Defense beats out offense this weekend. Rethink how we draft!

by Bruce Guild on Jan 15, 2012 9:51 PM EST

Excluding the Bronco's game, which really came down to the deference in QB's, it seems the team with the best defensive play and special teams play won out. I was looking forward to these match ups as they for the most part displayed teams built on one or the other. Either a dominate offense or one with a dominate defense and special team play, and as we have speculated on the upcoming draft there has been a lot of discussion on the possibilty of us taking early round picks to build on our strength by taking a WR and OL, so that we can build a Saint or Packers like scoring machine. I believe this weekend taught us a lot about how that works out once you get to the playoffs.

Even though I was tempted by the idea of adding to our strength and joining the ranks of the Packers, Saints, and Patriots, I am now fully on the side of building our defense up and think we need to forget any early roundpicks for the offense unless an exceptional player happens to fall to us. Watching what SF did to NO was just amazing and it was clear to me that both Brees and Rogers both had a horrible time trying to get their passing game going becuase of great down field coverage and and constant pocket pressure.

The other obvious difference was the incredible intensity SF played at and their tackling was the best I have watched this year. I can only hope with a true off season RR can instill those tackling fundamentals into this defense. The last of the top ranked offensive / lowly defensive teams left is NE and they get to go up against one of the all time great D's in the Ravens. Lets see how that plays out, but I have to say I am pulling for the 49's the rest of the playoffs, because they played with a heart, a passion, and with an intensity I have not seen since the Raven's won their Superbowl. This was a fun weekend of good old fashion football and DEFENSE won.

Brockers is sounding better and better all the time.

Poll

After this weekend and the beat down the balanced teams with strong defenses put on the outstanding offensive teams with poor defenses, do you still feel Carolina should draft to build on our strength or should we strive to improve our defense.

Build on our weakness

74 votes

Build on our strength

3 votes

Take best player on board

91 votes

168 votes | Poll has closed

The content of these posts are those of the user/fan making the post only

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Comments

I'm with you. Nice post.

by Derek Leazer on Jan 15, 2012 10:21 PM EST reply actions

So is Posnanski

I just linked this in a fan shot and then saw this discussion, to which it is very relevant.

http://joeposnanski.si.com/2012/01/15/offense-first/?xid=cnnbin

by CarvedTones on Jan 17, 2012 10:17 AM EST up reply actions 1 recs

Great read. Thanks for adding it.

I like collard greens.

by Bruce Guild on Jan 17, 2012 10:43 AM EST up reply actions

Thanks for sharing this. Joe Posnanski is one of the greatest sportswriters ever.

It’s always a true pleasure to read his work.

The truth will set you free, but not until it is finished with you. ~David Foster Wallace

I may not always be right, but even a blind nut finds a squirrel every once in a while.

Follow me on Twitter! @bdubsmitty

by BW Smith on Jan 17, 2012 10:53 AM EST up reply actions

I should clarify my "Raven's best all time D" statement.

As good as there D is this year, my statement of all time great D’s was based on how great it has been over time, and not based on this one year.

I like collard greens.

by Bruce Guild on Jan 15, 2012 10:38 PM EST reply actions

Defense! Defense! Defense!

Watching some kickass pass rushing is what it is all about. Aldon Smith and Pierre-Paul’s technique is just incredible. They are both just scratching the surface of that potential….Yikes!

Welcome to the Cam Cave

by jdough on Jan 15, 2012 10:43 PM EST reply actions

BPA

That’s how you become a great team. Take the best player available every time.

"What do want to say to those critics now?"
"Just sit back and watch the show." -Cam Newton

by Smitty89 on Jan 15, 2012 11:01 PM EST reply actions 2 recs

Thats what the Raven, Packers, and Patriots do

by pcroadrage on Jan 16, 2012 8:40 AM EST up reply actions

Looks like it's worked out alright for them, too.

I don't always fail, but when I do...
I do it awesomely.

by BusyBeingAwesome on Jan 16, 2012 8:46 AM EST up reply actions

The best player on the board when we pick will be Coples

"It is now official... Cam Newton is now the face of our franchise.

by Caro2daheart... on Jan 16, 2012 10:51 AM EST up reply actions

I personally think it'll be Brockers.

I’m not all that impressed with Coples.

I don't always fail, but when I do...
I do it awesomely.

by BusyBeingAwesome on Jan 16, 2012 10:58 AM EST up reply actions

Brockers Is A Prospect That Will Take A Year Or 2 To Develop, & Only Had 2 Sacks In His LSU Career

He may develop into a pass rusher in a few years, but he has no history of it, and that’s the Panthers top need.

NFLDraftScout.com currently ranks Blockers as the drafts 37th best player.

by PanthersRoar on Jan 16, 2012 6:09 PM EST up reply actions

I don't really have an issue with him taking a year or two to develop.

I don't always fail, but when I do...
I do it awesomely.

by BusyBeingAwesome on Jan 18, 2012 11:19 AM EST up reply actions

Whoever it is, I'll trust whatever Hurney does

Dude has a pretty spectacular track record with his first round picks.

Follow me on Twitter at @JakeHumphrey91

by Jake Humphrey on Jan 16, 2012 2:53 PM EST up reply actions

2 words.. Whitney Mercilus! (or Dre K) ill be happy with both but I want a QB rusher and one that gets sacks and Mercilus is the guy

by PantherTrain on Jan 16, 2012 1:08 AM EST reply actions

Ok after reading my post, i realize it doesnt make sense lol. Lets try this again.. Aaaand action; 2 words, Whitney Mercilus or Dre K, ill be happy with either one. I want a DAe that can both rush and sack the QB and be stout against the run and Mercilus is that guy

by PantherTrain on Jan 16, 2012 1:10 AM EST up reply actions

DE*

by PantherTrain on Jan 16, 2012 1:10 AM EST up reply actions

I would be fine if we didnt take a single offensive player i the whole draft

but my main objective going in is BPA

by pcroadrage on Jan 16, 2012 8:39 AM EST reply actions 1 recs

excellent post

Well played bruce I was just thinking of writing a very similar article but you beat me to it damn you!!! We go defence all the way!!!

Save us Pilares

by LimeyPanther on Jan 16, 2012 10:00 AM EST via mobile reply actions

Actually Smokewagon beat me to it.

He was posting his thoughts on this weekend as I was typing my Fanpost out. When I finished my post I turned on Got Game and Brentson Buckner was on and he was saying the same thing. I think this weekend brought us here back to reality along with the rest of the NFL fanbase and those that write about it or cover it. Great fundamentally sound defense with balanced offenses and outstanding special teams play win in January.
Look forward to seeing what the Ravens do next week. I’m thinking Ravens, Niners SB, although the Giants are on a roll. Nicks was just unreal.

I like collard greens.

by Bruce Guild on Jan 16, 2012 10:25 AM EST reply actions

I'm very impressed by the Giants right now. They've got everything working at the right time.

So much to be done, and so few people willing to do it for me.

by Rick Bates on Jan 16, 2012 2:13 PM EST up reply actions

Good right up also Bruce.

I agree on everything with you. The NFL got brought back down to reality this weekend. Disrupting the QB, solid field position with special team play will win ball games most of the time. You can have the best DB’s and if you can’t get to the QB it want matter they would also get picked apart. I really hope we upgrade our pass rush this offseason. It would make our defense much improved next season. We also need a better punter.

by Smokewagon on Jan 16, 2012 11:00 AM EST reply actions

good post,

Man that 49ers defense was so good. They play with intensity but also play with fundamentals and control. They where dominating.

by PantherFan1 on Jan 16, 2012 11:04 AM EST reply actions

...wins championships

A few of us have been on this from the get-go… Defense! With an off-season, I have faith the Panthers will improve with no roster upgrades. Then go defensive BPA (particularly line and secondary) and we have O and D in the top 10 next season..

by disgruntled1 on Jan 16, 2012 11:15 AM EST via Android app reply actions

BPA has a good size lead over selecting for defense, and that makes me wonder how far those of you that voted that way are willing to follow that through?

Let me ask everyone that is voting BPA. If when we select in the 1st and 2nd round, we have a defensive player that fits our needs for strengthening our D is there, and he is projected to go in that area of the draft, but in both cases an offensive player slides and he is the BPA. Do you in both rounds take that BPA?
Long term it seems like the sound thing to do, but unless Hurney goes out and secures impact players in Free Agency, we will be that team with the offense that can score 30+ every week, and the defense that allows 30+.
I feel like we can’t reach when we select but we might have to let a BPA slide if he is not an impact defensive player.

I like collard greens.

by Bruce Guild on Jan 16, 2012 12:07 PM EST reply actions

it depends on the situation

obviously we are not going to take a QB or RB no matter how good they are. And with our team i think we can afford to not draft for needs. I really dont think we have any major weaknesses. We have a very young team that played fairly well with no offseason and a new coaching staff. We could use a #2 CB, some LB depth, and a dominant DT but we wont fall apart with out them. since we dont have huge glaring weaknesses we can afford to take BPA even if he doesnt fit our need. I personally would take BPA at just about any position except for QB or RB.

by pcroadrage on Jan 16, 2012 12:23 PM EST up reply actions

i agree

I think that when we pick, the best offensive players left will be linemen. I’d take one without a problem. I think a solid OL will be more productive early on, especially with injuries. DTs usually take a couple years to really get going. I also think that there are no defensive linemen available who are so good that you can say they are definitely better than the top OL available. I say BPA, but I think when we pick, the top players left will be OL and DL. I think the top receivers, CBs, and RBs will be gone. Richardson, Luck, RG3, Jeffrey, Blackmon, Kirkpatrick and Claiborne will be gone before we pick. I wouldn’t take a RB or QB, though, no matter who is available.

by usana_gaines on Jan 16, 2012 1:46 PM EST up reply actions

BPA could be defense.

One other thing to add to this is that the BPA where we will be drafting in the first 2 rounds will be some defensive guys. I personally don’t think it would be a reach to take Still, Mercilus, Kirkpatrick, or Coples with the 8th or 9th pick. Then in the second round we could be starring at players like Barron, Poe, Crick, David or Hosley with that pick so I think in both cases it will end up addressing a need and BPA at the same time. We need to realize that Luck, Griffin, Blackmon, Kalil, or Claibourne 99% will not be there where we are drafting. They are all considered the BPA in this draft. Claibourne may be the only exception if he slides to us. But then again he addresses a need and is BPA. The others will not slide to us.

by Smokewagon on Jan 16, 2012 12:26 PM EST up reply actions

Take a look at the game tape vs. the Falcons and Saints...

And notice how our defense is not playoff ready. If you came away watching those games and thinking the Panthers need to improve their offense, I have some magic beans to sell you.

by pantheredgar on Jan 16, 2012 12:10 PM EST reply actions

i agree, to a point

I think we have the talent on defense to compete in the playoffs, but a new DB coach, a whole offseason to work on the defense, Beason playing a full season, and an upgrade at either CB, S, or DT would obviously be a tremendous help. Well we got the new coach and a full offseason. Let’s see what we can do about a couple personnel upgrades and getting healthy.

by usana_gaines on Jan 16, 2012 1:41 PM EST up reply actions

You really can't just throw it out there like that

The teams that won have real talent on offense, but have real balance. They also have great coaching and lots of talent. I think we have great coaching and lots of talent, as well. We’re not a rebuilding team. We’re a team that could’ve won 10-12 games with the talent we already have, but turnovers, poor special teams coverage, injuries, penalties, and inexperience took a toll on our record. I say we go for BPA because we have a lot of talent. With our injuries, I’d be okay with taking a LB or OL with our first pick if he’s the BPA because we’re probably gonna lose Connor, maybe Senn, and I doubt TD, Anderson and Beason all play 16 games. An OL helps with losing Otah, and the RG position that is still an issue. But if we play defense better with the same guys, and fewer penalties, but can put up 35 points a game, we’ll win a lot more.

If you look at the top 10 or so guys in the draft, I’d be happy with any of them (except a QB). I think turnovers and penalties were a bigger problem than talent last year. Add another top 10 pick, a full offseason, and some starters at full strength, and I just don’t see why we should expect less than a 13-3 Superbowl season.

by usana_gaines on Jan 16, 2012 1:36 PM EST reply actions 1 recs

What you should have learned this week is

Protecting the ball wins and forcing turnovers wins games.

by NOVACATS on Jan 16, 2012 5:22 PM EST reply actions

True,

but it was the Niners and Giants defensive intensity and execution that forced those turnovers and on the other side the weak defensive could not but the opposing offenses in bad situations to force them to turn it over. You know great coverage in the backfield was big, but to me the thing that stood out the most was the tackling. Both the Niners and Giants wrapped up and hit so hard. It was fun to watch.
Kinda like this: