Which Carolina Panthers players are under the most pressure to perform during their Preseason Week 2 game at the New York Giants?
It's been a week of reflection for Frank Reich and his team. After the 27-0 thrashing the Carolina Panthers were handed at the hands of the New York Jets, it’s time for them to face the other tenants of MetLife Stadium tonight.
After being the only team to be shut out in Preseason Week 1, Reich will be hoping for an improved display. This starts with the offensive line that was frankly embarrassed last Saturday.
It will be another test for the Panthers’ protection as the New York Giants boasts one of the league's highest blitz rates in 2022. They also have a gifted defensive front seven with the likes of Dexter Lawrence, Leonard Williams, and Kayvon Thibodeaux.
The Panthers have some injury concerns heading into the penultimate preseason game, with Terrace Marshall Jr., Andy Dalton, and Miles Sanders not expected to play. However, rookie Bryce Young - who looked composed on his NFL debut - is once again expected to play the first two or three offensive series. One hopes the offensive line will do a better job of protecting than they did a week ago.
Wins are not the aim of the preseason. But after such a promising offseason, it was demoralizing to see the lack of execution from the Panthers, and the fact offensive line coach James Campen called an impromptu positional meeting in the aftermath of the Jets game spoke volumes.
But now, let’s take a look at three Panthers who need to perform in this potentially vital preseason game.
Matt Corral - Carolina Panthers QB
One can’t help but feel seriously sorry for Matt Corral. After his rookie season was curtailed by an injury suffered because his offensive line couldn’t block, his first home outing for the Carolina Panthers saw much of the same.
Despite entering the game relatively early, it was still a struggle for the protection to keep Corral upright. He was sacked four times during a tough afternoon.
Even though the offensive line play was weak, some criticism can be leveled at the player. In the now-viral clip of Cam Erving being bullied by Jermaine Johnson, you can see Corral staring down a wide-open Laviska Shenault Jr. The former Ole Miss man holds on to the ball too long and is sacked.
For someone with such a rapid-fire release, Corral must do a better job of getting the ball out quickly. Especially with an unreliable set of five protecting him.
With Andy Dalton missing the second preseason game and Young likely to only play in the first quarter, this once again gives Corral extended reps on the field. After missing his entire rookie campaign, he must make the most of these opportunities.
While the road for Corral to be the starter in Carolina is a tough one, he is potentially in the midst of a three-week audition to prove to not only the Panthers but the 31 other NFL teams he is worth having around. But time is now of the essence.
Shi Smith - Carolina Panthers WR
Just 12 months ago, Shi Smith was flying in camp and preseason as he solidified himself as the Carolina Panthers' starting slot receiver heading into the campaign. Despite the early promise shown by the former South Carolina Gamecock, inconsistent play and drops meant he slid down the depth chart as the season progressed and now, finds himself locked in a battle to make the final 53-man roster.
In the first preseason outing, Smith had a solitary reception for 20 yards. However, little critique can be leveled at the player as Carolina struggled to create any offense.
Heading into camp, it seemed Smith firmly found himself on the bubble fighting for one of the last roster spots. After struggling with the return game a season ago and the emergence of Raheem Blackshear, making the team appeared even more difficult.
As fortune would have it, the path for Smith may have gotten a little easier on Wednesday when the Panthers placed Damiere Byrd on injured/reserve with a hamstring complication. The free-agent signing impressed many and likely had the edge thanks to his returning prowess. With Byrd likely to be done, that leaves the final wideout position up for grabs.
This could mean Smith and Derek Wright are in direct competition for the spot and currently, the undrafted free agent is coming out on top. He was Carolina's highest-graded offensive player in Preseason Week 1 according to Pro Football Focus, building on another positive camp at Wofford College.
All hope is not lost, however. If Smith can find the form he showed last summer, he’ll be in a good position to make the roster in 2023.
Jammie Robinson - Carolina Panthers S
Outside of Bryce Young, many Carolina Panthers fans were most excited by fifth-round selection Jammie Robinson. The former Florida State safety was a standout player in the ACC during his time in Tallahassee, so there was a high level of intrigue surrounding the pick.
Robinson plays with a chip on his shoulder. After being drafted, the defensive back took to social media to say there weren’t 144 players better than him in reference to him being the No. 145 overall selection.
However, in his first NFL outing against the New York Jets, Robinson didn’t endear himself to fans of his new team. Despite being a standout early on in camp, he hardly covered himself in glory when rookie running back Israel Abanikanda burst into the second level.
Robinson came down to meet him and Abanikanda then hit the Panthers hopeful with a nasty spin move, leaving the player stranded. But the most disappointing aspect was the lack of hustle as he gave up on the play.
Israel Abanikanda 🌪️ pic.twitter.com/VsK3tpnNno
— PFF College (@PFF_College) August 12, 2023
Now, of course, Robinson is a rookie, and mistakes are bound to happen. But this was still disappointing to see. And the fact Carolina worked out Chris Jackson shows the performance didn’t go unnoticed by those in positions of power.
Robinson must bounce back against the New York Giants on Saturday, If we see any more lack of effort plays from the first-year-pro as we did against the Jets, he may find the Panthers bring someone in to take his job.