Black Monday Looming for Panther Brass

For NFL coaches the Monday after the season finale is usually "black" Monday, the day most franchise will "move in another direction" as they fire coaches for not delivering on playoff expectations. For the Panthers that should be December 31st, the last day of the year. Seems like a good day to can whoever they plan to can in order to start the New Year fresh. Will JR fire John Fox or Marty Hurney? I’m still not sure as JR has proven to be very loyal. Jason Queen of The-dispatch.com offers some pointed comments.

Carolina is the most stubborn franchise in all of sports. The Panthers have believed since hiring Fox and Hurney that they have a perfect master plan that will work year in and year out. But the plan has failed. Drafting core players and surrounding them with cheap role players acquired in free agency works if, and only if, you nail the draft. One bad draft throws a wrench in the whole plan. Two or three bad drafts in a row sends a team spiraling downward into holes that take three years to dig out of.

Funny how immediately after the draft everyone was giving the Panthers high marks for all the "value" they got in their seven picks. Seven months later it looks like we got one starter from those picks: Jon Beason. Sure, Ryan Kalil has a lot of promise and Charles Johnson might develop. I’m still hopeful Dwayne Jarrett and Ryne Robinson will improve. Otherwise that’s it. As far as free agent signings it looks like the David Carr signing was the worst move since the Sean Gilbert trade.

Carolina has drafted so poorly and handled the free agent market so poorly it's hard to see how the Panthers can be competitive again anytime soon. With a team salary approaching the league's cap, there is very little wiggle room. Some veterans who have been with the team for a while will have to be let go.

I would start with Mike Rucker, Dan Morgan (sorry Dan), Kemo, Keary Colbert, and Justin Hartwig. I think we have replacements on the squad right now who could replace that group and perform just as well.

So how can it be fixed? Well, if Fox and Hurney stay they're going to have to let go of some Panthers. The offensive line is the most glaring area of need, and it will require nearly a complete overhaul. Jake Delhomme, David Carr, Vinny Testaverde or Joe Montana in his prime couldn't quarterback behind that line. And when an offense can't run the ball, all an opposing defense has to do is pin its ears back and come after the quarterback.

I’m not sure the o-line needs a complete overhaul as in all five players. LG Mike Wahle has played well but he has gotten too many false start penalties. RG Jeremy Bridges has played fairly well and I thought LT Travelle Wharton played well except for a few bad plays. I have not been impressed with RT Jordan Gross or C Justin Hartwig. Honestly though none of the five are Pro Bowlers so in that respect he is correct.

We have a little over 30 days Panthers fans to find out if we will have renewed optimism for the next season or if we will have to pray the John Fox and Marty Hurney regain some of that magic from 2003 & 2005.