Kicker John Kasay was the best, most consistent thing going for the Carolina Panthers. He was an original Panther. The new regime lets him go and signed a lesser veteran in Olindo Mare. After missing a couple of short field goals, the Panthers have signed an undrafted rookie (Nebraska’s Adi Kunalic) to compete against him – this on a team that would be in the Andrew Luck derby if not for the winless Colts.

Why put the blame on Mare? He has kicked 19 of 25 – that alone makes him better than a lot of kickers in the NFL. But add to it that two of those misses were blocks caused by poor offensive line play, and you have coaches making Mare a goat for a poor season.

Sure, Cam Newton is electrifying but he is also a turnover machine when the tough gets going. The defense can’t stop anybody. Yet you’re going to blame a kicker – the kicker you brought in to replace the legendary Kasay, who has gone on to a winning team in the New Orleans Saints. He has six field goals over 40 yards this year, including a 53 yarder and he ranks four in field goals made.

Kasay is certainly better off playing for a Super Bowl contender but it would have been nice to see a player go through his entire career with one team.