Redskins 17, Panthers 13: Let Down and Hanging Around

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Stop me if you've heard this one.

The Carolina Panthers blew a 4th-quarter lead in a close, low-scoring game, letting their opponent hang around long enough to make a big play that turned the game around. The Panthers were stuck with a head-scratcher of a loss, leaving their fans frustrated and questioning the team's quarterback, the team's play-calling, and the team's heart.

Sound familiar, Panthers fans? It's become a broken record in Charlotte. Carolina had a lead in the fourth quarter in all of their last four losses, but they couldn't hold it. This time, they literally couldn't hold the 4th-quarter lead when safety Mike Minter and cornerback Chris Gamble tried to arm-tackle Redskins tight end Chris Cooley, who broke free and broke north, taking a short Jason Campbell pass 66 yards for a touchdown with 4:26 left in the game.

This play came after Carolina responded to a late-3rd-quarter touchdown from Campbell to Antwaan Randle El with a 15-play 74-yard, 7-minute drive that ended with a spectacular Steve Smith touchdown catch. That gave the Panthers a 13-10 lead, which they gave right back after Cooley got loose. Carolina got the ball back twice, but they couldn't get anything going.

This was far more than just Minter and Gamble missing a tackle, though...

During the post-game show on the Carolina Panthers radio network, fans' anger was evenly split between quarterback Jake Delhomme for his poor play -- 23 for 38, 166 yards, 1 TD, 2 INTs -- and offensive coordinator Dan Henning for his poor play selection. The 3rd-and-10 draw play late in the 4th quarter had everyone baffled, and Delhomme's interception on Carolina's last possession... well, let's just say we all knew that pass was doomed as soon as he let it go.

The Panthers inability to establish a running game -- some would say unwillingness to establish a running game -- continued to be their ruin today. Rookie DeAngelo Williams filled in for the injured DeShaun Foster, who was a late scratch, but he barely got any touches in the second half. He had 10 carries for 50 yards in the first half, but only 7 carries for 13 yards in the second.

Once Dan Henning determined that Williams couldn't be Stephen Davis, either -- nice call on that one, Dan -- Carolina became one-dimensional, relying too much on Jake Delhomme, who had a tendency to throw off his back foot and overthrow wide-open receivers all afternoon. On at least one occasion, a receiver signaled Jake that he was open, and Jake never even looked his way. It was as if he was locked into a system and would not allow himself to break out of it.

Jake also attempted to force the ball to Steve Smith, who only had 5 catches for 34 yards today, when a checkdown throw to a tight end might have been better. Oh, wait, Henning doesn't like to use the tight end in his offense -- which is funny, since Kris Mangum's lone catch of the day got the Panthers a first down and then some...

The Panthers' defense did what it could, but even they got into trouble trying to stop Ladell Betts, who finished with 104 yards on 24 carries and looked remarkably solid all day. 10 of the Redskins' 14 first downs came on running plays.

What makes this game worse for Carolina is that it makes their playoff position far more tenuous. The New Orleans Saints throttled the Atlanta Falcons today, a result I would have otherwise enjoyed, and the New York Giants are dominating the Tennessee Titans as I type this. If the Giants-Titans score holds up, Carolina will tumble from a 4-seed to a 6-seed in the playoff race, and possibly out of it if the Philadelphia Eagles upset the Indianapolis Colts tonight.

With so many teams jumbled together in the NFC playoff race, the Panthers now find themselves with no room for error, and next week's Monday night battle in the Illadelph seems a lot bigger than it should have been.

All in all, it was a close, hard-fought game, but those are the games that baffle the Panthers the most. They are 2-3 in road games decided by 3 points or less, and they had fourth-quarter leads in all of them. It's bound to get people asking why Carolina suffers these constant letdowns. Maybe it's the quarterback. Maybe it's the play-calling. Maybe they just don't have enough heart. I'm baffled. You?

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)

11-28-2006 @ 12:32AM

Mercy cranford said...

I'm a big fan of Carolina Panthers. It's very frustrating to see the team struggling to win. Two big factor this team can't win .... Jake Delhomme and Dan Henning. Poor game plan. Poor performance of Jake Delhomme almost every game. He supposed to be the team leader. That mean you will be smart on every decesion you made. Do not give the ball away to the opponent. As a leader focus and make good plays . Carolina Panthers is done this season the way they play. No doubt about it. S U C K S ....

11-27-2006 @ 12:18AM

joel lay said...

The Carolina Panthers SUCK! Bunch of CANDY ASSES!!!
MR. Richardson, get rid of Fox, and the off cord Henning....

11-27-2006 @ 1:59AM

Keats said...

Dan Henning needs to go NOW -- taking Jake by the hand with him Seasopn is not lost --but Jis one dimensional-- --Fox needs to be a leader or maybe we can get Chuck Amato to come to Charlotte and do waht Fox is doing now --losing

11-27-2006 @ 7:20AM

MARSHALL said...

when is the last time you remember a draw play that worked for the panthers? I think they should take it out of the playbook. Henning called two in a row with the game on the line which was very stupid.Then thay still had a chance to win the game but dellome throws a pass as high as some punts with nobody there but redskins.C AN YOU SAY WEINKE!!!!!!!!!!!!!

11-27-2006 @ 7:44AM

pat porteer said...

Firstly Dan Henning has to go....Jake is next.the play calling has been terrible all season.Time for Henning to retire and get new ideas in the playbooks.If John dosent act now well be in last place looking up by end of year..REPLACE DAN HENNING AND JAKE DELHOMME....PAT FROM CHARLOTTE

11-27-2006 @ 7:57AM

Tim said...

First of all quit hateing on Jake!! He was the best thing since sliced bread when we were winning.Look were we come from as a team under Fox/Henning.Im sick of the quarterback getting thrown under the bus.It pretty evident when he is in a three step drop and on step 2, has 2 to 3 defensive back in his grill.Plain fact of the matter is that the offensive line sucks. Jesus Christ couldnt run the ball behind this offensive line.Just like last year in the NFC Championship Game the O Line sucked.If we can get a better Offensive Line together The Jake Mistakes will go way down.Then all you haters will once again be in love with the man.Show me the Chicken!!!!

11-27-2006 @ 8:22AM

misty from mcadenville said...

I hope everyone realizes that when we are winning and when WE DO MAKE IT TO THE PLAYOFFS you will all be praising Jake and saying how wonderful he is. Yeah we lost a game but dont hate on the quarterback when you have noone blocking good enuf so you can throw the dern ball. Yeah im upset that we lost the game but I am a true fan I dont jump on the bandwagon when its all going could and any PANTHERS FAN would not site here and post negative comments on this page. It only brings down the teams spirit and that doesnt help. Get behind and support them all the way no matter what!!!! And to my CAROLINA PANTHERS I love you guys work hard and bring us a victory next game!!
GO PANTHERS!!!!! I LOVE JAKE!!! GO PANTHERS!!!!

11-27-2006 @ 9:10AM

Marty O. said...

After reading most of the comments I have to agree that Dan Henning has to go!! I am a Panthers fan and live out of state...I have to watch on the ticket to see them play and I must say that I would love to get paid the big bucks to make the calls but I am not a coach....so how is it that I know what the Panthers are going to do on every play? I do not even watch game film...if I know then you know the opposition knows!!! Any coaching jobs opening up? Cannot do any worse!! Jake will settle down with more options and better blocking...it is not too late yet!!! Fox do what you have to do and do it now, not at the end of the season!!! Go Panthers!!!!

11-27-2006 @ 9:14AM

Julie said...

ONE WORD, WEINKE!!!!

11-27-2006 @ 9:53AM

R Corum said...

I think we need to forget the preseason praise, we knew the Panthers couldn't be that good, but with the trades for Keyshawn and other key picks, we all thought they'd be better than now. Trouble is: we still have Dan Henning, he was bad in the good years, so if Fox can't recognize that, he's doomed to lose too. Jake has weaknesses, his arm, he throws off his back foot, he throws in a hurry, he can only be effective with a strong line and a running game that works. Shore up the offensive line, dump Henning, use the tight ends more, more slants, only let Jake throw as far as he can to Steve Smith, if we can't score over 20 pts we can't beat anyone..it all comes down to the head Coach..make some changes..before its too late.

11-27-2006 @ 9:55AM

Jeff said...

Jake Delhomme Needs to go!!! He is hurting the Panthers in every way. Its time to put a new QB in there. JAKE SUCKS!!!!!!!

11-27-2006 @ 10:36AM

john ross said...

Mr Fox has to go , you cannot win by playing everygame with survival as your goal -- Jake just does possess the skills , he is playing up to his potential -- time for a change is over due , or continue to mirror Fox's game plan each week and do NOTHING !

11-27-2006 @ 10:41AM

Time for a change ! Jake is unfortunately playing up to his potential, he just does not possesss the skills many of his peers thru-out the league have -- combine this with Mr Fox's inabilty to be aggressive -- it is and will be a diaster until they both are gone --- DO IT KNOW .

11-27-2006 @ 10:56AM

Carson said...

Play-calling has the imagination of a doorknob. When you play 'not to loose', the other team always wins. The offense must be more aggressive and execute plays that demonstrate that they really want to win. This will never happen with Henning at the helm.

11-27-2006 @ 11:24AM

SCOTT KINSELLA said...

SOMEONE POINTED THIS OUT TO ME BETWEEN SEASONS TQO YEARS AGO, "THE PANTHERS ALWAYS PLAY DOWN TO THIER COMPETITION". PLAY A GREAT TEAM, DO WELL. A SO-SO ONE, THERE YOU HAVE IT. JAKE HAS GOTTEN ONE DIMSENTIONAL. THE SEAHAWKS TOOK SMITH OUT AND THERE WENT THE GAME. EVERYONE KNOWS TO DO THIS. HE RARELY WILL LOOK IN ANYONE ELSE'S WAY EVEN TOUGH THEY ALL HAVE GREAT RECIEVING PRDIGREES. WHEN MOOSE WAS HERE AND WAS JAKE'S PRIMARY TARGET, HIS HEIGHT BAILED JAKE OUT OFTEN. JUST LIKE MOOSES' CATCHES IN CHICAGO THIS YEAR. BOTTOM LINE: ALL THE PANTHERS RECIEVERS NEED STEP LADDERS

11-27-2006 @ 11:36AM

Jin said...

I cannot agree more with this article by D. Warner. Dan Henning has no skill. Why does he get paid big $$$ to do same thing every Sunday? Two draw plays in the fourth quarter when no running game is established and when the weakness in the Washington defense was supposedly their secondary? Give me a break! It is clear Henning has consistently lacked good judgment. Even when the Panthers do win, it is by either 1) dominating defense or 2) pure athleticism of Steve Smith. Do not confuse either of the two for good coaching at the offensive coordinator level!

Next, Jake Delhomme must go for same reasons. He is a mediocre QB at best in terms of athletic ability, and a terrible QB in terms of field vision and judgment. Just look back at all of the interceptions that he threw, and you will notice most if not all were by poor judgement on Jake's part and not on a spectacular play by the defender. In fact, many of the incompletions that Jake throws are near interceptions.
Again, do not confuse passing yardage and TDs credited to a truly talented wide receiver (Steve Smith) for a competent QB. It is time the Panthers look hard at replacing Jake.

Phil Lawson said...

I have never been a fan of Jake Delhomme. I think he was in the right place at the right time. I have always wondered where we would be if Weinke had been the only option then when we needed a quarterback change. Nothing positive will happen til Henning is gone and the offense is opened up. I watch the great teams play and see the drastic difference in the way their offenses operate. The Panthers are so predictbale that even I know how it operates. Two runs up the middle for 2 yards and a heave down the field for an incompletion or an interception. I like John Fox as a coach but if he does not make some changes soon I can't see Jerry Richardson continuing to have confidence in his ability to manage the team. We are still in the wildcard race and changes now may help make the playoffs.

11-27-2006 @ 11:49AM

JWWJ said...

I agree that the panthers need to make changes but do you really think that Weinke can get the job done? Jake just needs to calm down and maybe take a hit instead of throwing the ball up for grabs. As for Dan Henning, he and the whole offense need to tighten up. they play way to loose.

11-27-2006 @ 1:44PM

curtis said...

with the right system JAKE is a better QB. After the two consective running plays in the fourth, why not kick a field goal and kick off. We had 2 time outs and the two minute warning. The team does baffle me in meaningful games they seem to just go through the motions. The redskins were coming off of a close lose to tampa and with a new starter. We should put more pressure on the QB

11-27-2006 @ 12:16PM

mark b. said...

jake isn't the problem in carolina, dan henning is. The o-line has always been awful. there is no way a quarterback or a runningback can do their job if the line is ineffective. dan henning has to get the hell out. why continue to run on a 3rd and 10 or a 3rd and 14. it doesn't make no sence. i saw dan henning on camera during the game... he looked baffled. he had no other offensive plays that left. why? he is too old. everybody knows what carolina is about to do. why are they so easy to run on? if this team is supposed to be tough and championship calibre. they better stop all this conservative crap and play some damn football. PEACE!!!!

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