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If the Carolina Panthers are looking for a problem to solve during their final two exhibitions, there's an obvious one they can tackle: Ball security.
The Panthers have fumbled 10 times during their two exhibitions, losses against the New York Giants (six) and Miami Dolphins (four). They've lost five of them.
The fumbles have come in all forms:
In bunches: They had three during the final five minutes of the first half against the Giants.
On special teams: Rookie Captain Munnerlyn fumbled a punt return against the Dolphins; Ryne Robinson muffed a punt, allowing it to hit him after it bounced in that same game.
Upon further review: An official's replay revealed rookie Mike Goodson had fumbled after it was first ruled he was down by contact against the Giants. It was one of two Goodson fumbles during that game (he didn't fumble against Miami). “I've got to wrap (the ball) up,” said Goodson. “Most fumbles come when you've got the ball out, away from your body.”
Under pressure: Quarterbacks Jake Delhomme, Hunter Cantwell and Josh McCown have coughed it up. Delhomme had the ball swatted away by Giants defensive end Osi Umenyiora, who had beaten Panthers tackle Jordan Gross on the edge. Gross recovered the fumble. And Cantwell's fumble on the last play of that game resulted in the Giants' winning touchdown.
The Panthers' final two preseason games will be against two of the NFL's most notorious ball-hawking teams – Saturday against the Baltimore Ravens and Sept.3 against the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Notes
Running back DeAngelo Williams, who missed Wednesday's practice with a sore knee, was back Thursday. He wore a sleeve on his right knee but didn't appear to be limping.
Coach John Fox didn't say whether Williams would play Saturday.
Also missing practice were running back Jonathan Stewart (Achilles), safety Nate Salley (knee) and guard C.J. Davis (ankle). Linebacker Jon Beason (sprained knee) and safety Charles Godfrey (broken hand) continue to be day-to-day, according to Fox.
In Stewart and Williams' absence, Goodson has been practicing with the first team.
“The holes close up much faster” with the first team, said Goodson. “You've really got to hit it.”
Rhys Lloyd, who led the NFL with 30 touchbacks last season, has reached the end zone twice in his seven kicks this preseason.
“I'm a little disappointed in that,” said Lloyd. “But I've watched film and corrected the problem.”
To be fair to Lloyd, his job isn't necessarily about simply lining up and kicking the ball as far as he can.
“No, there's kicking left or right, with direction, that kind of stuff,” he said. “I had a good year with it last year and I want to make sure I'm back at that level this season.”
