2013 Carolina Panthers = 2015 Dallas Cowboys?

[NeonDeion21]

But when the Cowboys signed Greg Hardy, I had a thought. During Greg Hardy’s best season as a pro in Carolina, the Panthers were the number two overall defense in 2013. And when I went back and looked at the Carolina Panthers defense, I started to wonder. Could the Cowboys try to replicate the Panthers 2013 plan and build a similar defense? I think they are pretty close. Take a look at the Carolina Panther’s depth chart from the 2013 season:



When I look at that depth chart, the first thing I notice is that Carolina had a very physical and good front seven. Hardy and Johnson provided a lot of pass rush from the edges, while Colin Cole and rookie Star Lotulelei were primarily run-stuffers. The Panthers possessed three really good linebackers who could run and hit. But Carolina’s secondary was very weak, but it was hidden with a really good front seven.

Read the rest at: http://all22breakdown.com/?p=2822

 

[PoundTheRock]

The Cowboys don't have close to those players at DT though.

 

[NeonDeion21]

The Cowboys don't have close to those players at DT though.

Star and Short were both rookies. I would say Crawford is a better pass rusher than either of those two. They could use a really good run-defender.

 

[DFWJC]

That front 7 for Carolina was stacked. Especially once they started rotating the young guys in too.
But Charles Johnson and Hardy at DE paired with those talented DTs and linebackers...wow.

 

[TrailBlazer]

That panther defense had a lot more talent than dallas does now.

 

[JohnsKey19]

Need more than Hayden stale-mating one blocker at the 1T. And that's on a good play.

 

[endersdragon]

I think with a decent - good 1-tech we could have that kind of defense, look at how mediocre or even bad the Panthers defense was last year in a lot of key stats without Hardy. If we can have that sort of defense, with our offense... watch out.

 

[JoeyBoy718]

Star and Short were both rookies. I would say Crawford is a better pass rusher than either of those two. They could use a really good run-defender.

Star was considered a top 5 pick but dropped to the 15-20 range because of a heart condition discovered right before the draft. We have the 27th pick in a weak DT class. And we also don't seem to be interested in drafting DT in the first two rounds. Short would be a 1st round talent in this draft too. There's no way we'll come out of the draft with guys like Star and Short.

 

[JoeyBoy718]

That front 7 for Carolina was stacked. Especially once they started rotating the young guys in too.
But Charles Johnson and Hardy at DE paired with those talented DTs and linebackers...wow.

Yep. We're not even close to their talent level. I just want a good defense. Hopefully top 10 but I'd settle for 10-15. We were 32nd two years ago and were a little below average last year. That Carolina defense was nasty.

 

[Jstopper]

Star was considered a top 5 pick but dropped to the 15-20 range because of a heart condition discovered right before the draft. We have the 27th pick in a weak DT class. And we also don't seem to be interested in drafting DT in the first two rounds. Short would be a 1st round talent in this draft too. There's no way we'll come out of the draft with guys like Star and Short.

You're over hyping them. Short (30 tackles 1.5 sacks) and Star (42 tackles 3 sacks) were not all stars their rookie seasons. Neither of them that year were as good as Crawford period. A good NT in the draft and I'll say our front 7 matches theirs from 2013.

 

[Jstopper]

That front 7 for Carolina was stacked. Especially once they started rotating the young guys in too.
But Charles Johnson and Hardy at DE paired with those talented DTs and linebackers...wow.

Johnson and hardy carried that d-line. Star and Short were not all that. We already have a better than or equal lb corps. Better secondary play. I say if we get a good NT we will have a defense as good as theirs was

 

[casmith07]

Star and Short were both rookies. I would say Crawford is a better pass rusher than either of those two. They could use a really good run-defender.

I think you're stretching about Star Lotuleiei, but Crawford is no slouch.

 

[DFWJC]

Johnson and hardy carried that d-line. Star and Short were not all that. We already have a better than or equal lb corps. Better secondary play. I say if we get a good NT we will have a defense as good as theirs was

Well, both Star and Short made the NFL all-rookie team.

If you assume Lee and McClain will play a full season together.....a highly unlikely scenario...then our theoretical LB crew then begins to look good.
They had the defensive player of year (not just linebackers,but all defensive players) in the middle and two very solid guys on his flanks

 

[guag]

If our defense can just perform at about an average level again this season (at least as far as PPG), and our run game can be at least 2/3 as effective as it was last season, we'll make the playoffs again. Not counting on (or even thinking about) us having a top 5-10 defense this season, but it would certainly be a pleasant and welcome surprise if we can accomplish such a feat only 2 seasons removed from the worst defensive performance in team history.

We'll need our linebackers to remain relatively healthy, and someone besides Crawford needs to step up at DT (or find an immediate starter in the draft) in order for us to crack the top 15 in defense though, I think.

 

[JoeyBoy718]

Johnson and hardy carried that d-line. Star and Short were not all that. We already have a better than or equal lb corps. Better secondary play. I say if we get a good NT we will have a defense as good as theirs was

They were stacked at DT though. Cole is a big boy (330) and more of a run stuffer but still had a sack. And his backup had 3 sacks. And Star was huge too. Both their starting DTs were in the 320-330 range. It's hard to block guys like that. Opens up room for their two beast DEs. Crawford is a little guy. Has the body of a DE. They got 8.5 combined sacks from four very big DTs. We have one guy with pass rush ability and he's 40 pounds lighter than Carolina's average DT. Then again, Carolina's D-line was designed differently. Marinelli prefers "rushmen." But I think Carolina had a huge line (even Hardy is the size of our DTs) and everyone had pass rush ability. Not to mention, Luke at MLB. He's what fans wished Lee would be and he's 5 years younger.

 

[jazzcat22]

You're over hyping them. Short (30 tackles 1.5 sacks) and Star (42 tackles 3 sacks) were not all stars their rookie seasons. Neither of them that year were as good as Crawford period. A good NT in the draft and I'll say our front 7 matches theirs from 2013.

Yes, as I look at that D and we are close in comparison with a additions in the draft and /or a few players emerge, and improve because of the addition of Hardy, will make others better. A pass rush will do that as we know.

Fans, especially on here, very often, well almost always, will over rate and hype up other teams and their players and coaches, while under rating, and some on the verge of hate to this team the profess to be a fan of.
But that is changing some now, but last year it was rampant. Or I have them on ignore, not sure which. LOL.

Not sure if this is equal from other teams' fans or just on here.

 

[Jstopper]

Well, both Star and Short made the NFL all-rookie team.

If you assume Lee and McClain will play a full season together.....a highly unlikely scenario...then our theoretical LB crew then begins to look good.
They had the defensive player of year (not just linebackers,but all defensive players) in the middle and two very solid guys on his flanks

Jon Beason gets injured more than even Lee. That's why they traded him to giants he could never stay on the field. And it's not like there were an abundance of defensive rookie monsters in 2013. Their numbers weren't all that impressive Imo. And like I was saying our secondary destroys theirs

 

[Jstopper]

Yes, as I look at that D and we are close in comparison with a additions in the draft and /or a few players emerge, and improve because of the addition of Hardy, will make others better. A pass rush will do that as we know.

Fans, especially on here, very often, well almost always, will over rate and hype up other teams and their players and coaches, while under rating, and some on the verge of hate to this team the profess to be a fan of.
But that is changing some now, but last year it was rampant. Or I have them on ignore, not sure which. LOL.

Not sure if this is equal from other teams' fans or just on here.

Imo I think it's because we follow our team way more than any other team. So we see all our warts, while we typically only see highlights from other squads. So it tends to make us over hype/praise other teams.

 

[ScipioCowboy]

@Jstopper is making sense.

 

[DFWJC]

Imo I think it's because we follow our team way more than any other team. So we see all our warts, while we typically only see highlights from other squads. So it tends to make us over hype/praise other teams.

I think it's the opposite.
Cowboy fans tend to overhype our own players because many lack knowledge of players around the league.

As for me, I've never been accused of bashing our own. I've even had some notorious haters call me a homer.

I was just pointing out my opinion on the Carolina front 7 in 2013.
Jmo....but I thought they were VERY good.

In fact, that defense ended up being second best in the entire league that year ratings wise just behind Seattle.
They were bunched right there with Seattle in scoring defense too....and there was a huge gap between Carolina/Seattle and the the rest of the league.

2013 total AND scoring defense
1-Seattle
2- Carolina
.
.
Rest of 30 teams


Call me crazy...but I think that's pretty good.