** Carolina’s defense. How can the Panthers allow 45 points to anyone in the NFL, including an astonishing 28 in the fourth quarter?
That’s absolutely embarrassing. The Panthers had poor tackling, not nearly enough of a pass rush and couldn’t get off the field on third down when it counted.
The defense also allowed Michael Turner to score 4 TDs, including on a critical fourth-and-goal from the 1 late in the fourth quarter and then an “in-your-face” score on another fourth down with 54 seconds to go. And where was Julius Peppers in this game, anyway?
** The Panthers’ punt coverage. After generally being good all season, the Panthers allowed a punt return TD to Atlanta’s Harry Douglas (who had an unbelievable game, see the blog post previous to this one).
** Carolina’s extremely s-l-o-w start. Spotting any good team a 17-0 lead is just asking for it. Atlanta scored on its first 3 possessions – two TDs and a FG – to set the tone for this game. The rest was a long slog back for the Panthers, who got within 17-13 and 24-21 at different points in the second half but just ran out of gas. The Panthers’ offense was actually pretty good after that horrible start – 28 points will win you a game in the NFL most of the time – but not good enough.
** Dropped balls and penalties. Steve Smith had a generally excellent day, but he also dropped two passes. Muhsin Muhammad had a couple of balls he could have come up with but didn’t. And there were others. The Panthers’ red-zone offense could have been a lot better – they had to settle for one John Kasay field goal after a first-and-goal from the 1.
Bottom line: Terrible day for Carolina. I predicted they'd lose, but by a field goal, not by 17. I didn't foresee this sort of meltdown, especially on defense.
The Panthers drop to 8-3 and, while tied with Tampa Bay for first in the NFC South, would lose the tiebreaker at this moment based on an earlier defeat at the hands of the Bucs. Atlanta, 7-4, lurks only a game behind.
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9 years ago
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Not that I expected anything else. Like him or not, Jenkins was right- this organization has no heart. Time to see if they mail in the rest of the season like they did the 4th quarter. Time for some MAJOR changes...
I put this loss entirely on the defense. Sure, the offense started off slow, but the defense I felt started off even worse. They couldn't get off the field on 3rd downs, they had no pass rush whatsoever, Peppers had a 07 flashback, Beason looked absolutely awful in his tackling and coverage, and the secondary was running around like crazy. I do not believe the sky is falling on this team, but I do understand why everyone is skeptical about this team. We haven't beaten any proven team except for maybe the Cardinals (who I am not big on either). Our three road games against playoff caliber teams (MIN, TB, ATL) we looked awful. I think the next 2 games (at GB and home vs TB) will tell whether or not this team will make the playoffs and just how far they will go.
Jake is a Joke. The dude can't even see over the offensive line.
1st and goal at the one = 3points. Blew the drive before the half. Why didn't they go fo it on 4th down at mid-field?
If they didn't make its 1st down Atlanta with two seconds to go. If they make it its 3 points.
Consevative idiots. And That was just the first half.
The Posers Got Exposed.
Final thought: Why do they not run more plays out of the shotgun. The play action is too slow to develop and leads to sacks and at least out of the shotgun Jake can see over the line.
It all boils down to one simple fact.... Atlanta wanted this game more than Carolina...and it showed from the opening kick-off. With the remaining schedule Carolina, unless they start realizing that the other teams are serious about the playoffs, will not make it...and todays game, along with the pass couple games is proof!
This is why fans booed the team during the Lions game. It's obvious to everyone except the coaching staff that this team has been winning in spite of itself. But John Fox always gives the same lame response when reporters question the team's performance during "bad" wins.
I blame the coaching staff. First off, why is Richard Marshall not starting. I'd rather have him out there than both the other corner backs. Also, why is their game plan always wrong to start off the game? It's like they don't even watch film. And for God sakes be more agressive on offense and defense. Forgive my frustration, but I just want to see this team play a complete game like their life depends on it.
From the end of the first quarter to the onside kick (who cares) TD at the end, the Panthers would have won this one 28 to 21. With some adjustments - better preparation; getting off to a good start; and eliminating mistakes such as the punt return - we will be fine. Stop blaming 0 if you can't handle a bad game now an then don't watch sports.
This is to Jermel. Why in the world would you wanna start Richard Marshall over everyone else? He gets beat by everyone! Did you even watch the game today. I have no idea why people are so high on him. I like Gamble a lot more than Lucas and Marshall. At least Gamble can cover and tackle. I don't think Lucas even knows how to tackle a damn turtle. Good god, thanks for showin up today D.
Hi, guys: Thanks for the comments. A couple of notes from the Panthers' very dour locker room -- CB Richard Marshall took the blame for the coverage on the 69-yard pass to rookie Harry Douglas in the fourth quarter which sealed the game. Also, LB Jon Beason laid the blame on the defense and said "28 points should be sufficient" to win a game in this league.
When you play the Bucs, everyone talks about Monte Kiffen, when you play the Eagles everyone talks about Jim Johnson, when you play the Steelers everyone talks about Dick LeBeau. NOBODY talks about Trgovac as a good much less great defensive mind. They talk about the talent of the Panthers defense, nothing more. Today we watched a talented defense get routhed because of poor game planning. The offense got us back in this game, the defense disappeared.
Potential and the talent you have on paper alone don't win you games and championships in the NFL. There is not much contrast in terms of talent in the league. It's coaching, preparation, heart and things like that. Our play-calling is very predictable. Jake has heart, but..I'm not sure about him anymore
I don't know what our problem is, but we're not a play-off team right now. I mean except for Arizona, all play-off teams we played have man-handled us. We'll get the same type of beating in the 1st round if we make the play-offs.
Only good thing in this game was our offense. Our defense came out.
Was that last TD necessary? We'll have to remember that one :-)
Did anyone hear the postgame wrap-up by Mick Mixon, he said during the locker room chat with Jordan Gross, Gross said that "Jake was walking up and down the sidelines yelling 'why do we have to get punched in the face before we wake up?'" Thats a startling revelation and even shocked the radio announcers...
I have a copy of Panthers Play Book. It has 3 pages with 1 play on each page.
Page 1: Run
Page 2: omb to Steve Smith
Page 3: Draw Play
They need assistant OC to help out OC call some screens, slants, tight end and short passes to DBs out of back field.
No heart? No, this team has heart. What it lacks is the inability to know when things aren't perfect and to admit to it, and the fans need to do the same! Yes, I hope this loss wakes some fans up as well! We looked AWFUL after beating our last team teams and anybody with any sense noticed issues. There was a time when Fox would say, after a win, "We won but we still need to work on things" That side is gone from this team and from fans, who need to expect more from their Panthers or we'll always be AVERAGE.
I knew even after I heard the score I could come here and catch the Peppers wrath from you Mr. Scott...
I didnt get to see the game, as im on vacation for the holidays, but maybe it was a good thing..
UGH!!!!!
Obviously we cant win them all, but maybe I need to check my luggage to see if the Panthers Defensive line came along with me...
Have a Blessed Thanksgiving....
What is up with the OFFSIDES? If a 9th grade team had this many offsides heads would roll, but Fox just claps his hands. They led the NFL in false starts before Sunday. Then on the goadline it cost them a TD that would have put them righ back in it before half. Then two in a row when they needed a drive. I can't watch them anymore. They are looking at 8-8 in my book, and I think they could not care less.
Peppers-I'm not going to pretend he had the best game of his life but it seems any time he doesn't have a sack you throw him under the bus. You want to know where his affect on the field? Ill tell you because it was apparent just from him lining up at right end, how about the fact that all of a sudden the Atlanta game plan featured Matt Ryan wheeling to his left to make throws and away from Julius' side of the field, something that wasn't in their gameplan in the first meeting. I also saw Julius toss the lt into Matt Ryan late in the 3rd quarter pushing him into the endzone and causing an incompletion on 3rd down. Pep had several qb hurries even though he was often chip blocked and Ryan ran away from his side to make passes on the other end. What you should be pointing out is the failure of the coaching staff to move Julius along the line this week as they had in prior weeks to great success.
Kevin,
Yes Marshall got beat, but I like his agressiveness a lot more than the soft coverage Gamble and Lucas employ. A team can complete a 7 yard pass on the Panthers every play, which is why they are so horrible on 3rd downs. And that goes for both sides of the ball. I can accept a corner that makes a mistake and gives up a TD. What I can't accept is a corner who thinks they did their job just becasue they didn't give up a pass for more than 30 yds. Sure you can say you didn't get burned, but teams will nickel and dime you all day.
The blame is at the top, Fox is a mediocre coach who fails to prepare this team for the big games and does not make adjustments when they need to be made. He should have been fired last year along with the rest of the staff, if we dont make the playoffs this year he needs to hit the road.
Subject: Team Management is Stuck on stupid.
Hey Scott...you forgot to mention Jake's lack of quarter-backing and leadership skills on the field versus the "Rookie QB" from Atlanta.
The sad part about all of this is that those in positions who can affect a positive change on this team is in complete denial about their QB...even when the truth about Jake's inabilities have hit them square in the face.
I realize that it's their team, but they are foolish to think that we the fans are satisfied with the product that they are trying to sell us.
I am SO nervous about Jake. One of the passes that Steve Smith hit him right in the numbers, and initially I was mad at Steve. On the replay, did you see the ball? It was like spinning laterally. Most passes don't have "english" on them. What is the scenario that Jake is no longer the starter, other than 1) He gets hurt again, or 2) him just completely choking and throwing 2 more seasons down the drain?
I love his heart, and SOME of his passes are just beautiful. He can hit Steve on some of those off-shoulder pull backs like its art sometimes.
This is what happens when you play badly and win anyway two games in a row. The urgency leaves practice, the extra effort isn't there.
If the Panthers wake up and respond for the rest of the season, we can go to the Super Bowl, and we'll only have 1 L on the record to show for it. But if they keep sleepwalking, kiss it goodbye.
Can anyone seriously tell me why these John Fox coached Panthers have been coming out so flat for the last few years.
As much as I like Jake, I think it may be time to sit him down.
Harry... I saw that on the replay too, where the ball was wobbly and Smith dropped it. I believe that the ball was tipped, but he probably still could have caught it. Everything went wrong yesterday... hopefully this will snap them out of their funk, because if it doesn't, they won't even make the playoffs.
Scott, what's new about the tackling comment? The Panther defense specializes in arm mis-tackling above the waist. It's like they think they're playing Flag Football but forget about the falgs and just go for creating a fumble. Anyone know if MORGAn is available for Defensive Coordinator? It wouldn't hurt.
As for Delhomme----SSDD! The arm is gone, he is either floating the ball or is short with his passes. Definate sign of a weak arm. Also I can't help but wonder if there is any football intelligence behind those "deer in the headlights" look that is always on his face when he fails to connect.
As far as the season goes, my guess is 9-7 and if New Orleans gets angry it's 8-8!
It's all about INTENSITY. Watch the Steelers play a game. They have bad attitudes like someone insulted their mother. They play defense like their hair is on fire.
Watch the Panthers. You can hear the crickets.
It's not a lack of talent. It's a lack of intense dedication. It all starts in Spartanburg with the most laid-back camp in the league. High schools in August hit harder.This laid-back attitude carries into every game.If this team ever developed intensity, they would be dangerous. As it is, they are unwatchable.
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