The Carolina Panthers starters struggled to provide consistent promise in limited action in their preseason loss to the Buffalo Bills. It has become a frustrating trend for fans over the last couple of seasons, and their feelings feel vindicated.
Carolina's defense had the most flashes from the team's defeat, but it was marred by the big plays allowed on a near-consistent basis against the Bills' starters and backups.
The natural reaction was to place blame on embattled defensive coordinator Ejiro Evero, who enters his fourth year with the franchise.
Carolina Panthers defense is not showing its full hand yet
However, context was lacking in understanding why the Panthers' defense looked lost at times against the Bills.
The struggles are not as doom-and-gloom as you may think.
A few years ago, Evero was considered one of the fastest-rising defensive minds in the sport with an eye for a head coaching gig in the near future. Even so, he coached one of the worst defenses in NFL history two years ago, but the Panthers still gave him a contract extension.
In most cases, the coordinator is fired for such a horrific unit, but head coach Dave Canales has held firm in his belief in Evero. Progress was evident last season, with the return of Pro Bowl defensive lineman Derrick Brown, upgrades in the trenches and at safety, and excellent cornerback play, resulting in a middle-of-the-pack unit.
The Panthers' wild-card loss to the Los Angeles Rams sticks out like a sore thumb when discussing Evero, especially on the final defensive series. Even so, context is key here, as is the talent and personnel on the roster.
Something fans should understand is that, given that the starters will not play a full game in the preseason, there is no need to deploy the entire defensive playbook on the field.
Ejiro Evero is under pressure to deliver after Carolina Panthers spent big on defense
The defense structure will be basic. Much of what I saw on film was a unit playing out of base fronts or simple nickel and big-dime packages.
Furthermore, the defense will look worse against a team that was more eager to show its hand with the offensive playbook, like Bills head coach Joe Brady was against the club that fired him as offensive coordinator.
Yes, Evero was the defensive play-caller, but the whole premise of the preseason is evaluating the talent you have on the field without concerns of it being "official" counts.
Adding high-profile performers such as edge rusher Jaelan Phillips and linebacker Devin Lloyd may just be what the Panthers' defense needs to take the next step under Evero. And the two big-ticket free agent signings flashed mightily in limited playing time at Highmark Stadium.
The biggest takeaway here is not to rush to judgment on a growing defense, personnel- and talent-wise, that won't show its full hand until Week 1 against the Chicago Bears.
Patience is a virtue in this instance, and Evero deserves the benefit of the doubt.
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