I'm sitting in the press box at Talladega -- writing about the latest huge crashes at this dangerous racetrack -- so I'm not in the best position to talk about the Panthers tonight.
Given that Carolina just upset Arizona 34-21, however, I think the tradition of "Things I Did or Didn't Like" must continue from afar. I did manage to see a bit of the game in this pressbox as well as the highlights and the stats. Here's what I liked:
1. The Panther defense. They turned Kurt Warner into "Jake Delhomme from the Arizona playoff game." It seemed like every time I looked at the stats, Warner was getting intercepted again. He ended up with Jake's exact turnover numbers from the playoffs in fact -- 5 interceptions, 1 lost fumble.
And Julius Peppers finally made one of those big-ticket signature plays -- his pick-six for a TD was superb and constituted his first TD since 2004.
2. Double Trouble. Carolina led 28-7 at halftime in large part because Williams and Stewart couldn't be contained by the Cardinals. This was huge for the Panthers' passing game, which needed to be able to play from ahead for once and got to. As in the Tampa win, Delhomme spent much of the game handing off.
3. John Fox. Hey, he went against popular decision and started Jake Delhomme. It worked out fine. His coaching staff came up with a way to stop Warner, run the ball so effectively Jake only had to throw 14 times (he had a chest injury and came out of the game late) and get a huge win on the road.
Give Fox credit -- that's why he is going on his 8th year coaching at Carolina.
Just when you think it's all over for Fox, he pulls one out like this. And if you think about it, so many of Fox's best wins as a Panther coach have come on the road, just as this one did.
The Panthers are still only 3-4, but they deserve to celebrate this one. For the first time in the calendar year 2009, they just beat a good team.
We're moving!
9 years ago
Posts
34 comments:
Thats where Fowler was hiding today Curtis....
Still doing the happy dance, and probably will all week..
Great win for the Panthers...
Julius "SUPERB"...the pick and the score priceless, along with the sack and fumble in the 4th...
DT....love their game today...
But the one thing, that wasnt mentioned in the top three Mr. Fowler was Smittys touchdown....BEAUTIFUL PLAY!!
Peppers was excellent. In fact he has been the last three weeks. He was definitely worth a million dollars this game. But what are we going t do when someone stops I'll running game, and Fox can't protect Jake by letting him hand off all game?
Jen-baby!...got to c ya again, you hottie. Come here often??
Matt Moore is not the answer.
I wonder if arizona "fans" are wanting to bench QB and fire coach like panther "fans" did after one game in january.
Hate to be johnny raincloud here but I did not like Fox today. I think he lacks the killer instinct. At the end of the half, he has like 1:32 and is at midfield and we run ONE PLAY?? Then Moore comes in and on a 3rd and 2 he uncorks a long pass over the receivers head? We played superbly today (and no special teams mistakes!) but I think, in spite of questionable coaching.
Defensive coordinator Ron Meeks has done a good job with this defense. He has had to deal with the loss of Kemo, and then the loss of the guy that was brought in to replace Kemo. Also, Chris Harris, Jon Beason, Nail Diggs, and Thomas Davis have all missed time. Anyway, when you are a part of any football team you are told that you are supposed to get better every week. So far they have done just that.
So brain boy Scott says that Fox is a great coach because Jake ONLY had to throw 14 time. Is THAT the kind of QB we want? With our running game, ANY competant QB could throw for 300 yards every game.
I guess Scott was hovering over the press box buffet when Jake hit Smith for that 50-yard score. Should have made the top three.
The one thing that surprised me the most about this game was the catch that Jarret made across the middle in traffic. I can't remember Moose making a catch that impressive all year long. Also, the Panthers didn't seem to miss his run blocking all that much either. So as much as I like Moose the person, I feel like his absence from this game has revealed his shortcomings as a receiver. Ditto on Godfrey.
Thought that Gamble played well too. martin is FAST to the ball. Godfry will hate that he was injured...
A ha, Fowler...sleeping on the Panthers on their best win of the season so far, eh? No worries...you can catch the game replay from the comments Jennifer and I had back on your prediction blog. And oh yeah, had to put a classless yankee in his place over there too...all in a days work.
Not only is JP playing better the past few weeks, but he looks like he is having fun doing it again. With Harris flying around doing some hitting, big 75 clogging up the middle, the LBs getting free, and all around just geling in Meeks defense I hope we are on to something here.
Special teams still worry me...gave up another long kick return to set up a short field leading to a TD. I just don't understand why these guys can't cover kicks. And Rhys Lloyd, what are we paying you for again? Oh, that's right - to put it in the end zone. You haven't been great at it this year so you better get your act together.
As for the offense, well...that is as good as its going to get for us for now. Lots of running, mixed in a few big pass plays but not many. Still not much confidence in the passing - Moore didn't look all that great when he stepped in either. But as we've all said, it can't get much worse.
All in all, a very well played game and an awesome win.
Go Panthers...enjoy this one!
Yup...a great Game...we will savior this one...Now if we can have a QB that will be allowed to throw a pass...................
Anonymous said...
I wonder if arizona "fans" are wanting to bench QB and fire coach like panther "fans" did after one game in january.
___________________________________
They are.
http://www.azcentral.com/sports/cardinals/articles/2009/11/01/20091101spt-cardscarolina.html#comments
3 Things I don't Like about Scott Fowler
1. Very limited knowledge of football. Please stay with Nascar.
2. He tries champion the cause of the fake fan base by always complaining.
3. Very limited knowledge of football.
In the Panthers photo gallery, it was pic # 16..Julius going in for the pick-six and as impressive as that play was today something else stands out in that photo..
Theres this little kid, amongst all these cardinal jerseys and whats he wearing..none other than a Panthers jersey # 90...I would send that little fella a " look how smart you are card" if I could ...
A friend sent it to me on myspace, so had to share...thought it was adorable...
7 of 14 for 90 yards is "working out fine?"
Tom Sorensen, eat your words. He's been nothing but doom and gloom all year, after every loss he calls for the fans to "give up hope." Garbage.
Folks, please consider it's just a silly ball game. It dosen't matter.
Sorry but the total human self worth and self esteem of the individuals of this town and all fans in both states and anywhere else changes from week to week depending on how the local NFL team does.
deal with it ...
I'm starting to become a big fan of Ron Meeks! Our defense is getting better, and we were up against a good offense today. Our big test will come next week against New Orleans, let's see if we're up to the task!
IF THE PANTHERS DEFEAT THE SAINTS ON THE ROAD .. THAT WILL DEFINE THEM IN A WILD CARD POSTION.. GO PANTHERS .. WHAT DO YOU THINK ?
Thats right. With all the bad economic news and America gone to hell in a handbasket with banks in the QC having one foot in the grave theres nothing else but the Panthers. Shrinks are having a field day though. If the Panthers dont win more often there will be mass suicide death destruction and chaos ... Lord help us all ... Jesus Christ ... Hallujua ... Can we get a witness? Can we get an amen? ... we heard ya bro ...talk it daddy ... pass the loot and the catfish ... yahoooooo ...
Surprised no one has said anything about the Panther's beat writer being at the NASCAR race. Guess those employee cuts are really deep. Now I'm waiting for Tom Sorenson to start covering high school basketball and the weekend fishing outlook.
I love all the Panther fans who are "sure" now that the "Cats" are back! JD has a "great" game because he didn't throw for an interception and threw one TD...yea, let's forget about the 13 interceptions..they really didn't happen. As an ex-PSL owner, the Panthers looked like the team we want them to look like...but does anybody really believe they are going to play like that week in and week out the rest of the season? N.O. will be the real test...can this team play that caliber without a "revenge" motive?
Bryant80 here.PEPPERS you are a beast!!!Ive took up for Pep and have been ridiculed by these haters.People act like Pep is overrated.You put up his career stats vs any DE his age or younger and you'll see.The best all around DE in the league.Second you people like to call him dumb.PEPPERS is a country boy.I know I live down the road from were he is from.Nothing but farms and sticks out here.I did really well in school.But you throw me in a big city in front of 1000's and cameras and you'd think I was dumb.Any way gettem PEP.Best DE in the league!!!
Uh Cajun Jake said he'll pass on the catfish if you got a big plate of crawfish with a big bottle of Lousianna hot sauce.
hey anonymous! why are you calling my girlfriend jen baby?! where did you meet my woman at?! hey man! you better leave my woman alone!or me and you going to dance! and it wont be no damn slow one!
Bryant...
I lived in Nash County all my life, and yes even though our jr and senior high school is out in the so called sticks...as a Firebird, we are in no way DUMB...
If people take JP's shyness of not wanting to be in front of the cameras as being dumb and slow, they are sadly mistaken..He has always been very quiet even in school, I know, hes personally a friend of mine, and I dont care what the first or the last hater has to say about him...
I know the person, that use to be my ride home from cheerleading practice and yesterday, like many days before and after I am very proud of him...My support has NEVER waviered and NEVER will!!
With that said I have been just as vocal when he wasnt playing well as when he was...
But it seems no matter how good Carolina plays someone will always come on here and find the negative in a Win, even though they werent given a snowballs chance in he!! in this game...and to play it, the way they did...KUDOS!!
They deserve the accolades for this win, and I will continue to do the happy dance until Sunday, either or....Go Panthers!!
Tony I dont know you nor anonymous, so can we keep the post to what the blog is about and that is Panther Football..
Thank you, it would be much appreciated...
Have a good one!!
Nothing better than coming into work on Monday and everyone is saying "How about those Panthers!" instead of "Man, what's up with the Panthers?". I know it's only one game and overall the season isn't exactly a success yet, but Monday's are just a lot better after a big win.
Jen, hope you still have the happy dance going :)
Now here's an interesting dilemma...regarding tonight's game. Would we rather have the Saints win and, in effect, concede the division and hope we can pull it together for a shot at a wild card over Atlanta?
Or would we hope that, despite what we've seen so far, that there still is a shot for the Panthers to contend for a division title so a loss by N.O. tonight would only help?
Granted, I realize we are only one game removed from the Buffalo game...lots of INTs...etc.
I'm not dillusional, but at the same time, I think it warrants serious thought. I for one am not ready to throw in the towel on this season when sitting at 3 - 4.
Yea we know JP and JD are nuttin but a big ole bumpkin countryboyz raised on fatback and cornbread but thats OK. Half the population of Charlotte NC would still eat roadkill if they had too and still amazed at indoor plumbing while the other half are from that frigid northern diseased concrete jungled cesspools and just happy to be the hell in the south where they can see and feel the sun.
Its all relative in the end.
Scott,
Late in the game, with a lead, and Delhomme on the sidelines, everyone on and off the field knows Carolina is going to run. Six consecutive running plays after Warner's fumble - three went for negative yards - followed by a field goal. So why not just direct snap to Williams or Stewart, leave Moore on the sidelines and get an extra blocker in there?
Panthers defensive end Julius Peppers is the NFC's defensive player of the week. He had an interception, which he returned for a touchdown, as well as a sack and forced fumble last week in a 34-21 victory against the Arizona Cardinals..
WAY TO GO JP.....YOU DESERVE IT AFTER THAT GAME!!
Post a Comment