One Final Look Back at the 2006 Season

I’m going to do my best to keep my future posts positive about 2007 and not dwell on 2006 too much.  Here is a good recap of 4 plays that doomed the Panthers season in 2006.  I hope the Panthers coaching staff learned something from each of these.

The Minnesota loss was the most ridiculous of them all. It was a stupid time to call a trick play and the play itself was even dumber. We all remember the Music City Miracle, but come on, when has that play ever worked any other time? I think we could have forgiven Chris Gamble if he disobeyed coach’s orders that one time.

I find the Cincinnati loss the easiest to forgive. On 4th and 1 you don’t expect a bomb.  Chad Johnson is one of the best WR in the game. I can’t blame Gamble too much for getting burned on that one.  Win here after the big win the previous week against Baltimore and Carolina would have back-to-back wins against two SB contenders. The loss instead seemed to carry over into the next game resulting in a route by Dallas.

The Redskin loss left the worst taste in my mouth. The Skins were a team the Panthers should have beaten. They outplayed them the whole game but couldn’t make them pay.  The missed tackle on Cooley seemed to forecast the coming slide out of the playoffs. This game also started to shine the spotlight on the Panthers offensive weaknesses. Mostly, I just hated to lose to the ‘Skins, almost as much as to the ‘Boys.

The Philadelphia loss seemed to suck what remaining life the Panthers had out of them. Sure there was still plenty of time and games left to salvage the season but the Panthers seemed to have lost confidence in what they were doing. The interception by Sheppard left me shaking my head wondering who was most to blame: Henning? Delhomme, Keyshawn, the Football Gods? It just wasn’t going to be our year. You just knew we had no chance against the Giants the following week.

Ok, I got that out of my system. We have a lot to be positive about in the coming year. Injured starters returning, a new OC, options at QB, a very good draft. Now if we could just shore up the safety position... ooops sorry.