Panthers Find Inspiration from an Unlikely Source

by Jaxon on Oct 9, 2007 12:00 PM EDT in News Comment 2 comments

The guys over on the Texan blog call him "Zoolander" because of his slicked back hair and southern California heritage. If David Carr is affected by the "don’t let the door hit you in the ass attitude" many Houston fans have shown him he hasn’t let it show in Carolina. He’s been relatively quiet and workmanlike.

All that changed when Jake Delhomme went down with injury during the Atlanta game. Carr had to reassume the leadership position of a football franchise that had high expectations for the 2007 season. Though he got off to a rough start against the Bucs there was no questioning his desire and grit. During one second half drive he dove head-first over a defender to get a first down. Then against the Saints, he endured a bone crushing hit from Will Smith on a sack.

Said Carr: "When I got hit, I got sat on and then twisted. Every bone in my back popped all the way up to the back of my neck. It was by far the worst pain I've ever felt in my life. ... I didn't know honestly if I'd ever play again."

I thought for sure he was done for the season the way he was wiggling around on the ground.

Carr weighs in on that himself:

On the pain after his first-quarter sack: "I was rolling around out there like an idiot. `Stop moving,' I tried to tell myself. But I couldn't." He described it like this: "I took everything they had in the training room. Swallowed it, shot it up, did everything."

He could have called it a day and no one would have questioned him. Yet there he was back on the sideline warming up after halftime. Carr was less than perfect in the second half but he got the job done. One quality I like is his willingness to accept responsibility. Consider the interception he threw:

On the next possession, from the New Orleans 37, Carr made a huge error. He guessed tight end Christian Fauria would continue running a route. Instead, Fauria found an open spot and "sat," which was the correct decision, Carr said.

Say what you will about the Panthers chances of going to the playoffs with Carr at QB, this team will rally around him and make the best of it. There is no question Carr will lay it on the line as well.

On the win: "I've never been in a football game like that before. It was phenomenal. ... I was going up to all the defensive guys afterward thanking them for stopping them (after Carr's interception). It was like my life was out there on the line. ... They were saying that was the kind of feeling they had in '03, when they were going on that (Super Bowl) run. Once that starts happening, man, a football team can be pretty dangerous."

Regarding his health for next week:

On his health (Carr's back injury will be re-evaluated today): "I'm pretty sore. It's probably not going to get any better for the next couple of days. My head's a little foggy."

As a die hard panther fan I have no choice but except the loss of Jake and hope for the best with Carr. I know we have the talent to get to the playoffs. The Panthers just have to continue to believe in themselves.

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CSR Reader Predicted Extent of Delhomme Injury

Just wanted to point out I had a CSR reader send me an email in September that he thought Jake was done for the season. I posted it in a diary the next day. Handyman b obviously knew what he was talking about. I just didn't want to hear it at the time.

As we all know, blogs are the best place to get up-to-date information!

Poll

With Carr at QB now, the Panthers will win how many games total?

12

4 votes

11

0 votes

10

12 votes

9

7 votes

8

4 votes

7

2 votes

6

4 votes

5 or less

7 votes

40 votes | Poll has closed

0 recs | Comment 2 comments

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Comments

The Poll

Since I put the poll up it doesn't let me vote but my new prediction is 9-7. I had originally said 11-5 but he had already lost one more game than I predicted so I needed to adjust down a little. 9-7 is as low as you can go and get in the payoffs. You can't rely on 8-8.

by Jaxon on Oct 9, 2007 1:58 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

A real quandry

I have not voted yet. I started the season thinking the Panthers could go 12-4, even after their miserable preseason. This was based on them sweeping their first 6 games before their bye week (perhaps the easiest part of their schedule) and winning only 6 out of the remaining 10 games. Even if they had only won 5 out of the first 6 games, they would only have to win half the games after the bye to be 10-6 and win their division and make the playoffs.

After the first three pitiful regular season games, I could see 4-12 being much more likely than 12-4. After the NO game, I revised it slightly and tentatively to 6-10.

Now, my heart is trying to override my head and good sense. I could revise my forecast to a 9-7 or a 10-6 season only under the most favorable circumstances, such as the following scenario.

The team comes together as a real team with a real consuming desire to win and make an all-out effort to play up to their capabilities as a unit (rather than inflated individual expectations). For example, Steve Smith's goal of a 2000 yard season should be restated to being a goal of helping the team win 10 games or more, in which case he just might reach that goal.

The team must rally around Carr as their new leader. It must not be seen as any form of disloyalty to Jake but simply an acceptance of reality. In fact they could dedicate the remainder of the season to him. Jake must play a critical role in this too. He must give wholehearted support to Carr and encourage the whole team to follow his example. He should become Carr's biggest cheerleader.

Then Carr must take charge, inspire the team to accept him, and play to the highest level he is able to. He must work hard to correct his perceived flaws and ask the team to work with him in that effort. He must play with confidence and take the team with him to that same level. The team must work with him to make him successful, and they will share in the success.

Lastly, the coaches must show some imagination in their playcalling. They should take advantage of Carr's unique capabilities. The plays should be mixed so that each team they face will be uncertain what's coming next. Rollouts, bootlegs, slants, screens, shotguns, quick dumps over the middle, etc. Multiple plays could be run out of the same set. No formulaic series, such as run, run, pass, punt.

When will we know? Next week may be too soon, especially with Carr hurting. Then the Colts may be more than they can handle. But with those two games out of the way, and an extra week of rest and practice in between, then Tennessee and Atlanta for the second time should be providing some real answers.

by A J on Oct 9, 2007 2:58 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs