Panthers-Eagles: Carolina's Secondary a Bright Spot

(Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)

My assignment was to take an aspect of the Panthers, whether it be the passing game, running game, offensive line, rushing defense, secondary, or special teams, and analyze it after the Eagles-Panthers game. 

I really didn't want to write an article criticizing the Panthers, so I tried to look for something the Panthers did well.  I really don't want to be the type of writer who just goes out and criticizes teams, article after article.

So I looked at the box score after the game ended.

The quarterbacks had a touchdown-interception ratio of 0:5.  The running game averaged a whopping 2.9 yards per carry. The leading receiver reeled in four balls for 42 yards. The defense allowed 38 points.

Oh snap.

However, the Panthers only allowed 82 yards through the air. Against a team featuring Donovan McNabb, Brian Westbrook, Desean Jackson, and Brent Celek—who I believe is one of the most underrated tight ends in the league—this is a pretty significant statistic.

Only mustering three passes greater than 10 yards, the Eagles averaged six yards per reception. The Panthers were very good in deep coverage Sunday.

Yes, I know that the Eagles didn't have to throw much, but they did throw only three times less than they ran. 

I believe Desean Jackson to be, although not an elite receiver, a very good receiver that has the potential to become elite. I would have thought he would have gotten deep on the Panthers, maybe for a 30-yard touchdown reception. 

The Panthers, however, shut him down and held him to two receptions for nine yards. He was targeted seven times. 

Brian Westbrook only had three receptions for eight yards. Brent Celek, the team's leading receiver, only had six receptions for 37 yards. Kevin Curtis had two receptions for 26 yards.

Chris Gamble and Charles Godfrey each collected four tackles and deflected a pass.  Richard Marshall—the corner opposite Gamble—racked up three tackles, and Quinton Teal put up five tackles filling in at the other safety position. Needless to say, the secondaries were making some plays.

Chris Gamble is turning into a very good corner and will be able to limit a lot of top-tier receivers. If he and Godfrey can start making some interceptions, this could turn into one of the best secondaries in the league.

I understand the circumstances of the measly 82 yards the Eagles put up passing, so don't go grilling me there. I just feel the Panthers' secondary is very good and can match up well with the better pass offenses in the league.

The next test for the secondary will be Atlanta's Matt Ryan, Roddy White, and Tony Gonzalez. We'll see what Carolina can do against a divisional foe with a very good passing attack.

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