4 ways the Panthers can help Sam Darnold vs. the Saints in Week 2
By Dean Jones
Offensive line improvements will help Sam Darnold
We’ve spoken at length about the worries surrounding the offensive line. Although there were some encouraging moments in terms of run blocking, a 20 percent pass blocking success rate just isn’t going to cut it against better opposition.
This won’t have gone unnoticed by the New Orleans Saints. Even though Marcus Davenport won’t be on the field, they’ll still fancy their chances of causing some major disruption to Sam Darnold and force the quarterback into some mistakes.
Darnold was prone to an error or two when under duress at MetLife Stadium. But he was brave and decisive in the pocket on his full Carolina Panthers debut and hopefully this is a trend that can continue long into the future.
Getting John Miller back from the reserve/COVID-19 list is a plus. Although there remains some doubt as to just how much the guard will play as he works his way back.
The signal-caller’s success goes hand-in-hand with the offensive line. Darnold deserves credit for the way he handled himself with pressure in his face on Sunday, but the Panthers and the player won’t want this to be an ongoing thing.
Even though it probably will be with this current group.