In a game in which the Carolina Panthers kept Tom Brady and the New England Patriots to three points in the first half, including two plays that ended inside the Panthers’ 30 yard line – it wasn’t surprising that Luke Kuechly and Shaq Thompson had big games. When the Panthers defense plays well, you can usually expect Kuechly to be in the middle of it – but tonight, there were excellent performances from oft-overlooked players like Bryan Cox, Jr and Lorenzo Doss in addition to rookies Donte Jackson and Rashaan Gaulden.
Let’s take a gander at what some of the team had to say about their defensive performance following the win.
Ron Rivera on Cox, Jr and Marquis Haynes: When you watch what they did, and you see the things that they do, they bring some energy to the group.
They’re very explosive guys, quick off the ball. Bryan Cox did some really nice things in the run game as well; Marquis Haynes is a guy that can give us some pass rush, some edge rush. Again, both young guys are doing great for us, and we will continue to evaluate.
Marquis Haynes: I feel like my first three games have been progressing. I’m getting better and better each game. The coaches see it – Mario and some of the veterans, they see it. I’ve got to keep on contributing what I can and keep on improving. Speed kills. I got to learn how to use my speed to my full potential. I’ve got the fastest get off and I’ve got to be able to use that to affect the quarterback and affect offensive tackles.
Luke Kuechly on Shaq Thompson: Shaq’s a stud and I think we’ve all known that. It’s just when you have Thomas in front of you, it’s tough but
Shaq’s played well when he has played at linebacker. You look at it in ’16, he played at linebacker quite a bit and then he has played for Thomas and I in a couple spots and has always played well. He’s around the ball, he’s active, he’s really smart and I think that’s something that he doesn’t get enough credit for. He really understands the game, the defense, he can play all four spots and he’s a luxury that we have had for the last few years and he’s actually going to have an opportunity to really get out there and play some ‘backer this year.
Ron Rivera on Donte Jackson and Rashaan Gaulden: I was pretty excited about them. We did some things I think we could’ve done better as a whole. I think we had to give them a little more tools too as far as the game plan was concerned. After we get a chance to really look at it, I’ll be able to assess it better. I thought the things that Donte [Jackson] did are the types of things that you want to give yourself an opportunity to make plays out there. I thought Rashaan [Gaulden] did some nice things. I thought again his ability to see the field and move and put himself in position showed. He still has a long way to
go. He’s a young guy that does some good things though. I like how he came up inside a couple times on the run, and I also liked how he controlled some of the communications that went on out there. We made a check and he got Mike Adams back, and he came down and fit the box nicely. Again, those young guys really stepped up and did some nice things.
Kuechly on how the team will deal with Davis’ suspension: Yeah, we are going to miss having Thomas. Thomas is the leader of our room, he’s the leader of this team. We are going to miss having him around. Shaq will do an excellent job, but when Thomas gets back, he’s going to be hungry and he’s going to be fresh. So I’m sure he’s going to be working his butt off those four weeks he’s off but Shaq is the luxury that we’ve had – with Thomas not here, it’s going to be a bummer. You always miss a guy like Thomas in the locker room, at practice, in the meeting rooms, on the field – he’s a guy that’s very difficult to replicate. His presence is felt wherever he is at and we’re going to miss him, I’m going to miss him. But Shaq will do a good job and our guys will step up and then Thomas will come back fresh after he is able to come back.
