The Carolina Panthers’ loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers will hurt, no doubt about it. When a loss like this happens, it is easy to overreact, and these takes will look dumb this coming off-season. Here are five overreactions from the Panthers’ loss to the Bucs.
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Steve Wilks is Not the Guy
Steve Wilks is why Carolina was able to be in the race for a chance at the NFC South title. After Week 5, Rhule was fired, then Carolina traded their best player Christian McCaffrey. After all that, a team is not supposed to rally off wins and be competitive in their respective division. Instead, Wilks guided this team to victories against the good opponents, the Detroit Lions and Seattle Seahawks.
Sam Darnold Was the Reason the Panthers Lost
Darnold was not why Carolina lost. He completed 62% for 314 yards for three touchdowns. It also does not help that the backup cornerbacks were up against one of the best wide receivers in the league Mike Evans. The Panthers should ride with Darnold for the next couple of seasons and let Matt Corral, who we drafted last year, or whoever we decide to draft, develop.
Any QB In The Draft Is Better Than Sam
This is simply untrue. There is more risk with drafting a quarterback than playing with Sam. At least Darnold is going to play mistake-free football. When drafting a quarterback, you do not know what you will get skill-wise, and the combine is meaningless in terms of how a player will do in the NFL. Corral should get a real shot to develop. The other quarterbacks in this draft also need time to develop, like Corral.
Carolina is Screwed At Cornerback
There are several ways to address our problem at cornerback depth. First, the Panthers could draft a CB in the late first, second, or third rounds of this year’s draft. Second, Carolina could address the problem through free agency. Finally, the Panthers can look at guys like James Bradberry and Marcus Peters, who will be free agents in the off-season, to sign for cornerback depth.
The Panthers Need to Clean House
What a terrible idea. That is not to say Al Holcomb, and Ben McAdoo should not be fired; they definitely should be at the end of the season. However, the Panthers have a good foundation in place. They have a young defense and need to add a few more pieces, for example, another corner to pair with Jaycee Horn or a pass rusher to go with Brian Burns. On the offensive side of the ball, the Panthers have great foundational pieces like D.J. Moore, Laviska Shenault Jr., and Terrace Marshall Jr.
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