Steelers vs. Panthers: Defense Sizzles, Offense Fizzles

by Jaxon on Aug 31, 2007 10:03 AM EDT in News Comment 5 comments

The Carolina Panther defense made a loud and clear statement last night: they are READY for the season opener. In a display of aggressiveness and emotion, hard hits and stuffed plays, the Panthers defense displayed the fun side of watching NFL pro football. The Steelers first team offense did very little last night even after the starters left the field. Yes, the Panthers lost the game thanks to six turnovers from the offense and special teams. But the Steelers offense could only put up field goals when given the ball deep in Panther territory. Deciding who made the most impressive play of the game was easy in my opinion:

Kris Jenkins is the shizzle!

On a 3rd down passing play he destroyed Steeler All-Pro guard Alan Fanaca and laid a hit on QB for a sack. He just bull-rushed him over and threw him aside. It should be the last single blocker assignment he sees on a passing play this season. Let me be the first to call myself out for being wrong in a post just yesterday. Jenkins IS a key to the passing defense because he will garner double-teams all season leaving the DE’s and LB’s an easier path. No OC in the league will want to risk Jenkins laying hits on their QB and no guard in the league can handle Jenkins one-on-one for any length of time. Thank the football gods nobody offered a #1 pick for him! I’ll bet the Steelers would give up their #1 pick next year for him right now!

Dalton Bell played about as expected. He made some bad throws, he looked jittery at times and he made some good throws. I think overall he helped himself but he will still see the Turk tomorrow if not sooner. Kerry Colbert helped himself as well and Dwayne Jarrett showed why he was so successful at USC. My bet is Colbert starts opposite Smith in the season opener. I see no point in further evaluation of the offense because we never saw the complete first team playing

Special teams didn’t fare too well though. Another missed field goal, some poor kick coverage but Ryne did show some more flash.

Overall I thought this game was a positive step forward for the Panthers going into the season opener. Forget the score. The defense stole the show and gave the Panther faithful a much needed reason to be excited. Count me in!

0 recs | Comment 5 comments

Story-email Email Printer Print

Comments

Carr evaluation

Since Carr played the first half, the most he has played in pre-season, what is your frank evaluation of his performance? Very little is being said elsewhere. I have not seen the game yet, but waiting for it to be shown on NFL Network.

I noticed that his 8 completions went to 6 different receivers. I suppose they were taking a look at all of them. I imagine that's a little tough on a QB having to adjust to the rhythm and abilities of so many receivers when so little time has been spent with each of them. Too bad he didn't get a little playing time with Steve Smith.

Did you notice any effect on his game from the broken toe?

by A J on Aug 31, 2007 12:52 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

He looked about the same

He had a nice long completion to Jarrett. He mainly threw short yardage stuff. I didn't notice the toe being a problem but he didn't seem as quick to scramble as the previous game. I don't think he hurt himself or helped, since he again threw a pass he shouldn't have (the INT). I watched the game live and then re-watched the first half.

by Jaxon on Aug 31, 2007 2:17 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

the D

I've been saying for a while that lines are the key to getting us to the SUperbowl. I know I'mnot the only one, but I said it in a post the other day, Jenkins is angry and has something to prove. He was easily the best DT in the league the two years before he got hurt, and made the Pro Bowl last year because there are so few good DTs in the league. But the Panthers tried to trade him, and the media called him out as selfish and unconcerned with football. Now he's on a mission to prove everyone wrong. So can a team possibly doube Peppers and Jenkins at the same time? Do you really want Rucker, McGlover or Kemo going one on one every play? Probably not, but with the center to the TE locked up blocking Julius and Kris, what choices are there? I guess we'll have to blitz on that side, too, and that's what's going to make our defense so nasty this year. Julius is playing for a bigger contract, bigger then Freeney's $72 million deal. Those guys will help the safeties out by getting sacks on third and long.

by usana_gaines on Sep 1, 2007 12:35 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Slow down guys!

Let's not crown him yet! I agree he has something to prove, and he will perform better than last year. But just a game ago, Tom Brady had all the time in the world. Even with Jenkins and Peppers running around. Against the Steelers he only played one series! And he gets mvp for one series??? I think that's a little overboard. The defense should be tough and hold teams to few points again. Let's just hope our offense can score slightly more than the opposing team's few points.

Charlotte Community Sports Blog (Created and maintained by true Panther fans) http://www.charlottesportsblog.com

by Jaxonweb on Sep 1, 2007 9:04 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

i say crown him

Tom Brady had all kinds of time to throw because our D wasn't trying to get to him at full speed. The things I say about Jenkins are things I've said from the beginning. The key is his desire and being on the same side as Peppers. You can't double both guys every play, so one of those guys gets a one on one matchup every play. Superior play from Jenkins has a ripple effect on the whole defense, and specifically helps the safeties out.

He'll also get a lot of help from the offensive line and special teams. If the offense can just start five yards closer per possession, and convert third downs, then Jenkins gets more rest between series. Additionally, if our offense puts up some real points, then our defense will be playing against the pass in the fourth. That was a weakness last year, but if the running game can control the clock and convert third downs, and Pep and Jenkins are both attacking the QB full speed, then we get more wins.

Then we go to the Superbowl and win it all.

by usana_gaines on Sep 2, 2007 12:47 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs