Brad Hoover (Correctly) Feels Like the Panthers Abandoned the Run a Little Early

The Carolina Panthers got flat out pummeled by the Arizona Cardinals on Saturday night. Take out the first possession from each team and it was one-sided the entire way. Let's put it this way: if Edgerrin James has more rushing attempts than DeAngelo Williams and Jonathan Stewart combined, you can be pretty certain that the Panthers gameplan crumbled.

And Brad Hoover, P-Cats fullback and Davidson County (woot, woot, etc) native, thinks they probably abandoned the run a touch early. Well, duh.

"Our plan was to try to run the ball on them. That's what we've hung our hat on all year, being successful in the running game, and I still think we could have done it," Hoover said. "Not to question things but, when you start putting yourself in a hole, and we did pretty fast, it's hard to just run the ball when you've put yourself in pass situations."

And, hey, not to question a coaching staff for giving Jake Delhomme more throws or anything, but the game kind of unfolded like a Madden mismatch (me = Lions, my brother = Patriots) where one team just doesn't have the kind of firepower/gameplan to play catch-up and just ends up making more mistakes.

But here's the other thing (and please, I'm not taking away from the Cardinals defense ... it was very, very tough): if you're going into desperation, "heave it deep" mode, how on Earth does Steve Smith still only end up with two catches on the day? Especially when one is a very late, worthless touchdown grab?

It's fairly inexplicable, aside from the fact that the Panthers coaches may or may not have overlooked the Cardinals, at least in terms of preparing a game plan on both sides that could enable the team to win.

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

1-12-2009 @ 5:09PM

soulcitysigma1914 said...

sorry but i WILL take away from Arizona's defense, because it is shamefully sorry. I've been telling people this since half time saturday, the decision to go pass-first on just the second drive was incredibly dumb. Arizona's buttery defense would not have stopped an offense entrusted to the backs, and looked way better than it actually is against a flustered Jake.

1-12-2009 @ 5:11PM

and i might add that Jake made Oakland's defense look pretty good too earlier this season. but for some reason, people realized against Oakland that it was Jake bumbling, but in this game against a Cards defense that has looked horrible all season, people all the sudden want to say it was good defense, not horrid quarterbacking. Please end the love affair Darnell Dockett

1-12-2009 @ 6:14PM

Angelia said...

There is enough blame to go around about this game. YOU cannot blame it all on Jake... Panthers have to get rid of Ken Lucas, and get a new DEFENSIVE COORDINATOR! BUT we still had one hell of a season.

1-13-2009 @ 5:32PM

Shawn said...

You are definitely right Angelia. If you noticed the strong saftey and corner, could not decide which receiver they should cover. There were a lot of "missed assignments", but for the most part, it was Jakes screwup, but the Panthers also did the same thing after their bye week earlier this year, play good up to the bye week, but come back and play crappy afterwards

1-12-2009 @ 8:15PM

Big Rob said...

The panthers were - - OVER-RATED-----OVER-RATED-----

1-13-2009 @ 4:39PM

reggie said...

Jake must go

1-13-2009 @ 8:36PM

Mike said...

I am so tired of hearing that Jake had no choice but to throw...the Panthers were only down by 10 and the Cards D was in a zone rushing 4 perfect defense to RUN ON! After that first turnover it wasn't like they were being blown out, I don't think Carolina had a solid game plan ready and for that they deserve to lose. I love Jake but he takes far many risks, risks that cause losses. I think some of the play calling should be taken away from Jake. I can't knock Jake he has done a lot for Carolina football but please Carolina make better decisions next year the window to win a super bowl is closing quickly!!! Panther Fan in AZ! Go Panthers!

1-14-2009 @ 2:43AM

Hey Mike, so far as I know, Jake DOESN'T call his own plays...maybe thats a problem? He may do better if he did. Thanks. And I too believe that if they had run the ball, just as they started the game doing, it would have been different.

1-14-2009 @ 8:56AM

Terry said...

The Panthers had an excellent running game during the 1st drive that resulted in a touchdown. For some reason, they abandoned the running game completely thereafter.

This game was lost to poor coaching. The head coach could have returned to the awesome running game and took the pressure off his struggling quarterback at any time. My feeling is he didn't due to being "paid off."

There just is no other explanation as to why the continued to throw interceptions when they have such a powerful running tandem that came out blazing in this game.

1-14-2009 @ 9:51AM

Buzz Cisler said...

A lot of you Panther fans are class people and knowledgable about the game of football...but, people like "soulcitysigma" are complete idiots! Your team is a good team, but a team made up of good to average players (except #89). The Cards were just better than the Panthers on Saturday! Soulcity, get over yourself!

1-14-2009 @ 12:27PM

Judy said...

Hey fellow Cards fans,

I saw on their website (MyStudio.net) that MyStudio is having a contest, and the prize is 2 tickets to the game! To enter you have to do a fan video at the MyStudio at Scottsdale Fashion Square. It's free for Cardinals fans.

I can't go to the game anyway, but you guys should go for it! You can do it until 9 p.m. Saturday, which is when they do the drawing and announce the winner.

Here's one video (your competition!): http://mystudio.net/VideoLowRes.aspx?VideoId=15756

MyStudio is on the ground level by the Food Court. Mon - Sat 10-9, Sun 11-6

Good luck!

GO CARDINALS! Go Big Red!!!!!!!!

1-15-2009 @ 2:36PM

CEE said...

Wow! All of the other boards I have read about the Panthers' give away to the Cardinals contain so many rude, ignorant, and childish posters. But this board actually contains INTELLIGENCE. Thanx for the intelligent convo! I agree; Fox and the coaching staff blew it. Running would have given the Panthers the ball longer, given the Cards fewer passing plays and given the defense rest (and much needed think time). Come on! Everybody KNOWS that Warner passes; the Panthers barely beat them the last time with Warner passing for over 300 yards. This game should have had a score, like 27-14 in favor of the Panthers. Next year, the offense AND defense will need to play the entire schedule, not half and half. A 12-4 record will bring a tougher schedule.