An analysis of how the Carolina Panthers distributed playing time among linebackers during the 2014 season.
Analysis: That middle linebacker Luke Kuechly and outside linebacker Thomas Davis led the defense in snap counts shouldn't come as a surprise. They also led the team in tackles, Kuechly with an NFL-best 153 and Davis with 100. They are the heart and soul of this defense that finished in the top 10 in the league for the third straight year. Whether the Panthers are in a base 4-3 scheme or nickel package, they seldom come off the field. The snaps also show how injuries impacted the other outside linebacker position. A.J. Klein was the starter with Chase Blackburn spelling him before injuries sidelined both. Adarius Glanton filled in nicely down the stretch when the Panthers made a playoff run. But the snap count of those three combined are below 50 percent, showing just how much nickel Carolina played.
