Carolina Panthers: Takeaways from Gerald McCoy’s press conference

McCoy feels like he can make a contribution

McCoy feels like he can help the Carolina Panthers defense. Although that may sound like a remark made because he wouldn’t want to say anything different, he at least has a vision for where he fits in the organization. McCoy was not brought in just to add a name to the defense. He was brought in to contribute and compete right now.

The Carolina Panthers have a need to improve their pass rush. They didn’t get to the quarterback enough times last year. McCoy should be able to help with that, and he should be able to add additional veteran leadership on the defensive side of football. Head coach Ron Rivera sees him as a guy that will be able to get after the quarterback.

“You can feel very good about having those guys on the field together,” Rivera said, referencing a defensive front now featuring McCoy and Kawann Short flanking Dontari Poe. “What he does is he’s a very good complement to KK. He’s a different player than Poe; he’s a pass rush type of guy that’s going to get vertical quickly.”

The thought of having McCoy on this defense for pass-rushing purposes is exciting. Now, offensive lines will be forced to focus on multiple players on the Panthers line and not just one or the other. This is a line that will be able to give defensive lines nightmares, and that is refreshing. The Carolina Panthers defensive line did not necessarily make quarterbacks uncomfortable last season. I have a feeling that is about to change.