A Defensive Posture

For the third straight year, the Panthers’ run defense is a disaster. Ejiro Evero is back yet again, likely because David Tepper is tired of paying coaches not to coach. Does Evero need to go? Yes. Would firing him now make a difference? No. The damage is already done.

History shows the Panthers’ best defenses came when they lined up in a four-man front. It’s simple football, it clogs running lanes, creates natural matchups with tight ends, and lets a SAM linebacker cover instead of forcing an EDGE or undersized safety into mismatches. The supposed “advantage” of the 3–4 is an improved pass rush, but we saw none of that Sunday. What we did see was nearly 200 rushing yards given up. Again.

So why stick with it? Because a meddling owner, desperate to copy the Steelers, insists on running Pittsburgh’s scheme. That’s the brilliant master plan. We’re told Tepper has “taken a backseat,” but that’s a façade. It’s the same old story: dictating schemes, sitting in the draft room, and making decisions that only make climbing out of this hole harder.

Not that it matters much to him, his investment has already appreciated by over $3 billion. Winning football, though? That will not happen with him as an owner.