SI looks at the Panthers

[LinvilleGorge]

I'm significantly more concerned with our secondary given our injury issues than I am our pass rush. I'm also concerned about our lack of proven production at receiver. Hell, I might be more concerned with our run D than our pass rush.

 

[Pup McBarky]

I also don't think our pass rush will be a weakness. Stopping the run game may be, though I know Evero stresses that. Our secondary could be a weakness, that just depends on several factors. I honestly don't see any glaring weaknesses provided our coaches are as good as advertised and Young is as well. I think we're a year or two away from making serious noise.

[thunderraiden]

1 hour ago, ladypanther said:

What did they mean by a "negative game script?"

Playing from behind, abandoning the run, passing to get baxk in the lead and typically forcing throws (Panthers football for the last three years). They are saying we rely on the run to set up the pass, which we do, and with a rookie qb we could be playing from behind a lot as they learn to consistently convert on third downs and when we play against teams with a robust and fast paced passing game will find ourselves down. I find it plausible but the writer did a terrible job explaining.

Edited June 14, 2023 by thunderraiden

[joemac]

2 hours ago, Mr. Scot said:

From the article:

Biggest gamble this offseason: Taking Bryce Young

If Young can withstand the rigors of NFL life, his ability should be enough to make the Panthers a tough out. He has talent around him in veteran receivers Adam Thielen, DJ Chark and Terrace Marshall Jr., along with running back Miles Sanders.

But if Young succumbs to injuries, many will wonder whether Carolina made a mistake by taking him instead of the larger C.J. Stroud out of Ohio State.

Toughest stretch of the season: Weeks 3 to 6

After a pair of division games against the Falcons and Saints to begin the season, the Panthers will head cross-country to take on the Seahawks before coming back to Bank of America Stadium for a date with the Vikings. In Weeks 5 and 6, it’s a pair of road tilts against the Lions and Dolphins, two teams expected to fight for their respective division titles.

If Carolina can go 2–2 in that stretch, it’ll be well positioned.

Breakout player to watch: OT Ickey Ekwonu

After some early-season inconsistency, Ekwonu became one of the league’s best rookies over the course of 2022.

He’s now tasked with handling Young’s blindside. Last year Ekwonu earned praise from Pro Football Focus, being given a grade of 92.1 against the defensively loaded 49ers, the highest grade for any offensive tackle to that point in the campaign.

At 6'4" and 230 pounds, Ekwonu has the size and athleticism to be a top left tackle in the league for the next decade. Don’t be surprised if he pushes for his first Pro Bowl this year.

Position of strength: Secondary play

The Panthers will face some weak quarterbacks in the NFC South this year, and a strong secondary should take full advantage.

Carolina is well stocked with young talent, including 2021 first-round corner Jaycee Horn, alongside veteran Donte Jackson. The duo is one of the NFC’s best and is backed by an excellent safety tandem in free-agent addition Vonn Bell and fourth-year man Jeremy Chinn.

Position of weakness: Pass rush

Carolina has one of the league’s most explosive pass rushers in Brian Burns, but who is going to be a complement to him?

Looking at the depth chart, it’s a tough answer to figure. This offseason, the Panthers signed Shy Tuttle to play on the interior, but he has just four sacks in as many years. Henry Anderson is another player up front who does little to reach the passer, notching zero sacks last year and only 11 across seven seasons. Yetur Gross-Matos is a 2020 second-round pick, but he’s been a disappointment as well with just 8.5 sacks in three campaigns.

X-factor: How ready is Young?

There’s no other question here. We’ve seen plenty of rookie quarterbacks struggle throughout their first years before becoming perennial Pro Bowlers. We’ve also seen men like Matt Ryan and Lamar Jackson lead their teams to the playoffs right away.

Best bet: Bryce Young will go over 3500.5 passing yards

The Panthers’ run game will open things up for the young passer, who could often be playing in a negative game script. Chark, Thielen, Marshall and Jonathan Mingo have enough talent to help get this done. —Jennifer Piacenti, SI Betting

Final record: 10–7, first in NFC South

LETS fuging GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

[rayzor]

1 hour ago, Newtcase said:

Playing from behind, a lot of passing.

which doesn't make a whole lot of sense because he has us finishing with a 10-7 record and winning the south. 

...unless he thinks we'll be having a lot of come from behind wins.

[Khyber53]

They're more optimistic in their endorsement than I am, but I can't argue with their logic except for the take on our secondary -- a lot of that is going to depend on if Jaycee Horn can get and stay healthy.

Let's face it, though, it has been a looooooong time since there was any real optimism  here, from the fanbase to the national coverage. It could take us a while to get used to it.

I'm willing to try.

[kungfoodude]

46 minutes ago, rayzor said:

which doesn't make a whole lot of sense because he has us finishing with a 10-7 record and winning the south. 

...unless he thinks we'll be having a lot of come from behind wins.

I mean, I would be floored with that. Talk about setting a good identity.

[rayzor]

36 minutes ago, kungfoodude said:

I mean, I would be floored with that. Talk about setting a good identity.

from what i've seen from Young, it would make sense. i mean i could see him being that guy.

[KSpan]

3 hours ago, Wolfcop said:

Our secondary absolutely will be a strength IF they stay healthy. Some are underestimating the addition of Bell. That back 4 is strong when they are all on the field. 

Weakness I see is that Woods is the closest thing we have to a true FS, but even then he's more of a hybrid type. Bell is a solid player but definitely an SS, and Chinn and Woods are already both SS types. IMO they really need a true FS type to round out that secondary, and it's been a historical problem for Carolina, where the safeties have always been average or worst. 

There's Minter, then Deon Grant, then maybe Charles Godfrey, then a bunch of one-year wonders, then nothing. That's a sorry positional history for a 30 yr old team.

Edited June 14, 2023 by KSpan

[mrcompletely11]

not sure what thread to put this in but here is a podcast from the ringer talking about the nfc south

their rankings

1.  Falcons

2. Saints

3. Panthers

4. Tampa

 

They think the Falcons upgraded on defense and their staff is really good and their offense will be really hard to deal with.

The Saints still have talent and Carr is a good enough qb to win games

When they talk about us its basically a "who fuging knows" in regards to Bryce.   They just dont know how to view us or him due to him being an outlier.

 

They totally LOL at tampa

 

Worth a quick listen

https://www.theringer.com/2023/6/13/23758923/2023-nfl-power-rankings-nfc-south

 

Maybe we should have a one catch all thread for upcoming team/division previews.

[ickmule]

I think he meant 7-10. 

[LinvilleGorge]

7 hours ago, KSpan said:

Weakness I see is that Woods is the closest thing we have to a true FS, but even then he's more of a hybrid type. Bell is a solid player but definitely an SS, and Chinn and Woods are already both SS types. IMO they really need a true FS type to round out that secondary, and it's been a historical problem for Carolina, where the safeties have always been average or worst. 

There's Minter, then Deon Grant, then maybe Charles Godfrey, then a bunch of one-year wonders, then nothing. That's a sorry positional history for a 30 yr old team.

Honestly, Deon Grant is the only decent true FS we've ever had and we just let him walk after his rookie contract.

[jb2288]

6’4 230 lmao 

[Barney]

I think the writer totally ignored that we are running a 3-4 this year in his comments about the defense and pressuring the QB.