We all know the Panthers need to upgrade the left tackle and defensive .

Mike Adams and Eric Reid are going to be free agents http://www.carolinapanthersteamonline.com/wes-horton-jersey , so both safety positions need to get addressed. Carolina could also add some quality and depth at cornerback as well. But you already know about those roster gaps. I’m here to add another one: Punt returner!Yes, I just said punt returner. Just humor me on this one, okay? The Panthers’ weak return game has bugged me for the past couple of seasons and I’m probably not alone in feeling this way. Now is as good of a time as any to get this off my chest. The Panthers return game has been objectively bad over the last two seasons. With data taken from ESPN, Carolina’s average of 6.9 yards per punt return in 2017 and 2018 is among the bottom of the NFL:Worst yards per punt return, 2017-2018RankTeamReturnsYardsYards/ReturnRankTeamReturnsYardsYards/ReturnTo put that in context, five teams have averaged over 10 yards per return over the last two seasons - the Cleveland Browns (10.7), Pittsburgh Steelers (10.6), Washington (10.5), Houston Texans (10.5), and Arizona Cardinals (10.1). On average Authentic Trai Turner Jersey , the better punt returning teams have given their offenses an extra three-plus yards of starting field position than the Panthers over the last two years. That’s not necessarily going to be the difference between winning and losing most weeks, but according to the cliche police football is “a game of inches” and every yard helps. Part of the problem is the Panthers have cycled through a number of different returners since Ted Ginn’s departure after the 2016 season. Since then following players have all returned punts for Carolina: Christian McCaffrey (22), Kaelin Clay (17), Damiere Byrd (12), Kenjon Barner (7), and D.J. Moore (6). That’s five different returners over the last 32 games. CMC’s too valuable now to return punts and D.J. Moore is probably in the same boat. Kaelin Clay’s gone. Byrd and Barner will be free agents. So what’s the solution?As for me, I’m hoping “Byrd is the word” in 2019. He’s a restricted free agent and was performing well before going on injured reserve in late November.I’d expect the Panthers bring him back next year. In his brief 17-game career Byrd has returned 12 punts for 113 yards, or a healthy 9.4 yards per attempt. It’s a small sample size but he has definitely shown potential. If it’s not Byrd next year then brace yourselves for the third straight season of rotating returners and more of the same sub-par results. Even in a game where the Cowboys and Panthers failed to put many points on the board, there were several statistical happenings worthy of note. The defensive side of the ball provided most of these. Luke Kuechly and Kawann Short repeatedly made their respective presences felt and that resulted in the duo being the top two ranked players on the Panthers defense according to Pro Football Focus. Kuechly amassed 13 tackles en route to his team high grade and sank several hundred thousand Carolina hearts as he hobbled off the field with a lower leg injury. Thankfully, he was able to return to the field to finish his bidding and now sits second in the league in total tackles. For his part Womens Torrey Smith Jersey , Kawann Short terrorized the shaky interior of the Cowboys offensive line and finished the day with a game high two sacks and four quarterback hits. He was one of eight players to tally a pair of sacks in the NFL’s opening weekend. He was joined in the sack column by Mario Addison and Wes Horton, who each had 1.5 sacks, as well as Shaq Thompson who had a sack of his own to go along with his 9 tackles. All of that culminated in a Panthers defense that finished week 1 ranked third in both yards and points allowed. The offense was unsurprisingly led by quarterback Cam Newton, who accounted for nearly 75% of the Panthers’ total yardage. Newton put up ho-hum numbers as a passer but did a lot of damage as part of the Panthers main triumvirate of runners alongside Christian McCaffrey and CJ Anderson. The trio combined for 143 yards on 30 carries, a healthy 4.77 yards per tote. McCaffrey also reprised his role earning the team’s most targets, finishing the contest with 6 catches on 9 targets for an additional 45 yards receiving. Devin Funchess led the Panthers aerial attack in the second half after tight end Greg Olsen left with a foot injury. After failing to secure either of his two official targets in the first half, the third year pro hauled in all three of his targets for 41 yards in the game’s second half.Notable Snap Counts9 players were on the field for 100% of the team’s snaps: Cam Newton, Taylor Moton, Greg Van Roten, Ryan Kalil Authentic Cam Newton Jersey , Trai Turner, James Bradberry, Donte Jackson, Mike Adams, and Shaq Thompson.McCaffrey dominated the backfield snaps, taking the field for 57 snaps compared to Anderson’s 12.Rookie DJ Moore was on the field for 17 snaps, fourth among the team’s wide receiversColin Jones got all 21 of the snaps missed by starting safety Da’Norris Searcy. Rookie Rashaan Gaulden did not see the field on defense, but did get 9 snaps on special teams.