By MIKE CRANSTON
AP Sports Writer
CHARLOTTE, N.C.(AP) — From Jake Delhomme’s struggles to suspect
tackling to key injuries and just plain bad luck, there are
plenty of reasons for Carolina’s 4-6 record.
It shouldn’t, however, be a surprise. Following a playoff season
with a dud is all the Panthers have known in their 15-year
history.
Thursday’s 24-17 loss to Miami followed the familiar script.
Coming off an impressive win over Atlanta, the Panthers fell
flat as a home favorite against a team without its top running
back and a banged-up offensive line.
It marked the fourth time this season the Panthers entered a
game with a chance to reach .500. They’re now 0-4. And with a
brutal closing schedule, they appear destined to again fail to
accomplish consecutive winning seasons for the first time in
team history.
“I’m sure outside of that (team meeting) room, there will be a
lot people that don’t give us a chance,” coach John Fox said
Friday. “Until the math says it, we’ll feel like we have a
chance.”
They would be in a much better spot if they executed in the red
zone. Carolina was plagued by miscues, from the four sacks to a
key interception that turned touchdown opportunities into field
goals or worse.
Delhomme tried to get star receiver Steve Smith involved -
targeting him 15 times. He caught seven passes for 87 yards and
a touchdown, but Delhomme’s first pick in four games came near
the goal line when he tried to force it to the four-time Pro
Bowl selection.
That play also was an example of how Carolina isn’t getting the
breaks. The Panthers were using their no-huddle offense and the
Dolphins had too many players on the field. Delhomme wanted to
snap the ball to get a penalty, but the official was standing
over the ball. Fox said Friday the official had mistakenly
thought the Panthers had substituted when they hadn’t.
“You’re supposed to give the defense an opportunity to sub
(only) if you sub,” Fox said.
Carolina also showed a drop-off after losing two key starters to
season-ending injuries in two games. Left tackle Jordan Gross’
absence was noticeable with Delhomme’s lack of protection. And
the Panthers struggled to tackle 32-year-old running back Ricky
Williams without outside linebacker Thomas Davis.
Williams rushed for 119 yards and scored all three Miami
touchdowns. The Panthers have allowed 330 yards rushing in the
past two games, and now have more injury concerns.
Landon Johnson, who replaced Davis, was walking gingerly in the
locker room Friday after suffering a knee injury. Fox said
Johnson will not need surgery. Linebacker Na’il Diggs (rib) was
also banged up.
Fullback Brad Hoover did some running Friday and is hoping he’ll
be ready to return Nov. 29 against the New York Jets after
missing three games with a high ankle sprain.
“I’m tired of being a spectator,” Hoover said.
His replacement, rookie Tony Fiammetta, bumped into teammate
Travelle Wharton Thursday, leading to a sack.
The Panthers also got little from defensive end Julius Peppers,
who again was limited to mostly passing downs because of a right
hand injury. The Panthers had no sacks despite a myriad of
injuries to Miami’s offensive line.
“It does affect your play,” Fox said of Peppers’ hand. “But
he’ll work through it and we’ll work through it.”
Fox denied that DeAngelo Williams’ sore left knee played a role
in him getting only 13 carries. It was a curious move because
Williams averaged 9.4 yards a carry and finished with 122 yards.
The Panthers threw the ball 42 times to only 27 runs, and
Delhomme was far from sharp. Carolina converted only 3 of 13
third-down chances.
“You can’t just go out and say it’s going to take 25-50 carries
to win the game, because that’s not necessarily true,” Williams
said. “I think then everybody would be running it 25-50 times a
game.”
The Panthers dominated on the ground last season en route to a
12-4 mark and NFC South title. But this year’s team looks a lot
like the clubs from 1997 (7-9), 2004 (7-9) and 2006 (8-8). All
stumbled after reaching the playoffs a year earlier.
Carolina faces two winnable games the next two weeks: at the
Jets (4-5) and home to Tampa Bay (1-8). But then the Panthers
close at New England (6-3), vs. Minnesota (8-1), at the New York
Giants (5-4) and home to New Orleans (9-0).
“It’s going be a long weekend, but we’ve got another game coming
up against the Jets here and no time to feel sorry for
yourself,” receiver Muhsin Muhammad said. “This is life in the
NFL.”
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