CHARLOTTE — There are many things we don't know about the Panthers at the moment, beginning with who's playing quarterback this week or how it's going to look against a Saints team that's unrecognizable from when we saw them last.
One thing we may be closer to knowing is that it appears the rookie class is producing well, and in a season with results like this one, that's at least something.
Xavier Legette scored his third touchdown of the year Sunday and saddled up Dolla Bill for a Rocky Mountain ride. Trevin Wallace and Chau Smith-Wade continued to grow into roles on defense. Jalen Coker appears to be a real find among the undrafteds. (They also turned last year's seventh-rounder into Mike Jackson, a solid corner who has started all eight games.) Ja'Tavion Sanders has had his moments, and we'll find out more in the coming weeks how Jonathon Brooks fits into the run game.
When you're building, that kind of return is what you need to see. As the weeks progress, the rookie class will learn more, but at some point in a 17-game season, they'll realize they have never played a 17-game season, and it might catch up with all of them. But that hasn't hit yet, and the young legs are still fresh.
Of course, that doesn't obscure the fact this team is 1-7, or that this has not gone according to plan. Or that there's no way of knowing what the next nine games, or nine days, will bring.
Is it everything? No. But it's also not nothing. Onto the mail.
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I will be honest: I am trying to be positive. I do see that they are improving or at least being competitive and trying, but it is hard watching at times, like trying to pass for it when it's third down and short or passing for it when it's fourth down and short. I say that it is hard because the defense to me isn't there and in my opinion. I would like for us to go back to the days when we had a vaunted defense with the 4-3. I don't know what we have to do to get back to having a defense like that as well as even though it's a rebuilding year. I am kind of jealous looking at how other teams have rebounded from last year, like Denver and even Chicago. I don't know. Maybe I am expecting too much from this team now. — Anthony, Denver, CO
One of the things that happens when a team gets sideways is fans want to start changing stuff. Personnel, coaches, schemes, the uniform, whatever.
The problem with changing the defense right now is they'd be short on personnel to run a 4-3, too. How you label certain guys is probably less important than the guys you're labeling.
They still need pass-rushers (plural) along with a few more dudes across the board to be the kind of defense you're looking for, and those aren't available the week before Halloween. (It's like Charlie Brown out there now, you hold your bag open, you get a rock.)
But if you think of these guys in the context of the defensive scheme, they had the beginnings of a really good 3-4 line in Derrick Brown, A'Shawn Robinson, and Shy Tuttle, and some reserves they trusted. And in an ideal world, the tandem of Jadeveon Clowney and D.J. Wonnum outside and two vets in Shaq Thompson and Josey Jewell inside seemed like the start of a good run defense, at least. Life comes at you fast.
Expectations are individual choices, but the reality is they're trying to stitch it together on the fly. The run defense improved considerably last week with Robinson, Jewell, and Clowney on the field. Rookie safety Demani Richardson (another undrafted find) was good against the run as well, and Wallace appeared to play faster (and created a turnover) once Jewell was back in to call the signals.
It's also harder to look good on defense when you're down a few scores. If you're looking for progress, you can see a few signs, but I'm not going to try to sell you on the fact it's going to turn great all of a sudden, though.
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What are your thoughts on the Diontae Johnson trade? Do you think this will be the only trade involving the Panthers in the next little bit? Do you think this opens up some opportunities for Coker to develop? — Cliff, Cornelius, NC
My thoughts are that the Panthers and Steelers were swapping a pair of one-year rentals in March when Johnson came here in exchange for Donte Jackson. The one the Panthers got was nine weeks shorter in duration.
The future was always a brief window anyway, and Johnson gave no overt signs that he was looking to put down roots in Charlotte (despite Charlotte being a lovely place).
That said, the reasons they took a shot on him were valid. He can get open. He can produce. But he was also playing for a 1-7 team.
So upgrading their draft position (getting a fifth from the Ravens for Johnson and a sixth) gives them seven picks in the first five rounds next year. That's the focus for them moving forward, as it should be. Since they don't figure to be in the mix for compensatory picks for a few years (it's more likely that they sign more unrestricted free agents than they lose next year), keeping him until the end of the season only mattered in the context of nine individual games.
As mentioned above, Coker has shown some flashes, and Legette has played well. They have veterans here to mentor and giving more work to young players who will be here next year makes sense.
The Panthers have some other veterans that other teams might be interested in, and I'm sure they'll listen if someone calls, but I don't get the sense a fire sale is imminent. They're not going to give away potential long-term pieces, that would be counterproductive.
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Man, that offensive line has played well this year. I hate it for Bradley Bozeman, but that transition to Brady Christensen at center has been seamless. He looks like a keeper. Ikem Ekwonu had a rough day Sunday but has, overall, done well. It's a sturdy O-line.
I say that to ask you why aren't we leaning on the run more? We seem to go away from it early and often. That line is opening holes like Moses opened the Red Sea and we abandon the run as if we are the Egyptians. I don't get it. Thanks, Darin, you're a great read. — Deric, Gastonia, NC
The Egyptians were more into basketball anyway; they practically invented the triangle offense.
If there's a positive to draw from the first eight weeks of this season, the fact that the offensive line does look competent-to-good (even with multiple changes and possibly more in the future). Both Austin Corbett and Christensen have looked good in the middle. Corbett's the bigger of the two and has more experience in a similar job, but Brady has made the transition from college tackle to sometimes guard to full-time center reasonably well and has a lot of traits that you want in the middle of the field.
But the biggest reason it looks better is they went out and spent some money on human talent, both in terms of free agents Robert Hunt and Damien Lewis and a three-headed coaching staff that allows them to specialize with each position group. So when Joe Gilbert's working with the tackles, Harold Goodwin with the guards, and Keli'i Kekuewa with the centers, they have the ability to really drill down into the fine points of technique.
Ekwonu has played better this year, largely because the scheme suits him. Interested to see what this week's injury report looks like tomorrow because Ekwonu was banged up Sunday, came back in, and returned to the game before he sat for the final drive. The ankle injury could have compromised his play.
As to play-calling, I think game situations dictate it as much as anything. It's hard to run stubbornly when you're down three scores, but the way Chuba Hubbard is running it this year, I agree, the more chances to give it to him, the better.
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Hello Darin! A few mini questions because I have to prepare my Martin Van Buren speech for APUSH and study for my bio test.
1. Where did Shy Tuttle come from?? He was not Shy on Sunday. Was there a change in scheme or something, or did he just have a breakout game?
2. Are horse masks allowed at the stadium- I am trying to get on the Jumbotron and TV, and I think some guy wearing a horse head could do the trick- it's Ichabod Crane season, after all!
3. When is the Ask The Old Guy-themed game going to be?
4. When is the Darin Gantt free autograph day at Harris Teeter going to be? Can it be at the Sardis Road Harris Teeter, too? — Zach, Charlotte
OK, let me take these in order while I wonder why you weren't studying the 12th President the week the Bengals came to town.
1. The Panthers are fortunate to have a couple of old heads on the defensive line who can be trusted in Tuttle and Robinson. Tuttle tends to look better when Derrick Brown's next to him, but that's true of most defensive linemen. But he's capable of making plays, as we saw last week when he recovered a couple of fumbles.
2. I see nothing in the stadium's list of prohibited items that would preclude a horse mask. Just make sure you don't try to emulate a horse too closely. Last week in Denver, their mascot, Thunder, ran a (number) two-minute drill on the 5-yard line while galloping around pregame. I ran into him in the tunnel afterward and asked him if he had any remorse about befouling the turf there, but he said neigh.
3. No one needs more of me in any official or unofficial capacity. The current amount is too much.
4. Darin Gantt autographs are always free (except when they're on checks, and I'm literally paying someone to take them) at Harris Teeter or otherwise. You won't catch me so far south as Sardis, though. I saw what happened to Andy Dalton down there.
With all that said, it's time to GET BACK TO CLASS, ZACH, before I go all Rutherford B. Hayes on you.
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Never thought Sean Payton was much of a Saint, but with age he's shown to be a real horse's (patoot). That guy has a bigger mouth than Mr. Ed. To heck with him and the Bronco he bucked in on. I'd bet his team pulls up lame down the stretch, but I put all my money on Dolla Bill. Heard his jockey is legit! Keep Pounding! — Jacob, Conway, AR
Old NFC South grudges die hard, I guess.
The fake field goals and double passes while up three scores were probably a bit much, but as he said in his own defense, the Panthers had an opportunity to prevent it. Jaycee Horn had thoughts on the matter, and he's probably not alone.
Just as every story needs a good villain, it needs a protagonist, too. And Dolla Bill is rapidly becoming a cult hero in these parts. Although, I heard he walked into a bar the other day, and the bartender said, "Hey buddy, why the long face?"
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Well if you're the old guy, I guess I'm the ancient guy at 81. I never thought I'd make 21; therefore, anything over 21 is gravy. This is my first submission, but I faithfully read the column each week.
My question is about the long-term plan. Since the Super Bowl in 2015, all I've heard is there is a long-term plan for the Panthers. My observation has been this. They had the best running back in the league. Great on the field, great in the locker room, and great in the community. We traded him for far below his worth. He went on to become player of the year with his new team. It has taken us until this year to get a replacement (Though Chuba was here with McCaffrey, he didn't come into his own until this year). Then we went and mortgaged the future for a great college quarterback, who has yet to prove he can play in the pros (I'm still rooting for him to be a long-term answer but he obviously is not ready now). We took our best receiver and sent him along with the future and sent him to the Bears. If anyone watched the Bears game, they saw our best ex-receiver connect with our 2024 first-round draft pick (pick) us apart. Then we got a new GM and coach. What was the first thing they did? Refused to pay our best rush guy and sent him off for far less than he was worth. They also tore up a defense that was coming together (not there yet, but heading in the right direction) to try to fix the offense. Then we went out and picked up everybody else's first-round draft choices, who, at best, have become backups. The more I watch the team the more I think I'm watching a game of 'Whack-a-Mole.' Yes, there are key injuries, but all teams have key injuries. Unfortunately, it's part of the game. — Marc, Indian Land, SC
The short answer is that plans change.
The Panthers wanted to get off the wheel of (more) expensive veteran quarterbacks and try a young one, and last year's plan, as you might have noticed, didn't go well. We'll see what happens next.
You could parse Marc's question if you please ("worth" is an abstract concept, and there's a difference between refusing to pay and failing to reach an agreement on a mutually beneficial contract), but the constant has been the turnover in coaching and the front office jobs.
The point of finding a young pairing of coach and GM in Dave Canales and Dan Morgan (who knew each other well from their days in Seattle) was to allow them to grow together in the roles. That's what's happening now. And there's a recognition that it will not be an immediate fix. Everyone likes to talk about processes, but far fewer want to actually endure one.
But I get it; many of your points are valid. At the time you make a decision, you never know how it's going to turn out. The best chance is to make them consistently and according to a plan, and they have one now. Morgan has a very clear template for what he wants, but you don't get to solve every problem in one offseason.
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Hi Darin! I know the results aren't what anyone connected to the Panthers wants, and it's been like that for some years now. Any fan has the right to check out and only come back when the team wins. But why not stay together and always hope for the best? From a practical standpoint, the GM clearly went to build the lines (OL looks good, and the DL/run game had issues with Derrick/Shaq/others injuries) and did that. The new coach has preached about the ball and their identity since the beginning and seems to still be doing that (we can see all the answers he gives on the Press Conferences and also on the Inside the Huddle - great program with TD and Kristen Balboni). And this last game we saw improvement on the run D and forced turnovers. Before we saw changes made to improve the offense. Will it all work? I guess no one knows, but it certainly looks like it could. So why not get along with the ride? The national media and fans already mock and say whatever they want (without much actual knowledge) about the franchise. We should stick together. My 7-year-old daughter, for example, doesn't care about the score. She cares about knowing when the team scores - and loves the Dolla Bill celebration - and makes noise (she did on the seats at BoA, and now she does on the home couch) during the other team's third downs. For now, it might not work most of the time, but she is happy with that; I'm happy doing that with her, and for sure, we'll remember that when the team wins and all that works! Also, if you're the kind to believe in that kind of thing, for sure the players would be glad knowing we still have their backs during the whole game. We don't know for how long we'll be able to do that during life - we can't take anything for granted. Now the question for the professional: Does my sense that we can't tell if the GM/coach plans and actions will work are correct? Or do the national media/fans from other teams have a point? Thanks! — Fernando, São Paulo, Brazil
The only way to know if the decisions being made are wise is to just wait and see.
It does appear that they are following a logical premise (which is a good first step), and that there's a process underway.
Dan Morgan scouts the way he played — intensely. And Dave Canales has earned the respect of a lot of people in the locker room by being the same guy every day and emphasizing the tangible work that needs to be done rather than slogans and hand-clapping.
Working their way through this is the only way through this.
As to Fernando's greater point, I love it. Having seen his adorable daughter when they were here the other week, I love the visual of her beating on the furniture at home the way she did a stadium seat. And if you are the kind of person who can't get down with adorable children doing the Dolla Bill dance, then I don't want to be your friend.
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And on that note, let's go lightning round, brought to you by the patron saint of the lightning round Jeff from Fuquay-Varina, to close it out this week.
Good morning Darin, food for thought on the positive spectrum. Dan Campbell took over a Detroit team a couple of years ago, and in his first season, they went 3-13-1. They built the Lions through the draft. Sound familiar? I like the direction our Panthers are headed. Last thought: there are currently 10 teams with a record of only two wins. Oh a question-- not today just encouraging notes for the fans. Keep Pounding, and thank you for all you and Kassidy do for our team. — David, Farmington, MO
Plus, it's happening without anyone's kneecaps being bitten (though it's early yet). Thanks for the kind words, David; we do it for the people.
Hey, Darin. Greetings from Upstate NY. Can you envision a scenario in the next week where Dan works a deal with Pittsburgh and trades Bryce for Justin Fields? — Fred, Leyden, NY
I can't, but maybe that's just because the crystal ball is still in Ben McAdoo's other pants.
Do you think that Caleb Farley will see more playing time this coming week? — Mike, Auburndale, FL
Possible to likely. He has looked big and athletic and well when he's been in practice and his brief appearance this week. He fits the profile of what they want at the position, but they're actually pretty deep at the position at the moment.
Not a question, but I hope Sean Payton's pillow is always warm on both sides. — Nate, Charlotte
That'll show him.
Why don't they give Jake Plummer a shot? That kid has talent especially in preseason. I mean, what else can go wrong? — John, Scranton, PA
Maybe because Jake Plummer's 49 years old. Didn't you get the memo? They want to see what some young players have now. The ones they have are doing OK.
