​Hello CSR! Welcome to Brian Answers, part two of your weekly Panthers fan mailbag for everyone. We’ve been tackling these off-topic conversations during the slow buildup to the NFL regular season, and this edition is no exception. Let’s jump right in to all your questions.
Revshawn: How many days are left until we see Panthers action again? The first Panthers preseason game is August 6th, so as of this writing we are 26 days away.
@WTMealey: Which Panthers in their prime would have made the USMNT if they had pursued soccer? And which NFL positions translate best to soccer? My instinct says wide receiver and defensive back, maybe tight end and edge at goalie? Graham Gano, Jason Baker, and John Kasay might have made decent soccer players as kickers/punters. I’d give the edge to Baker given his demonstrated athleticism as a punter. For non-kick related players, Ted Ginn could be a speedster, and Cam Newton a fierce competitor. I’d also agreeTE could fit from a size perspective, and cornerback could work as a goalie since their career revolves around stopping a ball with their hands. WR and DB in general could become strong soccer players, and an especially athletic kicker like Joey Slye might fit too.
sgtx: If this season goes off the rails and the team only wins 3-4 games, what might cause that? Probably a run of injuries in the trenches, on both the offensive and defensive lines. It could involve losing Jaelan Phillips and Devin Lloyd on defense, forcing the team to start a third-string tackle or two. The offense could weather a minor Bryce Young injury, but such a result would likely require momentum to collapse across the board.
e4*: Welcome back, Brian—hope you and the family had a great vacation. I visited my parents in South Carolina, which was wonderful, but I returned to absurd storms in the PA area over the July 4th weekend. I appreciate you!
GooseCreek: Which football stadium is on your wish list to visit, and why? The New Orleans Saints’ stadium tops my list. I’ve seen fans there causing a stir with traffic cones and talking smack to a Titans fan base when they weren’t playing well, and I’d like to return the favor for the memorable chaos I witnessed that day.
DeacCat: 1) With Dave Canales handing play-calling duties off to Brad Idzik this offseason, what structural or philosophical changes do you expect? Do you think Idzik will lean toward unlocking more explosive plays or stay with the run-heavy identity Canales established? 1A) Rank in order: Eastern, Lexington, Western, and SC (Carolina Gold mustard-style) barbecue. I don’t anticipate drastic changes right away; I’d prefer to revisit after the preseason. As for Brad Idzik, I’ll note the SEO potential in his name.
This wrap-up is a bit longer than usual, but I’m keeping the focus on your questions and providing thoughtful responses. If you’d like, I can expand on any of these topics or tailor future responses to a narrower set of questions.