Could sense the “energy” in defense against Browns

And on Wednesday, even without Derrick Brown on the field (resting a mild rib/oblique issue), it looked like the progress was substantial.

The Panthers held up well against a good Browns offensive line and were stouter inside than they had looked in some time. Last year, long after Derrick Brown was hurt, but when other attrition took hold, they allowed over 200 rushing yards in each of the last six games, which sparked the aggressive moves in free agency.

“I think just having that mentality of just stopping the run, being physical up front, making the tackles that we need to make,” Moehrig said of the run defense on display against the Browns. “I mean, going against our guys or somebody else, we always will have to have that mentality to stop the run, to get things done the way we need to do it.”

Panthers head coach Dave Canales hadn’t gotten a close eye on that side of the practice fields when he talked to reporters, since he was busy running the offensive side.

But he said he passed defensive coordinator Ejiro Evero during a break, and got a positive first report.

“Can’t wait to watch it,” Canales said. “I just fist bumped E, and he said it went pretty good.”