We knew this was going to be a challenge, especially with the versatile rookie Cam Newton leading the Panthers. But we had also hoped their sad D would give our offense opportunities to score...
Beck Wagon
Weak start, but warmed up and moved well. He made mistakes, and I do wish he would take a little more time, but, behind a make-shift O-line and making his first start since 2007, you have to give him some credit for a fairly solid performance. I also love his humility and candor. It is refreshing to have a QB at the podium who takes responsibility for his performance - good, bad or otherwise.
Oh My, O-Line
Make-shift it may be, but I think the line deserves a round of applause. They need work, no doubt, but Beck was mostly well-protected and our backs were given lanes. I look forward to seeing their progress next week.
MIA
Where was our defense in the first half? Was that the cheerleading squad lined up out there? I had to stop counting the missed tackles when there were more than there were beers in the bucket on our table. Sloppy, sloppy, sloppy. They let both Cam and the Panthers run game run all over us. Not to mention they let Smith light up the scoreboard like the Vegas Strip. We needed them to show up and they really let us down. Atogwe not playing hurt us, but one player does not a defense make. I did not see nearly enough Landry for my tastes and our other playmakers seemed dazed and confused. It was, however, nice to see Reed Doughty on the field making good, clean hits.
The Run! The Run!
It was back and it was looking good.We've been begging for it all season and it was nice to see. It was nice to see my Holes for Hightower campaign take flight and carry us down the field. But one trick ponies never win. Especially not when they call a run play on 3rd down after being backed up by a penalty. Kyle the Wunder Coach at it again. The calling started off well, but fell flat. I know they want to protect Beck and keep the ball on the ground as much as possible, but today's league requires passing to be competitive.
Injuries, The Encore
I knew the moment I saw Hightower on the ground that he was suffering, suffering bad and was not going to be able to walk this one off. The news today that he tore his ACL was devastating, but, unfortunately, not unexpected. I truly feel for him and wish him a speedy and successful recovery. He has been a great addition to this team and I hope to see him back next year in full health. With Moss's broken hand sending him out for 5-7 weeks, I would be surprised if we see him back this season. We will miss him, but I do believe this is an opportunity to get our young receivers some reps and some real time on the field. We will never know what kind of talent these players have if we don't give them a chance to show us against first team Ds. And then London Fletcher injured his hamstring - I won't even begin to think what playing without him might mean for us in Toronto. I can only hope we left the injury bug in Carolina. We cannot afford to lose any more starters.
Fried Butter at Warm Ups?
That's the only thing I can think of that would explain all those dropped balls. Unacceptable. Gaffney, Armstrong, Moss, Davis... No one was safe from the dropsies this week. Beck claimed full responsibility for Hankerson's disappointing debut, but that kid does need to get his head into the game if he hopes to play a role in narrowing field of offensive targets.
The Young Bucks
Both Paulsen and Austin made nice showings this weekend. I hope to see more of both of them next weekend as we continue to adjust and deal with the losses of Cooley and Moss.
Discipline
The penalties, drops, misses, more penalties. We need to reign it in and get back on track. 4-3 works for me, but 3-4 is a bore.
Traveling to Toronto against a burgeoning Bills team will be a big test. We've got work to do this week. I'll leave it at that.
Beck Wagon
Weak start, but warmed up and moved well. He made mistakes, and I do wish he would take a little more time, but, behind a make-shift O-line and making his first start since 2007, you have to give him some credit for a fairly solid performance. I also love his humility and candor. It is refreshing to have a QB at the podium who takes responsibility for his performance - good, bad or otherwise.
Oh My, O-Line
Make-shift it may be, but I think the line deserves a round of applause. They need work, no doubt, but Beck was mostly well-protected and our backs were given lanes. I look forward to seeing their progress next week.
MIA
Where was our defense in the first half? Was that the cheerleading squad lined up out there? I had to stop counting the missed tackles when there were more than there were beers in the bucket on our table. Sloppy, sloppy, sloppy. They let both Cam and the Panthers run game run all over us. Not to mention they let Smith light up the scoreboard like the Vegas Strip. We needed them to show up and they really let us down. Atogwe not playing hurt us, but one player does not a defense make. I did not see nearly enough Landry for my tastes and our other playmakers seemed dazed and confused. It was, however, nice to see Reed Doughty on the field making good, clean hits.
The Run! The Run!
It was back and it was looking good.We've been begging for it all season and it was nice to see. It was nice to see my Holes for Hightower campaign take flight and carry us down the field. But one trick ponies never win. Especially not when they call a run play on 3rd down after being backed up by a penalty. Kyle the Wunder Coach at it again. The calling started off well, but fell flat. I know they want to protect Beck and keep the ball on the ground as much as possible, but today's league requires passing to be competitive.
Injuries, The Encore
I knew the moment I saw Hightower on the ground that he was suffering, suffering bad and was not going to be able to walk this one off. The news today that he tore his ACL was devastating, but, unfortunately, not unexpected. I truly feel for him and wish him a speedy and successful recovery. He has been a great addition to this team and I hope to see him back next year in full health. With Moss's broken hand sending him out for 5-7 weeks, I would be surprised if we see him back this season. We will miss him, but I do believe this is an opportunity to get our young receivers some reps and some real time on the field. We will never know what kind of talent these players have if we don't give them a chance to show us against first team Ds. And then London Fletcher injured his hamstring - I won't even begin to think what playing without him might mean for us in Toronto. I can only hope we left the injury bug in Carolina. We cannot afford to lose any more starters.
Fried Butter at Warm Ups?
That's the only thing I can think of that would explain all those dropped balls. Unacceptable. Gaffney, Armstrong, Moss, Davis... No one was safe from the dropsies this week. Beck claimed full responsibility for Hankerson's disappointing debut, but that kid does need to get his head into the game if he hopes to play a role in narrowing field of offensive targets.
The Young Bucks
Both Paulsen and Austin made nice showings this weekend. I hope to see more of both of them next weekend as we continue to adjust and deal with the losses of Cooley and Moss.
Discipline
The penalties, drops, misses, more penalties. We need to reign it in and get back on track. 4-3 works for me, but 3-4 is a bore.
Traveling to Toronto against a burgeoning Bills team will be a big test. We've got work to do this week. I'll leave it at that.
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