Slow Start

The Carolina offense is off to a slow start this season. It's 24th in the league at 335.5 yards per game, and 29th in the league with 106 points. Cam Newton is 26th in passing yards, just behind Alex Smith, incidentally. He's tied for 28th in passing touchdowns with three Matts: Cassel, Hasselbeck, and Stafford (two of whom haven't played all 7 games). His passer rating of 79.3 ranks 23rd behind rookie Russell Wilson. He does lead the team in rushing yards with 273 (good for 31st most in the league). With an overloaded backfield paying premiums to DeAngelo Williams (47th) and Jonathan Stewart (41st) that's not a positive sign.

It's been a sophomore slump for Newton (which really began halfway through his rookie season), and his behavior has been sophomoric. Steve Smith has called him out for sulking on the sideline, a call for leadership to which Coach Ron Rivera took exception. After Week 7's 19-14 loss to Dallas, Newton said something had to change. That change came the following day with the termination of general manager Marty Hurney. How that helps Stewart, Williams, and Mike Tolbert run the ball more effectively, or Cam Newton pass the ball more efficiently, I don't know. More importantly, what does it mean for Steve Smith?

Smith had 7 receptions for 83 yards in Week 7, but he was held scoreless again. For the season Smith has 28 catches for 471 yards (16.8 yards per reception) but no TDs. Law of averages would tip in favor of him getting into the end zone soon, although it may not happen against Chicago's defense this week.

In a week when many ProUtes had a bye, Steve Smith's performance stood out as the best, yet wasn't an award-winning performance for a player of his caliber. The same can be said of Alex Smith, who was 14-23 for 140 yards, a TD and an INT. He played a tough defense and his team won against a division opponent, but his play wasn't up to the standard of the other weeks he's won the award. As such there was not a ProUte of Week 7. One player who warrants a mention for something that does not appear on the stat sheet: Matt Asiata covered up the onside kick at the end of Minnesota's 21-14 victory over Arizona. Not a game-winning play, but a play he had to make.