‘Elite’ status for Panthers starts with defense vs. Cowboys, Falcons

Admitting I’ve just begun to follow Atlanta and New Orleans- like many writers who don’t examine Carolina Panthers strengths closely- isn’t fatal, and I *always* worry about Brees. When they had a defense of any quality he won a Super Bowl, and if RB Alvin Kamara wasn’t just a one-year TD machine, well, that’s when we find out if Carolina defense is as elite as they’ve looked against Dolphins and Patriots.

I don’t know who ATL might plug into position Dontari Poe occupied, but he’s a Panther now, and his addition to the defense is going to make things rough—the man more than fills a gap. Shaq Thompson will get full time minutes early with Davis’ suspension, the expectation is he continues his progress after a studly preseason and first four games. Keeping Julius Peppers and Mario Addison (11 sacks each) in the mix with Kawann Short and Poe has to make defensive coordinator Eric Washington feel good, even if NFL.com didn’t see what local writers see.

It seems like negativity regarding Panthers comes from most other ‘experts’ I’ve seen- many will never like Newton is a fact– and its understood those opinions don’t usually come from Charlotte writers who watch the process more closely. Having gone to one day of training camp in (somewhat memorable) sweltering end of July heat wouldn’t change any of my or their opinions about Panther personnel, although looking at draft class Hurney put together (Moore, Jackson, Gaulden, Thomas) from then to now, it wasn’t putting on patches, it was finding starters capable of really moving the needle results-wise.

Newton hits 64% of his attempts, gets on right side of 4,000 yards where elite QBs should be, and throws UP balls in red zone enough for announcers to say, “It’s coming, see if it can be stopped.”

No sense saying ‘Mission Accomplished’ until there have been some real games played, but there’s a better product offensively for sure. Despite what Pittsburgh did to Carolina secondary, 2018 won’t be a repeat of three rookie corners in 2016.

Specific free agents (Jarius Wright, Torrey Smith) that cemented speed needs got handled, and Damiere Byrd and Curtis Samuel will get touches that count coming off training camps that showed why team wanted them. Samuel has several 20-yd. plus catches in preseason, he makes adjustments on tough grabs, and chews up yardage quickly. Downfield blocking by fellow receivers could make everyone a factor more dangerous.—D.J. Moore is as tough to get on ground as McCaffrey, Samuel and Byrd are jets.

Panthers added an offensive lineman after cutdowns (for a 7^th round pick in 2020) because things were a little thin there. That RT Daryl Williams might be ready-available for season opener made life a whole lot easier on O-line maneuvering. Good that Brendan Mahon made the squad as free agent, Panthers might have gotten ‘another Norwell’ if he becomes a starter at guard.

Really, you take #7 defense and add the speed in secondary that was obviously missing last year, plus a measure of good thoughts for what Turner might have accomplished as a QB whisperer with Newton, you *have* to have something better.

• As often as I’ve called for putting some air under his throws so fast guys can go get ’em– especially jump balls—that’s mitigated by seeing Cam throw back-shoulder stuff to Funchess, where laser throws are necessary. He is making decisions more quickly, so if a quick flip to Anderson or McCaffrey (Artis-Payne is a capable receiver too) gets the desired result without the start-stop indecisiveness about running Newton sometimes struggled with, that would be good.
• Funchess is going to be motivated by this new offense and potential paychecks- 1,200 receiving yards and double-digit TDs (from 847/8) could make him a rich person.
• McCaffrey catches 100 balls with a game to spare,
• Newton hits 64% of his attempts, gets on right side of 4,000 yards where elite QBs should be, and throws UP balls in red zone enough for announcers to say, “It’s coming, see if it can be stopped.”
• Defense gets 60 sacks, clearly elite level.
• Rivera is robbed of Coach of Year when Cleveland guy wins six games (juuuust a wild guess on that one).
• Pegging the Panthers season begins at another 11-5, tying for divisional title, plus two playoff games. After game four, I’ll decide if winning the second playoff happens, because that would equal a Super Bowl appearance.

Oh, Tampa Bay will make progress, but not enough to bother the Panthers return to top of South heap.