Panther Paw Prints: Post Giants Game Wrap-up

by Jaxon on Aug 19, 2009 10:18 AM EDT Comment 28 comments

This edition of Paw Prints starts with a reality check for those who think the sky is falling after the preseason loss to the Giants. I agree there is plenty to be concerned about but also realize we had numerous starters sitting that game out. Also, the fact we play the Giants later in the season the game plan was vanilla on both sides of the ball. There is plenty of evidence that preseason records do not predict regular season results. For example, Detroit went 4-0 in the preseason last year. If you just can't help but judge the Panthers based on the preseason then Tom Sorenson has the answer:

Exhibition furor is misplaced - CharlotteObserver.com
If you need to get excited about the preseason, get excited about the Aug. 29 exhibition between Carolina and Baltimore. The third practice game is most like a real one. Teams get more serious and starters get more time. In each of their winning seasons, the Panthers won their third exhibition.

I love a tough preseason schedule and Baltimore is a perfect preseason game 3 opponent. Moving on, one of the bright spots was the play of back-up LB James Anderson:

Anderson gives Panthers defensive jolt - CharlotteObserver.com
"They didn't have anybody in the slot, and I was the free guy," said Anderson. "I got the 'go' call and was able to make the play." Said Panthers coach John Fox: "We didn't have a 'block' up, so they must have missed a block. But it was a good play by James."

Pictured: DE Hilee Taylor's body-slam sack of former Panther QB David Carr was a bright spot!

Even though Anderson was unblocked I give him props for recognizing the Giants error and taking advantage. On the negative side the Panthers tackling was poor. For effect here's how the Giants writers described it:

Running Game Highlights Giants’ Win - The Fifth Down Blog - NYTimes.com
Bradshaw showed it all last night. He ran five times for 35 yards, including a 19-yard run on which he showed elusiveness by avoiding the tackle of safety Charles Godfrey and power by bowling over corner Chris Gamble at the goal line. He showed speed on a short dump-off that he turned into a 13-yard reception by out-racing linebacker Montty Ivy for the sidelines and turning it up field. And he showed more power by bowling over corner Dante Wesley while lead blocking for a 13-yard run by quarterback David Carr.

Both Godfrey and Gamble need to bring the wood or they will become targets, if they already aren't. It looks like a deal for DT Corey Williams was a bit speculative.

Inside the Panthers: Looking back, looking ahead
While it's possible Williams could become a valid consideration for the Panthers if Cleveland wants to deal him, it's important to note that Hurney scouts exhibitions from time to time, as do many other top executives around the NFL. Hurney likely will do more game scouting this preseason. Just because he shows up somewhere doesn't necessarily mean something dramatic is about to happen. Usually, it means he's doing routine business.

Given very GM in the league knows the Panthers plight at DT don't be surprised if we over pay for someone's cast off. Julius Peppers offered some curious words after the Giants game:

Inside the Panthers: Peppers breaks silence after game
The Panthers have been working Peppers at both right and left defensive end, which he said is a good idea. He started last season at right end. "It’s a good change up," he said. "It’s a good thing to have that type of rotation."

So can we put to bed the notion that he still needs a system that he can realize his potential? I guess we will all evaluate that throughout the season. RB Mike Goodson was a bright light of the game but the two fumbles are worrisome.

Rookie RB dazzles, frightens in first game - CharlotteObserver.com
"He’s a rookie and he’s going to make rookie mistakes. You never know where you are until you play that first one. There’s a lot of promise, but definitely a lot of things we’ve got to work on."

Lets hope he learns the lesson to protect the ball from the backside pursuit. QB Jake Delhomme seems to be keeping things in perspective.

Weaknesses exposed in Panthers' exhibition loss - NFL - Yahoo! Sports
"It’s just a start and I can’t wait to get back and watch the film and build on it," Delhomme said. "This week is going to come up really quick."

Yes, the next game is now only three days away.Hey guess what? Deadspin finally realized we have a team in Charlotte. After reading this though you may wish we remained undiscovered:

Why Your Team Sucks: Carolina Panthers - 2009 NFL preview - Deadspin
Let's revisit that Arizona disaster one more time. On the game's first drive, the Panthers scored a touchdown. The drive encompassed 50 yards, 41 of which were compiled on the ground, on three carries. After this drive ended and the Panthers had a 7-0 lead, they ran the ball three consecutive times with DeAngelo Williams on their next possession and were forced to punt. After these two first drives, the Panthers had a rushing average of 8.2 yards a carry, which is pretty fucking solid. They would go on to run the ball a grand total of nine more times the entire game. Nine times?

You have to admit its pretty on topic in spite of the poor attempts at potty humor.

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Comments

Thanks for the summary Jaxon

Listening to ‘Primetime with the Pack-man’ yesterday was like listening to 1000 Chicken Littles screaming ‘the sky is falling’!

by James The Aussie on Aug 19, 2009 10:28 AM EDT reply actions

That had to be annoying...

It’s the preseason people. Relax.

I blog the Carolina Panthers at www.catscratchreader.com

by Jaxon on Aug 19, 2009 10:43 AM EDT up reply actions

The first time watching the game felt horrendous.

But watching it a second time I didn’t think it was so bad. Delhomme and pass protection was poor at times, but also made a few plays. Some new faces made plays. Run defense was bad… but we expected that. The Giants potentially have one of the best defensive lines, offensive lines and running game in the league. If we can patch up some of the mistakes we made against them the we should be able to handle almost anybody. I’d rather iron out the kinks now… before the season starts.

on behalf of tha dirty south: soul food, carolina blue, southern hospitality, and tha queen city

by southtunnel on Aug 19, 2009 12:27 PM EDT reply actions

I'm posting this a few places hoping to get feedback

I like E Brown and see potentional but, ‘m sorry, We had him on the roster already w/Hilee Tayor (who has a year more nfl experience). If I’m not mistaken, Taylor was blazin fast & had a bunch o sacks in college but slipped down draft boards b/c of lack of size. I hope he gets a fair shot and isn’t pushed aside b/c draft order.

by rawjem01 on Aug 19, 2009 2:06 PM EDT reply actions

Everette Brown Vs. Hilee Taylor

They’re not the same player at all, not by a long shot.

Taylor did not have ‘a bunch o sacks’ in college’ he had 10.5 in his Senior season, his only standout as a player. Prior to his senior season he had a total of 4 sacks… total. He had 14.5 sacks in his college career.

Everette Brown left school as a junior, a seacon in which he amassed 13.5 sacks. This was his second season as a starter. Prior to that he had 6.5 sacks as a sophomore, and 3 sacks as a freshman. In short, with one less year as a college starter he had 23 sacks in his 3 years of eligibility.

This isn’t even taking into account the strength of schedule difference between UNC and FSU.

I think his two sacks Monday night showed alot more about his character than anything else.

by James The Aussie on Aug 19, 2009 3:29 PM EDT up reply actions

How is there a SOS difference in FSU and UNC

When they both play in the same conference?

I could see a LITTLE bit of one as FSU did play in the tougher division(they are more even now I would say), and maybe had a game VS the Gators once… but I dont think its drastic enough to make it a point of argument? I havent looked up their schedules for those seasons, but it doesnt seem like it would be that much different.

After all… a horrid Wolfpack team beat FSU twice in those years…

by packpigskinfan25 on Aug 19, 2009 6:03 PM EDT up reply actions

Since you didn't look it up, I did

Outside the conference games, Carolina played The Citadel, Connecticut, East Carolina, and Georgia Southern. Florida State played UAB, Colorado, Alabama, and Florida.

Just a little more difficult, IMHO, given that every one of FSU’s outside opponents would probably go 4-0 against Carolina’s outside opponents.

This isn’t about hating on Carolina, everyone here would agree that Peppers is better than Brown (unless they’re nuts). It’s about two players who are far apart skill-wise. Brown is better than Taylor, just like Beason’s better than Anderson.

by Cyberjag on Aug 19, 2009 8:18 PM EDT up reply actions

+1

Just because UNC is a school mentioned doesn’t mean I’m attacking it when one player is superior in the NFL. I pull for the Tar Heels whenever possible. RPI can be really deceiving sometimes:

- FSU ended with the 15th toughest schedule in the nation by RPI (0.56489) and had the toughest schedule to start the season
- UNC ended with the 29th toughest schedule in the nation by RPI (0.55333)

by James The Aussie on Aug 19, 2009 8:24 PM EDT up reply actions

What years are your RPI #'s for?

Brown played for FSU from 06-08
Taylor played for UNC from 04-07, right?

by packpigskinfan25 on Aug 19, 2009 9:30 PM EDT up reply actions

OH if this was about hating on Carolina,

I would be right in there with you! Check out the icon! haha

I didnt look it up, too much work to do today- but one of the reasons I brought it up was cause I knew someone on here wouldnt be able to resist. Thanks!

Definatly a tougher SOS now that I look at it… but didnt UNC also play ND one of those years too? Seems they played ND in South Bend in 2007, and ND came down to ChapelHell in 2008? I may be wrong again… but thats what my sometimes faulty memory is telling me.

Completely agree that Brown is better then Taylor, and I knew that is what the original topic was… that statement just got me thinking is all…

by packpigskinfan25 on Aug 19, 2009 9:27 PM EDT up reply actions

and yes I know Taylor did not play for UNC in 2008

by packpigskinfan25 on Aug 19, 2009 9:28 PM EDT up reply actions

Complete brain fart on my behalf

I took ’08 for both teams….. durrrr!

Carolina’s SoS was even weaker in ’07. My bad….

as a proud member of the wolfpack nation, what do you think about potential rosterbation and us making a play for Philip Rivers next offseason?

by James The Aussie on Aug 19, 2009 11:13 PM EDT up reply actions

I LOVE the idea…

but I know it will never happen.

Of course in reality every thing has a cost… and it would have to take some major dumping on our part. I would think we would have to move Jake plus one of our RB/young OL to be able to afford Rivers.

Phillip is a winner, motivator, great guy, and hell of a talent.

And as I finish typing this I remember that 2010 may be uncapped… but I think SD would be STUPID to let Rivers go… Its gonna take Al Davis’ crazy ass to throw up $20mil before they stop matching offers, and even then I doubt Phillip would take a one year cash cow over a long term deal with a team he already trusts.

by packpigskinfan25 on Aug 19, 2009 11:25 PM EDT up reply actions

oh and btw

Thanks for clearing all that up for me…

I really wasnt trying to get off topic, I was just curious.

by packpigskinfan25 on Aug 19, 2009 11:44 PM EDT up reply actions

I would love that as well.

As mentioned by fellow Wolfpack fan, Phillip is a winner. That is the #1 factor. He is also tough and a leader. I haven’t even started talking about his ability reading defenses and throwing the ball. So, yes I would love the idea of getting a young elite game winning QB. Do I think it will happen, no. There is too much that would have to happen.

Will Parker

by WillParker81 on Aug 20, 2009 11:07 AM EDT up reply actions

Brown > Taylor

Taylor uses pure speed to rush the passer. When that doesn’t work he tries speed instead. If that fails he will attempt to use speed as a last resort. He’s a one-trick pony that most experts thought would go undrafted.

Brown was a first rounder on most boards, has a zillion moves, can rush inside or out, with power or speed. Unlike Taylor, who got most of his sacks against two opponents, Brown spread his better production across all his games, and against better opponents.

There’s no comparison really. Other than the fact that they’re both undersized and fast DEs, they’re completely different players.

by Cyberjag on Aug 19, 2009 4:19 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions

Thanks for the feedback...

I don’t follow college ball closely, I knew Hilee had 10 + his last year of school. But 10.5 and 13.5 is not a huge differnce for 1 year. They are both speed rushers and taylor now has a year of exp. So…will he get a fair shot to jump up the depth chart if he and Brown perform at at least the same level?

by rawjem01 on Aug 19, 2009 3:51 PM EDT reply actions

10.5 to 13.5 isn't a huge jump, I agree

But it took Hilee Taylor 4 years of eligibility to reach 10.5 and took only 3 for Brown to get there. Also, strength of schedule plays a huge role in evaluating DE talent in college.

Look at Tyson Jackon out of LSU. He only had 6.5 sacks his senior season and 16.5 in his career, yet he was #3 overall to the Chiefs because he played in the SEC.

by James The Aussie on Aug 19, 2009 4:54 PM EDT up reply actions

Wesley & Wilson are terrible corners. Theyve been on the practice squad for three years now & if its come down to those guys starting, the secondary is in serious trouble. It goes back to Fox’s veteran loyalty crap, Martin & Munnerlyn need to get more reps. The first team offense did not execute, came out flat & unprepared, and Delhommme couldnt even engineer a TD drive with the first team O. Smith is his saviour as we all can see by now & when he’s not in the game, Delhomme goes from slightly below average to terrible( I wont even mention Mcclown). The Giants came out prepared & ready to play, it was the first preseason game for them too but they atleast put forth effort. I have no problem with them losing, Its the way the Panthers lose that bothers me(I wont even mention the first team defense).

by D.W.G. on Aug 19, 2009 4:46 PM EDT reply actions

Interesting take

Considering that Delhomme’s best statistical season was 2004, when Smitty was injured, and Smitty had a terrible year when Delhomme was out, I’m impressed that you saw through all that to determine that Smith makes Delhomme rather than vice versa.

As far as Wilson and Wesley, they don’t start. Gamble and Marshall are in no danger from either of them. Wilson was getting an opportunity to show what he can do as a nickel and as a second, which is exactly what you want to do in the preseason. The rookies also got their shots, and will continue to get evaluated until the season begins.

Maybe it would be a good idea for you to get a cold one and chill out until the Eagles come to town. Getting upset over things you see in preseason just isn’t worth it.

by Cyberjag on Aug 19, 2009 5:58 PM EDT up reply actions

Wesley played well

Wilson struggled a bit sure, but so did Martin, and Munnerlynn was quiet the entire game. Besides, we don’t keep Wesley to cover, he plays special teams. You also act like Delhomme sucked the entire three series he played. First of all, he was without Smith, secondly, he made some plays, a nice throw to Moore for a first down, remember that?

by Flowing Willow on Aug 20, 2009 5:55 AM EDT up reply actions