Get to the spot. G2X. Simple as that.

If you really it boil it down, that's what Panthers second-year defensive coordinator Eric Washington has been about since he came to Carolina as defensive line coach in 2011.

That's been the foundation for success on defense.

No matter how you slice it, the Panthers didn't get there enough last season. Carolina has grown accustomed to finishing in the top five in the NFL in sacks, not the bottom five. The Panthers ranked 27th with 35 sacks a year ago.

So when asked after a recent training camp practice where he wants to see the most improvement year-over-year, Washington had his answer ready.

"Our ability to consistently affect the quarterback," he said. "And that'll help our overall cause."

The additions to the roster speak to that objective. Defensive tackle Gerald McCoy and edge rusher Bruce Irvin added via free agency. Edge rushers Brian Burns and Christian Miller added via the draft.

Oh, and there's the switch to a 3-4 base in an effort to get more speed and more multiple looks on the field.

"I see us doing exactly what we need to do with the emphasis that was made during our offseason and how things have gone so far," Washington said. "Our practices are getting more physical, we're faster and we've been more decisive with our assignments. We're making progress."

The Panthers have set a very high standard on defense during Ron Rivera's tenure. Washington takes a lot of pride in helping to establish that. And he knows what's expected defensively after a challenging season, one in which Rivera took over play-calling duties.

"We want the fans to really be excited about the impact we have as a defense when we take the field. We're conscious and aware of all those things. And most importantly, we're willing to work for it," Washington said.