Panthers Run Over Bucs 31-23 as Williams Shines

Finally! Finally they give the damn ball to RB DeAngelo Williams and what does he do? He gallops through the Bucs for 121 yards and 2 TD’s on 20 carries, that’s all. For those of you mathematically challenged that a tad over 6 yards per carry. It was just a fantastic performance and a lot of fun to watch. Too bad he didn’t get 20 carries a game sooner, but I’m not going to open Pandora ’s Box on that. I’ve railed on that enough.

QB Matt Moore had another decent game (15/24 174 yards, 2 TD’s, 1 Int). He did make a few mistakes and ugly throws but he also threw some beauties, like the TD to TE Dante Rosario. Rosario shined with 3 catches for 36 yards and TD.

Speaking of Rosario is this guy starting to look like a steal in the 5th round or what? Nice speed, size and soft hands. I can see him getting 3-5 looks per game next season as TE Jeff King moves more to a blocking role.

CB Richard Marshall put up another performance that puts further pressure to get this guy on the field every down next season. He led the team with 9 tackles, 1 sack and an INT. Marshall was every where in this game and made plays from start to finish.

The offense was 7 for 14 (50%) on 3rd downs again showing when the Panthers can convert they can sustain drives. It’s a no-brainer I realize as one directly impacts the other but what perplexes me is how they can go 3 for 14 on 3rd down one week and 7 for 14 the next.

The defense put up four sacks (Marshall, Diggs, McClover, Moorehead) and kept pressure on the young QB Luke McCown all day. They stuffed the Bucs running game (108 yards total). If you take away the 31 yard scramble by McCown the numbers are even more impressive as the longest run by a RB was 11 yards.

KR Ryne Robinson had another long return upping his personal record to 60 yards. Ryne loses any earned Kudos though because of a senseless fumble that gave the Bucs an easy 3 points. Only a stout defensive series saved the TD.

Our new KO kicker put the ball in the end zone twice on 6 kicks and got 2 touch backs. You never know, he may have saved a TD.

This game MVP poll is a no-brainer but let's do it anyway.