LB Beason says banged-up Panthers face 'must-win'

CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- Another new defensive tackle moved into his locker Thursday not long before linebacker Jon Beason made it clear the Carolina Panthers are running out of time to plug the leaks in their banged-up defense.

After consecutive losses to open the season, the Panthers face a critical game Monday night at Dallas. And Beason wasn't shying away from its importance.

"I mean 0-3 is just not a possibility," Beason said. "This is a must-win."

Not the best scenario to be breaking in another defensive lineman. But that's what the coaching staff was doing with Antwon Burton, signed Tuesday after being released by St. Louis this month in final cuts.

For those who have lost track, Burton is replacing Louis Leonard, who was acquired from Cleveland on Sept. 1 for a late-round draft pick. Leonard was filling in Sunday for the injured Nick Hayden when he broke his left ankle and is lost for the season.

Hayden had been filling in for Maake Kemoeatu, Carolina's top run-stuffer who ruptured his right Achilles' tendon before the Panthers even got to their first team drill on the opening day of training camp.

Hayden, who was on Carolina's practice squad for most of last season, returned to practice on a limited basis Thursday. He said the bruised toe on his left foot was a little sore, but hoped he would be well enough to start Monday - just in time to face the league's top running game.

"You want to get some chemistry because I think with Big L (Leonard), he was just starting to come around," Beason said. "He was kind of developing that personality. It's tough when guys keep getting hurt."

Carolina's poor start comes after it was 2-0 at this point last year. The Panthers played 14 games in 2008 before a defensive starter was sidelined with an injury.

Not so in 2009, where strong safety Chris Harris (knee) has also missed the first two games. He returned to practice on a limited basis Thursday and could play against the Cowboys.

"We've been doing it since the preseason," coach John Fox said of the rash of injuries which also kept Beason and linebacker Thomas Davis out of much of training camp. "We'll keep battling through it and get the guys ready that we're going to have available."

Damione Lewis, Carolina's only veteran defensive tackle, could only chuckle as he saw another new teammate in his row of stalls in the locker room.

"He's kind of getting scheme overload right now, but I think he'll be fine," Lewis said of Burton, who has played in seven NFL games. "The one good thing is that Nick (Hayden) is going to be back this week."

But the Panthers usually rotate at least three defensive tackles during games, meaning either Burton or rookie Ra'Shon Harris, claimed off waivers from Pittsburgh on Sept. 6, will have to suit up against the Cowboys. Dallas, with running backs Marion Barber and Felix Jones, is averaging 184.5 yards rushing through the first two weeks.
"I really believe I can contribute to this team and help them get over that hump a little bit from that 0-2 start," said the 325-pound Burton, who played under defensive line coach Brian Baker in St. Louis.

The problems don't stop at defensive tackle. The ends haven't gotten a consistent pass rush and there's been poor tackling by the linebackers and secondary. The performance Sunday at Atlanta resembled the 2008 outfit that allowed 30 or more points in five of the final seven games.

That was supposed to change with the arrival of defensive coordinator Ron Meeks and his Cover-2 system. But the injury shuffling has caused a slow learning process.

Beason, who led the team in tackles the past two seasons and made the Pro Bowl in 2008, acknowledged he's sometimes thinking too much on the field.

"I've played better. I've played more consistent. I've made more plays," Beason said. "For me it's definitely frustrating. But I know for me it's a comfort level I need to develop. It's just going to come from watching more tape, studying my plays a little more. That way it's more instinctive."

So while the offense quickly recovered from Jake Delhomme's five-turnover nightmare against Philadelphia in Week 1, a defense using spare parts needs a similar turnaround.

"We still haven't played (together) as a whole starting unit yet," Lewis said. "It's kind of strange to be coming into the third week of the season and not have all your bullets in the gun."



(sportingnews.com)