« Casserly still believes in Carr | Main | Peppers will address leadership issue soon »
August 08, 2007
WR Carter may be dropping on depth chart
SPARTANBURG - Observations from Wednesday's practices:
+ Amazing how quickly things change in the NFL. A little more than a week ago, agent Michael Huyghue was taking verbal barbs at the Panthers during contract negotiations for rookie linebacker Jon Beason. Wednesday afternoon, he was given the red-carpet treatment, sitting in the section reserved for players’ family members.
+ Speaking of Beason, he’s getting plenty of practice time as other linebackers are recovering from injuries. Overall, he’s doing well and it’s easy to see he’s an exceptional athlete. But it’s still a process. There was one play in the afternoon session where Beason jogged to the sideline, apparently thinking his personnel group was supposed to come off. As the offense snapped the ball, middle linebacker Dan Morgan was trying to get Beason’s attention and get him back on the field, but the defense had to get through the play with only 10 players.
+ Receiver Drew Carter appears to be tumbling down the depth chart. Keary Colbert got most of the first-team snaps. But a healthy Jarrett may be the best bet to win the starting position.
+ Karl Hankton, the team’s long-time special teams ace, showed up at practice Wednesday afternoon and visited with his former teammates. Kind of surprised he’s not in training camp with somebody because Hankton still can run downfield on punts and kickoffs. He might be a guy who gets signed later in the preseason when teams start having more injuries.
Posted by Observer Sports on August 8, 2007 at 02:56 PM | Permalink
Comments
If u were watching practice like everyone else was Drew Carter still get most the first teams reps...u need to stop hateing on keary colbert and Drew Carter...by far better then Jarrett
Posted by: tom | Aug 8, 2007 4:29:57 PM
This is the problem we face, Drew Carter can get open but cannot catch a cold and Keary Colbert cannot get open to save his life. I hope I am wrong but I see Jarrett in the same mold as Colbert. I was betting Colbert would be cut this year. I cannot believe he is playing with the first team.
Posted by: Roger King | Aug 8, 2007 6:11:37 PM
Carter is the worse pass catcher we have.
Posted by: James | Aug 9, 2007 3:03:12 AM
Carter is a good pass catcher; in fact I believe he will turn to a WR we can count on, if he's still with us after the season is over. We need to keep him because he will be a good WR in the NFL. Remember CB Jarrett Bush last year, well we cut him in training camp last year and now he is starting for the Packers. My point is we need to keep Carter because I know he will be good.
Posted by: Aaron Monroe | Aug 9, 2007 4:48:55 AM
If Carter or Colbert don't produce THIS year they need to be cut. Smith, Jarrett, Biddle, Robinson can be the WR's.
Posted by: Jack | Aug 9, 2007 5:25:36 AM
Carter made a few outstanding catches in crunch situations last season. The down side is that he dropped way too many when he was wide open. Carter needs to work on his concentration. Big D.
Posted by: Dennis Wilson | Aug 9, 2007 5:55:08 AM
Once again i have come across a headline that truly leads me to doubt the football intelligence of some Carolina Fans, let alone its beat writers. Its obvious the writer of this article is just out to cause some type of divide and controversy amongst the fans. Instead of addressing the real issue, the QB. The want of having Jarrett start so bad has come to the point of the fans catching amnesia. Jarrett indeed is a good receiver and he comes to the panthers with all type of collegiate accolades but Keary Colbert is a guy on the same team from the same college team with the same accolades and who plays the same position and the fans have called him every thing short of a bum. But Jarrett has yet to play an NFL snap and carolina fans already anoint him as the saving replacement for the aging celebreceiver keyshawn johnson?
With that said, Carter has done more than his role as a backup to the two pro bowlers Steve Smith and Keyshawn Johnson. He came through in the clutch in the Baltimore game, and the Giants game. He did drop a deep ball in the Giants game but so what he still had over 140yrds that game, what great check that what NFL reciever doesnt drop a ball? Terrell Owens dropped 19 of them and everyone in the "New South" or the "Queen City" would want him on their team. So fans stop hating on Carter and Colbert and get your facts straight. Both are good quality receivers and are battle tested. Both play a position in which productivity is dictated by game situations, the weather and the man behind the center. So Pat Yasinakis I ask you this question and all you Carolina Fans. Should Jake Delhomme be the starter when David Carr is younger, more mobile has a better arm and almost equal stats in less years as a pro? All that with far less talent surrounding him in Houston. Im sure that headline wont grip the Charlotte Observor because it will kill the fans to have to point the finger at the culpret of at least 4 of last years losses but if youre going to call out Colbert and Carter about their production then its only fair to include the man who has to get them the ball.
Posted by: The Critic | Aug 9, 2007 7:27:23 AM
The Critic:
Wrong, wrong and wrong. Delhomme is older but has actually started 13 LESS games than Carr has. And his 92 TDs are almost double Carr's 59. But most importantly, he's 35-25 as Carolina's starter, and Carr is 24-51.
I have said it a million times, and will say it a million more -- if a pass bounces off of a receiver's hands, shoulders, chest, or face, then the receiver is at fault for whatever happens to the ball because it should have been caught.
Posted by: T | Aug 9, 2007 7:59:38 AM
GREAT POINT "T" I agree with you 110%. Jake can't help it it the received doesn't make the play.
And Jake is much more proven the Carr. No doubt at all that Jake should and WILL be the starter of this team.
Posted by: Cat Fan | Aug 9, 2007 8:16:40 AM
Ditto to the last two comments. If Jake gets in the groove like '05 (instead of the Funk every player seemed to be in last year), we will go far in the playoffs. However, I like Carr and if he's patient, could eventually be a solid #1.
Posted by: Ron | Aug 9, 2007 8:49:07 AM
How awful a WR do you have to be to get passed up by a group of nobodies...or even worse...Keary Colbert? Can he even catch a football?
Good lord, maybe I should revise my season predictions to 5-11.
Posted by: Will | Aug 9, 2007 9:08:13 AM
T it seems that you dont want to take off your rose colored glasses and look at the facts here. Jake Delhomme is a good QB, but lets be forreal here. When the panthers made their superbowl run he had Steve Smith, Moose, Ricky P, Stephen Davis and Deshaun Foster and a very good defense. But his QB rating was 87.3, Carr's was 83.5. Carr was on a horrible team and put up almost equal stats with far less talent. Prime example, name three offensive players on the Texans who you consider good? Delhomme shouldnt have to take the blame on last year's under achieving season but can you please explain these three games for me.
1.Cinncinatti
2.Philadelphia
3.Washington
Those games easily would've made it an 11 win season. Im sure you'll find a way to blame it on the defense or someone else but please explain. And I really dont like to go back in the history books but Delhomme pretty much picked up last season where he left off in the NFC championship game. Or have you guys deleted that game from your memories? Look I understand its hard to place blame of the losses on one of the faces of the franchise but it seems like he may be going down the road that Kurt Warner has traveled. Hot for 3 years, a wonderful feel good success story, but eventually that fades and production is what the fans are gonna want to see. And last year the fans didnt get to see it. David Carr is the future of the franchise, and thats just the facts. And I leave you with this thought to ponder, if David Carr has put up almost similar numbers as Delhomme on a horrible team with only Andre Johnson as a reliable threat. What do you think he can do on an established playoff team with pro bowl receivers? And how bad would Delhomme look on the Texans?
Posted by: The Critic | Aug 9, 2007 9:59:08 AM
My only hope is that our defense doesnt play as soft as last year. Way too many missed tackles. As far as the offense goes if what happened at fan fest is any indication, we still got some work to do.
Posted by: Charles | Aug 9, 2007 10:02:34 AM
"The Critic"
I am glad to see that someone else here other than myself can remember what Carter did last season starting on the oppsite side of Smith. Alot of fans do not realize that Carter is comming off of "2" torn ACL's over the past 4-5 years. The average recovery time is 18 months and believe it or not Carter is faster than Steve Smith....4.29 - 40 : 4.31 - 40. What pro WR has not dropped a few passes in their carrer? Colbert played all of last season with bone spurrs in one foot and did not complain or makeup excuses all season. Yes, he had low numbers because of the injury but he kept playing and did not post good numbers. We must remember that Carter is the down field speedster, Colbert is a possesion receiver, Smith is known for his quickness. What other team can boost haveing three receivers like that on their team. Whatever Jarrett brings to the table is a plus to the receiving corps.
Posted by: Animal187 | Aug 9, 2007 10:27:42 AM
"When the panthers [sic] made their superbowl [sic] run . . . [Delhomme's] QB rating was 87.3, Carr's was 83.5"
Wrong, Mr. "Critic." Those quarterback ratings are from the 2004 season. The Panthers' Super Bowl run was during the 2003 season. In case you wish to update your handy little stats page, Delhomme's rating that year was 80.6 and Carr's was 69.5.
Get your facts straight first, then you can bloviate all you wish. Moron.
Posted by: Scully | Aug 9, 2007 12:16:13 PM
My dear Scully how's this for facts....
Taken directly from ESPN...
We'd be amiss if we didn't discuss the addition of David Carr, though, as Delhomme's backup and potential in-season competition. Sure, Carr threw more interceptions than TD passes in three of his five seasons in Houston, including 2006, but it's hard to ignore his accuracy. He actually led the league in completion percentage (68.3) last season, among QBs with at least 100 attempts, and his 82.1 passer rating actually ranked him 15th, only two spots behind Delhomme, in a much weaker offense.
Carr will be the starter by week 6.
Posted by: The Critic | Aug 9, 2007 12:49:38 PM
I hate to say it Jake fans.....but "The Critic" has a point. Hate all you want. Carr had the world's worst offensive line for every season he was with the Texans. Jake on the other hand, did not. Jake had weapons to throw to, who by the way, saved his ass more times than none. Does anyone remember Muhammad in the Super Bowl and most of the Post Season that year breaking his back to go up and catch that ball. Probably because the ball was horribly thrown. How about Steve Smith running around all over creation to go backwards, sideways, everywhere to get a Jake pass. It's no wonder he pukes on the sideline. Jake's got him running like a race horse. I am ready to see what Carr will do with more than 2 seconds in the pocket. I guarantee if he starts producing and limiting the interceptions that "Throw Away" Jake loves to do off his back foot while falling with his head turned away.....we might have some happy folks in Carolina. Next thing you know.....who's Jake? I love this team, but we have let him go wild too long. Go back to the Seattle game to go to the Super Bowl.....4 interceptions....anyone remember? That's what I thought.
Posted by: Ward | Aug 9, 2007 1:10:52 PM
To all Jake D. hatas. I say he has won more then lost. True he lose game (Philly) but Keyshawn knew the play and still made no play for the ball, so i can blame him. Jake is Carolina and for those who want Carr as a starter are the same people who was crying for Wienke, we know how that was. Let Carr back up for a year and learn then move Jake out.
Posted by: steve | Aug 9, 2007 1:45:26 PM
I'm not arguing who should start or who the better quarterback will be by season's end. As much respect as I have for Jake Delhomme, I'm rooting just as strongly for David Carr. The team is what matters most here.
What I'm saying to you, you freakin' tard, is don't come here trying to be condescending to others when your stupid ass can't even get your seasons straight.
Posted by: Scully | Aug 9, 2007 1:55:34 PM
I have found this blog quite entertaining especially since several of you want to continue to hold Jake up as some great savior!! But first let's start with Mr. Yasinskas. Does he even go to training camp? If he really knew what was going on he would know that Carter has not slipped a spot and that he continues to practice with the starters! Not only that but it seems that the coaches are trying to utilize his 4.2/4.3 speed and incorporate him in some running scenarios. I am not sure if you all remember but Carter has had some success running the ball (ie. Chicago playoff game in which I attended and froze my butt off!!)
Next as was alluded to earlier Colbert was injured last season but played through the pain and did not complain. He is back healthy this year and will contribute.
Third everyone getting on carters case should realize that he has only played in 17 regular season games and 2 playoff games. One thing is for certain he produces when he is on the field. The Seattle playoff game he was the leading receiver and the only receiver to score a TD. Last season he was clutch against the ravens and then did not get the ball thrown to him for almost 5 games.
The big issue is that Jake only throws to Steve. We are all lucky that Steve is a great athlete who can go out of his way to catch the many errant throws that Jake has put up! Jake will be exposed this year and David Carr will be starting by week 8.
Posted by: CDH | Aug 9, 2007 2:17:12 PM
Interestingly enough, "The Critic" (or whoever you are...) when I look at each of the three games you mentioned, I see an offense (AND A QUARTERBACK) who did enough to give the team a lead in the fourth quarter. In the Cincinnati and Washington games, specifically, I see drives that led up to go-ahead scores that were 80+ yards each. How is that Jake Delhomme or ANY member of the offense's fault? In the Washington game, the defense (notably Old Man Minter) committed the cardinal sin of allowing a TIGHT END (Chris Cooley, even, he of the blazing 4.9 speed) to burn them for a SIXTY-SIX yard touchdown. IF you're going to try to blame Delhomme for the end zone interceptions in the other games, I beg you to consider this (even IGNORING Keyshawn Johnson giving up on his route in a pitiful attempt to draw a pass binterference against Philly): Delhomme drove the team 81 and 76 yards down the field against Cincinnati and Philadelphia respectively. Would you prefer a quarterback that just went three and out and never gave the team a chance?
As is the case with the vast majority of quarterbacks in the NFL, Delhomme is not a good enough quarterback to win a game on his own. With no reliable running game (24th in the league) and only consistent inconsistency from most of the receivers and tight ends, he struggles, but with some semblance of balance in the offense (which I believe Jeff Davidson can help to bring) he will again rise to the uper ranks (yes, the lower end of it) of NFL QBs.
As to the Carter vs. Jarrett vs. Colbert debates, just let them play it out on the field. Jarrett is the player about whom we know the least, but it is certain that he is the most decorated of the trio out of college. To compare he and Colbert is just silly. Colbert, unlike Jarrett, never had a 1st-round grade, which Jarrett had in many circles up to the day of the draft. It would be difficult to finda source that classified his selection this year by the Panthers as anything but a steal. Colbert was a solid--if unspectactular--player coming out of college, and he showed the same in his rookie year. For those of you citing his bone spurs as an issue, that was resolved prior to last season, so they were no excuse. The fact ofthe matter is that his route running and change-of-direction skills have been too inconsistent to overcome his distinct lack of speed and be a successful NFL wideout. As for Drew Carter, his speed is not the issue. We all know he has the capacity to break away, but he has not showed the hands or the toughness to make the tough catch over the middle, which is a needed element, particularly given Steve Smith's lack of size/ability to take a pounding. When he drops balls, that would make ANY quarterback reluctant to throw his way, Delhomme included, especially with a ball-catching vortex in #89. With other reliable options and a run game to attract some attention from the defense, Delhomme will find the other targets. For any who have seen the ESPN special on the Greatest 60 Minutes in Super Bowl History, a reporter who has covered every SB in history called Delhomme the most accurate downfield passer he'd ever seen, so I don't buy the inaccurate passes rants I consistently hear from Delhomme haters (yeah, all of you who loved seeing Weinke in last year). If the reciever has to stretch out to make a catch because the QB was putting it in a place where only that guy could catch it, it DOESN'T MATTER...if he can MAKE THE CATCH...which Smith usually does.
Posted by: Michael Procton | Aug 9, 2007 9:31:59 PM
Yes..agreed, Keary can't get open and Drew can't catch a cold...GO STEVE SMITH!
Posted by: Pete | Aug 10, 2007 3:23:35 AM
I was at practice yesterday and Carter was working with the first team. He smoked the DB's for a touchdown. Looked good to me.
Posted by: Stan Robbins | Aug 10, 2007 6:20:31 AM
After this season none of this will matter because Colbert and Carter will both leave the Panthers and sign bigger deals with other NFC teams, Carter most likely with Philly, and Colbert maybe with a team like the Redskins although I know he longs to move close to his native California. Then you will be stuck with Steve Smith and his aging body and temperamental attitude and Jarret who is unproven at this time. Hopefully David Carr will be starting by then and can help bring a spark to the offense.
Posted by: CDH | Aug 10, 2007 6:27:09 AM
You're a joke CDH. Anybody who'd talk about a TWENTY-EIGHT year old's "aging body" and attitude problems which have not surfaced for years has NO CLUE.
Posted by: Michael Procton | Aug 10, 2007 8:41:56 AM
Michael Procton it seems like you are under the influence of the same rose colored glasses that Scully was looking through. I understand that Delhomme is a good guy in the community and has been the "feel good" story of the league for a while but non of that has to do with his on field performance. Its almost like the Brett Favre scenario in Green Bay. How much longer will they tolerate a 3 interception day and be content with a 8-8 season?
The games that you took a look at I admit that the defense played poorly in the closing of those games and let the opponent back in it, but when the game came down to the wire the blame falls squarely on the shoulders of #17. Cinncinatti ended in a redzone pick, Philadelphia was a redzone pick, and so was washington. And thanks Ward for bringing up the NFC championship game and his 4 interception day. Carolina fans pay too much money to watch a poorly executed game. Everyone in the stadium knows when the game is on the line steve smith is going to get the ball, well guess what so does the other team. So when #17 looks over at smith and then throws to smith and the pass is picked off and the game is lost. Please dont try and point the finger at Colbert or Carter or Foster or some other non-factor like the Sun being too bright, instead of blaming the guy who is angrily snapping off his chin strap looking at the sideline and begging for a pass interference call.
Posted by: The Critic | Aug 10, 2007 8:53:36 AM
I love how you call an interception against Washington on a hail mary from the Panthers' 40 a "red-zone" pik. Again, when the quarterback gives the team a lead in the fourth quarter, and the defense can't hold it, that's NOT HIS FAULT. Also again, would you prefer a quarterback who would go three and out, or od you like the guy who can lead 60+ yard drives in the crunch to at least give the team a chance, pick or no pick? I'm sure you loved when Weinke got to start last year. Funny thing is, the Giants and Falcons did too.
Posted by: Michael Procton | Aug 10, 2007 4:13:48 PM
Drew Carter and Keary Colbert are both solid receivers but surely not starters. Slot receivers at best that will excel when the defense has to focus on our two starter receivers who should be Steve Smith and Dwayne Jarrett. Jarrett will be a force in the red zone that we have lacked for a couple years now. He should and will be the starter because of his hands. Speedy receiver on one side. Possession guy on the other. Everybody wants to compare Jarrett to Keyshawn Johnson because of the USC connection but I envision Muhsin Muhammad who is my favorite ex panther. You can't accomdate size and his hands are amazing. Mike Williams from USC without the year layoff. Would have been the steal of the draft if it was not for us getting Ryan Kalil a few pics later. My o my. How Carolina really did well this past April.
Posted by: Eric The Hypeman | Aug 11, 2007 11:35:21 AM
Post a comment
Advertisements
