MVN - Most Valuable Network

Learning from Tampa Bay and looking ahead

*Sigh*

The 2007 season is finally over after lingering for about eight games more than anyone had wanted. The 31-23 victory against the Bucs provided an interesting game to try out some new things. So, on top of every other game of the season WITHOUT JAKE DELHOMME (because Carolina was switched on with him at quarterback), what did we learn from the Tampa Bay game?

*Matt Moore is the second-string quarterback. After all, he was the NFL Offensive Rookie of the Month! The guy has potential, and at this point, he has ingrained himself as the second-string quarterback. Things can certainly change with the draft and training camp ahead, but assuming Delhomme is back next season in the same form as the beginning of this season, Moore has proven himself to be the guy to back up (if not start over in the future) Delhomme.
We didn’t exactly learn this from the Tampa Bay game, but it’s as obvious as it could be at this point — David Carr is out. Why haven’t we cut him yet?
A note to John Fox: Pushing to cut Carr would be a great, simple way to demonstrate a good coaching mind.

*It’s time for DeAngelo Williams to get a majority of the carries. I’ve been hesitant on Williams. He’s not exacty a between-the-tackles built guy. He’s more like Eagles running back Brian Westbrook — short and speedy with incredible agility. But he proved himself against the Bucs (as well as against many other teams over the past couple seasons), demonstrating that his peak potential is higher than DeShaun Foster’s. Williams carried 20 times for 121 yards and two touchdowns.
At the beginning of next season, Carolina should maybe begin with a 50/50 split in carries. Use Foster for the hard pounding up the middle. It’s where he excels — dragging numerous defenders with him. Anyhow, about to go into his third season, Williams ought to be at the top of the depth chart now.

*It’s time for Richard Marshall to start. This is fairly obvious. Marshall had nine solo tackles, a sack and an interception against Tampa Bay. On the season, with only six starts in 16 games, he had 89 tackles (79 solo), three interceptions and a sack. He’s a second-year man like Williams, just with even less uncertainty on whether he should play more.
Of course, the big question with this is who do you demote: Chris Gamble or Ken Lucas? Lucas had 61 tackles (57 solo) and two interceptions on 16 starts. Gamble had 47 tackles (42 solo) and one interception in 15 games, although only 12 were starts. He was stuck playing quite a few games with one hand wrapped up in a cast, making him ineffective on many plays. One answer might be to keep a fairly even split in time among the three corner backs. Or, move Gamble to safety for a good many plays (as has been discussed in the past). This is because…

*The free safety position is still somewhat unsettled. Chris Harris at least gave us a solid man at strong safety. He had 96 tackles (76 solo), an interception and eight forced fumbles. Yeah, he’ll be back. However, free safety is still up in the air. Deke Cooper didn’t exactly show great or consistent play. He was decent but not quite what you want. The loss of Nate Salley at the beginning of the year hurt, too. Quinton Teal looked about as good when he stepped in. And Marquand Manuel actually looked like the best guy at the position when he entered. But it’s not clearcut. This is a position that, if Carolina address in free agency or the draft with a great coverage guy, could do wonders for helping stop the passing game.

*Wide receivers are still scattered. No one fully stepped up to really take the pressure off Steve Smith, but Drew Carter is almost there and is the No. 2 guy for now. The tall speedster had the best season of his career, with 38 receptions for 517 yards and four touchdowns. He’s improved every season in receptions, yards and touchdowns, so next season could be HUGE for him, especially given that he will have had a complete season under his belt (although he began as the No. 3 receiver behind Keary “I’ll give half a season of effort and tease people” Colbert. Rookie Dwayne Jarrett could develop… or not. Hey, Chad Johnson and Javon Walker want out. They don’t really have the character Carolina usually likes to bring in, but at this point, the Panthers realize they need someone almost equally as threatening as Smith in order for Smith to be threatening at all.

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In 2007, injuries were once again the downfall for the Panthers. Thus, at this point, I really would not worry about losing John Fox. There’s already such a rush to find new coaches in the NFL, Jerry Richardson really does not want to enter that market. Marty Hurney is probably safe, too. Carolina’s development and recent draft picks have been great. Just look at DeAngelo Williams, Jon Beason and Richard Marshall among many others.

Carolina will pick [hopefully lucky number] 13 in the draft April 26-27. The complete, tentative list can be seen here: 2008 NFL Draft Order. More to come on what Carolina will do and needs to do in three short months to get back on the playoff track.

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Some ranting…

*I hope New England gets to the Super Bowl and is promptly whooped by Green Bay or the Washington Redskins (I like those two NFC teams). Were the Patriots to lose in the AFC playoffs, San Diego, Indianapolis and Jacksonville would all be teams it would be great to see win in Foxboro.

*Some more New England dissing: Tom Brady is the MVP?   Uh, David Carr could put up Brady’s numbers if you suddenly have that receiving corps and offensive line.  Yeah, I said it.  When your receivers run perfect routes and always manage to get open — not to mention, they don’t tip a ball on a missed reception, thereby opening up for an interception.  The Patriots’ success — assuming it’s even worthy of being considered credible — was a team effort.  It’s not like Brady was that valuable a piece.  It’s a professional football system.  And Brady is lucky to be in it.  And should be castrated for his personality.  Can someone slap that weird smile off his face?  Here’s some humble pie, Brady — try being content with Bridgette Moynahan!

*And just one more rant: Can all Boston fans please now shut up and quit whining?  All your sports teams are doing an incredible job (at least the Celtics are doing it honestly; thanks to steroids in baseball, we can’t know about the RedSox, although it sounds like that entire sport is tainted).  Go Celtics (you’ve suffered in recent years).  Shut up otherwise, you spoiled brats.

*Might I be saying this had there not been a Spygate?  Eh, possibly, but not this passionately.  New England, you should have been further punished for coming so close (and with some success) to tainting what is America’s most prestigious sport, and an untainted one at that.

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