Preview: Carolina’s “D” will dominate in ‘06

By Connor Byrne  |   Thursday, August 24, 2006  |  Comments( 1 )

Carolina Panthers
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In 2005, the Carolina Panthers' defense was among their main reasons for finishing the regular season 11-5 and venturing all the way to the NFC Championship Game. During the offseason the unit faced some transitions, including a loss of a key linebacker. However, thanks to the re-addition of one tremendous tackle, the Carolina defense is ready to try and match or better its past successes.

Carolina's two defensive ends make up one of the better tandems in the National Football League. Two-time Pro Bowler Julius Peppers starts on the right side, while steady veteran Mike Rucker holds down the left.

The 6-foot-7, 283-pound Peppers finished last season with 10 ½ sacks in spite of dealing with constant double- and triple-teams from opposing offensive linemen. The former No. 2 overall pick is an absolutely dominant performer, and if healthy, there's no reason that won't continue into this year.

Rucker, on the other hand, bounced back from a poor 2004 campaign, notching a decent 7 ½ sacks last year. However, if the 31-year-old can return to his 12-sack form of 2003, the Panthers' ends will be flat-out scary.

All-Pro tackle Kris Jenkins is set to make his return on the line, assuming he can avoid injuries for the first time in two years. He missed all but five games in the past pair of seasons because of two devastating injuries - one to his knee and one to his shoulder. The 335-pound Jenkins, who might be the league's best DT, is both a dominant run-stuffer and legitimate pass rusher. More importantly, the sixth-year man eats up two to three blockers, enabling other members of Carolina's front seven to pressure opposing quarterbacks.

In with the new, out with the old was the Panthers' philosophy at the other DT position, as they said goodbye to 34-year-old Brentson Buckner and ushered in 350-pound space-eater Maake Kemoeatu during the free-agency period. Buckner was an outstanding locker room influence, but the 27-year-old Kemoeatu, a former Baltimore Raven, is an on-field improvement. Last season the four-year veteran posted a career-high tackle amount, with 40.

Carolina's linebacking corps is a slight concern entering this season. While veteran leader and top-notch performer Dan Morgan holds down the middle, two new players - Thomas Davis and Na'il Diggs - step in on the sides.

Davis, a first-rounder in the '05 draft, spent much of last season bouncing between the safety position and the bench because of poor play. However, coordinator Mike Trgovac gave him a shot at strongside LB late in the year, and he played well.

Davis was given the No. 58 in the offseason, the same one Panthers legend Mark Fields wore during his illustrious three-year Carolina career. Fields is hoping to lace up his cleats again in the future, but he's currently fighting Hodgkins disease. Davis, a former Georgia standout, not only has a tough number to follow, but a tough act, too. He replaces the departed Will Witherspoon, one of the most underrated linebackers in football.

Diggs, who spent his first six seasons as a member of the Green Bay Packers' defense, came to the Panthers in the offseason looking to redeem himself. Ever since a playmaking 2002 season, Diggs has struggled mightily at linebacker, which is why the Packers parted with him. Now that the 240-pounder is a member of a much better front seven, he could thrive.

The starting secondary is certainly among the Panthers' greatest defensive strengths. Their No. 1 cornerbacks are two of the absolute best in the game, Ken Lucas (six picks last year) and Chris Gamble (seven). Carolina's free safety, Mike Minter, has been there, done that on the pro level in his nine seasons, and should continue playing at a high level.

At strong safety, the Panthers seem questionable. Eight-year veteran Shaun Williams is currently penciled in as the top man on the depth chart, but he's played in just 10 games over the last two seasons. However, the former New York Giant could be poised to regain his solid form of old, since he's reunited with his former d-coordinator and now head coach, John Fox. Under Fox in the Meadowlands, the 29-year-old Williams was a well-thought of playmaker.

Aside from a strong starting defensive unit, the Panthers' depth could be second to none in the NFL. Ends Al Wallace and Stanley McClover come to the forefront on the line, as does former first-rounder Damione Lewis, a DT signed away from the St. Louis Rams in March. Another above-average tackle reserve is Jordan Carstens, who actually started throughout last year.

The name to watch in terms of Carolina reserves is Richard Marshall, a formerly projected first-round pick who fell to the Panthers in the second round of April's draft. At 22 years old, the ex-Fresno State star already has terrific fundamentals, thanks to the tutelage of Bulldogs head coach Pat Hill. The 5-11, 188-pounder should do well playing the role of nickel and dime corner for the Panthers, replacing departed man Ricky Manning Jr., who was among the best at his position in the league.

Final prediction: In 2006, the Carolina Panthers' defense should undoubtedly knock on the door of No. 1 in the NFL. If the unit doesn't finish there in total yardage allowed, sacks or points surrendered, it probably will in the interception department. The bottom line is, Trgovac's group could go down as one of the best in recent memory. Should that happen, look for him to get some head coaching offers next offseason.

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

Stay tuned for Byrne's Carolina Panthers 2006 offensive preview.
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