Carolina Panthers head coach Matt Rhule hopes his team can generate pressure on Tom Brady in a Week 2 matchup with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Rhule, who made his head coaching debut this past weekend, stated his front seven has the talent to make plays in the backfield. But Rhule asked for his players to show more desire this week against Brady and the Bucs:
”We have to come up in crucial situations and get pressure,” Rhule said, via Steve Reed of the Associated Press. ”The biggest thing I took away from last week is we have guys who are more than capable but we have to be a little bit more tenacious, we have to hit pass rush moves and use our hands better. There are things we can correct.
”We have to get a four-man rush,” Rhule added. ”That is easier said than done.”
The Panthers did not have a single sack in the opener against the Las Vegas Raiders. Derek Carr had a pretty clean pocket, completing 22 of his 30 pass attempts.
In fact, Carolina failed to register a single quarterback hit on Carr, and the Raiders also rushed 31 times for 133 yards and three touchdowns.
On a more positive note, first-round draft pick Derrick Brown showcased some of his multi-dimensional skills from the tackle spot, finishing with three combined tackles—one for a loss—and a pass defended.
Brady has typically excelled in the absence of pressure, though he made a pair of ill-fated throws in his Buccaneers debut against the New Orleans Saints.
Still, Rhule understands his group cannot afford to Brady pick his team apart. He is hoping the guys up front can create better leverage and get in Brady's face on Sunday.
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