Panthers News

Dolphins' Ricky Williams scores 3 TDs in win over Carolina Panthers
Comment
November 20
Miami Herald
 
"It made so much sense. It could happen only this way. On an evening when the Dolphins would be riddled by a ridiculous number of injuries, it was running back Ricky Williams, the man charged with replacing the Dolphins' most important injured player of all, who would become the hero in this gutsy 24-17 victory. Williams, who finished with 119 yards on 22 carries with two rushing touchdowns and one receiving touchdown, took over the starting duties for Ronnie Brown in a fashion that will only add to his storied career. Late in the fourth quarter of Thursday's victory against the Carolina Panthers, with the Dolphins needing a big drive to hold on to a three-point lead, Williams broke free ..."
Porter, Randy Starks prove to be pain to Carolina Panthers
Comment
November 20
Miami Herald
 
"It's not about him, it's about the team, Joey Porter insisted this week. On Thursday night, at key points in the game, it was about Porter and Randy Starks because what they did was about the Dolphins stuffing Carolina's offense. Porter, who came into the game with 2.5 sacks in seven games this season, yanked Carolina quarterback Jake Delhomme to the ground to end two drives, including the game-opening drive that reached the Dolphins' 7. Porter finished with a team-high eight tackles and three other quarterback hurries. Starks had five tackles, a sack that killed a drive that had reached the Dolphins' 8 and two other quarterback hurries. Those sacks held Carolina to field goals when ..."
Ricky steps up, but Dolphins offense needs more than him to succeed
Comment
November 20
Miami Herald
 
"There was an eye-popping moment during the Dolphins game Thursday night when Miami's offense deployed in a five-wide receiver alignment, a look that typically suggests pass-happy, wide-open, light-the-scoreboard football. But before you have flashbacks to the mid-1980s and the uniformed ghosts of Nat Moore, Mark Clayton, Mark Duper, Tony Nathan and Bruce Hardy dance among your thoughts, realize this somber fact: Miami's five-wide look during their 24-17 victory against Carolina was hardly fanciful. It was manned by Joey Haynos, Kory Sperry, Ricky Williams, Ted Ginn Jr. and Davone Bess. No disrespect against those players. They all have their unique gifts. But none are threatening to extend ..."
Williams carried (and caught) the load
Comment
November 20
Fort Lauderdale Sun-Sentinel
 columnist Dave Hyde
"Here's why Ricky Williams might be the most amazing story in football right now: He's doing things he never did before. No one expected that from him. Not at 32, in his second football act, after all the miles and all the stories. But Thursday night, in the 24-17 victory against Carolina, the Dolphins offense wasn't just Run, Ricky, Run. It started with this: Catch, Ricky, Catch. Asked to be a feature back in a competitive season for first time since he wore dreadlocks, Williams caught a 14-yard pass for the Dolphins' first touchdown. He then ran a 1-yard touchdown out of the Wildcat formation for the second touchdown. He'd never done this before, by the way. Never run for and caught a ..."
Dolphins' Hilliard waits one extra play to contribute
Comment
November 20
Fort Lauderdale Sun-Sentinel
 
"Lex Hilliard had waited a long time for his opportunity to contribute on offense, so what was one more play? The Dolphins' second-year tailback's first run Thursday night, a 13-yard trot up the gut of Carolina's defense, was erased by a holding call on center Jake Grove. No worries, because the very next pass, a 6-yard dumpoff from quarterback Chad Henne, came Hilliard's way, providing his first statistical contribution to the offense during the regular season. He followed up his first NFL catch with and 18-yard run that set up the Dolphins' first touchdown. Hilliard inherited a larger role against Carolina because of Ronnie Brown's foot injury, which landed the team's leading runner on ..."
Joey Porter makes statement, Dolphins follow with 24-17 win over Panthers
Comment
November 20
Fort Lauderdale Sun-Sentinel
 
"OK, so maybe this wasn't "Porter's House," the weekly segment Joey Porter tapes for the league-run television arm. But the man with the self-described alter ego called "Peezy" still set the early tone Thursday night on the NFL Network. Clearly invigorated by his one-game benching four days earlier, the veteran linebacker keyed a strong Dolphins pass rush that produced four sacks and a much-needed 24-17 win over the Carolina Panthers. "Joey kind of got it started," said Dolphins coach Tony Sparano, who made the decision to sit Porter down for reasons still not fully explained. "I was pleased with the pass rush. We needed it." On an evening filled with smack talk and vicious hits, the ..."
Wildcat remains in play for Miami
Comment
November 19
Charlotte Observer
 
"Tailback Brown is out, but Dolphins have options Job No.1 for the Panthers' defense tonight, of course, is dealing with Miami's "wildcat" offense. Without Ronnie Brown (out for the season with a foot injury), the Dolphins will start Ricky Williams at running back. He presumably will take snaps out of the wildcat, although backup quarterback Pat White and running back Lex Hilliard might also. Even in Brown's absence, the wildcat is a scheme that's different - and potent - enough that it could cause Carolina problems, especially with just a few days to prepare for it. Delhomme might challenge rookie cornerbacks Injuries keep nicking away at the Panthers. First it was on the defense, now the ..."
Panthers must make most of odd schedule
Comment
November 19
Charlotte Observer
 
"This has been a weird week. The Panthers have never played a real game on a Thursday before, as they've never been considered high-profile enough to grab one of the plum spots on Thanksgiving Day. But two home games in five days?! That's a slow week in the NBA, but it has caused a lot of hurry-up around the Panthers' building. That Buffalo loss is going to haunt Carolina all year. Buffalo is so bad it just fired head coach Dick Jauron in midseason - not uncommon in some sports, but very rare in the NFL. Carolina outgained the Bills 425-167 in that one and still lost by 11. Nasty. Speaking of Buffalo, did you see Tennessee owner Bud Adams got fined $250,000 for repeatedly shooting the bird ..."
Davis' goal: Come back stronger
Comment
November 19
Charlotte Observer
 
"Carolina Panthers outside linebacker Thomas Davis says he doesn't expect his season-ending knee injury to adversely affect his speed. "I think I'm going to come back stronger than I was," Davis said Wednesday during a visit to the Panthers' locker room. "That's truly how I feel in my heart, and I'm going to do the necessary things that it takes to make sure I come back stronger." Davis was having a Pro Bowl-caliber season before he tore the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee during a 30-20 loss at New Orleans on Nov. 8. "It was very strange," Davis said. "It's something I didn't expect to happen to me, but I know as a player it can happen at any time. "I can't sit around and be ..."
From small school to big challenge
Comment
November 19
Charlotte Observer
 
"There was no path from Bentley College to the NFL – or any other major pro sports league – so Mackenzy Bernadeau blazed it. He became the first from his school drafted into the NFL when the Carolina Panthers selected him 250th overall last year, two spots before the final pick. He made the roster and spent his rookie season in what amounted to a redshirt role, but his time as a prospect-in-waiting ended abruptly last Sunday when veteran tackle Jordan Gross suffered a season-ending injury against Atlanta. Bernadeau (pronounced burr-NAR-doe) was thrust into the lineup at left guard so Travelle Wharton could move from there to take Gross' spot at left tackle. Tonight at Bank of America ..."
Sticking with no-huddle is a no-brainer
Comment
November 19
Charlotte Observer
 
"Quarterback Jake Delhomme said this week that the no-huddle offense the Panthers used in a victory last week against Atlanta might go on the shelf for a while. Believe that at your peril. It doesn't make a lot of sense to stop using something that was pretty effective against the Falcons (that backfield collision between Delhomme and running back Jonathan Stewart notwithstanding). Dolphins coach Tony Sparano, incidentally, says his team is used to playing against the no-huddle, especially the Peyton Manning-Indianapolis version. Getting to Henne a priority The Panthers defense has been successful rattling quarterbacks lately ( Kurt Warner and Matt Ryan come to mind). Tonight, Carolina ..."
Maybe Henning had right idea about offense after all
Comment
November 19
Charlotte Observer
 columnist Tom Sorensen
"Before Dan Henning was run out of Charlotte, he was Draw-Play Dan. Carolina would have the ball third and 13, Jake Delhomme would drop back to pass and - Henning would order him to hand the ball to a running back. Henning's offense was more conservative than WBT-AM. There were few tricks and little daring. Just the facts, ma'am. Fans blamed Henning, who was Carolina's offensive coordinator in 2002-06, for every incomplete pass, every turnover and, especially, every draw play. They even booed him at Fan Fest. He probably is the most reviled assistant in Panthers history. He was fired after the 2006 season. A source says it was because he lacked stamina. Henning is 67, one year older than ..."
Dolphins, Panthers meet in a battle of ground attacks
Comment
November 19
Miami Herald
 
"One running back uses more boogie than his partner and friend. Both bring bash. Although they both are first-round NFL Draft picks, they unselfishly share the workload in offenses that rely on running backs. Maybe you already knew that about the Dolphins' Ronnie Brown and Ricky Williams. Maybe you didn't know that about DeAngelo Williams and Jonathan Stewart of the Carolina Panthers. Thursday night's showdown with the Panthers in Charlotte, N.C., would be a ball-carrier's version of The Road Warriors vs. The Hart Foundation but for the foot injury that ended Brown's season. Lex Hilliard, who coincidentally had a 39-yard touchdown run against Carolina in the Aug. 22 preseason game, is the ..."
Williams back in spotlight for Dolphins
Comment
November 19
Fort Lauderdale Sun-Sentinel
 
"The new place is called Proof, set in a swanky Ocean Drive hotel, and the Tuesday night scene was one specific to South Beach: short-skirted waitresses strutting off for wee kiwi sangria so that the patrons can wash down their "lick it like a lollipop" Thai wings. The surprise wasn't necessarily that you would find Ricky Williams in such a spot. The surprise, considering how he has sometimes shunned the spotlight in recent years, was that you would find him with the assistance of an invitation promising his presence. Yet there he was, as advertised, Tuesday, at a restaurant where he helped pick the menu. And there he will be, in the Thursday night spotlight, once again the main entrée in ..."
Panthers' Stewart, Williams questionable for Thursday
Comment
November 19
Charlotte Observer
 
"Carolina Panthers running backs Jonathan Stewart and DeAngelo Williams are both listed as questionable for Thursday's matchup against the Miami Dolphins. Stewart (achilles) missed practice on Monday and Tuesday before practicing in full on Wednesday. Williams (knee) showed up on the injury report Wednesday as a non-participant in practice. Williams has rushed for 860 yards and seven TDs on 168 carries in nine games this year for the 4-5 Panthers. Stewart has carried the ball 98 times for 466 yards and six touchdowns this season."
Panthers' Richardson founds scholarship for Winthrop senior
Comment
November 18
Charlotte Observer
 
"Carolina Panthers owner Jerry Richardson has created a Winthrop University scholarship fund that will allow one senior a year to attend the school for free. Richardson established a $500,000 endowment to permanently fund the Rosalind Sallenger Richardson Senior Scholarship in honor of his wife, who attended Winthrop in the 1950s. The award of roughly $20,000 will cover all expenses for a student's senior year, including tuition, expenses and room and board, said Winthrop spokeswoman Amanda Stewart. "It's pretty phenomenal as being a transformational opportunity for a student," Stewart said. "With the current state of the economy, that's going to be a big deal.""
Brown out, but not Dolphins' 'wildcat'
Comment
November 18
Charlotte Observer
 
"Running back Ronnie Brown - the player who makes Miami's "wildcat" offense go - won't be in the lineup Thursday when the Dolphins play the Carolina Panthers at Bank of America Stadium. Brown injured his foot during a victory Sunday against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and was seen walking in a protective boot afterward. He didn't practice Tuesday and, with a short week, is losing at least two rehab days he would normally have this week. He won't play Thursday, Dolphins coach Tony Sparano said Tuesday, and will visit a specialist about the foot. Without Brown - who often takes direct snaps from center in what has become known as the "wildcat" - anything might happen. "I think we'll have to go ..."
Compressed schedule puts pressure on Panthers
Comment
November 18
Charlotte Observer
 
"The Carolina Panthers have never played a regular-season game on Thursday - before this week against the Miami Dolphins. The compressed preparation is taking some getting used to. "You want to be able to kind of step back from what you did the week before and breathe a little," tight end Dante Rosario said Tuesday, a few minutes after he stepped off the practice field outside Bank of America Stadium. The workout came less than 48 hours after the Panthers beat Atlanta 28-19 on Sunday. Thursday's game forced major changes in the Panthers schedule this week. Players had Monday off (they usually come in to either lift weights or attend meetings). They practiced Tuesday (their normal day off). ..."
Moose: I have some good years left in me
Comment
November 18
Charlotte Observer
 
"Carolina Panthers receiver Muhsin Muhammad doesn't suggest that his physical skills match those of his younger years, but he's far from ready to talk about retirement. "I think I still have some good, good years of football in me," Muhammad, 36, said Tuesday. "You get what you get with me. I'm going to be a great blocker. I'm going to catch some tough balls. I'm going to make some big plays here and there, and just go out and play with a lot of fun and enthusiasm." Muhammad had his best game of the season in Sunday's 28-19 win against Atlanta, catching six passes for 91 yards, including 21- and 22-yard receptions on the Panthers' first touchdown drive. That followed a two-game absence ..."
Panthers' Richardson founds scholarship for Winthrop senior
Comment
November 18
Charlotte Observer
 
"Carolina Panthers owner Jerry Richardson has created a Winthrop University scholarship fund that will allow one senior a year to attend the school for free. Richardson established a $500,000 endowment to permanently fund the Rosalind Sallenger Richardson Senior Scholarship in honor of his wife, who attended Winthrop in the 1950s. The award of roughly $20,000 will cover all expenses for a student's senior year, including tuition, expenses and room and board, said Winthrop spokeswoman Amanda Stewart. "It's pretty phenomenal as being a transformational opportunity for a student," Stewart said. "With the current state of the economy, that's going to be a big deal.""
Gross, Wharton laugh through the pain
Comment
November 18
Charlotte Observer
 
"As Jordan Gross was carted off the field Sunday with what would turn out to be a broken ankle, he was able to share a brief - and rueful -- laugh with guard Travelle Wharton. That's because there's something about playing home games against the Falcons that isn't healthy for the Panthers' offensive line. Gross suffered a concussion last season against Atlanta and missed the first game of his career then next week against Kansas City. In the 2006 season opener, Wharton hurt his knee against the Falcons and missed the rest of the year."
Miami Dolphins RB Ronnie Brown ruled out for Thursday's game
Comment
November 18
Fort Lauderdale Sun-Sentinel
 
"Miami Dolphins running back Ronnie Brown will miss Thursday night's game against the Carolina Panthers, according to coach Tony Sparano. "Ronnie Brown is out for this game," he said. "He will go see a specialist and we'll see. It's more of a foot injury." The Dolphins also could be without several other starters. Tight end Anthony Fasano sat out Tuesday's practice nursing the hip injury that kept him out of Sunday's 25-23 win over Tampa Bay, and while starting left guard Justin Smiley is working on a limited basis, Nate Garner, his replacement in Sunday's game, remains with the starting unit. Smiley, who is nursing a shoulder injury he suffered on Nov. 8th in the loss to the Patriots, sat ..."
Dolphins may be running without Ronnie Brown
Comment
November 17
Miami Herald
 
"With his weight supported by two black, high-tech crutches, Dolphins running back Ronnie Brown opened the door to Miami's locker room Monday and flipped a pair of sandals toward the direction of his personal area without actually walking in. Then, Brown crutched himself backward. The door shut. And he was gone. So as far as his short-term prognosis is concerned, that simple visual might have been enough to make reasonable assumptions about whether Brown -- who sustained a foot injury in the third quarter of Sunday's win -- would be able to play four days later. But this injury no longer is a matter of Thursday's game only. The status of the Dolphins' best player beyond that remains ..."
Big late plays save Panthers' day
Comment
November 16
Charlotte Observer
 
"For the second straight game, the Carolina Panthers lost a key player to a season-ending injury and watched an 11-halftime lead dwindle. Last week, that resulted in a 10-point loss at New Orleans. But it was different Sunday inside sun-splashed Bank of America Stadium. Showing mettle that defied their circumstances, the Panthers used three big plays and two untimely Atlanta mistakes - all in the final seven minutes - to hold on for a 28-19 win against the Falcons. Coach John Fox jumped at the opportunity when asked to discuss how his team had responded to adversity over the past three weeks, sandwiching wins against Arizona and Atlanta around a near-miss against the unbeaten Saints. "I'm ..."
No margin for error, but season still has pulse
Comment
November 16
Charlotte Observer
 
"The Carolina Panthers won impressively Sunday, beating division rival Atlanta, 28-19, and pushing their 2009 record to 4-5. But was it all for naught? Is their season already over? Of course not. Despite a number of opinions to the contrary, a team that has won four of its past six games is not finished. Especially when its next three opponents all have losing records. It is time to turn to that late, great sage John Belushi, who inspired his fellow fraternity brothers in "Animal House" with this memorable piece of movie dialogue 30 years ago. Bluto (played by Belushi): "Over? Did you say 'over'? Nothing is over until we decide it is! Was it over when the Germans bombed Pearl Harbor? ..."
No-huddle may be Jake's answer
Comment
November 16
Charlotte Observer
 
"Jake Delhomme looked very comfortable running out of the no-huddle, hurry-up offense Sunday, which he did for most of the game. The Panthers have got to do that more often. Their veteran offense excels at it, and it can absolutely wear out and confuse a defense when done correctly. While Delhomme played like the Delhomme of the 2008 regular season, Atlanta quarterback Matt Ryan played like Delhomme - circa September 2009. When left tackle Jordan Gross broke his ankle, the Panthers' offensive line recovered nicely. It better continue to do so. Although coach John Fox wouldn't speculate on what Gross's injury meant postgame, I will. I think Gross is done for the season."
When push came to shove, Baker saved the day
Comment
November 16
Charlotte Observer
 columnist Tom Sorensen
"Atlanta's Eric Weems is 5-9, weighs 194 pounds and looks fast when he stands still. When he runs, everybody else looks as if they stand still. The man does a 4.4 40. On Sunday afternoon, he grabs Jason Baker's punt at the Atlanta 27, makes a cut and then a move and then he's free. "There was not much left between Weems and the goal line," says Carolina Panther coach John Fox says. There is one man between Weems and the goal line. He is Carolina punter Jason Baker. Baker does not run a 4.4 40. Baker does not look fast when he stands still. Baker is paid to kick, not to tackle. Four minutes remain in the game when Weems fields Baker's punt. The Falcons trail 21-19. If Weems beats Baker, the ..."
Panthers unveil secret weapon
Comment
November 16
Charlotte Observer
 columnist Tom Sorensen
"Carolina used a secret weapon Sunday, and no matter how sophisticated or comprehensive Atlanta's scouting was, there was no way the Falcons could have prepared for it. The Panthers passed on third and long. The Panthers are 2-4 as underdogs and 2-1 as favorites. Defensive tackle Hollis Thomas is Carolina's 340-pound fashion critic. He once saw safety Chris Harris in a red, white and blue warm-up suit, and asked Harris if he were a Harlem Globetrotter. A few weeks ago he saw me wearing a black V-neck sweater over a V-neck white T-shirt, and said something every time I passed in front of his locker. "I noticed you wouldn't come over, either," Thomas says Sunday. Hey, big dog, I was working. ..."
Panthers lose Gross with broken ankle
Comment
November 16
Charlotte Observer
 
"The Carolina Panthers' 28-19 victory Sunday against the Atlanta Falcons came at a cost. Jordan Gross, the Panthers' Pro Bowl left tackle, broke his right ankle and is expected to miss the rest of the season. The injury happened with 5 minutes, 22 seconds left in the first half after it appeared a Falcons player fell on Gross's ankle. "It hurts, not only for the football player, but the man," Panthers quarterback Jake Delhomme said of Gross's injury. "Jordan is special; he's a leader." It's the second time in two seasons that Gross has been injured in a game against the Falcons at Bank of America Stadium. Last year, he suffered a concussion and missed one game - the first he would sit out ..."
Free safety Martin making a name for himself
Comment
November 16
Charlotte Observer
 
"There's this guy, name of Sherrod Martin, a rookie who's been starting at free safety for the Carolina Panthers for three games now. He's starting to make quite an impression, especially after he intercepted another pass in a 28-19 victory Sunday against the Atlanta Falcons at Bank of America Stadium. Even Panthers coach John Fox is taking notice. "A month ago, frankly we didn't know him," Fox said of Martin, who has three interceptions in three games since taking over the injured Charles Godfrey. It was a big day for young starters in the Panthers' secondary. Cornerback Richard Marshall - starting for the first time this season after two years in the NFL -- intercepted a Matt Ryan pass ..."
Falcons' defense was no match for Panthers
Comment
November 16
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
 
"It didn't take the Carolina Panthers long to find the soft spot in the Falcons' defense Sunday. They exposed the left cornerback position early and often, and it helped set the tone for the Panthers' 28-19 win at Bank of America Stadium. Much-maligned quarterback Jake Delhomme directed three first-half scoring drives with touchdown passes of 4 and 1 yards to Steve Smith, and wound up completing 15 of 24 for 195 yards. "I think Jake had a very good game," Falcons coach Mike Smith said. "They managed the game very well on their side of the ball. They were able to run the ball, throw the ball, get the ball out of his hands very quickly. "Each and every week, it's about the matchup. We ..."
Falcons melt down on the road against Panthers
Comment
November 16
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
 
"No one can mistake the Atlanta Falcons for road warriors. They even switched up travel arrangements for Sunday's big NFC South matchup with the Carolina Panthers and took buses up I-85. But no matter what the travel mode -- bus, plane, skateboard -- the Falcons continue to misfire on the road. Literally and figuratively, they kicked away several opportunities to take control of the game before falling to the Panthers, 28-19, before 73,329 fans at Bank America Stadium. "We are not sustaining the level of play that we need to be successful," Falcons coach Mike Smith said. With quarterback Matt Ryan throwing two key interceptions, Jason Elam missing another critical chip shot and the lost of ..."
Panthers LT Gross has broken ankle
Comment
November 15
Charlotte Observer
 
"The Panthers were ecstatic after their 28-19 win over Atlanta Sunday, but also had to deal with the sobering news that left tackle Jordan Gross suffered a broken left ankle in the first half and may be out for the season. Gross was carted off the field after an Atlanta player fell on his leg. Travelle Wharton moved from left guard to left tackle to fill the vacancy, while Mackenzy Bernadeau entered the game as the new left guard."
Panthers' Steve Smith leaves with bruised ribs
Comment
November 15
Charlotte Observer
 
"The Panthers finished up a fine first half by scoring a third TD -- this one set up by rookie Sherrod Martin's third interception of the season. That gives Carolina a 21-10 lead at halftime -- Steve Smith already has two 4-yard TD receptions from Jake Delhomme today. Carolina, however, has also suffered two major injuries. On Smith's second TD catch, he bruised some ribs. His return is questionable. And Pro Bowl LT Jordan Gross is done at least for this game and possibly for a lot longer (maybe even the season)."
I think the fat lady sang in New Orleans
Comment
November 15
Charlotte Observer
 columnist Tom Sorensen
"Unless Bob Johnson owns a team, or George Seifert or Chuck Amato coach it, I don't like to say, "It's over," not when there's a half a season to play. But in New Orleans last week, Carolina lost more than a game. It lost Thomas Davis, the linebacker whom coaches put in a position to excel and who has. And it lost momentum. It lost the right to believe. As a result, this season feels over. Although the NFL has a few teams that are excellent and a few that are unwatchable, most have middle-class talent. Atlanta, whom Carolina will play today at Bank of America Stadium, is upper-middle class, the Panthers slightly lower. What sets middle-class teams apart is confidence. As simplistic as this ..."
Falcons cure for passing woes?
Comment
November 15
Charlotte Observer
 
"Much has been made this week about the Panthers' anemic passing game. Hello, Falcons. Panthers quarterback Jake Delhomme has had big days against Atlanta the last two seasons, averaging 299 yards in three games. In his past four games versus the Falcons, Delhomme has a 100.5 passer rating. The Falcons defense also struggles on third down, with a 48.2 percent efficiency mark. That's 31st in the league and suggests the Panthers might be able to snap out of their passing woes today - if just for one game. Abraham not Falcons' only pass rusher The Panthers usually know where Falcons defensive end John Abraham is at all times. Carolina tackle Jordan Gross won that matchup earlier this season, ..."
Panthers could prolong Ryan's slump
Comment
November 15
Charlotte Observer
 
"Atlanta quarterback Matt Ryan is going through a bit of a sophomore slump. After throwing only 11 interceptions in his rookie season of 2008, he already has 10 this season. If the Panthers' defense can get Ryan into some third-and-long situations, he's apt to make a couple of poor decisions today. The Panthers have two home games in a five-day span, starting today against the Falcons and continuing Thursday night against Miami. Weird - it almost feels like an NBA schedule. Carolina quarterback Jake Delhomme threw for 308 yards against the Falcons the last time out two months ago, so I expect coach John Fox will at least loosen the handcuffs a little today on the Panthers' most-discussed ..."
Linebacker Johnson gets chance to start
Comment
November 15
Charlotte Observer
 
"He replaces Davis in lineup When Landon Johnson signed with the Panthers as a free agent in 2007, it was expected that he'd challenge for a starting linebacker spot. That made sense: He had led the Cincinnati Bengals in tackles three times in four seasons. It hasn't worked out for Johnson with the Panthers, for whom he's been mostly a special-teams player. He gets his chance now, though, starting in place of the injured Thomas Davis. He'll need to produce, though. Guys like James Anderson and Dan Connor would like nothing more than to take that spot. Young Falcon gets playing time Falcons nose tackle Vance Walker, a rookie from Fort Mill, has benefitted from the loss of Peria Jerry, ..."
An inside look at controversial Delhomme deal
Comment
November 15
Charlotte Observer
 
"The Carolina Panthers have been assailed for signing Jake Delhomme to an offseason contract extension following his six-turnover performance in a playoff loss to Arizona, but an Observer review of the deal shows the team kept him at a price that put him in the bottom half of the NFL's starting quarterbacks. The Observer obtained a copy of the contract, dated April25 and signed by Delhomme and team owner Jerry Richardson. The deal did not include a 2009 pay increase over what Delhomme was previously scheduled to make, but did give him $12.675million in new guarantees he'll make regardless of whether he remains with the team after this season. The contract is formally a five-year extension ..."
Former Bengals linebacker Johnson to step in for Davis
Comment
November 14
Charlotte Observer
 
"The starting opportunity Landon Johnson thought might be available when he joined the Carolina Panthers nearly two years ago finally has arrived, albeit for reasons he wouldn't have chosen. Johnson is set to take over at weakside linebacker for Thomas Davis , whose season ended last week when he suffered a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee. "You never want one of your teammates to get hurt, especially one of the guys you're closer with, and when he's having the season he was having," Johnson said Thursday. "But it did happen. It's one of those things where you've got to make the most of any opportunity you get, so that's what I'm going to try to do." The Panthers signed ..."
Falcons' run game gives QB Ryan assist
Comment
November 14
Charlotte Observer
 
"Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan agrees he's hit a rough patch. Following a sensational rookie year, Ryan began this season with four more solid games for the Falcons (5-3), who will face the Carolina Panthers (3-5) on Sunday in an NFC South game at Bank of America Stadium. When lists of the league's top young quarterbacks were drawn up, his name was near the top of all of them. Since then, though, Ryan has thrown eight interceptions during Atlanta's past four games. During a 35-27 loss Nov.2 atNew Orleans, Ryan was 19-of-42 for 289 yards and had a paltry quarterback rating of 46.6. "I would like to play a little bit better, but it is a long season and you're going to have some ups ..."
DeAngelo Williams may not play Sunday
Comment
November 14
Charlotte Observer
 
"Carolina Panthers running back DeAngelo Williams didn't practice Friday because of a knee injury and is listed as questionable for Sunday's game with Atlanta. Williams practiced on a limited basis Thursday and didn't practice at all Wednesday. He doesn't appear to be walking with a limp, however. Defensive end Julius Peppers (hand) and kicker John Kasay (groin) both practiced and are probable. Safety Charles Godfrey (ankle) and fullback Brad Hoover (ankle) didn't practice Friday and are listed as doubtful."
Rain forces Panthers indoors
Comment
November 13
Charlotte Observer
 
"The rain chased the Carolina Panthers inside for another day Thursday. After practicing Wednesday on an indoor soccer field at the Charlotte Sports Center off Harris Boulevard, the Panthers were there again Thursday preparing for Sunday's game against the Atlanta Falcons at Bank of America Stadium. The Panthers - about 60 players accompanied by several coaches and team staff members - wedged themselves onto the 72-by-32-yard, artificial-turf field for two hours. Carolina is among the few NFL franchises without an indoor facility - one that's big enough to house at least one full-sized field and with a ceiling high enough to contain punts, kicks and long passes. It will remain that way for ..."
Former Bengals linebacker Johnson to step in for Davis
Comment
November 13
Charlotte Observer
 
"The starting opportunity Landon Johnson thought might be available when he joined the Carolina Panthers nearly two years ago finally has arrived, albeit for reasons he wouldn't have chosen. Johnson is set to take over at weakside linebacker for Thomas Davis, whose season ended last week when he suffered a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee. "You never want one of your teammates to get hurt, especially one of the guys you're closer with, and when he's having the season he was having," Johnson said Thursday. "But it did happen. It's one of those things where you've got to make the most of any opportunity you get, so that's what I'm going to try to do." The Panthers signed ..."
'Moose,' Fiammetta to return Sunday
Comment
November 12
Charlotte Observer
 
"The Carolina Panthers will have two key players back in the lineup for Sunday's game against the Atlanta Falcons in Bank of America Stadium. Receiver Muhsin Muhammad, who has missed two games with a knee injury, returned to practice on Wednesday. Rookie fullback Tony Fiammetta, who sat out last week's game in New Orleans because of a concussion he suffered two weeks ago against Arizona, was also back. The Panthers are still thin at fullback, with starter Brad Hoover continuing to recover from a high ankle sprain. He is still walking in a protective boot. Both the Panthers' running backs - DeAngelo Williams and Jonathan Stewart - didn't practice. Williams has an undisclosed knee injury, and ..."
Touchdowns hitting a s(c)ore nerve
Comment
November 12
Charlotte Observer
 
"Questions abound regarding the dreary state of the Carolina Panthers' passing game: Are coaches handcuffing quarterback Jake Delhomme in favor of the run to protect him from potentially confidence-deflating mistakes? Is wide receiver Steve Smith as miffed with play-calling as television footage of his sideline rant during last weekend's game at New Orleans might suggest? How can it be that wide receivers combined to catch only one touchdown pass during the first half of the season? Regarding the latter rather embarrassing statistic, Smith said: "My standards don't go that low to ever imagine that." And fellow receiver Muhsin Muhammad mused: "It's befuddling to me right now." Stuck with a ..."
Panthers' passing woes unchanged
Comment
November 10
Charlotte Observer
 
"The Carolina Panthers' passing offense - ranked 24th in the NFL - continues to struggle: Quarterback Jake Delhomme has a league-high 13 interceptions (although he hasn't thrown one in two games). His 61.7 passer rating ranks 29th in the league. Of Delhomme's five touchdown passes, four have been to tight ends. Receiver Steve Smith's production (34 catches for 478 yards and one touchdown) is far off his usual pace. Muhsin Muhammad, in his 13th NFL season, doesn't appear to be a downfield threat anymore. An heir to Muhammad - let alone a legitimate No.3 receiver - hasn't materialized. Coach John Fox said Monday that there's only one way to improvement: Keep working. "It's the same thing we ..."
It's halftime for Team Mediocrity
Comment
November 10
Charlotte Observer
 
"Carolina Panthers coach John Fox likes to divide NFL seasons into four quarters. It's an easy analogy to draw with his players - in a 16-game season, each quarter equals four games. All you have to do, Fox tells his players every season, is go 3-1 every quarter. That's always the goal, because 3-1 every quarter gets you to 12-4. And 12-4 not only gets you into the playoffs but probably earns you a first-round bye, too. It's a nice theory, but that's all it has been this season. The Panthers (3-5) have now reached halftime of the 2009 season, and so far it's been a royal mess. The bad news keeps on coming, too. The latest blow came Monday, when Carolina lost standout outside linebacker ..."
Knee injury KOs Panthers linebacker
Comment
November 10
Charlotte Observer
 
"Halfway through a Pro Bowl-caliber season, one of the Carolina Panthers' most physical and important defensive players has been felled by a noncontact injury. The Panthers announced Monday that outside linebacker Thomas Davis, the team's second-leading tackler, is out for the season with a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee. Davis suffered the injury early in the fourth quarter of Sunday's 30-20 loss in New Orleans when his knee buckled as he planted his foot in the turf at the Superdome. "I feel bad for the young man because he's put a lot into it," said coach John Fox. "He was playing at a high level. It's unfortunate. I feel bad for him and his family." The leading ..."
It's halftime for Team Mediocrity
Comment
November 10
Charlotte Observer
 columnist Scott Fowler
"Carolina Panthers coach John Fox likes to divide NFL seasons into four quarters. It's an easy analogy to draw with his players - in a 16-game season, each quarter equals four games. All you have to do, Fox tells his players every season, is go 3-1 every quarter. That's always the goal, because 3-1 every quarter gets you to 12-4. And 12-4 not only gets you into the playoffs but probably earns you a first-round bye, too. It's a nice theory, but that's all it has been this season. The Panthers (3-5) have now reached halftime of the 2009 season, and so far it's been a royal mess. The bad news keeps on coming, too. The latest blow came Monday, when Carolina lost standout outside linebacker ..."