set his players up to fail either. I think everything is going just how he wants it to go, as far as his side of the ball is concerned.
Did we really cut/lose any “fast” or “quick” defensive players? I may be mistaken but I really can’t think of any at the moment.
Neither can I.
They were flying to the ball, creating turnovers last year, with little experience with his system of D — should be better at it in 2010. He’s assembling his crew.
That depends on your definition of fast...
LOL j/k – I agree with you. I think this is just Meeks turning this defense into what he wants, and if we get the same results we got in the 2nd half of last season, I’m not going to complain.
As long as the Panthers don't trade for Michael Vick or draft Tim Tebow, my sanity (what's left of it, at least) will remain intact for 2010.
i never heard of this till today
so maybe some of you havent seen it.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=en9FJ5nRDy8
glad to see him back in panthers blue!
Yeah, that punk Jeremy Stephens had it coming.
Brayton don’t take no crap.
I remember seeing that live!
Stephens was an @$$, but still, no man should have to experience that.
Jake Delhomme, QB Carolina Panthers, 2003-2009.
120 TDs+16000+ passing yards=Good
89 INT's+27 lost fumbles=Bad
Most comeback wins since 2003=Priceless
by Flowing Willow on Mar 19, 2010 3:13 AM EDT up reply actions
wow, nover saw that before
way to go for the jewels!
I blog the Carolina Panthers at www.catscratchreader.com
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