By Dennis Cox.
Panthers don’t do anything to help themselves – Whether it was Xavier Legette failing to get his 2nd foot down inbounds on a deep out route, or a JT Sanders coming down with what would have been a difficult catch, the Panthers don’t make things easy for themselves.
While players missed on plays, the coaching staff look unprepared, and head coach Dave Canales was outcoached by a first-year head coach in Liam Coen who was coaching his first career game. The Panthers had no rhythm on offense, no sense of a game plan, and weren’t able to push through their own mistakes. It really does beg the question as to why Dave Canales didn’t play his starters more in the preseason, and why he didn’t call plays for the starting offense in four drives the starting offense played in the preseason, and why defensive coordinator Ejiro Evero didn’t call defenses in the preseason for his starters, either. Dave Canales is going to have to wear this loss.
Speaking of Legette, we need to have a real talk about the 2024 first-round pick. We haven’t seen him separate from defensive backs on routes, haven’t seen any big plays where he picked up a lot of yards after the catch, we remember the drops from last year, missing a block on a 2nd-and-1 early in the third quarter where the defensive back that runs by him makes a tackle at the line of scrimmage, and the lack of awareness to get his second foot inbounds on a deep out route, when are we going to see his breakout moment or game? Legette has all the physical tools you want in a starting receiver from his size & speeds. But eventually it has to come together.
Bryce Young – Mostly a down day for Bryce. The offense leaned heavily on Chuba Hubbard and the run game early, and were picking up solid runs, though nothing broke for big gains. But it never really opened up the passing game. Sure, the weather delay didn’t help, but both teams had to deal with it. On the opening drive on 3rd down, Young underthrew a pass to Hunter Renfrow where Renfrow had a clear step on his defender. Was there a rush coming in on Bryce? Yes. But he released the ball on his back foot, and the pass essentially hit the defender in the back, so instead of a first down in the red zone, the Panthers had to settle for 3 points. On the second play of the second drive for the Panthers, Bryce on a rollout tries to find Legette, but Bryce didn’t see safety Eric Murray behind XL as he was driving on the route, as Murray steps in front of Legette to cause a deflection that gets intercepted. Jaguars score on the ensuing drive.
On the Panthers 4th drive of the game with under two minutes left in the first half, the Panthers moved the ball into plus territory, eventually setting up 3rd down & 10 from the Jacksonville 39-yard line. Bryce Young scrambled out of the pocket up the middle, but failed to protect the football while stumbling forward for more yards, losing the ball at the Jaguars 32-yard line, which is well within field goal range. So instead of a potential field goal to cut the score to 17-6, instead the Jaguars easily moved down field for a field goal of their own to take a 20-3 lead.
The lack of confidence and swagger that we saw last year at times was all over the face of Bryce Young once again and the end of the first half.
Then in the 2nd half, the Panthers decide to go for it on 4th & 1 inside the Jacksonville 10-yard line, and Bryce rolls out to his left and ends up throwing the ball out of bounds without giving any of his receivers a chance. He missed JT Sanders coming across the field, but in a 4th down situation, you have to try and force a completion. You might draw a penalty. But at least give your receiver a chance. He looked indecisive and unsure of himself. Let’s also not forget the pick-6 that was called back in the fourth quarter that got called back due to a Jacksonville penalty. The late INT and the end of the game was inconsequential, and ball went off the hands of Rico Dowdle before a one-handed INT, so not Bryce Young’s fault. But overall, another forgettable season opener for Bryce Young.
The Bright Spot – Tetairoa McMillan. He showed all of the makings of a No. 1 wide receiver. Showed great catch radius and an ability to get open downfield and secure the ball. You wanted to see him come down with a deep post route in the endzone in the 2nd half, but it was great coverage by the corner. But he was the best offensive weapon the field for the Carolina Panthers in week 1.