3 changes the Panthers coaching staff must make in Week 2 at Giants
By Preston Seyl
Carolina Panthers must adjust their run defense scheme
The run defense on Sunday was horrid right from the start, allowing the Cleveland Browns to do whatever they wanted. This also allowed Kevin Stefanski to set up a play-action shot that was picked off by Xavier Woods only for the play to be brought back thanks to a critical pass interference call on cornerback C.J. Henderson in the end zone.
Plays like that have to stop and it comes down to coaching and discipline. For Phil Snow, it must start with improving how the Carolina Panthers go about their business against the run.
Snow had to of known about Cleveland’s potent two-headed running back monster coming into Week 1. But at times, it sure didn’t seem that way.
Poor gap integrity from the linebackers, getting gashed up the middle and being stretched on the perimeter all featured heavily throughout. The Panthers simply weren’t ready for the Browns’ aggressive downhill run game.
The Panthers had 17 missed tackles according to Matt Rhule. This was atrocious in terms of being out-leveraged and taking poor angles on the ball carrier, resulting in 190 rushing yards after contact.
Carolina’s run defense has to improve quickly as they go into play Saquon Barkley, who looked back to his rookie self against the Tennessee Titans on Sunday.
Snow must make the right adjustments. But whether the Panthers have the necessary personnel to pull it off is the big question.