In case anyone needed a refresher course on how bad the Panthers can be after some of the false hope provided by Carolina's win over Philadelphia on "Monday Night Football," it came on Sunday in Kansas City.
The Chiefs -- who had lost eight games in a row, had the NFL's lowest-scoring offense and were 1-10 entering the game -- simply outplayed Carolina for a 27-21 victory.
Carolina (3-9) still hasn't won two games in a row all season.
Three things I saw over and over from my vantage point at home in front of the TV:
1) The Panthers never could bother Brady Quinn. He ate the defense up with one completion after another. They made Quinn, whose NFL career has mostly been one of disappointment and unrealized potential, look like Tom Brady. They even let him scramble for what was basically a game-ending first down on third-and-long. The Chiefs hadn't scored more than 16 points in their last seven games, but they had 17 at halftime. Cam Newton was pretty darn good in this game -- although he failed once again to lead a game-winning touchdown march at the end when he had time and a great chance on the Panthers' next-to-last possession. But Quinn was even more accurate. The Panthers' defensive secondary left much to be desired, as did the pass rush.
2) Ron Rivera was out-coached. The Chiefs took a huge gamble and made it work on fourth-and-goal from the 1 on the final play of the first half, as Romeo Crennel skipped the sure field goal and went for a TD. The Chiefs also looked like the far more disciplined team, drawing far fewer penalties. Rivera, on the other hand, punted the ball back to Kansas City and relied on a defense having a bad day to stop the Chiefs on a three-and-out late in the game, which it couldn't do because of Quinn's scramble.
3) The Panthers really just aren't that good. Their offensive line has problems, as we know. But so do a lot of other places (wide receiver, secondary, D-line and on and on). This is not a team that looks to be "trending up," as Rivera said Jerry Richardson told him it needed to be to keep his job after this season. This looks more like a team that is legitimately a 3-9 team. Not a particularly unlucky team. Just a bad one.
We're moving!
9 years ago
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30 comments:
It hurts, but this was the best result- go for the draft picks, they really need them!
Scott, you are wrong here. Ireally don't think the panthers are a bad team, in this league, it comes down to coaching. I know the harbaughs could get 11 wins out of this talented roster. But when a coach misuses his roster, he will lose more games than he wins. Simple and plain
Agreed to all, especially receivers.
Their offensive line has problems, as we know. But so do a lot of other places (wide receiver, secondary, D-line and on and on). This is not a team that looks to be "trending up."
Some of us have been saying that all along Scott. Welcome to reality.
Definitely #2. I think he just cemmenetd his fate.
Number three is the truest statement you've said all year. You could also include that quarterback you keep slobbering over in that statement Scott.
Really?? Rivera out coached??
Hmmm.... There's a news story...
THANKS AGAIN MARTY!!!
It's intersting how my 4:30PM posts on other CO blogs have disappeared, but your comments in this later article reflect my comments in those posts quite accurately.
Scott, please tell me why Fua is starting? Does the staff really think he and Nakamura are NFL caliber?
Is there a reason all of the sportswriters at the Observer rely on others for what Jerry Richardson has to say? I know he is tightlipped so either get an interview or report that he won't talk. Are you all afraid of him?
Inconsistent play from defense, penalties, lack of discipline and overall bad coaching will not get you far in the NFL...let hope the new GM will hire a good coach and have a good draft...we should be picking in the top 5 every round, so hopefully get some impact guys instead of players who get released after two years.....Lafells drop is par for the course this year and for years to come unless they get someone who knows how to coach up talent....
Hahahahah faulting Cam Newton for not leading a 81-yard TD drive with 18 seconds left and no timeouts? Classic sports media these days.
How does a QB that is 6'5" have so many passes batted down? It just blows my mind!
Anonymous 10:15, I agree. On the pass he had batted down, the big DT was right in front of him towering over the blocker. No way Cam could not know that was a possibility. And he's done it a lot.
It blows my mind that there are fans who will insist that the Panthers have a talented roster. Where is all this talent? Outside of the aging Steve Smith our receivers are garbage. The offensive line is horrible. The QB is inconsistent. The D-line is inconsistent and without a truly great player. The secondary is awful. This is not a talented roster.
Naturally the QB is fall guy or hero whenever a team performs but lets look at the big picture here. 1) Cam made no mistakes as far as TO's and led the team on several scoring drives. Getting the ball back with 13 seconds isn't going to produce a game winning drive. How many QB's have played horrible this year only for their D to bail them out? I can name several big time QB's that threw INT's but their teams still won even their worse days. Cam can't do it all people. 2) What is going on with the D? For starters, who was suppose to cover the KC player that scored right before the half? Then the dumb neutral zone infractions and personal foul by Josh Thomas didn't help. The D stunk it up and consistently got handled at the line of scrimmage. 3) Why do we have to keep watching this coaching staff this year fail again and again? How do you allow KC to convert on so many 4th downs? KC played like a desparate team while the Panthers looked out of place and over matched. 4) Finally, I'm ready for a fresh start now! Panthers need to pick up a dominating DT in the draft.
I really hate to beat a dead horse, but the coaches, at least Ron and the DC need to go, and go now. I'm still on the fence about Chud. This is worse than Fox's last season, since we at least have a good QB. Please get a good General Manager and just clean house. I understand that if that happens, there may be some growing pains nrxt year, but what is on the field now is just crap. I can't watch it any more. The Panthers are the Washington Generals of the NFL.
"Anonymous said...
How does a QB that is 6'5" have so many passes batted down? It just blows my mind!"
By having an O-line that couldn't block their grand mothers! Batted passes are typically a result of penetration by the Defense.
Those who keep trying to run Cam down are even worse evaluators of talent than Marty Hurney!
Hell the defense could be better if we blitz. rushing only four just doesn't get it done. we play soft coverage. saying systematically beat us. lets have the corners play 20 yards off. we need to rush 6 or seven and play bump and run
how many poor passes to Steve Smith can this guy throw??
If Mr. Newton would spend equal time working on his passing skills as he gives to perfecting his first down poses and TD "superman" showing off, perhaps the team would score more. Oh, and the same for a bunch more of this clown show - less dancing, taunting, and posing - more good football.
He's talking about the Panthers drive before that. We had just under three minutes and 2 timeouts. Panther got 1 first down then punted.
Among the things we need to do... we have to get some value out of the three headed waste that is our running back core. Seriously, that's how we should have driven down the field. But averaging 3 yds per carry, D'angelo is worthless.
"Hahahahah faulting Cam Newton for not leading a 81-yard TD drive with 18 seconds left and no timeouts? Classic sports media these days".....couldn't agree more.
maybe because defensive lineman are directly in his face
I cannot forget Cam grazing past Eli Manning after the Giants gave them a whipping at home. Eli offered his hand to shake and Cam with towel on head just did the walk on by chewing his cud towel on and acting like Mr. Cocky to Eli Manning. I think Cam wants out of Charlotte well let him go.He apparently does not want to be on the team and run the QB position?
I am glad to see the previous comment. I have wondered for some time why Cam has so many passes batted down. Russell Wilson is six inches shorter, but can find a passing lane.
New ownership will turn this team around very quickly. What will it take for this to happen - nobody in the stands - nobody buying $12.00 beers - lousy food! Best part of the Panthers is the nice weather and the tailgaiting. Great crowds for this. Perhaps we should all tailgate - it's free if you bring the food and go home and watch on TV
Can 'em all- the coaching staff of the 3rd worse team in the entire NFL. I see these 'cuppin fools up close and not so personal every game. I do not see any emotion whatsoever before, during, or after they get their tails handed to them weekly. DO IT NOW Jerry- don't wait until the end of the season to further embarass yourself, the team, and the fans left.
I have over $2000.00 invested in season tickets this year. Thank you very much Carolina Panthers.
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