Hello CSR! Welcome to Brian Answers, part two of your weekly Panthers fan mailbag for everyone! We’re only days away from the first regular season game, so only one set of questions away from having some clarity, and likely changing the focus of this column going forward depending on how it all goes. Let’s dive right into all your questions!
PurrDurham: Will we see panthers or kitties vs. Bears? Which team is likely to show up for us?
I think the Panthers will show up for this game. But all I have
to base that on is vibes.
Chef: Hey, Brian. So, I haven’t really seen much concerning the potential Waller impact on the passing game outside of his expected red zone targets. Is it foolish to expect him to be more than that in our passing attack or do you think people are sleeping on him?
I don’t think Darren Waller would have been available as late as he was in the off-season if any team could reasonably expect him to be more than a complimentary passing target. I do think his addition reveals that the Panthers want to use more 13 personnel (3 TEs) and I also think he’ll be a decent move the chains option for Bryce Young. But I would temper expectations, he may not even be the leading receiver of the Panthers offense when its all said and done. But the more red zone targets, the better in my opinion.
ImOpen: I believe that barring injury, Bryce starts every game….which could lead to them drafting a QB
I believe we are one more offseason away from being a very good team….able to drop a QB into a good situation
I am going to throw in an upset win and say our win total is 8-10…ehhhh 7-9…ish….kinda.
What do you think of those statements?
The question of the future of the quarterback position and Bryce Young will likely have a clearer answer following this season. I do tend to agree they may be one more solid off-season away from truly being a team that could compete for a deep run in the playoffs, but stranger things have happened. I have them at 9-8 as their overall record still but a deviation two games in either direction wins wise wouldn’t surprise me at all. If they decide Bryce isn’t the answer in the off-season, they should at least have a pretty good situation for the next guy. But I do hope we don’t have to deal with another reset at the QB position.
schrodingersblackcat: I think some variation of this may have come up in this feature before, but what are some of your favorite Fall traditions, football related or otherwise?
Food/Drink?
Outdoor activities?
Movies/shows?
Social gatherings?
Halloween-related stuff?
Other?
Maybe I’m jumping the gun here, but now that football is finally back, Oktoberfest beers are on store shelves, and we’ve had a couple cooler days to tease us, I am 100% ready for Fall.
- I’m definitely a fan of a good Oktoberfest beer. Some good whiskey and a cigar on a nice cool Fall night is also great. And I very much look forward to Thanksgiving dinner (sometimes for me, Friendsgiving on a different weekend).
- Big bonfire guy. Sitting outside in cool PA weather is great.
- Halloween films absolutely. Anything horror I’m always down for but October is the greatest time for it.
- Getting people together for some Rock Band is a year round event, but more common during the Fall. Super Smash Bros also tends to run itself back during this time for social gatherings. Oh yeah, and I’m starting my second or third full Dungeons & Dragons campaign following Panthers games most weekends.
- Lots of Halloween get togethers. I used to be more into dressing up for Halloween so that may be in the cards this year. Might have to bust out my Tommy Wiseau costume once again.
Bruce Guild: What do you see for Cokers future Brian? Do you ever see a Pro Bowl or a year he ends up the top receiver by catch count, receiving yards or TD’s? Do you see him being a 6 to 10 year player for the team, or a guy that had the potential but ended up being very mid or oft injured and is out in 3 years?
I am very much on the Jalen Coker train, but I need to see a full season of work from him to make a determination. Its very telling that the Panthers already gave him a 3 year extension, and I think he compliments Tetairoa McMillan well. Not seeing Pro Bowl or top of the league receiving stats in his future just yet, but that could change this season.
@WTMealey: If we win the toss defer or take the ball?
1st down of 1st drive run or pass?
Obviously I’d like to know the thinking behind your answers as well
I’d expect the Panthers to defer on the first possession, give the defense a chance to come out swinging early. I think they’ll run the ball on the first play, but that’s not a solid answer from me because I don’t know what to expect from Brad Idzik just yet.
WanderingJanusz: I’m surprising my dad for Christmas and taking him to our week 18 home game against Atlanta. Will this end up being a great gift or depressing gift?
Well, Bryce Young always tends to go off against Atlanta, so my instinct here is should be a great gift. The Falcons also may not have a quarterback left standing by then based on their luck with injury there throughout the off-season. Even if the Panthers are mathematically eliminated from the playoffs, the Falcons games are always chaotic and unexpected.
positivebob: Idzik. What’s the biggest difference we’ll see between him and DC?
Again, very hard to say what the difference will be between Brad Idzik and Dave Canales calling plays, as it will all fall in the same system. I think Idzik may open up the passing game more than Canales was willing to, but that’s all based on conjecture and just general instinct. The Panthers may also be in more games where they have to open the passing game based on their 1st place schedule.
Mozzie11: Play action pass on 1st down is the best play to make statistically. So do we get bold and run a pass play on the 1st offensive play of the game – and I do not mean a screen for -2 yd or go semi bold with a run up the middle for a yard and a half. Decisions, decisions….
While I said above I think a rushing play starts it out, I wouldn’t be surprised if the opening drive game script is designed to get Bryce Young into more of a groove early rather than having him rip is first pass on a 3rd down situation. I am hopeful they go this direction rather than the usual run first attempt.
Bull123: Is Pat Jones hurt yet again?
What are we gonna get from Chuba and Brooks?
Pat Jones is not expected to play this Sunday, though this seems to be more of a day-to-day injury rather than anything long term. It sucks to not have him the first week of the season, but Ejiro Evero seems to have a plan. He talked up Princely Umanmielen quite a bit this week.
I actually expect them to run the same time share they did with Chuba Hubbard and Rico Dowdle this past season, but I think it will work out better this time. These two have more of a complimentary skill set rather than running similar styles. Jonathon Brooks adds a different element as a pass catcher.
That’s all for this week, Panthers fans! Enjoy your first game of the season, and KEEP POUNDING!
