The Carolina Panthers defensive line, already suffering from the loss of Greg Hardy due to his domestic violence charges, took another hit yesterday when it was announced that Frank Alexander, currently serving a four-game suspension for violating the league's substance abuse policy, has been suspended another 10 games for a subsequent violation.
"I'm very sorry to the Panthers organization, my teammates, and Panthers fans that my mistakes from many months ago will prevent me from contributing for several more weeks," Alexander said. "This discipline arose from a violation that occurred many months ago. Since that violation, I have continued to grow, and I will continue to work hard, as I have been doing, to stay in shape and be a major contributor upon my return."
Alexander is unable to return to Carolina's active roster until after the Panthers December 14th game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
In his, and Hardy's, absence, Carolina has severely suffered defensively. The Panthers, who last season led the league in sacks with 60, have one in the last two games. They're also currently ranked 26th in the league in rush defense.
Alexander, originally a fourth-round draft pick out of Oklahoma, was expected to help fill the void created by Hardy's suspension. Alexander had 3 ½ sacks in his first two seasons in the league, playing in 24 games and making six starts.
But with this news, the Panthers are left searching for answers.
Starting defensive end Charles Johnson missed practice on Wednesday, Wes Horton is mostly a run-stopper, and Mario Addison and Kony Ealy are primarily pass rush specialists.
Without another complete end on the roster, the Panthers will be forced to mix and match until Alexander returns in December.
The Panthers defensive unit, orchestrated by up-and-coming coordinator Sean McDermott, is a fairly strong one. Middle linebacker Luke Kueckly is one of the best in the game and Star Lotulelei is a rising star at defensive tackle.
But no NFL defense can survive without a pass rush. The rush and the back-7's ability to cover are invariably linked, and if one unit fails so too will the other.
Alexander, while nowhere near the player that Hardy is, would have helped immeasurably to strengthen the squad.
