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Wednesday, September 24, 2008
A quick look at the Panthers
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
The Panthers, looking to bounce back after a 7-9 season, have been bolster by the return of quarterback Jake Delhomme, rookie running back Jonathan Stewart and a revamped offensive line.
Delhomme is back after having Tommy John surgery in October of 2007.
Stewart, at 5-10, 235-pounds, provides them with the big running back to pound defenses and counter with scatback DeAngelo Williams. He’s also had an impact returning kickoffs, averaging 24.8 yards on 10 returns.
The Panthers are off to a surprising 2-1 start with victories over San Diego and Chicago.
Minnesota may have exposed a chink in their Under Armour. The Vikings were able to shut down the running game and get some hits on Delhomme. The offensive tackles Jordan Gross (left) and rookie Jeff Otah (right) had poor showings and will get to see defensive end John Abraham this week. (What’s over-under on his sack total? The Timmonsville, S.C. native gets fired up for the Panthers.)
Delhomme was sacked five times against the Vikings.
The Panthers did stop the run, holding Adrian Peterson to 77 yards rushing. They also kept LaDainian Tomlinson (97 yards) under 100 yards in the opener.
Veteran signal caller Gus Frerotte - (yeah, the oldtimer who sprained his own neck when he head butted a padded wall when with the Washington Redskins in 1997) had a decent day passing the ball against the Carolina secondary and rallied them from a 10-0 deficit to a 20-10 win in his first start since taking over for Tarvaris Jackson.
Who are the real Panthers, the team that beat San Diego on a last second pass? The Panthers who needed a second-half comeback to down Chicago? Or the Panthers who got ambushed in Minnesota by a relentless pass rush? Can the Falcons duplicate the Minnesota blueprint by stopping the run and getting to Delhomme?
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