Frank Reich apologizes to Brian Burns for Panthers recent struggles: 'He deserves better'
The Carolina Panthers fell to 0-5 on the year after a lack-of-heart 42-24 loss to the Detroit Lions Sunday. After the game, no one was happy. Still, Panthers head coach Frank Reich used the postgame podium to explain that though times are difficult, the Panthers must keep pushing. Or, as he said it, "keep pounding." Reich […]
The Carolina Panthers fell to 0-5 on the year after a lack-of-heart 42-24 loss to the Detroit Lions Sunday.
After the game, no one was happy. Still, Panthers head coach Frank Reich used the postgame podium to explain that though times are difficult, the Panthers must keep pushing. Or, as he said it, "keep pounding."
Reich also apologized to defensive star Brian Burns, who has played through continuous rebuilds during his career and is still seeking a long-term extension somewhere, even if it's not the Panthers.
"I cannot say enough about Brian Burns,” Reich said after the game. "He stands for everything you want a football player to stand for, everything you want a leader to stand for. That guy. He’s the epitome of what you want as a winner. That guy is a winner. That’s where you feel bad for guys like that. He’s been here a long time, we’ve not been able to win.
“Everybody deserves better, but he deserves better. And he deserves better. I believe that’s why we’re here, and I believe that it can work out where he can see that.”
The season opened with optimism. Though the team traded away future assets, it was believed that adding Bryce Young would get the team off the quarterback carousel it had ridden for several seasons.
Though the Panthers opted out of the quarterback carousel, it hasn't opted into winning. In nearly every game that Young has played, the offense looked overmatched — forcing the defense to do its best to keep the team in games.
Against the Lions, the defense could not hold — giving up 42 points. During the game, Burns expressed frustration at how the team was playing. He later apologized for his outburst of emotions. But who can blame him?
Burns has never been part of a winning football team during his tenure with the Panthers. Since Burns was drafted, the Panthers have gone a combined 22-48. And that trend doesn't look like it's changing soon.
Reich's apology to Burns was warranted. It is safe to say that the Panthers have failed the two-time Pro Bowler, who has given the franchise every chance to fix its issues, and it hasn't.
Rapid reaction: Carolina Panthers drop Week 5 matchup to Detroit Lions, 42-24
Winless, the Carolina Panthers remain after a Week 5 matchup with the Detroit Lions, where they looked overmatched in a 42-24 result.
