Panthers switching things up on defense

In 2013, the Carolina Panthers defense was phenomenal. Led by an aggressive front seven, the Panthers finished with the 2nd best defense in the NFL.

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2014, however, is a whole different story. Thanks to a domestic abuse tragedy, a suspension, and new injuries popping up every week, Carolina’s defense is in quite a rut, ranking towards the bottom of the league.

However, the season is still young. A great head coach would face the adversity head-on, changing his colors like a chameleon, and that is exactly what Ron Rivera plans to do.

Traditionally, the Panthers run a 4-3 defense. It suits their strengths, as their powerful linemen make way for two well-rounded linebackers in Luke Kuechly and Thomas Davis. However, with Greg Hardy deactivated, Charles Johnson hampered by injury, and Frank Alexander suspended, the Panthers don’t have strong 4-3 personnel in abundance.

Rivera may have realized this, as the team has been making changes. After practice on Thursday, defensive end Mario Addison informed Bill Voth of the Black & Blue Review that Carolina’s starting defensive tackles, Star Lotulelei and Kawaan Short, have been taking practice reps at defensive end.

With so many players missing, this transformation would make a good amount of sense. The Panthers certainly have the personnel for the scheme, as their speedy defensive ends could do some damage at the OLB roles, while their defensive tackles could generate a necessary bull-rush. Rivera tends to versatile guys around, as their utility proves time and time again to be highly valuable. Not only do they have the necessary pieces, but the change-up would cause a nightmare for opposing offensive coordinators, as no film exists of the Panthers playing in a 3-4.

Come Sunday, we’ll all know who the Carolina Panthers truly are, and if Ron Rivera can adapt like he plans to.

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