Thoughts from the Giants game.

[mountainpantherfan]

First off, let me say that was one hell of a game and I am very proud of the Panthers. The media isn't going to say this but the Panther proved that they are amoung the best in the NFL right now.

With that being said, here are some of my thoughts on the game...

-DeAngelo Williams is the best running back in the NFL right now. He is a play maker. I like Stewart but right now Williams is far and away the better back. So why take him out on every other sereris? Allow him to get in a rythmn and continue to use him. I understand trying to keep both back healthy and not overuse them before the playoffs but you play to win the game.

-I really like what Davidson has done with the running game and the offensive line. I like his on the field approach. But damn it I do miss Hennings obsession with getting Steve Smith the ball or more accurately, getting the ball in the hands of the play makers. Why were there not more passes to the running backs? Ever time Delhomme checked down to Williams or Stewart it resulted in a big play. And where was Steve Smith in the 2nd half? I really do like the running game but in order to win in January Davidson and company are going to have to adjust their philosiphy and understand that Smith needs the ball at the end of games.

-We missed Kemo big time. Yes, Fox played his conservative style of football in the second half and that did probably coast the Panthers the game. However, you cannot expect a coach and a team to chance their philosiphy 15 games into the season. If Kemo had played, I really believe Carolina wins this one and the philosiphy would have worked perfectly.

-Jake played an absolute brillant game. I don't recall any pass that was too high or to low. A couple of passes I was holding my breath but thats Jake and you have to take that with the good. Very good sign for the playoffs.

-The special teams played really good. Man, we almost recovered a muffed punt inside the 20. That would have won the game but that just seemed to be the way the ball bounced during after the half. And the Kasay FG was good, good, good, what the hell, maybe still good, no good. Not his fault. Again, just the way the ball bounced tonight.

-Ken Lucas. Wow, what to say. I really to apprechiate how he handled himself in training game and I think overall he is a really good guy but when it comes to be being a football player, he just isn't getting the job done right now. And I'm saying this believing that Marshall is a good player but not ready to be a starter yet. Which brings me to my last comment.

-While the offense isn't perfect, the moves made in the offseason where genius and this group has some impressive years to come. The defense however is now in the state the offense was in after the 2005 season. It needs an overhaul. And now is the best time to do it as your defensive leaders are all younger guys now. No doubt there is a solid core of young, talented, vocal leaders on this team. But the defensive line and maybe even more importantly the backup/role players need upgrading. How can the Panthers do this with little FA dollars and no 1st round pick? I don't know. But if the Panthers are going to win a championship anytime soon, they are going to have to find a way.

Again, this was a great game by the Panthers. My wife asked if I was pissed after the game and I looked at her and said no, I'm sad. I think the Panthers showed us a lot tonight. They showed they have a lot of talent. They showed that they have a lot of heart. Unfortunately, I think they also showed they are a close but not there yet.

I'm not sure what will happen next Sunday. Maybe the Panthers are the 2nd seed. Maybe they are a wild card. Either way, this has been a great season and no matter what happened tonight or what happens going foward, this team is in a good position moving forward.

[PhillyB]

fantastic analysis. i'm disappointed, but far from despair. it was a well-fought game, and it could've gone either way to the very end. both teams will make deep playoff runs... hopefully carolina just a bit further

[fieryprophet]

First off, let me say that was one hell of a game and I am very proud of the Panthers. The media isn't going to say this but the Panther proved that they are amoung the best in the NFL right now.

With that being said, here are some of my thoughts on the game...

-DeAngelo Williams is the best running back in the NFL right now. He is a play maker. I like Stewart but right now Williams is far and away the better back. So why take him out on every other sereris? Allow him to get in a rythmn and continue to use him. I understand trying to keep both back healthy and not overuse them before the playoffs but you play to win the game.

-I really like what Davidson has done with the running game and the offensive line. I like his on the field approach. But damn it I do miss Hennings obsession with getting Steve Smith the ball or more accurately, getting the ball in the hands of the play makers. Why were there not more passes to the running backs? Ever time Delhomme checked down to Williams or Stewart it resulted in a big play. And where was Steve Smith in the 2nd half? I really do like the running game but in order to win in January Davidson and company are going to have to adjust their philosiphy and understand that Smith needs the ball at the end of games.

-We missed Kemo big time. Yes, Fox played his conservative style of football in the second half and that did probably coast the Panthers the game. However, you cannot expect a coach and a team to chance their philosiphy 15 games into the season. If Kemo had played, I really believe Carolina wins this one and the philosiphy would have worked perfectly.

-Jake played an absolute brillant game. I don't recall any pass that was too high or to low. A couple of passes I was holding my breath but thats Jake and you have to take that with the good. Very good sign for the playoffs.

-The special teams played really good. Man, we almost recovered a muffed punt inside the 20. That would have won the game but that just seemed to be the way the ball bounced during after the half. And the Kasay FG was good, good, good, what the hell, maybe still good, no good. Not his fault. Again, just the way the ball bounced tonight.

-Ken Lucas. Wow, what to say. I really to apprechiate how he handled himself in training game and I think overall he is a really good guy but when it comes to be being a football player, he just isn't getting the job done right now. And I'm saying this believing that Marshall is a good player but not ready to be a starter yet. Which brings me to my last comment.

-While the offense isn't perfect, the moves made in the offseason where genius and this group has some impressive years to come. The defense however is now in the state the offense was in after the 2005 season. It needs an overhaul. And now is the best time to do it as your defensive leaders are all younger guys now. No doubt there is a solid core of young, talented, vocal leaders on this team. But the defensive line and maybe even more importantly the backup/role players need upgrading. How can the Panthers do this with little FA dollars and no 1st round pick? I don't know. But if the Panthers are going to win a championship anytime soon, they are going to have to find a way.

Again, this was a great game by the Panthers. My wife asked if I was pissed after the game and I looked at her and said no, I'm sad. I think the Panthers showed us a lot tonight. They showed they have a lot of talent. They showed that they have a lot of heart. Unfortunately, I think they also showed they are a close but not there yet.

I'm not sure what will happen next Sunday. Maybe the Panthers are the 2nd seed. Maybe they are a wild card. Either way, this has been a great season and no matter what happened tonight or what happens going foward, this team is in a good position moving forward.

I agree with a lot you said, but I don't know about the "feed the stud" mentality people have about Smith. Yes, he's absolutely brilliant, but the problem is that every teams knows this. Smith is happy with a W, anyway it comes. Super Bowl winning teams ALWAYS run the ball first. Having Smith is that wild card that works when you spring him on a team, but it works best when they're already freaking about stopping your runs.

[chbright]

3rd quarter jake was off. couple bad balls to moose. wind was in his face and they were down the field though. a few others that should likely been ints. had a good/fair game. completely went away from smith in the 2nd half. still a head scratcher, yet the running game was there, just not quite enough to get us to 3rd and really short.

as for davidson not getting the ball to smitty, that was quite a huge part of the 1st half actually. 2nd half as i said other than the penalty he was a non factor.

defense has athletes, and at times they play as a good unit. tonight that wasnt the case. godfrey is a weak link, as is lucus at times. lucus is generally a solid tackler atleast.

crossman's units did good, kasey well, said enough about that for the night. jones was solid yet again, no top gear, but gets up the field well. coverage very good.

on D, we need a happy jenks type. thats the missing peice to the 4-3 we have. we dont get the consistant push even with maake, who is a run specialist. we need that every down disrupter back. lewis isnt it, hayden can get back to PS. we had to run 3 DEs out there with hayden at times.

near the end i saw alot of this DL: johnson, hayden, brayton, and peppers. not good, and that didnt help. still didnt tackle and had too many guys try to fill 1 gap, leaving others wide open.

[Chaos]

To draw a parallel if I may, the Steelers were getting just as much hype on the AFC side, if not more, and they went into TN with more favorable weather conditions, and got beat the hell up. I feel pretty good about our team and what will be addressed and improved from tonight's game.

[fieryprophet]

To draw a parallel if I may, the Steelers were getting just as much hype on the AFC side, if not more, and they went into TN with more favorable weather conditions, and got beat the hell up. I feel pretty good about our team and what will be addressed and improved from tonight's game.

People complain about closes losses (probably because the game came down to a few critical plays) but I'm much happier with our game than the Steelers. They got flat-out punched in the gut.

[Hotsauce]

I "thought" I was going to cry after the game.

[Snake]

I feel coaching lost us this game. This is the only difference from the first to the second half. Its a lot harder to throw on 3rd an 11 then it is on 2nd and 9. JMO though.

[mountainpantherfan]

To draw a parallel if I may, the Steelers were getting just as much hype on the AFC side, if not more, and they went into TN with more favorable weather conditions, and got beat the hell up. I feel pretty good about our team and what will be addressed and improved from tonight's game.

I agree. This team has played very well this season including tonights game. Several weeks back though I said I didn't think this team was ready yet to win the Super Bowl. While I believe they are one of the top 5 teams in the NFL, I still don't think they will have what it takes to win a championship this year. But compared to where this team was the past two seasons, no fan should be disappointed with the product we are seeing on the field right now.

[Snake]

I agree. This team has played very well this season including tonights game. Several weeks back though I said I didn't think this team was ready yet to win the Super Bowl. While I believe they are one of the top 5 teams in the NFL, I still don't think they will have what it takes to win a championship this year. But compared to where this team was the past two seasons, no fan should be disappointed with the product we are seeing on the field right now.

If its not this year its 3 or 4 years from now cause we are not gonna be that good next year IMO. No money + No 1st round pick = same result.

[mountainpantherfan]

I feel coaching lost us this game. This is the only difference from the first to the second half. Its a lot harder to throw on 3rd an 11 then it is on 2nd and 9. JMO though.

If you are refering to the offensive coaching, I could disagree more. The offense all but won this game. Now the defensive adjustments, or lack thereof, is what cost the Panthers the game. Put I still don't know I would put that on the coaches especially after Lewis went out. Hard to stop a top 5 rushing team with out either of your starting DTs.

[mountainpantherfan]

If its not this year its 3 or 4 years from now cause we are not gonna be that good next year IMO. No money + No 1st round pick = same result.

Just playing devils advocate...wasn't that the same storyline for the Dolphines and Falcons entering the season?

[chbright]

Just playing devils advocate...wasn't that the same storyline for the Dolphines and Falcons entering the season?

um nope, they actually had top 1st round picks (1 and 4 or 5), and had big FAs come in (turner pennington as it turns out). plus they both had coaching changes for the better.

we are closer than both, if we can get keep the core guys (ie resign gross and pep), and find a good DT, like a happy jenkins. another runstuffer would work for depth (as tonight showed), but an all around guy would help alot more. i am hoping raji or marks falls to us (and we move up to get 1 if they do). thats what our line is really missing. we have pep, and 3 role players on the line. a runstuffer, a pass rusher (lewis), and situational DEs (brayton is playing better, but not great, johnson is ok). the happy jenks is whats missing from that stellar 03 front line. and i like the lbs better. better safety and CBs too.

[mountainpantherfan]

um nope, they actually had top 1st round picks (1 and 4 or 5), and had big FAs come in (turner pennington as it turns out). plus they both had coaching changes for the better.

Yeah, you're right about their draft picks but going into the offseason most were saying the Falcons and Dolphines didn't have the money to sign any FAs but turned out they made some moves to sign some and they also made some trades to get extra picks in the draft.

we are closer than both, if we can get keep the core guys (ie resign gross and pep), and find a good DT, like a happy jenkins. another runstuffer would work for depth (as tonight showed), but an all around guy would help alot more. i am hoping raji or marks falls to us (and we move up to get 1 if they do). thats what our line is really missing. we have pep, and 3 role players on the line. a runstuffer, a pass rusher (lewis), and situational DEs (brayton is playing better, but not great, johnson is ok). the happy jenks is whats missing from that stellar 03 front line. and i like the lbs better. better safety and CBs too.

I agree keeping Gross is vidal. They need to keep that offensive core together.

I know most on here think that losing Peppers is not even an option and I am probalby going to get blasted for this but trading Peppers might be the better option. That along with releasing Lucas and Lewis. By doing this you clear out a lot of cap space as well as gain probably a 1st and 2nd round pick.

I don't want to lose Peppers but right now how do you make that line better after sending a lot of money re-signing him. If Hurney can find a way to do it then I'm all for it but the classic "returning 20 of 22 starters" isn't going to make this team better.