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The offensive line. This usually is Carolina's strength, but the unit has missed right tackle Jeff Otah opposite its best player, left tackle Jordan Gross. The group is partially responsible for allowing eight sacks, second-most in the NFL. It also is having atypical struggles with run blocking.
The receivers. One rookie starter, Brandon LaFell, was replaced with another, David Gettis,[link widoczny dla zalogowanych], because of injury Sunday. When opponents work to take away four-time Pro Bowl receiver Steve Smith deep, the Panthers settle for a predictable checkdown to a tight end or a back. The inability to find someone else to stretch the field hurts.
As for Moore, he is disappointed but says he will be a supportive backup.
When everything else isn't working, bad decisions by the quarterback—Moore and [link widoczny dla zalogowanych] already have combined for five interceptions—are magnified.
Sporting News correspondent Darin Gantt contributed to this report.
Expect [link widoczny dla zalogowanych] to take a lot of lumps, but the coaches shouldn't hold back on the playbook. This is a chance to see all parts of his game and help him learn and improve.
The defense. This group must keep games close and low-scoring because the offense isn't built to play catch-up. When stuck in a frantic passing mode, it takes DeAngelo Williams, Jonathan Stewart and play-action fakes out of the equation. Uncharacteristically, the Carolina defense has given up a lot of points and yards.
"It's not just the quarterback, but somehow or another we have to gain some confidence in the passing game," coach John Fox said Monday. "This is a move just to try to spark our offense."
The Panthers certainly didn't look like a playoff team with Matt Moore at quarterback, losing mistake-filled games to the Giants and Buccaneers—two games that were winnable.
The running game. The Panthers were consistently dominant in this area the past two seasons, producing 4.8 yards per carry. That number has dropped to 3.6 through two games. The problem is, with little respect for the pass, opponents can better gang up for the run.
"You can't go in there thinking, if I make a mistake, I'm going to get pulled," [link widoczny dla zalogowanych] said Monday. "You have to go in there thinking I'm going to make plays when I have the opportunity."
At 0-2, in a division with 1-1 Atlanta, 2-0 Tampa Bay and reigning Super Bowl champion New Orleans, the Panthers have little hope to contend in 2010 and playing for the future could soon become the priority at several positions.
Rookie [link widoczny dla zalogowanych] needs help to turn around Panthers
CHARLOTTE, N.C. — The decision came earlier than expected. But after losing their first two games, it's clear the Panthers have nothing to lose by starting rookie quarterback [link widoczny dla zalogowanych] on Sunday vs. Cincinnati.
With the team ranked 28th in total offense and 27th in passing, it can't get much worse. The Panthers, however, shouldn't expect [link widoczny dla zalogowanych] to be a savior.
"If he plays well, shoot, we'll get a win and keep rolling," Moore said of [link widoczny dla zalogowanych]. "I'll do the same things I have been doing and be ready if called upon."
There are just too many problems around him: