Delhomme out for season…
October 8, 2007
Game Grades – Panthers at Saints
October 8, 2007
For almost half of a quarter, the Panthers showed Panthers fans what they have been waiting to see all season long.
After a Julius Peppers field goal block (which had little to do with Julius Peppers), the team went through an almost immediate transformation. Suddenly, it looked as if they cared about the outcome of the game. The defense was energetic. The offense was attacking.
Imagine if they played that way the entire game.
Offense:
David Carr’s performance was far from spectacular. But he did enough to win the game on a day where a running game was apparently lost at Charlotte Douglas airport. Carr is extremely uncomfortable in the pocket, that much is certain, and may be his biggest downfall. It took Carr a few quarters to come to a spectacular realization… If you get Steve Smith the ball, you will score. Keary Colbert has emerged as a credible weapon with Carr at the helm. If Delhomme makes it back this season, lets all hope Colbert does not fade away yet again.
Offensive Grade: C
Defense:
For the first time this season, we saw a blitz that actually worked. Jon Beason was able to quickly get to the quarterback. Unfortunately, he was not able to do more than hug Drew Brees’ ankles as he completed a pass to Reggie Bush. Two interceptions was a much welcomed sight. Both throws were awful, as bad or worse as the David Carr interception. But the Panthers capitalizing on the mistake of the opposing QB is something we had yet to see this season. Could this be a turning point?
Jon Beason should continue to play the MLB position and be named the starter. His progress is extremely important to the future of this team. Dan Morgan popping in and out for the rest of the season will only hinder his progress, and his play was not much of a dropoff from Morgan to begin with. Keep him in there Fox.
Defensive Grade: C+
Special Teams
John Kasay and Jason Baker are the Co-MVP’s of the season.
The blocked field goal, while exciting, was more of a botched kick than a blocked field goal. The ball his Peppers in his upper arm. Anyone with their hands raised in that situation would have touched the ball. Still, it was an instant adrenaline boost.
Still no return game.
Special Teams Grade : B-
