Panthers Have No QB Controversy

by Jaxon on Oct 20, 2007 6:31 PM EDT in Panther News

As David Carr points out, it’s the sports journalists who have created this so called "QB controversy" in Carolina. To me it’s a no-brainer much less a controversy. Mainly because John Fox is very consistent in how he reacts to these situations. He will be very evasive and noncommittal to add another dimension to the Colts game preparation. The fact is if David Carr is healthy he gets the start and here’s why.

First he’s the incumbent starter. If Foxy sticks to his usual mantra then the starter gets his job back when he’s healthy.
Second, Vinny does not have ten starts in him.

The Testaverde bandwagon is rolling, as it should be. Before it gets out of control and fans anoint him as the starter for the rest of the season, there's something they should know. If you saw Testaverde walking (and we use that term generously) in the locker room after the game, you would know that's not what the Panthers want.
Sure, he is in great shape, but he's 43. He was a great solution for one game and he could be effective in short spurts the rest of the season. He doesn't have 10 starts in him.

Foxy doesn’t want to risk losing another QB by playing Vinny too much. I perish the thought of having to dip once again into the thin QB FA pool now. Vinny might be fine for the Colts and maybe even the Titans but then he will start to tighten up.
David Carr is obviously younger and in my view runs the offense well enough to win. Prior to his back injury he’s been very reliable and is certainly more mobile then Vinny.

The media may want a controversy to write about. It’s much easier to create a controversy than to actually do some research about the team. Don’t let it distract you. David Carr will start against the Colts.

Poll

Who should start at QB against the Colts?

Vinny Testaverde

18 votes

David Carr

21 votes

Matt Moore

1 votes

40 votes | Poll has closed

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Comments

I agree

I think your analysis is correct, and also the Observor writer that you quote, especially his statement that VT "could be effective in short spurts the rest of the season". That will be his role. Come in fresh if Carr gets injured or roughed up briefly. If Carr is having a rocky game, Fox shouldn't hesitate to bring VT in. That will be an extra spur to Carr, knowing that he is only a quarter or two from being benched.

Carr is the future of this team, and the sooner we can find out if he can do the job under fire, the better for everyone. VT is NOT the future of this team. He has never played in a Super Bowl, and there is zero chance he could lead the Panthers there this season. Whatever remote chance there may be to get there, it will be in the hands of Carr.

VT did a great job last Sunday, and it will be reassuring to have him at the ready whenever Carr may falter.

I think fans should start preparing themselves for the possibility or even probability that Jake may not be able to come back from his surgery, or play as effectively as he did before. If Carr can successfully lead the team the rest of the season, Jake may replace VT as the seasoned and capable backup. In the unlikely event Jake comes back as good as new, then Carr will have to win the starting job by superior play.

"All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing." -- Edmund Burke

by A J on Oct 20, 2007 8:04 PM EDT reply actions

Hard to imagine

The Panthers without Jake for good. I can't go there yet. I'm hoping Carr can get the job done this year and Jake can come back next year and we can have a real QB controversy in training camp.

by Jaxon on Oct 20, 2007 9:55 PM EDT up reply actions