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Davis good fit for Panthers at weak-side linebacker
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Published: November 21, 2008
CHARLOTTE - Thomas Davis spent his first three seasons with the Carolina Panthers in search of a comfort zone.
Understandably so.
He bounced back and forth between safety and linebacker as rookie in 2005, became a full-time strong-side linebacker in 2006 ... and then was moved to weak-side linebacker this season.
But as the Panthers prepare for Sunday's game at Atlanta, it's clear that Davis has finally found that comfort zone.
He ranks second on the team with 89 tackles in 10 games, and he already has passed his total of 85 tackles in 16 games last season. He has combined for 23 tackles in the past two weeks, and he led the Panthers with 11 tackles in a 31-22 win over Detroit last Sunday.
"I'm more comfortable, and I'm very excited about it," Davis said yesterday. "I'm playing a lot better than I have in previous years, and our defense is playing well right now."
Davis sat out Wednesday's practice while nursing a minor ankle injury, but he was back on the field yesterday and said he would be ready to play Sunday.
Davis is quick to say he has benefitted greatly from moving from strong- to weak-side linebacker. He's now free to use his speed and athleticism in open spaces, instead of being lined up over the tight end.
The Panthers flipflopped their defensive ends and outside linebackers this season, with Na'il Diggs moving from the weak side to the strong side and Julius Peppers lining up primarily at right end. Defensive coordinator Mike Trgovac also has simplified the defense's approach to allow Peppers, Davis and others more freedom.
Besides his 89 tackles, Davis has 1½ sacks, two quarterback hurries, two forced fumbles and one fumble recovery. The fumble recovery set up a tying touchdown and eventual comeback victory against Arizona.
Davis figures that the biggest reason for his growth, though, is simply experience.
He split time between safety and linebacker at Georgia before the Panthers made him a first-round draft pick in 2005, so he's in just his third season as a full-time linebacker.
"I think it falls back on me becoming more comfortable playing linebacker and just going out and playing," Davis said. "You look at it, I have tried to get some of that safety mentality out of me, trying to react to the run first. It's making a world of difference. I'm able to get to the ball quicker, and being out in space and not being on the line of scrimmage has definitely helped me out."
Middle linebacker Jon Beason, who leads the Panthers with 102 tackles, said that Davis is playing more instinctively than he did in the past.
"I think every year you get a little more in tune to what's going on," Beason said. "He really has a good grasp of what's going on, and it's enabling him to play fast. And the coaches are doing a good job of letting him use his athletic ability and make plays. He really is a special guy."
It's also clear that Davis, Diggs and Beason have meshed as a linebacker corps in their second season together.
That, Davis said, has helped cover up some of the mistakes he does make.
"You know, we're not playing perfect games right now, but we're playing a lot better," he said. "We have chemistry on defense, so when we make a mistake. you have another guy stepping in and taking over for you. You have everybody running to the ball, and a lot of that is covering up some of the things that are negative. All in all, we're playing pretty good defense."
■ John Delong can be reached at jdelong@wsjournal.com.
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