The Panthers had started 0-2 and not looked very good in either of its first two games. The Cowboys had just had a losing effort the week before in the opening game at their $1 billion new stadium.
In fact, in that game quarterback Tony Romo played much like Panthers quarterback Jake Delhomme had played in the first two games, susceptible to turnovers.
While the Panthers said all the rights things during the week, the Cowboys didn’t get the memo. After a sluggish start for both teams in the first half, the Cowboys went into the locker room at halftime to a chorus of boos from the home crowd, most of whom had paid big money for their tickets, parking spaces and concessions at Jerry Jones’ new Taj Mahal.
In the second half, they got a solid performance from their Cowboys as they practically ran the ball at will against a soft Carolina defense. They did this with starting running back Marion Barber out with a deep thigh bruise. Back-ups Felix Jones and Tashard Choice filled in quite nicely, though depending on your perspective, their showing was partially to blame on the Panthers “pathetic tackling” as ESPN Monday Night announcer Mike Tirico put it on one second half play.
Pathetic is just one of the adjectives (some aren’t printable) that Panthers fans were using on Tuesday call-in shows to describe this latest performance. From the continued struggles of quarterback Jake Delhomme, to the lack of production by $17 million man Julius Peppers to some of the coaching decisions, the entire performance had fans and media buzzing. “It’s time to bench Delhomme.” Was one of the feature headlines on Tuesday morning’s Charlotte Observer Sports section.
While there are many places to point fingers Delhomme, Peppers, and Coach John Fox are the most common targets around Charlotte lately.
“He might be the best option on the roster, but we just need a change,…any change.”, said one sports talk caller speaking of Delhomme.
“Fox and (GM Marty) Hurney both need to go. It starts with the brass”, said another caller.
They may not be too far off. Much of the Panthers troubles started in the offseason when they decided to mortgage their future and their depth by giving one man, DE Julius Peppers almost 1/8 of their entire salary cap. Through his first 3 games, Peppers is not performing even close to what a top-tier Defensive End should be.
They also decided to give an extension to QB Jake Delhomme. While he has at times in his career been a good game manager that fits Fox’s offensive scheme, he has also had multiple very poor games in which he has been questionable with his reads and decisions, leading to turnovers.
Panther fans do have some good news where the team is concerned. The Panthers now face a bye week, so they’ll be no chance of another loss this week.
Next up: Washington at Bank of America stadium in Charlotte (10/11)
Key numbers:
- 3 – Only three NFL teams since 1990 have climbed out of an 0-3 hole to make the playoffs.
- 2 – Only two tackles (1 solo, 1 assist) by DE Julius Peppers (far too little for someone earning $1 million per game)
- 182.6 - The rushing yards per game the Panthers defense is allowing. (they gave up 212 to the Cowboys)
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