Beason grows up as man in the middle

After missing out on his goal last year as a rookie, Jon Beason is raising the bar.

Beason, the Carolina Panthers middle linebacker, wanted to be NFL defensive rookie of the year. He finished second to San Francisco linebacker Patrick Willis, although Beason set a Panthers record for tackles in a season with 160.

“I think (Willis) did enough to earn the award,” Beason said after a summer school session at Bank of America Stadium. “I didn’t move into (middle linebacker) until Week 5, so I kind of got a late start. I think it’ll be interesting to see what happens this year.” The goals have changed. Last year, Beason was looking for playing time. Now, he’s focused on team accomplishments, specifically earning a playoff berth.

“Last year (the goal) was rookie of the year, coming in and earning a starting job,” he said. “This year my personal goal is for us to go deep into the playoffs. Anything else will work itself out.”

Beason worked out nicely at middle linebacker for Carolina after Dan Morgan went down with a season-ending Achilles injury. Beason, moved over from the outside, led Carolina in tackles and emerged as the Panthers’ best defender. His success led the Panthers to cut Morgan, who has since retired.

“Coming in, I think you have to have that mindset that you’re going to be successful,” Beason said. “I had no idea I could play the (middle) or play as well as I did. I just went out and gave effort and it worked but I’m kind of happy it happened.”

Beason is more than effort. He calls the defensive signals and impressed coaches with his ability to anticipate where the opposing offense is going. Even after missing a week of training camp while hammering out his contract didn’t slow Beason’s progress.

“Jon is a real instinctive guy for a young player,” Panthers head coach John Fox said. “He was that way in college and he played at a high level at the college level. Last year he came in and was about a week late getting into camp and then was playing outside linebacker early and when Dan got hurt we moved him to the middle. I think he got better every week and he looks that much better this year.”

Said Beason: “Any good player will tell you it’s all about what you know before the snap. If you can steal a play here and there, they add up, so your overall knowledge of the game will enable you to make more plays.”

Beason is applying the cerebral approach to his second year of summer school, where he’s passing on what he’s learned to newcomers like rookie Dan Connor, who is expected to compete for playing time in what’s become a loaded linebacker corps.

“Now it’s just a breeze,” Beason said. “You know the system so you just come out here knowing it versus trying to learn it on the run. Things are flying for rookies right now and I feel bad for them, but at the same time I’m happy I’m in my position.”

And with position comes stature. Beason’s the acknowledged leader of a defense that’s been revamped up front. His expanded role is to get in position to make plays as well as help his teammates succeed.

“Last year I just wanted to come in and earn the respect of the older guys,” Beason said. “There are 11 guys on the field and all you have to do is make the play when it’s your turn to make it. Last year I wound up making more than I thought I would. All in all, it’s a lot of fun and my teammates respect me, and that’s the biggest thing.”

(thecharlottepost.com)