Will the Panthers offense finally show some significant signs of life as they take on the Bills?
The Carolina Panthers may have scored their first offensive touchdown of the preseason last week, but the performance still left many fans and media alike wanting more. When the team heads north to take on the Buffalo Bills on Saturday, there will be plenty of eager eyes hoping to see a spark on offense that could signal a change from the last few years of offensive dysfunction. With the Bills already announcing that their starters will be resting during the bout, another slow start in the final rehearsal before games start to count wouldn’t do the Panthers any favors.
With the deadline to pare the roster down to just 53 men looming three days after the game, let’s breakdown some of the key things to watch from the Panthers offense:
Will the first string suit up?
After not allowing the Panthers projected starting line up play a single down so far this preseason, head coach Dave Canales hasn’t yet shut down the possibility he’ll keep them out again come Saturday. If the starters indeed get a so-called “dress rehearsal”, the hope should be for a clean showing, not an exciting one. It’s the preseason, so coaches always want to keep their cards close to the chest and won’t break out many fun schematic ideas or fancy designs. Watch to see if the Panthers can get in and out of the huddle smoothly, make adjustments at the line and get the snap off without seeming rushed or flustered. A pre-snap penalty or a wasted timeout to reset the play clock wouldn’t bode well for a team who needs to play clean ball if they hope to overcome the talent deficit they’re likely to face versus most teams.
Receivers still battling for their spot
There are no doubts that Diontae Johnson and Adam Thielen have two spots locked down right now, but what’s the rotation look like after them? Saturday might be the first chance Xavier Legette gets to put on the pads under a Panthers jersey as he looks to show the coaches why he should be getting targets in the regular season over Jonathan Mingo and Terrace Marshall, Jr. Both of which have started the last two games and have made some noise in practice over the last month. After those five, there is likely only a single spot, maybe two spots, left for the rest of the current depth chart to fight over. Will the youth and speed of Ihmir Smith-Marsette help him get the nod, or can veteran David Moore’s savvy and experience with Canales earn him the role? There will be some practice squad spots on the line too, so look for Jalen Coker and Mike Strachan to try and put one last positive impression on tape before cut-day.
Hog mollies? Hog mollies.
For a team that pinched pennies on the offensive line for the better part of two decades, the Panthers opened up the pocketbook and spent some serious cash on a couple of thick bodied guards to protect the middle of the pocket. Robert Hunt and Damien Lewis both seem healthy and might make their first appearance with returning lineman Ikem Ekwonu, Austin Corbett and Taylor Moton rounding out the first string. Seeing this unit of absolute units take the field would bring a smile to some fans faces should they put on a show versus the Bills. Keep an eye out for who lines up on the second team offensive line, they’re probably the front-runners for the back-up roles. Brady Christensen likely has as spot locked down, as does second year guard Chandler Zavala whose been receiving praise from his coaches this offseason. Jack Anderson stood out at guard versus the Jets, with a 90.3 pff grade, so a repeat performance might earn him a Panthers jersey on Sundays this fall.
The best of the rest
Tight end Ja’Tavion Sanders made a few nice plays and showed a lot of effort blocking last week. His development would go a long way to bolstering the weapons on offense, so watch out for him, especially if he sees the field with quarterback Bryce Young. Speaking of quarterbacks, Jack Plummer is once again set-up for playing time late in the game. With a small chance he makes the roster, a practice squad slot might be on the table since the Panthers don’t currently have any other options on the roster for a third passer.
That’s all I have for you Panthers fans, but let me know what has you excited for the match-up against the Bills in the comments below!