NFC South Archive: October 2009
Fox sheds some light on Wesley's hit
October, 20, 2009
10/20/09
6:26
PM ET
By
Pat Yasinskas | ESPN.com
Posted by ESPN.com’s Pat Yasinskas
I was listening to Sirius NFL Radio while driving this afternoon when something very unique happened. Carolina coach John Fox actually said something interesting.
I wish I hadn’t been driving because I wanted to write down what Fox said because that’s something that usually wasn’t worth doing in the six seasons I covered him as a beat reporter (although Fox is a very gregarious guy once the cameras and microphones go off).
Anyway, I’ll have to paraphrase what Fox said, but he shed some light on what happened in Sunday’s game when Dante Wesley blasted Tampa Bay punt returner Clifton Smith. Wesley was penalized, ejected and suspended for one game by the NFL.
Fox first made it clear that he wasn’t making excuses for Wesley and what the player did was wrong. But Fox provided some background on why Wesley might have hit Smith as he was lining up to attempt to field a punt.
Fox said on the previous punt, Smith had given a bit of a wave, although he didn’t call a fair catch. That wave was enough to cause Wesley, who was clear of blockers to slow down. Fox said Wesley was angry at himself for slowing down (and maybe he heard a little of that from the coaching staff?)
Fox said that stayed in Wesley’s mind on the next punt and might have caused him to be too aggressive.
I was listening to Sirius NFL Radio while driving this afternoon when something very unique happened. Carolina coach John Fox actually said something interesting.
I wish I hadn’t been driving because I wanted to write down what Fox said because that’s something that usually wasn’t worth doing in the six seasons I covered him as a beat reporter (although Fox is a very gregarious guy once the cameras and microphones go off).
Anyway, I’ll have to paraphrase what Fox said, but he shed some light on what happened in Sunday’s game when Dante Wesley blasted Tampa Bay punt returner Clifton Smith. Wesley was penalized, ejected and suspended for one game by the NFL.
Fox first made it clear that he wasn’t making excuses for Wesley and what the player did was wrong. But Fox provided some background on why Wesley might have hit Smith as he was lining up to attempt to field a punt.
Fox said on the previous punt, Smith had given a bit of a wave, although he didn’t call a fair catch. That wave was enough to cause Wesley, who was clear of blockers to slow down. Fox said Wesley was angry at himself for slowing down (and maybe he heard a little of that from the coaching staff?)
Fox said that stayed in Wesley’s mind on the next punt and might have caused him to be too aggressive.
Graham will have to take over at fullback for Bucs
October, 20, 2009
10/20/09
5:47
PM ET
By
Pat Yasinskas | ESPN.com
Posted by ESPN.com’s Pat Yasinskas
The Bucs announced this afternoon that fullback B.J. Askew has been placed on the injured-reserve list.
That means Earnest Graham, who had been a backup running back behind Cadillac Williams, will slide over and take Askew’s role as the starting fullback. The Bucs also signed cornerback Marcus McCauley and released cornerback Derrick Roberson. They later re-signed Roberson to the practice squad. Graham had shared backup running back duties with Derrick Ward, but it’s likely Ward will now get almost all the work as Williams’ backup.
Askew suffered neck injuries in a car accident last week. Speaking of car wrecks, the Bucs play the Patriots in London on Sunday.
The Bucs announced this afternoon that fullback B.J. Askew has been placed on the injured-reserve list.
That means Earnest Graham, who had been a backup running back behind Cadillac Williams, will slide over and take Askew’s role as the starting fullback. The Bucs also signed cornerback Marcus McCauley and released cornerback Derrick Roberson. They later re-signed Roberson to the practice squad. Graham had shared backup running back duties with Derrick Ward, but it’s likely Ward will now get almost all the work as Williams’ backup.
Askew suffered neck injuries in a car accident last week. Speaking of car wrecks, the Bucs play the Patriots in London on Sunday.
Posted by ESPN.com’s Pat Yasinskas
I’m on record as saying the New Orleans Saints are the best team in the NFL right now. But the four guys who do our ESPN.com power rankings don’t quite agree.
They rank New Orleans No. 2, just behind the Indianapolis Colts. I’ve got to give Jeff Chadiha and Matt Williamson lots of credit for voting the Saints in the top spot.
Mike Sando and John Clayton did not. Sando voted the Saints No. 2 and Clayton had them No. 3. Just a thought here and I’m not ordering you to do anything, but if Saints fans would like to vent, I’m certain Sando and Clayton would love to hear from you in their mailbags.
The Falcons moved up to No. 7, and those streaking Panthers moved up to No. 22. The Bucs held steady at No. 31, but that’s only because the St. Louis Rams are so solidly entrenched at No. 32.
I’m on record as saying the New Orleans Saints are the best team in the NFL right now. But the four guys who do our ESPN.com power rankings don’t quite agree.
They rank New Orleans No. 2, just behind the Indianapolis Colts. I’ve got to give Jeff Chadiha and Matt Williamson lots of credit for voting the Saints in the top spot.
Mike Sando and John Clayton did not. Sando voted the Saints No. 2 and Clayton had them No. 3. Just a thought here and I’m not ordering you to do anything, but if Saints fans would like to vent, I’m certain Sando and Clayton would love to hear from you in their mailbags.
The Falcons moved up to No. 7, and those streaking Panthers moved up to No. 22. The Bucs held steady at No. 31, but that’s only because the St. Louis Rams are so solidly entrenched at No. 32.
Posted by ESPN.com’s Pat Yasinskas
Some further proof that the Saints are no longer a finesse team: New Orleans is leading the NFL in takeaways.
You’ve got to be an aggressive defense to do that and the Saints are. They’ve got 15 takeaways (11 interceptions and four fumble recoveries). To show you the importance of this stat, the Saints and Falcons grade out very well in this category.
The Bucs and Panthers, the NFC South’s two teams with losing records, don’t fare well here at all.
Atlanta is tied for fourth in the league with 12 takeaways (five interceptions and seven fumble recoveries). The Bucs are tied for 17th with nine takeaways (six interceptions and three fumble recoveries).
The Panthers are tied for 28th with seven takeaways (three interceptions and four fumble recoveries).
Some further proof that the Saints are no longer a finesse team: New Orleans is leading the NFL in takeaways.
You’ve got to be an aggressive defense to do that and the Saints are. They’ve got 15 takeaways (11 interceptions and four fumble recoveries). To show you the importance of this stat, the Saints and Falcons grade out very well in this category.
The Bucs and Panthers, the NFC South’s two teams with losing records, don’t fare well here at all.
Atlanta is tied for fourth in the league with 12 takeaways (five interceptions and seven fumble recoveries). The Bucs are tied for 17th with nine takeaways (six interceptions and three fumble recoveries).
The Panthers are tied for 28th with seven takeaways (three interceptions and four fumble recoveries).
Sack differential tells big story in NFC South
October, 20, 2009
10/20/09
12:03
PM ET
By
Pat Yasinskas | ESPN.com
Posted by ESPN.com’s Pat Yasinskas
There is one statistic that clearly demonstrates the difference between the top two teams in the NFC South and the bottom two.
It’s sack differential -- that’s the difference between the number of sacks a team has recorded and the number it has allowed.
The Falcons and Saints excel in this category. The Falcons rank fourth in the league in this category with a plus-8 differential. They haven’t been anything special on the pass rush, recording only 10 sacks. But they’ve been phenomenal protecting Matt Ryan, who has been sacked only twice this season and hasn’t been sacked in the last four games.
To show you how important this stat is, the only teams ahead of the Falcons are the Broncos, Colts and Giants. They have one combined loss.
The Saints are tied with Minnesota in the next spot after Atlanta. The Saints have a plus-7 differential. They’ve recorded 12 sacks and given up only five.
There’s a big drop after that in the NFC South. Carolina ranks 17th with a zero sack differential. The Panthers have recorded a division-best 13 sacks, but they’ve also allowed a division-worst 13 sacks.
The Buccaneers are in negative territory. They’re tied for 22nd with a minus-2 differential. Tampa Bay has recorded 10 sacks, but allowed 12.
There is one statistic that clearly demonstrates the difference between the top two teams in the NFC South and the bottom two.
It’s sack differential -- that’s the difference between the number of sacks a team has recorded and the number it has allowed.
The Falcons and Saints excel in this category. The Falcons rank fourth in the league in this category with a plus-8 differential. They haven’t been anything special on the pass rush, recording only 10 sacks. But they’ve been phenomenal protecting Matt Ryan, who has been sacked only twice this season and hasn’t been sacked in the last four games.
To show you how important this stat is, the only teams ahead of the Falcons are the Broncos, Colts and Giants. They have one combined loss.
The Saints are tied with Minnesota in the next spot after Atlanta. The Saints have a plus-7 differential. They’ve recorded 12 sacks and given up only five.
There’s a big drop after that in the NFC South. Carolina ranks 17th with a zero sack differential. The Panthers have recorded a division-best 13 sacks, but they’ve also allowed a division-worst 13 sacks.
The Buccaneers are in negative territory. They’re tied for 22nd with a minus-2 differential. Tampa Bay has recorded 10 sacks, but allowed 12.
How I See It: NFC South Stock Watch
October, 20, 2009
10/20/09
11:00
AM ET
By
Pat Yasinskas | ESPN.com
» NFC Stock Watch: East | West | North | South » AFC: East | West | North | South
Posted by ESPN.com’s Pat Yasinskas
Falling
1. Michael Turner, running back, Falcons. Yes, he did score the go-ahead touchdown on a very nice run. But he didn’t put up big numbers. There’s also a disturbing trend emerging.
Turner suddenly has started to have problems with fumbles. Not sure why that’s happening because that wasn’t a problem last year. He’s got to hold on to the ball.
2. Dante Wesley, defensive back, Panthers. His hit on Tampa Bay punt returner Clifton Smith was simply vicious and stupid. Smith was setting up to return a punt and Wesley hit him long before the ball arrived.
Wesley drew a one-game suspension from the NFL and also was ejected as soon as the incident happened. He’s lucky the suspension was only one game. That might be because Wesley had no prior history of anything along these lines. He’ll spend the rest of his career under a microscope.
3. Derrick Ward, running back, Buccaneers. This guy was supposed to be the feature back when the Bucs gave him a big contract and signed him away from the Giants. Ward has been nothing but disappointing.
He couldn’t even win the starting job. He lost it to Cadillac Williams, who was coming off his second major knee injury. Williams has played well. Ward hasn’t. His carries will continue to dwindle.
Rising
1. Marques Colston, wide receiver, Saints. Did you see him against the Giants on Sunday? Colston was a man among boys. He repeatedly outmuscled New York defensive backs. We all knew Colston was a good receiver from his first two years, but last season’s injuries knocked him down a couple of notches.
He’s back at full force now. No, wait, he’s actually significantly better than he was before. I'm also going to throw in an honorable mention for Colston's fellow receiver Lance Moore. He's healthy now and provided a reminder of his talents Sunday. This receiver corps is getting scary good.
2. Thomas DeCoud, safety, Falcons. DeCoud had two interceptions against the Bears in the best game of his career. DeCoud has played pretty well since taking over as a starter at the beginning of the season and he seems to be steadily improving.
This is a bit of a surprise because the Falcons drafted William Moore in April and thought he would start. But Moore had some injury problems in the preseason and DeCoud made the most of his opportunity. He’s going to remain a starter for a long time.
3. DeAngelo Williams, running back, Carolina. We had his stock falling last week, so it’s only fair it rises after he ran for 152 yards against the Buccaneers.
Williams is the same player he was a year ago. His slow start was because he wasn’t getting good blocking when he did get carries. And he wasn’t getting a lot of carries early on because the Panthers were always falling behind. Sunday was a reminder of what Williams and fellow running back Jonathan Stewart can do. But let’s remember one thing before we get too excited about Carolina’s running game. This outburst did happen against the Buccaneers.
Posted by ESPN.com’s Pat Yasinskas
Falling
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Turner suddenly has started to have problems with fumbles. Not sure why that’s happening because that wasn’t a problem last year. He’s got to hold on to the ball.
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Wesley drew a one-game suspension from the NFL and also was ejected as soon as the incident happened. He’s lucky the suspension was only one game. That might be because Wesley had no prior history of anything along these lines. He’ll spend the rest of his career under a microscope.
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He couldn’t even win the starting job. He lost it to Cadillac Williams, who was coming off his second major knee injury. Williams has played well. Ward hasn’t. His carries will continue to dwindle.
Rising
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He’s back at full force now. No, wait, he’s actually significantly better than he was before. I'm also going to throw in an honorable mention for Colston's fellow receiver Lance Moore. He's healthy now and provided a reminder of his talents Sunday. This receiver corps is getting scary good.
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This is a bit of a surprise because the Falcons drafted William Moore in April and thought he would start. But Moore had some injury problems in the preseason and DeCoud made the most of his opportunity. He’s going to remain a starter for a long time.
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Williams is the same player he was a year ago. His slow start was because he wasn’t getting good blocking when he did get carries. And he wasn’t getting a lot of carries early on because the Panthers were always falling behind. Sunday was a reminder of what Williams and fellow running back Jonathan Stewart can do. But let’s remember one thing before we get too excited about Carolina’s running game. This outburst did happen against the Buccaneers.
Tank's arrival should help Carolina's D-line
October, 19, 2009
10/19/09
9:40
PM ET
By
Pat Yasinskas | ESPN.com
Posted by ESPN.com’s Pat Yasinskas
The Carolina Panthers, a team usually very hesitant to make trades, has made one. It’s a desperation effort to solidify the middle of their patchwork defensive line and, by extension, help the rest of a struggling defense.
Carolina’s deal with Kansas City for defensive tackle Tank Tyler, comes before tomorrow’s trading deadline. Tyler, a North Carolina State product, was in his third season with the Chiefs. Not known as a pass-rusher (Tyler doesn’t have a career sack), he has played the run well. The Panthers parted with a fifth-round draft pick in 2010 to get Tyler.
He had 41 tackles while starting all 16 games last season and has 22 tackles so far this season.
The Panthers have struggled to find a decent replacement since Maake Kemoeatu went down with a season-ending injury on the first day of training camp. They’ve gone through other injuries at the position and tried several candidates that haven’t worked out.
Nick Hayden has been starting in Kemoeatu’s place next to Damione Lewis. It’s likely Tyler will step right in as no worse than the third member of the rotation and could challenge for a starting job before long. The Panthers also have recently added veteran Hollis Thomas, another run-stuffer.
The Carolina Panthers, a team usually very hesitant to make trades, has made one. It’s a desperation effort to solidify the middle of their patchwork defensive line and, by extension, help the rest of a struggling defense.
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Carolina’s deal with Kansas City for defensive tackle Tank Tyler, comes before tomorrow’s trading deadline. Tyler, a North Carolina State product, was in his third season with the Chiefs. Not known as a pass-rusher (Tyler doesn’t have a career sack), he has played the run well. The Panthers parted with a fifth-round draft pick in 2010 to get Tyler.
He had 41 tackles while starting all 16 games last season and has 22 tackles so far this season.
The Panthers have struggled to find a decent replacement since Maake Kemoeatu went down with a season-ending injury on the first day of training camp. They’ve gone through other injuries at the position and tried several candidates that haven’t worked out.
Nick Hayden has been starting in Kemoeatu’s place next to Damione Lewis. It’s likely Tyler will step right in as no worse than the third member of the rotation and could challenge for a starting job before long. The Panthers also have recently added veteran Hollis Thomas, another run-stuffer.
Wesley suspension more than justified
October, 19, 2009
10/19/09
6:26
PM ET
By
Pat Yasinskas | ESPN.com
Posted by ESPN.com’s Pat Yasinskas
The NFL just announced Carolina defensive back Dante Wesley will be suspended for one game for his hit on Tampa Bay punt returner Clifton Smith on Sunday.
Wesley will sit out Sunday’s home game against Buffalo.
My take on this is that Wesley’s getting off somewhat easily. The hit was nothing short of vicious. If you haven’t seen it yet or want to see it again, click here.
Wesley decked Smith as the return man was setting up to field a punt that hadn’t arrived yet and he caught him under the helmet with two forearms at full speed. Smith was leveled and stayed down for several minutes. He has a concussion, but has been moving around a little Monday.
My best guess is the league factored Wesley’s track record into this decision. If Wesley had a history of reckless play or infractions, the suspension probably would have been lighter. But there’s nothing like that in Wesley’s history.
There’s no question what he did was horribly wrong, but this play was out of character for Wesley.
The NFL just announced Carolina defensive back Dante Wesley will be suspended for one game for his hit on Tampa Bay punt returner Clifton Smith on Sunday.
Wesley will sit out Sunday’s home game against Buffalo.
My take on this is that Wesley’s getting off somewhat easily. The hit was nothing short of vicious. If you haven’t seen it yet or want to see it again, click here.
Wesley decked Smith as the return man was setting up to field a punt that hadn’t arrived yet and he caught him under the helmet with two forearms at full speed. Smith was leveled and stayed down for several minutes. He has a concussion, but has been moving around a little Monday.
My best guess is the league factored Wesley’s track record into this decision. If Wesley had a history of reckless play or infractions, the suspension probably would have been lighter. But there’s nothing like that in Wesley’s history.
There’s no question what he did was horribly wrong, but this play was out of character for Wesley.
Tampa Bay's Smith is up and moving around
October, 19, 2009
10/19/09
2:21
PM ET
By
Pat Yasinskas | ESPN.com
Posted by ESPN.com’s Pat Yasinskas
A little encouraging news from Tampa Bay coach Raheem Morris. Buccaneers return man Clifton Smith has been up and moving after being hospitalized following a massive hit by Carolina’s Dante Wesley on a punt return Sunday.
Wesley was called for a penalty and ejected from the game. He’s also almost certain to get a fine from the NFL very soon.
Smith suffered a concussion and there’s no indication yet of how long he’ll be out.
A little encouraging news from Tampa Bay coach Raheem Morris. Buccaneers return man Clifton Smith has been up and moving after being hospitalized following a massive hit by Carolina’s Dante Wesley on a punt return Sunday.
Wesley was called for a penalty and ejected from the game. He’s also almost certain to get a fine from the NFL very soon.
Smith suffered a concussion and there’s no indication yet of how long he’ll be out.
Some nice stats for Atlanta's defense
October, 19, 2009
10/19/09
2:12
PM ET
By
Pat Yasinskas | ESPN.com
Posted by ESPN.com’s Pat Yasinskas
ESPN’s Stats & Information passed along a few interesting items about Atlanta’s defense in Sunday night’s victory against Chicago.
First, and this is a strange one, Chicago’s Jay Cutler was actually much better against the blitz than he was against standard pressure. Here’s a look:
Next, Atlanta’s defense had only three interceptions for the season entering the Chicago game. The Falcons picked off two passes (both by safety Thomas DeCoud) against the Bears. The Falcons also forced three fumbles, although they only recovered one. Here’s a look at how Atlanta’s defense played better in some categories on Sunday than it had been playing all season.
ESPN’s Stats & Information passed along a few interesting items about Atlanta’s defense in Sunday night’s victory against Chicago.
First, and this is a strange one, Chicago’s Jay Cutler was actually much better against the blitz than he was against standard pressure. Here’s a look:
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Next, Atlanta’s defense had only three interceptions for the season entering the Chicago game. The Falcons picked off two passes (both by safety Thomas DeCoud) against the Bears. The Falcons also forced three fumbles, although they only recovered one. Here’s a look at how Atlanta’s defense played better in some categories on Sunday than it had been playing all season.
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Lobbying for Saints to be No. 1 in power rankings
October, 19, 2009
10/19/09
2:01
PM ET
By
Pat Yasinskas | ESPN.com
Posted by ESPN.com’s Pat Yasinskas
NEW ORLEANS -- I’m sitting in the airport, getting ready to make my way home, but I’m going to send one important e-mail before I get on the plane.
I wrote Sunday that the Saints are the best team in the NFL right now and I strongly believe that. I don’t have a vote in ESPN.com’s Power Rankings, but I’m going to send a copy of my Sunday column to the four guys who do the rankings, which will come out Tuesday afternoon.
A little lobbying can’t hurt, especially when it’s justified. Then again, I don’t know how much lobbying those guys need. I think the Saints’ performance showed the world they’re the best team in the NFL at this moment.
NEW ORLEANS -- I’m sitting in the airport, getting ready to make my way home, but I’m going to send one important e-mail before I get on the plane.
I wrote Sunday that the Saints are the best team in the NFL right now and I strongly believe that. I don’t have a vote in ESPN.com’s Power Rankings, but I’m going to send a copy of my Sunday column to the four guys who do the rankings, which will come out Tuesday afternoon.
A little lobbying can’t hurt, especially when it’s justified. Then again, I don’t know how much lobbying those guys need. I think the Saints’ performance showed the world they’re the best team in the NFL at this moment.
Posted by ESPN.com’s Pat Yasinskas
Obviously, I couldn’t be in New Orleans and Atlanta on Sunday. I spent most of the day covering the Saints.
But I don’t want to sell short Atlanta’s big victory against Chicago. So, if you haven’t seen Len Pasquarelli’s column on the game, please check it out. My colleague and friend was in Atlanta (where he lives) and he wrote about how safety Thomas DeCoud and return man Eric Weems stepped up for the Falcons.
According to the latest schedule out of Bristol, I’m scheduled to cover the Falcons in Dallas this coming Sunday.
Obviously, I couldn’t be in New Orleans and Atlanta on Sunday. I spent most of the day covering the Saints.
But I don’t want to sell short Atlanta’s big victory against Chicago. So, if you haven’t seen Len Pasquarelli’s column on the game, please check it out. My colleague and friend was in Atlanta (where he lives) and he wrote about how safety Thomas DeCoud and return man Eric Weems stepped up for the Falcons.
According to the latest schedule out of Bristol, I’m scheduled to cover the Falcons in Dallas this coming Sunday.
Falcons will have to adjust without CB Williams
October, 19, 2009
10/19/09
1:38
PM ET
By
Pat Yasinskas | ESPN.com
Posted by ESPN.com’s Pat Yasinskas
The Falcons reportedly have lost starting cornerback Brian Williams for the season after he suffered an injury in Sunday night’s game.
That might hurt in the short term because Williams was playing well. He was picked up late in the preseason because the Falcons weren’t sure about Brent Grimes, Chevis Jackson and Tye Hill (another late pickup).
With Williams in the starting role, Grimes has been playing at nickel back. He may stay in that role because he doesn’t have the height to match up with receivers on every down. The Falcons turned to Jackson to take Williams’ spot after the injury and he would seem the most likely candidate to start.
Hill apparently hasn’t shown much in practices and the Falcons have kept him inactive. He’ll probably be activated going forward, but he’ll need a strong week of practice to have any chance to step immediately into the No. 2 or 3 cornerback roles.
The Falcons reportedly have lost starting cornerback Brian Williams for the season after he suffered an injury in Sunday night’s game.
That might hurt in the short term because Williams was playing well. He was picked up late in the preseason because the Falcons weren’t sure about Brent Grimes, Chevis Jackson and Tye Hill (another late pickup).
With Williams in the starting role, Grimes has been playing at nickel back. He may stay in that role because he doesn’t have the height to match up with receivers on every down. The Falcons turned to Jackson to take Williams’ spot after the injury and he would seem the most likely candidate to start.
Hill apparently hasn’t shown much in practices and the Falcons have kept him inactive. He’ll probably be activated going forward, but he’ll need a strong week of practice to have any chance to step immediately into the No. 2 or 3 cornerback roles.
Search is on for Carolina's Wesley
October, 19, 2009
10/19/09
1:31
PM ET
By
Pat Yasinskas | ESPN.com
Posted by ESPN.com’s Pat Yasinskas
I just passed by Yahoo!’s home page and happened to see a name I never would have expected (before Sunday) to be atop the list of most popular searches.
It’s Carolina defensive back Dante Wesley. He’s suddenly a topic of intrigue. That’s all because of his hit on Tampa Bay’s Clifton Smith in Sunday’s game, which got Wesley ejected.
I just passed by Yahoo!’s home page and happened to see a name I never would have expected (before Sunday) to be atop the list of most popular searches.
It’s Carolina defensive back Dante Wesley. He’s suddenly a topic of intrigue. That’s all because of his hit on Tampa Bay’s Clifton Smith in Sunday’s game, which got Wesley ejected.
Posted by ESPN.com’s Pat Yasinskas
Just got some fun stuff from ESPN Stats & Information on what the Panthers did in Sunday’s win over Tampa Bay.
Both Jonathan Stewart (110 yards) and DeAngelo Williams (152) topped 100 rushing yards as the Panthers ran 48 times, the second most in franchise history. Williams’ 30 carries were a career high.
Since the start of last season, Williams leads the NFL with eight games in which he’s rushed for at least 100 yards and scored a rushing touchdown. Minnesota’s Adrian Peterson and Atlanta’s Michael Turner each have done it seven times and the Jets’ Thomas Jones has done it five times.
It’s the third time Williams and Stewart have rushed for at least 100 yards in the same game. The last pair of teammates to do that was Pittsburgh’s Franco Harris and Rocky Bleier. They did it three times in a span of five weeks in 1976.
Just got some fun stuff from ESPN Stats & Information on what the Panthers did in Sunday’s win over Tampa Bay.
Both Jonathan Stewart (110 yards) and DeAngelo Williams (152) topped 100 rushing yards as the Panthers ran 48 times, the second most in franchise history. Williams’ 30 carries were a career high.
Since the start of last season, Williams leads the NFL with eight games in which he’s rushed for at least 100 yards and scored a rushing touchdown. Minnesota’s Adrian Peterson and Atlanta’s Michael Turner each have done it seven times and the Jets’ Thomas Jones has done it five times.
It’s the third time Williams and Stewart have rushed for at least 100 yards in the same game. The last pair of teammates to do that was Pittsburgh’s Franco Harris and Rocky Bleier. They did it three times in a span of five weeks in 1976.
ABOUT THIS BLOG
Pat Yasinskas
Yasinskas joined ESPN.com in January 2008 after covering the Carolina Panthers for The Charlotte Observer for nine seasons. He began his journalism career with The Tampa Tribune in 1990.
