James

Anderson

“He had that ankle that just constantly nagged him,” Rivera said. “And every day he was out there practicing, doing the best he can. I really thought he stepped up in terms of his career.” Anderson set a franchise record with 174 tackles, per coaches’ film review, breaking MLB Jon Beason’s mark of 169 set in 2009. Anderson will be a steal for his 2012 salary of $2.4 million.

It will be Sean McDermott’s second year as defensive coordinator, and he comes from the blitz-heavy Jim Johnson school. “I’m quite sure when coach McDermott gets his whole, full system in, you’ll see everybody going after the quarterback,” said Anderson. McDermott only had about five weeks to install his defensive last season, after the lockout ended in late July.

Jon Beason will stay in the middle for now, and Rotoworld draft analyst Josh Norris believes they’re Kuechly and Beason’s “best positions.” Though a sure tackler, Kuechly isn’t a thumper like Beason and should excel in more of a flow-to-the-action role. Thomas Davis will return as a backup only, for now. James Anderson remains entrenched as the starting strong-side linebacker.

Kuechly was drafted because he was the highest-rated player on Carolina’s board at No. 9. With WLB Thomas Davis (ACL surgery) and MLB Jon Beason (Achilles) coming back from major injuries, Kuechly’s position may be determined by need. Long term, SLB James Anderson shouldn’t rest easily. His contract numbers are high for a two-down linebacker.

Anderson was forced from practice, and the Panthers are already tissue-paper thin at linebacker. Rivera does believe Anderson, the team’s leading tackler, will end up being “fine” for Sunday’s game against the Titans.

Sam ‘backer James Anderson will kick inside on passing downs. Connor is a beastly run defender, but the Panthers believe his cover skills are suspect. It’s a bit of a blow to Connor’s IDP value, though it certainly helps that opponents will attack Carolina with the run. He should rack up tackles inside.

For now at least, he’ll replace Nick Roach at strong-side linebacker, with D.J. Williams in the middle and Lance Briggs continuing to hold down the weak side. Anderson, 29, was a March salary cap casualty after back-to-back brutal seasons in Carolina, particularly as a run defender. Bears GM Phil Emery should continue to add talent at linebacker via April’s draft.

The cap-strapped Panthers are making some tough decisions. Although Anderson was due a relatively meager $2.9 million in 2013, he’s entering his age-30 season and managed 38 tackles in 12 games last season. Jon Beason is expected to kick to the strong-side linebacker spot now that Luke Kuechly is entrenched in the middle. The five-year, $22 million contract the Panthers gave Anderson in 2011 was another disaster from former GM Marty Hurney.

Anderson is locked in a battle with Dan Connor for the starting gig. We like Connor to eventually emerge victorious as the better run stuffer, but this competition could go well into camp.

Anderson, 31 in September, led Chicago in tackles last season (102) as a 16-game starter on the outside. He’s his best as a coverage linebacker in nickel packages, and will give New England options behind MLB Jerod Mayo and WLB Jamie Collins. SLB Dont’a Hightower comes off the field on most passing downs.