Head coach Ron Rivera has consistently stated that the Panthers will grow as a team as rookie quarterback Cam Newton grows.
Sunday, following a tough 34-29 loss to the Bears, Rivera seemed to be pained by the lack of growth in other areas as Newton continues to blossom.
“When the rest of us catch up with Cam – because some of us aren’t growing at the same pace – I think we’ll be a good football team,” Rivera said. “It’s a learning process.”
Rivera didn’t point a finger at any particular players, coaches or position groups, but there were a few potential candidates based on Sunday’s showing.
The defense allowed 205 rushing yards to Matt Forte – who had totaled 119 rushing yards in the Bears’ first three games. Special teams gave up a 69-yard punt return for a touchdown to Devin Hester and a 73-yard kickoff return to Hester that set up another touchdown.
And once again, the offense too often failed to close out promising scoring drives.
“You don’t want to be the group that has 10 million yards but can’t win the game,” said wide receiver Steve Smith, who has 530 receiving yards through four games – 24 short of his total in 2010
