Biggest offseason mistake...

[Khyber53]

Bernadeau is having a sophmore slump right now, something that's not unusual in pro football. He also came from a smaller school, so the opposition he's facing is tougher than he was used to. Last year, he came in and did well, but he was fresh and was facing defensive linemen who had three quarters of a season's worth of dents and dings.

He'll keep improving, there's a lot of room for it, but sticking with him will have its tough moments. Getting Jeff Otah back will elevate his game.

One area I really want to see him improve in is as a pulling guard. Our running backs need that and he needs to develop some quick feet.

We're hurting as a team now, but throwing him back on the bench won't do us any good in the long run.

Edit to add: Someone needs to hire Mr. Scott as assistant GM for the Panthers.

[Squirrel]

Understood, but truthfully what good's another receiver when the QB is constantly on his back or has someone in his face?

Yeah got to agree it all starts with the line.

[panthers55]

I don't think it was simply not securing a right guard although that is surely one of the problems. But the right guard situation is simple one of the manifestations of the problem which was dumping all the veterans. And even if you agree that the veterans were all old and over the hill, the issue is that you took most of last year's backups and made them starters without replacing the depth with players with experience. You took green backups, made them starters, and then put even greener guys in as the backups. You in fact made it hard to replace anyone who gets injured because you are going to be worse off at any position. Where the goal is to not have a big drop off if there are injuries, we experienced a drop off with our new starters and a drop off between the starters and the backups.

Just like we brought in Ed Johnson or Derek Landri as potential backups/starters, there were a bunch of guys available at guard and tackle. We thought we were good, which we weren't and the rest is history.

What do we do if Bernadeau gets hurts?? This doesn't even factor in the reality is that our O-line has been pretty dinged up over the last few years. Just another crappy decision among a number of very bad decisions.

[unicar15]

If Otah is healthy, RG is not an issue.

[Taom82]

The fact that we let go two of our "would have been starting" DTs tells me we just lost out on both sides of the line to the point that it's a toss up as to which was more fail.

Still not sure which has bit us ion the butt worse... no options broguht in for RG, or the options we did bring in for DT. We haven't controlled the trenches at all this season, which is a major part of why we're 0-4, and not better than the Lions.

Kemo was too much of a risk after the surgery to rely on starting and Lewis was never more than a rotational guy. The DLIne has been getting worse for more than just this offseason. Help from outside the team would have been nice, but I'd rather work with the younger guys then get killed twice by Kemo and Lewis. Once when they collect more paycheck than they're worth, and secondly when they go down injured and the kids are still playing.

[Big Ed]

STEELERS went out and picked up and old FLOZZEL who is looking good at

R T

Panthers could have should have

and then moved Schwartz to RG

I'm sure some older vet sitting at home would have loved one more season

Yes ,you have to give the young guys a chance to earn their shot.

BUT when your a run first team.......

You should be able to RUN FIRST......

[littlebigman89]

I think they really failed the QBs in two ways. They knew they were either going to have a guy with 8 career starts(Moore) or a rookie(Clausen). They should have brought in a veteran QB, maybe Jeff Garcia who is in the UFL, to mentor these guys. Teach them how to read an NFL defense. Also, not bringing in a veteran #2 receiver hurt. Having an inexperience QB throwing to inexperienced receivers is a disaster. Teams can load up against the run. No one is afraid of LaFell or Gettis.

[Stovewood]

A combination. If they got rid of Hoover they at least needed to improve the O-line.

[Seamonk]

I think it's that the entire right side is inexperienced. Last season, Bernardeau was shielded by Kalil and Wharton. On the other side, we had a veteran in Vincent helping Schwartz. Even for Otah in his rookie season, having vincent next to him helped a LOT. However with 2 guys new to each other on one side, both of which are struggling, the only one who can help is kalil, and he's gotta make bigger decisions to help Wharton or Bernardeau. And with the teams keying in on blitzing the gaps, it's becoming harder and harder.

I've noticed that teams are waiting until we bring a guy in motion to have someone blitz off the edge for any time we decide to go max protect. and just blitz the gaps whenever we don't.

[The Saltman]

not releasing DJ and picking up a wr in FA

[panther4life]

I miss Keydrick Vincent.

http://www.carolinahuddle.com/forum/newreply.php?do=newreply&p=2698373

[thefuzz]

I think they really failed the QBs in two ways. They knew they were either going to have a guy with 8 career starts(Moore) or a rookie(Clausen). They should have brought in a veteran QB, maybe Jeff Garcia who is in the UFL, to mentor these guys. Teach them how to read an NFL defense. Also, not bringing in a veteran #2 receiver hurt. Having an inexperience QB throwing to inexperienced receivers is a disaster. Teams can load up against the run. No one is afraid of LaFell or Gettis.

This is something that I have been worried about since the draft. I personally believe that we are stunting JC and MM's growth by not having an experienced QB to come in and help them.

I don't trust anyone in this coaching staff to develop WR's or QB's.

[blackcatgrowl]

I disagree.

No WR pickup from Free Agency would probably be my choice for worst decision. Especially in light of what we know now about DJ's drinking issues now. They were very hush hush about his first DUI (I had no idea this happened), but the Front Office had to have known about it, because he was in the NFL substance abuse program (at least that's what WBT reported this morning).

That, coupled with his poor performance on the field, should have seen him gone. And yet they kept him on the team. We should have been shopping Boldin... God our Front Office SUCKS.

[panthers55]

This is something that I have been worried about since the draft. I personally believe that we are stunting JC and MM's growth by not having an experienced QB to come in and help them.

I don't trust anyone in this coaching staff to develop WR's or QB's.

We actually paid one 12 million and booted him off the team.