Game Tape Shows Kony Ealy Not Ready to Help a Porous Panthers Defense

The Carolina Panthers desperately need second-round pick Kony Ealy to step up. Unfortunately, the rookie defensive end isn't ready for an expanded role. 

The organization isn't in a position to bring Ealy along slowly, though, with both Greg Hardy and Frank Alexander out of the lineup for the foreseeable future.

The defense originally expected to receive a boost this weekend from Alexander's return. The defensive end was forced to sit out the first four games after violating the NFL’s substance-abuse policy. Alexander didn't have an opportunity to play one snap before being slapped with another 10-game suspension for a second infraction, as reported by the Panthers' Twitter account. 

Hardy, meanwhile, is currently on the exempt/commissioner's permission list as he awaits a jury trial which is slated to begin Nov. 17. The Panthers aren't expecting their prized pass-rusher to return this season. 

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It then falls on Charles Johnson, Wes Horton, Mario Addison and Ealy to set the tone along the defensive line for the Panthers to play close to the level they did on defense last season. While Johnson and Horton are the team's starters, Ealy has the potential to take his game to another level and partially fill the void left by Hardy and Alexander.

Early indications, however, are that Ealy can't come close to providing the type of impact needed at defensive end. 

Through three games, the rookie received 77 snaps. He's essentially played one game so far based on the time he's actually been on the field. Yet expectations are very different for a high draft pick at a position which has been decimated by off-the-field issues. 

During those limited opportunities, Ealy made two tackles and one quarterback hit. The defensive end, who Bleacher Report rated as a Top 10 talent for May's NFL draft, hasn't shown the flashes needed as the Panthers defense crumbles without edge pressure provided by Hardy and Alexander.

Below are good and bad examples of Ealy's play during the Panthers' previous contest against the Baltimore Ravens. It was Ealy's best effort through his first three games, according to Pro Football Focus (subscription required), and it was still underwhelming. 

Let's keep in mind this wasn't a rookie going against an established veteran right tackle. Ricky Wagner is a second-year pro who is in his first season as a full-time starter. 

Wagner set the tone early. During Ealy's first snap of the contest, the right tackle manhandled the defensive end.  

Credit: NFL Game Rewind

Once Ealy fired off the ball, his shoulders were easily turned, instead of staying parallel to the line of scrimmage, and Wagner was able to drive the defensive lineman nearly two yards to his right and open a gaping cutback lane. 

Ealy nearly redeemed himself during the very next play. 

Credit: NFL Game Rewind.

Panthers defensive coordinator Sean McDermott decided to send a linebacker blitz off the edge. Ealy was asked to stunt to the B-gap (area between the center and tackle).

The defensive end caught All-Pro right guard Marshal Yanda off balance with an arm-over which allowed him to get a hit on Baltimore Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco. It was a three-step drop by the quarterback, though, which allowed him to get rid of the ball before Ealy could register the sack. 

When Ealy moved and was decisive with his pass-rushing move, he cleanly beat a very good offensive lineman. However, it was the only time he showed that type of potential all afternoon. 

Examples are provided below which show Ealy going against Wagner when the offensive tackle is asked to deep-set and the quarterback is dropping further back in the pocket. 

Two problems quickly became evident.

Credit: NFL Game Rewind

First, Ealy struggled after attempting his first pass-rushing move. If he was stoned by Wagner, he couldn't counter. It's impossible to rush the passer with any type of consistency if a defensive lineman doesn't develop any countermoves. Ealy has yet to show the ability to use his hands effectively this season. 

Credit: NFL Game Rewind

An inability to counter an offensive lineman's initial punch is compounded by the fact Ealy regularly gave up his chest and allowed the blocker to shoot his hands first. As seen above, Wagner was easily able to keep his hands high and tight and control Ealy throughout the play. 

Those problems extend to the running game, where Ealy wasn't disengaging from blocks to make plays. Since the Ravens are a predominantly zone-blocking team, Wagner also used the defensive end's momentum to take the Missouri product completely out of the play. 

Credit: NFL Game Rewind

Ravens running back Lorenzo Taliaferro chose the lane directly in front of him, but Ealy completely lost backside contain responsibilities. He can't allow the offensive tackle to simply wall him off upfield. The defensive end's responsibilities are to work across the blocker's face and scrape to where the ball is going. Ealy did none of those things in the previous example. 

There was one instance when the young defensive end made a tackle by doing exactly what he was supposed to do. 

Credit: NFL Game Rewind

Ealy was initially scooped by the tight end, which allowed the blocker to gain leverage on the defensive end's inside shoulder. However, the young defender correctly squeezed the gap and continued to work down the line of scrimmage. Ealy's hustle helped stop the play for a one-yard gain. 

It was Ealy's only tackle of the game. 

Panthers general manager Dave Gettleman saw enough in Ealy to spend the 60th overall pick in May's draft on the defensive end. But Ealy is not ready to take on added responsibilities in the defense. If the Panthers want improved play from their defensive ends, Johnson, Horton and Addison need to step up and make a difference. 

Brent Sobleski covers the NFC South for Bleacher Report. Follow him on Twitter.