Not getting to the QB? Carolina Panthers defense in no rush to panic

The Carolina Panthers’ pass rush – or lack thereof – has become a popular topic of late.

Part of the problem has been what the Panthers’ pressure has looked like compared to the opponents’. And when you give up eight sacks – as Carolina did last week in a 22-10 loss to Minnesota – anything your defense does pales in comparison.

But you know who’s not worried about the Panthers’ pass rush?

The Panthers.

Defensive end Kony Ealy was so disinterested in the topic Thursday that he continued playing a video game on his phone while answering a reporter’s question.

Ealy, drafted in the second round in 2014, has been in Charlotte for three years, and for three years he has faced the same type of questions. Of course, Ealy arrived months after the Panthers’ 2013 team led the league and set a franchise record with 60 sacks.

The Panthers are on pace for 32 sacks, which would be their fewest since 2011.

“It’s going to come alive and when it comes alive it’s going to come in bunches,” Ealy said. “Ain’t nothing wrong with our pass rush. People that don’t understand that don’t know the game (and) need to try to find out, figure out what the game is all about. How it works. There’s a reason why for everything.”

The most common reason stated by Panthers coach Ron Rivera and defensive players over the first three games involves how quickly opposing quarterbacks have been getting rid of the ball.

And that has some merit, although San Francisco’s Blaine Gabbert threw several passes downfield in the Panthers’ Week 2 victory.

Vikings quarterback Sam Bradford was 18-of-28 passing against the Panthers, but did not complete a throw of 20 yards or longer.

The quick-release passes likely have something to do with the Panthers’ defensive scheme. With rookie James Bradberry taking over as the No. 1 cornerback for the departed Josh Norman, defensive coordinator Sean McDermott has called for softer coverages from his corners than he did with Norman.

That has allowed opposing quarterbacks to complete slants and other underneath passes.

“We philosophically believe in trying to keep things in front of us. I think you’d be hard-pressed to find an offense in the league that’s going to win by the slant,” McDermott said. “Not a lot of guys are patient enough to throw 10 slants down the field. As long as we tackle it and we’re physical with it, I’m OK with it.”

Panthers linebacker Thomas Davis said the back end of the defense can help the front four with its pass rush by sticking on receivers better, regardless of the call.

“They’ve gotten the ball out fast,” Davis said. “So it’s important for us to realize what teams are trying to do to us. We’ve got to connect better to the receivers and give those guys a chance to get there.”

Will they come in bunches?

Starting defensive end Charles Johnson and Ealy are looking for their first sacks, as is defensive tackle Kawann Short. Johnson sat out the latter portion of Thursday’s practice after feeling tightness in his quadriceps.

There is some basis to Ealy’s comment about sacks coming in bunches.

The Panthers only had seven sacks through three games last season (they have six this year) but finished with 44. That was the top total in the NFC and sixth overall.

Short didn’t record his first sack until Week 6 last year, then bunched five in a two-week period. He ended up with 11, the most by a defensive tackle in team history.

“It’s going to take time (to see) what people are throwing at you and how you’ve got to adjust,” Short said. “It’s going to change. It’s going to turn over. And once it does, when they say you get one, they start coming in pairs. So hopefully that time comes.”

That time might come Sunday against Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan, who is tied with New England’s Jimmy Garoppolo as the league’s highest-rated passer.

Ryan is a more traditional pocket passer who likes to throw down the field on plays that take longer to develop. The Panthers sacked him five times in two games last year, and sacked Falcons backup quarterback Sean Renfree twice in a 38-0 victory in Week 14.

Creating opportunity

Short says Ryan likes to hold the ball in the pocket to give his receivers a chance to get open, creating an opportunity for the pass rushers.

“So it gives us the time and we’ve got to get back there and we’ve got to capitalize,” Short said. “When they hold it, get back there on their quarterback.”

Panthers coach Ron Rivera used a question about the pass rush to defend his team’s 1-2 start, pointing out the losses have come against Denver and Minnesota – two of the five remaining unbeaten teams.

“So it’s not like we’ve played a bunch of slappies out there,” he said.

Ealy had three sacks against Peyton Manning in Super Bowl 50, not far of his season sack total of five. Johnson had one sack last season while playing in just nine games because of injury.

For those waiting on the two edge rushers to get going – or wondering if they ever will – Ealy says it’s coming.

“I’m fixing to turn up. Me and my teammates, we’re fixing to turn up. Period,” he said. “We’re not worried about anything. We’re not worried about this pass rush. We know what we’re capable of. Our coaches know what we’re capable of and we’re going to get it done.”

This story was originally published September 29, 2016 at 6:28 PM with the headline "Not getting to the QB? Carolina Panthers defense in no rush to panic."