What is Wrong with the Carolina Panthers?

At this point I don't think I even know what week of the NFL season we are in...and at this point, I may not even care. 

Here is what I do know: We beat the crap out of Buffalo everywhere on the field of today's game EXCEPT ON THE SCOREBOARD (and special teams)!!!  That we lost today, at home, to one of the worst teams in the league, is just disgraceful.  And it confirms our (the die-hard Panther fans) worst fears; WE ARE ONE OF THE WORST TEAMS IN THE LEAGUE, TOO!

So some things need to be said about this team and we might as well start at the top.

A Team That Goes 12-4 Still Needs to MAKE MOVES IN THE OFFSEASON. 

Marty Hurney, the Carolina Panthers general manager, made virtually no moves after the crushing loss in the NFC Championship game.  He let the team be held hostage by Julius Peppers' refusal to sign either a new contract or the offer making him the highest-paid player in the league for one year.  No effort was made to trade the Pro Bowl defensive end because of his refusal to allow the trade—how do you like those no-trade clauses now, Marty?

The NFL Throws a Party in April (The OFFSEASON, MARTY) and It Is on TV

And speaking of not making moves in the offseason, in April of each year, the league decides to get together to throw a little selection party and a "few people" decide to watch. What did we do for that glorious occasion? Not much. 

We have a 34-year-old quarterback whose last game of the season prior to the much bally-whooed selection party threw five interceptions and fumbled once just for good measure.  And did it ever occur to Marty Hurney to think about drafting either a quarterback of the future or even a decent second-stringer? Evidently not.

Oh, and by the way, our beloved Jake is coming into his second season after Tommy John Surgery. How was that elbow in Week One of this season, Jake?  I remember Jake's first game as a Panther, a come-from-behind victory over the Jags where he came off the bench at halftime.  Jake has used up all of the good will from a Super Bowl season in 2003. Sorry Jake, but you already lead the league in interceptions this year. As of this morning, John Fox has not made any decision on the quarterback position for next week.

Good Assistant Coaches Are Important...Pay to Keep Them

The Panthers lost five assistant coaches in the offseason, including the defensive coordinator.  And who did we hire? Ron Meeks.  This Panthers defense has more holes in it than a colander.  Stopping the run does not appear to be a priority to Ron Meeks. 

And why should we be surprised?  His last job was with the Colts, where they had one of the worst run defenses ever.  His Colts defense once gave up over 400 yards rushing to the Jaguars.  If it had not been for Bob Sanders and Dwight Freeney, that Super Bowl-winning defense would have been virtually non-existent. 

Ron Meeks is perhaps the worst defensive coordinator in the league.  He may be a super nice guy, but he pretty much ruined a Super Bowl-contending D.  As a former defensive coordinator, John Fox should be outraged.

The loss to the Bills had very little to do with the Panthers defense, but more to do with the ineptitude of the Buffalo offense...167 total yards and only nine first downs!

Could the Offensive Play-Calling Get Any More Generic?

Last season, thanks to an amazing tandem of running backs and a stout o-line, the Panthers were able to put points up on the board, even though they really only blew out one or two teams (thanks, Kansas City).  But I have a question:  When you go to hire a new offensive coordinator, shouldn't that new coach come from a team with somewhat of a strong offense?  Jeff Davidson is just awful. 

The play-calling on offense looks to be comprised of about 10 plays:

DeAngelo Williams runs.

Jonathon Stewart runs.

Throw to Steve Smith in the flat (to the right or the left).

Throw to Moose over the middle.

Find a tight end over the middle or Delhomme makes a bad read...wait...that's not on purpose, is it? 

I did not think the play-calling could get any worse than under Dan Henning, but boy was I wrong.

So let us review, for the sake of the next Carolina GM:

1.  Make positive moves in the offseason. Get some free agents to make the team better.

2.  The draft is important, study your team and fill in the holes with the best possible talent.

3.  Do whatever it takes to keep good assistant coaches on the sidelines because our current coordinators are ridiculously terrible.

If at the end of this season Marty Hurney, John Fox, Jeff Davidson, and Ron Meeks still have jobs with the Panthers, then ownership will be once again thumbing their noses at the fans who consistently support this team. 

The fans and the players deserve better.