by Ray GlierFiled under: Panthers, NFC South
Jon Beason's season began with the usually nice Jon Gruden, the coach turned TV analyst, ridiculing the way Beason was playing outside linebacker for the Carolina Panthers. It was an NFL exhibition game, not exactly a showcase venue where veterans are judged on the merits of their ability.Beason took slight offense, then brushed it off, and went about his business, which was once again being the hub of the Panthers' defense. This week, Beason was picked for the Pro Bowl for the third time, which was a nice feat considering the Panthers' 2-14 season.
Beason, 26, replaces the Chicago linebacker Lance Briggs on the NFC roster. He was a first-team Pro Bowl player in 2008 and alternate in 2009.
He did more than make tackles. While the offense had some snipers aimed at the play of quarterback Jimmy Clausen, Beason and the defense held up through the first half of the season, despite running out onto the field every fourth snap of the ball because the Carolina offense could not move the chains.
Finally, the defense buckled. Some of that had to do with an injury to middle linebacker Dan Connor, who was playing fearlessly at the position, if not always well.
When Connor went down, Beason went back to the middle of the defense, which he prefers. Beason played outside linebacker when Thomas Davis went down with an injury. He played well in space and handled himself on the edge of the defense.
Linebacker could be a strength of the Panthers next season with Connor, Beason, and Davis.
The Charlotte Observer reported this week that Connor ran for the first time since hip surgery. He was put on injured reserve after suffering a bone chip in a November game at St. Louis.
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Source: http://nfl.fanhouse.com/2011/01/25/jon-beason-replaces-lance-briggs-on-nfc-bowl-squad/
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