Panthers Report Card

[Rod Butsecks]

QUARTERBACKGrade: FComment: Jake Delhomme's 12.7 passer rating was his worst of the season and second worst of his career. He threw four interceptions, but one was the result of receiver Steve Smith running the wrong route. Smith was open on a deep pass later but Delhomme underthrew him and was picked off. Delhomme's accuracy was off for much of the game, and his hold on the starting job is again in question.RUNNING BACKSGrade: D plusComment: There wasn't much running room, especially after a series of successful third-down plays on the opening drive. DeAngelo Williams and Jonathan Stewart combined for 75 yards, less than half their average coming into the game, and averaged 3 yards per carry.RECEIVERSGrade: FComment: It was an extremely frustrating day for this group. Steve Smith caught just one pass for 5 yards, and ran the wrong route on a pass that turned into a interception for a TD. Muhsin Muhammad and Dwayne Jarrett were called for offensive pass interference penalties near the goal line.OFFENSIVE LINEGrade: FComment: It was clear coach John Fox wasn't happy with the line's play. He pointed out that the pass protection wasn't good and that the Panthers weren't able to run the ball effectively. The Panthers gave up three sacks, including by Jeff Otah and Keydrick Vincent.DEFENSIVE LINEGrade: C plusComment: The Panthers didn't shut down the Jets running game, but held them to a respectable 3.6 yards per carry. Tyler Brayton had an extremely productive game with 1 #189; sacks, nine tackles and two quarterback hurries. Julius Peppers' hand was healed enough for him to play more, and he had four tackles, half a sack, two hurries and a forced fumble.LINEBACKERSGrade: C plusComment: Jon Beason seemed to be everywhere. He had 17 tackles, including 11 solos, and also recovered a fumble. James Anderson did a nice job taking over the weakside spot after season-ending injuries to Thomas Davis and Landon Johnson. Na'il Diggs played through rib pain and was a big factor in the run defense.DEFENSIVE BACKSGrade: CComment: The Panthers didn't give up any big plays but forced only five incompletions. Chris Gamble intercepted a pass, Chris Harris forced a fumble to prevent a TD, which Richard Marshall recovered. But Marshall also had difficulty at times tackling Jets' receiver Braylon Edwards.SPECIAL TEAMSGrade: C minusComment: Captain Munnerlyn had his longest punt return of the season, a 37-yarder, to set up a field goal. Long snapper J.J. Jansen was called for holding on a first quarter punt for a 15-yard penalty, giving the Jets a drive-start at the Carolina 46. Quenton Teal had a big hit on a punt return tackle. John Kasay made both of his field goal tries.COACHINGGrade: FComment: The offense was abysmal and this may have been the most unsightly game of the season. The Jets had lost six of their previous seven games, but clearly outplayed the Panthers. The challenge for the coaching staff now is to keep the Panthers engaged in the final five games.-- Charles Chandler

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[MVP23]

Everyone but Jon Beason gets an F.....

[OneBadassCat]

Everyone but Jon Beason gets an F.....

James Anderson?

[Davidson Deac II]

I would have given the defense a higher grade. The bottom line for a defense is points allowed, and they only allowed 10 points. In the NFL, if you allow only 10 points, you did a good job.

And Peppers, Thomas, and Everette Brown all played very well.

[Butterflyj30]

Defense played well Jake lost the game for us with all of the int's

[Tank]

Good post and I don't have time but to make one comment. On the first INT. Just why are Smith and Delhomme not on the same page after how many years together?

[thunderraiden]

It was mostly smiths fault but also Jakes fault for not making sure when you're playing NFL football that you're not throwing an interception on 3rd down because the reciever didn't read the audible right.

[Scutty]

COACHING Grade: F

They would be lucky to get that as well

[njpanther]

Fox should get an F minus.

[CLTPanther]

Good post and I don't have time but to make one comment. On the first INT. Just why are Smith and Delhomme not on the same page after how many years together?

If I recall correctly, which may not be right since I drank too much, it looked like Jake audibled the call right before the snap. Maybe Smith thought it was a different play?

[Woodcookedbbq]

Is it possible to give the coaching a G?