Carolina’s offensive line last season was a strength and ranked at #16. While Austin Corbett and Brady Christianson suffered injuries late in the season, most believed this unit was one of the stronger groups on the team. That wasn’t the case in Carolina’s preseason opener against the Jets. The Panthers’ first-team offensive line, although without starting right guard Austin Corbett, struggled mightily against the Jets’ second-string defense. Darin Gantt noted the “Jets are hideously deep on the defensive front.” Gantt wisely cautioned Panthers fans not to panic. Still, the poor outing that showcased the prized rookie quarterback taking two big hits and the second-string quarterback being relentlessly under fire has fans concerned that this offensive line may not be all that good this season.

The preseason opener revealed three problems facing the Carolina Panthers.

1) Michael Jordan and Cam Erving aren’t good.

Despite believing Cam Erving is a helpful vet in mentoring Ekownu and the need for a swing tackle that can come in on short notice for short stretches, Erving played awful at right tackle, and starting left guard looked like he could have benefited from better mentorship. Jordan’s performance was even worse. He was beaten, bullied, and embarrassed. It’s wild to see such a large man get pushed back so quickly. Frankly, Jordan hasn’t ever been good. He was on the line that Joe Burrow tore his ACL behind, and he was one of the problems for Carolina at guard over the past two years.

2) Ickey Ekwonu struggles with speed.

Ekwonu isn’t a problem, but he does struggle against speed rushers. Ekwonu allowed a few sacks early last season but seemed to settle in. Perhaps that is because Carolina stopped trying the spread the ball out and moved more to a power-run team, which certainly lends to Ekwonu’s strengths. Ickey struggled with speed against the Jets. He failed to pick up a stunt on one play and, on another, let a defender that resulted in a brutal hit to the rookie quarterback. I’m not especially concerned about Ekwonu as the Panthers’ franchise left tackle. He will surely improve as he gets more and more experience. The concern, however, is that Carolina may be limited schematically in the meantime. The scary question, however, is what happens if this becomes a long-term problem for Ekwonu? I guess, at worst, that would resolve the issues at guard.

3) Missing pieces make for a wildly unimpressive rotation.

Veteran Austin Corbett meant a lot to Carolina’s offensive line success last season, which showed in their preseason debut. Corbett is still recovering from an ACL injury in January, and it isn’t clear that he will be ready for the season start. Regardless of missing OTAs, training camp, and the long-term healing process accompanying a significant knee injury, he can only be counted on for so much upon his return. Carolina was clearly trying to learn about Corbett’s stand-in, starting three players in three consecutive series. What they discovered wasn’t good. The Panthers started second-year guard Cade Maybes for a series or two but then moved him to center as they sat Bradley Bozeman. Veteran Justin McCray stood in for a couple of series, which didn’t look any better. Carolina then trotted out Michael Jordan, who left fans crying and Corrall running for his life.

Corbett isn’t the only missing piece. Panthers fans have been excited about rookie guard Chandler Zavala, who played alongside Ekownu at NC State. However, Zavala missed all training camp on the physically unable to perform list. He returned to practice today and saw significant reps during 11 on 11s. Zavala is still a rookie, and it would be naive to think he alone can be the plug-and-play answer Carolina needs. Can the Panthers get it right? Will it require them to seek answers through a trade or a last-moment free-agent addition? I’m sure Scott Fitterer is frantically trying to figure that out.

By Tony Dunn (@Cat_Chronicles
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