Defensive coordinator Eric Washington’s work with the Carolina Panthers defensive line the past seven seasons helped earn him a promotion, even if his group was overlooked somewhat by NFL.com.
Washington, who took over the defense in January after Steve Wilks became Arizona’s head coach, oversaw a front four last season that included a pair of players with double-digit sacks in Julius Peppers and Mario Addison. (Jacksonville and the Chargers were the only other teams with two plays with 10 or more sacks.)
But an NFL.com writer was unmoved by the Panthers’ accomplishments, leaving them off a list of the league’s top eight defensive lines.