Keyshawn Sounds Off
Keyshawn Johnson has long been known for a few things above all others. He’s a very good receiver, and has some of the best hands in the NFL. He’s a big, strong guy who’s also known for his aggressive blocking and overall physical style of play. He’s also a guy who isn’t afraid to speak his mind.
Keyshawn spoke his mind again today in a Charlotte newspaper, stating that the Panthers’ disappointing season may be partly a result of some team members “buying into the hype” that had the Panthers as favorites in the NFC. Whether these statements have a negative effect on the Panthers’ game against New Orleans remains to be seen, but overall, players speaking their minds in the media is not a good thing.
Coach John Fox has had to deal with several injuries, and it’s a credit to him that the Panthers are still in the playoff hunt, but if playoff tickets are going to be available for Panthers fans, they will have to travel and several games this weekend will have to fall in their favor.
Carolina Panthers will use DeAngelo Shuffle
Should we expect to see the DeAngelo shuffle in this weekend’s game against the New Orleans Saints? The Carolina Panthers had the worst third-down conversion rate going into last weekend’s game. So, they pulled a “sleeper move” and snapped the ball to running back DeAngelo Williams eight times. Seven out of those eight times, Williams ran the ball for a first time. So the trick worked. And given that the Panthers may as of yet have a shot at making it to the playoffs, you better believe they’ll try the move again when they take on the Saints on Sunday.
In order for the move to be effective, Williams needs to warm up to the idea of passing the ball. That way he’ll be able to keep the Saints guessing and hopefully, tripping over themselves in an attempt to stop him. Passing the ball is something Williams is not opposed to. “I’ve got an arm,” he said. “I’ve got to warm up though.” With Jake Delhomme back in the lineup for the season finale, the Panthers may still have a shot at making the post season. They just better play like it.
Are Any Panthers Playing or Coaching for their Jobs Sunday?
Coming into the 2006 NFL season, the Panthers were the trendy choice to represent the NFC in the Super Bowl. There were several reasons for this notion. The Panthers have been there recently, they have a veteran and talented team, a fearsome defense and a QB who has a knack for pulling out wins.
However, the season didn’t play out that way, as the Panthers need a win and a lot of help to even qualify for the last playoff spot in the NFC. Generally, this has to be considered a disappointment, and there are several reasons for the Panthers’ record. Local bloggers have been following the team, and it’s getting somewhat nasty in Charlotte.
Players who could be playing for their long-term future include Mike Rucker, Jake Delhomme and others, but it says here that John Fox should be safe - he’s had too much success with the team, and dismissing him would be a big mistake.
Carolina Panthers Playoff Chances Remain Alive
Despite a season of disappointments, the Carolina Panthers still have a prayer of making the playoffs. The Panthers will travel to New Orleans this weekend to take on the New Orleans Saints. In a game of do-or-die, the Panthers can clinch a wildcard spot to the playoffs with a win – and assuming a few other games go their way.
The other news is that Jake Delhomme has been upgraded to probable for this weekend’s game after missing the last three to a thumb injury. The challenge for the Panthers is to overcome their NFL’s worst third-down conversion rate. The Panthers seemed to find a solution last weekend, snapping the ball directly to DeAngelo Williams who would then run the ball. The tactic worked seven times in eight attempts. When asked if the Panthers might try the same thing this weekend, Jake Delhomme said, Hey, this week if we can run the ball 50-something times and throw it seven and come out with a win, I promise I’ll be the one with the biggest smile in the locker room.”
But here is what has to happen in order for the Carolina Panthers to go to the playoffs.
Washington must beat the New York Giants on Saturday at 8 p.m.
Carolina must beat New Orleans on Sunday at 1 p.m.
Chicago must beat Green Bay on Sunday at 8:15 p.m
Carolina Panthers vs. New Orleans Saints
The Carolina Panthers managed to break out of their losing slump this weekend, winning 10-3 against the Atlanta Falcons. The Panthers ran the ball an astounding 52 times, following a mantra of “run the ball, run the ball, run the ball.” In fact, the Panthers ran the ball 12 times before ever calling a passing play. The strategy worked, as the Panthers managed to eat up the clock and pull off a win against a Falcons squad that has also had a disappointing season. The Panthers will take on the New Orleans Saints in their regular season finale this weekend.
This was truly the first intriguing game all season says Sam Perkins for Most Valuable Network. With Jake Delhomme still injured, Chris Weinke picked up his first win though the Panthers made it clear that he is only their quarterback out of necessity, not choice. The Panthers played some old-school football, pounding the Falcons defense with a relentless running game. Heck, the Panthers offense lined-up several times in goal-line formation and had DeAngelo Williams receive the snap. While it is still possible for the Panthers to make the playoffs, the odds are stacked against the Panthers at this point.
Carolina Panthers Top Atlanta Falcons
The Carolina Panthers today snapped a four-game losing streak, beating the Atlanta Falcons by a score of 10-3 and all but ending the Falcons’ playoff hopes. The Panthers have already been eliminated from the playoffs, falling out of contention with their four-game slide. Panthers quarterback Chris Weinke credited his first win in five years to the Panthers’ emphasis on the running game, something that has been missing all season.
Weinke completed only 4 of 7 passes for 32 yards, but that included a 1-yard scoring pass to Jeff King that would be the only touchdown Carolina needed to win. The win snapped a four-game losing streak for the Panthers and a 17-game losing streak for Weinke. With the focus on the running game, the Panthers controlled the ball for 41 minutes, 47 seconds compared to only 18 minutes, 13 seconds for the Falcons. He directed a devastating first-half touchdown drive that last 10 minutes, 36 seconds in which he called 12 straight running plays before throwing his first pass. Carolina ran for 183 yards.
Michael Vick, on the other side of the ball, became the only quarterback in NFL history to rush for over 1,000 yards in a single-season.
Pittsburgh Steelers Dash Panthers Playoff Hopes
The Carolina Panthers have been disappointing all season and today’s slaughter at the hands of the Pittsburgh Steelers was the final straw. With Jake Delhomme still out because of a thumb injury, the hapless Carolina Panthers offense was no match for the Steelers as Pittsburgh held the Panthers to only 3 points while scoring 37 of their own. The Panthers now hold a record of 6-8 and have been eliminated from the playoffs. The Panthers have now lost four straight games and have two games left in the regular season at the Atlanta Falcons and the New Orleans Saints.
It looked like the Carolina Panthers might be able to get something going at the start of the second half. Playing for the injured Delhomme, Chris Weinke threw to Keyshawn Johnson who caught the ball at the Steelers’ 35-yard line and scraped his feet inbounds before falling out of bounds. The officials signaled the first-down, but then the Steelers challenged the call and the officials then reversed their decision. The Panthers were moved back to midfield on third down and nine. Weinke was sacked, and thus ended the Panthers’ hopes of rallying and keeping their post-season hopes alive.
Carolina Panthers Tickets
The Carolina Panthers play their final home game this weekend at 1:00 p.m. against the Pittsburgh Steelers. Carolina Panthers Tickets are still available to the game but fans need to hurry if they wish to pick them up through Stubhub.com. Right now, the spread is anywhere from $148 to $399. With prices down right now, this is a great opportunity to catch the Panthers.
Jake Delhomme’s condition will likely remain in question up until game time after the quarterback injured his thumb two weeks ago. As we’re coming to the end of a season that has a let down from the very start (remember those Panthers losing the first two until Steven Smith returned?), we have to start wondering who is going to be the scapegoat for this season that got away. For a team that was expected to make it all the way to the Super Bowl, we ought to expect some sort of shakeup in the off-season. As much of a let-down this season has been, some fans keep holding onto the absurd faith that the Panthers could still make the playoffs. Given that they are now one game back in the wildcard, AND 0-4 this season against NFC East teams, the Panthers are effectively done.
Take advantage of the low price on Panthers tickets. Catch a game.
Carolina Panthers Clinging to Playoff Hopes
The Carolina Panthers do not have many chances left to clinch a spot in the NFL post-season. Carolina Panthers Tickets remain for those wishing to catch the Panther’s last home game of the season on December 17 when they will take on the Pittsburgh Steelers. Tickets cost anywhere from $46 to $2,100 and will be available through Stubhub.com for the remainder of the week.
Though the Carolina Panthers opened the 2006 season on the short list of legitimate postseason contenders, their positive aura has long since disappeared. The Panthers, now missing their quarterback and top two cornerbacks, have been reduced to a mix of mediocrity and desperation. Now at 6-7, the Panthers are wondering just where things went wrong. They made it all the way to the NFC Championship game last year and then signed wide receiver Keyshawn Johnson in the off-season to give them the last piece they needed to complete the win-it-all puzzle. But even with Johnson in the game, the Panthers have not been able to put up the offense needed to win.
Drew Carter, who made a tremendous catch the other day that sent the fans at Bank of America stadium into an uproar, was in disbelief after the game when his team fell to 6-7. “We definitely wanted to win this game and it’s kind of hard right now.”
Carolina Panthers lose to New York Giants
The New York Giants managed to snap their skid today against none-other than the Carolina Panthers, winning by a score of 27-13 against a Panthers squad that was missing quarterback Jake Delhomme due to a thumb injury incurred last week. Carolina Panthers Tickets are available to the next home game on December 17 against the Pittsburgh Steelers. Tickets prices range anywhere from $46 to $2,100 on Stubhub.com. Carolina, now 6-7, dropped one game back in the Wild Card hunt.
Eli Manning, quarterback for the New York Giants, threw for 172 yards and three touchdown passes as the Giants snapped their four-game losing streak. The Giants are now 7-6 and in a three-way tie with Atlanta and Philadelphia for the NFC Wild Card. Chris Weinke started in place of the injured Delhomme and seemed to be in a hurry to make up for lost ground, completing 34-of-61 passes for a club-record 423 yards and a touchdown. He was intercepted three times.
Time could very easily be running out for the Carolina Panthers, who have now lost three in a row. Keyshawne Johnson said before the game that this was a “one-and-done” game. Win, and the Panthers still have a shot. Lose, and their season is done.