After the Carolina Panthers offensive line was dismantled by the New York Jets in their first preseason matchup, the unit followed it up with another poor performance. The Panthers front five were put to the test by the talented New York Giants front seven and aggressive defensive playcalling.
Carolina Panthers Offensive Line Comes Up Short Again In Loss
A week removed from Bryce Young taking multiple hits from the Jets defensive line, the Giants were able to get to Young quickly. If it weren’t for Young’s athleticism and awareness to avoid the pass rush, he would’ve taken another beating.
One of the changes from Week 1 to Week 2 was rookie guard Chandler Zavala getting the starting nod. Zavala dealt with injuries in camp, and without Zavala on the field in Week 1, the Panthers used three combinations at guard. All three combinations in Week 1 were ineffective against the Jets, as each guard was beaten at least once. With Zavala, the bleeding on the interior offensive line for the Panthers subsided.
“It felt fun to get back out there. Just to play and do what I do,” Zavala said. “We just hit the reset button; last week wasn’t good enough. We have a standard for ourselves, and we all took it very seriously.”
Ineffective Run Game
While the Panthers offensive line performance slightly improved from Week 1 to Week 2, the Giants defensive line took advantage of the dysfunction. One glaring reason for this is the lack of positive rushing plays, as Chuba Hubbard totaled 30 yards on eight carries.
Without a reliant run game, opposing defenses don’t stack the box and can rely on their pass defense. The hope for the Panthers is that the return of Miles Sanders would solve this issue, but it all starts with the offensive line creating rushing lanes.
A Formidable Blind Side
The preseason performance of Ikem Ekwonu has become alarming as the No. 6 pick in 2022 has looked downright terrible thus far. Ekwonu finished the 2022 season with substantial growth and the hopes of becoming a franchise left tackle.
With all eyes on Young, many thought that Ekwonu would cement himself as Young’s blindside. So far in the preseason, Ekwonu has struggled with those responsibilities. In Young’s only sack of the game, Ekwonu miscommunicated with his guard Brady Christensen. The mistake gave Kayvon Thibodeaux a free rushing lane to Young on 2nd-and-9 in the red zone.
“Just a miscommunication on my end,” Ekwonu said. “Definitely, 100 percent, my fault.”
Kayvon Thibodeaux with the SACK 😳
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This is likely the last time most starters will play in the preseason, as head coach Frank Reich was non-committal for Week 3. The Panthers offensive line won’t start the regular season with an easy matchup as they match up against the Atlanta Falcons Week 1. The Falcons re-tooled their front seven this offseason, featuring Calais Campbell and Bud Dupree.
It’s become evident throughout training camp and the preseason that Young has the talent to change this franchise. Keeping him upright and healthy will be the challenge in his rookie year. This Panthers team will go as far as the offensive line takes them.
Main Photo: Jim Dedmon – USA Today Sports
