We got our asses whupped. No ifs, ands, or butts. You know, the Panthers have been a team that has been so banged up for the last couple of years, yet always found a way to win the game somehow. Yet when you face a team with strengths throughout every corp, the deficiencies in the positions where you have injured players become glaring.
But there's a bigger problem than that. On offense, one of the younger WRs have to step up (Colbert, Carter), especially now since Ricky Proehl is sure to retire in the offseason. There's also talk of John Kasay retiring too, but it's premature at the moment. The offensive line needs to be strengthened too.
And then - my god - we need a running back. Not just any running back either; I'm saying someone that can punish a defensive line throughout the game and still be able to play a full season.
The juggling between Davis, Goings, and Foster has to cease. Davis needs to retire; there isn't any coming back. Goings can stay on as a third down backup. And Foster, well, if he wants to be a backup, okay, but the Panthers can NOT give him a starting contract. Hell naw, even. What team in the league would be stupid enough to give money like that to a guy that hasn't played a full season since he's been here, and when he was handed the starting spot, didn't do shit until it was playoff time, and then got injured again? No, no, and HELL naw.
Defense is less troublesome. The main thing is to strengthen the DT positions, as Jenkins has only played five games in the last 2 seasons. Also, find competent backup at safety. And change the defensive zone coverage scheme and make it more aggressive, because I'm tired of seeing Carolina give up so many yards in zone coverage. We have guys fast enough to work with to use man-to-man (oh, and by the way; great coverage out there Lucas...I am being sarcastic, yanno). I would say replace Minter with a better coverage safety, but I know I'm wasting my breath there.
Anyway, overall the team is decent, and should be able to gell together and make another big playoff run next year. However, these are the things that will help us, and will allow this team to not only get get to the Super Bowl, but win it. Particularly with the RB problem, lets hope the Panthers do the right thing.