Carolina Slips Two Spots in Power Rankings

ESPN.com has released their weekly Power Rankings, and the Carolina Panthers have slipped two spots this week, from 12 to 14.  The Panthers were steadily climbing up the Power Rankings early in the season, but since Jake Delhomme went down with an elbow injury, David Carr hasn’t don’t much to let the analysts at ESPN think that their ascension will continue.  After an ugly, brutal loss to Tampa Bay on Sunday, the Carolina locker room appeared to be in disarray.  Gone is the optimism of the preseason, bringing with it all the accolades for the new offensive coordinator and the upbeat attitude of the team.

Replacing the smiles and joviality of the preseason are locker room tirades and indictments.   Players are calling out the team.  Team leaders are calling out the coaches.  And in the middle of it all, you have David Carr under center.  John Fox is going to have to work some serious magic to get this team back on track.  At 2-2, the Carolina Panthers’ season is far from over, and yet they’re behaving as though they wheels have completely come off of the wagon.  This teams needs an attitude adjustment, and quickly, otherwise they may come to find that their season has gotten away from them.  With all the talent on this team, that would truly be a waste.
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More News On Delhomme Surgery Watch

In a story that I will basically begin from here until eternity referring to as the “Carolina Panthers Suicide Watch,” Jake Delhomme has said a bit more about his injured elbow.  Delhomme initially said that his elbow injury would not require surgery.  Apparently what he meant to say was that it won’t require surgery yet.  Delhomme is taking part in what has been termed a “rigorous rehabilitation program” on his throwing elbow, and is hopeful that he avoid surgery and return this season.  However, surgery is still a looming possibility, and it becomes clearer with every new story that Delhomme is really just feeling this out and taking things one day at a time with his elbow.

Meanwhile, Carolina fans are gripping hard.  After being subjected to book 2 chapter 1 of “David Car Under Center in the NFL,” the faithful fans of the Panthers are on nearly constant prayer vigil for a miracle to occur in Jake Delhomme’s throwing elbow.  Season ending surgery for Delhomme means that the Panthers will be sidled with a quarterback who can’t find Steve Smith deep, can’t check down fast enough to his other receivers, gets sacked a lot, and will allow defenses to stack the box and kill your running game.  Congratulations, Carolina.  Thanks for playing.  I mean, there’s still a very slim possibility that Carr will wake up one day this week and actually be a good NFL quarterback, but so far, that day has yet to come.  Here’s hoping Delhomme’s rehab goes extremely well.

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Panthers Lose to Bucs, Delhomme May Require Surgery

In a double-whammy of bad luck, Coach John Fox spoke to reporters Sunday after losing to the Bucs, and said that injured quarterback Jake Delhomme may indeed need surgery on his throwing elbow.  Delhomme did not play at all in the loss, and his backup David Carr stunk up the joint, completing less than 50% of his passes, throwing an interception and one screen pass that turned into a touchdown long after the outcome of the game had been decided.  Many members of the team had colorful commentary to pass along to the media in the Carolina locker room, deriding their own team for their lack of heart and effort.

With no timetable set for Jake Delhomme’s return, Carolina fans should get used to this type of outing from your team.  Just ask people in Houston what you should expect from the “David Carr era” on your team.  Though I once stuck up for David Carr, blaming bad blocking on his poor performance in Houston, Matt Schaub’s presence on that team has shown that the problem was not Houston’s offensive line, but rather their offensive leader.  Your team looked flat, played terrible football, and just couldn’t get anything going.  This begins and ends with the fact that David Carr is the man making the offensive decisions on the field.  And it was so bad after week 1, Steve Smith wouldn’t even talk about it to the media afterward.  Buckle up and hold tight, Carolina fans.  You’re in for a bumpy ride.

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