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November 11, 2007
What if Basanez were healthy?
Hate to play the "what-if" game, but it seems like that’s what this season is coming down to. So, what if Brett Basanez hadn’t injured his wrist in the preseason?
Maybe this is a stretch for a guy who came undrafted out of Northwestern in 2006 and has thrown 11 NFL passes. But I think the season might have an entirely different look – or at least some hope.
Let’s say Jake Delhomme still went out with an elbow injury and David Carr still had back and concussion problems. If Basanez stayed healthy, he’d be starting and Vinny Testaverde might still be living on Long Island or maybe he’d be here as a mentor for Basanez.
Again, it’s all hypothetical, but Basanez is young and has some intangibles. He had been in the offense throughout the off-season program and he had become a favorite of a coaching staff that was quietly singing his praises before the injury.
He could have gotten an opportunity and, although there might have been some growing pains, Basanez could have been well on his way to being the second coming of Jake Delhomme by now.
Posted by Observer Sports on November 11, 2007 at 11:20 PM | Permalink
Comments
What if John Fox actually had a realistic game plan?
What if Peppers and the OLine were still juicing between games?
What if Foster was a NFL caliber back?
What if all the bum Free Agents they brought actually earned their pay checks?
What if the Charlotte Observer sports writers actually asked John Fox questions that mattered?
Posted by: Red | Nov 11, 2007 11:25:12 PM
What if the orginization had the guts to cut the dead weight and move in the right direction?
What if we had an offense that could be a high school team?
Posted by: Red | Nov 11, 2007 11:30:31 PM
What if Will Witherspoon was still around?
What if Moose were still here?
What if we gave a damn?
Posted by: Willy | Nov 11, 2007 11:31:02 PM
What if Jake Delhomme preferred KFC?
Posted by: Red | Nov 11, 2007 11:31:50 PM
What if I got to start?
;_;
Posted by: Matt Moore | Nov 11, 2007 11:48:47 PM
FIRE FOX!
Posted by: Roger | Nov 11, 2007 11:49:43 PM
FIRE FOX!
Posted by: Roger | Nov 11, 2007 11:49:57 PM
What is Steve Smith doesn't fumble into the endzone?
What if the defense stops the Falcons on the final drive and we pull it out in overtime?
We wouldn't be talking about this what-if nonsense.
Posted by: Bill Parcells | Nov 11, 2007 11:54:09 PM
What if Steve Smith wants to go to a team that values winning?
What if idiots on this blog look beyond a ridiculous loss to the Falcons and start worrying about the overall state of this franchise?, ah, a 45 year old at QB is a start, bozos.
Posted by: Red | Nov 12, 2007 12:06:12 AM
What if we scored more than 2 TDs on offense in the last 3 games?????!!!!!!
Posted by: Red | Nov 12, 2007 12:09:18 AM
Pat... that's insulting.
Let me get this straight, we're going to play a "what if" game and dream the wonderous possibilities because the coaching staff is high on Basanez? They have a good feeling about Brett Basanez? God bless Brett Basanez... I wish him nothing but the best... but we're going to take the coaching staff's word on Brett Basanez and dream the "what if"?
Is this not the same staff that had a good feeling that David Carr was the QB of the future? The same staff that thought Eric Shelton was a 2nd round pick? The same staff that keeps Colbert around? The same staff that signed Justin Hartwig to a long term deal? The same staff that stood pat at LT, as if Wharton coming back was the cure-all? The same staff that cut the only true number two receiver this side of Muhsin Muhammad, Keyshawn Johnson? The same staff that was so high on Jarrett yet won't play him?
But, oh yeah, they're probably right about Brett Basanez.
Quit drinking the punch, Observer writers... for the love of God, quit drinking that sweet, delicious Hurney-loving punch they serve in the press box.
Posted by: The Punch Is Good | Nov 12, 2007 1:00:30 AM
He'd suck too.
Posted by: Will | Nov 12, 2007 6:18:31 AM
But he's not. Write something that matters
Posted by: STEVE | Nov 12, 2007 7:14:33 AM
I've got to say, I agree with everything that's been posted so far.... what if my aunt had balls, would she be my uncle?
Posted by: Timmie Tee | Nov 12, 2007 7:30:33 AM
Best thing for the panthers to do, loose the rest of the season - fire fox, fire hurney, get rid of carr, and testy, get rid of carter and colbert, rucker, kemo, and the pot luck safeties, and either cut morgan, or put him on the permanent disabled list and let him draw his social security paycheck.
then, have a top 10 draft pick, get an OT, get an extra 1 pick from somewhere for a QB (draft me JDB), pickup a receiver through free agency, sign a running back in free agency, draft a good WR and Safety, and pick up a backup DL in the 4th or 5th round, has to be a good draft this year
But first things first, FIRE FOXEY HE SUCKS
Posted by: John D Booty | Nov 12, 2007 8:04:07 AM
WHAT IF WE ACTUALLY HAD REAL BEAT REPORTERS THEY WOULDNT WRITE THIS CRAP. DONT MAKE EXCUSES FOR THEM, YOU DID THAT LAST YEAR AT 8&8.STEP UP AND DO YOUR JOB!!! Does any other NFL city have scared beat reporters or are yall just that bad.DO YOUR JOB .
Posted by: Scott | Nov 12, 2007 8:05:27 AM
with the score tied and 3rd and 18 with about 2 minutes left, and panthers play the old "let's run a draw play. gain a few yds, punt and hold them and play fpor OT", instead of "let's get a first down and go win this thing". even a long ball that was intercepted would be the same as a long punt.
it is the mind-set of fox and all under him to play not-to-lose instead of ballsout to win. which is why we end up losing. PSL owner since the very very beginning, and I say fox must go.
Posted by: 309-18-1-2 | Nov 12, 2007 8:51:48 AM
What if Richardson had the balls to fire Fox & co midseason? hmmmmm??
Posted by: cowher | Nov 12, 2007 9:37:00 AM
Hi its me again checking in.
Posted by: Bill Cower | Nov 12, 2007 9:41:20 AM
I don't know that any of the players are the issue with the absolute horrindous play of the Panthers. This team lacks confidence, adjustability and most of all a coaching staff. It looks as though the coaches are so worried about making mistakes they have stopped coaching at all. I was blaming Dan Henning for the rediculous play calling in the past but I see the same plays being used now that he's gone. Steve Smith is a great player but he's not the team, they have to use all of the receivers and Smith will open up. I know there's more than ten plays in the play book.
Posted by: Mike | Nov 12, 2007 9:59:40 AM
Why can't one of you Observer reporters get an interview with Richardson? Is he untouchable? Any other team would have reporters talking to the owner at this point. Ask him for a statement on Fox's future. Ask him if he feels like he is delivering what he promised. Ask him why he thinks we have such a sorry home record. Is he the Pope and we just weren't informed? Do you have to get a special audience? I don't understand why you guys are scared to talk to Richardson. Don't get me wrong, I think he has been a class act in many ways, but I would trade a little Jerry Jones lite for some wins. Is there someone at the Observer who has told you guys not to ask questions of Richardson? I don't get it. When there is trouble, you go to the top guy and ask him about it, and the top guy isn't Fox, it is Richardson. Get him to talk to us, it is our money he collects,it is our senses he overloads with BS at home games, it is our team as much if more than it is his. We actually paid money out of our pockets for it.
Posted by: Willy | Nov 12, 2007 10:47:57 AM
the team is a mess-a big mess with no broom to clean it up or way to organize it. not only is it a mess-it's a joke. this team reminds me of the 1-15 gang during the george seifert era. the players might as well wear dresses and bonnets next time they take the field.
Posted by: andrew | Nov 12, 2007 10:49:34 AM
And, let us know if you asking him to talk to you and he is saying no.
Posted by: Willy | Nov 12, 2007 10:53:45 AM
There is no way that Carr should ever graze a football field as a starter again. He's done in this league. Even though Vinny was hurt and 44 years old, he still looked better than Carr has looked all season. I think we should still stick with Vinny the rest of this year; Moore is to inexperienced to start and I just told you my opinion on Carr. Vinny is not going to be the Panthers white knight, but he will manage the game and make fewer mistakes then Carr and Moore. If Moore started and played for only one quarter, then Panther fans would find themselves screaming for Vinny or maybe even Carr to come back in the game (well let me correct myself, I doubt Carr but perhaps). Moore would provide a football game riddled with mistakes and interceptions, it would be terrible to watch. Lets stick with Vinny and get this season behind us.
Posted by: Ace | Nov 12, 2007 1:02:56 PM
Hey Ace! How in the world can you say Moore would riddle the game with mistakes, when Fox won't even give him the chance? I would love to see Moore come in, he should have started yesterday. He would have won that game yesterday, but that dont mean squat after the fact. Vinnie is a much better option than Carr, obviously. But, he couldn't put points on the board. Are you sure you'd rather see that? I'd rather see a rookie come in with a future in front of him and with something to prove, than an old timer washed up that couldn't spark a fire with a match. I honestly am starting to doubt Matt is going to get a shot this year, which is bull$hit! This kid has got it and we are never going to find out either until season is a wash (which, mathematically it isn't yet)or Fox finds his BALLS somewhere and gives the kid a shot! So until then, I will stay as patient as I can waiting for Matt Moore to come in and do his thing!
Posted by: billy | Nov 12, 2007 1:37:09 PM
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