Sunday, August 29, 2010

3 things I liked, 2 I didn't

3 things I liked and 2 I didn’t in Carolina's 15-7 preseason win over Tennessee Saturday:

The Panthers just finished off their first preseason victory of the season, beating Tennessee 15-7 Saturday night at Bank of America Stadium. Here are the 3 things I liked most and the 2 I liked least.

What I liked most:

1. The Panthers’ pass rush. Defensive coordinator Ron Meeks has worked some magic with this group so far. After seven sacks Saturday night, the Panthers have 18 in three preseason games – and it’s all been by committee. No single Panther has more than three sacks (Greg Hardy, Everette Brown and Eric Moore are each tied for the team lead with three apiece).

2. Jason Baker’s 76-yard punt. Hey, in a 0-0 first half, you have to take entertainment where you can find it.

3. Mike Goodson’s sizzle. Not only did the second-year running back have a 91-yard kickoff return in the fourth quarter which he seemed to be stopped, got everyone to relax and then burst for a TD, but he also had a 27-yard rush and an 18-yard gain on a screen. He also got dehydrated after all that and cramped up on the sideline, but he’s fine.

What I liked least:

1. Three games, zero offensive touchdowns. The Panthers seemed to knock on the door throughout the second half Saturday and still could never dent the end zone with their offense. They have two TDs this preseason -- one on defense, one on special teams.

2. Penalties. Carolina had 11 for 95 yards, which is really bad. On the most notable sequence, the Panthers got three straight false-start penalties on three different offensive linemen in the fourth quarter to turn a third-and-2 into a third-and-17. I don’t think I’ve ever seen that before.

19 comments:

Anonymous said...

Those penalties likely cost the Panthers at least one touchdown, because the offense looked like it was clicking on both drives. Also, an untimely fumble put an end to an excellent drive near the end of the second half.

After this game, my concerns about the offense are not nearly as severe. Look at D-Will's numbers... They were NOT playing Panthers football, and they came out with a win.

Still, I want to see more out of the passing game. If Moore can't score once Smith is back in the regular season, I'll be very disappointed.

Anonymous said...

The play calling once they get into the red zone has been a laugher this pre-season.

If they are going to pass mostly everytime in the red zone. How about use Dwayne J? To use his height advantage against smaller corners/safties.

Deangelo W will be okay, Chris J has been very quiet this pre-season. I don't hear any Titans fans complain about his performance.

In a meaningless game. He will get back to form. Oline looks better, giving our QBs enough time to find their options.

Unknown said...

no one really cares what you liked and didnt like

Anonymous said...

walter don't hate

Anonymous said...

What was the point to kick the field goal on fourth down when the Panthers were ahead 15-7 with 2:00 in a preseason game? Even if Kasay had made the FG, it still would have been better to give Clausen and the offense a chance to practice in a pressure 4th and goal situation. Who cares if you win the game if you don't learn the key preseason lessons.

Anonymous said...

As long as Jeff Davidson retains the Offensive Coordinator title, we're still doomed. Yes, it was a far better entertainment value than last Sat night's debacle, but far from an NFL experience.

Get Davidson the heck out of there already. We've suffered enough, and he (and Fox) have blinders on when it comes to offensive creativity.

BigMikey said...

I'm tired of hearing about Matt Moore's confidence level as he steps into the starting role. I need to hear about some points being put on the board, and I need to see some better decisions being made in targeting and delivery.

Defense looks great, offense looks offensive.

Unknown said...

I will be at B of A stadium today taking a collection of Snickers bars for the offense.

Anonymous said...

I am starting to miss Jake

Anonymous said...

PIKE....

Anonymous said...

Are we going to have to listen to Mike Mixon and Mike Rucker all season? They make a parody of sportscasting with their tired cliches. Rucker's a nice guy and was a fine player but he's pathetic in the booth.

His attempts to relate the game to his NFL experience is hillarious: "We call that a spin move." Or, "We call that a gamechanger." Or -- my favorite -- "We call that an ME, a mental error."

Bring over Eugene Robinson from radio. At least he knows the game and can give you some insights into it.

Anonymous said...

I think Fox said it during a sideline interview... he knows what he has with the running game. He's trying to figure out what's up with the passing game's 2 and 3 WR, tight-end, if any of the RBs can catch out of the backfield, and how can he take advantage of Edwards. Fox doesn't really care about W/L right now, he cares about who is going to make the team at what position.

Anonymous said...

The playcalling was terrible, we had so many third and longs due to a lack of imagination and a failure to use what we had on the field. Running draw plays and throwing the option for 3 yds on third and long isnt going to put points on the board, butts in the seats, or a paycheck in Fox's bank account next year. Looks like more of the same from the last few yrs despite what Fox and company say.

Anonymous said...

Couple of updates for people. Rucker and "the other guy" won't be doing any games past the preseason. Fox takes over after that. Also no need to hate on Jeff Davidson. He's doing what Fox tells him to do...ever notice how play calling didn't change after Henning left? The one constant: Fox. I agree why be conservative last night with runs and kicking fg's. We need to keep working on the passing game. Finally...defense is awesome!!! Julius WHO? Good riddance.

Bobby said...

Fox is conservative to the point of madness. Showed no guts whatsoever. Would it really have hurt to go for it on 4th and 2 at the end?

The defense is fantastic, really, really good. But that offense is impotent and lacks any kind of creativity. You can't afford to be straight forward, buttoned down and by the book any more, defenses will read that all day. Throw something exotic at them, but I'm not sure Davidson and Fox know what that means.

Baker looks better, and the way the offense looks we're going to need to have the punting game in top form.

Anonymous said...

All that stuff about Fox trying out various offensive schemes to evaluate talent has some validity. But instilling confidence and a winning spirit is also needed. Kasay's field goal attempt was the right move. Would have put Panthers in front by two possessions. Kasay will do his homework and correct his tendency to hook the short ones.

Anonymous said...

Anonymous said...

Are we going to have to listen to Mike Mixon and Mike Rucker all season? They make a parody of sportscasting with their tired cliches. Rucker's a nice guy and was a fine player but he's pathetic in the booth.

Bring over Eugene Robinson from radio. At least he knows the game and can give you some insights into it.


If you paid even a little attention, you'd know that Mick Mixon is on the radio, not on TV. If you are such a fan of Eugene Robinson, you'd think that little detail would have already stuck with you.

Anonymous said...

In a pre-season game,why run draws on third and 9 or 10 yards? This happened at least twice.shows a total lack of confidence in your Q.B..Imagination (no surprise)is lacking in our offensive coordinator.

Anonymous said...

I totally agree.... The Defense has been stout and one of the weakpoints we thought in the off-season, is now one of our strengths. (DE).

I am still concerned about the 2 WR. There are some big names now available Bryant, Coles, etc...but knowing the Panthers brass, they will not be even considered. Hopefully Steve Smith has another big season left in him.