Reclamation project Addison aims to take Panthers defense to next level
CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- The Carolina Panthers have a long history of essentially finding players off the scrap heap and attempting to convert them into quality contributors.
More times than not, it doesn't work out.
On occasion, though, the Panthers will strike gold and come away with a solid player.
Like defensive end Mario Addison.
After bouncing around three different teams and a few practice squads over the last two years, Addison has found a home and significant playing time with the Panthers.
Last season, Addison, 27, finished second on the team in sacks (6.5), just two behind star defensive end Charles Johnson -- even though he's some 15 pounds lighter.
Addison was also second on the team in fumble recoveries (two) and third in tackles, among defensive ends.
"For me, I know what it takes for me to grow," says Addison. "Over the offseason, I prepared myself. I know since I don't have that big frame, I'm more of a speed rusher, and I've got to be good with my hands. I've got to keep pressure on these guys by using my hands, and I've got to use speed, because that's my big asset. That's what I bring to the D-line, speed."
Addison has been working on techniques that involve flipping his hips from one side to the other -- in order to keep the offensive lineman off balance.
He also worked on perfecting his go-to move.
"I can't tell the whole world," says Addison, jokingly, before explaining it. "My favorite move is the speed rush off the edge with the long arm. I beat him off the edge and get him on his heels and use his momentum against him and then counter inside."
He's come quite a long way from not even being drafted and being on practice squads. Now, Addison's worried about giving up his secrets to star offensive tackles.
After graduating high school in Alabama, Addison played two years at Northeast Mississippi Community College, before transferring to Troy (Ala.), a program known for producing quality football talent.
Addison started to blossom during his senior year at Troy, finishing second on the team with 15 tackles for loss and 11 sacks. He also had six tackles, three forced fumbles and one fumble recovery.
After going undrafted, Addison signed with Chicago. Three teams and 17 months later, the Panthers signed him off the Redskins' practice squad, with just a month left in the 2012 season.
Addison played in four games for Carolina and was invited to return the following training camp.
And he hasn't looked back.
"(My journey) was real hard, especially coming into the NFL with a broken hand from my senior year," Addison said. "Then being a free agent guy, it ain't easy. They don't have any money invested in you and they can just chop you like that (snaps fingers), whether you're good or not.
"And then when I got here, I told myself, 'I'm going to make this team no matter what.' Coach (Ron) Rivera and the rest of the coaches gave me an opportunity. That's all I wanted was an opportunity and I proved myself."
Now with Addison coming off his best season and looking for even better things, Addison feels it's time for the Panthers defense to do something special.
"We've got a lot of the missing pieces to last year's puzzle," he said. "If we put everything together like we know we can and like we know we are going to do, we're going to be a great defense.
"I see us top five this year."
