Panthers lack key players, spark in loss

[Rod Butsecks]

(By Charles Chandler, [email protected]) The Carolina Panthers are running out of time to lay their struggling performances at the feet of the fact that it's only the preseason.p/The Panthers fell to 0-3 in exhibitions with a 17-13 loss to the Baltimore Ravens on Saturday night at Bank of America Stadium.p/Carolina was without five key players sitting out with injuries - running backs DeAngelo Williams (sore knee) and Jonathan Stewart (sore Achilles), linebackers Jon Beason (knee) and Thomas Davis (knee), and safety Charles Godfrey (hand).p/Absentees notwithstanding, it was a lackluster performance for the first-teamers in the only exhibition in which they'll play into the third period.p/This is definitely the game you want to be the sharpest because this is the (exhibition) we play the most, and it wasn't that way tonight, said strong safety Chris Harris. p/I'm not hitting the panic button or anything, but it's something we need to make sure we shore up before we get ready to play in the regular season.p/Panthers coach John Fox said he saw things on both sides of the ball that were concerning. He was particularly critical of the defense, saying tackling wasn't crisp and that the pass coverage was shoddy at times.p/The Panthers were thoroughly outplayed - and outscored 17-3 - during the first three periods when both teams had their starters in the game.p/The defense gave up scoring drives of 80 and 90 yards, and was picked apart by Baltimore quarterback Joe Flacco, who completed 23 of 28 passes for 247 yards and a touchdown during 21/2 quarters.p/The defense also held the Ravens without points on a possession when Baltimore reached the Carolina 1 but was set back by penalties and eventually missed a field-goal attempt.p/Cornerback Chris Gamble didn't have a stellar night, giving up a 42-yard pass to Ravens receiver Kelley Washington and picking up an illegal-hands-to-the-face penalty.p/The defense, which gave up 421 yards, is still adjusting to scheme changes by new defensive coordinator Ron Meeks.p/We have miles to go to get better, but I think we'll reach that point, said defensive tackle Damione Lewis.p/You want to be out there and play hands-down football every week you step out on that field. You don't want to go out and not tackle well and give up 400-and-some yards. No defense wants to do that. I don't care if it's a preseason game or you're playing in a parking lot.p/Carolina's first-team offense wasn't able to score a touchdown against the Ravens' starters despite having Pro Bowl wide receiver Steve Smith in the lineup for the first time during the preseason.p/The Panthers' best drive with quarterback Jake Delhomme in the game came late in the third quarter after Baltimore had inserted its second-team defense. Buoyed by a 38-yard pass to Muhsin Muhammad, Delhomme got the Panthers to the Baltimore 7 by the time the quarter ended.p/Josh McCown took over at quarterback at the start of the fourth quarter and overcame three consecutive penalties to finish off the possession with a score. p/Carolina's long-awaited first touchdown came on a 1-yard run by Decori Birmingham with 11minutes, 34seconds left.p/Delhomme completed 11 of 16 passes for 180 yards, including a 31-yard completion over the middle to tight end Jeff King and a 26-yard catch-and-run to Smith.p/Smith showed no ill effects from the bruised shoulder that kept him out of the first two exhibitions, catching two passes for 37 yards. He was penalized 15 yards for stiff-arming a defender in the facemask, but he quickly apologized to the Ravens. He and Delhomme nearly connected on a deep pass of about 40 yards.p/With Williams and Stewart out, rookie running back Mike Goodson had his most extensive playing time of the preseason and shined at times. He gained 52 yards on 11 rushes and caught three passes for 26 yards.p/Goodson's preseason play has been one of the Panthers' August high points. He appears to give them a very solid No. 3 option.p/That's especially important given Stewart hasn't practiced in about three weeks as questions continue to grow about whether his regular-season availability will be affected by the ongoing soreness in his Achilles.p/McCown had by far his most impressive performance of the preseason, completing two of four passes for 40 yards. p/Pro Bowl defensive end Julius Peppers, who didn't appear on the stat sheet last week, had a tackle and had a near-sack hit on Flacco that led to an incompletion.p/Rookie end Everette Brown, the Panthers' top draft pick (No.43 overall) continues to flash outstanding pass-rush ability.p/The Panthers are scheduled to make their first cuts Tuesday when they're required to trim their roster from 80 to 75. Their final exhibition will be Thursday night at home against Pittsburgh.p/Charles Chandler: 704-358-5123 or @CharlesChandler on Twitter.

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[SmootsDaddy89]

nannerpuss quit being such a naysayer.