There’s little doubt the worth of preseason soccer has been vastly diminished lately. Groups are extra cagey than ever about displaying their offensive and defensive tendencies on movie for opponents — with joint practices turning into the league’s de facto technique for truly putting in schemes. Regardless of these adjustments, it’s weird to see a crew punt on your entire preseason program, however the Carolina Panthers are doing simply that.
For the second straight week the Panthers rested all their crucial starters towards the Jets of their preseason recreation. This got here after first-year head coach Dave Canales rested his starters in Week 1 of preseason towards the Patriots. Whereas the vast majority of the league is utilizing this time to provide their first crew at the least some live-fire reps, Canales and the Panthers are transferring ahead taking part in their depth, as in the event that they’re a lock playoff crew without having to judge its roster.
It’s tempting to get misplaced within the thought that is hubris, and whereas it actually doesn’t supply a lot in the best way of anticipation or pleasure for followers, there are a number of elements to contemplate earlier than totally diving into the deep finish of rookie coach naivety.
The Panthers have had a actually good coaching camp
It’s comprehensible that there hasn’t been a lot consideration on the Panthers at a nationwide stage. They weren’t simply the worst crew within the NFL a yr in the past, however didn’t have a top-3 decide to observe in camp. Because of this they had been largely ignored, which the crew has roughly used to its benefit.
Bryce Younger had extra good days than dangerous as Carolina put in Canales’ new-look offense, roughly the identical scheme that allowed Baker Mayfield to soar in Tampa Bay a yr in the past — and whereas there have been incremental enhancements, it wasn’t till the joint apply periods with the Jets that Carolina started to uncork its true offense.
The outcomes had been gorgeous. Even with out Diontae Johnson or Xavier Legette, each of whom had been sidelined with minor accidents, Bryce was on-point towards the Jets 1st crew protection, connecting on two landing passes with out turning the ball over, and displaying on a brand new arsenal of passes he didn’t have an opportunity to throw in 2023.
This was a apply that ought to have been ugly for Carolina. Boasting one of many league’s worst offenses towards a top-tier protection ought to have led to quite a few ugly performs and forgettable moments. Nevertheless, the was Younger and Co. thrived confirmed that there may actually be one thing right here since Canales’ arrival.
Which leads us to …
The shock issue
Everybody within the NFL is attempting to cover their true intentions proper now. It’s for that reason you’ll typically hear preseason offenses known as “vanilla,” utilizing solely essentially the most primary ideas with none of the sizzle.
From what we learn about Canales he’s a confidence, vibes-based coach who’s not totally dissimilar in demeanor to Mike McDaniel of the Dolphins. To this finish there’s worth in preserving his starters underneath wraps till Week 1 of the common season, particularly contemplating there’s a must get off to a sizzling begin.
The Panthers open their 2024 season towards the Saints, Chargers, and Raiders. Three groups the Panthers ought to be capable of compete towards. It’s not till Week 4 vs. Cincinnati that Carolina sees an opponent they shouldn’t have an opportunity towards.
This implies there’s a particular line of logic that dictates the Panthers maintain as a lot hidden as attainable, solely revealing their true beginning offense when the video games matter. If apply has been going nicely and the teaching workers feels there’s little they will be taught by “going vanilla,” then this might truly work.
The Panthers’ depth is a nightmare
In case you take a look at Carolina’s depth chart it’s truly not a complete mess — till you get to the second unit and past. Years of dangerous back-end drafting has left the depth in tatters, and there’s no room for the Panthers to lose a key starter or two earlier than the common season.
The one place the Panthers might arguably lose a participant with out lacking an excessive amount of is security, the place they’ve extra expertise than they know what to do with. Exterior of that this crew is a home of playing cards attempting to keep away from a stuff breeze.
So, as soon as once more, if the Panthers teaching workers is assured within the crew then there’s nothing they will garner from preseason.
Regardless of the explanations these selections make sense, it’s nonetheless unconventional
There are apparent excuses we are able to make for the Panthers sitting their starters in preseason, however that doesn’t cease it being actually odd for a nasty crew to be doing this. Stay snaps are nonetheless stay snaps, and it might depart the crew unprepared for the common season.
It’s a daring strategy by Canales that would both end in a wholesome Panthers gorgeous the NFL world and making an affect immediately, or sucking out loud and discovering themselves in a gap.
Because it stands Bryce Younger is being handled like a high quarterback who doesn’t want his reps. We’ll see if this perception is warranted when Week 1 rolls round.