MVN - Most Valuable Network

Panthers Defense, Special Teams Succumb to Kubiak’s Potent Texans Offense and Kick Coverage

Did Kubiak have some video of the Panthers defensive play calling? Just kidding.

The game was like a Greek tragedy — you had the build-up in the first quarter, going up 14-0 in less than 10 minutes. Then the protagonist (Carolina, at least for its fans) fell hard as Houston answered, driving 34 straight points through the Panthers defense and special teams like the tip of a sword through a shield-less warrior.

I’m not sure where to start because this was such a weird game. There were some brilliant flashes, but they became lost in a lot of dirt. Let’s start with…

THE GOOD

Jake Delhomme once again showed he is in excellent form. He went 27/41 for 307 yards, three touchdowns and only one interception. He probably should have had somewhere in the mid-30s for completions. There were so many dropped passes, many of which were dropped with little-to-no pressure. Steve Smith, Drew Carter and especially Keary Colbert were all culpable. At the very least, it’s great to know that Delhomme is doing his part and is not part of the problem. Not enough can be said for his consistency and smart play.

Smith is well on his way to that 2,000-yard goal he set for the season. To do that, he must average 125 yards a game and is at 135.5 yards a game right now. Sunday, he had eight receptions for 153 yards and three touchdowns. His first touchdown seemed like it would be the highlight of the game. Delhomme bulleted that quick, short pass where Smith hops up to get it. Instead, the ball ricocheted off of the cornerback and popped up into the air. However, with no safety around, Smith was able to get over and catch the ball as it came down. But that highlight would dull in comparison to what might be his highlight of the year.

At this point, the Panthers still had a bit of a shot to put up a few touchdowns and be in it as long as the defense could hold. In the fourth quarter, Delhomme threw a pass up the middle that was caught by Smith. Immediately, Houston made contact at the Carolina 33-yard line. Beastly linebacker DeMeco Ryans was on Smith’s back, but Smith shook him off like a bug. Then, a barrage of Texans descended upon Smith, but this was where his short stature and awing agility took charge. He ducked and wedged his way out from under the pile like something out of a cartoon. Throw on the afterburners, and no one was going to catch him on his way to a 74-yard touchdown. Unreal. (AP Photo/Chuck Burton)

Beyond Delhomme and Smith, the offense did well, but the never-tired Houston defense played at full intensity for all 60 minutes. Jeff King, Drew Carter and Keary Colbert made some nice catches and helped spread that defense some. Unfortunately though, the Houston front seven allowed for nothing on the ground. Outside of one 16-yard rush, DeAngelo Williams carried seven times for only 15 yards — barely two yards a carry.

DeShaun Foster was no better at 22 yards on nine carries. Houston just never let up. They often subbed in a completely fresh defense to go full intensity for a spell while the first-string caught their breath to go out and do the same thing. Rookie defensive tackle Amobi Okoye managed two sacks, four tackles and a forced fumble as he led the defensive line in applying constant pressure on Delhomme. But that’s not even…

THE BAD

The offense — or at least Smith and Delhomme — were able to get 21 hard-fought points, and that would be enough in most games. But the Carolina defense would set the bar too high for the Carolina offense. Houston quarterback Matt Schaub, under flawless direction from head coach and offensive guru Gary Kubiak, threaded 20/28 passes for 227 yards (it seemed like so many more) and two touchdowns.

Runningback Ahman Green provided relief, easily weaving his way to 71 yards on 15 carries. The Houston offensive line gave a performance astronomically better than anyone could expect. Schaub could have closed his eyes for two seconds before looking for an open receiver. Defensive end Julius Peppers was once again shut down and left without a sack, as was the defense as a whole.

Only one other part of the Panthers’ game was worse than the pass coverage. But first the pass coverage — or lack thereof. Safeties Chris Harris and Deke Cooper might as well have not been on the field. Cornerbacks Chris Gamble and Ken Lucas did a decent-enough job, but the safeties provided no support whatsoever. The Panthers should not have let Marlon McCree go after 2005. He provided great coverage as the Panthers reached the NFC Championship. Chris Harris was a decent pickup, but there must be some retention of players to help them get comfortable in the system and build some chemistry.

Granted, safety is a position in turmoil for Carolina and is new for both safeties, but this might be the time to sign another cornerback, bump cornerback Richard Marshall up the depth chart and shift Chris Gamble to safety, as had been considered in the past. Or convert Marshall to a safety. Any which way, there has got to be more pressure and better coverage in the secondary. And briefly at last, there’s…

THE UGLY

Finally, the most wretched part of Carolina’s game was not on offense or defense…but special teams. There are just no blocks being made on the kick and punt return squads. And fumbles result. Don’t blame Nick Goings for that kickoff-return fumble. One Texan was able to wrap him up deep while another was able to missile his helmet and knock the ball out. How was no one covering those guys? I’ve always wondered why Smith doesn’t go in to return punts or kickoffs more often, but without blocking, it really wouldn’t matter (although don’t put it past Smith to evade 11 on-coming tacklers).

LEARNING AND MOVING ON IN THE SEASON

Two games into this season, last season’s problems have resurfaced. Special teams can’t block or advance the ball. The defense is just too inconsistent. Steve Smith is still a vast a majority of the offense.

So, there are two key positives to note (I hate how most reporters don’t even mention the positives). First, Delhomme looks fantastic. If he keeps this up, he’s looking at a Pro Bowl season. Thus far, he’s 45/68 (66.2%) for 508 yards, six touchdowns and a lone interception. Run some math on that, and you have an astonishing 111.6 quarterback rating. He’s on pace for 4,064 passing yards, 48 touchdowns and only eight interceptions. He’s doing better than Peyton Manning and is even on track to come one TD shy of his single-season TD record! Then again, so is Carson Palmer after even just today’s performance.

Second, injuries are not plaguing the team. Everyone is healthy, and that allows for the maximum potential of Carolina to remain very, very high. Super Bowl-caliber high. However, the Panthers will end the season just as they are now — 8-8, a .500 team — and just as they did last year if they do not address the issues on defense and special teams. Those problems will do doubly good as better play from special teams will put the offense in a better position to score more points.

Carolina seemingly had this one, but after lying low for a quarter, Kubiak unleashed all hell from his play book and depth chart. It was just too overwhelming. One cannot forget that this is a surging Houston team that [right now] looks like it will easily fight for its first playoff spot, nonetheless first winning record. This is nothing like the Texans of years past. At least next week should provide relief as the Panthers begin their trek against three straight NFC South teams, traveling to Atlanta to take on a Falcons team destined and well on its way to a top draft pick in 2008.

P.S.

KEEP AN EYE OUT FOR THE PIECE ON TUESDAY NIGHT AFTER MY ONE-ON-ONE INTERVIEW WITH STEVE SMITH. I WILL BE IN CHARLOTTE ON TUESDAY INTERVIEWING HIM, SO DROP ME ANY QUESTIONS YOU MIGHT HAVE.

This entry was posted on Sunday, September 16th, 2007 at 8:39 pm and is filed under Uncategorized. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.