Part of me really wants to say "Hey, we’re 2-2 and it’s not the end of the world. There is plenty of time to turn things around". Maybe so but this team doesn’t give us much hope the ball will now bounce their way. The truth is they have beaten two bad teams and lost pretty handily to two average teams. This last loss to TB wasn’t even close as the early lead knocked the Panthers out of their game plan. As much as Kris Jenkins would have us believe it’s just a matter of playing with spirit and pride I know it goes much deeper than that and there is no easy fix at this point. You can’t expect players that are still learning the playbook to play with a lot of confidence. You can’t get psyched to make a play when you’re worried as to whether you’re following your assignment.

Maybe I’m just making excuses. Maybe the Panthers are just an 8-8 team, period. I have a hard time with that assessment when we have so many skilled and Pro Bowl level players. So, where do changes need to be made?

The first thing the Panthers have to do is admit that changes need to be made on both sides of the ball. Here are some things that come to mind:

• The current offensive game plan doesn’t seem to fit David Carr’s abilities; he is so much more mobile than Delhomme
• We are not using the screen or draw play enough to make the defense pay for the blitzes. We have got to slow those down in passing situations. How about play-action every now and then?
• Dwayne Jarrett finally got in the game for a series and he made a catch for a 1st down. Considering how little we get from Keary Colbert & Drew Carter he should get more touches. We need another receiver who, even if he is covered, will go up and get the ball.
• The offensive line has to communicate better in order to pick up the blitzes. Carr wasn't too adept at sensing the rush and rolling away from it. Hmmm, maybe there's another reason for all those sacks he had in Houston?
• The defense cannot continue to rush just four players and expect to stop the short passing game. I thought blitzing Richard Marshall was a good move if only they had started to do it earlier
• Please go back to DeAngelo Williams returning kick-offs if you are not going to give it to Ryne Robinson. Nick Goings just doesn’t provide the possibility of the big return

I’m not pretending I’m some kind of guru. Hardly for sure. It’s always easier to point out the problems than it is to solve them. That’s why the Panthers brass get paid the big bucks, to solve the problems, to make the adjustments, to get the team ready to play and to win ball games. I just call it like I see it. What I see is an under-achieving team that is not playing with confidence. I watched them try to execute a game plan that was hardly creative and looked more of what I see from every other team in the league. If I can see it then it has to be obvious. Is anyone else tired of the short passing game to the sideline?

The Panthers brass better take a long look in the mirror and realize significant changes are needed. Small tweaks will not get it done. On a positive note, at least we're on the road this week!