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December 16, 2007
Panthers' report card after beating Seattle
Here's the Panthers' report card for Sunday's victory against Seattle:
QUARTERBACK: He wasn't perfect, but Matt Moore kept the offense moving in his first career start. That's something veterans Vinny Testaverde and David Carr hasn't come close to doing in recent weeks. GRADE: A- 
RUNNING BACKS: The Panthers finished with 114 rushing yards and DeAngelo Williams had a 35-yard touchdown run. But, once again, you have to wonder why the coaches start DeShaun Foster over Williams? GRADE: C+
RECEIVERS: Steve Smith had eight catches and rookie tight end Dante Rosario had a huge catch in the first quarter that gave Moore and the offense some confidence. GRADE: B-
OFFENSIVE LINE: The Panthers knew they'd have to keep the pressure off Moore and they did. Right tackle Jordan Gross shut down Patrick Kerney, who had 10 sacks in his previous four games. GRADE: A
DEFENSIVE LINE: Defensive tackle Kris Jenkins had a key sack. Rookie Charles Johnson did all right after replacing an injured Julius Peppers. The Seahawks gained only 44 yards on the ground. GRADE: B+
LINEBACKERS: Thomas Davis and Na'il Diggs each recorded a sack and Jon Beason tied for the team-high with eight tackles. GRADE: A
DEFENSIVE BACKS: Matt Hasselbeck threw for 274 yards, but not a lot of them mattered. GRADE: B
SPECIAL TEAMS: John Kasay made two-of-three field goal attempts on a very windy field and the rest of the special teams didn't make any big mistakes. GRADE: B-
COACHING: John Fox might have solidified his job by finally taking a gamble and going with a rookie quarterback. GRADE: A
-- PAT YASINSKAS
Posted by Observer Sports on December 16, 2007 at 07:30 PM | Permalink
Comments
Because Foster is a better pass protector and knows that you have to run forward to gain yards, something Williams OFTEN has trouble with: how many of his runs go for 1, 0, or negative yardage?
Posted by: Michael Procton | Dec 16, 2007 7:33:59 PM
And how is it that you continue to ignore Kasay's inability to get the ball into the end zone on kickoffs without going out of bounds?
Posted by: Michael Procton | Dec 16, 2007 7:35:26 PM
Does this save john fox and hurney??
I hope not
Posted by: doesthissavethefoxylady | Dec 16, 2007 7:37:21 PM
The o line is bad but foster needs to go after this season he has had his chances.
Posted by: steve | Dec 16, 2007 7:44:22 PM
I'm trying to figure out what's worse---The Observer's sports reporters or Michael Procton...geez...
Procton, save it, we don't give a damn...You've proven you're an idiot, we get the point.
Hey Patty Y lets hope that finally playing young talent at the end of the season, which we all agree should have happened weeks ago, doesn't "solidify" Foxy's job...Bye Foxy, Bye Hurney, Bye Foster..Go help Colbert and Peppers pack their crap...
I'd like to see one person at the Observer actually have an opinion about whether or not Foxy should keep his job...Keep walking that fence.
Posted by: Red | Dec 16, 2007 7:45:49 PM
Thank you for the insight, Michael Procton. You are not wasting time and proving yourself to be an arrogant know-it-all jerk. Not at all. Keep up the good work.
Posted by: John Fox | Dec 16, 2007 8:26:12 PM
I watch football for the men in tight pants.....oh yeah and they play with balls.
Posted by: Michael Procton | Dec 16, 2007 8:38:59 PM
what game are you guys watching???? take away the 35 yard TD run and Williams did nothing...the running game is terrible, but it is not the running backs....the o-line is horrible....they had their best day this year in pass blocking....this team needs a stud left tackle....then the running game will change.....right now Williams is a 3rd down back....not a knock....he could be very effective....look at Faulk in new england....fox needs to get his choke hold off of the offense and concentrate on the defense.....good to see johnson finally dress out....Rosario is a player....
Posted by: MILF Hunter | Dec 16, 2007 8:52:27 PM
Thanks MP
I think I hear your Mom calling, better go take out the trash and you probably have school tomorrow
Posted by: Red | Dec 16, 2007 8:59:46 PM
All of you still whinnig about the Panthers not doing a good job, even after they beat a great team like the Seahawks, need to back off. Moore did an amazing job for his first start and you should all respect that. I certainly hope Fox keep his job there is really no other coaches to hire that are better than him at this moment!!!!!!!!!!
Posted by: Sandra | Dec 16, 2007 9:02:09 PM
Sandra-You are one dumb broad.
Posted by: Jerry Richardson | Dec 16, 2007 10:21:42 PM
I'm sorry I'm venting. The Bobcats traded Primoz Brezec, the greatest player in the history of the NBA, this week and I just can't deal with it.
Posted by: Michael Procton | Dec 16, 2007 10:26:39 PM
Michael,
Again, it is a matter of choice. Foster has the fumbles, and he clearly shouldn't be given the ball. He fumbled near our own end zone today, but thankfully recovered it. Plus, with DeAngelo, at least you have a chance a routine play can turn into a big play. Foster has lost whatever skill he had in that regard. However, I am disappointed in Williams, he goes down on one tackle typically and also wastes time not going North and South. We all still dearly miss Steven Davis, and his style of running - hit the hole hard, knees pumping high, make one cut at full speed and run over anyone in front of you. He is the last punishing back we had. But, you have to choose someone, and I would much rather have Williams than Foster. Fewer fumbles, big play ability, and his pass protection can't be that much worse. It was good to see Robinson get some snaps at receiver, good not to see Colbert dropping passes and smiling his stupid smile. Gross is MVP of this game though, he did a great job on Kearny, and showed, in my opinion, why they should have put him at left tackle this year. Run blocking - either we just don't understand the zone blocking scheme or don't have the right people to do it. However, if we can open the field up with passing it will free up the running game more. Should be an interesting meeting with Dallas now - they can't afford to sit their starters as they are fighting for home field with Green Bay, so they will bring all they've got. Any bets that Fox starts Vinny at QB that game?
Posted by: Willy | Dec 16, 2007 10:36:09 PM
Fox only makes good decisions when fate forces him to. If Vinny had been healthy, he'd have started, and we'd have lost. Bank on it.
Moore really looked good for a first time starting. I think he's a keeper. He's actually more accurate and poised in the pocket than Jake is. Get this kid some seasoning and we might have our QB for the future.
Posted by: Authority on Everything | Dec 16, 2007 10:39:58 PM
Saying Moore is better than Delhomme after one start is a stretch. BUT, I certainly have cautious optimism that if Moore continues this level of performance that we will have a great QB of the future to groom and backup Delhomme next year and maybe start the year after. Just go on ahead and deactivate Carr and have him clean out his locker.
Posted by: Pres. of Delhomme Fan Club | Dec 17, 2007 12:15:54 AM
A. Procton is an idiot.
B. thats what she said.
Posted by: Aaron | Dec 17, 2007 12:30:41 AM
Is this guy serious with the grading of this offens?!? Can you say bias?? They only put up 13 points, and over half of that came when the game was already over!!
Posted by: SYRPIS | Dec 17, 2007 12:44:02 AM
If your not Happy with a Panther Win.
"Keep Crying"
Posted by: KingDaddy | Dec 17, 2007 1:00:26 AM
"Because Foster is a better pass protector and knows that you have to run forward to gain yards, something Williams OFTEN has trouble with: how many of his runs go for 1, 0, or negative yardage?"
All very true!
Posted by: Roger | Dec 17, 2007 3:50:52 AM
And for all of you Trvo haters out there... eat sh*t and die!!! Merry Christmas. :)
Posted by: SYRPIS | Dec 17, 2007 5:00:32 AM
So the conclusion for Procton is that its better to have a back in there who is better at pass protection but has a tendency to give the ball to the opposing team?
Posted by: funnyguy | Dec 17, 2007 7:18:49 AM
I'm with Procton on Williams. I knew it was going to happen and still don't believe all these people compeltely oblivious to the fact that DeAngelo hardly ever gets over a yard. Yes, he had a long TD run but the blocking/holding was so good that even I could have ran through it. If this guy stays on the field, there is no way the chains keep moving often enough to give the D a rest.
Posted by: jason | Dec 17, 2007 8:44:44 AM
Ok Williams might not be an every down back at the moment, but he does break big plays.
Him and Foster are too similar, Foster takes up more of the cap and has had his chance. So....we need get a power back through free agency to compliment Williams and cut Foster.
Also we should use Williams more in the passing game for the rest of the season instead of Colbert who will be gone by the end of the season.
Williams can be our version of Reggie Bush by using him at certain times in the running games and out of the backfield as a receiver and getting YAC.
Posted by: C | Dec 17, 2007 9:11:51 AM
How can you trust a guy averaging 3.5 yds/carry and twice as many fumbles as td's as being your everydown back?
Posted by: funnyguy | Dec 17, 2007 9:20:06 AM
SYRPIS,
I would tell you the same thing except cannabilism is illegal.
Posted by: Willy | Dec 17, 2007 10:56:17 AM
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