Thursday, September 20, 2012

An awful night for Panther fans

If you were a Panther fan, the best part of Thursday night was the walk to the stadium. The weather was gorgeous, the sidewalks were packed and the atmosphere electric.

After that, it was all downhill.

With the Giants scoring on their first four possessions, the lead was 20-0 at halftime and it ended up with New York whipping Carolina, 36-7.

A magician performed at halftime, but the only thing that truly disappeared was most of the fans by early in the fourth quarter. The Panthers haven’t played worse in a long time, not since the 30-3 shellacking that Tennessee put on them in Charlotte last November.

Most everyone had a bad night -- here's a video we did about the game if you are a glutton for punishment -- but here are seven Panther players who really struggled:

1) Cam Newton. Newton had a reputation coming out of college for being a somewhat inaccurate passer. We haven’t seen that much in the NFL, but it reared up Thursday. He only completed one of his first six passes, and a later throw to Brandon LaFell was behind him and resulted in a tip and interception. It wasn’t all Newton’s fault by any means, but he did throw three interceptions on the night. And by the time he finally led a TD drive, the Giants were already up 23-0. Newton, whose QB rating was a woeful 40.6, later called the Panthers' overall effort "a performance of embarrassment."

2) Jon Beason. The linebacker had two critical misplays that you simply have to make. He bounced off an early attempted tackle of Andre Brown, allowing the former N.C. State back to run for 31 yards. And he had one of Eli Manning’s few misfires go right between his hands – a sure interception that he somehow managed not to even touch.

3) Garry Williams. Subbing in for Byron Bell at right tackle, Williams was often taken to school by Giants defensive end Jason Pierre-Paul.

4) Josh Norman. The rookie cornerback was too often beaten by unknown Giants receiver Ramses Barden, who played because Hakeem Nicks was out due to a foot injury and had 138 receiving yards. The Panthers paid too much attention to Victor Cruz and too little to Barden, and Rivera said after the game that Norman's coverage was "too soft."

5) Charles Johnson. He showed up early on a near-sack and then was barely noticed after that. The Panthers pay Johnson huge money to be their pre-eminent pass rusher in games like this, but Manning had time to send a text before most of his throws.

6) Charles Godfrey. The safety had two potential – not easy, but possible -- interceptions go through his hands, and then he compounded matters but ripping off the helmet of a Giants player in the fourth quarter and getting a personal foul.

7) Joe Adams. Two lost fumbles?! When the Panthers put Adams on the coverage teams to make something happen, that’s not what they had in mind. After listening to Rivera in the postgame -- he said Adams might be "star-struck" and mentioned possible replacements -- it sounds to me like Adams isn't going to be playing for awhile.

One last note: I have read all the comments on the previous post about "Best night game memory ever" and really enjoyed them. I have now decided on the winners as well. If you wrote either the entry about 1) Hurricane Katrina and the Guardsmen; 2) Watching Brad Hoover as a 13-year-old and getting sick enough not to have to go to school the next day or 3) about facing your first deployment in 2000 but losing yourself in a Panther game for 3 hours, congratulations -- I have a signed book for you. You will need to email me at sfowler@charlotteobserver.com with your name, physical address and what entry you wrote (we can check all these comments via IP addresses if we need to, so make sure the entry was yours). Thanks to everyone who participated.

33 comments:

Anonymous said...

I blame poor coaching and preparation. We may have lost anyway, but we were no where near prepared.

Tarheeljd08 said...

You forgot Ron Rivera.

Anonymous said...

Looking like a one step forward one back kind of season, got a lot of time to get ready for the Falcons. If things don't gel quickly, could be ugly in the dome. Still early in the season but team got beat by injury laden team that is picked to miss the play-offs.

Jim Mitchem said...

Coaching. Bottom line.

Anonymous said...

Just awful...painful to watch.

Anonymous said...

This was one of the worst games I have ever been to. The only game that rivaled it was the Arizona playoff game a few years ago.

What a shame

Anonymous said...

Being a Cleveland Browns fan, I have witnessed these uninspired efforts often. Believe me, this loss is the coaching staff's fault. Someone needs to open a can of whoop XXX on Newton & company.

Anonymous said...

As I have said before, and will continue to say, Hurney should be fired simply for Charles Johnson's huge contract. There are plenty of other reasons to fire him but paying an average player that kind of money is simply egregious.

Panther Fan in AZ said...

Awful is right. I'm a panther fan who lives in Arizona and after seeing the effort by them tonight, I'm Not wasting my hard earned money to see a team who doesn't care. The Panthers are not playing to the level of a playoff team, but rather a lower level competitor. I keep hoping they turn the corner and start to compete against the top level teams, but this team is not at that level. The way they played tonight this team is competeing for a top 5 pick or even a top 3 in next years draft. Thanks Panthers for letting us all down......awful effort....

Anonymous said...

Well put, Scott. Certainly all the good feelings from the win last week just went completely out the window. This team has a lot of soul searching to do if we're going to make this a respectable season. Kalil should go ahead and pony up for a retraction in the Observer tomorrow.

Shane P said...

This game reminded me so much of the '08 playoff loss to the Cardinals, the fans are ready, the city is ready, the stadium is electric...then we go out and lay an egg. That's our M.O., why am I always surprised though? 5-11 this year, the schedule doesn't get any easier.

Unknown said...

What about coaching? The read option is a wrinkle not a staple. And also the staff seems totally incapable of making adjustments. If Manning is picking you apart anyway why not blitz the hell out of him and put him on the ground?

LLL said...

Coaching what coach they did no coaching. They ran the same plays everytime made no adjustments. Its almost the coaching staff went to sleep. No they were not prepared at all. Marty should have been gone long time ago. No one even tried to bliss Manning. We need a new offensive line. The clue should have been when Newton had all of those rushing yards. Did Eli have to run tonight no becuase his line game him time to throw the ball and find the recievers. Horrible I don't know if I can watch another game. They played and coached horrible horrible. Where is John Fox can why did we let him go.

Anonymous said...

Coaching was horrible I mean horrible period. They ran the exact same play everytime no adjustment. We need an offense and a defense and a new head coach and Marty gotta go.

Anonymous said...

Cam Newton. Laughable, man. Ha ha.

Anonymous said...

You forgot Sean McDermit, he needs to go...

Anonymous said...

Cam's a big winer and basically through the team under the bus at the post game interview. Somebody needs to get him an attitude adjustment. I've said this before, he throws high doesn't read defenses well - perhaps it is time to put Anderson in at QB. Strong arm keen sense of defense. If you add winer Stevie to the mix these guys are perfect for each other

Anonymous said...

At least Joe Adams (the savior) has rescued our special teams from mediocrity. Those dazzling 15 yard kick returns and fumbled punts really help. All those on here over the last year criticizng Pilares and Edwards now realize, the blocking make the returner? Nah, probably not.

randy said...

Team loss, but definitely the head coach has final accountability. Sucked to see all the Giants fans there too. Should we really expect the team to show up if the fans don't? As a fan, if you cant show last night you don't deserve a team.

Anonymous said...

You forgot to mention all of the Panthers fans who were kind enough to sell their tickets to the Giants fan so they could yell, "Let's Go Giants" ALL NIGHT! For a while I thought I was in Giants Stadium but remembered they have a much better Audio/Video system

Anonymous said...

I want to know why Rivera stands and looks confused durning the game like Lovie Smith of the bears. Rivera needs to show some emotion, aggression and passion. I am also wanting to know how Hurny still has a job trading picks and paying paying money for all these non-performers. Godfrey misses 10 plays for every one he makes and HE CAN'T TACKLE. I am embarassed to be a Panther fan this morning. JR needs to send Hurny packing. heck, right me a fat check for not doing anything, that's all he's doing now.

Anonymous said...

This article pretty well sums up Hurney and his decesion making...

http://www.grantland.com/story/_/id/8406098/the-roster-moves-made-panthers-gm-incompetent-best

Anonymous said...

Looked like boys playing against men..........

Anonymous said...

Should have never drafted Newton. To anyone with even the slighest apt for independent thought, it was obvious since before the draft.

How many losing seasons will he have to ring up before idiots stop calling me a racist, and start admitting the simple truth... I'm smarter than you.

Anonymous said...

I have some real questions about the coaching at this point - we looked like we hadnt prepared at all this week, Rivera was taking on a John Foxesque glow on the sidelines, and no adjustments were made on either side of the ball.

Anonymous said...

Hurney needs to go. http://www.grantland.com/story/_/id/8406098/the-roster-moves-made-panthers-gm-incompetent-best

Anonymous said...

I was truly ashamed to be a Panthers fan last night. We had all eyes on us, a statement game for Cam and company, and we got man-handled. I hope they, especially Cam, remembers this game for a long time.

Anonymous said...

http://www.grantland.com/story/_/id/8406098/the-roster-moves-made-panthers-gm-incompetent-best

Carolina's Chaos
The Panthers GM seems more interested in keeping his job than in actually winning football games
By Bill Barnwell on September 21, 2012

The Panthers team that came out on the business end of a 36-7 stomping by the Giants Thursday night has an author: Marty Hurney, Carolina's general manager for the past 10 seasons. ....
>>>>
Grantland article I agree with, the Delhomme deal alone was a fireable offense - an extension after a 5 interception game ... nuf said?

Anonymous said...

I feel sorry for the real Gary Williams who is not a NFL player who happened to play for the Panthers. And on a different note Scott would it not be safe to say that for whatever reason the Panthers overlook the Giants?

Anonymous said...

Hey Scott...bless your heart...tell us again how Adams is an improvement over Armanti?

Anonymous said...

Coach ... get emotional man ... get fired up ... yell at a player coming off the field who screwed up. Get the other coaches yelling also. The sideline looks like Church on Sunday Prayer.

Anonymous said...

I've BEEN saying this the WHOLE time! Now read for yourself:
http://www.grantland.com/story/_/id/8406098/the-roster-moves-made-panthers-gm-incompetent-best

Anonymous said...

Panther fan in ca I spent a lot of money to go back to a home game. What a waste. The Giants kicked them on the field and the Giant Fans took over the stadium. I thought I was at a Giant home game. What a disgusting effort. I won't be doing that trip any time soon. Why is Hurney signing all the guys from a 6 win season. I don't get it. All that money spent and these guys look like they were a jv team playing a varsity.