Tuesday Morning Thoughts: The Offense is in Deep Trouble

CHARLOTTE, N.C. - It's only two weeks into the season, but the Carolina Panthers are in some serious trouble offensively.

The offensive line is not holding up in pass protection, allowing six sacks and 15 QB hits through the first two games. Obviously with Brady Christensen and Austin Corbett out, growing pains are expected. Cade Mays has bounced all over the place since arriving in Carolina and after starting at right guard last week, rookie Chandler Zavala flipped over to left guard on Monday night. In addition to those two trying to find their footing, second-year left tackle Ikem Ekwonu is also working through some issues in pass pro.

I truly thought that the Panthers would try and establish the run early in this game against the Saints, so they could avoid having to test what is a very experienced and talented secondary. Not winning on first down took the Panthers out of their game plan, forcing rookie QB Bryce Young to play behind the sticks virtually all night long.

Young finished the game 22/33 with 153 yards and a touchdown. Prior to his final drive of the night, Young was 14/23 for 92 yards. Very few passes were thrown over the middle or down the field, marking the second straight week where verticality was non-existent.

There's enough blame to go around, so let's not put this squarely on Bryce.

The receivers have to do a better job of getting open earlier in their routes and when they do, they need to hold onto the football. Young has to see things quicker as he's holding onto the ball too long at times and in some instances, he's missing wide-open receivers on the opposite side of where he's looking. As previously mentioned, the o-line has to be better. Young can't properly go through his progressions nor make an attempt to go downfield if he's got a barrage of defenders in his grill moments after receiving the snap. Some of it also comes down to coaching, too. I'm not necessarily questioning the play-calling, but maybe the personnel in some situations.

Regardless of how you look at it, it's an uphill battle for this unit. Until they get Austin Corbett back and until they can get some semblance of a downfield passing game, the Panthers are going to have a difficult time moving the ball and putting it in the end zone.

The big issue is, the wide receiver room needs more speed and that's not something that can be fixed mid-season with just one move. This is a group that needs multiple new pieces that strike fear into the opposing defense. They don't have that right now.

On paper, this is a more talented team than the one that won seven games a year ago. However, the identity that helped them get to that mark no longer exists in this offense. You have two starters out up front and you don't have a physical power running back that can wear out a defense. With some missing pieces, a new identity, and a lot of new faces, it's going to take some time for this offense to gel.

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