Early look at the Detroit Lions 2017 opponents: Carolina Panthers
By Ash Thompson
Edge Rushers
Julius Peppers, Charles Johnson, and Mario Addison make for an aging but capable rotation of pass rushers. Peppers and Johnson also set the edge against the run quite effectively. Peppers returned to the team that drafted him this offseason, a move that may pay dividends for him.
As he loses a step or three, a role as a defensive end rather than an outside linebacker may limit how apparent that loss is. Charles Johnson lacks the explosiveness he had a few years ago as well, but Addison is a demon coming off the edge on third down.
Former Detroit Lions draft pick Larry Webster may make their team, which shows you how bad things might get for the Panthers if their aging trio -Addison is the youngester at 29-years of age – can not stay healthy. Peppers and Addison will be a trial for whichever of the Lions contenders for the Left Tackle job comes out on top.
Interior Defensive Line
Kwann Short is among the league’s best pass rushers from the interior, having notched 17 sacks in the last two seasons. He recently signed a contract with an average value of $16 million per season and is worth every penny. He ranked behind only Aaron Donald and Ndamukong Suh according to PFF in 2016.
Star Lotulelei provides a perfect counterpoint to Short. He is playing in the final season of his rookie contract and coming off a career high in sacks for the 2016 season. 2016 first-round pick Vernon Butler had an was plagued by an ankle injury during his rookie season but appears poised to join a very talented group of defensive tackles.
Linebackers
Luke Keuchly, Thomas Davis, and Shaq Thompson make up one of the league’s most impressive 4-3 linebacker corps. Keuchly, however, has missed nine games in the past two seasons with concussion issues, and Davis is 34 years old. Davis, like Olsen, has been complaining about his contract situation and has been one of the Panthers’ locker room leaders for a decade.
It is the kind of scenario that could derail a team if not dealt with. Thompson is locked in as the starter at the weakside linebacker spot for 2017, which shifts Davis out of the role he has held for most of his career. The only way this isn’t an incredibly difficult matchup for the Lions is injury or locker room dissension.
The Panther’s front seven poses ten different challenges at all times for the Lions offensive line. in the running or passing game, it is difficult not to draw the conclusion that the Lions are overmatched up front.