The Winston-Salem Journal has some quotes worth mentioning. Much has been said about the Panthers implementing a new offense and a run blocking scheme in particular. It’s obvious from the last two preseason games the Panthers are still in learning mode and have yet to "own" the system. Steve Smith has always struck me as a perfectionist type of personality so when he gives a statement like this I take it at face value:

"I know offensively we need to get it together," receiver Steve Smith said. "We’re not doing a very good job in the passing game. I don’t know what the problem is. I can’t put my finger on it. I’m just saying the passing game, it’s not as good as we need to be with the season coming to a head pretty soon. We need to get it fixed very quickly."

I know it won’t get fixed tonight against the Steelers so we can expect that going into the St. Louis game it will still be a work–in-process. In reality, we can expect it to be a couple more games before the offense owns this system. That’s just one of the realities of bringing in a new OC whose system is significantly different from the previous system. Mike Wahle feels it too but he has the right attitude:

"We have a lot of work to do," guard Mike Wahle said. "But the thing is, we’re still sitting here looking at it and we still feel good about what we’re doing. We just have to perform better.
"They didn’t come in here and give us all magic pills this year. This offense isn’t waving a magic wand and all of a sudden it’s going to work. You have to make it work, and you have to believe it can work. We have to shore some things up, and we have to improve on a number of different levels if we want to be successful."

These are two experienced guys who recognize that you have to execute perfectly to succeed in this league. So how will we know when the Panthers are starting to own this system? Here are some things to look for in the coming games:

• Blitzes are recognized and get blocked
• Blitzes are countered with short passes
• The cutback runs result in 5 yards or more
• 3rd and short running plays are converted
• Timing patterns are completed
• Screen plays work
• Fewer bad passes
• No false starts

Let’s see how Delhomme and Carr handle these situations tonight for the short, if any, time they will play. Once Dalton Bell gets in the game anything could happen but I’m sure he will be playing with some players who need to perform to secure starting spots (aka... the receivers). It should be entertaining if not anything else.

Hat tip to AJ for being on top of this.

[Update: See the recent diary posted extending this conversation. I think it is very pertinent.]