The Carolina Panthers are overhauling their defense in head coach Frank Reich’s first season with the team. Reich hired Ejiro Evero as their next defensive coordinator. Evero is bringing the 3-4 defense to the Panthers. Steve Wilks, the Panthers’ defensive coordinator, ran the 4-3 scheme last season. The new system will require different personnel, and assistant general manager Dan Morgan is ready for that challenge.
According to the Charlotte Observer, Morgan said he’s excited about the versatility the new scheme can bring in terms of adding athletes to the unit:
“In a 4-3, I feel like it’s a lot more specific about what you want, in terms of like a one-technique or a three-technique, and then your edge players,” Morgan said. “But in this defense, I feel like you can have some different body types, and have more versatile players in his defense. From a scouting perspective, I’m really excited about that.”
Changing out personnel usually takes a few years before a team sees the switch pay off. The Panthers hope they can at least have a competitive defense for a team with a decent shot at winning a weak NFC South.
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