Panthers defense tries 3-4

CHARLOTTE -- Maybe it was a slow news day or the fact people are interested in hearing what the Panthers might try to fix their defense, but the use of a 3-4 scheme during Sunday's 31-17 loss at Atlanta dominated the talk Monday at Bank of America Stadium.

And how much did the Panthers use the alignment against the Falcons?

Exactly three plays.

Sunday was just a small wrinkle," defensive coordinator Sean McDermott said. "We'll see as we move forward how big that package becomes."

Panthers coach Ron Rivera ran the 3-4 as San Diego's defensive coordinator last year when the Chargers were No. 1 in the league in total defense. But he and McDermott worked together in Philadelphia under Jim Johnson, who employed an aggressive 4-3 scheme.

Rivera said at his introductory news conference in January he wanted the Panthers to show multiple looks on defense. McDermott said that was part of the appeal in coming to Carolina.

Rivera "feels very confident in the 3-4 and what it brings to the table. He knows its strengths and weaknesses, and has shared them with me," McDermott said. "That's part of the reason ... that I came down here - so we could get together and merge our systems together."

The biggest difference in the schemes is the 3-4's reliance on two outside linebackers in the 260- to 280-pound range to generate a pass rush from a different angle than in the 4-3.

The problem for the Panthers is they've built their defense for a 4-3, although the roster has been evolving. Antwan Applewhite, signed this month after San Francisco cut him, started 13 games at outside linebacker last season under Rivera in San Diego.

The Panthers also signed two defensive linemen - 325-pound Frank Kearse and 314-pound Ron Fields - built more in the mold of a 3-4 nose tackle, who must be big enough to take on double teams and keep blockers off the inside linebackers.

Applewhite and defensive end Charles Johnson lined up at outside linebacker for the three plays Sunday, while James Anderson and Dan Connor were the inside linebackers. Johnson, who had 11.5 sacks last season before signing a $76 million extension, is not opposed to getting out of a three-point stance.

"We only ran it a couple of times, but you can rush the passer a little bit better just by standing up," Johnson said. "You can see it better."

Given the Panthers' personnel - rookie defensive tackles Terrell McClain and Sione Fua seem better suited for a 4-3, for instance - the 3-4 might remain more of a wrinkle than the team's base defense.