Blank Canvas: With Dalton In As Starter Expect The Unexpected

My mother is a dynasty.

Her legendary artistic run consists of eight McDowell County Silver Arts Championships. She can re-create the Bill Russell ring picture with all the medals and pins she’s won.

A year ago, she painted a lion that might as have snarled and roared off of the brown canvas that encompassed him. His mane is regal. His eyes steely as if he was stalking his prey.  To this day, people marvel at the masterpiece that  she named “The Lion Of Judah.”

When it was a work in progress, she showed me a silhouette that she painted and it looked more like the cowardly lion instead of the one that won her eighth county title.

“This is the ugly phase,” she said.

This is the phase that many don’t see and only artists understand. It’s the errant strokes. It’s the wrong colors. It’s the weird shapes. It’s also being frustrated to the point where you throw white gesso on the board and start over.

The Carolina Panthers are once again wiping their canvas clean-benching Bryce Young for Andy Dalton in another move to get out of their ugly phase.  In two games, the Panthers offense managed to be outscored 73-13 and are the first team since the 2009 Oakland Raiders to have a four game stretch of no passing touchdowns and less than 150 total passing yards. Carolina saw  Young throw for 245 yards, three interceptions and two third-down conversions on 22 attempts.

If we’re keeping it a buck, Dalton is more a game manager than he is a game changer. However, the dire circumstances of this unit have him looking like a changer. It’s easy to presume and expect that Dalton will play a conservative game. He will play not to lose.  In actuality, a safe bet is not to expect anything but the unexpected.

We know about Panthers head coach Dave Canales’ offense in theory. We don’t know how it works in reality because Young isn’t ready and his development, so far has been just as volatile as the coach’s seat. With Dalton under center there is a possibility that win or lose against the Las Vegas Raiders in Week 3, an opening up the playbook.  Opening the playbook can bring more opportunities to throw deeper than 10 yard check downs.  

Opening up the field may utilize wide receivers Xavier Legette and Jonathan Mingo for go routes and more deep ball opportunities. Rookie tight end Ja’Tavion Sanders could also accelerate his development.

There’s also an opportunity to finally establish the run. In a lone bright spot, the Panthers’ offensive line is producing some solid numbers. Austin Corbett is leading all centers in pass protection. He has yet to surrender pressure and boasts a pass-blocking grade of 83.5, according to Pro Football Focus. Robert Hunt ranks second among guards with a pass-blocking grade of 86.0. 

While the offense may look better under Dalton, it wouldn’t be surprising that he too could struggle in Week 3. Again, the appeal here is seeing what Canales’ offense is really about with a veteran under center.  

Ironically, my mother’s work in progress is a panther. In its ugly phase, its leaping off the board, reaching and clawing at something. The Panthers themselves are also reaching and clawing for something. They are clawing for wins. For a sense of pride.  For stability.

For an escape from the ‘ugly phase.’