I can’t count the number of times the announcers during the Texans game said the phase the "Panthers vaunted front 7" and proclaimed they are one of the best if not the best. Maybe in 2003 or 2004 but we haven’t seen it in a while. Here’s some stats from the first two games:

Through two games this year, the Panthers have one sack - by backup defensive tackle Kindal Moorehead.
Moorehead, who comes in on obvious passing downs, has more tackles (eight) than starters Mike Rucker (seven), Maake Kemoeatu (five) and Kris Jenkins (four).

How can the back-up have more tackles than three of the four starters? Sure he only sees single blockers but Rucker, Kemo and Jenkins can’t all be double teamed. I’ve said this before and I still think its true. Kemo is a weak link. He was brought over to stop the run but I don’t see it happening. Teams are running to the right side with success.

Chew on this:

Using sacks as a barometer of the line's success can be deceiving. And the Panthers may be using the defensive line to help shore up a shaky secondary. Peppers has dropped into coverage several times through the first two games.
"I feel like I can be effective in both situations with my hand down rushing and standing up," Peppers said. "Sometimes you have to play to the offense."

When you start playing to the offense you’re saying that your base defense can’t stop them. Is he searching for a valid excuse? We could be in for a long season. Some pundits have said the defense lacks fire with the loss of Minter. We could really use Stanley MCClover and his barking back. Anyone have any idea how his hammy is feeling? His talking always seemed to rev up the defense.