Panthers running back Christian McCaffrey often comes across as programmed when dealing with the media, and usually doesn’t stray too far from the company line. There are exceptions, as when McCaffrey last year was critical of the NFL for not giving players enough time to recover before Thursday night games.
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But McCaffrey doesn’t say anything by accident. So it was notable Wednesday when asked whether he sensed there was enough accountability across the locker room, McCaffrey quickly replied: “We’re getting it fixed.”
McCaffrey’s comment followed similar remarks from Matt Rhule, who suggested at least part of the issues facing the Panthers’ league-worst offense is a lack of accountability.
“It’s about on offense every guy taking responsibility for themselves to (say), ‘I’m gonna be where I’m supposed to be. I’m gonna make the play that I’m supposed to make,’” Rhule said. “Christian McCaffrey’s really talented, but he also takes a lot of accountability. He’s where he’s supposed to be and he makes the plays he’s supposed to make. Just need a little bit more of that from a lot of guys.”
The bulk of the Panthers’ problems on offense have centered on the passing game and an inability to sustain drives. They have converted just 25.5 percent of their third downs — worst in the NFL — and rank last in the league in time of possession.
Quarterback Baker Mayfield had had a rough transition since coming to Charlotte in a trade from Cleveland. The first overall pick from 2018 sits near the bottom in several passing categories, including completion percentage (54.7), yards per game (186.8) and passer rating.
Asked if there’s something he can do at practice to avoid batted balls, Baker Mayfield said: “If you have a drill, let me know.” pic.twitter.com/Cyp37jFnog
— Joe Person (@josephperson) October 5, 2022
Mayfield didn’t try to sugarcoat the issues and said it’s time for the offense to carry its weight.
“It’s time for our offense to actually play well, instead of just relying on our defense and special teams to save us and bail us out,” Mayfield said. “We have to play well. We have to execute. Handling the next punch is how I’d say adversity goes for me. Things are gonna happen. Some things within a game you can’t control. But some things — a lot that we’ve hurt ourselves (on) — you can control.”
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Rhule in recent weeks has called out the wide receivers and tight ends as two position groups that have to play better.
The Panthers have two receivers ranked among the bottom five in the league in catch percentage — Shi Smith, who’s tied for last at 30.77, and DJ Moore (44.83). Tight end Ian Thomas, signed to a contract extension during the offseason, has had at least one drop in each of the past two games.
In discussing Mayfield, Rhule said: “Most times players, when they’re not playing as well as they want, it’s about, are you doing in the games what you normally do? Are you trying too hard or thinking a little too much? And then also trying to get guys around him (to make plays). There’s some third downs that hit some guys’ hands.”
Wideout Robbie Anderson said he believes players have been accountable but wasn’t interested in discussing the topic.
“I think guys are. I don’t really try to critique my teammates. That’s not really my personality,” he said. “So I’m not gonna say like if I feel like anybody is or not. That’s not my character.”
Mayfield has been a little testy this season when asked about tipped passes. With five more batted passes against the Cardinals, Mayfield has a league-leading 11 this season.
Asked whether there were practice drills that might help, Mayfield snapped: “If you’ve got a drill for me, you can let me know.”
“It’s staying in the pocket. It’s finding windows to throw, getting (pass rushers’) hands down in the quick game,” he added. “It’s the same things I keep saying.”
As the Panthers have continued to lose — with 10 losses in their last 11 games — scrutiny and questions about Rhule’s future have increased. He’s in the third year of a seven-year contract worth $62 million and has an 11-26 record since being hired in 2020.
But McCaffrey said he still supports Rhule, the former Temple and Baylor coach whose previous NFL experience was one season as the Giants’ assistant offensive line coach.
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“The matter of the fact is we haven’t been good enough. I’m in the meetings. I know what’s being coached. Bad football’s not being coached,” McCaffrey said. “It’s up to us to go do it, though. As a leader on the team, it starts with me. It starts with all these guys. But we have to make the plays when our number is called. That’s not happening right now. We have extreme urgency to get it done.”
Jeremy Chinn sacks Jameis Winston earlier this season. (James Guillory / USA Today)The safety dance
The Panthers will face San Francisco on Sunday without one of their starting safeties, and possibly two of them.
Jeremy Chinn was placed on injured reserve with what Rhule called a severe hamstring injury and will miss a minimum of four games. In addition to Chinn’s, Xavier Woods’ status is in question with his own hamstring issue. Rhule said Woods, who’s second on the team with 30 tackles, is day to day.
Chinn’s loss is significant. The second-round pick from 2020 is a big, physical safety who can make plays in the secondary, as well as in blitz packages. Chinn had more than 100 tackles in his first two NFL seasons.
“Obviously, losing someone like Jeremy Chinn is difficult. He’s a great player,” Rhule said. “But we don’t want to rush it. His health comes first, and want to make sure he has a chance to heal.”
Nickel corner Myles Hartsfield and reserve Sean Chandler rotated at safety against Arizona after Chinn was injured in the first quarter. The Panthers also signed veteran Juston Burris from the practice squad Wednesday.
“Jeremy, the big, physical guy that he is, he’s an eraser. He can erase plays and make impact plays,” Rhule added. “But we have a lot of confidence in Myles and Sean. And we kept Juston for this very reason. He’s a tremendous pro and person. And when healthy, can be a really good player.”
The 29-year-old Burris started 20 games in Rhule’s first season, but was among the team’s last cuts this summer after being “banged up” at training camp, Rhule said.
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Burris, a Raleigh native who played at NC State, said he took his release in stride and brought a good attitude when he returned to the practice squad the following day.
“It is what it is. I feel blessed to have a job. I’m still in the NFL. So I didn’t take it any type of way,” Burris said. “They understand my value to the team, and they know I’m gonna come to work every day. I wasn’t down when I came back. I was happy to help in any way I could. They understood that and they appreciated that.”
Burris almost certainly will see action against the 49ers, especially if Woods can’t go.
“I’m planning to play as much as I can,” Burris said. “I’m just gonna try to step up and just hold this team down and try to help us get a win.”
Sam Darnold not ready to save the day
Sam Darnold might play for the Panthers again this season, but it won’t be any time soon. It’s been six weeks since Darnold went down with a high ankle sprain in the fourth quarter of the final preseason game against Buffalo, and Rhule said the quarterback still has “a ways” to go before he can play.
“He hasn’t practiced. So even once he’s cleared, it’s about what he looks like moving around and all that,” Rhule said. “Once he’s designated to return to practice, he gets 21 days (before the team has to activate him). And that’s not this week. So you’re kind of looking at like, do the math.”
Rhule said Darnold is “maybe a week or two” from returning to practice, and then would need additional time to ramp up. In other words, Mayfield will remain the quarterback, barring injury or something unforeseen.
(Top photo of Christian McCaffrey: David Jensen / Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
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