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When it comes to elite defenses, the Rams’ tour of the high-rent district continues Sunday in Charlotte.
Last week it was Houston and the Texans’ top-ranked total defense. This week, it’s Carolina and the Panthers’ third-ranked total defense.
Compared to what the Panthers are bringing to the argument, Houston’s defense was merely a paper tiger — or to be mascot-correct, a paper Texan. Thanks in part to five interceptions returned for touchdowns against the Houston offense, the Texans have allowed 177 points, the fourth-highest total in the league.
Carolina has yielded a mere 68 points, the second-lowest total in the league behind only unbeaten Kansas City’s 65. The Panthers (2-3) haven’t allowed a point in the first quarter all season and have yielded only 12 points in the first half.
When it comes to takeaways, the Panthers are in the middle of the pack with 11; Houston’s defense is next-to-last with three.
“Yes, (Carolina’s defense) is very talented,” coach Jeff Fisher said. “That Texans’ defense was talented but this is a different design, different scheme. A lot more pressure, I think, pass-rush pressure (on) early downs. They’re very good at collapsing the pocket.”
There’s not much star quality on this defense, although linebacker Luke Kuechly was the NFL defensive rookie of the year in 2012. But the Panthers have a front seven to reckon with; it’s the strength of their unit.
“They’re very disruptive; they’re very active,” quarterback Sam Bradford said. “Their defensive line does a great job eating up blockers so their linebackers can make plays. And they’ve really gotten after most of the people that they’ve played this year. So, just like last week, we’re going into this game with the mind-set that this is going to be one of the toughest challenges we’ve seen as an offense this year.”
Panthers defensive coordinator Sean McDermott is a protégé of the late, great Jim Johnson, whose defenses in Philadelphia were known for their heavy blitzing. Like McDermott, Panthers head coach Ron Rivera also spent time on the Eagles’ defensive staff learning under Johnson.
Despite the Johnson influence, this isn’t the blitz-happy outfit as was seen in Philadelphia from 1999-2008.
“Ron’s evolved over the years,” Fisher said. “He’s not doing as much pressure because Jim was a real big pressure guy, and they’ve got a four-man rush down there right now. They don’t need to (blitz).”
At least not as much.
“But when they do, they’ve been effective,” Bradford said. “For the most part, too, when they blitz it’s a single linebacker or they’re firing a safety. I think some of the secondary pressures are the things that we’re going to have to look out for. They’re not extremely complicated, but when they do come, we’ve got to make sure they’re accounted for.”
For example, last week against Minnesota, veteran outside linebacker Thomas Davis had two sacks and got a game ball from Rivera for his efforts. But for the most part, the Panthers are content to let their front four do the pass-rushing, particularly ends Charles Johnson and Greg Hardy.
That tandem both registered double-digits in sacks last season, combining for 23½. In comparison, the Rams’ talented end duo of Chris Long and Robert Quinn combined for 22 sacks in 2012. So far this year, Johnson and Hardy have three sacks apiece.
“You watch the games that they’ve blown people out like the Vikings and the Giants, they’ve done a great job on first down getting the offense into negative plays,” offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer said. “Whether it’s sacks, tackles for loss, and making them kind of play from behind in that regard (in terms of down-and-distance). That’s where they’re going to be at their best.”
Rookie defensive tackles Star Lotulelei and Kawann Short have been space-eaters, occupying blockers and freeing up linebackers to make plays, although Lotulelei’s play has leveled off in recent weeks.
But the person who really makes the Carolina defense go is Kuechly, the Boston College product. The defense really started to jell when Kuechly was moved from outside linebacker to middle linebacker at about this time last season. The Panthers finished 10th in total defense and this season have picked up where they left off — and then some.
“(Kuechly) was defensive rookie of the year for a reason last year,” Fisher said. “He’s an outstanding player. He’s very good in coverage, he was productive around the ball. He had ‘picks,’ some sacks, and he’s a very good run defender.”
Kuechly’s numbers are down a little this year, but he still leads the team in tackles (56) and has two interceptions.
So this shapes up as a true test for the new-look Rams offense. You know, the one with multiple tight ends and a suddenly effective running game with Zac Stacy. Unlike Houston, which was tied for 27th entering the Rams game in rushing defense despite its No. 1 overall defensive rating, the Panthers are stingy on the ground.
They are fourth in run defense (88.8 yards a game) and rank fourth in red zone defense. (The Rams are third in red-zone offense).
“We’ve kept defenses off balance with what we’re doing,” Bradford said. “When you play a defense that’s as good as Carolina, you’ve got to be able to run the football and you’ve got to be able to keep them off balance.
“For us to be successful this week, if we do run the ball on first down, they’ve got to be positive runs and we’ve got to play from ahead of the sticks.”
In other words, avoid second-and-long, and third-and-long situations.
When it comes to elite defenses, the Rams’ tour of the high-rent district continues Sunday in Charlotte.
Last week it was Houston and the Texans’ top-ranked total defense. This week, it’s Carolina and the Panthers’ third-ranked total defense.
Compared to what the Panthers are bringing to the argument, Houston’s defense was merely a paper tiger — or to be mascot-correct, a paper Texan. Thanks in part to five interceptions returned for touchdowns against the Houston offense, the Texans have allowed 177 points, the fourth-highest total in the league.
Carolina has yielded a mere 68 points, the second-lowest total in the league behind only unbeaten Kansas City’s 65. The Panthers (2-3) haven’t allowed a point in the first quarter all season and have yielded only 12 points in the first half.
When it comes to takeaways, the Panthers are in the middle of the pack with 11; Houston’s defense is next-to-last with three.
“Yes, (Carolina’s defense) is very talented,” coach Jeff Fisher said. “That Texans’ defense was talented but this is a different design, different scheme. A lot more pressure, I think, pass-rush pressure (on) early downs. They’re very good at collapsing the pocket.”
There’s not much star quality on this defense, although linebacker Luke Kuechly was the NFL defensive rookie of the year in 2012. But the Panthers have a front seven to reckon with; it’s the strength of their unit.
“They’re very disruptive; they’re very active,” quarterback Sam Bradford said. “Their defensive line does a great job eating up blockers so their linebackers can make plays. And they’ve really gotten after most of the people that they’ve played this year. So, just like last week, we’re going into this game with the mind-set that this is going to be one of the toughest challenges we’ve seen as an offense this year.”
Panthers defensive coordinator Sean McDermott is a protégé of the late, great Jim Johnson, whose defenses in Philadelphia were known for their heavy blitzing. Like McDermott, Panthers head coach Ron Rivera also spent time on the Eagles’ defensive staff learning under Johnson.
Despite the Johnson influence, this isn’t the blitz-happy outfit as was seen in Philadelphia from 1999-2008.
“Ron’s evolved over the years,” Fisher said. “He’s not doing as much pressure because Jim was a real big pressure guy, and they’ve got a four-man rush down there right now. They don’t need to (blitz).”
At least not as much.
“But when they do, they’ve been effective,” Bradford said. “For the most part, too, when they blitz it’s a single linebacker or they’re firing a safety. I think some of the secondary pressures are the things that we’re going to have to look out for. They’re not extremely complicated, but when they do come, we’ve got to make sure they’re accounted for.”
For example, last week against Minnesota, veteran outside linebacker Thomas Davis had two sacks and got a game ball from Rivera for his efforts. But for the most part, the Panthers are content to let their front four do the pass-rushing, particularly ends Charles Johnson and Greg Hardy.
That tandem both registered double-digits in sacks last season, combining for 23½. In comparison, the Rams’ talented end duo of Chris Long and Robert Quinn combined for 22 sacks in 2012. So far this year, Johnson and Hardy have three sacks apiece.
“You watch the games that they’ve blown people out like the Vikings and the Giants, they’ve done a great job on first down getting the offense into negative plays,” offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer said. “Whether it’s sacks, tackles for loss, and making them kind of play from behind in that regard (in terms of down-and-distance). That’s where they’re going to be at their best.”
Rookie defensive tackles Star Lotulelei and Kawann Short have been space-eaters, occupying blockers and freeing up linebackers to make plays, although Lotulelei’s play has leveled off in recent weeks.
But the person who really makes the Carolina defense go is Kuechly, the Boston College product. The defense really started to jell when Kuechly was moved from outside linebacker to middle linebacker at about this time last season. The Panthers finished 10th in total defense and this season have picked up where they left off — and then some.
“(Kuechly) was defensive rookie of the year for a reason last year,” Fisher said. “He’s an outstanding player. He’s very good in coverage, he was productive around the ball. He had ‘picks,’ some sacks, and he’s a very good run defender.”
Kuechly’s numbers are down a little this year, but he still leads the team in tackles (56) and has two interceptions.
So this shapes up as a true test for the new-look Rams offense. You know, the one with multiple tight ends and a suddenly effective running game with Zac Stacy. Unlike Houston, which was tied for 27th entering the Rams game in rushing defense despite its No. 1 overall defensive rating, the Panthers are stingy on the ground.
They are fourth in run defense (88.8 yards a game) and rank fourth in red zone defense. (The Rams are third in red-zone offense).
“We’ve kept defenses off balance with what we’re doing,” Bradford said. “When you play a defense that’s as good as Carolina, you’ve got to be able to run the football and you’ve got to be able to keep them off balance.
“For us to be successful this week, if we do run the ball on first down, they’ve got to be positive runs and we’ve got to play from ahead of the sticks.”
In other words, avoid second-and-long, and third-and-long situations.
