Panthers Defensive Line Will Be the Key to the Defense

by Jaxon on Aug 30, 2007 8:54 AM EDT in News Comment 1 comment

I find myself agreeing with Yas that the defensive line will be the key to the Panthers defense this season. He figures the key to the line is Kris Jenkins and he is right if you think the Panthers will be susceptible to the run.

The scout said Jenkins has looked very good in the preseason, but he hasn’t been impressed by Maake Kemoeatu and Damione Lewis, the other two top tackles.
"You can live with one of them if Jenkins is the old Jenkins an you’ve got Julius Peppers on the outside,’’ the scout said. "If Jenkins and Peppers are playing well, everybody else on that line suddenly gets a lot better.’’

I haven’t been impressed with Kemo or Lewis either. I think they get knocked back too often.

It’s my opinion the Panthers will be weaker against the pass so I think the key will getting pressure on the QB to protect the secondary. This means the key will be Peppers, Rucker and McClover and a package of LB blitzes to pressure the QB into making mistakes. The Panthers have been successful at this the past couple years with Trgovac at the defensive helm. The Panthers will need more of the same this year.

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I don't think we've seen the best of Kemo, Lewis, Rucker and McGlover. Those guys will play better during the season. I think there are a couple insider match-ups that are going to make the difference. Julius Peppers knows that he deserves a much bigger contract than Dwight Freeney. Freeney got $72 million. Peppers knows 20 sacks gets him close to $90 million. Lucas and Gamble know that Richard Marshall is the real deal and one of them will lose their jobs by the end of the year. Their playing for their jobs. Kris Jenkins is playing with a chip on his shoulder. He knows the Panthers tried to trade him, and nobody wanted him, so everyone was reduced to just dogging him for missing OTAs. He's back and he's pissed. If those guys play like they need to, it will help the safeties mask inexperience against the deep ball and double moves. A better return game and offensive line keeps the defense off the field.

by usana_gaines on Aug 31, 2007 1:09 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs