CHARLOTTE – Kawann Short became the first Panthers defensive tackle to win NFC Defensive Player of the Week after recording two sacks, five total tackles and one pass defensed in Carolina's comeback win at the Seattle Seahawks. "He played very well," head coach Ron Rivera said. "He was disruptive. He held the point very nicely and he made plays. He benefited very greatly from the other guys around him as well."
Short gave credit to his fellow defensive linemen for allowing him to make plays. He'd put plenty of pressure on quarterbacks in previous games, but Short finally notched his first two sacks of the season against Seattle quarterback Russell Wilson.
"It felt real good," Short said. "As a defensive lineman, that's what you strive to get is sacks and (tackles for loss).
"We were disciplined and we knew (Wilson) was going to be the difference maker in that game. We just had to contain him and keep him in the pocket."
After playing his best game of the season, defensive coordinator Sean McDermott is eager to see how Short builds on it.
"He understands the game. He plays smart football. He puts time in during the week and he's prepared to play," McDermott said. "He's got slippery hips and he works his hands in the pass game. And yet he's powerful in the run game. I think his best football is ahead of him."
