Week 2: Panthers Lead Up

[LUKE23]

Got 9 days to prepare for this one, while Carolina will get 7 after playing at Arizona this week.

Hopefully Neal is back, doubt Tramon plays but we probably don't need him. Personally I would blitz the hell out of Newton and force him to make quick reads.

[ReasonablySober]

We'll know more about Carolina after Sunday. My first thought is this shouldn't be remotely close, but I'm anxious to see the Panthers vs Arizona.

[Newz]

Sad Tramon is banged up, but up until ATL our D should be good enough to handle the teams we play against. If they aren't, even without Tramon, I think we should have some concerns.

Our offense should crush them and end any hope they have for an upset early.

I guess we've had some issues against running QBs in the past. So maybe Newton gives us some problems.

[Flames24Rulz]

I'm worried about Tramon. Here's hoping that it's nothing too serious.

[Kerb Hohl]

I'm not concerned about the defense. It was the Saints in week 1.

[ReasonablySober]

Anyone else feeling a hell of a lot better about our defensive line this morning? That's probably overshadowing everything else for me as I think back to last night's game. Maybe that and Wells.

I was just reading McGinn's ranking of our 53 most valuable players. He had Wynn at #35, but had this to say about him

Each year, Wynn picks up his game. A year ago, he got better as a pass rusher. This year, he became stouter against double-teams in the run game. Against Indy, he proved hard to block for old pro Jeff Saturday, a four-time Pro Bowl center. In 2009, Wynn was a naïve rookie just happy to be in the league. In 2011, he has the size, ability and confidence to contribute.

and this was in Silverstein's post game thoughts:

Without watching a replay of the game to verify it, it seemed to me that DE Jarius Wynn had a very good game. He had four tackles, including a sack. He put pressure on QB Drew Brees several times and blew up a play at the goal line early on with penetration up the middle. People have been clamoring for Mike Neal, but Neal's going to have to outplay Wynn once he's healthy enough to play in order to get his starting job back.

Pickett and Raji I expected to play well. Maybe not to the level that they did last night (absolutely dominated their All-Pro interior), but Wynn looked like a force.

Another sleeper?

[ReasonablySober]

I'm not concerned about the defense. It was the Saints in week 1.

Same. They're going to hang a **** ton of points on everyone, just like they always do.

[emunney]

I agree about Wynn, I was thrilled with how he played last night. Somebody needed to step up and it looks like he's doing it.

[MickeyDavis]

SHOULD be an easy win. Carolina's home opener. Pretty much their Super Bowl this season. Capers should be able to confuse the hell out of Newton. I'd like to be able to get Neal some snaps, get So"oto on the field and see what he can do. Hold out Tramon until the Bears game (hopefully he doesn't need longer than that). Later in the season this could definitely be a letdown game but I don't think so in week 2.

[Badgerlander]

From SN- Panthers Defense/ST.This unit was awful in '10 and does not project to get much better, especially if Jon Beason isn't healthy. The middle linebacker "hopes" to play in the opener. Weak side linebacker Thomas Davis returns off ACL surgery and probably won't be back at full speed yet. The secondary is a disaster zone and may be the league's worst.
The Panthers were actually above average in takeaways (29, tied for 11th), but they recorded just 31 sacks (20th) and allowed 25.5 points per game (26th). Carolina also managed just one defensive TD.

The offense will be run by former Browns OC Rob Chudzinski. Chudzinski is known for being a "tight ends guru," so expect a lot of short, safe passes mixed in with frequent running attempts this year. Deep passes will likely be at a minimum, especially with an inexperienced QB under center.

Offensive line: The Panthers' offensive line was decimated by injuries last season, most notably RT Jeff Otah, who missed the entire year while dealing with a left knee injury. Now healthy, Otah will form a nice bookend duo with former All-Pro LT Jordan Gross. Pro Bowler Ryan Kalil will man the center spot, and Travelle Wharton, who missed seven games last year due to turf toe, will resume his duties at left guard. Mackenzy Bernadeau, who played in all 16 games last season, will line up at right guard. It's crucial that Carolina's starting five stays healthy, as there isn't much depth along the O-line. The run-blocking stats were decent last year (4.3 yards per carry, tied for 10th) and should continue to be, but if injuries strike again, this unit could find itself near the bottom in the league in sacks allowed again (50, tied for second worst in '11).

[Bernman]

I think the pass rush will improve and in turn decisions by Capers on how many to rush should be easier when So'oto returns from injury (hopefully it's against the Panthers). Our 2nd end (usually Walden) got stuffed a lot so Capers thought why bother employing him or brought extra personnel to compensate. Both strategies exposed the D to various degrees against the pass. Against the run they were stout.

However, I don't think the D will be as good this season this season based on the losses, aging, lack of depth in a couple units, and what they displayed in the preseason, in conjunction with the opener. But it just has to be good enough and stiffen at the right time (that's what she said) as we saw last night.

[Kerb Hohl]

and what they displayed in the preseason

Is this midranger? I'm not trying to jump on him, but he was the guy flipping out about Delhomme throwing all over us last preseason.

Obviously it's just going to be tough to replicate what we did last year on defense, especially because teams may be on to us and I agree with a lot of your other thoughts, but let's not use preseason.

[Bernman]

and what they displayed in the preseason

Is this midranger? I'm not trying to jump on him, but he was the guy flipping out about Delhomme throwing all over us last preseason.

Obviously it's just going to be tough to replicate what we did last year on defense, especially because teams may be on to us and I agree with a lot of your other thoughts, but let's not use preseason.

Well, I have been confused with him before.

I was consistent. I rated So'oto based on preseason as well. You'd know that it has some merit if you paid attention. Didn't Shields have an impressive preseason last year? Cobb had an impressive season this year. If the quarterbacks have looked impressive in preseason (Rodgers, Hasselbeck, Flynn) it has translated to an extent to the regular season. Preseason is still football and these are competitors. They never want to be bested regardless if it's an official game or not and must play hard to an extent to avoid injury. They didn't play AS hard or focused as they would otherwise, but it should be listed AMONG the reasons to be believe there will be a discernible drop off defensively from last season. Although in fairness, they didn't play the #1's didn't play that great last preseason. But that was before the injuries ironically helped the team on that side of the football.

[chuckleslove]

From Tramon's wife on twitter

SWilliams2138 *Shantrell Williams*
Tramon is doing well everyone. Thanks for the concern.

Hopefully that is a good sign.

[MickeyDavis]

Grrrrr what does "doing well" mean lol. I wish they would just tell us what's wrong with the damn shoulder. Bruised? Dislocated?

[ReasonablySober]

After Foster showing his MRI on Twitter, I'm guessing it'll be a while before another player gives out a specific injury update on Twitter.

[Wilford Brimley]

[Newz]

Cobb is some sort of prime Jerry Rice + prime Devin Hester combo.

[Ayt]

Cobb is some sort of prime Jerry Rice + prime Devin Hester combo.

Who scores great TDs after running the wrong route.

[Newz]

Cobb is some sort of prime Jerry Rice + prime Devin Hester combo.

Who scores great TDs after running the wrong route.

Was it really the wrong route though? WAS IT?!