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Carolina Panthers Now Must Embrace Old School Football

By Erik Lambert

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Jan 10, 2015; Seattle, WA, USA; Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton (1) hands the ball off to Carolina Panthers running back Jonathan Stewart (28) in the 2014 NFC Divisional playoff football game at CenturyLink Field. Seattle defeated Carolina 31-17. Mandatory Credit: Steven Bisig-USA TODAY Sports

Things looked about ready to take off for the Carolina Panthers offense in 2015, specifically their pass attack.  Already sporting Pro Bowl tight end Greg Olsen, the real buzz was around what second-year receiver Kelvin Bejamin could do after a strong rookie season (1,008 yards and 9 TDs).  Sadly that plan was scrapped during a freak accident at practice.

Now without their best outside target, the initial reaction is the Panthers must somehow scramble to replace Benjamin.  The thing is that’s close to impossible this late in the free agency process.  Outside of an unexpected trade or surprise cut by another team, there is no way Carolina can keep their hopes of a more open passing offense in play.

So what do they do?

What any team lacking for air options must:  get back to old school football.

Don’t forget that this Panthers team is still driven by a highly talented defense.  Luke Kuechly is one of the best all-around players in the game and the unit around him finished 10th last season in yards allowed.  They are healthy, young and sporting some intriguing new faces including linebacker Shaq Thompson.

What gets lost in the shuffle is how deep Carolina is at running back.  Jonathan Stewart enjoyed a resurgence last year with 809 yards in just 13 games at 4.6 yards per carry.  He is joined by promising scat back Fozzy Whittaker, fullback Mike Tolbert and underrated rookie Cameron Artis-Payne.  It’s a group that lacks star power but makes up for it with sneaky talent and depth.

It is they who the Carolina Panthers will have to gear their offensive game plans around moving forward.  In the absence of a receiving corps that can attack a defense at all levels, a team often has the most success sending waves of running backs at them, using a physical brand of football that isn’t always pretty but can be effective.  In fact, of the 12 teams that ran the ball at least 44% of the time in games during 2014, six of them made the playoffs and another three had records of .500 or better.

Sure, it won’t always be pretty but this Panthers team is good enough to make that adjustment, at least until they find somebody who can fill Benjamin’s shoes.

Next: NFL Draft: 10 Biggest Running Back Steals Of All-Time

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