Are Offensive Woes as Bad as They Say?

So today’s common theme is going to be “where is the offense?”. Looking at the early (early, early, early) assessments, by some accounts we are showing the best defense in the league (this is a preseason standard, nothing more). So if this is true, I sincerely hope that the coaches keep up the consistency.

Offense does seem to be having some problems. Big Problems. I remember the Vikings game in Minnesota in 2008, when it seemed like it was rapidly becoming a laundry fest. That came to mind Saturday night when Jimmy Clausen had (finally) moved the offense into the Red Zone and was setting up to score. Then it just seemed that the offensive line was not going to let that happen: three consecutive false start penalties pushed Carolina right out of the endzone.

What was so bad about it; this was at Bank of America Stadium, not some far-off, noisy venue. This was in our house. Carolina’s biggest problem offensively has become needless mental mistakes. It is looking more and more like this is keeping us out of the endzone more than any opposing defense, or better put just as much. Hopefully this will be worked out very soon. Hopefully by Thursday night. The Last I heard, Heinz Field is a noisy place and the fans there are somewhat passionate about there team. Until they can get this fixed, I think questions about the No. 2 wide receiver are moot.

Just a note: At this point, wanna guess who the Panthers leading WR is? Here is a hint. He is a project player. I am willing to be patient with him.

To answer your question, Mr. Ditka: As I anxiously awaited the first pre-season game, during the pre-game Mike Ditka asked,”where is the Panthers’ defensive line?” I think he has been answered.

Are the Special Teams fixed?: While it seemed improved, I am not sold that the problems have been fixed, so I would not say the Panthers are out of the woods, yet. I do hope they manage to keep Mike Goodson healthy.

The Commitee is in session: I see one question going into this coming season: What would you rather have on your Defensive Line? One “big name” that keeps the attention of his agent and offensive coaches, or a handful of solid guys who are driven by a desire to succeed? Hopefully we have a sincere answer to that question by season’s end.

Okay. that was just a few random thoughts following a good win last night.