Here are the five things I didn’t like about the Panthers’ 17-6 loss to the New York Jets Sunday(and the two that I did):
1. Jake Delhomme. Four interceptions?! A 12.7 quarterback rating?! Is Matt Moore really so bad that John Fox is willing to sink or swim with Jake when you could tell by the second quarter that Bad Jake has crashed this party and he ain’t going away?
2. The wide receivers. Steve Smith and Muhsin Muhammad were targeted 13 times Sunday in Carolina’s 17-6 loss to the New York Jets. You know how many passes they caught? Three.
Now a lot of that is on Delhomme, for sure. But there were many times when he was having to try to throw the ball into a window the size of a shoebox, because those wideouts simply weren’t getting any separation. And I don’t mean just Moose (this is a common problem for him). I mean Smith, too.
3. The bad break. Nine times out of 10 the first-quarter pass Delhomme threw at Smith – who never turned around for the ball – would have fallen harmlessly incomplete. That the ball hit Smith’s foot, kicked up and was returned for a Jets touchdown speaks to the fact that all the good breaks Carolina got in 2008 have returned to haunt them in 2009.
4. The Panther coaching staff. Look, if Delhomme is going to play, you can’t hide him. You can’t run on third-and-long every time when the game is still tight and just hope for the best. Either let him play or sit him down and get someone in there who’s going to throw it around. The Jets defense was able to play run-first all day, single-cover the wideouts and limit DeAngelo Williams to 40 yards rushing. Rex Ryan and his Jets staff thoroughly outcoached John Fox and his guys.
5. The offensive line. Yes, the Jets blitz. That’s no secret. You should occasionally be able to capitalize on that for something big. Instead, the line looked to be overwhelmed for most of the day.
AND THE TWO THINGS I DID LIKE...
1. Carolina’s defense. The D played a decent game overall, I thought. It gave up only 10 points, caused three fumbles and gave the offense a number of chances (all of which were basically botched).
2. Touch football. I didn’t travel to this game and skipped large portions of the live TV broadcast in favor of playing a marathon touch football game outside with five of my relatives. I later watched a sped-up version of the Panthers-Jets game on DVR. That was the best decision I made all weekend.
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9 years ago
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Steve Smith was unable to get separartion because he was covered one on one by a true "shutdown corner". Our corners should study the film of the Jets corner that covered Smith. Maybe they can learn something.
I chose to turn the tv off in the third quarter (I couldn't watch Bad Jake anymore) and take the kids out for ice cream. That was the best decision I made this weekend.
Delhomme was awful. Fox was worse. But let's also not kid ourselves about something else: Steve Smith is no longer an elite WR in the NFL. This is not 2005, and in my opinion he hasn't been the same for a couple of years now.
What! A "true shutdown corner"... Get me a break. Defense is not the problem idiot. Weren't you watching the game?
Yes Scott thank you #4 should be #1 - our coaching staff sucks it is the worst in the NFL, they consistently call stupid plays and then blame injures, the refs, UFOs and armdegeddon before taking blame for their own stupidity with the playcalling. We are 4-6 now 4-7, start taking chances and playing like your job is on the line, I cannot think Fox is so stupid as to think that he has a shot at coming back after this mediocre season, he cannot ride on the 03 season forever. Oh, wait, he IS that stupid because he HAS been trying to do that for the last 4 years. Worst coach in the NFL.......
Fox has been too scared to make a decision since the 0-3 start. He is either too secure with a long term contract or too afraid to look like he is going against his own guy - Jake. Jake is done. John knew this from game two. I am disgusted. Matt Moore has a rocket arm and doesn't throw floaters. He also has mobility. Nobody (and do mean nobody) could have done worse than Jake after the first quarter. Fox takes too long to make a real decision. This terrible decision lies at the feet of John Fox.
Not only was Delhomme awful, but that lame effort on the interception where he gave up chasing the guy. He could have easily taken and angle and got him. Jake gave it a half-hearted run. He pulled up and didn't try. That was it for me and Jake. I'd give him the benefit of the doubt, but when you through and interception and let the guy score because you don't have the fire, it's time to go!!
I am done with this team. I am so frustrated that I can't see straight. For my money I'd much rather watch the Charlotte Bobcats. They may have been limited offensively the last couple of years, but they have allways played hard and smart. If we switch to Matt Moore now I wonder if it will make a difference. All season John Fox has killed his confidence by telling him that the quaterback that just had 5, 3, or 4 interceptions gives the team a better chance to win than he does.
Oh my goodness...a writer actually says something critical about Steve Smith. Mr. Smith is HIGHLY overrated. Let's just see how much value he has when we dangle him as trade bait. Anyone willing to give us a first round pick for him? I would jump all over it.
The whole Panther organization should be ashamed of the team they put on the field Sunday against the Jets. The play calling was right up John Fox's alley. It is a disgrace to the true professionals that play on this team. When the coach is obsessed with running the draw because he thinks that it is safer than throwing a pass, he should be sent packing by morning. This is the NFL not sand lot ball. Get some guts Richardson and fire this man to make it look like you are trying to do something to improve the team's performance.
Something I noticed today...Bad Jake, when he has shown up in the past, made bad throws that were picked off - but at least you had some idea of what he was trying to do (even if it was a bad idea). But today, honestly, was the first time I saw such pathetic desperation in a good number of his picks. I mean, sure he has thrown it up for grabs in the past, but it usually was with at least someone in the area. But again, today, they almost made you feel bad for the guy...he lofted up some of the most bloody awful passes I've ever seen a professional QB put up in his life. It might have been one of the worst QB performances I've ever seen...and frankly, I don't think Jake deserves that. Whatever has happened to Jake that has turned him into this particular QB doesn't matter at this point. Fact is, Jake isn't going to pull himself out of the starting line up...no, at some point you need the coach to not only show common sense but a little mercy too. Fox had more mercy for Carr in the only season he was here than he has right now for Jake. Coach, it's past time. Bench Jake not only for the fans and the team...but bench him for Jake.
So, you only found 5 things you didn't like? Look at the best teams in the league. What do they all have? Elite quarterbacks and receivers. The NFL is now a passing league. Rules have been changed to protect quarterbacks and give receivers every advantage possible, because offense sells tickets and jerseys, and brings in advertising revenue. The Panthers are 20 years behind the elite teams - Saints, Colts, Patriots, Vikings - and until they have an elite quarterback and a coach willing to use him, they will be where they are today. In the toilet.
reply to Curtis-- Perfectly said my man.
Steve Smith is still a stud. The deep ball thrown to him was underthrown by Jake. Carolina fell in love with the running game and decided not pay any attention to the passing game. how many successful team have only one receiver. None Kinda hard to play with a team with the mentality of run, run, run, then throw the ball deep, run, run throw to the tight end. The passing game needs more creativity. Moose was wide open on a play before half time and Jake just missed him. Bottom line, Jake is past his prime and so is this offense. Time to go and get a tight that can strecth the field, use the backs against linebackers and get a WR who can run like a deer but has good hands.
I feel like I say this after every single week, but here it goes again... I love the Panthers, they are my favorite team in any sport and I live and die by them every Sunday. When I watch games like this and the Buffalo game, and the Saints game... and pretty much every game we lost this year that we should have won (Except for the Eagles-- they killed us) I have trouble rooting for them knowing that there are simple decisions that could be made that could have possibly turned this season around.
First everyone knows Jake Delhoome has to go. I will not watch any game next season if he is the quarterback.
Second Unless Matt Moore proves himself in the next few weeks, he is not the answer... believe it or not Fox has usually been a good evaluator of talent, and if he honestly thinks Delhoome is better than Moore I buy into that.
Third Not to contradict myself but Fox needs to go, I honestly dont think he is the problem, but a change is needed.
Fourth We need another receiver, Smitty obviously can't break double teams.
Fifth- stay positive. This team is young and we have been competitive in almost all the games we have lost. Add a good playmaking wide-out and a quaterback and this might be the team of my dreams.
They picked another bad day to have another bad day.
I say we stick with Jake, and here's why!
So many games he should have been yanked and Fox sat with his thumb up his butt and watched him throw int after int...
Dont bring in Moore or anyone else to cover up the stupidity when Fox KNEW better, or at least gave us another option...
Dont make Moore or any other QB the scapegoat for the rest of the season....Fox wanted Jake so badly in all these games where we still could have had a fighting chance and didnt give us one, so leave Jake out their to win awards for most interceptions by a QB, or worst QB rating all season....he deserves these awards and should be able to see them through...He wont let us down, in bringing those 2 back to Charlotte...
steve smith overrated? no wonder our country is in such financial straits - just look at the analytical comments of the idiot wine & cheese charlotte banking crowd. it's amazing that he has any yards at all considering how poorly your quarterback play has been ( especially ) this year and ( generally ) over the years. I've followed the Panthers over the years and would estimate that a fifth of all delhomme's passing yards during the steve smith era are a direct result of the amazing CATCHES made by steve smith of severely underthrown deep balls. but, ironically, your frustration may be aimed in the right direction as delhomme probably would have been exposed ( much sooner ) as the below-average liability he is had he not had smith's help in padding his qb stats.
I can't help but look at the Titans. They went 0-6 and then switched to Vince Young and now they are 5-6 and could make the playoffs. I can't help but wonder if we would be in the same position if Fox had made the switch to Moore.
I don't think Delhomme is the only problem. We haven't won since Jordan Gross went out and I think that injury made us a lot worse. I think a lot of people underestimated Gross' value to the team when he signed the contract extension. But I think the problem with Delhomme right now is that he can't overcome injuries around him and we need to have a quarterback who can.
Ha enjoy your loss Curtis. Poof be gone like your playoff hopes loser! LOLOLOLOLOLOL! You guys will have a great team when Lucy finally lets Charlie Brown kick the football. Carolina Kitty cats MEOWWWWWWWWWWWW
Wow Jake you suck. How the hell did Jake ever pass himself off as a QB. He is the butt of every joke on TV. Please Bill Cowher come save this sorry Panthers team before they lose their franchise. It seems the people in Charlotte are not smart enough to see this team is going no where. Ha bad Jake good Jake, you all are hopeless. How about you Panthers leave this fine state of North Carolina because you guys suck.
Looks like they picked a bad season to have a bad coach.
hmmm i didnt know sixth graders had such clever insight... the charlie brown one really did me in
Steve Smith is not overrated. With ole' Delhomme he has still put up decent numbers, which would be near impossible for a majority of the receivers in the NFL.
since you weren't there, wouldn't this "article" be considered a "bloggers post" especially since you said you didn't even take the time to watch the game live?
at least you were honest about how the Panthers make even the folks that are being paid to "report" on them want to call in sick...
I UNDERSTAND THE FRUSTRATION THE PANTHER NATION IS FEELING I WAS SO MAD AFTER THE MIAMI LOST I EMAILED THE PANTHERS A HIGHSCHOOL KID PLAYING MADDEN VIDEO GAME COULD SEE ITS TIME FOR A CHANGE BUT OUR COACHING STAFF IS SACARAFICING THE WHOLE TEAM FOR 1 MAN THIS IS A TEAM SPORT JAKE IS THE ONLY MAN I KNOW WHO GETS A RAISE AFTER A BAD JOB DONE WE SHOULD HAVE KEEP DAMIEN CRAIG WHO HAS SET A PRO FOOTBALL RECORD FOR MOST PASS YARDS IN A GAME BUT NO WE CUT HIM JUST LIKE WE CUT KRIS JENKINS SOMEONE WHO HAD HEART AND WILLING 2 TELL IT LIKE IT IS AND WE HAVE SUFFERED SINCE HIS DEPARTURE WE R WEAK UP THE MIDDLE/ OF OUR ON DOING CUT BUCKNER WHO PLAYED WITH PASSION IN ORDER TO b effective with THE STYLE OF D WE PLAY U HAVE 2 GET PRESSURE WITH FRONT 4 WE LACK THE DTS 4 THE JOB I THINK WE ACTUAL NEED 2 GO BACK 2 PLAYING LIKE WE DID UNDER JACK DELRIO AN ATTACKING D ALSO WITH THE COVER 2 NOW THAT MAYHELM BUT NOT 2 BE HARD ON THE D THEY R PLAYING ALRIGHT JUST NEED A FEW ADJUSTMENTS LIKE LETting JP BE THE FORCE THAT HE IS TAKE THE CHAINS OFF THE MAN USE HIM LIKE ANOTHER TARHEEL ALUM MR. FOX hint LT REALIZE WHAT U GOT BE4 ITS 2 LATE CUT JAKE R MAKE HIM 3RD STRING DEMOTE MR. DAVIS TO O-LINE COACH GET SMITTY BACK IN THE RETURN GAME HE IS STILL A STUD DONT GET IT TWISTED 4 THOSE SAYING HE IS OVERRATED U CRAZY HE'S JUST A LITTLE SELFISH RETURN SOME KICKS Smitty NOT THIS SEASON BUT NEXT SEASON AND KEEP POUNDING THE BALL JUST KEEP POUNDING REMEMBER THAT SLOGAN IF NOT MR COWHER IS WAITING 4 THE RIGHT JOB AND THIS IS IT!!!!!!!!!
and this is a blog....don't I feel like a dope.....
Sorry Scott....
matt moore matt moore we need 2 see matt moore mr.fox he went 3-1 as a starter was better than david carr or vinny just like he's better than del go home give him a chance
BOOOOHOOOO cry me a river you crybaby bytches. Delhomme needs to go, other than that the team is good. Once theyre all healthy & have a new qb youre going to see them playing like the pros they are. Trade Smith? You are joking right? Trade the guy that made Delhomme 1 of the top qbs in the league in past years? Did you not see that leaping 1 handed catch he made this game? I swear some of you people are complete morons.
Revis really is a shutdown corner. Andre Johnson, Randy Moss, etc have done next to nothing while covered by him, and they have real qbs throwing them the ball. Smith still had him beat on the deep ball and receivers were open on many of Jake's incompletions. He just missed so badly it was comical.
Good points Julie...I also wonder what might have happened had Coach pulled Jake after the Bills game (or even during it) when he at least thought about it. I was, as many people were, sure it was going to happen.
A buddy of mine made a very prophetic point when Coach then said he would start Jake in the Arizona game. He said the worst thing that could happen is that Jake would have a decent game or even a couple of games, prompting Coach to keep him in longer. Then, inevitably, Bad Jake would show up for some crucial games and ultimately destroy any chance we had at a playoff shot. I called my buddy yesterday and asked him to give me some numbers to use for the lottery.
It will be interesting to see what happens this week - if Jake stays in or not. Frankly, I wouldn't be surprised if he is. But it would be nice to finally see what Moore has to bring to the table for a stretch of some difficult games.
"Bad" Jake implies that there's a "Good" Jake, whom is nonexistent. The only Jake there is, is Bad, and even at his best he's still in the bottom 5% of QB's in the league. Put someone else in, anybody, just to re-energize player morale at the very least. Fox's brick-headed attitude is going to be his demise and frankly we desperately need a new direction for this franchise.
Jake is doing the best he can and it isn't his job to take himself out of the game. Don't hate on him for losing his mojo or whatever it is. Imagine how badly he is trying to figure it out.
I disagree with Fox on keeping an obviously damaged QB on the field for this long though. Too much great effort by others in previous games made losing through turnovers unbearable.
I hope Jake sits out a year on our bench and comes back like Warner, I really do.
How in the h#ll can you evaluate any type of offense with no d#mn quarterback,and a stubborn @ss coach that wont even give the backups a try,how do you know what you've got.Wait; this just in, Delohmme fractured finger on throwing hand,now we'll see what we've got,i hope.
Even if Smith ran the wrong route, how can Fox put all the blame on him when Jake hits him in the foot?
steve smith isn't the problem you idiots, nor is the d. its jake and the terribly over-conservative offense!
Scott,
I wonder what Rush Limbaugh has to say about the Media and their support of a down right awful QB in Jake Delhomme. We already know what he thinks of pretty good Black QBs who are above a 12.x QB Rating?
The bottom line is the Panthers are losers this year. Jake isn't the only problem. It's the coaching staff, after all are their skills so bad that they can't pick up a semi decent QB? Heck Joey Harrington is on the radio, you can't tell me he would do worse than Jake. Hopefully Mr. Richardson will do something, the Panthers are a total embarrassment. Why not give Holmgren total control, after all the weather is better here than Cleveland.
How 'bout some loyalty to both the coach and QB who once led us to the Super Bowl. The season's not over, and no matter how daunting the schedule looks I think we're still due another couple wins at least (I'm guessing we lose vs. Tampa, lose vs. New England, then win out vs. Minnesota and vs. New Orleans)
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