Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: TUESDAY, September 5, 1995 TAG: 9509070026
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B3 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: ED HARDIN LANDMARK NEWS SERVICE
DATELINE: ROCK HILL, S. C. LENGTH: Medium
The reality set in Monday as the Carolina Panthers limped back to Winthrop one day after losing an overtime opener to the Atlanta Falcons.
The films showed a worse running game than the numbers suggested. And the injury report grew overnight. As the
Panthers prepare for their second game this week against Buffalo, Carolina is in search of an offense and possibly an offensive lineman.
``The first thing we have to do is run the ball more effectively,'' coach Dom Capers said.
The numbers were numbing Sunday as the Panthers assessed their first game in the National Football League. Carolina, a team built to run, is second to last in rushing after the first week of the season. And that's against Atlanta, a defense that hardly scares the rest of the league.
The Panthers ran only 20 times Sunday, gaining 51 yards and never coming close to breaking a long gainer. Randy Baldwin, the replacement back who now carries Carolina's running hopes, gained 43 yards, averaging 2.5 a run and not once gaining more than nine yards on a single carry.
Much of the problem was along the offensive line. Rookies Blake Brockermeyer and Andrew Peterson were no match for the front four of the Falcons. And on the right side, veteran tackle Derrick Graham had an even worse day.
``There's a lot of blame to go around,'' tight end Pete Metzelaars said. ``We all need to step up. Every individual on the offense needs to look at himself and see what he needs to do to improve.''
Capers did not rule out improving the team by going out and finding someone else to play on the line Monday. Carolina already had one lineman injured. Starting right guard Matt Elliott did not dress Sunday. He is expected back this week.
But the Panthers might lose Peterson, the rookie, who showed up Monday experiencing back spasms.
Peterson is now questionable for this week's game in Buffalo.
If he cannot play, the Panthers could be in deep trouble against the Bills. Against Atlanta, the offense completely shut down for almost an entire half. And though a lot of the blame can be placed on Graham, who was flagged four times for false starts, and on Brockermeyer, who was burned for 31/2 sacks by Chris Doleman, the biggest problem might be the uncertainty surrounding the line.
``We might have to look to see if anything's available,'' Capers said.
Last week Carolina added Jason Childs, a tackle who was cut from San Francisco two weeks ago. But he and Kevin Farkas watched from the sidelines Sunday, along with offensive line coach Jim McNally, who got an earful from Capers during one heated exchange.
McNally, who has had to juggle linemen throughout the preseason, might have the most important job on the team this week. He must repair the psyche of a demoralized offensive line.
One surprise Sunday was the Panthers passing game. While the running numbers are abysmal, quarterback Frank Reich was actually leading the league in yards passing after Sunday's games. Reich threw for 329 yards and two touchdowns against the Falcons. That was more than Dan Marino or John Elway or Drew Bledsoe or Jim Kelly.
But ultimately, the passing success beat the Panthers.
``When you tell a team you're going to pass they come at you pretty hard,'' Capers said.
And by failing to move the ball on the ground, the Panthers basically told the Falcons they would be passing on every third down and in every key situation. It caught up with the Panthers in overtime when Reich faded back to toss a pass in the flats to fullback Bob Christian.
Once again, the Falcons came hard at Reich. Defensive end Lester Archambeau busted through the right side of the Carolina offensive front, knocked the ball from Reich's hands and fell on the fumble.
The Panthers plan to add running back Derrick Moore to the game plan this week, giving Carolina a more varied ground game. Moore is a power runner who can get yards when there is no hole to run through. That was the case most of Sunday, and Baldwin, more of a finesse runner, simply had nowhere to go.
Capers and McNally will have to come up with a direction for the offense this week against Buffalo. After one week in the NFL, the Panthers are leading the league in passing yards. And that makes Capers very nervous.
But not nearly as nervous as a couple of offensive linemen who could be looking for work in a few days.
Keywords:
FOOTBALL
by CNB