Don't Back Down

The first quarter of the 2007 season for the Carolina Panthers ended with a 2-2 record. Probably not as bad as it could be, but not as good either. The second quarter started with two victories, and at 4-2, things looked good. But then the bye week came and things went bad quickly. Two quick losses left the second quarter with a 2-2 record, and at the end of the first half we were 4-4.

Would things get better or worse in the third quarter? If Jake Delhomme was playing, then chances are decent that it gets better. Though many don't like to admit it, Jake is one heck of a fourth-quarter player. His third quarter may not be great, but the second half is where he shines, and he can play with the best of them, ugly passes and all. Unfortunately, Jake is gone for the season, Vinny Testaverde is aging by the minute, David Carr seems to be a total bust and for whatever reason, the coaches don't want to play Matt Moore. Who knows what will happen.

First up, we have Atlanta. Back when it may have mattered, DeAngelo Hall imploded and gave away the first game of the season series with three penalties for nearly 70 yards - on one drive. This time, our defense looks like it has some life, though there are signs that Julius Peppers has gone completely missing. The offense meanwhile is MIA, the slide continues with a 20-13 loss and a 4-5 record. Michael Vick who?

Next we get the Packers. In Green Bay. As it gets cold. Don't even think about it. Steve Beuerlein is nowhere in site for a last-minute touchdown dive, and it wouldn't matter anyway. A pooch punt is returned for a touchdown, Steve Smith sits out, Drew Carter acts like he actually wants to play football (even if it is in the closing minutes), and the 30-17 final says it all. Can you say 4-6? Who says Brett Favre is old? He might play as long as Vinny.

New Orleans comes to town, and maybe we have a chance. Right. Vinny is out and we get to see just how bad David Carr really is. Those years in Houston made him skittish, and now we're paying him like a starter to show us. Lame. Moore does get clean-up duty, but it's too late to do anything in a 31-6 loss. Yuck. 5 losses in a row, 4-7.

Finally, the 49ers. A team we can beat. I hope. They were on a losing streak of their own, which they just snapped, meaning they should have no reason to beat us. It's out of their system. And it is. The defense roars to life, recording six - count 'em, six! - sacks, an interception returned for a touchdown, a decent running game, and the offense doesn't stink. They aren't great, but they aren't bad. The quarterback? Vinny. Moore is active as #2, and Carr is #3. Tell me that isn't rich. Probably the last win of the year, and we're sitting high on the hog at 5-7.

What does this mean?

It means Carr is a total bust. When Moore comes in after training camp and gets the #2 gig, and Carr is demoted to #3, it means that the coaches made a mistake. I don't care what John Fox says.

It means that DeAngelo Williams rocks, and the coaches are noticing. Should have listened to me rather than waiting on DeShaun Foster to take a breather.

It means that Jon Beason is an animal, and we're lucky that Dan Morgan is so beat up that he is out for the year. Morgan is a stand-up guy, and I wish him well, but Beason in the middle is the best thing that's happened this year on the defense.

It means that Richard Marshall needs to be moved above Chris Gamble on the depth chart. Sure, both of them had an interception on Sunday, and Gamble had a cast - but Marshall is a machine, and he's been all over the field. Plus, his went for a touchdown. Gamble would better serve as a part-time player. Let him earn his job.