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After an off-season that saw the Carolina Panthers trade up to draft Bryce Young with the #1 overall pick, combined with putting together an All-Star caliber coaching staff, competing for an NFC South division title wasn't out of the question, in Year One for Frank Reich. Instead, Carolina is off to its second-ever 0-6 start, and as they enter the bye week, the first change we saw made was Reich officially giving play-calling duties, turning that responsibility over to Thomas Brown. While Reich stated earlier today in a press conference that, that will be the only move on the coaching staff this week, the job security of Scott Fitterer has been called into question, as many Panthers would like to the general manager out of a job, after putting together this roster.
After a 0-5 start, an already restless Panthers fan base isn't in the mood to hear any talk about patience, but that's exactly what is needed, and that is exactly what Jeff Saturday was preaching on the Wes & Walker Show earlier today on WFNZ. The former standout offensive lineman for the Colts and the Packers joined the program to talk about the early season struggles for Carolina, why he's a believer in Ickey Ekwonu, and why the Panthers need to build up around Bryce Young to get the most out of him.
After a lot of talk in the off-season about how much improved the 49ers were going to be defensively, and as a team, Biff Poggi finds himself 1-4, entering the bye week, with competitive losses to Power 5 programs, Maryland and Florida. With that in mind, it is time for the program to reset expectations for the rest of 2023.
We are just about a quarter of the way into the 2023-24 NFL season, and the Carolina Panthers, are still looking for their first win of the season. Carolina entered the season with hopes of competing for an NFC South division title and ending the longest playoff drought in the history of the franchise. After the 0-4 start, it looks like Carolina will have to wait until next season to compete once again in the division, and in the conference as well.
The Panthers might be 0-4, and Charlotte FC's playoff hopes might be fading away, but there might be another pro team in the Queen City that can make you proud. Believe it or not, the Hornets will tip off their 2023-24 season later this month, and they have high hopes for being a playoff team after injuries made it hard for the team to compete last season.
Former Charlotte Observer writer, and now Vikings beat reporter, Ellis Williams joined the Wes & Walker Show yesterday, to give us the Vikings perspective ahead of Sunday's game at Bank of America Stadium. He tells you what makes Justin Jefferson such a hard matchup for the Panthers secondary, what areas Carolina has the advantage in on the field, & more.
After missing last week's game at Seattle, it looks like Bryce Young is set to start this Sunday's game against the Vikings. Young, who suffered an ankle injury in the Monday night loss to the Saints in Week 2, hopes to use the week off to get his rookie season off and running.
Earlier today on the Wes & Walker Show, Duke's play-by-play broadcaster, David Shumate joined the show to set the scene for Saturday's Duke/Notre Dame game. He talks about the importance of College GameDay being in Durham, for the game, and the chances the Blue Devils take down the Irish
After an 0-3 start, it is harder to see the vision that Frank Reich has for the Panthers this season, and beyond. When you look at the upcoming stretch of games, at home against the Vikings, and at the Lions and Dolphins ahead of the bye, an 0-6 start isn't out of the question for Carolina. And if that happens, an already on the edge fan base will only continue to implode all over the place. But is it still okay to have faith that Reich, will turn out to be the right hire?
After an 0-3 start to the 2023 season for the Panthers, there is a lot of vitriol from the Panthers fan base, and they are seeking to find someone to blame. After firing Matt Rhule, and hiring Frank Reich, the belief was that the losing the franchise had endured since 2017 was going to come to an end, and the winning football that Dave Tepper promised when he bought the team, was on the horizon. While that still may be true, it is hard to see that with the current brand of football we've seen so far in 2023, and the schedule is not going to do them any favors with a strip to Miami looming before the bye.