Carolina Panthers
Carolina Panthers: Is Line Play to Blame?
Carolina Panthers

Carolina Panthers: Is Line Play to Blame?

Published Jun. 30, 2017 6:28 p.m. ET

A lot has gone wrong in 2016 for the Carolina Panthers, but who’s at fault? Both the offensive and defensive lines have made a case for themselves.

Oct 2, 2016; Atlanta, GA, USA; Carolina Panthers head coach Ron Rivera is shown on the sideline in the third quarter of their game against the Atlanta Falcons at the Georgia Dome. The Falcons won 48-33. Mandatory Credit: Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports

After a Cinderella 15-1 season for the Carolina Panthers in 2015, the clock is inching closer to midnight for the 2016 edition. Another loss in a NFC South match up has the Panthers sitting at a disappointing 1-4 heading into a battle with the New Orleans Saints.

Many in Charlotte have been left to wonder what in the world has happened. Fingers have been pointed, names have been thrown around, and calls are being made for coaching changes.

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It’s truly hard to pinpoint what exactly the issue is with such a drastic drop on all fronts. Is it coaching? Offense? Defense?

Honestly, the answer is all three. So the better question is, who should bear the most blame?

Linemen, offensive and defensive, have made a strong case for themselves.

Sep 8, 2016; Denver, CO, USA; Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton (1) is sacked by Denver Broncos outside linebacker DeMarcus Ware (94) and inside linebacker Brandon Marshall (54) with tackle Mike Remmers (74) in the third quarter at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports

Offensive Line

There have been injuries all over this team and the offensive line has not been immune. Starting left tackle, Michael Oher, has been out with a concussion that looks like it could continue to linger for quite some time. As a result, Mike Remmers has been moved over from his normal right side to fill the gap.

The results have not been pretty.

All of the shifting has led to poor play, little time for the quarterbacks and little room for the running backs.

When Cam Newton has played, he’s been rushed on seemingly every pass. This has forced him into throwing off his back foot, which was a tendency we saw him finally kick last season.

Not only has Cam been forced into a quick throw, the receivers haven’t had time to get open.

This particularly affects Kelvin Benjamin, who typically runs long-developing, downfield routes. That played a huge part in Benjamin’s shocking zero catch effort in Week Three against Minnesota.

So what does it mean for the Panthers’ offense as a whole when the line can’t hold up?

It means forcing their star quarterback into his biggest flaw and taking one of their top receiving threats almost entirely out of the game.

When there’s no time for the running game to develop added into that mix, it results in a lot of reps for punter, Andy Lee.

Sep 8, 2016; Denver, CO, USA; Carolina Panthers defensive end Kony Ealy (94) on the line of scrimmage in the first quarter against the Denver Broncos at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports

Defensive Line

We knew last season that with the zone defense the Panthers use, the front seven play a vital role in the defensive backs’ success. The difference in 2015 was that the big boys wreaked a lot of havoc. In 2016? Not so much.

After five full games, the man in Carolina with the most sacks is Tre Boston with two. Yes, SAFETY, Tre Boston. The next-most sacks have come from Kyle Love with one and a half. Love has also only been playing in Carolina for two games this season.

So to sum that up, a player that typically lines up furthest away from the quarterback is leading the team in sacks with a whopping two, and the runner-up is a guy that hasn’t even played in half the games.

That’s bad, folks.

This type of production (or lack thereof) has left the secondary hanging out to dry. It doesn’t really matter who it is, if you give just about any NFL starting-caliber quarterback all day to throw the football, he’s going to have a fun afternoon.

When you factor in that the secondary is pieced together primarily with rookies and special team personnel, that equals, well, a 1-4 start.

With Cam Newton and Jonathan Stewart looking like they could be healthy soon, the line play needs to improve if there’s any chance of a return to the playoffs for the Carolina Panthers.

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