Carolina Panthers: The Secondary Needs Some Old Blood
The Carolina Panthers need to bolster their youth movement in the secondary.
The Carolina Panthers ran into a buzz saw earlier this year known as Julio Jones. He went for three hundred yards receiving against the Panthers secondary. The Panthers responded by releasing veteran cornerback Bene Benwikere. Benwikere was the primary culprit that afternoon. There was also problems in the safety position that day as well. Tre Boston had been questionable and it was Michael Griffin’s first day on the job.
The result was another overhaul of the Panthers secondary, the second in three years. Rookie corners James Bradberry and Daryl Worley were put to the test early. Zach Sanchez, a practice squad guy after training camp, rejoined the main roster. Leonard Johnson became the nickel back and added some energy to the mix.
Boston got better and Kurt Coleman found some interceptions in the latter part of the year. The linebacking corps also played a role in coverage, unfortunately much of the time without Luke Kuechly. Thomas Davis and Shaq Thompson showed great versatility throughout the year.
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What does the secondary need? They needed direction. They needed Charles Tillman. They needed Roman Harper. This off season they will need another injection of it. Maybe Mike Jenkins from the Arizona Cardinals. Maybe Quinton Demps from the Houston Texans. Or perhaps magically Darelle Revis from the New York Jets.
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The unit needs depth. Bringing Johnson back might be the first step, but even if they do not then the Panthers need to bring in real depth. Injuries cannot be allowed to dictate another season for that unit. Losing Josh Norman was bad and the transition was slow, but those are not factors anymore. The Panthers manufactured a number of sacks so that cannot be an excuse anymore either.
Bradberry and Worley might be the corners of the next decade, but they need help right now. The Panthers also need to focus on the Cam Newton window to win now. The Falcons will still be there next year.