Week 1 pregame slants
My thoughts on the Panthers heading into week 1 of the 2024 campaign...and food!
THE BIG SLANT
Is Bryce Young the long term answer at quarterback?
That is the question the Carolina Panthers organization must know the answer to before the 2024 season concludes.
Perhaps that question seems insane given what the Panthers gave up to the Chicago Bears on March 10, 2023 to acquire the No. 1 overall pick to ultimately select Young.
The Panthers hope that a stable coaching environment, personnel upgrades on the interior offensive line and at wide receiver will give Young a better chance to succeed.
If Young replicates his disastrous 2023 season, the Panthers would be foolish to not consider moving on from him. The worst thing any football team can do is to stick with or double down on a bad investment.
Unlike 2024, the Panthers still own their first round draft pick for 2025. If the Panthers earn the first or second pick, they must consider a reset at the quarterback position. They wouldn’t necessarily need to draft a quarterback in April if they sign one that could be available in free agency.
Each day that goes by without a deal, Dak Prescott inches closer to being a free agent in March. The Dallas Cowboys cannot tag him. Sure, Prescott has his faults but he would provide stability at the quarterback position. You know what you’re getting. It’s a possibility that the Panthers must strongly consider if Young shows he isn’t the guy.
On Sunday, Young will begin his quest to prove that he is the guy. If he shows he can succeed in a stable environment, kudos to him. If he flounders again, the Panthers must move on.
GAME SLANT
As offensive coordinator in Tampa Bay last season, Dave Canales operated with 6 offensive linemen or two or more tight ends 27 percent of the time, which ranked 17th in the league.
Meanwhile, the Panthers only did that 10 percent of the time, which was 30th. Those stats are courtesy of Aaron Schatz’s FTN Football Almanac 2024.
It’s safe to assume that Canales would like to utilize more 12 personnel this season. However, that could be a problem on Sunday. Veterans Ian Thomas and Tommy Tremble will miss the game due to injury. That leaves the tight end room with rookies Ja’Tavion Sanders and Messiah Swinson (just signed this week) and veteran Jordan Matthews.
Matthews is the lone veteran of the group, but he’s a converted tight end. With an inexperienced tight end group, I’ll be curious to see how Canales deploys his tight ends on Sunday.
Sanders has a massive opportunity on Sunday to show he can be the most reliable receiving threat at the position since Greg Olsen was on the team.
The Panthers must find a way to start fast against the Saints. The fan base down there is not going to be patient with Derek Carr and Dennis Allen. If the Panthers can jump on the Saints early, the home crowd will turn hostile to their own quickly.
THE PARKER PARLAY
If you choose to gamble on the game Sunday, do so responsibly and don’t let it ruin your mood.
I placed a small wager for the game on Sunday via DraftKings Sportsbook.
THE MENU
Football and wings are an undefeated combo on game days. I’m firing up the Traeger and will cook up some smoked cajun wings with homemade ranch and bleu cheese for dipping. We’ll also have chips, salsa, cheese dip and more. I’ll have a recap on Monday, with photos of course!