Yes, things can always get worse
Some quick slants on the Derrick Brown injury, the decision to defer and forgetting to run the ball
The phrase “it can’t get any worse” should never be used when it comes to the Carolina Panthers.
Sunday and Monday should remind everyone that things can always get worse, especially with this franchise.
After getting their clocks cleaned in New Orleans on Sunday, the Panthers learned on Monday that Derrick Brown has a meniscus injury and could potentially miss the season.
As if things weren’t bad enough for this franchise, losing one of their few stalwart players will make things harder than ever.
Jim Harbaugh and the Los Angeles Chargers will come to town on Sunday. You can bet the Panthers will see heavy doses of that run attack after giving up 180 yards on the ground to the Saints.
The Panthers are 6.5 point underdogs to the Chargers at DraftKings Sportsbook as of Monday evening.
WHY DEFER?
I understand that the norm in today’s NFL is for the team that wins the coin toss to defer the opening kick. I certainly understand the strategy. However, the Panthers should’ve taken the ball in that situation on Sunday.
For starters, the Panthers spent $70 million dollars of guaranteed money on two offensive guards in free agency.
Dave Canales talked about being stubborn with the run game at various points during the offseason.
New Orleans is one of the loudest venues in the entire NFL. Taking the ball to start the game would’ve given the Panthers an opportunity to impose their will on the Saints from the get go.
It’s no secret that the Saints faithful isn’t exactly thrilled with the direction of their team. The Panthers had an opportunity to get that crowd antsy and angry from the start and passed on it, not exactly a dawg mentality.
Of course there’s no guarantee they would’ve scored any points and it’s possible Bryce Young would’ve thrown an interception in that situation.
However, the Panthers got down quickly and never recovered.
The Panthers coaches have to know where their strengths are as a team. This defense doesn’t have the playmakers it did a season ago. If they get another opportunity to take the ball at the start of a game, they should do it.
SPEAKING OF RUNNING THE BALL
Of all the things that were disappointing on Sunday, the Panthers abandoning the run game early ranks way up there after all the talk we heard about it in the offseason.
To run the ball only 10 times in the first half was highly questionable, even with how things snowballed.
Sunday’s game against the Chargers should be an old school affair. Chuba Hubbard should get the ball early and often on Sunday.