Frontal pressure makes Panthers’ secondary scary

By Connor Byrne  |   Sunday, August 06, 2006  |  Comments( 0 )

Carolina Panthers
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As the National Football League's regular season continues drawing nearer with each day, more and more are beginning to jump on the Carolina Panthers' bandwagon. And why not? The team has a great head coach, a winner at quarterback and one of the league's best wide receivers on the offensive side of the ball.

Defensively, the Panthers are most known for their dominant front four, with ends Julius Peppers and Mike Rucker and tackles Kris Jenkins and Maake Kemoeatu. At linebacker, middle man Dan Morgan takes center stage as a two-time Pro Bowler who has been a terrific on-field performer and respected leader.

With such a great front seven, Carolina's secondary doesn't necessarily receive the attention it deserves. In truth, that defensive backfield will draw off the frontal pressure and become one of the league's best this year in both coverage and takeaway ability.

The Panthers' top two cornerbacks, Ken Lucas and Chris Gamble, already began the trend last season.

A five-year veteran, Lucas is quickly becoming one of football's best playmakers at the corner position. In 2005, the ex-Seattle Seahawk was on the receiving end of six passes from opposing quarterbacks. His starting mate, Gamble, bested his veteran confidant, as the 23-year-old racked up seven interceptions in just his second year. Through his first pair of campaigns, Gamble, a former first-round pick from Ohio State, already has 13 picks.

Throughout most of the Panthers' history, the free safety position hasn't been a problem whatsoever. In fact, it's been a colossal advantage. Mike Minter, a nine-year veteran, never seems to lose touch with his game, as he continually makes key impacts on the field for Carolina. The 32-year-old has rarely been a big-time interceptor of passes like Lucas or Gamble, but he's a hard-hitter whose leadership and coverage skills are irreplaceable.

After seeing those three proven names, the Panthers' fourth starter in the secondary is truly a major question. The projected strong safety brings neither vast amounts of experience nor Pro Bowl accomplishments. Truthfully, he's completely unproven. The current No. 1, according to the team's depth chart, is Kevin McCadam, who has the upper hand on veteran Shaun Williams.

In his four-year career with the Atlanta Falcons, McCadam has racked up just 27 total tackles in reserve and special teams duty. Although the California native has never been thrown to the NFL's wolves, it's not fair to assume he won't be adequate for Carolina. It is just, however, to say the jury on the 27-year-old is completely out.

His counterpart, Williams, has been quasi-dependable in eight pro seasons. The career New York Giant has 13 interceptions in those years, but his recent health problems have been cause for concern. The 29-year-old has appeared in just 20 games over the last two years. Before a hamstring injury last season, he was a reserve for the Giants. Thus, his chances of starting for the Panthers' daunting defense aren't exactly great.

The battle between McCadam and Williams will be waged during the remainder of training camp and, of course, preseason. That contest should certainly be one of interest to Fox, defensive coordinator Mike Trgovac and secondary coach Rod Perry.

The 2006 Carolina Panthers' defensive backfield could be their best in many years. The front four certainly gets most of the attention from various media outlets and fans, but it's the starting secondary that will make the most game-changing plays this season. It will have to in order for the NFC South favorites to achieve a Super Bowl dream.

So rather than always thinking of the likes of Peppers and Jenkins, give some thought to Lucas, Gamble and co.

--Connor J. Byrne can be reached at cbyrne@realfootball365.com.

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