Jon Beason part of Panthers' shuffle at linebacker

Carolina's long-standing man in the middle is taking his ornery business to the outside edge in a risky move prompted by injury.

Linebacker Jon Beason has begun training camp at the weak side slot after manning the middle position during his first three years in the league, when all he did was post the top three tackle totals in franchise history.

He'll take over for Thomas Davis, who suffered a season-ending torn ACL in early June during summer camp.

“It's something I've done before in college, so I kind of have a comfort level, but I'm still working through it,” Beason said. “Whatever's going to help the team win. Thomas is obviously a big part of our defense and if moving me is going to make us better that's what I want to do.”

Former Penn State star Dan Connor, a 2008 third-round selection, has taken over in the middle as he gets his first opportunity at extended playing time in a starting role. Connor missed 13 games with an injured knee as a rookie before appearing in all 16 games last season as a backup and on special teams, where he led the team with 14 tackles.

Connor was expected to be the top reserve at all three linebacker spots with fifth-year veteran James Anderson, who started a career-high seven games last season in making 72 tackles overall, starting on the strong side. Connor's chance to play the middle could be a huge career boost as he considers it his natural position.

“It's a big challenge and right now I'm just hoping Jon likes it out on the weak side and I can live up to expectations,” Connor said.

Davis recorded 71 tackles (53 solo) and two interceptions in only seven games last season before suffering a torn ACL in early November at New Orleans. The previous season he'd established a career high with 136 tackles after starting all 16 games for a second consecutive season. His second ACL tear this summer will keep him out this season.

Despite his own prodigious talent, Beason heaped an abundance of praise on Davis when asked to compare his skills with the guy he is now replacing.

“I think Thomas is a freak, I think he's special,” Beason said. “Thomas is faster than me, can jump higher than me, is a better cover guy than me and he hits really hard. He can do it all. He's like the prototype weakside linebacker you want in any scheme. It's just unfortunate because he was just sort of coming into his own.”

Connor weighs less than 240 pounds and proclaims himself ready for battle in the center of the action, where defenders get few free rides to the ball carrier. While many teams boast bigger bodies in that role, Beason was a massive success with size similar to Connor's and the Panthers' system is built around speed and ability more than brute strength.

“The middle is ‘more muddy' is how I describe it,” Connor said. “Guards and centers are coming off on you every play and you're not going to get a clean run. You've got to come off a block and make a tackle so it's good to have a little size there. Our scheme is more for smaller, athletic guys so I feel comfortable and strong at this weight so hopefully it will work out.”

Beason will continue to make the defensive calls in the huddle, although once both sides line up, he'll concede last-minute adjustments to Connor.

“It's weird because I have that comfort level already of making the calls and checks and stuff,” Beason said. “But coach wants to put more of the load on Dan. He's a quiet guy and he wants him to open up a bit and show his personality, and I think it's going to be good for him.”

Head coach John Fox acknowledged the new configuration isn't necessarily a done deal, as the injury to Davis forced his hand in rebuilding a linebacking corps that looked to be one of the defensive strong points while the team undergoes an overhaul up front.

With a young squad and many unproven faces vying for roster spots and contributing roles, Fox will keep close tabs on whether the team is losing too much by moving Beason out of a role where he dominated, and how Connor responds to increased responsibility.

“Dan is a good football player who's played a lot of roles for us,” Fox said. “This is his first chance that he's had to start and get considerable playing time. I liked what I saw this whole offseason.

“We've got some new faces there and we don't know what our best combination is going to be yet, that's why we're here in camp. That will be a day by day evaluation and we'll try to get our best three on the field. Hopefully we'll answer that question during camp.”

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(goupstate.com)