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January 13, 2009
Panthers' parking lot reflections
It's always interesting, and somewhat sad, the day after a season ends when the Panthers players file out of Bank of America Stadium after cleaning out their lockers. They head to their cars and drive off for a long vacation -- 53 guys almost certainly never to all be together again on the same football team.
This year's break started much sooner than they hoped or expected due to what happened Saturday night. I don't need to tell you what happened. You already know.
But here are some things that happened in that parking lot Sunday close to noon that you may not know:
The players filed out slowly, usually 1, 2 or 3 at a time.
Jonathan Stewart is as nice a guy as there is on the team but he didn't want to stop to talk. Sure seemed like he couldn't bear to discuss the game the night before, when the "Double Trouble" description meant the reverse of what it was intended to.
DeAngelo Williams didn't stop to chat either. He's been great all season with the media and is a swell guy. That day, however, he walked past reporters with a cell phone in his ear. Who could blame him? It's not like the Panthers ran the ball much against the team from the desert anyway.
Steve Smith said he's excited about the offseason. He's planning to take his family to Niagara Falls, and said it would be his first time there. Smith said he's also taking his wife Angie and their children to Israel to visit the Holy Land with some close friends of theirs. He's very excited about that trip, as well he should be.
Jason Baker plans to visit U.S. troops in the Middle East, a noble deed by a most noble gentleman.
Keydrick Vincent had us laughing, in stitches, as he did most of the season. Sorry, I can't tell you much of what he said, especially when he rolled down the window of his mega-truck and grinned as he drove away.
As usual, Brad Hoover had fresh post-game battle scars -- a lengthy scratch on his nose and some bruises on his neck. That's one tough cowboy.
It's hard to know what to make of Julius Peppers' parking lot comments about not wanting the Panthers or himself to be "crippled," but wanting the best for both of them as he nears free agency. It's easy to make the interpretation that he expects to be franchised and then wants to be traded to a place he likes for a price the Panthers can live with. It sure sounded that way, but he didn't say that, so we're going to try to avoid making assumptions. You know what they say about assumptions.
One thing you should know about us reporter types: We actually have hearts and feelings. Several of us made a point to have a private word with Ken Lucas on his way to his car. Obviously, I don't know what everybody told him, but I think it's safe to say they were words of great gratitude, admiration and respect. Luke made the play of the season well before the first game was played, reminding us all how important it is to forgive. How can you put a value on that?
-- Charles Chandler
Posted by Observer Sports on January 13, 2009 at 03:24 AM | Permalink
Comments
Charles, todays article on the defense is right on the money. With no # 1 pick just how much are we going to be able to do with the draft? With no staff changes on the defensive side I can't say I'm too excited about next year. Injury-wise, we had a golden opportunity and we blew it. I guess Fox and Turgovac feel that their "system" is more important than winning the game.
Posted by: jeff | Jan 13, 2009 7:55:14 AM
Let's see: Dick LeBeau, Jim Johnson, Rex Ryan. Two similarities between these defensive coordinators. One, they play aggressive, smash mouth, in your face every friggin down defense. Two, they are 3 of the 4 teams still playing. Hmmmmm... Bend and break is for losers.
Posted by: bill | Jan 13, 2009 8:18:18 AM
Peppers has made the comment in the past that Houston is his favorite city and that he would like to live there. Houston is desparate to rebuild their defense. Wouldn't surprise me to see Peppers franchised then traded to Houston for their 15th pick, their second round pick and some later round picks.
Posted by: Jim | Jan 13, 2009 8:20:18 AM
Ok, Delphonny, throws 5 Int(s) and 1 fumble and their is not one mention of him in this article. Are you guys kidding me?!?! This team was good enough to make it to the NFC Championship game!! But in the media, Jake is given a pass for some reason, GIMME A BREAK! Get rid of the BUM!!! HE IS A BUM!!!
Posted by: miles | Jan 13, 2009 8:42:33 AM
I'm disgusted by Cardinals fans talking trash about there "golden team" **cough cough** (I mean't team that wins off of opponents fluke mistakes.) (ex. Atlanta-Arizona plyoff game.)
I mean come on, this is the first time the little red birds have EVER played in an NFC championship...I'm sick and tired of them being so happy and bad mouthing Delhomme like he hasn't ever won a playoff game when he was won more than all of the lil' red birds history combined all together...
Posted by: John Hurney | Jan 13, 2009 8:50:37 AM
That last game left a terrible taste in everyone's mouth. It's unfortunate that most people will remember the last thing they saw... at least until the next game. We've got a lot of things going for us, a lot is there to already build on. Sure, there are some positions people will want changed that just aren't going to happen. But I think we still have the core of a contending team for next year - even if we do end up franchising Peppers and trading him.
Posted by: Monkey | Jan 13, 2009 9:14:38 AM
Wow...some scathing remarks about Jake. I have to say, I'm a big Jake fan and have been since he came in and beat Jacksonville in Week 1 years ago. And granted I like Jake, and was disgusted with how he played the other night, but it can't be ALL on him. He'd be the first to try to shoulder all the blame, but what about Ken Lucas and Richard Marshall getting beaten and being out of place so much? What about Peppers not even getting ANY pressure on Warner? Our offense carried us the 2nd half of this season while our Defense was the one letting the other teams keep the game close. So we can't hang it all on Delhomme or the offense, they turned in one heck of a season. With our less than stellar draft picks, we need to re-work that defense in a few key spots, and maybe pick up Romeo Crennel for a new defensive coordinator, or pray that Del Rio gets canned in Jax and wants to come back!
Posted by: drew | Jan 13, 2009 9:44:30 AM
And like monkey said, it JUST happened, let's back off, give it a little while and don't fly off the handle yet...wait til the disgust is gone, then let's come back and assess it all.
Posted by: drew | Jan 13, 2009 9:49:48 AM
Peppers to Houston is the most ridiculous thing I've ever heard. I can't imagine the Texans having two ridiculous DE's that would require virtually all of their salary cap.
Listen, Peppers was great, then good, non-existent, then great when he was looking for the mega-bucks.
There's no reason for us to be so attached to the guy...sure he's a hometown favorite, but when you stack up the dollar amount, there's plenty of reason to believe that it would be in our best interest to let him go, and find some younger talent.
My extra two cents: Mario Williams will be a better long term DE than Julius Peppers ever will be.
Posted by: kmac | Jan 13, 2009 10:09:09 AM
What about this idea?
I'd be on the phone to Al Davis already, with this blockbuster idea -- they're gonna slap the franchise tag on their ace CB, Nnamdi Asoumugha -- his talent is wasted there, and I hear he doesn't care to stay, though he's given it his all, and has been a class act. We put the franchise tag on Julius Peppers, and trade straight up.
Presto! Our secondary problems are solved, as Asoumugha is a shutdown, man-to-man corner, who'd take any team's #1 WR, allowing Chris Gamble to cover a #2 man-to-man. Then we get out of this horrible zone D that nobody can play properly, except to give up huge chunks of yards. There's a reason we led the league in fewest Pass Interference penalties -- we were never in position to compete for a long pass, instead being content to trail and tackle after the catch.
Of course, this frees us up to cut Ken Lucas (great character, but let's face it, he can't stop anybody), thereby allowing cap room for signing Jordan Gross. We then get the best DE prospect in the draft that we can, and go from there.
Posted by: bigdavis | Jan 13, 2009 10:18:46 AM
After having read the posts (most of which contained poor sentence structure, glaring grammatical errors, and atrocious spelling), I felt compelled to respond.
I think it's time for a reality check. Let's look at some of the things Jake Delhomme did this year:
1. He came back from potentially career-ending surgery to start all 17 games, finishing all but the Kansas City blowout (I believe this was the game) where he should have come out rather than risking injury.
2. He threw into double coverage on Steve Smith on numerous occasions, and Steve came down with the ball--sometimes with three defenders on him, and many times creating a game-winning play or momentum swing.
3. Even with Saturday's loss (as heart wrenching as it was), he is still 6 and 3 in post-season play.
4. He almost led us to a whisker-close victory in New York, but for the errant wind that caught Kasay's field goal attempt.
5. He threw the 39-yard pass to Steve Smith (with three defenders) in the New Orleans game to set up the game-winning field goal (last game).
6. He threw a two-second-remaining touchdown pass to Rosario at San Diego to win the game(first game).
7. Jake didn't call the game--that was the coaches' job. From what I saw, the Cards didn't stop the run--the coaches did--way too soon!
8. When our offense puts up 28 to 35 points in a game, it isn't Jake that's allowing the opposing team to steam roll back into the game!
How many of us could perform well (not just talking Jake, but the entire team) with the kind of pressure placed by the media and the fans? I kept hearing over and over again how the Panthers were 8-0 at home this season, thereby assuming that we would automatically go 9-0. Hello! Has anyone ever heard of the law of averages??!?!?!?! The Arizona Cardinals had some potent weapons, the underdog tag, and a "bone to pick" with the Panthers. The fans and media practically deified the Panthers, and then when they didn't deliver, those same fans are ready for heads to roll. Come on! These men are talented pro football players, but they ARE just that--MEN! Not gods, not supermen, just men!
In conclusion, may I just say THANK YOU, PANTHERS, for the breathtaking (literally) ride you gave us in 2008! Among other things, you showed America what the Carolina Panthers are all about, bringing national attention to the team and to Charlotte, my hometown. I remain extremely proud of both the Panthers and Charlotte, and will never allow one bad game to change my support of the Cats!
Posted by: panthergirl | Jan 13, 2009 10:46:44 AM
Well put, panthergirl.
Posted by: Greged | Jan 13, 2009 10:57:34 AM
Well put, panthergirl.
Posted by: Greged | Jan 13, 2009 10:58:19 AM
Observations from season.
Delhomme is an average QB with good leadership skill that is good for "one" every game (interception).
Also, I don't think he 100% healthly. The number of balls that either sail or are slow to reach the target have grown since Game 5. (This is objective as you can estimate the speed of the ball by dividing the time the ball reaches the receiver and distance).
I honestly think that at least 2 of the ints in the game would have been completions if the ball got there quick enough.
Our O-line is built to run the ball (they are mostly maulers) and not pass block for of course Delhomme is going to get pressure when trying to throw.
Defensively,
Why did we not double Fitzgerald and blitz more?
For all those who wonder about Peppers, he was effective double teamed just about the whole game, + Kurt Warner hardly ever gets sacked due to his quick release.
This team, defensively, was set up to stop the run, which we did okay.
Always evaluate and move forward....
Posted by: Jones | Jan 13, 2009 11:26:03 AM
Panthergirl- with a little practice, even you can pitch the ball 30 yards and complete it to Steve Smith. I'm not sure how you thought that argument helped Jake's cause. The fact is, starting with his first season, Jake has been a liability (remember the "CARDIAC Cats"). He has had great receivers to throw to (Walls, Muhammed, Smith, Proel, Wiggins, K. Johnson...) and he has had great running backs to help open things up downfield (Davis, Foster, "Double Trouble"). Finally, you have had an offensive scheme that does nothing but minimize the QB's responsibility!!! And after all that, guess what... JAKE STILL SUCKED!!!!!!!!!!!
What is mind blowing is that some of you are still on his jock after this season. He had two good games early on and that was it. The rest of the season everyone was just crossing their fingers hoping that he wouldn't throw the ball to the other team too much (or Steve and Moose would keep making great plays on the ball) or he wouldn't fumble the ball away. He minimized that past the halfway mark (hard not to do when your backs rush for over a 1,000 yards and get double digit TD's in a few weeks time). He greatest asset was motivating and knowing his place (giving his teammates all the credit on and off the field). He got full of himself Saturday and tried being a glory hog; giving the game away single-handedly to cap off his mediocre (and I'm being considerate here) career.
You Jake Jackers have no where to hide, no way to make excuses for him, and you somehow still find a way. It's embarrassing. I bet you people still support the "war on terror." WAKE UP and call A SPADE A SPADE already .......!!!!!
Posted by: Keeping It Real | Jan 13, 2009 11:34:45 AM
Can we draft a coach in the second round?
Posted by: Ben | Jan 13, 2009 12:19:29 PM
Keeping it Real, you make some valid points--I'll not argue that. I do, however, feel that your assumption that Jake was trying to be a glory hog is, at best, presumptuous! I believe he was following the coaches-called game plan. I still maintain that Jake, as well as all our Panthers, are fallible human beings with heartaches, frustrations, disappointments and, yes, failures! Granted, these men make more money in a single game than I make in more months than I care to calculate. The fact remains, however, that the media and fans are placing superhuman expectations on mere men, and somewhere along the line, everyone gets hurt.
An added note: Eli Manning threw two crucial interceptions on Sunday, and according to some articles I've read, he was lucky it wasn't four. I hear no one calling for Eli's head--only the excuse that he doesn't have Plaxico Burress any longer. Sorry--Jake didn't have Steve Smith for the first two games, but we managed to win both.
I also might add that I am much more disappointed in fan reaction than I am in losing one game! Sure, it was a HUGE season-ending game, but the sun still came up Sunday morning....I can't wait until next season! GO PANTHERS!
Posted by: panthergirl | Jan 13, 2009 12:25:27 PM
Eli has a ring...
Posted by: Jones | Jan 13, 2009 1:00:04 PM
Jones, ...and your point is???? Yesterday doesn't matter (apparently), it's "What have you done for me lately?"
The Panthers will get their rings--keep the faith!
Posted by: panthergirl | Jan 13, 2009 1:22:12 PM
I agree with Jones. I think we need to rebuild with young players. Whens the last time we had a QB under 25. I think e need a new Head Coach with Big Balls & a New QB (Matt Moore).
Posted by: SirDead | Jan 13, 2009 1:39:46 PM
I see your point about backing off for a while. But this is not the first time Jake has had a game like this. Believe me I like Jake, I like his pasion to wanna win. But, It's time to past the torch.
Posted by: SirDead | Jan 13, 2009 1:51:29 PM
Panthergirl is right. They had a great season. It sucks that it came down to what it did, and yes, 6 turnovers by one person is arguably inexcusable, but it's done. Had the coaching staff made the changes in their game plan and stuck with what they knew (running the ball), we would not have been where we are now.
I like Jake, but I do wish he would open his eyes up to the field more. He looks from smith to moose, to smith, then throws it to smith...
I am all for getting smitty the ball, but come on! Williams is a game breaker as well, hit him out in the flats more, bring in some play action. We have the weapons, but failed to use them properly.
Posted by: Tribal | Jan 13, 2009 1:59:24 PM
That aside, there are not to many options for a QB right now as it is. We don't have a good enough draft pick to pick up a solid starter, and a good rookie QB is rare anyway. As for free agency, not much there. You know the pats will franchise Cassell... Maybe Derek Anderson from the browns, but that is about it.
And did you guys see the blog on NFL.com mentioning that the panthers may want to part ways with Jake so they can get Vick when he gets out...what a joke that would be.
Posted by: Tribal | Jan 13, 2009 2:03:31 PM
As bad as it may pain some, I think it's time to consider a new QB, and a new coach. At a least a QB that can step in and produce.
Posted by: Big Daddy | Jan 13, 2009 2:04:34 PM
Any guess on which Panther was caught up in the high end prostitution ring?
Posted by: matt | Jan 13, 2009 2:10:58 PM
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