National Football League

Despite success, Panthers' defense not smiling

Published Oct. 22, 2010 5:41 a.m. ET

foxsports

It's hard to celebrate individual success when you aren't winning. So Panthers safety Charles Godfrey isn't gloating about his NFL-high four interceptions, and his defensive teammates remain low-key in a subdued locker room.

Yet despite Carolina's league-high 16 turnovers putting the defense in tough spots with short fields, the Panthers rank 12th in total defense and fifth against the pass.

Not bad for an 0-5 team.

''No, I'm not satisfied,'' Godfrey said. ''I think we can play better. We're giving up things here and there and good defenses don't do that.''

Carolina's offensive struggles - a league-low 10.4 points and 236 yards a game - are at the core of the franchise's worst start since 1998. And the turnovers have meant short fields for the defense. Eight of the 21 opponent scoring drives have started in Carolina territory.

In the Panthers' last game Oct. 10 against Chicago, the Bears' average starting field position was their own 40.

''My understanding is a great defense has to overcome that,'' Godfrey said. ''That's not an excuse for us. If we want to be a great defense, we have to be able to take those short fields and stop those guys from getting points.''

Sometimes the Panthers have. With Godfrey's career-high interception total leading the way, the Panthers have 12 takeaways, three off the league lead despite already having their bye week.

''Those plays come when you know what you're supposed to do,'' Godfrey said. ''Seeing the ball and wanting the ball. It's just like making a tackle.''

A defense that came on strong at the end of last season has looked solid minus a few gaffes under second-year coordinator Ron Meeks. While the Panthers have just seven sacks as they adjust to life without five-time Pro Bowl defensive end Julius Peppers, the linebackers and defensive backs are playing well and the Panthers are loaded with team speed.

James Anderson, who became the starting strongside linebacker after Na'il Diggs was released in the offseason veteran purge, has a team-best 59 tackles and two sacks.

''I feel like I'm blessed to have those opportunities,'' said Anderson, a third-round pick in 2006 who had started only 10 games before this season. ''I don't feel like I've done much different this year than I've done in years past. It's having an opportunity.''

The Panthers moved two-time Pro Bowl selection Jon Beason from middle to weakside linebacker after Thomas Davis' knee injury, and Dan Connor has 49 tackles in the middle.

Rookie Jordan Pugh started for the injured Sherrod Martin at safety against the Bears and had an interception. But that game also demonstrated the persistent frustration of the season.

The Panthers intercepted Todd Collins four times and limited him to a 6.2 passer rating, yet lost 23-6 after giving up a couple of long running plays early and watching the offense fail to get in the end zone.

Carolina held Super Bowl champion New Orleans to one touchdown and lost. The Panthers intercepted Carson Palmer twice but fell to Cincinnati.

''It's just frustrating being 0-5,'' Anderson said. ''There are things as a defensive team, things that we could have been better at, points we gave up we shouldn't have. All we can do is take care of the defense and try to get better.

''If we don't give any points, the worst thing we can do is tie.''

Maybe the best scenario would be to score on defense. The Panthers' lone non-offensive points came on a safety in Week 1 against the Giants. Those remain the only fourth-quarter points scored by Carolina all season.

''If we get an interception for a touchdown or a big sack-fumble, it can change the momentum of the game and really give our offense a spark,'' Anderson said.

Until then, there will be no celebrating.

''Happy is all relative,'' coach John Fox said Thursday when asked if he was pleased with the defense. ''They are showing steady improvement. I think we've definitely gotten better as we've gone. We need to continue to get better and find ways to win games.''