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August 09, 2008
Notes, observation's from Saturday's game
It was pretty obvious why the Panthers are giving Rhys Lloyd a chance to make the team as a kickoff specialist: When Lloyd did what he does best in Carolina’s preseason exhibition opener against Indianapolis at Bank Of America Stadium – that is, pound the ball deep and out of play – the Colts were forced into touchbacks and starting their drives in poor field position at the 20.
But when Colts kick returner T.J. Rushing got his hands on the ball and was able to return it, the Panthers’ problems from last season, when they were one of the NFL’s least effective teams on kickoffs, resurfaced.
Lloyd opened the game by booting the ball into the end zone and out of bounds for a touchback.
After a quick Panthers touchdown, Lloyd’s second kick flew through the end zone, hitting the wall that sits about 5 yards behind.
His third was caught by Rushing 9 yards into the end zone, who downed the ball for another touchback.
Then came some problems.
Rushing caught Lloyd’s fourth kick 7 yards deep in the end zone and returned it 42 yards to the 35. Lloyd’s fifth kick was taken at the 1 by Rushing, who returned it 39 yards.
-- Panthers backup quarterback Matt Moore’s first pass to receiver Steve Smith in the first quarter sailed over the middle and just a bit over Smith’s head. The two came back on the next possession with the same play – this one clicking for a 19-yard completion.
-- The Colts’ Kentucky connection was impressive in the first half. Indianapolis’s two former Wildcats players – third-string quarterback Jared Lorenzen and rookie receiver Nathan Tamme – hooked up for five completions for 57 yards and two touchdowns.
-- Colts rookie center Steve Justice, a former Wake Forest All-American, should be a good bet to make the team. Justice, taken in the sixth round of April’s NFL draft is playing behind Jeff Saturday, a former North Carolina player.
-- Colts quarterback Peyton Manning, who is recovering from knee surgery, missed the game. Manning stayed behind in Indianapolis and has missed just two preseason games in his career -- Saturday’s and last week’s opener against Washington.
-- On the inactive list for the Panthers: WR Ryne Robinson; WR D.J. Hackett; CB Chris Gamble; CB Ken Lucas; RB Jonathan Stewart; S Chris Harris; LB Jon Beason; OT Rueben Riley; TE Gary Barnidge; TE Chris Conklin; TE Dante Rosario; DT Ian Scott.
Observations
-- Lorenzen might weigh 285 pounds (yes, 285 pounds), but his 24-yard run in the second quarter showed he has some speed and is extremely nimble on his feet. For his size, that is.
-- Bank Of America Stadium’s new, larger scoreboards – featuring much bigger TV replay screens – are impressive. The quality of the picture is great, especially at night.
-- Dwayne Jarrett, who struggled last season as a rookie, didn’t struggle Saturday. Jarrett caught three passes for 43 yards, all of them in traffic. Jarrett even recovered a fumble by teammate Travis Taylor in the third quarter. Jarrett limped off the field a few plays later, though, after he took a hit to the knee. Jarrett appeared to be OK, though. -- David Scott
Posted by Observer Sports on August 9, 2008 at 11:51 PM | Permalink
Comments
Williams looked absolutely outstanding, although the same could be said about the first preseason game last year against New York.
Matt Moore was impressive also, as was Jarrett, he tooks some hits and held on to the ball, which is what you want out of him at this point.
Something has got to be done about the kickoff coverage unit, doesnt seem like anything has changed.
And as of tonight, I think Decori Birmingham has to be the favorite as the 3rd running back.
Peppers looked like his old self. It seemed like every play he was close to the qb.
And as a whole, that first team defense looked intense and energetic, you can definately sense that the new simplified defense is a benefit. If that intensity keeps up, I expect big things.
Posted by: matt | Aug 10, 2008 12:05:51 AM
Julius Peppers Arizona training sure has done him good. We'll need him this year. I also look forward to Matt Moore taking over as starting QB once Jake retires, it looks like he has it in him to be a starter in the NFL.
Posted by: Revshawn | Aug 10, 2008 12:26:15 AM
Matt, with all due respect, I'd really be shocked if Birmingham made the team. He was playing against the worst the Colts have.
Posted by: JanitorDan | Aug 10, 2008 1:31:47 AM
Just a lil criticism. Too much info on kickoffs, delete all observations from the other team, and write more like the last paragraph
keep it up tho david. i saw the game. a lot of things stood out. the d-line was one of them
and especially the o-line. otah wasnt even trying and was just moving people out the way
Posted by: jake the snake | Aug 10, 2008 1:54:55 AM
Credit should also go to Adam Seward-2 sacks and an interception, all in the first 8 minutes of the game. There's someone not willing to surrender his roster spot.
Posted by: Brennon | Aug 10, 2008 2:45:52 AM
Those runs by Deangelo Williams were so overrated. I could have done what he was doing, easily.
On a side note Jake Delhomme looked GREAT and Rhys Lloyd's kickoffs were something to feel good about.
Posted by: Michael Procton | Aug 10, 2008 8:47:20 AM
MP is the biggest idiot. Seems like he can't admit that so far he was wrong abt D-Will. I'm not saying that he is the next greatest but come on give the guy some credit for last night u stupid roach.
Posted by: DaTruNCPanther | Aug 10, 2008 9:03:03 AM
MP is a dumbass, I wish the editors would just delete everything he posts - but at least he gives me some entertainment with his idiocy. D-Will is a bad MF'er and is dominate, I'd love to see his little p*ssy ass run one play in the NFL and get blasted by a 260lb linebacker. Williams dominate, Peppers dominate, and Procton loses. I honestly think the Philly fans don't bother me as much as MP beause at least they root for their team die hard.
Posted by: jb | Aug 10, 2008 10:05:07 AM
but did you see when Deangelo got stuffed for a 2 yard loss on that one play? dancing around in the backfield, being deangelo. That play was more indicative of his usual game then all that other mess. the guy sucks and will never be deshaun foster. just wait until he has to pass block for jake. all those runs were bs, fox had him in at the opportune time to make good runs, just like last year. come on, it didn't mean crap because it was the colts defense and they weren't even trying to stop him.
Posted by: Michael Procton | Aug 10, 2008 11:28:30 AM
and like i said, i could have made all those runs. not impressed.
Posted by: Michael Procton | Aug 10, 2008 11:29:04 AM
and like i said, i could have made all those runs. not impressed.
Posted by: Michael Procton | Aug 10, 2008 11:33:22 AM
Yes, I was at the game. I thought D-Will showed nice patience, and vision...with a good busrt through the hole. The O-line I think was solid, Otah looked good - Williams had some openings. Peppers was completely dominate. So unlike you, somebody who knows something about football, others can appreciate the opionions. And you'll realize why so many people think you are an idiot.
Posted by: jb | Aug 10, 2008 12:02:13 PM
Observations from the game:
Deangelo is the real deal. The O-line, too. Considering we didn't have two of our major skill players (Stewart and Hackett) in there is kind of a wash seeing that Freeney and Sanders weren't playing for Indy. Overall, though, I'm really pleased with how our offense is shaping up. And, how about the first-team offense sticking the ball in the end-zone for TDs instead of FGs. If they can keep that up in the red zone all season, they'll really take the heat off the defense.
On the other side of the ball, Peppers is obviously in good form. Gary Gibson wasn't doing half bad either. And heads up for Charles Johnson on the fumble recovery and Adam Seward for the interception. That gave the offense a short field to work with...kept Indy pinned back on offense...and set a tone for the whole 1st quarter while the starters were in there. But then, you have to realize, many of the defensive starters weren't in there. No Lucas, Gamble, Harris, Beason, or Lewis. Nearly half the "starters" were backups. And they still did amazingly well. Of course, they weren't facing Peyton, but I'll take it for what it is...
And lastly, special teams...*sigh*...the love/hate relationship continues. This should get a lot more focus the next couple of practice sessions. As long as Rhys Lloyd is limiting the opponent to touchbacks on kickoffs, we're doing great. Sign him! Because if anyone catches the ball, there's hardly any coverage downfield at all. There was also a botched snap at the end of regulation. That's gotta be eating at Kyle. Kasay was good for everything under 50 yards. But he's got to have the ball in place to kick it. Punt returns didn't look so good either...Carter put the ball on the ground, but thankfully recovered. Hopefully Robinson comes back and does a better job with it than last year.
So, in summary...offense -- looking up!...defense -- stout...and special teams -- still needs help!
--Neil
Posted by: NSpicer | Aug 10, 2008 1:34:48 PM
Other thoughts:
--I distincly recall one play where Charles Godfrey came up to defend a pass to TE Dallas Clark and broke it up with a heads up play. That's really strong for our safety play. Ofcourse, later in the evening Tamme (another TE) ran wild all over us and caught 2 TDs. So, it should be interesting seeing how well we defend the TE this year.
--Toefield looked pretty good. I know Decori Birmingham piled up more yards, but I liked Toefield's consistency. He was making plays to keep the chains moving. I think he should make the roster.
--Dan Connor looked really strong. Ran down the line well to pick up the RB and drop him for almost no gain. Led the team in tackles. Granted, he wasn't with the first-teamers, but play like that is a good indication that he could be a first-teamer. If we suffer any LB injuries this year, it's good to know we've got him waiting in the wings.
--Coaching was generally fine. But I did question why they didn't call a timeout at the end of regulation and leave enough time on the clock to call their other one in case of a botched snap. Because when Kyle did manage to botch it, even though we recovered the ball, there was no time left to try another play.
--When Steve Smith gets back from suspension (against Minnesota), I think the very first TD he scores, he should keep the ball, take it to the sidelines, and hand it to Ken Lucas. Should do wonders to re-establish team chemistry that much more.
--Neil
Posted by: NSpicer | Aug 10, 2008 1:42:26 PM
Those weren't my posts. Sadly, though, until this shitty login system gets fixed such things will continue to happen:
Kickoffs-good returns or not, I'll take an average drive start for our opponents of the 27.
Moore still can't throw an accurate pass more than 12 yards down the field.
Williams looked good, but Eric Shelton could have looked good with those holes the o-line was creating. (Yes, Otah was a part of that, but their d-line is very mediocre outside of Freeney, who didn't play.)
Birmingham is probably ahead of Toefield next week, but if it came down to it, they take Goings' versatility over Birmingham.
Posted by: Michael Procton | Aug 10, 2008 1:44:19 PM
Procton, have you ever laced up a pair of cleats?
Posted by: David | Aug 10, 2008 2:21:17 PM
Procton,
--Those weren't my posts...--
I suspected they weren't. And it would be nice if the login system forced everyone to truly identify themselves.
--Kickoffs-good returns or not, I'll take an average drive start for our opponents of the 27.--
The average drive start wouldn't have been that good if not for the touchbacks. And unlike the rest of the "team" aspect of special teams, those touchbacks had everything to with only one player...Rhys Lloyd. We need to keep him until the coaches manage to cobble together some real coverage units on punts and kickoffs.
--Moore still can't throw an accurate pass more than 12 yards down the field.--
Kind of like...Chad Pennington? ;-)
--Williams looked good, but Eric Shelton could have looked good with those holes the o-line was creating. (Yes, Otah was a part of that, but their d-line is very mediocre outside of Freeney, who didn't play.)--
So let's see how they do (Williams and the O-line) against Philly, Washington, and Pittsburgh next.
--Birmingham is probably ahead of Toefield--
I don't think so. They both had the same average yards per carry...double-digit carries...biggest gain (14 vs. 12 yards). The differences lie in what kind of competition they managed those numbers against. Toefield ran more against second-stringers. Birmingham went up against third- and fourth-stringers.
And although Birmingham may cost less to keep on the roster, Toefield's got the experience they'll need in a potential big-back backup to Stewart. So I think they keep him over Birmingham. But maybe they slip Decori onto the practice squad like they did with Alex Haynes last year.
--Neil
Posted by: NSpicer | Aug 10, 2008 2:24:08 PM
fire the special teams coach. keep rhys
Posted by: ray | Aug 10, 2008 4:01:12 PM
Let me reiterate that Matt Moore is no David Carr. Never will be. Did everyone see David Carr play so well for New York in his first game? Exactly. David Carr was and is the best option the Panthers had to back up Delhomme. Matt Moore is barely worthy of the practice squad. I sense a quarterback controversy in NY and David Carr could be starting week 1 for the Super Bowl champions. So you tell me who's better.
Posted by: Michael Procton | Aug 10, 2008 4:49:55 PM
C'mon guys. Lay off the impersonations. Let Procton speak for himself. And then argue the merits of his points. Anything else is just a waste of time.
Posted by: NSpicer | Aug 10, 2008 6:04:02 PM
Correction: anything involving Procto is a waste of time.
Posted by: Jay | Aug 10, 2008 6:21:09 PM
Procton is still mad that his Foster friend is no longer on the team. He should have been cut years ago.
Posted by: pslowner | Aug 10, 2008 7:35:57 PM
I like to have 3somes with Foster and Carr.
Carr has great hands on the balls.
Foster used to be my ball man but he kept fumbling, even when no one was near.
Posted by: Michael Procton | Aug 10, 2008 7:40:13 PM
Procton , take your meds !!!!!
Posted by: greenstreet | Aug 10, 2008 10:53:39 PM
Another blog thread soon to be locked...
Posted by: NSpicer | Aug 11, 2008 7:55:48 AM
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