Jake Delhomme: The rebirth of a veteran quarterback. My gut instinct was that the Tommy John surgery would be a success, and Delhomme would be able to perform better than in the last few years...He has never performed like this during his career in the NFL. He's putting up impressive numbers!
The Carolina Panthers have come a long way in a short amount of time. From acquiring talented players in D.J. Hackett and Muhsin Muhammad to drafting Jeff Otah, Jonathan Stewart, and Charles Godfrey for areas where they were shallow in depth.
Challenged by inner turmoil—Steve Smith sucker-punching teammate Ken Lucas during training camp—this team banded together.
Anyone could watch this year's Carolina Panthers team and think of any number of reasons why this team is outperforming the so-called experts' expectations, while staying humble and approaching every game as if it's their first of the season.
“...One thing that I’m really proud of this team about is that we approach things as a one-week deal,” Delhomme said. “You don’t look ahead. That’s what I enjoy most about this team. There’s a focus on the task at hand and that’s what you have to do," (
carolinagrowl).This week, it's back to being 0-0 and looking to win their "first" game as the Panthers prepare for a grudge match against the Buccaneers.
The Panthers are a 4-1 team coming off a potentially ego-inflating 34-0 win over Kansas City last Sunday. Will they bring their winning formula to Tampa Bay or leave it in Carolina?
I think, this week, Carolina will mix up their offensive gameplan as usual. They will start with the ground attack, and when you have a power running back like Jonathan Stewart, and a running back who is elusive and speedy like DeAngelo Williams, their complementing contrasts of speed and power wear a defense down while eating up yardage and game time.
Gaines Adams, Cato June, and Derrick Brooks are three of Tampa Bay's top defensive players. They will work to stop the run while trying to get through the Panthers' beefy offensive line and put pressure on Jake Delhomme.
Once the Panthers establish a steady ground attack, Delhomme will go to the aerial offensive attack, and Carolina has plenty of talent and depth in that area as well, with Steve Smith and Muhsin Muhammad to name a couple of threats.
Dante Rosario will play a key part in this game, as he is a big tight end with good hands for catching the ball in tight spots. No Panthers fan can ever forget that game-winning grab at the back of the end zone against the Chargers.
Wide receiver D.J. Hackett may be out for this game with an injury to his knee, so Dwayne Jarrett will get some time on the field with a chance to make some good plays and prove his worth.
Again, the Bucs have an answer for the Panthers' aerial attack in Ronde Barber, a very fast corner back who has hands that also seem to always come up with an interception.
Safeties Jermaine Phillips and Tanard Jackson round out Tampa's impressive defensive secondary.
Jon Gruden may be starting Jeff Garcia at quarterback against the Panthers, although it is still uncertain, as current starting quarterback Brian Griese is listed as questionable for this weekend's game.
comments (14) write a comment »
write a new comment
3 months ago
I would love to see Delhomme win a Super Bowl. I honestly think that he was robbed in 03 and the Pats dynasty was like all dynasties, a thing of evil. I like Delhomme, but this team, I think will need a little more time. Hopefully the Boys win quick and then I can start really rooting for the panthers.
The only reason I want the Panthers to lose is because I have the Bucs Defense for fantasy.
from 3 months ago
I don't wanna start anything here, but aren't or weren't the Cowboys a dynasty? So you're telling me the Cowboys dynasty is a thing of evil also? I just wanted to make sure I am clear on what you're telling me. :-P
from 3 months ago
Eric my man. Sometimes I wish we had lost one of those super bowls against Buffalo. The 70s cowboys were not a dynasty though. 71 and 77 rosters have I think at most 8 of the same guys on both teams.
In the 90s it was either us or San Francisco though for a lot of it.
3 months ago
Lol--I look for my Panthers to win every week; when they don't that's when I look at my fantasy teams' standings to console myself. Thanks for the read and comment.
from 3 months ago
Which Def would you start? Chargers or Bucs
3 months ago
Hmmm that's a tuffie--I would start the Chargers. Bucs do have a very solid defense, but the Chargers are going up against what seems to me a mediocre Pats offense being as they're without Brady
3 months ago
great atricle and I think this is going to be a close game too I think carolina wins 21-20.I hope it will be more.I like to see us go into bye week at 7-1 but it will be more like 6-2 hope I'm wrong but we have a rough 3 games strech then come back after the bye to go at least 5-3 or better so we would be 11-5 or better at the end of the year! maybe 12-5 .but I realy would like to see 14 and 2 but thats just a dream.for now
GO PANTHERS!!!!
from 3 months ago
Well as fans the Panthers' success is for us to speculate. It's their job to do what needs to be done (win games) in order to have not only a successful year, but get into the post season and give it their all for a chance at the Lombardi Trophy.
About a week ago my prediction on the season as far as the final record was, worst case scenario, we finish 8-8; if Carolina stays healthy and plays hard and is consistent, this team can finish a respectable 12-4 at best. I too hope for better. I'd love to see them finish 15-1, but that's a stretch of the imagination lol.
Thank you kindly for the comment, and I'm glad you enjoyed my article!
GO CATS!!!!
2 months ago
thats aan insult to our de3fence allowing the bucs 20 points geez
2 months ago
pardon my spelling I was too upset to typs 20 points
from 2 months ago
Who said I allowed them 20 points? What do you expect, another 34-0 blowout? C'mon you gotta give the Bucs some respect. Not to mention these division games are almost always close.
2 months ago
So far, so good for our beloved Panthers. Still a long rest of the season to go. If Delhomme stays healthy, I like Carolina's chances n 2008.
from 2 months ago
I agree with you there. Our backs and wideouts need to stay healthy too. I know the Panthers have a decent amount of depth all around, but I really like our core of guys right now, and I expected D.J. Hackett to be missing here and there.
2 months ago
It is certainly going to be close. 28-24 or something like that. Carolina's Defense will struggle for the first time this year, but Stewart and Williams will pound them up the middle until they move up, and then Delhomme will beat them for 7 or 8 yards every play.
write a new comment