What's Wrong with the Carolina Panthers?

#453762706 / gettyimages.com

 
We've seen the Carolina Panthers get off to a good 0-2 start, but ole Riverboat Ron had patented slow starts long ago, and let's face it. This time last year, we were 1-3, so things aren't quite so bad as they may seem in some ways.
 

Someone Will be 3-2 (Bears vs Panthers Preview)

Live 10 pm Tuesdays! 

Panther Nation Holds Monday Night Mental Health Meeting

Boy did I need something to pick me up after two demoralizing Panther losses.  We all know the deal, Carolina gave up 70 points in two weeks falling to 2-2.  So, #C3 scheduled an emergency mental health meeting Monday night. The meeting helped, if you didn't make it.  Here the bullet points:

Steve Smith's Baltimore Massacre Exposes Terminal Illness

"Blood and guts," Steve Smith calmly promised on WFNZ's "Bustin' Loose," payback for the painful cut administered by GM Dave Gettleman.  Adorned in goggles, Panther fans witnessed, as promised, a bloody massacre led by a motivated and rapacious Steve Smith. Not only did he deliver on his promise, but the +Baltimore Ravens full-out butchered the +Carolina Panthers (38-10). Yesterday's carnage, however, wasn't because of Smith's desire for revenge. Sure he proved inspirational, but the Ravens onslaught was all-consuming and indicative of Carolina's maladies as a team. Gashing Carolina's defenses and punishing their offensive line, the Panthers didn't look good in any phase of the game.  Most worrisome, Carolina's defense has been its prevailing weakness.  A confused secondary, a defensive line that doesn't generate any pressure, and an inability to stop the run has produced an easy victim for the slaughter.

Blood and Guts Massacre: Postgame Podcast Panthers at Ravens

It was ugly, but the Crew works through it. View to see our take on the +Carolina Panthers blood and guts massacre by the +Baltimore Ravens 

Win Probability at Half: Panthers at Ravens

It's not been fun to be a Panthers fan.  Steve Senior Citizen Smith has torched the Panthers for 122 yds and 2 TDs.  Carolina's defense has been less that intimidating, and the offense hasn't put up enough points to keep up.  Carolina's woes will probably continue if this Panthers front four doesn't start to produce. Although Steve Smith steals the headline, Baltimore has really just dominated all facets of the game.  Justin Forset has 61 yards and a TD.  Carolina's offensive line looks like it would struggle against the Maryland Terrapins, let alone a pro team.  What kind of adjustments do you make at this point?  Well, Riverboat Ron better become PsychoPath Ron and tell this team to stop doing what they've been doing and make some plays.



9/28/2014 Carolina Panthers vs. Baltimore Ravens box score at Pro-Football-Reference.com

My Take On Watching Smitty Going Against Us On Sunday. Who Owes Who What?

All those years when Steve Smith played for us, we defended his temper and his antics.  Friends of mine that are fans of other teams would text me when we played them to tell me that Smitty needed to "shut up and play football."  I always responded by saying how much I loved his passion.  All of those battles with DeAngelo Hall, all of the X-Clown type plays, and all of those "Ice Up Son" moments will forever be etched in his legacy as a Panther.  Without question, he is the greatest Panther to ever play and 89% of me wishes he was able to finish his career here.  He is the Panthers all-time leading receiver with  854 receptions and 12,487 yards and he will always have a special place in my heart.