Really, there is no reason that the Carolina Panthers should be this bad. Today I watched the first half of their game against the Packers before conceding defeat and going out.
Their defensive line, so vaunted in previous years, could barely lay a hand on Brett Favre. This gave Favre roughly three minutes to throw the ball every time he dropped back. Carolina has three good cornerbacks in Ken Lucas, Chris Gamble and Richard Marshall, but no corner can cover forever. The Packers' tendency towards four and five receiver sets usually meant at least one safety was matched up on a wide receiver or tight end. This led to play-action, which led to big runs and the Packers running over the Panthers.
Front Four: Kris Jenkins keeps jumping offsides. Peppers seems to be playing with less energy than in previous years. Rucker is aging. Kemo keeps stuffing the run, but cannot penetrate the pocket.
Linebackers: While Dan Morgan is an excellent MLB, he is injured again. His absence led to a reshuffling of the linebackers, Thomas Davis staying on the strong side, Na'il Diggs being promoted from special teams the weak side and the rookie Jon Beason coming out in the middle. If there is one bright spot on this team, it is the play of Jon Beason. He has shouldered the load as a rookie, makes tackles all over the field and seems to be a solution for Dan Morgan's consistent injuries. If Beason continues to play at a high level, it seems likely that Dan Morgan will be let go or retire.
Secondary: Chris Harris is a good safety and replacement for the venerated Mike Minter, but he needs more help from the other safety. Nate Salley was slated to play free safety, but was injured in the preseason and Deke Cooper has taken his place. Cooper has not been horrible, but hopes were high for Salley.
Backfield: Foster and Williams are good, but what about Hoover? He is primarily a blocker, but when he carries or catches he seems to do well for himself. The quarterback is a question mark. Testaverde can't hold onto the ball and will not last beyond one more season, if that. David Carr has played quite poorly, no better than he did in Houston. Matt Moore has been given very limited reps in practice, and even fewer in-game snaps. Carolina cannot wait for Jake Delhomme's return next year and they need to get real backup.
Receivers: Jeff King is developing and Drew Carter seems more at ease. Dwayne Jarret has yet to contribute significantly, mostly because he gets so little playing time. In the unfortunate but possible scenario that Steve Smith is not re-signed when his contract expires (2012), he will go elsewhere for large heaps of money. There are just not enough snaps in a game to get him involved at the level that he should be. The receivers have underperformed as a result of the turnstile at the quarterback position.
The Line: For the first time in recent memory, the offensive line has started the same five people(with the exception of Jeremy Bridges' two-game suspension) for the first 10 games of the season. They have allowed for some time for each quarterback to throw, but operating under four different leaders has made things difficult.
Special teams: Kasay is good and Baker is good. They are on the field far too often. Ryne Robinson needs to learn how to return punts for more than four yards. The coverage unit needs work, as evidenced by Tramon Williams' 94 yard touchdown return of a pooch punt.
Sunday, November 18, 2007
Monday, November 5, 2007
Divisonal Realigments
Time for a little mid-season divisional review.
AFC
North
The Steelers are one of the best teams in the NFL, behind only the Colts and the Patriots, but the surprise of the year, the Cleveland Browns are riding Derek Anderson's hot arm and though they have lost once already to the division leading Steelers, they are a single game out of the divisional lead. The Ravens continue to age on both sides of the ball and their offense is stagnant as always. The Bengals are disappointing, but at least they are staying our of jail this year.
South
This is a good division, at the top of which sits Indy, smarting from their loss to New England, they are looking for someone to take it out on. Tennessee and Jacksonville are both good too, but they will need to excel during the second half of the season if they want to make the post-season. The Texans are in bad shape with QB Schaub, WR Johnson and CB Robinson all hurting.
East
The Patriots rule this division. Buffalo is on up-and-coming, but have no chance. The Jets and the Fins have a single win between them.
West
An unusually mediocre division that has historically produced at least one outstanding team. The Chargers have all the potential but they keep losing games they should not and Norv Turner's doubters increase in number and volume.
NFC
North
This division has been turned on its head. Old Man Time is on vacation and Brett Favre is playing like a 25-year old and is thoroughly enjoying his young receiving corps. The Lions are experiencing unheralded success with Kitna playing well and Kevin Jones finally healthy and making an impact. Their 10-win season is a very reachable goal, and a playoff berth should come with it. The Bears' switch the Greise was the right move, but it is not helping their season. The Vikings have a fantastic RB in Adrian Peterson and a stingy defense, but they lack a QB, and no one on their roster is the answer.
South
In what was once a competitive division, they have fallen past mediocrity. The Bucs lead, but they are only one game above .500 and the division is up for grabs. They have no RBs, the Panthers have no QBs, and the Falcons have no heart. The Saints are on a four game win streak, which is bad news for everyone else in this division.
East
After starting cold, the Giants are red hot, winning six straight, but even this is not enough, as the Cowboys lead the division, with their only loss to undefeated New England. The Skins defense is good, but their offense lacks octane, and the Eagles will need a magical run like last year's if they want to reach the playoffs.
West
For the time being, this is the worst division in football. No one has a winning record, and St. Louis has no wins at all. Seattle leads for now, but outside of the Rams, it will be a free for all for the right to get eliminated in the first round of the playoffs.
AFC
North
The Steelers are one of the best teams in the NFL, behind only the Colts and the Patriots, but the surprise of the year, the Cleveland Browns are riding Derek Anderson's hot arm and though they have lost once already to the division leading Steelers, they are a single game out of the divisional lead. The Ravens continue to age on both sides of the ball and their offense is stagnant as always. The Bengals are disappointing, but at least they are staying our of jail this year.
South
This is a good division, at the top of which sits Indy, smarting from their loss to New England, they are looking for someone to take it out on. Tennessee and Jacksonville are both good too, but they will need to excel during the second half of the season if they want to make the post-season. The Texans are in bad shape with QB Schaub, WR Johnson and CB Robinson all hurting.
East
The Patriots rule this division. Buffalo is on up-and-coming, but have no chance. The Jets and the Fins have a single win between them.
West
An unusually mediocre division that has historically produced at least one outstanding team. The Chargers have all the potential but they keep losing games they should not and Norv Turner's doubters increase in number and volume.
NFC
North
This division has been turned on its head. Old Man Time is on vacation and Brett Favre is playing like a 25-year old and is thoroughly enjoying his young receiving corps. The Lions are experiencing unheralded success with Kitna playing well and Kevin Jones finally healthy and making an impact. Their 10-win season is a very reachable goal, and a playoff berth should come with it. The Bears' switch the Greise was the right move, but it is not helping their season. The Vikings have a fantastic RB in Adrian Peterson and a stingy defense, but they lack a QB, and no one on their roster is the answer.
South
In what was once a competitive division, they have fallen past mediocrity. The Bucs lead, but they are only one game above .500 and the division is up for grabs. They have no RBs, the Panthers have no QBs, and the Falcons have no heart. The Saints are on a four game win streak, which is bad news for everyone else in this division.
East
After starting cold, the Giants are red hot, winning six straight, but even this is not enough, as the Cowboys lead the division, with their only loss to undefeated New England. The Skins defense is good, but their offense lacks octane, and the Eagles will need a magical run like last year's if they want to reach the playoffs.
West
For the time being, this is the worst division in football. No one has a winning record, and St. Louis has no wins at all. Seattle leads for now, but outside of the Rams, it will be a free for all for the right to get eliminated in the first round of the playoffs.
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