Everette Brown Ready to Step Up in New Role

As every Panthers fan is well aware, there will be no first-round pick for Carolina in two weeks. To add some pressure, defensive end Everette Brown realizes that, too.

Why does Brown realize it, some might ask? He was the one who the Panthers traded this year’s first-round pick to San Francisco, in order to move up in the second-round last year to draft Brown.

He also realizes that with Julius Peppers gone from the team now, there’s only him, Charles Johnson, and Tyler Brayton remaining at defensive end — at least until draft day, that is.

Brown’s strength lies in his ability to rush the passer. During the offseason, he’s worked on building up muscle to better defend against the run, as well.

In the end, on a team with so much young — in many cases unproven — talent on the roster, leadership is a large area of need. Unlike Peppers, Brown plainly stated that he wants to be a leader for this team.

“I want to be a leader. I always consider myself a guy who takes on that leadership role, whether it is off the field or on the field. I tried to pay attention to how those guys carried themselves. But I do see myself taking on a leadership role. We have a lot of great guys on this team and a lot of guys will need to step up for us to win. But one guy’s leadership can be contagious and get everybody going,” said Brown.

At this point, it is quite clear that middle linebacker Jon Beason is emerging as one of the team’s leaders. With his work ethic, Brown should have very little problem emerging as one, too.

Just what the Panthers need. A defense and leaders with heart.