4 changes that could instantly improve the Panthers’ defense
By Dean Jones
4. Take more risks
Realistically speaking, the Carolina Panthers are playing for nothing more than pride for the rest of the season. Their 3-6 record means a playoff berth seems unlikely and this should enable Phil Snow and Matt Rhule to experiment more with the players at their disposal in readiness for more big changes next spring.
If certain things don’t work, so what? At least the coaching staff will know more about what sort of things they can implement when there is a more realistic chance of making their presence felt in the postseason.
Things have been somewhat conservative from a defensive standpoint. That was to be expected early on with no preseason games, a new coordinator, and a completely revamped unit that lost the services of some established veterans in free agency and legendary linebacker Luke Kuechly to retirement before competitive action got underway.
However, with more than half of the 2020 season now in the books, now is the time to start taking more risks.
Whether this comes in the form of blitzes or press coverage – two things we haven’t seen much of – or simply be being more aggressive in certain situations. It’s an option worth considering at the very least.
And who knows? It might even take their level of performance up a notch in the process.