SPARTANBURG, S.C. — Panthers coach Ron Rivera learned a long time ago from defensive innovator Buddy Ryan that you'd better go into a game ready to adjust to what an offense throws at you.
That's one of the reasons Carolina plans to install even more 3-4 wrinkles — three linemen and four linebackers — this season to go along with their regular base 4-3 defensive scheme. The Panthers finished 28th in the league in points allowed last season.
Rivera says the 3-4 defense "adds a little bit of doubt in people's minds" and "you can start with a 4-3 base and move into things and create some situations for your opponents."
And, he hopes, turnovers.
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Carolina managed just 24 takeaways last season, a number Rivera wants to see improve in 2012.