The NFL trade deadline often comes and goes without headline-making deals, and that will likely be the case again in Carolina. The sense around the Panthers is the team doesn't feel pressured to make a move before Tuesday's 4 p.m. cutoff, even if talking heads and national scribes feel they should.
As the Panthers have continued to win, "rumors" have continued to grow about the possibility of landing help at receiver. Detroit's Calvin Johnson sure would look good in a different shade of blue. Chicago's Alshon Jeffrey could fit again in the Carolinas. But in the NFL, there's a huge chasm between dreaming about trades and actually making them happen, even if they make sense.
Could the Panthers use help at receiver? Of course. But instead of giving up a piece of their future, they'll try to improve with who they have in the present.
"I think our group is progressing very well," coach Ron Rivera said Tuesday.
"I like the group. I think if you couple that with the tight end group and our ability to throw the football now and then the threat of our quarterback, whether he's going to hand it off, he's going to throw it or he's going to run it himself. I think all together I like where we are. I like the formula."
With No. 1 wideout Kelvin Benjamin watching Monday night's win over the Colts from the sideline, tight end Greg Olsen again paced the Panthers in receptions (6) and receiving yards (79).
For the season, Ted Ginn Jr. is the team's leading receiver who actually plays receiver. His 20 receptions tie him for 98th-most in the league and his 343 yards rank him 56th. Ginn caught just two of his 10 targets Monday night, dropping a would-be walk-off touchdown in overtime. Two plays later, he held for a 12-yard pickup as the Panthers drove for a tying field goal.
"I was driving in this morning, and I was thinking about Teddy Ginn and the one thing that popped in my mind is how much he reminds me of Willie Gault," Rivera said, referencing his former teammate with the Bears.
"The tremendous vertical speed, big play ability, special teams guy that can light it up and occasionally will miss an opportunity, but he'll come right back and make a play. He's got that cornerback mentality, 'OK, I made a mistake, I'm going to move on.' And then he goes out and makes another play."
Carolina's other wideouts don't inspire much fear into defenses, but they have made enough plays to help keep the Panthers unbeaten.
Jerricho Cotchery lacks flash, but he has plenty of clutch. Rookie Devin Funchess continues to lose playing time, yet he seems to make an important grab each week. Corey Brown is a preseason memory. Brenton Bersin is "a solid guy whenever we need him" who's kept preseason acquisition Kevin Norwood on the inactive list.
"[Cotchery] had had that catch for the last five yards to make sure Graham [Gano] was in position to kick the winner. I know we want to see Funch, 'Hurry up!' But it's a matter of time," Rivera said. "Philly has been tremendous. I know he's put his alter ego Corey aside, so that's a good thing for us."
But it's fair to wonder how good the Panthers can be with this group of receivers and if 7-0 is despite of instead of because of. But a quick fix isn't likely to come Tuesday.
"I think we're constructed to win," Rivera said. "How far that is, I don't know."
