Season Grades – 2007
December 31, 2007
Here they are, for better or worse. Well, mostly worse.
Offense:
Hard to judge this group. A new scheme with new OC trying to implement an entire offense with 4 QBs starting. While I am never big on excuses, this one is a pretty big turd to flush. So instead, lets look at the running game. The Panthers finished 14th in the league in rushing yards per game. That is not horrible, but it won’t get the job done when the QB play is questionable. Still, if Deangelo Williams can continue to improve, Foster will be benched or traded, and the running game will improve to a top ten status in 2008.
Matt Moore could possibly be the best thing the Panthers have seen since Steve Smith. Finishing the season with an 85.6 rating as an undrafted rookie is an amazing accomplishment. Lets hope he can find competent QB coaching this offseason, which the Panthers cannot offer him currently.
Offensive Grade: C
Defense:
The Carolina defense finished the season 16th in the league in yards allowed, 15th in points allowed. Early in the season the defense showed absolutely no energy or even willingness to play the game. They were unprepared and not motivated. Julius Peppers has all but disappeared. It took two future Panthers stars to help turn things aroun a little. Chris Harris and Jon Beason deserve credit for giving the defense a heart. Although, by the time their groove was reached, it was too late.
Defensive Grade: D
Special Teams
The good news is the punting unit can really push back the opposing team. The bad news is the kick retuning unit can barely walk on the field. The Carolina Panthers finished 31st in the league in kick returns, and 3rd in the league in punting. One could make a decent argument that the single most damaging aspect of the season was the terrible field position given to the offense by the special teams unit.
Special Teams Grade: D
Tomorrow, I will grade the coaching staff.
John Fox NOT to UCLA…
December 29, 2007
AP reports Rick Neuheisel has been hired as the UCLA head coach.
Thus ends the quickest and most powerful rumor in Carolina Panthers recent memory…
Fare thee well, UCLA, we hardly knew ye.
John Fox to UCLA
December 29, 2007
Thats the current rumor, with one news outlet reporting the deal is done, the announcement is only waiting for the final game of the season to end.
Fox was raised in San Diego, California and earned teaching credentials from San Diego State.
Discuss this new development here!
Moore is a Keeper
December 23, 2007
Question: How can an undrafted rookie step in and perform much better than a NFL starter and former first pick overall? Throw in the fact that this rookie has had less time in the same system as the veteran qb, and you have yourself a real head scratcher.
Never the less, this is exactly what Panthers fans have witnessed for two straight week. Matt Moore has completely out performed David Carr and even Vinny Testaverde.
Two things contribute most to his early success, pocket presence and quick decision making. Moore is almost the complete opposite of David Carr in this respect. Matt Moore may have the best footwork in the pocket of any rookie QB in recent memory. His offensive line surely appreciates this. What once was a sure sack for Carr, is now a completion for Moore.
Hopefully the Carolina Panthers can find a way to develop Moore over the offseason. However, with the limited success (to put it mildly) of the Carolina Panthers coaching staff to develop QBs, it is not a sure thing.
One thing does remain clear, Matt Moore is currently good enough to win in the NFL provided a decent running game is implemented. If Jake cannot go next season, Moore can.
Ruin Romo!
December 21, 2007
Hey boys and girls! You too can help the Panthers dismantle Tony Romo on Saturday night.
Simply visit the Ruin Romo website and follow these simple instructions…
1) Buy Tickets to the next Dallas Game.
2) Print out this picture in Full Color.
3) Cut out eyes and head.
4) Paste or tape to a heavy piece of paper or cardboard.
5) Paste popsicle stick to bottom for easy handling.
6) Bring it to the game and let Tony know Jessica is there for him!
7) Celebrate after your team wins!
How can you not care?
December 11, 2007
Each season nearly 100 players come to camp and half leave disappointed. It was their dream. An opportunity to play a game for a good living. To be on TV. To play in the NFL. To live the American dream.
How can you not care?
In the mid 80’s a man pursued a dream and spent millions of his own money just trying to chase the dream of bringing the NFL to the Carolinas. There were no guarantees. He didn’t give up.
How can you not care?
A fan from day one living in Ohio takes valuable vacation days and lots of hard earned money to make a trip down to the Carolinas to see her team play, purchase merchandise, and see what it’s like to be in the home region of the team. It’s something she’s looked forward to for a long time.
How can you not care?
You go out and practice for 2 hours. A fan wakes up at 4 am the same day, gets dressed, and is rolled in a wheelchair to a waiting van and driven to your practice. It has taken months to set this up. The fan couldn’t sleep the night before. It is their dream to meet you and watch a practice up close.
How can you not care?
Each game day thousands of fans treat this like a vacation and spend hard earned money and valuable time to come watch you play. Their money and enthusiasm pays for you to do your job. Their kids look up to you and watch every play.
How can you not care?
Giving your all and not winning is something all of us experience in our lives. Fans can understand it. You can’t win every game. But giving your all should be expected every time you play. Anything less and you should not be playing.
Game Grades – Panthers at Jaguars
December 10, 2007
Very few positives to take away from this game. Lets get to the grades…
Offense:
After a solid performance last week, Deangelo Williams was only allowed 3 carries, leaving the bulk of the running to Deshaun Foster. The reason for this may be taking what the Jaguar defense was giving. Between the tackles running may have been the best choice, and therefore Foster would get the most opportunities. Opportunities he got, and immediately lost. Once again Deshaun has proven he is not starting material in this league. He does not break tackles. He does not have breakaway speed. He does not have good vision. Yet he remains the Panthers starter.
Offensive Grade: F
Defense:
The Panthers continue to show poor execution of fundamentals on the field, particularly tackling. While mostly the fault of the players, blame can also be placed on the position coaches and defensive coordinator. Most will be gone this offseason, and many fans will be willing to pack Trgovac’s bag for him.
Chris Harris, the member of the defense who has spent the least time under Mike Trgovac’s tutelage. is also the most fundamentally sound player on the field. Coincidence? I think not.
Defensive Grade: D
Special Teams:
This unit will be completely dismantled and rebuilt starting in a month. It is long overdo.
Special Teams Grade: F
