Carolina Panthers: All-Time Twenty Year Team
Dec 14, 2014; Atlanta, GA, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers former linebacker Kevin Greene (left) greets defensive end Brett Keisel (right) prior to facing the Atlanta Falcons at the Georgia Dome. Mandatory Credit: RVR Photos-USA TODAY Sports
7. Right Outside Linebacker – Kevin Greene (1996-1997, 1999)
The nice thing is that I get to choose two outside linebackers. The problem is that the position has been so illustrious throughout Panthers history. We have Thomas Davis now. The early teams had Salt and Pepper (Kevin Greene and Lamar Lathon). There was Will Witherspoon and Mark Fields during the 2003 playoff run. Nail Diggs made a stop in the position, and James Anderson was a productive recent player.
So how do you separate yourself from such a group? To be the man, you have to beat the man.
Kevin Greene was the first standout and the most personality that those early Panthers got. He is still fourth all-time in sacks despite only playing three seasons for the club. Greene held the single season sack record at 15 until Greg Hardy tied it.
Greene was the one who created the ‘Salt and Pepper’ schtick for himself and Lathon. He promised fans that they would meet at the quarterback. He wore his hair long, but tried to keep his jersey tight so lineman could not get a hold of him.
Next: Right Middle Linebacker