Carolina Panthers: 3 Cardinals to watch against the Panthers
By Alex Duran
Here are some players the Panthers should watch on Sunday.
The Panthers have found themselves in a bit of a quandary as week three of the regular season approaches. A few players might blame themselves for allowing the team to fall into a hole this early and the dubious status regarding Cam Newton’s health isn’t helping. However, credit is due to the opposing team for capitalizing on the Panthers’ weaknesses. Shaquil Barrett looked like a DPOY against Darryl Williams. Chris Godwin confidently took advantage of the inconsistent pass defense. The list goes on. With seven-eighths of the season left to play the Panthers still have a shot at turning things around, but they need an answer right now.
This week the Panthers will play their first away game. Interestingly it will be against another team without a win, the Arizona Cardinals. #BeRedSeeRed nation garnered quite a bit of offseason attention with the selection of Heisman Trophy winner Kyler Murray. The common slate of Arizona superstars is expected to show up including the ageless Larry Fitzgerald and revered running back David Johnson. The Panthers know they’ll have their hands full with those two, but there are some other players they might want to highlight.
#56, Terrell Suggs
Wait …yeah he’s a Cardinal. The thirty-six-year-old is a man of many tackles, but he’s no stranger to the occasional sack. He’s piled up two sacks on the year and he’ll be looking for more on Sunday afternoon. The Panthers were getting demolished on the weak side last week and they know it. The Cardinals will be planning around how to abuse the weak side and you can bet Suggs is in the conversation.
T-Sizzle was known for exploiting offenses early and often while he was in Baltimore. Last year the Panthers came in as underdogs against an impressive Ravens team that boasted a wrathful defense after barely escaping Philadelphia with a win. However, the Panthers successfully held him and the rest of the Raven defense to a total of zero sacks. It’s a different year, a different team to prepare for, and there’s a different man protecting the blind side, but the extra days after a short week may prove to be valuable.
#95, Rodney Gunter
Last week the Panthers offensive line had their hands full with two former first-round picks and a fourth-round pick. This week they will have an arguably easier time going up against a defensive line that includes a rookie defensive end. Together the Cardinals’ defensive line has managed to notch one sack through their first two games. However, last week serves as a testament to how vulnerable we can be when we underestimate our opponent.
Fifth-year defensive end Rodney Gunter is starting on the right side for the Cardinals defensive line. He hasn’t been very disruptive this year, but he’s lined up against the side of the offensive line that is coming off of a subpar performance. Compound that with the fact that Suggs will be targeting that side when the opportunity arises and we might have a problem on our hands.
#14, Damiere Byrd
The former Panther has been making great strides with his new team. So far he’s recorded ten receptions for an average of 8.7 yards. He’s the backup to the ageless Larry Fitzgerald so his time on the field might be limited, but his playmaking ability should not be doubted.
In Carolina he was he was an injury-prone player and he was typically the odd man out, but he was also known for the occasional big play. His speed made him a dangerous return man so let’s hope he doesn’t make another one like this,