Game Grades – Saints at Panthers
October 20, 2008
Last week I predicted a 27-10 Panthers victory. It seems I gave the Saints too much credit.
On with the grades…
Offense:
Jake Delhomme did what he always does, he rebounded from a poor showing last week. It his Jake’s ability to keep looking forward and not let individual games shake his confidence that makes him a threat every week. It helps when you have a guys like Steve Smith, who brought in 6 receptions for 122 yards and a TD. The rushing game also saw some improvement, clipping off almost 4 yards a carry. This is most impressive for a squad that was missing their starting center and tackle. All in all, hope has again filled the air in Charlotte, after a week of dissapointment.
Offensive Grade: B+
Defense:
The defense won this game, hands down. New Orleans came into Sunday’s game as arguably the best offense in the entire NFL. The defense was not only able to contain the Saints all day long, but was able to cause key turnovers that gave the offense the opportunity to score. Once the Panthers were up by two scores, New Orleans turned into a predictable one trick offensive pony. The front four of Carolina was able to get pressure in most cases, allowing seven defenders to worry about New Orleans’ WR corps, a mediocre group in the NFL. Drew Brees makes them special, but not in Charlotte.
Defensive Grade: A
Special Teams:
I did not hear one fan call for the head of Danny Crossman. That means it was a good day for special teams. No major mistakes, all field goals made. Good stuff.
Special Teams Grade: B
Here are a few images from the games…
Sir Purr
Jake Delhomme predicts a win
Reggie Bush looks concerned.
Deangelo Williams stretches for the touch down
Steve Smith pulls in a TD
Drew Brees was handcuffed all day
What a Difference a Week Makes
October 20, 2008
By Ira Cronin
Often it seems to me that Panther fans are critical of John Fox because he is so bland and vanilla in what he says to us. In my mind it all gets back to the fact that he practices what he preaches.
After that horrible loss Tampa he didn’t act like the sky was falling because of one really bad game. I think the performance by the team against New Orleans is a product of his vanilla talking points week in and week out. I have to imagine that what he gives us in the media, is only a watered down version of what he tells his team in private. John Fox is a guy who doesn’t get too high after a win, and doesn’t get too low after a loss.
It’s something I need to buy into a little more in my personal life. I was thinking before kick off this was going to be a dog fight of a game, and it didn’t help me feel any better that an hour before kick off I was trying to put in my contact lenses at my seat, and I lost a contact. Luckily I didn’t have to try and watch the game with one eye, I just had to put my glasses back on.
From my seat in the press box the Panthers were dominant. It was great to see the defensive line getting pressure on Drew Brees. It was the difference in the game.
It was even better to be back in a locker room where the guys were feeling a sense of pride and accomplishment at what they had just did.
Sunday, on my walk into the stadium, owner Jerry Richardson and his wife passed me on their way in. They were kind enough to stop and say hello. The Richardson’s said they would try and give us something good to report on, and boy did they ever come through!
Finally I think it’s important to sit back and take a look at where this team has come. Seven games in, the Panthers have only lost twice, and while you can never count the wins before they come, Arizona is a team the Panthers should beat next week, especially the way they have been playing at home, which means they could enter the bye week with a six and two record. That would put them among the best teams in the NFL with a great chance at making some magic.
