Just like a test, I cram to understand the play calling of Panthers’ head coach Dave Canales, but for the sake of this piece, I will try.
So on fourth-and-1 from Jacksonville’s 5, Canales rolled out there with an empty backfield, indicating that they were going to pass. The Jags’ had tight man coverage. Bryce Young couldn’t find any open receivers and threw the ball away for a turnover on downs. The Panthers had nothing to show for this solid and productive drive, but a slammed helmet on the sidelines.
When I think about this situation, I keep asking myself what Canales saw in the Jaguars’ defense indicating that a pass was the move to make. Was he expecting a blitz? Did Young sense a blitz in his pre-snap reads? What in the matchup did Canales see that made him want to experiment with a concept in a five-receiver alignment?
Regardless of the reason and the questions, the execution of this play was inexplicable and inexcusable. I can’t make this play make sense. For a coach who emphasizes establishing the run, Canales ironically passes on third-down and fourth-down situations.
Chuba Hubbard and guards Robert Hunt and Damien Lewis could have, and should have, been the play that put six on the board, but concepts and thoughts of a concept won, while the Carolina Panthers lost 26-10 against a Jacksonville Jaguars team that’s rebuilding.
Here are more takeaways from Week 1.
Preseason Matters
It’s Week 1 for the other 31 teams in the NFL. It’s still the preseason for the Panthers. The starters barely played against the Browns and Texans during the preseason and not at all against the Steelers. As a result, the Panthers came to Jacksonville unprepared. They looked like a team that was learning how to play together. Granted, I understand not wanting to risk injury to key players, but those reps were necessary to build rhythm and chemistry.
On The Coach
When a team comes out as flat and listless as the Panthers did Sunday, it falls on the coaches and how they prepared the team. The offense didn’t look like what’s expected from an offense-minded coach. It’s year two for Canales, and at this point, an identity should be solidified. A consistent 24-28 points per game, with an established running game and a developing passing game, isn’t nor should it be too much to ask. The 10 points that Carolina scored were a hard-fought effort. Not sticking to what works, not having them prepared to compete and win, falls on Canales and his staff.
On The Players
While the coach is charged with not having a solid plan, the players are far from guiltless in this loss. Miscommunication on the snaps and lack of focus from the receivers are the culprits offensively. Defensively, they were outhustled and outmuscled at the line of scrimmage, as they surrendered over 200 yards rushing.
Instead of taking another step forward and building off the momentum of the last games of 2024, Young looked like a quarterback that’s unsure of his ability and unsure of the squad around him. There was no chemistry with center Austin Corbett and he and the receiving corps struggled with blown catches and turnovers.
Rookie Tetairoa McMillan showed flashes of potential. He hauled in a 21-yard pass to move the chains, but he blew an opportunity for a touchdown trying to grab a pass with one hand.
Xavier Legette and tight end Ja’Tavion Sanders were put in positions to make plays, but couldn’t because of their lack of awareness.
Carolina’s lone touchdown came in garbage time off a Chuba Hubbard 27-yard reception. Their offensive output against a Jaguars team that finished next to last in total defense is inexcusable. The bright side? They know it was inexcusable.
“We have 11 guys that are frustrated out there today. Whoever’s out there is frustrated,” Corbett said after the game. “This is not what we wanted in Week 1 . We’ve got to make big changes.”
The Panthers will head to Phoenix to face the Arizona Cardinals next Sunday.
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