Moose Call
December 4, 2008
by Greg Bailey
Did you see Muhsin Muhammad tonight on NewsChannel 36 at 6? “If you’ve got a pulse you’re gonna be up for this game. This city is on fire.” Nobody wraps up the big game feel like Moose. Earlier this year he told us before the Atlanta game at Bank of America Stadium that he wouldn’t sleep the night before. Now the Panthers need Moose to produce like he did for that game and others early in the season. Back then it was like Jake and his man had esp. They always seemed to sense the right place and the right time to connect. The last few weeks, that’s been missing for long stretches.
All the other big names will steal the headlines this week – Jake and Jeff Garcia; Julius Peppers and Derrick Brooks; Steve Smith and somebody else from Tampa; but the most important player on the field for Carolina will wear #87. I’m convinced the first play call in Green Bay had everything to do with jump starting Moose. The flea flicker went for 44 yards before Muhammad fumbled the ball. Still, it was a great call and a spark for Carolina’s connection at wide out. Take out that 1 long play and Moose has averaged just over 2 catches a game over the last month with each catch worth only about 12 yards. Moose is capable of much more. The Panthers need him to deliver (again) on the big stage.
Other thoughts for Tampa week:
It’s interesting to me that both coaches have taken the slow and steady approach to preparations for the Monday night showdown. Today the Panthers do more walk through stuff than real practice. On Thursday they’ll ramp it up with their normal Wednesday routine, complete with media interviews. Down in Florida Jon Gruden gave his team days off on Monday and Tuesday with coaches working on next week’s game with Atlanta before everyone focuses on Carolina on starting Wednesday.
Nice note from Anwar Richardson in the Tampa Tribune: When Tampa wins in Carolina the Bucs win the division. When they lose here they don’t. That’s held true the last 6 years – 3 up and 3 down for Tampa.
Jake Delhomme is 33 years old. He’s a proven winner and a Pro Bowl quarterback who has always been “too something” to get the respect he deserves. After spending much of the summer convinced Jake was in trouble with that surgically repaired elbow I now understand he’ll keep playing and winning for a few more years. Look no further than 38 year old Bucs quarterback Jeff Garcia. He’s a 4 time Pro Bowl quarterback who has always been “too something”, too. They both just keep on winning.
