Sorry, fellow Cat People. The team I saw at BoA Stadium today has serious problems.
Issue #1 is the offensive line. It was a worry even before starting tackle Travelle Wharton went down today; now it is a crisis. The Panthers cannot run the ball and pass protection is iffy against speed rushers. Jake Delhomme needs both to be effective.
Steve Smith cannot and will not fix this.
Then there is the defense. Simply put, Dan Morgan cannot stay on the field. That hurts. Then factor in Thomas Davis — or out as the case may be. Davis was blown up repeatedly by the Falcons OL.
Add to the LB woes safeties who lack closing speed and the mid-middle of the Panthers’ defense has gaping holes.
A home loss against a division foe is bascially a negative two-fer for the Panthers. Either they quickly find a new, ball-hawking defense and a run game and knock down a few wins a row, or you can count the season over by November.
Update: Check the waiver wire. Wharton is out for the season.
