Carolina Panthers: Should the team have looked at Jake Long?
The Carolina Panthers may have missed out on an opportunity to help their tackle position when Jake Long signed with Minnesota.
The Carolina Panthers are currently in a state of more self reflection after their loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers sent their record down to 1-4. The loss to the Buccaneers on a last second field goal was understandable since the Panthers entered the game with a number of injuries at key positions.
The team now finds themselves in the unenviable position of having to build a secondary on the fly. At least they should get quarterback Cam Newton back this week as they prepare for the New Orleans Saints.
However the big personnel move yesterday was not made by the Panthers. It was made by the Minnesota Vikings. The Vikings sent tackle Andre Smith to IR. To replace him, they brought veteran tackle and former number one pick Jake Long. Long was a free agent and had been dealing with a series of injuries before this season.
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The issue here is not why the Vikings signed Long, but why the Panthers showed no interest in the tackle. Michael Oher has missed the last two weeks and the position has been criticized by outside observers. Long would have been a gamble, but he would have been a relatively cheap gamble.
Long has started at tackle for the Dolphins and Falcons, but he has run afoul of injuries. The Vikings claim he is good enough health to pass a physical, and the time off from football has probably motivated him.
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It is fair to note that the Vikings have lost a number of linemen to this point. Smith was not the season’s starter at the position. Therefore they are in a slightly different position than the Panthers, who have plenty of unproven bodies at the position.
The Vikings success this year is also an indictment of the Panthers’ woes. Minnesota has lost its starting quarterback, running back, left tackle, and other linemen but still win games. Their key element is a defense that brings front seven pressure to shore up any secondary weakness.