Sunday, November 15, 2009

5 things I liked in Panthers' win over Atlanta

Here’s my weekly lists of likes and dislikes following Carolina’s 28-19 win over Atlanta, which pushed the Panthers to 4-5.

1. Jake Delhomme was mistake-free. For the third straight game, the Panthers’ embattled QB didn’t throw an interception. In fact, the Panthers didn’t have a turnover all day.

2. The wide receivers showed up. Muhsin Muhammad finally looked young again after a dismal first half of the season, catching six passes for 91 yards. Steve Smith only had four catches for 34 yards, but two of those were 4-yard TDs in close quarters for touchdowns.

3. Jason Baker’s tackle. Smith joked later he would have run over Baker had he tried to tackle him that way, but the Panthers' punter went high and shoved Atlanta kick returner Eric Weems forcibly out of bounds to save a possible TD late in the fourth quarter.

4. Defensive sticky fingers. The Panthers often seem to drop interceptions, but Sherrod Martin and Richard Marshall held onto two big ones off Matt Ryan today. (Ryan, incidentally, is now up to 12 pickoffs for the year; Delhomme has 13).

5. Double Trouble. Both DeAngelo Williams (92 yards) and Stewart (82 yards, two TDs) had big days. Williams, who was questionable to even play, added a 30-yard reception.

2 things I didn’t like

1. Jordan Gross’s injury. Gross has a broken ankle. Although coach John Fox wouldn’t say what that meant postgame, I will – Gross almost surely is done for the year.

2. Michael Turner turning it on. One of the Panthers’ luckiest breaks in this game came the way you never want it to – when Turner left the game late in the second quarter with a severe ankle sprain. Turner already had 111 yards in only nine carries at that point. When he left, a substantial part of Atlanta’s offense left with him.

But that's how it goes in the NFL -- you play with what you have. On Sunday, the Panthers made the bigger plays, stayed nearly mistake-free and got a big one.

41 comments:

Jennifer said...

I like that (fact) ALOT ...the Panthers didnt have a turnover ALL DAY!!!

Hope Gross's ankle isnt season ending...ugh!!

Props to Baker on finishing that play...saved the six for sure....

Happy Dance til Thurday.....and here's hoping we can get some of our players healthy and keep the rest from injury!!

Great game and Win today for our (kitty cats)...Thats for all those Anon's that are ever so quiet today...

Smiles !!!

Anonymous said...

5 things I DISLIKE ABOUT SCOTT 1. He never played sports 2. He looks wimpy 3. He only writes good things about the panthers when they win,even if they played well and lost or beat a weak team 4. He looks wimpy 5. He has no clue what it takes to be an athlete and to compete.Did i say he looks wimpy?

Ghoul said...

3 things I liked about the game:

Jake finds his mojo again and keeps Smith happy, at least for this week.

Warm weather means better uniforms for the cheerleaders!

Both runningbacks learn to hold anto the ball this week with no fumbles.

3 things I didn't like about the game:

Where was Peppers, again. Sure he had a hand injury, but if he was well enough to start, he should have been well enough to have been in on important plays like when ATL scored its last TD, or on the FG block attempt late.

Once again we wasted a TO when we couldn't get the right people on the field late in the 1st half. Its call discipline and its all on Fox.

Fat girls should avoid low rise leans at all costs. To the girl in section 129, row 18, you have a promising future as a plumber!

The Reid said...

Ghoul, Peppers was getting good pressure on Ryan late in the 4th quarter! and lol at your comment on that girl. Fat girls really should avoid low rose jeans! We lost another key cog with Gross but hopefully we can keep up this run we've had lately and make a late season charge towards the playoffs!

Anonymous said...

Jake may not have thrown an interception but he was incredibly lucky on a couple of plays, particularly the one catch by Rosario that was meant for Stewart.

I still hope that FoHurn is fired at the end of the season and the Panthers draft a QB with their first pick next year.

Chris said...

I think Sherrod Martin may have stolen Godfrey's starting spot, even when he gets healthy again.

Anonymous said...

Panthers don't have a 1st round pick next year.

Anonymous said...

The WRs still were no show. MM can barely run with his old age arthritis so you cant blame him. The truth comes out. No recievers. It wasnt the QB. He just stopped forcing his passes.

Wheres gayboy Terry Cousin who jacked his trap about JD so bad on a stupid local tv station?? He was the worst DB the CPs ever signed. He sucked as a Gamecock and in the NFL. Go back to Miami. We know they didnt want you in college or pros. South Beach gays are looking for you.

cmo said...

I liked the offensive execution, especially in the first half. Dislike the sissy approach that Davidson ( aka Fox) took in the second half. Find a pair on 4th and 1 1/2, why play defensive offense. The team picks up on this too. If you show confidence in your players, they puff up and play better.

Fox is a good coach who lacks a killer instinct. Time for him to go.

Anonymous said...

All you had to do was watch Peppers when he was in the game. He was pushing the LT back into Ryan quite a lot, and caused a bunch of Ryan's passes to go off the mark. One of the fourth quarter possessions, Peppers blew up 3 plays in a row. He earned his million today, whether the statistics show it or not.

Jason said...

It looked like "Good Jake" was back today. You've got to wonder if Scher messing with his mechanics has been the cause of the "Bad Jake" we saw early in the year.

Seriously, why would you mess with a 36-year old QB's mechanics in the first place? Especially during the season?

Anonymous said...

I sure do hope folks show up Thursday night for National TV. With all The Falcons Fans I saw today, I bet we did not have maybe 35,000 Panther Fans

Curtis Watkins said...

I couldn't agree with you more Jason...why would you mess with the style of a guy who is 36? Honestly, if we see mostly Good Jake for the rest of the year I would have to think that would confirm Scher messing with Jake played at least some part in his early struggles. And if that proves to be the case it may prove very costly (i.e. missing the playoffs). We aren't out of it yet, but we have a long way to go.

There was a vote on here about the biggest play in the game, and someone made a comment that was right. Baker making that tackle to save the TD (or what very likely would have been a TD) was probably the biggest play of the game. It lead to the INT & Stewart's run which really sealed the win for us.

Chris, I'm with you on Martin...I posted that earlier also when watching the game. He's been very good the past few weeks. And not just the TD, but I like the big tackle he put to flip the RB. He just seems to know where to be to make plays.

Ghoul...spot on with the RBs holding onto the ball. I was a little nervous a couple of runs there and frankly that's a pretty new feeling as a Panthers fan. Thinking back to last year, fumbles by the RBs was never a concern. Hopefully they've done some work in practice to correct it not just this week but going forward as well.

Jen...keep dancing! Anytime we beat Atlanta it's a good feeling.

Not sure how you can say the WRs were no shows today...Moose had some huge catches today and Smitty had 2 TDs. Looked pretty good to me.

Finally, do lame posters who come in anonymously think they are funny? Really? Here's an idea for you anon @ 5:35...if you don't like Scott, don't read the blog. Of if you are going to insult him at least be clever about it. If you have some insight on the game, share it...otherwise, save your lame jokes for your dungeon n dragons online buddies. Loser.

Jennifer said...

Anon # 1...

5 things I liked about your post...

1) youre posting Anonymously

2) Insult the editor by calling him wimpy, when indeed your pic is Fabulous!

3) Great insight on the game itself today...

4) Not having a clue, works well in your vocabulary, and obviously it isnt Mr. Scott that doesnt have one <:-).

5) We WIN a great game and ignorance is all you can think to write about....

Genius!!!!

Jennifer said...

!@!@!@!@ <<<< my nice way of putting my thoughts of Gross being out for the remainder of the season..

Cant Win for Losing!!!!

Anonymous said...

I have to admit that the coachoing staff is right. At this point in the season, Jake is the best we have. The game plan and his management of the game worked. We can't ask for more this year. Good JoB Jake!

Anonymous said...

5 Things I liked:
1-Play calling in first half wasnt so vanilla, they changed the pace with the no huddle, it worked, Jake ran it well and looked comfortable, lets see if the coaches recognize a good thing and bring it back Thursday.
2-Coaches let Jake throw the ball. they have been taking the ball out of Jakes hand lately and that cost us the Saints game, if hes going to play, then let him play otherwise put in Moore, bottom line is we have to have a pass game or we cant win.
3-Sherrod Martin, i think he has taken Godfreys spot at safety. he has the "intangibles" and is always around the ball, not to mention his closing speed and ability to get a step on the ball.'
4-For one of the first times this year, the coaches found something that was working offensively and they stuck with it. too often this year, the coaches have gotten away from things that worked for them and it cost them points or even the game, today they stuck with it.
5-NOBODY QUIT, there were several times today that they could have just laid down and quit, but they didnt and in the end, big plays went out way. CUDOS to the whole team, you looked good today.

Now lets get ready for Miami, lets have a big PANTHER turnout for National TV and support our team.

Anonymous said...

GET 'EM JAKE!!!!!!!!!!!

F*** THE HATERS.....

DELHOMME GETS IT DONE SON.

Anonymous said...

Jason & Curtis,

There is no such player as "good Jake". Did you know that the Falcons rank about 30th in the league against passs defense? That's why our slow receivers like Moose and Jarrett could still get open. Jake was a little better, but he still missed some throws that luckily didn't become interceptions.

Anonymous said...

One thing I like about Jennifer...

1) She's f'n HOT.

Curtis Watkins said...

No, anon @ 9:10, you are wrong...there is such a thing as Good Jake. If you've watched the Panthers at all outside of this season, then you've seen Good Jake. Of course, during that time you've also seen Bad Jake as well - just not as much as we've seen him this year. So, you can't just say Jake has never been good because the stats, the 4th quarter comebacks, the NFC championship and Super Bowl, the 12 - 4 record last year...they weren't orchestrated by the same Jake we've seen for most of this year.

That being said, Jake has been surprising the past few games. Lord knows I gave up on him after the Buffalo game (and I held out longer than most fans waiting until then). Granted, his throws have been limited for the most part...but if you can look at today and say he was bad then I don't know what game you were watching. In fact, this was the best he's looked all year...and if Jake can (and I stress "if he can") continue to play like he did today, we're going to win more games than we lose.

But, don't take my word for it cause you probably just think I'm a homer. National writers have taken notice:

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/writers/don_banks/11/15/week10.snaps/1.html

Curtis Watkins said...

Still don't think Jake had a good game today? See what Atlanta had to say about it:

http://www.ajc.com/sports/atlanta-falcons/falcons-defense-was-no-199057.html

Anonymous said...

Playoffs baby.

Right now both NFC wild card spots would go to teams that are 5-4.

We are 4-5 and in the mix baby!!

Tough games at the end, but we can beat Miami, NYJets and Tampa to get to 7-5 and at least be a realistic playoff contender with 4 games to go.

Anonymous said...

How many times will Fox try to ram it up the middle before he realizes that is the biggest waste of time for our offense?
Can we draft a coach in the second round in 2010?

MrBernz said...

I love reading the Fox & Delhomme haters posts after a good win by the Panthers. I dont like Delhomme, wish Moore could have his shot, but I never bash his good games. The real deep down haters cant stand it when they are wrong & Fox is right so they come here & make excuses for a win.I sit here & lmao at them. I actually seen a lot of dummies posting that they wish the team wouldnt win another game, just to get rid of Fox, instead of hoping the Panthers win & Fox does a good job. Its too funny. GOOOOO PANTHERS!!!!!

Anonymous said...

Fox is a good coach who lacks a killer instinct?

With the ex-Panther Carruth murderer 10 yr anniversay its not a good time to be mentioning a Panther killer instinct, FOR REAL.

And several months ago an ex-wife murderer bitch was released from prison for the ambush killing of ex RB Freddie Lane.

Carruth also gets out of prison in a few yrs thanks to this wonderful legal system.

kyle said...

Don't get your hopes up too much. Carolina has never beaten Miami during the regular season.

Even if Ronnie Brown is out for this game, the Dolphins have Ricky Williams, who can run quite well out of the conventional offense, as well as the Wildcat. Chad Henne is a big strong quarterback who can make all the throws. These teams are both 4 and 5 and Miami needs this game as badly as Carolina. New England, the New York Jets and Buffalo all lost yesterday. One more win and Miami is right back in the wildcard race in the AFC as well. Don't look past the Dolphins, or you may be back at 4 and 6 come Friday morning.

Curtis Watkins said...

Ok Kyle...tell us why it matters that Carolina has never beat Miami in the regular season? That matters this year because.....????

Trust me, not one Panthers fan is looking past ANYBODY this year. Or don't you remember, we did lose to Buffalo.

And by the way anon @ 7:41 this morning, way to go WAY off topic this morning. Yeesh. You must be that dude whose comments at a party always make people feel uncomfortable. Everbody asks, "Why did we invite him again?"

kyle said...

Just a simple trend Curtis, nothing more. For example, Miami has never beaten Houston in the regular season. Hopefully that will change when they play Houston in Miami on December 27th. I am well aware of Carolina's loss to Buffalo. That is my concern. I have already heard and seen in these comments that Carolina "will beat Miami on Thursday." All I am saying is don't be too confident yet. Miami is pretty physical and may be slightly healthier at this point in the season. Not trying to start a firestorm, Curtis... Just the facts.

Curtis Watkins said...

Fair enough Kyle...in my mind, and a lot of other Panthers fans, previous years and stats mean nothing. We went 12 - 4 last year and didn't lose a home game...but we got our tails handed to us in the playoffs and started out in quite a hole this year.

Regardless, two VERY hungry teams playing this Thursday with seasons on the line...neither one of us has much room for mistakes anymore this year. So it definitely ought to be interesting.

kyle said...

You are exactly right, Curtis, I agree. Let's enjoy the game, maybe it will be a good one!

Anonymous said...

You folks really need to get a life. It's just a silly ball game.

PDubb said...

You are both right this should be a good game with two teams that are hungry and up against the wall.

Jennifer said...

Isnt it ironic that anonymous people come on here to tell us to get a life and thats its just a silly ball game...

yet...

they are taking the time out of their so called "I HAVE A LIFE" to post here as well?

Heard Gross's surgery went well...Here's wishing him a speedy recovery <:-)

Lee said...

The key was the no-huddle ofense. I have een yellig at the TV for years that they should run a Two-Minute drill all the time. DelHomme may not be the most acurate QB but he is one of the smarter ones in the league. The Panthers need to let him go n-huddle and give him a few plays to choose from ala Peyton Manning. No he ain't Peyton, but he sure plays well in that kind of offense.

Matt said...

With the play of the defense (even with an injured Thomas Davis) and the offense's pulse beating stronger each week, I suddenly like the Panther's chances over the next three weeks. The Dolphins and Jets games certainly look winnable. I have a red circle around the Patriots game - that could end up being loss number 6, but then the Panthers weren't supposed to beat Arizona, either. Nor was the Saints game supposed to be as close as it was (and a game the Panthers could possibly have won). Were it not for that awful start to the season, the Panthers would be in a lot more postseason discussions.

Anonymous said...

Beware of anyone using the word "vanilla" or "vanilla offense" when discussing football as this is a well known insider ignorant racist codeword by bigots when they really mean "white".
They never however use "chocolate" or their thin cover would be blown.

Anonymous said...

Ghoul = palm pilot (solo pilot, I might add)

MrBernz said...

Anonymous November 17, 2009 8:08 AM, why do you try to bring race into a football game topic? Some people arent happy unless theyre tied to a whipping post. (thats a metaphor). The Miami game should be a good 1, both teams 4-5, both ranked good run games, ranks 21 & 23 in total offenses, 12 & 19 total defenses. Not a big difference in the rankings & both teams need it. Gonna be a good game to watch too bad it isnt on a normal station so e1 could watch it. We dont get the nfl network here so i will have to find it online, (p2p4u.net) is 1 decent site for watching. GOOOOOOO PANTHERS!!!!!!!!!!

Dwayne Jarrett #80 said...

Hey Jennifer - your body is rockin. We gotsta hang out. i'd be cool with hookin ya up with some game tickets. you on facebook? myspace?

Jennifer said...

Dwayne to answer a question with a question...

Dont most people these days have myspace or facebook?

So yes, and yes ...

Smiles!!