If Carolina Panthers fans are confused and frustrated by their team's offseason, they aren't alone.
During a Thursday interview on NFL Network's "NFL AM," running back DeAngelo Williams sounded particularly exasperated that the Panthers lost "all" of their wide receivers this offseason.
At the end of the seven-minute conversation -- most of which centered on the offseason changes -- Williams went so far as to jokingly (we hope) ask host Molly Qerim to let him know if she knew of any available receivers.
The 30-year-old back said seeing Steve Smith leave was difficult, but losing the entire group from last season was shocking.
"Not only did we get rid of (Smith), (we got rid of) Ted Ginn Jr., Brandon LaFell and (Domenik) Hixon," Williams said. "You talk about Steve but I talk about all four of them, because those are three potential guys -- Steve, Brandon LaFell and Ted Ginn -- that can stretch the field ... and Hixon was a possession receiver that came in and moved the chains for us."
The Panthers added veteran possession receivers Jason Avant and Jerricho Cotchery this offseason, but they still haven't landed a No. 1 pass catcher.
When asked if the lack of receiving weapons puts more pressure on the running game, Williams pointed to general manager Dave Gettleman's office.
"It puts more pressure on the front office because you make these moves, getting rid of our four receivers, but you got to bring in guys," he said. "No slight to Cotchery and Avant that we just signed. I don't know many receivers on other teams, so I'm not saying they're no-name guys, but our guys made their names all by themselves ... I mean, I don't know where we go from there."
Williams also noted that Cam Newton's recent ankle surgery makes the turnover at receiver more troubling because the quarterback won't be able to get his timing down with the new pass-catchers.
"I don't have any concerns so to speak," he said about the offense in the regular season. "I just don't want to see eight, nine guys in the box week in and week out because we're working on our timing."
In that final phrase lies the crux of Williams' concern about the Panthers' passing attack.
In the latest edition of the "Around The League Podcast," the guys continue the offseason Roster Reset series by breaking down the NFC West and AFC South.
