5 most disappointing Panthers players during loss at the Cowboys
By Dean Jones
Jermaine Carter – Carolina Panthers LB
Stopping the run and generating pressure have been the staples behind the success on defense for the Carolina Panthers this season. To say this came to an abrupt halt at the Dallas Cowboys would be something of an understatement.
Phil Snow’s front seven had no answer for the Dallas running attack. Hopefully, this is just a bump in the road against one of the best ground games in the league, but how they respond against Miles Sanders and Kenneth Gainwell on Sunday will tell us plenty about this group.
He wasn’t alone by any stretch of the imagination, but it was an off day for Jermaine Carter. The linebacker wasn’t able to influence proceedings to his usual standards, which also had a detrimental impact at the second level.
Carter enjoyed a fantastic offseason that saw the Panthers install him as their MLB1. But his production so far this season has merited just a 56.9 grade from Pro Football Focus through Week 4.
That might not be the gospel, but it’s a solid indicator that Carter needs to do more at a position he could fill long-term if everything clicks into place over the remaining 13 games.
The Maryland product is also on the lookout for a new contract next spring, so Carter has to give the Panthers no alternative other than to extend him with improved consistency.