Special teams mishaps have the Panthers’ attention

JEFF HAWKINS | THE CHARLOTTE POST

Akayleb Evans and his Carolina Panthers teammates are looking to bounce back on special teams after a poor performance in a 42-13 loss at New England.

Sam Martin’s punt fluttered downfield, high and deep into the New England Patriots’ zone. Settling under the effort, Patriots returner Marcus Jones nonchalantly fielded the punt flanked by a crew of Carolina Panthers’ special teamers. 

Jones looked like he was going to call for a fair catch. 

He didn’t. 

Jones fooled the Panthers, including Akayleb Evans, by catching the ball at the 13. A few jukes later, Jones eluded Evans’ ankle tackle attempt and cut away from Dalevon Campbell, who overpursued. 

Gaining speed, the Patriots’ punt returner glided down the sideline untouched for a momentum-stealing touchdown. Withstanding a strong start by the Panthers, the Patriots special teams sparked a 42-13 win last week. Including a 61-yard return that nearly resulted in a second score, Jones established a franchise single-game record with 167 punt return yards against Carolina. 

The punt return unit wasn’t the lone group of sinners. 

“We had a tough game,” special teams coach Tracy Smith said Thursday.  

In all phases. 

Panthers’ ‘tough’ special teams outing  

After three weeks of solid special teams play and an all-around performance Sept. 21 that befuddled the Atlanta Falcons, highlighted by rookie kicker Ryan Fitzgerald’s “dirty kickoffs,” the Panthers’ play against New England was anything but clean. 

Fitzgerald, who was automatic the first three weeks, opened the miscues by missing the point-after attempt after a game-opening touchdown drive. The defense held the Patriots to a three-and-out and after the Panthers’ next possession stalled, coach Dave Canales elected to punt instead of allowing Fitzgerald to attempt a 60-yard field goal. 

Jones’ first punt return did not yield positive reviews during Monday’s film session. 

“It was tough,” Evans said after Wednesday’s practice. “We had to look in the mirror and take accountability.  

“Our job is to set the tone. We know special teams can provide a spark and it can go the other way. Last week did not go the way we wanted to.” 

Among the special teams’ other lapses: 

• Fitzgerald missed a 55-yard field goal attempt in the second quarter when the Panthers trailed 14-6. Eight plays later, the Patriots scored on their third consecutive possession. 

• Following a Panthers offensive possession that netted minus-three yards, Jones returned a punt 61 yards, setting up the Patriots’ fourth consecutive TD and a halftime lead of 28-6. 

“We can’t allow that to happen,” Evans said. 

Canales wants better decision-making 

The halftime break didn’t help. 

In the third quarter, with the Panthers trailing 35-6, rookie Trevor Etienne fielded a punt on the 3 and was immediately dropped for a 2-yard loss. 

Canales pointed to better overall decision-making. 

"We’d love for him to locate where he’s at and let that ball bounce, see if it goes in for a touchback,” Canales said. “If they pin us, we’ll play it from there. So, an area of growth for Trevor for sure.”

With rookie Jimmy Horn Jr. poised to make his NFL debut Sunday against the Miami Dolphins at Bank of America Stadium, the sixth-round draft pick could receive a look at punt returner. 
Horn, Etienne and veteran Hunter Renfrow were among the players who fielded Martin’s punts during Wednesday’s practice. 

Credited with four solo tackles in the Panthers’ opening four games, Evans remains in the mix as the primary gunner Sunday, Smith said. 

Evans is eager for another chance against the Dolphins (1-3), who are coming off a 27-21 win against the New York Jets. 

Jones’ first return remained on his mind. 

“Nine times out of 10 that’s going to be fair caught, but we also knew he was willing to take chances,” Evans said. “That’s why everybody has to rally to the ball, because you never know.  

“Every week we’re focused on what we need to do. It’s about execution.” 

On his missed ankle tackle, Evans said he was “trying to hold on for as long as possible. Next time, I’ll be able to do that.” 

Canales is counting on it. His plan for the 1-3 Panthers to regroup? 

“Just minimizing the catastrophic plays," he said. “The big returns, right? We’re in position, we have to be able to minimize those big, big plays because that (momentum) shift happens and when they do, we have to be resilient enough to just refocus and go out there and execute the next series, understanding that this is the NFL and teams are going to find ways to make plays.  

“Can we stay consistent? Can we stay steady and just return to focus?" 

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