Solorca's Winners and Losers - Week 5

[solorca]

We won, which is the important thing. It's the kind of game that good teams need at some point in the year, getting a win when you probably shouldn't have gotten it. I'm not saying that the Panthers are a good team, because at this point they aren't...but a win is a win.

On to the winners and losers...

WINNERS

Keary Colbert - He led the team in receptions and made a few grabs that he wouldn't normally make. He did a good job getting the first down late in the game, and made a fantastic grab from Matt Moore.

John Kasay - I usually forget about him because he is such a consistent players. Days like today make me remember why we are so lucky to have him.

Jon Beason - How's that for his first start at middle linebacker? He said last week that he didn't think he was ready, but he proved today that he was. As he's been all season, he was a beast.

Julius Peppers - Welcome back...hopefully you'll stay for a little while. He's been disappointing all year, but when our season was on the line (and I believe it was at that point), he was able to get the huge block. He also batted some balls down and had some nice tackles. Hopefully this is a good sign.

Chris Harris - The longer this guy wears a Panthers uniform, the more I like him. He may make a few mistakes here and there, but he plays as hard as he possibly can at all times. I know that we don't value safeties in Carolina, but I want Harris to hang around.

Richard Marshall - With his interception and numerous big plays, he was very impressive today. He is our future at the cornerback position, and I think we need to lock him up for a long term contract as soon as possible.

Chris Gamble - Yes, he's making my list. He didn't do anything that impressive today, but he has been extremely consistent this year. I have given the guy a hard time, but he has been solid throughout the season, and is impressing me more and more as the year progresses.

LOSERS

Jeff Davidson - I don't know what he was attempting to do for most of the game today, but some of his play calls were insane. With 90 seconds left in the first half, we ran the clock out. We rushed one 1st, 2nd, and 3rd down when we needed 20 or more yards, and he showed nothing of value through most of the game. Hopefully when (or if) Jake comes back he will start to open the playbook up a little bit more, rather than using Henning's old book.

David Carr - While he wasn't as horrible as last week, he certainly couldn't be considered "good". He did do a better job of finding receivers and attempting to pass out of the pocket a little more, but he was still playing at a rather poor level.

Deshaun Foster - THe blocking wasn't good, but outside of a few solid runs in the fourth quarter, he couldn't get anything. He was trying to dance a little too much, which wasn't something he was able to do with the limited time available.

Entire third down coverage - It's been something that has killed us all season, and it continued today. We have got to figure out a way to stop the short passes on third down, as it's allowing team after team to pick up every third down against us. The only time we're stopping a third down play is when the quarterback throws and poor pass, and that isn't acceptable.

Overall, a win is a win...but there is a lot of work to do.

[Jackofalltrades]

"Chris Gamble - Yes, he's making my list. He didn't do anything that impressive today, but he has been extremely consistent this year. I have given the guy a hard time, but he has been solid throughout the season, and is impressing me more and more as the year progresses."

When you never hear your corner's name, it's a good thing. Very solid season by Gamble so far.

Foster had some good runs, but it's pretty obvious the run blocking's just not there, I would put the O-line up there before Foster.

As usual, good read.

[Davidson Deac]

Originally Posted by solorca

We won, which is the important thing. It's the kind of game that good teams need at some point in the year, getting a win when you probably shouldn't have gotten it. I'm not saying that the Panthers are a good team, because at this point they aren't...but a win is a win.

On to the winners and losers...

WINNERS

Keary Colbert - He led the team in receptions and made a few grabs that he wouldn't normally make. He did a good job getting the first down late in the game, and made a fantastic grab from Matt Moore.

John Kasay - I usually forget about him because he is such a consistent players. Days like today make me remember why we are so lucky to have him.

Jon Beason - How's that for his first start at middle linebacker? He said last week that he didn't think he was ready, but he proved today that he was. As he's been all season, he was a beast.

Julius Peppers - Welcome back...hopefully you'll stay for a little while. He's been disappointing all year, but when our season was on the line (and I believe it was at that point), he was able to get the huge block. He also batted some balls down and had some nice tackles. Hopefully this is a good sign.

Chris Harris - The longer this guy wears a Panthers uniform, the more I like him. He may make a few mistakes here and there, but he plays as hard as he possibly can at all times. I know that we don't value safeties in Carolina, but I want Harris to hang around.

Richard Marshall - With his interception and numerous big plays, he was very impressive today. He is our future at the cornerback position, and I think we need to lock him up for a long term contract as soon as possible.

Chris Gamble - Yes, he's making my list. He didn't do anything that impressive today, but he has been extremely consistent this year. I have given the guy a hard time, but he has been solid throughout the season, and is impressing me more and more as the year progresses.

Agreed for the most part, but I still think Peppers block was more a result of a very bad kick than anything Peppers did. Still didn't pressure the passer, although no one else did either. And the reason you say Gamble didn't do much was because whomever he was covering stayed covered. They didn't throw his way. I think the reasons for this are twofold. One he has improved with experience. Two, since Lucas is back, Gamble is no longer going up against the number 1 receiver as much.

Originally Posted by solorca

LOSERS

Jeff Davidson - I don't know what he was attempting to do for most of the game today, but some of his play calls were insane. With 90 seconds left in the first half, we ran the clock out. We rushed one 1st, 2nd, and 3rd down when we needed 20 or more yards, and he showed nothing of value through most of the game. Hopefully when (or if) Jake comes back he will start to open the playbook up a little bit more, rather than using Henning's old book.

David Carr - While he wasn't as horrible as last week, he certainly couldn't be considered "good". He did do a better job of finding receivers and attempting to pass out of the pocket a little more, but he was still playing at a rather poor level.

Deshaun Foster - THe blocking wasn't good, but outside of a few solid runs in the fourth quarter, he couldn't get anything. He was trying to dance a little too much, which wasn't something he was able to do with the limited time available.

Entire third down coverage - It's been something that has killed us all season, and it continued today. We have got to figure out a way to stop the short passes on third down, as it's allowing team after team to pick up every third down against us. The only time we're stopping a third down play is when the quarterback throws and poor pass, and that isn't acceptable.

Overall, a win is a win...but there is a lot of work to do.

I think Davidson and company don't trust Carr yet, with good reason. And they probably knew Carr was still hurting, and not 100%. Probably not willing to risk a lot of passing. They only threw the ball 19 times today, and that was probably the fewest number of passes this season, with good reason.

I think Foster ran the hardest today he has run all year (as did Williams), but there were not many holes there. Not sure if it was poor oline play, or the Saints stepped it up a notch. Probably had something to do with the Saints thinking we were not going to throw much with Delhomme out and and Carr not playing well. I am sure they focused on the run.

And yea, our third down coverage sucked, except for the last few minutes of the game. But thats mainly a result of no pressure from our front four. Can't let an NFL QB have all the time in the world.

[outlaw4]

Originally Posted by solorca

Entire third down coverage - It's been something that has killed us all season, and it continued today. We have got to figure out a way to stop the short passes on third down, as it's allowing team after team to pick up every third down against us. The only time we're stopping a third down play is when the quarterback throws and poor pass, and that isn't acceptable.

This drives me insane. It doesn't matter if it's 3rd and 1 or 3rd and 11th, the opposing offense is getting a first down. It drives me nuts that they can't get themselves off the field.

[ShutDwn]

I don't know why Davidson is on the list, he has David Carr as his QB, if he tries to open the offense up all Carr will do is get sacked or throw a check down. Might as well take it to the half.

[Skew]

I find it hard to listen to some one tell me who the winners and who the losers are when they admitted to not seeing the whole game.

Nothing personal.

[Cooter]

also maybe you not being able to figure out what davis was doing is a good thing. you know we have been so predicable in years past. im guessing if you can figure it out some coach might as well.

[Cyberjag]

Matt Moore threw a perfect ball for 43 yards in his first play in the NFL. He has to be on the winners list, even though he got away with one on his second throw. The guy will get a camp invite next year just on the strength of that play.

[Duekster]

I think the DL showed up more so this week. Peppers showed an improvement.

Carr was better this week and that was a good sign. The whole team looked better but they will need to build upon this and not think that everything is fixed.

[solorca]

Originally Posted by Skew

I find it hard to listen to some one tell me who the winners and who the losers are when they admitted to not seeing the whole game.

Nothing personal.

What the hell are you talking about? That was the first and only post I made after the game (up until this post). I watched every second of the game.

You must have me confused with someone else.

[Skew]

Originally Posted by solorca

What the hell are you talking about? That was the first and only post I made after the game (up until this post). I watched every second of the game.

You must have me confused with someone else.

guess i do.

chill

[solorca]

Originally Posted by Skew

guess i do.

chill

Nah, I wasn't bothered by it, I just thought it was a weird statement.

I am always a negative nancy during games, but always watch every moment.

[engine9]

I can't take your list seriously until you put jason baker as one of the winners

[solorca]

Originally Posted by engine9

I can't take your list seriously until you put jason baker as one of the winners

Leaving him out was a mistake. I put him there almost every week though.

I've been saying for most of the year that he is our MVP...because he's the most consistent player we have.