Carolina Panthers’ Monday Morning Optimist- 12/28/2009

I still dont buy into the trade talk… what we need to do is get rid of the old baggage… I agree partly with the Delhomme thing, but I believe he’s expendable, and Peppers NEEDS to sign long term and restructure his $ or get rid of him, same with Jake- re-structure again as possible #2 QB or free up money for performing players. Love Muhammed, but same deal, get younger, with better contract numbers, and you have a shot at keeping both DeAngelo and Jonathan for some time. They appear to be very team conscious, and I dont think they will get stars in their eyes and dollar signs in their heads to the degree that they handcuff the team unlike Julius.

Offensive Player of the Week

Matt Moore, QB, Carolina.

This could easily have gone to Jonathan Stewart (28 carries, a franchise-record 206 rushing yards), but I’ve got to hand it to Moore, for a simple reason: He’s a career benchwarmer, and in the past eight days he’s beaten Super Bowl champions Brett Favre and Eli Manning by a combined 67-16, and he’s done it by completing 68 percent of his throws (36 of 53) for 470 yards, with six touchdowns and no interceptions. "Some guys just need a chance,‘’ Steve Smith told me, "and this is Matt’s.’’ The only question is, what took John Fox so long to yank Jake Delhomme in the midst of the worst year of his life and play this wunderkind?

“The only question is, what took John Fox so long to yank Jake Delhomme in the midst of the worst year of his life and play this wunderkind?”

We’ll be scratching our heads and wonderin’ how 2009 would’ve turned out, if change would’ve come sooner….

Anyone see the pumped up Peppers on the sidelines welcoming Matt Moore? I think Peppers is a happy camper and we may see him finally sign the long term contract and stay. If he does not want to stay, Osi and Seymor may both be potential DEs in the market next year.
Both the Raiders and Giants need a franchise RB.
I agree that we may not see Smash and dash next year. Both of them are legit starting RBs and both will want top $$$. They deserve it. But I will go with J Stew and trade D Will (I shed tears as I say this – I’ll miss their dance).
I still believe given his opputunity Matt will continue to grow into a legit franchise QB.
WR—Stevie needs help, and we shld find him one. In 2010, if we do not need to draft a QB or DE, we have many options to either draft a WR or get one in the off-season.
Guys..I am all pumped up for a great 2010 season

At this point right now we only need a few players on offense. The only thing is how to pay for them. If we give Peppers too much money and gut the system again we can’t invest in anyone that can help us or for that matter keep who we have. So anything with Peppers has to be modest. I think it would be better to trade Goodson or Sutton all though we will not receive as much for them, than to break up a record setting tandem as William and Stewart. If we could get Peppers on a reasonable contract if not let him walk, keep Williams and Stewart, sign Moore to an extension as starter and Delhomme as back up and find a number two receiver we should be fine. I think Moore is showing that he can compete in this league and for the way we have our running game setup we don’t need a Rivers or Romo. Then we can do something with Sutton or Goodson who do have value and I think Sutton is going to be big in this league somewhere. We now have two top notch backups for the O-line so we should be OK there. The defense seems to be in another world of their own right now, so keep it intact. Also a change in coaches right now might do more damage than good. From what we have seen in the last four weeks we have something coming together that might go far next year so let’s not rip it apart. They are playing in harmony and the music sounds so good and is fun watching them play it. One last thing, I wish the main stream media would give us our dues and stop saying that the other teams were playing poorly. We gave them a butt whooping and they know it.

I used to think we definitely needed a QB before Moore stepped up. His confidence and precise ball placement warrants a chance to develop into a true number 1. I like Fox as well and my only out with him is his adamant refusal to bench Delhomme. It’s like he was putting his loyalty to him before the needs of the team. I think keeping Peppers and double trouble plus getting a new, good WR is somewhat unrealistic. I would be willing to give up Williams for someone like Johnson. With Matt throwing like he is to two major targets the offence would be a true force. There are so many slices to the pie so someones got to either get a smallers slice or get up from the table.

I want to add one more thing. At the end of the game Stewart broke out on a long run and he couldn’t complete it, he ran out of steam and just slowed down. he does not have the endurance that Williams has. They at this time they are a team within themselves and they need to stay that way for a while longer. They also support each other like on other combo in the league does and that counts keeps them going.

To keep our offense intact. We haven’t had a lot of it this year and it’s looking like that can pretty much all be laid at Mr. Delhomme’s feet.

I’ve never been a Jake basher, but I have bashed Jeff Davidson plenty and I honestly am starting to regret it.

Looking at the season there really wasn’t any way to open up the playbook on account of our inability to threaten deep. Everything had to be designed to reduce turnover potential.

Now with a QB that has only turned it over once in 4 starts this season our coaching staff seems to have the confidence to take some chances.

Getting to the point. Now that we see our offense can work with the players we have, why would we want to get rid of any of them?

We’ve proven we can succeed on defense with just about anybody in the lineup. It’s the scheme. If we have to start trading people I’d rather it was someone on the defense.

Frankly I don’t know if Stewart would be this good late in the season if he had taken all the reps from the onset, and would be more comfortable keeping both him and D-Will. If we have to cut or restructure lets cut and restructure defense.

I do agree completely with the approach to the qb situation and love the San Francisco jab. I know they’ve got some classy fans but some of them have just been downright obnoxious :-)

I understand the juggling act coming in free agency….However, if you like this team the way it is and remember you still have guys like Thomas Davis, who should be amazing next season, and then there are the other backups and potential starters like Louis Leonard, Tank Tyler and the old 350 pounder, Ma’ake Kemoeatu who will all be within shouting distance, when mini camp starts. Then you have guys like James Anderson and even Hollis Thomas and others who are now regular contributors on defense. Hey maybe some of these guys are assets and could be used as trade bait.

Before you jettison Williams to keep Stewart and grab a wideout you may want to think. “Can Stewart take a 16 game schedule and run 25 times per week and last an entire season?” That is a tall order for a guy who misses 80 percent of all practices and then complains each week of achilles pain and remains questionable until gameday.

We know they (double trouble) platoon well and even almost made it an entire season without missing multiple games (Delo’s last two weeks)….I think Fox has not forgotten the hell that was the 2005 Seahawk game and will not let it happen again (I just hope he does not think Sutton is not the answer).

So, you then have the Peppers question. Do you pay him 20 mil? Sure, if he plays like he did the past two games. But, if he plays like he did for most if the season, NO! With him gone there is plenty of money to grab a pass rushing defensive end and have money left over.

As far as Jake goes….as far as my money goes, there is a already a new " Young Jake…circa 2003" in town. His name is Matt Moore. Moore should have been installed after the 3rd game but Fox had an investment he had to protect and try and make perform and unfortunately for the team and fans, that investment was made in the form of Delhomme and it was wasted money and even worse it looks like a stubborn coach cost this team a shot at a wildcard but not admitting he had messed up by pulling his old friend sooner. Fox should probably have been fired for not playing Moore earlier, but that is water under the bridge with the new revelation that the Richardsons are keeping Fox (they could have waited until after the Saints game to release that info…just in case the team was really playing to save their beloved coach’s job).

So, what do you do? Well, the team needs a bona fide deep threat. A Devery Henderson type of player will do. Will there be one available in the second round? As long as he is not scouted by the same clown who picked Jarrett, the Panthers may just find one (I lobbied all along for the Panthers to chose USC’s Steve Smith instead of Jarrett, just to confuse the second tier Fox annoucers, but the Panthers would not buy it).

Now that we know Fox will be back. Watch for Jake to be back. But if Fox is truly smart he will bring Jake back only with the understanding that he will be the backup and mentor to Moore…If Jake does not like it, well he can go and lose games as a Raider for a year then retire.

Again, you do not trade Williams until you have to and right now, you do not have to. A wide receiver can be gotten. The defense will be fine, it just took 7 games for the team to figure out what Meeks wanted them to do. It is the cover two and it works, with guys who buy into it. Over the past two weeks this team has embarrassed some “high octane” offenses…(AP and the Giants tandem)…They made Farve and Manning look like rookies. So, I believe the defense is just fine.

Double Trouble should be kept intact. The running game is going to go over 2400 yds for the second straight year! Matt Moore looks like he is ready to be the opening day starter next year. The panthers have enough high caliber players that they don’t need an elite QB. Matt Moore is young and should be given the opportunity to start next season. If Fox isn’t willing to end the Delhomme era then he should be fired. Otherwise Fox should be kept because i’m not sure the panthers can get anyone better. Also the fact that the players didn’t quit on the coaches shows something. I like the idea of keeping Jake as a back up because he is a good guy but only if he is willing to restructure his contract. He just isn’t worth the money. Beason needs to be given a contract extension. He has the chance to be one of the best LB’s ever. He has been dominant since he came into the league. He plays with intensity every snap, every game. Peppers is a baller and has been one since college. People who say he doesn’t play hard are fools. That being said the panthers shouldn’t risk franchising him again. The same thing will happen; he will be imposible to trade and the panthers will have to pay him 20 million which could hurt other areas of the team. Either sign him to a long term contract or let him go in free agency. Not splurging on Peppers could enable the panthers to get someone like Anquan Bolden. Wide receiver should be addressed via free agency or a trade. As mentioned above that is one area the panthers don’t have luck drafting, outside of Steve Smith, who was drafted as a kick returner; which the panthers need. The panthers could use a big DT as well. Heres to a hopefully productive offseason.

Both are on rookie contracts. I guarantee you that they will extend D-Will in the offseason this year to avoid having to tag him. He’ll get around 35-40 mil for 6 yrs. Williams is the best RB on the roster, it amazes me how many of our fans have short term memories. Stewart is good too, but if I was starting a franchise, Williams is the franchise RB. He has deceptive power, quickness, speed, good hands, and a good work ethic. Stewart has been injured ever since he got here…nagging foot injuries. Now they could attempt to keep Stewart also but he wouldnt get starter money. If he’s happy with that fine. If not, weve shown that we can get RB in the draft. Theoretically they could keep both if Pep signs to a long term deal, Delhomme restructures his contract and they are front loaded with no salary cap….our running game is what it is because of BOTH backs, not just one.

First and foremost great read James and great job Panthers on two great weeks!

Although, I kinda see the QB evaulatoin issue differently then you James, I think you’re on the money about Moore. I think it is impossible to have a wait and see approach to the QB position. QBs that can have a horrible week and bounce back know that the coaching staff and team stand behind them 100%. Being mentally tough is one part coaching commitment and one part player makeup. Otherwise you get into situations like Cleveland where the coach will pull you on a whim and the QB never has time to develop mentally because they are always playing for their job. QB is the one position on the field where absolute loyalty is paramount to the success of the player.

That said Moore has earned the front-runner spot for QB. There has not been a 4 game period in this season where Delhomme has been as good as Moore. 2 weak starts or not, one of those ended with a “W”, Delhomme couldn’t beat 3 of 4 teams even horrible teams cough Bills cough. As of now I don’t believe the Panthers have a better QB, given a training camp and season as the starter I think Moore would be exactly what Fox looks for in a QB: able to make the big throws to keep defenses honest and savvy enough not to give the ball away.

On to the money…..

The Panthers have a large number of FAs in 2010: Dante Wesley, Keydrick Vincent, Quinton Teal, Richard Marshall, Thomas Davis, Tyler Brayton, Nick Hayden ERFA, Rhys Lloyd, Kenneth Moore ERFA, Matt Moore RFA, and Muhsin Muhammad. Some of these guys need major contracts, others simple extensions, the rest will walk. And then there is the “RB controversy” of keeping both Wiliams and Stewart Peppers and signing a #1/2 receiver.

If there is an uncapped season the Panthers would be able to do this easily. Sign Williams to a 6 year deal front loaded with big money in the uncapped year and the two years afterwords. Then when Stewart’s deal is up in 2013 Williams would be hitting the lower end of his contract when Stewart is getting his own 6 year big money deal. The lower pay would coincide with the expected decline in Williams’ production keeping him from getting cut or have a new deal forced on him. The same can be done with Peppers, Davis, and Marshall big money in the 2010 uncapped year with cap friendly money for the remaining duration of their contracts.

Sorry for the great wall of text that was a lot longer then I intended.

for the sake of this offense to keep double trouble and put Moore in as QB. He is playing as a level that probably 80% of any team out there would take him as their starter. One other positive for him (if it matters) he has Peter King on his side. I think he is the only player on the Panthers that King likes.

“"I’m proud of how we’re playing," Peppers said. "We’ve been getting better. I think we’ve been playing well the whole season really, but these last two weeks we’ve really been effective. That speaks for the job the coaches are doing getting us prepared, as well as the players executing the game plan we’re told to do."’

http://www.heraldonline.com/247/story/1831929.html

How many guys wanting to play on another team next year would be saying, “we, we, we” ? — they’d be saying I more than twice (we/us was used 6 times, plus he compliments the coaches, which may show even more about his attitude towards staying a Panther.)

i disagree with dealing d.w he paid his dues then why not keep both by letin jake go.. am sure he would b reasonable cause its his team..how often u get a r.b. that good,we have2 i say give it a shot b4 talking trade. i would trade gamble b4 d. w stew known 2loose the ball and his running style is injury friendly..so we gotta have both..com on man..i say pep would stay wich would free some cash..we can do it next year would b our year