The Carolina Panthers are focusing on improving their offensive communication as they prepare for their upcoming game against Arizona. Offensive coordinator Brad Idzik explained that the team has emphasized “brevity of communication” to help players move more quickly and efficiently.
“That’s the first thing we did this week is challenge guys,” said Idzik. “Just talking about being urgent into and out of the huddle, getting to the line of scrimmage so we can start to digest information as soon as possible, getting looks in the run game, getting our points right and getting the communication echoed out up front.”
Panthers head coach Dave Canales acknowledged earlier in the week that there were delays during last Sunday’s game against Jacksonville, with the offense often breaking the huddle late in the play clock. He noted, “That’s something that we want to get better at, so we’ll be attacking that this week.”
Idzik added that clear and concise communication helps build trust among teammates. “Brevity of communication. So, coupling the tempo of getting in and out of the huddle, the tempo of getting the play called is not adding fluff in our communication,” he said. He further explained that relying on practiced vocabulary allows players from different backgrounds to work together smoothly: “You’re keeping guys in the wheelhouse of things that we’ve practiced as far as using vocabulary… just rely on trusting our technique, trusting our… vocabulary and brevity of communication… knowing your teammate next to you is going to have your back.”
On defense, coordinator Ejiro Evero focused on tackling fundamentals after missed tackles led to big plays by Jacksonville in last week’s first half. Head coach Canales praised Evero for emphasizing these drills during a non-padded practice.
Evero commented on improvements seen after halftime: “Well, the one thing that was very encouraging about the last game is that we tackled a lot better in the second half than we did in the first half,” he said. “So I’m excited about what we’re going to do this week.
“I know we’re going to tackle better, I feel like we’re going to play better, and yeah, I certainly think that you can make strides in one week.”
Statistically, Jacksonville gained most of its yards before halftime—262 out of 378 total yards—including 134 rushing yards out of 200 for the game. Their average per carry dropped from 5.25 yards before halftime to 3.47 afterward.
Special teams coordinator Tracy Smith discussed rookie kicker Ryan Fitzgerald’s performance during his NFL debut near his hometown in Georgia. Despite expectations he might be nervous due to weather delays and other challenges during Sunday’s game, Smith described Fitzgerald as calm throughout.
“Maybe it helped him being close to home, but he seemed very comfortable the entire day,” Smith said. “I checked in with him several times throughout the game and just kind of felt like a normal kicker to me, which is a good thing.”
Smith also explained why Fitzgerald was not asked to attempt a long field goal later in the game: “He was available from that distance and a little bit farther,” Smith said. However, given field position and time remaining before halftime, punting was considered safer than risking giving Jacksonville favorable field position if a long kick missed.
As Fitzgerald gains experience kicking at different venues under various conditions—including Arizona’s closed roof stadium—the staff will continue adjusting decisions based on circumstances each week.
“That is straight up game situation; weather conditions apply and then where we’re at… Arizona we have the roof closed… but it is ever changing,” Smith concluded.
