NFL Nation: Jonathan Stewart
» AFC Scenarios: East | West | North | South » NFC: East | West | North | South
Yes, the start of training camps is two months away, but it’s never too early to consider the coming season. A look at the best-case and worst-case scenarios for the Panthers in 2012.
Dream scenario (11-5): With the Saints dealing with turmoil and the Falcons facing enormous pressure, it’s at least possible the two teams that have dominated the NFC South in recent years won’t win it in 2012. The Panthers are the next logical choice, and there are all sorts of reasons for optimism.
Coach Ron Rivera’s entering his second season and so is quarterback Cam Newton, who was the NFL's Offensive Rookie of the Year despite not having an offseason with his coaches and their playbook. Newton should only continue to improve, a scary thought for a guy who lit up defenses with his arm and his legs last season. He has Steve Smith still going strong, a backfield that includes Jonathan Stewart and DeAngelo Williams and has added fullback/tailback Mike Tolbert.
There are far fewer questions about Carolina’s offense now than there were a year ago. It’s obvious the Panthers are going to score some points on offense. But the defense will tell the story. If this team is going to make the playoffs, Jon Beason and Ron Edwards must make strong comebacks from injuries and rookie linebacker Luke Kuechly must make an instant impact.
Nightmare scenario (6-10): Anything less than last year’s 6-10 record would be a huge disappointment. Although I don’t think it’s likely, it’s at least possible that Newton will take a step back. If he does, then maybe Smith no longer looks so young and maybe that loaded backfield doesn’t look so good. Then, there’s the matter of a defense that was so bad a year ago. A lot of people seem to assume the return of Beason and Edwards and the addition of Kuechly will solve everything. But maybe Beason and Edwards aren’t the players they were before their injuries and maybe Kuechly doesn’t live up to his billing.
If all that happens, then the Panthers really aren’t going to be any different than they were the last couple of seasons.
Yes, the start of training camps is two months away, but it’s never too early to consider the coming season. A look at the best-case and worst-case scenarios for the Panthers in 2012.
Dream scenario (11-5): With the Saints dealing with turmoil and the Falcons facing enormous pressure, it’s at least possible the two teams that have dominated the NFC South in recent years won’t win it in 2012. The Panthers are the next logical choice, and there are all sorts of reasons for optimism.
Coach Ron Rivera’s entering his second season and so is quarterback Cam Newton, who was the NFL's Offensive Rookie of the Year despite not having an offseason with his coaches and their playbook. Newton should only continue to improve, a scary thought for a guy who lit up defenses with his arm and his legs last season. He has Steve Smith still going strong, a backfield that includes Jonathan Stewart and DeAngelo Williams and has added fullback/tailback Mike Tolbert.
There are far fewer questions about Carolina’s offense now than there were a year ago. It’s obvious the Panthers are going to score some points on offense. But the defense will tell the story. If this team is going to make the playoffs, Jon Beason and Ron Edwards must make strong comebacks from injuries and rookie linebacker Luke Kuechly must make an instant impact.
Nightmare scenario (6-10): Anything less than last year’s 6-10 record would be a huge disappointment. Although I don’t think it’s likely, it’s at least possible that Newton will take a step back. If he does, then maybe Smith no longer looks so young and maybe that loaded backfield doesn’t look so good. Then, there’s the matter of a defense that was so bad a year ago. A lot of people seem to assume the return of Beason and Edwards and the addition of Kuechly will solve everything. But maybe Beason and Edwards aren’t the players they were before their injuries and maybe Kuechly doesn’t live up to his billing.
If all that happens, then the Panthers really aren’t going to be any different than they were the last couple of seasons.
Been a couple of hours since the breakfast links, in which I pointed out that there is almost nothing being written anywhere in print or on the Internet about what the Super Bowl champion New York Giants are up to these days. And nothing's changed. Still nothing out there. No rumors, no reporting, nothing. But I have Giants fans (I think) who still come here to read this blog, and it's a disservice to them if we allow the inertia of the coverage to dictate our content.
To that end, here's a list of some of the most popular questions I'm getting on Twitter and in the mailbag from Giants fans the past couple of days, and my best attempts to answer them:
Why didn't the Giants make the deal the Eagles made with Houston to get DeMeco Ryans?
It's not a terrible question. The Giants need a middle linebacker too, and if someone as good as Ryans could be had for nothing more than a fourth-round pick and a swap of third-rounders, why didn't the Giants do it? There are several possible answers. First, the Eagles have a great deal more salary-cap room than the Giants do, and Ryans is making $5.9 million this year. Second, the Giants got by just fine without a top-of-the-line middle linebacker last year, and they likely believe they can do so again. If they re-sign Jonathan Goff, as they're expected to do, and he's healthy, they believe he's more than good enough at that spot given their other strengths on defense. They didn't have the same level of need that the Eagles did. And third, it's not as though there was a "For Sale" sign on Ryans. The first any of us heard that he was available was when we heard the Eagles had acquired him. Maybe the Eagles just asked the right question at the right time. Ryans was no longer useful to the Texas at his salary, since they'd switched to a 3-4 last year and were taking him off the field in passing downs. For the Eagles, he'll play all three downs and likely flourish in his original position. Maybe the Eagles just had a good idea no one else had.
Is there a chance Brandon Jacobs comes back?
There is, until he signs elsewhere, that chance. The running back market is dormant, and there hasn't been a peep to indicate any team has had Jacobs in for a visit or expressed interest in him. That doesn't mean no one has, of course, but it indicates that the market isn't teeming with stellar offers for his services. If no team offers him more than whatever the Giants' final offer was, sure, he could come crawling back. But I still think he'll find a new home. The Carolina Panthers, who were already loaded at running back, signed Mike Tolbert, who was one of the best options on the market. So any team that was looking at Tolbert now has to look at lesser choices, and Jacobs is on that list.
Speaking of which, how about a trade for Jonathan Stewart, if Carolina has so many backs?
The Panthers moved quickly to dispel any notion that the Tolbert acquisition means they'll deal Stewart or DeAngelo Williams or even Mike Goodson. But that could be a leverage play to keep interested teams from thinking they're desperate. The fact is, they should see what they can get for Stewart, who's miscast there in a timeshare with Williams (and now Tolbert), and if I were the Giants I'd be extremely interested. Stewart is a big-time talent and would be a big upgrade over Jacobs in the Giants' backfield tandem with Ahmad Bradshaw.
What are they doing on the offensive line?
With Kareem McKenzie gone, the most glaring need is right tackle. But if Will Beatty is recovered from his eye problems, they could move either him or David Diehl to right tackle. They liked what Kevin Boothe gave them at left guard late last year, and they think highly of Mitch Petrus in that spot going forward, so they feel like they have some depth on the interior. I think they should get a tackle, be it in free agency or in the draft, because they're getting thin at those spots. But I don't think it had or has to be any of the bigger names out there. As they always do, the Giants will target someone they like for their team and system and then work to get him. And if they miss, they'll look for a solution on their own roster.
I'll keep you posted if anything else comes up. Hopefully this holds you over.
To that end, here's a list of some of the most popular questions I'm getting on Twitter and in the mailbag from Giants fans the past couple of days, and my best attempts to answer them:
Why didn't the Giants make the deal the Eagles made with Houston to get DeMeco Ryans?
It's not a terrible question. The Giants need a middle linebacker too, and if someone as good as Ryans could be had for nothing more than a fourth-round pick and a swap of third-rounders, why didn't the Giants do it? There are several possible answers. First, the Eagles have a great deal more salary-cap room than the Giants do, and Ryans is making $5.9 million this year. Second, the Giants got by just fine without a top-of-the-line middle linebacker last year, and they likely believe they can do so again. If they re-sign Jonathan Goff, as they're expected to do, and he's healthy, they believe he's more than good enough at that spot given their other strengths on defense. They didn't have the same level of need that the Eagles did. And third, it's not as though there was a "For Sale" sign on Ryans. The first any of us heard that he was available was when we heard the Eagles had acquired him. Maybe the Eagles just asked the right question at the right time. Ryans was no longer useful to the Texas at his salary, since they'd switched to a 3-4 last year and were taking him off the field in passing downs. For the Eagles, he'll play all three downs and likely flourish in his original position. Maybe the Eagles just had a good idea no one else had.
Is there a chance Brandon Jacobs comes back?
[+] Enlarge
Debby Wong/US PresswireThe door is not closed on running back Brandon Jacobs returning to New York.
Debby Wong/US PresswireThe door is not closed on running back Brandon Jacobs returning to New York.Speaking of which, how about a trade for Jonathan Stewart, if Carolina has so many backs?
The Panthers moved quickly to dispel any notion that the Tolbert acquisition means they'll deal Stewart or DeAngelo Williams or even Mike Goodson. But that could be a leverage play to keep interested teams from thinking they're desperate. The fact is, they should see what they can get for Stewart, who's miscast there in a timeshare with Williams (and now Tolbert), and if I were the Giants I'd be extremely interested. Stewart is a big-time talent and would be a big upgrade over Jacobs in the Giants' backfield tandem with Ahmad Bradshaw.
What are they doing on the offensive line?
With Kareem McKenzie gone, the most glaring need is right tackle. But if Will Beatty is recovered from his eye problems, they could move either him or David Diehl to right tackle. They liked what Kevin Boothe gave them at left guard late last year, and they think highly of Mitch Petrus in that spot going forward, so they feel like they have some depth on the interior. I think they should get a tackle, be it in free agency or in the draft, because they're getting thin at those spots. But I don't think it had or has to be any of the bigger names out there. As they always do, the Giants will target someone they like for their team and system and then work to get him. And if they miss, they'll look for a solution on their own roster.
I'll keep you posted if anything else comes up. Hopefully this holds you over.
Maybe we should slow down a bit on the speculation that the Carolina Panthers could look to trade either DeAngelo Williams or Jonathan Stewart.
TolbertI’ve been guilty of it, and still think it’s a possibility the Panthers could trade one of their top two running backs. But the Panthers are trying to quickly get the word out that the signing of Mike Tolbert doesn’t mean Williams or Stewart is on the trading block.
In their release officially announcing the signing, the Panthers referred to Tolbert as a fullback, even though he was a running back with San Diego. Throughout the release, there are references to Tolbert as a fullback.
“Mike is a very versatile player who can do a lot of different things for us,” general manager Marty Hurney said. “He plays fullback, catches the ball well out of the backfield, plays running back, and is an outstanding special-teams player. It was a good fit, and gives us a chance to add another weapon on offense. We are excited about bringing him back to the Carolinas.”
Tolbert played in college at Coastal Carolina. More importantly, he’s got fullback size at 243 pounds. The Carolina offense, under coordinator Rob Chudzinski, makes unique use of fullbacks and H-backs. Chudzinski was an assistant in San Diego before coming to Carolina, and knows Tolbert's skill set well. So, it’s possible Tolbert really is ticketed for fullback.
Even if he is, he still gives the Panthers another possibility at tailback if anything happens to Williams or Stewart.
In their release officially announcing the signing, the Panthers referred to Tolbert as a fullback, even though he was a running back with San Diego. Throughout the release, there are references to Tolbert as a fullback.
“Mike is a very versatile player who can do a lot of different things for us,” general manager Marty Hurney said. “He plays fullback, catches the ball well out of the backfield, plays running back, and is an outstanding special-teams player. It was a good fit, and gives us a chance to add another weapon on offense. We are excited about bringing him back to the Carolinas.”
Tolbert played in college at Coastal Carolina. More importantly, he’s got fullback size at 243 pounds. The Carolina offense, under coordinator Rob Chudzinski, makes unique use of fullbacks and H-backs. Chudzinski was an assistant in San Diego before coming to Carolina, and knows Tolbert's skill set well. So, it’s possible Tolbert really is ticketed for fullback.
Even if he is, he still gives the Panthers another possibility at tailback if anything happens to Williams or Stewart.
Peyton Manning joining the Denver Broncos might have a bigger impact than you realize on the NFC South.
ManningThat’s because all four NFC South teams play the Broncos next season. There’s little doubt the Broncos are about to get a lot better in the passing game and they already have a good defense. The move suddenly makes the Broncos and the entire AFC West better. With Denver and San Diego already pretty good and the possibility of Oakland and Kansas City improving, it’s pretty much a given that this isn’t going to be a repeat of 2010 when the NFC South was matched up with what was then a very weak NFC West. In that season, NFC South records got inflated (Tampa Bay went 10-6 and Atlanta was 13-3) in large part because they got some freebie wins against the NFC West.
We won’t know the schedule dates until April, but we already know which NFC South teams will play the Broncos and where those games will be. New Orleans and Tampa Bay will have to play in Denver. We know the Saints aren’t always good in outdoor stadiums and their pass-happy offense could be slowed even more if the game is late in the season and the weather is rough. It’s kind of a similar story for Tampa Bay if its game in Denver is late in the season because the Bucs historically have struggled in cold weather.
Perhaps the most intriguing matchup between Denver and the NFC South will come when John Fox returns to Bank of America Stadium to coach against his former team. By that time, Fox might not be the only familiar face returning to Charlotte. As I said before, I could see Fox trading with Carolina to get either DeAngelo Williams or Jonathan Stewart as a new toy for Manning out of the backfield. The Falcons also will play a home game against Denver and I’m sure new defensive coordinator Mike Nolan is already thinking about some schemes to deal with Manning.
We won’t know the schedule dates until April, but we already know which NFC South teams will play the Broncos and where those games will be. New Orleans and Tampa Bay will have to play in Denver. We know the Saints aren’t always good in outdoor stadiums and their pass-happy offense could be slowed even more if the game is late in the season and the weather is rough. It’s kind of a similar story for Tampa Bay if its game in Denver is late in the season because the Bucs historically have struggled in cold weather.
Perhaps the most intriguing matchup between Denver and the NFC South will come when John Fox returns to Bank of America Stadium to coach against his former team. By that time, Fox might not be the only familiar face returning to Charlotte. As I said before, I could see Fox trading with Carolina to get either DeAngelo Williams or Jonathan Stewart as a new toy for Manning out of the backfield. The Falcons also will play a home game against Denver and I’m sure new defensive coordinator Mike Nolan is already thinking about some schemes to deal with Manning.
On the surface, Carolina’s signing of free-agent running back Mike Tolbert doesn’t seem like that big a deal.
The Panthers already have two good running backs in DeAngelo Williams and Jonathan Stewart. It’s easy to look at this one and say, the Panthers simply are upgrading their No. 3 running back spot with Tolbert replacing Mike Goodson.
But I don’t think this is what that move is all about. Tolbert was brought in to be the No. 2 back behind either Williams or Stewart.
John Fox isn’t coaching the Panthers anymore, so the days of them collecting three or four backs and playing them extensively are over. Heck, there weren’t even enough carries to go around for Stewart and Williams last year, when coach Ron Rivera arrived and brought along offensive coordinator Rob Chudzinski. Rivera and Chudzinski both previously worked in San Diego and that’s where Tolbert spent the past four seasons.
He had the best year of his career in 2010, the last year Chudzinski and Rivera were with the Chargers. Tolbert’s the kind of back that can give you about 150 carries and catch 40 or 50 passes out of the backfield. He also can play special-teams and is considered a good locker-room guy.
Williams and Stewart both were first-round picks by the Panthers and are highly regarded by the team. But it’s pretty obvious the Panthers just sent a message that either one could be available and other teams are going to start calling to inquire about trades.
It might be difficult to get a trade partner for Williams. The Panthers signed him to a huge contract last summer and that could scare off some suitors. But I wouldn’t rule out the possibility of the Panthers dealing Williams. Fox likes Williams a lot and could want a new toy for Peyton Manning in Denver. Some other team might be willing to take a shot on Williams.
But I think Stewart will be easier to trade (and Fox likes him too). He’s headed into the final year of his rookie contract and a team wouldn’t be taking on a huge contract. I’m thinking that between now and the draft, the Panthers will have added at least one draft pick and will be without either Stewart or Williams.
The Panthers already have two good running backs in DeAngelo Williams and Jonathan Stewart. It’s easy to look at this one and say, the Panthers simply are upgrading their No. 3 running back spot with Tolbert replacing Mike Goodson.
But I don’t think this is what that move is all about. Tolbert was brought in to be the No. 2 back behind either Williams or Stewart.
John Fox isn’t coaching the Panthers anymore, so the days of them collecting three or four backs and playing them extensively are over. Heck, there weren’t even enough carries to go around for Stewart and Williams last year, when coach Ron Rivera arrived and brought along offensive coordinator Rob Chudzinski. Rivera and Chudzinski both previously worked in San Diego and that’s where Tolbert spent the past four seasons.
He had the best year of his career in 2010, the last year Chudzinski and Rivera were with the Chargers. Tolbert’s the kind of back that can give you about 150 carries and catch 40 or 50 passes out of the backfield. He also can play special-teams and is considered a good locker-room guy.
Williams and Stewart both were first-round picks by the Panthers and are highly regarded by the team. But it’s pretty obvious the Panthers just sent a message that either one could be available and other teams are going to start calling to inquire about trades.
It might be difficult to get a trade partner for Williams. The Panthers signed him to a huge contract last summer and that could scare off some suitors. But I wouldn’t rule out the possibility of the Panthers dealing Williams. Fox likes Williams a lot and could want a new toy for Peyton Manning in Denver. Some other team might be willing to take a shot on Williams.
But I think Stewart will be easier to trade (and Fox likes him too). He’s headed into the final year of his rookie contract and a team wouldn’t be taking on a huge contract. I’m thinking that between now and the draft, the Panthers will have added at least one draft pick and will be without either Stewart or Williams.
» NFC Final Word: East | West | North | South » AFC: East | West | North | South
Five nuggets of knowledge about Week 16:
Ryan's on fire: The Falcons appear to be getting hot at the right time. In the past six quarters, against the Panthers and Jaguars, Atlanta has outscored opponents 65-14. Quarterback Matt Ryan has thrown seven touchdowns and zero interceptions in those two games. Ryan also is playing for a spot in the record books. He is 42-18 in his career. Joe Flacco, who also entered the league in the 2008 draft, is 42-20. Each already has won more starts in his first four seasons than any quarterback since the Super Bowl era started in1966.
Monday Night Fever: The New Orleans Saints have all sorts of streaks going. They’ve clinched a playoff berth for the third straight season. They’ve won at least 11 games in each of the past three seasons. They’re on a six-game winning streak. That ties them with the Patriots for the longest active winning streak in the NFL. Finally, the Saints have the NFL’s longest active winning streak in “Monday Night Football’’ games. They’ve won six straight and haven’t lost since a 2008 game against Minnesota.
The “other’’ record: Understandably, most of the talk surrounding the Saints has to do with Drew Brees’ pursuit of Dan Marino’s record for passing yards in a season. But another member of the Saints is chasing history. That’s second-year tight end Jimmy Graham. He’s on pace for 99 catches and 1,338 receiving yards. The NFL record for receiving yards by a tight end is 1,290, set by San Diego’s Kellen Winslow in 1980. Graham also has had at least five catches in six straight games.
Making history: Even in a season that hasn’t been filled with wins, the Carolina Panthers have a chance to make some very positive history. Running back Jonathan Stewart needs to gain just 6 rushing yards to reach 600 for the season. Fellow running back DeAngelo Williams already has 717 yards and quarterback Cam Newton has 609 yards. According to the Elias Sports Bureau, the last two teams to have three 600-yard rushers in a season were the 2006 Falcons (Michael Vick, Warrick Dunn and Jerious Norwood) and the 1978 Patriots (Sam Cunningham, Horace Ivory and Andy Johnson).
Losing at historic rate: Some unflattering notes on Tampa Bay’s eight-game losing streak. It’s the longest active streak in the NFL and the first time the Bucs have lost eight straight in a season since 1987. If the Bucs lose to the Panthers and make it nine straight, it will set off some more statistical bells. The Bucs haven’t lost nine straight in a single season since starting 0-9 in 1985.
Five nuggets of knowledge about Week 16:
[+] Enlarge
Bob Donnan/US PresswireMatt Ryan has thrown seven touchdown passes and zero interceptions in the Falcons' past two games.
Bob Donnan/US PresswireMatt Ryan has thrown seven touchdown passes and zero interceptions in the Falcons' past two games.Monday Night Fever: The New Orleans Saints have all sorts of streaks going. They’ve clinched a playoff berth for the third straight season. They’ve won at least 11 games in each of the past three seasons. They’re on a six-game winning streak. That ties them with the Patriots for the longest active winning streak in the NFL. Finally, the Saints have the NFL’s longest active winning streak in “Monday Night Football’’ games. They’ve won six straight and haven’t lost since a 2008 game against Minnesota.
The “other’’ record: Understandably, most of the talk surrounding the Saints has to do with Drew Brees’ pursuit of Dan Marino’s record for passing yards in a season. But another member of the Saints is chasing history. That’s second-year tight end Jimmy Graham. He’s on pace for 99 catches and 1,338 receiving yards. The NFL record for receiving yards by a tight end is 1,290, set by San Diego’s Kellen Winslow in 1980. Graham also has had at least five catches in six straight games.
Making history: Even in a season that hasn’t been filled with wins, the Carolina Panthers have a chance to make some very positive history. Running back Jonathan Stewart needs to gain just 6 rushing yards to reach 600 for the season. Fellow running back DeAngelo Williams already has 717 yards and quarterback Cam Newton has 609 yards. According to the Elias Sports Bureau, the last two teams to have three 600-yard rushers in a season were the 2006 Falcons (Michael Vick, Warrick Dunn and Jerious Norwood) and the 1978 Patriots (Sam Cunningham, Horace Ivory and Andy Johnson).
Losing at historic rate: Some unflattering notes on Tampa Bay’s eight-game losing streak. It’s the longest active streak in the NFL and the first time the Bucs have lost eight straight in a season since 1987. If the Bucs lose to the Panthers and make it nine straight, it will set off some more statistical bells. The Bucs haven’t lost nine straight in a single season since starting 0-9 in 1985.
» NFC Final Word: East | West | North | South » AFC: East | West | North | South
Five nuggets of knowledge about Week 13:
Creamsicle time: The Buccaneers will be wearing their throwback uniforms against Carolina. Yeah, the orange and white uniforms are back. Might not be a bad thing, because at least in the days of Lee Roy Selmon and John McKay the Bucs actually were capable of playing very good defense. Tampa Bay has a (slightly) better record than Carolina, and the Bucs are playing at home. But I have a tough time seeing a Tampa Bay win, unless the defense suddenly starts making some tackles. Since Week 5, the Bucs have allowed an average of 30.6 points per game. Only the Colts (31.3) have allowed more. The Bucs also are allowing a league-worst 6.5 yards per play in that span.
Breaking in the rookie: After losing Matt Schaub and Matt Leinart to injuries, the Texans are expected to start rookie quarterback T.J. Yates against the Falcons. Good luck with that. Since 2002, the Falcons are 11-1 when facing a rookie quarterback. According to ESPN Stats & Information, the only team with a better record against rookie quarterbacks in that span is the Steelers (14-1).
Happy (almost) anniversary: Atlanta’s defense is coming up on what would be a very big milestone. The Falcons have not allowed an individual running back to rush for 100 yards in 14 straight games. The last time it happened was when Carolina’s Jonathan Stewart went over 100 yards on Dec. 12, 2010.
A tip for the Detroit defense: Hey, any defense going up against the Saints can use all the help it can get. If it’s third down, you might want to put some tight coverage on New Orleans tight end Jimmy Graham. He’s caught 13 passes on third downs this season. All 13 have been turned into first downs.
Shades of 2009: I’ve said several times that the Saints of this year are starting to remind me of the Saints of 2009, who went on to win the Super Bowl. Here’s the latest example. A victory against the Lions would put the Saints at 6-0 in the Mercedes-Benz Superdome for only the second time in franchise history. The only other time that happened was 2009.
Five nuggets of knowledge about Week 13:
[+] Enlarge
Manny Rubio/US PresswireThe Bucs will wear throwback uniforms Sunday, hoping for results like the teams led by Lee Roy Selmon used to get.
Manny Rubio/US PresswireThe Bucs will wear throwback uniforms Sunday, hoping for results like the teams led by Lee Roy Selmon used to get.Breaking in the rookie: After losing Matt Schaub and Matt Leinart to injuries, the Texans are expected to start rookie quarterback T.J. Yates against the Falcons. Good luck with that. Since 2002, the Falcons are 11-1 when facing a rookie quarterback. According to ESPN Stats & Information, the only team with a better record against rookie quarterbacks in that span is the Steelers (14-1).
Happy (almost) anniversary: Atlanta’s defense is coming up on what would be a very big milestone. The Falcons have not allowed an individual running back to rush for 100 yards in 14 straight games. The last time it happened was when Carolina’s Jonathan Stewart went over 100 yards on Dec. 12, 2010.
A tip for the Detroit defense: Hey, any defense going up against the Saints can use all the help it can get. If it’s third down, you might want to put some tight coverage on New Orleans tight end Jimmy Graham. He’s caught 13 passes on third downs this season. All 13 have been turned into first downs.
Shades of 2009: I’ve said several times that the Saints of this year are starting to remind me of the Saints of 2009, who went on to win the Super Bowl. Here’s the latest example. A victory against the Lions would put the Saints at 6-0 in the Mercedes-Benz Superdome for only the second time in franchise history. The only other time that happened was 2009.
Thoughts on the Carolina Panthers’ 27-19 victory against the Indianapolis Colts on Sunday at Lucas Oil Field.
What it means: You can diminish this win by saying it came against the worst team in the NFL. But any win is important for Carolina these days. This was the first win for the Panthers in more than a month. That’s significant, because the Panthers need to build some positive momentum the rest of the season to show that coach Ron Rivera and his young team are making progress. At 3-9, the Panthers need to use the rest of this season to build for next year. This was a start.
Note to Rivera and offensive coordinator Rob Chudzinski: See what happens when you use DeAngelo Williams? He had a 25-yard touchdown run in the third quarter and a short touchdown run in the fourth. The Panthers certainly have done a nice job of improving their passing offense. But Chudzinski and Rivera need to remember they’ve got two very good running backs in Williams and Jonathan Stewart. Aside from receiver Steve Smith, Williams is the most explosive player on the offense. The Panthers need to remember that and keep Williams involved.
What I liked: The Panthers got second-year receiver Brandon LaFell more involved in the offense. That’s great. LaFell has had a pretty quiet career to this point. But he has some talent, and his size theoretically should make him a nice complement to Steve Smith.
What else I liked: Carolina’s defense played one of its better games of the season. Yeah, it came against an Indianapolis offense that’s not very good without Peyton Manning. But the Panthers have played so badly on defense most of the season that any sign of improvement is encouraging.
What’s next: The Panthers travel to Tampa Bay to play the Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium next Sunday.
Bob Donnan/US PresswireCam Newton and the Panthers won their second game on Sunday after several frustrating defeats.“Our guys are going to learn and they’re going to understand those things and get better,’’ the first-year head coach said. “When they get better, people need to watch out.’’
Maybe people should start watching out for the Panthers now. They defeated the Washington Redskins 33-20 on Sunday at Bank of America Stadium.
That alone isn’t going to make Carolina’s season. The Panthers are 2-5, and I’ll go way out on a limb and say they’re not going to make the playoffs this season. That will come in the future. But they will have an impact on the NFC South race the rest of this season.
They have two games with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and one each with the New Orleans Saints and Atlanta Falcons. They’ve already played the Saints and Falcons pretty closely, but ended up doing the same thing they did in their other three losses. They squandered chances to win.
That’s why beating the Redskins, who came in with a winning record, marked a big step for the Panthers. They never trailed in this game, and their defense, a problem spot all season, came up with three sacks, an interception and two fumble recoveries.
That’s huge progress, because this is a defense that’s playing even more young guys than planned because of season-ending injuries to linebackers Jon Beason and Thomas Davis, and defensive tackle Ron Edwards.
“I take my hat off to the defense,’’ left tackle Jordan Gross said. “It was our best performance by far. They gave us the ball in good field position a lot and they made some big stops. I think they’ve only got room to go up from here and I’m excited about that.
Gross is one of just a handful of Panthers who were with the team in 2008 -- the last winning season. He’s been to Pro Bowls and so has wide receiver Steve Smith. They’re also the players remaining from the team that went to the Super Bowl at the end of the 2003 season.
Gross and Smith know how to win on the NFL level. But most of the Panthers haven’t experienced that on a consistent basis.
In the first six games, which included a win against Jacksonville, the Panthers have shown plenty of positive signs. Rookie quarterback Cam Newton started faster than anyone expected and energized Smith, who looks like he did in the middle of the last decade. Tight ends Greg Olsen and Jeremy Shockey have brought a dimension the offense hasn’t had since Wesley Walls left, and the running game (DeAngelo Williams and Jonathan Stewart) has shown some flashes.
But the Panthers played porous defense, and even Newton and the offense were responsible for some crucial late-game mistakes that had kept the Panthers from winning.
“The fans have been so great,’’ Rivera said. “Wherever I’ve been, they’ve thanked me for us being close. It’s kind of frustrating, but, at the same time, I really appreciate that. But we want to give them victories. It’ll be great to say, 'Hey, we got one.'’’
But the moral victories were beginning to wear thin on some fans. Having a quarterback who can go out and throw for 400 yards in a game can only bring so much excitement when you’re piling up losses.
“I said to our team before the game, 'It’s our time. We deserve this,'’’ Gross said.
Coming close wasn’t good enough for Gross, Rivera, the front office, ownership and a growing number of fans.
“You don’t want to make too much out of one win or get too excited, but this team needs to win,’’ Gross said. “We can feel what it’s like to win and be excited, and hopefully everybody can remember this formula.’’
The formula actually is pretty simple in theory, and the Panthers were able to follow it throughout the entire game against Washington.
“Get the lead, keep it, and it’s a whole different ballgame,’’ Gross said.
It was a different ballgame as Newton had a very efficient day, completing 18 of 23 passes for 256 yards and a touchdown, and also running for 59 yards and a touchdown. The Panthers combined for 175 rushing yards, and the defense limited the Redskins to two field goals in the second half.
“When I walked out (of the locker room), I know the guys started talking about, 'Hey, we’ve got another opportunity to keep it going,'’’ Rivera said.
The Panthers do have an opportunity to build the first winning streak of Rivera’s tenure. The Minnesota Vikings (1-6) come to town in Week 8. After that, Carolina has a bye week. After that, the Panthers could start playing the role of spoiler for the rest of the NFC South in the second half of the season.
“We feel good about ourselves,’’ middle linebacker Dan Connor said. "That’s how you can start to build some momentum.''
You can see Rivera’s building something very promising in Carolina, and this victory might have been a nice step in that process.
“Sometimes you open up a restaurant and it’s under new management,’’ said Smith, who had seven catches for 143 yards. “Sometimes you just have to blow up the restaurant and start all over. That’s what Coach Rivera has done. He just didn’t slap a new menu on there. He did it all over -- new paint, new walls, new furniture and everything.’’
The paint is starting to dry and the furniture is starting to get comfortable. At some point down the road -- and it might not be that far off -- the rest of the NFC South is going to have to watch out for the Panthers.
» NFC Stock Watch: East | West | North | South » AFC: East | West | North | South
FALLING
1. Mike Smith, coach, Falcons. For the first time since his arrival in 2008, Smith truly is taking heat and getting questioned. It’s deserved. The Falcons were supposed to be a Super Bowl contender, but they’re 2-3. You look at the roster and there’s plenty of talent. That’s when you start looking at the coaching. Smith has defended the play calling of both coordinators and said he ultimately is responsible for everything. He’s right about that. It’s time for Smith to decide if his system might need some tweaking on both sides of the ball. If he stays stubborn and conservative, he runs the risk of becoming what John Fox was in his later years in Carolina.
2. Josh Freeman, quarterback, Buccaneers. He remains a marvelous talent with all sort of potential. But the Bucs went out to San Francisco and scored only three points. That should never happen when you’ve got a quarterback like Freeman. His teammates certainly deserve a large part of the blame. But, so far, Freeman really hasn’t gotten into the same rhythm he was in last year. He’s already thrown six interceptions -- the same amount he threw all of last season.
3. Matt Ryan, quarterback, Falcons. Much like Freeman, Ryan’s not playing the same way he did last season -- or the two seasons before that. He came out hot Sunday night, but didn’t do much of anything after the first two drives. That shows the ability is there and it makes you wonder about how the Falcons are using Ryan. It’s time to take the gloves off this guy and simply let him go out and do what he does best.
RISING
1. Jimmy Graham, tight end, Saints. This guy now has three straight games in which he’s had 100 or more receiving yards. You can see coach Sean Payton and quarterback Drew Brees putting more trust in Graham each week and he’s getting better every time out. How long before we start talking about Graham as the NFL’s best pass-catching tight end? He’s already in the conversation.
2. DeAngelo Williams, running back, Panthers. It wasn’t too long ago that people were saying Williams was washed up and Jonathan Stewart should take over as the featured back. Sunday’s performance by Williams showed that time hasn’t come. He rushed for 115 yards on just nine carries. There’s plenty left in Williams’ tank. The Panthers would be wise to continue getting him more involved. Rookie quarterback Cam Newton is off to a wonderful start, but he’s only going to get better if the running game can take some of the pressure off him. The Panthers need Williams involved in the offense. Other than receiver Steve Smith, he’s the team’s next option as a big-play threat.
3. Patrick Robinson, cornerback, Saints. The first-round draft pick from a year ago is making an impact in his second year. He intercepted Newton on Sunday and has held onto the starting job even after Tracy Porter returned from injury. Sound familiar? Just like Malcolm Jenkins, New Orleans’ first-round pick in 2009, Robinson didn’t do much as a rookie, but is becoming a very solid starter in his second season.
FALLING
1. Mike Smith, coach, Falcons. For the first time since his arrival in 2008, Smith truly is taking heat and getting questioned. It’s deserved. The Falcons were supposed to be a Super Bowl contender, but they’re 2-3. You look at the roster and there’s plenty of talent. That’s when you start looking at the coaching. Smith has defended the play calling of both coordinators and said he ultimately is responsible for everything. He’s right about that. It’s time for Smith to decide if his system might need some tweaking on both sides of the ball. If he stays stubborn and conservative, he runs the risk of becoming what John Fox was in his later years in Carolina.
2. Josh Freeman, quarterback, Buccaneers. He remains a marvelous talent with all sort of potential. But the Bucs went out to San Francisco and scored only three points. That should never happen when you’ve got a quarterback like Freeman. His teammates certainly deserve a large part of the blame. But, so far, Freeman really hasn’t gotten into the same rhythm he was in last year. He’s already thrown six interceptions -- the same amount he threw all of last season.
3. Matt Ryan, quarterback, Falcons. Much like Freeman, Ryan’s not playing the same way he did last season -- or the two seasons before that. He came out hot Sunday night, but didn’t do much of anything after the first two drives. That shows the ability is there and it makes you wonder about how the Falcons are using Ryan. It’s time to take the gloves off this guy and simply let him go out and do what he does best.
RISING
[+] Enlarge
Bob Donnan/US PresswireTight end Jimmy Graham has topped 100 receiving yards in each of his past three games.
Bob Donnan/US PresswireTight end Jimmy Graham has topped 100 receiving yards in each of his past three games.2. DeAngelo Williams, running back, Panthers. It wasn’t too long ago that people were saying Williams was washed up and Jonathan Stewart should take over as the featured back. Sunday’s performance by Williams showed that time hasn’t come. He rushed for 115 yards on just nine carries. There’s plenty left in Williams’ tank. The Panthers would be wise to continue getting him more involved. Rookie quarterback Cam Newton is off to a wonderful start, but he’s only going to get better if the running game can take some of the pressure off him. The Panthers need Williams involved in the offense. Other than receiver Steve Smith, he’s the team’s next option as a big-play threat.
3. Patrick Robinson, cornerback, Saints. The first-round draft pick from a year ago is making an impact in his second year. He intercepted Newton on Sunday and has held onto the starting job even after Tracy Porter returned from injury. Sound familiar? Just like Malcolm Jenkins, New Orleans’ first-round pick in 2009, Robinson didn’t do much as a rookie, but is becoming a very solid starter in his second season.
Thoughts on Carolina’s 34-29 loss to the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field:
What it means: The Panthers lead the league in moral victories, but they’re 1-3. They went into a tough venue and kept the game close until the end. That’s nice and there’s lots of hope for the future. But the Panthers still have a little way to go before they can win games on the road against good teams. High-priced kicker Olindo Mare didn’t exactly help matters by missing a field-goal attempt and having another blocked.
What I liked: The Panthers got DeAngelo Williams in rhythm in the running game for the first time this season. I know fans have been calling for Jonathan Stewart to start ahead of Williams and get the vast majority of the carries. Stewart’s a very good running back, but I honestly believe Williams is better. He’s more dynamic. Other than Steve Smith, he’s the most explosive player on this roster.
Cam’s calm: The most encouraging thing about the Panthers is rookie quarterback Cam Newton. This guy kept Carolina in the game and he bounced back nicely after throwing an early interception that was returned for a touchdown. His demeanor was impressive and you can’t say the same for counterpart Jay Cutler. The Chicago quarterback was making faces at teammates and freaking out at every sign of trouble.
What I didn’t like: Ron Rivera knows the Bears pretty well. He should have known better than to ever punt or kick the ball anywhere near Devin Hester.
What else I didn’t like: The Panthers couldn’t stop the run. Then again, that’s not at all surprising. They haven’t done that for a few years, and that probably isn’t going to change anytime soon with linebackers Jon Beason and Thomas Davis out for the season.
Mr. Consistency: Carolina’s Charles Johnson has a sack in all four games this season. He had a six-game streak last season. This guy has done a nice job of filling the shoes of Julius Peppers. Johnson doesn’t take over a game the way Peppers sometimes did. But he also doesn’t disappear for weeks at a time, the way Peppers often did. Carolina has tried repeatedly to address the defensive tackle position. Nothing’s worked. This team has to go out and find a stud defensive tackle in free agency or the draft next year.
What’s next: The Panthers host the Saints next Sunday at Bank of America Stadium.
What it means: The Panthers lead the league in moral victories, but they’re 1-3. They went into a tough venue and kept the game close until the end. That’s nice and there’s lots of hope for the future. But the Panthers still have a little way to go before they can win games on the road against good teams. High-priced kicker Olindo Mare didn’t exactly help matters by missing a field-goal attempt and having another blocked.
What I liked: The Panthers got DeAngelo Williams in rhythm in the running game for the first time this season. I know fans have been calling for Jonathan Stewart to start ahead of Williams and get the vast majority of the carries. Stewart’s a very good running back, but I honestly believe Williams is better. He’s more dynamic. Other than Steve Smith, he’s the most explosive player on this roster.
Cam’s calm: The most encouraging thing about the Panthers is rookie quarterback Cam Newton. This guy kept Carolina in the game and he bounced back nicely after throwing an early interception that was returned for a touchdown. His demeanor was impressive and you can’t say the same for counterpart Jay Cutler. The Chicago quarterback was making faces at teammates and freaking out at every sign of trouble.
What I didn’t like: Ron Rivera knows the Bears pretty well. He should have known better than to ever punt or kick the ball anywhere near Devin Hester.
What else I didn’t like: The Panthers couldn’t stop the run. Then again, that’s not at all surprising. They haven’t done that for a few years, and that probably isn’t going to change anytime soon with linebackers Jon Beason and Thomas Davis out for the season.
Mr. Consistency: Carolina’s Charles Johnson has a sack in all four games this season. He had a six-game streak last season. This guy has done a nice job of filling the shoes of Julius Peppers. Johnson doesn’t take over a game the way Peppers sometimes did. But he also doesn’t disappear for weeks at a time, the way Peppers often did. Carolina has tried repeatedly to address the defensive tackle position. Nothing’s worked. This team has to go out and find a stud defensive tackle in free agency or the draft next year.
What’s next: The Panthers host the Saints next Sunday at Bank of America Stadium.
Thoughts on Carolina’s 16-10 victory against the Jacksonville Jaguars at Bank of America Stadium.
What it means: This was the first victory of the Ron Rivera/Cam Newton era. Newton already had energized the fan base with dynamic performances in the first two games. This game wasn’t as impressive statistically, but it showed that Newton can win in this league. He led a late touchdown drive and finished it with a scoring pass to Greg Olsen to seal the victory.
What I liked: The Panthers at least attempted to run the ball. DeAngelo Williams and Jonathan Stewart didn’t put up huge numbers, but they got a fair amount of carries. Part of it might have been because there was heavy rain for much of the game and that made it difficult to throw the ball. The mere fact that the Panthers were at least attempting to run kept the Jacksonville defense honest.
What else I liked: The play of linebacker James Anderson. With linebackers Jon Beason and Thomas Davis out for the season with injuries, Anderson needs to become the leader of this defense. He stepped up to the challenge and led the Panthers in tackles.
Unsung hero: Due to the injuries at linebacker, Thomas Williams got some playing time. He made a great play, batting down a Blaine Gabbert pass on the final play of the game.
What’s next: The Panthers travel to Soldier Field to play the Chicago Bears next Sunday.
What it means: This was the first victory of the Ron Rivera/Cam Newton era. Newton already had energized the fan base with dynamic performances in the first two games. This game wasn’t as impressive statistically, but it showed that Newton can win in this league. He led a late touchdown drive and finished it with a scoring pass to Greg Olsen to seal the victory.
What I liked: The Panthers at least attempted to run the ball. DeAngelo Williams and Jonathan Stewart didn’t put up huge numbers, but they got a fair amount of carries. Part of it might have been because there was heavy rain for much of the game and that made it difficult to throw the ball. The mere fact that the Panthers were at least attempting to run kept the Jacksonville defense honest.
What else I liked: The play of linebacker James Anderson. With linebackers Jon Beason and Thomas Davis out for the season with injuries, Anderson needs to become the leader of this defense. He stepped up to the challenge and led the Panthers in tackles.
Unsung hero: Due to the injuries at linebacker, Thomas Williams got some playing time. He made a great play, batting down a Blaine Gabbert pass on the final play of the game.
What’s next: The Panthers travel to Soldier Field to play the Chicago Bears next Sunday.
Packers defense: Two wins, too many yards
September, 20, 2011
9/20/11
2:41
PM ET
By
Kevin Seifert | ESPN.com
Streeter Lecka/Getty ImagesThe Packers' secondary has allowed over 400 yards passing in back-to-back weeks.I suppose there are any number of reasonable answers to that question. But as we stand here on Sept. 20, it seems the Packers would do themselves more harm by overreacting to allowing a pair of 400-yard passing games in as many weeks. Over time, most NFL teams would accept big yardage totals as long as it's balanced by the kind of red zone defense the Packers have played so far this season.
There is a measure of risk involved with expecting a defense to tighten routinely on key plays, but coach Mike McCarthy said that what he calls "adversity play" is "the strength of our team right now. That’s why we’re 2-0. We’ve stepped up two weeks in a row when it’s counted, but we definitely have a lot of work to do."
Yes, Carolina Panthers rookie Cam Newton lit up the Packers for 432 yards last Sunday at Bank of America Stadium. That performance came a week after Drew Brees logged 419 yards for the New Orleans Saints. Even in a pass-happy league, as the chart shows, the Packers defense ranks near the bottom of the NFL in yardage, points allowed and third-down conversion rate.
Yet the Packers have managed to win on both occasions thanks literally to a handful of important plays. They’ve allowed only three touchdowns on 11 opponent trips to the red zone, a touchdown percentage of 27.3 that ranks third in the NFL. They also rank near the top of the league in takeaways (five) and sacks (seven).
That’s why McCarthy seemed comfortable with the situation, and that’s why you heard linebacker Clay Matthews say: "I don’t think we’re concerned." Cornerback Charles Woodson told reporters that the Packers "definitely have a lot of things to clean up," but expressed full confidence that they would.
The Packers are now down two starters from their Super Bowl team, having lost defensive end Cullen Jenkins via free agency and safety Nick Collins to a neck injury. Jenkins’ expected replacement, Mike Neal, had knee surgery earlier this month and will miss a significant amount of the season. Cornerback Tramon Williams, meanwhile, is rehabilitating a shoulder injury that kept him out of the Panthers game.
But those developments, along with the on-field performance in Weeks 1 and 2, are causing only a mild reaction among the football people I trust. Matt Williams of Scouts Inc. cited mitigating factors in both cases.
"It’s been a little worrisome," Williamson said. "Tramon Williams being out was a huge part of it this past week, though. … I didn't worry too much against the Saints. Brees will do that to everyone. This past weekend opened my eyes a little, but I’m not yet officially concerned."
Williamson did question whether second-year cornerback Sam Shields, who excelled as a nickelback last season, would be ready to handle a larger role if Williams’ injury lingers. And he also brought up an important point: After Jenkins’ departure, do the Packers have enough pass-rushers to complement Matthews?
I’m sure the Packers are hoping that defensive lineman B.J. Raji will pick up much of Jenkins’ slack, and linebacker Erik Walden has proved an aggressive pass-rusher off the edge. Raji and Walden each have a sack this season, but obviously the sample size is small.
In reality, you can point to three series of plays that ensured the Packers’ 2-0 record:
- Stopping Saints running back Mark Ingram at the goal line on the final play of Week 1[+] Enlarge
AP Photo/Mike RoemerThe Packers stuffed Mark Ingram at the goal line to preserve their victory in Week 1. - Limiting the Panthers to a field goal after they had first-and-10 at the 11-yard line on their second possession Sunday.
- Again holding the Panthers to a field goal after facing first-and-goal at the 8-yard line in the fourth quarter.
Had the Saints or Panthers scored a touchdown on any of those possessions, the Packers could have at least faced an overtime situation. You don’t want to play with such a thin margin of error, but everything that has happened is "correctable" McCarthy said, and "are things we can adjust to."
An unofficial poll via Twitter this week suggested you are nervous but nowhere near panic. @Jacobklossner noted the Packers are "finding ways to win" but wondered: "How long does that last?" @Elvin1983 is "mildly alarmed with the secondary" and thinks the red zone defense has been called on "too often."
What exactly has happened? I don’t think it can be traced to one or two factors. But I do think the Panthers’ opening drive Sunday was a nice illustration of where the Packers have been vulnerable at least to this point.
In completing six of seven passes, Newton capitalized on two personnel advantages. First, the Panthers' abundance of tight ends forced Matthews to drop into coverage twice and sit on the line of scrimmage on a third play. Matthews hit Newton after one throw, but Newton smartly threw to the area Matthews vacated for an 18-yard play to tight end Jeremy Shockey. And on a screen pass to running back Jonathan Stewart, Matthews slipped at the snap. He got up in time to chase down Stewart from behind, but not before a 19-yard gain.
Second, the Panthers had a rare strength advantage against cornerback Charles Woodson. Veteran receiver Steve Smith escaped contact on two occasions to get open for passes of 15 and 12 yards. I guess it’s possible that Woodson’s coverage skills have slipped, but generally speaking, I don’t think there are many NFL receivers who are strong enough to escape Woodson the way Smith did.
That said, I think it’s worth tracking Williamson’s point about the Packers’ pass rush. Matthews obviously can’t do it all on his own. But given what we know about their defensive personnel and coaching staff, it’s reasonable to believe the Packers will level themselves out. You might consider that unjustified cover for a group in crisis, but I consider it a deserved benefit of the doubt.
Thoughts on the Carolina Panthers’ loss to the Green Bay Packers at Bank of America Stadium.
What it means: The Panthers might be 0-2, but they now have two moral victories. They led the defending Super Bowl champions for much of the first half and stayed with them for most of the second half. Yes, moral victories don’t count. But you can see this is a completely different team than it was last season when the Panthers went 2-14.
What I liked: I had no idea that rookie quarterback Cam Newton was going to be this good this soon. In fact, I don’t think even the Panthers expected him to have this much of an impact this fast. But Newton is verifying the logic the Panthers used in drafting him. They knew they needed a big-time quarterback to once again become competitive. They’ve got their big-time quarterback.
What I didn’t like: As well as Newton is playing, I’m stunned the Panthers aren’t running the ball more. The plan coming into the season was to not ask Newton to carry the offense. The plan was to run the ball a lot and hope that Newton could make a few big plays a game with his arm and legs. He’s doing way more than that. But it’s coming at the expense of the running game. It doesn’t make a lot of sense to not use DeAngelo Williams and Jonathan Stewart a little more.
What’s next: The Panthers host Jacksonville next Sunday.
» NFC Final Word: East | West | North | South » AFC: East | West | North | South
Five nuggets of knowledge about Week 2:
One piece of history matters. Michael Vick’s return to Atlanta is grabbing the headlines, but this isn’t a grudge match between Vick and the team he began his career with. Vick has been out of Atlanta for a long time and he and the Falcons have done a nice job of moving forward. But there is one bit of history that could factor into this game. In Vick’s first game against the Falcons in 2009, he was Donovan McNabb’s backup. Matt Ryan was injured and did not play for the Falcons. Vick played a little and threw for a touchdown and ran for one. Some Atlanta players and members of the coaching staff felt Philadelphia coach Andy Reid was rubbing it in to Atlanta, and that hasn’t been forgotten.
The Bucs have to learn to play with the lead. Tampa Bay abandoned its running game last week and relied on quarterback Josh Freeman to pull off comebacks too often last season. Freeman can’t do that all the time. The Bucs need to get running back LeGarrette Blount involved in the offense from the start against Minnesota and they need to keep him involved throughout the game. Blount carried only five times in the opener. That’s about 20 less carries than he needs to be truly effective.
Look for changes in Atlanta’s secondary. The Falcons weren't thrilled with their secondary in the preseason and that’s why they signed cornerback Kelvin Hayden and safety James Sanders. Both are veterans and have been given a little time to learn the system. After last week’s poor defensive outing against the Bears, don’t be surprised if you see more of Hayden and Sanders. Safety Thomas DeCoud had a particularly rough outing against the Bears, and it wouldn’t be shocking if the Falcons start Sanders in his place.
The New Orleans defense needs to make plays. The Saints got run over by the Packers in the opener. Lots of teams have had trouble with Green Bay’s offense. But the Saints didn’t make a single big play on defense. Coordinator Gregg Williams needs to get his unit to force Chicago quarterback Jay Cutler into making some mistakes. The Saints need to create some turnovers in this game.
The Panthers will run the ball. Yes, rookie Cam Newton threw for 422 yards in his debut, and that was very encouraging. But Newton’s not going to do that every week. Carolina has two excellent running backs in DeAngelo Williams and Jonathan Stewart. The Panthers need to get them involved in the offense and try to control the clock. Newton’s not ready to win a shootout with Green Bay’s Aaron Rodgers. He needs his running backs to help keep Rodgers off the field as much as possible.
Five nuggets of knowledge about Week 2:
One piece of history matters. Michael Vick’s return to Atlanta is grabbing the headlines, but this isn’t a grudge match between Vick and the team he began his career with. Vick has been out of Atlanta for a long time and he and the Falcons have done a nice job of moving forward. But there is one bit of history that could factor into this game. In Vick’s first game against the Falcons in 2009, he was Donovan McNabb’s backup. Matt Ryan was injured and did not play for the Falcons. Vick played a little and threw for a touchdown and ran for one. Some Atlanta players and members of the coaching staff felt Philadelphia coach Andy Reid was rubbing it in to Atlanta, and that hasn’t been forgotten.
[+] Enlarge
Kim Klement/US PresswireThe Bucs could use a big game from running back LeGarrette Blount in Minnesota.
Kim Klement/US PresswireThe Bucs could use a big game from running back LeGarrette Blount in Minnesota.Look for changes in Atlanta’s secondary. The Falcons weren't thrilled with their secondary in the preseason and that’s why they signed cornerback Kelvin Hayden and safety James Sanders. Both are veterans and have been given a little time to learn the system. After last week’s poor defensive outing against the Bears, don’t be surprised if you see more of Hayden and Sanders. Safety Thomas DeCoud had a particularly rough outing against the Bears, and it wouldn’t be shocking if the Falcons start Sanders in his place.
The New Orleans defense needs to make plays. The Saints got run over by the Packers in the opener. Lots of teams have had trouble with Green Bay’s offense. But the Saints didn’t make a single big play on defense. Coordinator Gregg Williams needs to get his unit to force Chicago quarterback Jay Cutler into making some mistakes. The Saints need to create some turnovers in this game.
The Panthers will run the ball. Yes, rookie Cam Newton threw for 422 yards in his debut, and that was very encouraging. But Newton’s not going to do that every week. Carolina has two excellent running backs in DeAngelo Williams and Jonathan Stewart. The Panthers need to get them involved in the offense and try to control the clock. Newton’s not ready to win a shootout with Green Bay’s Aaron Rodgers. He needs his running backs to help keep Rodgers off the field as much as possible.
