Panthers Team Report

INSIDE SLANT

A broken finger on Jake Delhomme’s(notes) right throwing hand could open the door for backup quarterback Matt Moore(notes) this week.

Panthers coach John Fox said the injury occurred with 2:24 left in Sunday’s game against the New York Jets when a defensive player’s hand landed in between the fingers on Delhomme’s right hand as he released the football. Delhomme didn’t mention the injury after the game, but when he reported to work on Monday he complained of soreness in his hand. Doctors examined Delhomme’s hand and determined he had a broken bone in his finger. Fox wouldn’t say which finger, but did say it wasn’t the thumb.

Fox said he just learned of the injury about an hour before Monday’s press conference and said he’s uncertain if the injury has the potential to be season-ending.

“We’ll evaluate that as we move forward,” Fox said. “Obviously he’ll be day to day and we’ll see what he can take and can’t take. I would say it would be pretty hard-pressed for him to take snaps Wednesday.”

Fox wouldn’t say if Delhomme would start if he’s recovered.

“I can’t deal with ifs,” Fox said. “I think it’s fairly safe to say that Matt Moore will be there Wednesday and we’ll evaluate it day to day.”

Moore last started at the end of his rookie season in 2007, going 2-1 as a starter in the team’s final three games. After suffering a broken leg in the 2008 preseason, Moore wound up returning as the No. 3 quarterback last year. He started out in that same spot this year, but was elevated to No. 2 after Josh McCown(notes) went on injured reserve earlier this season.

For his career, Moore has completed 69 of 123 passes for 793 yards with three touchdowns and six interceptions.

“We haven’t got a chance to see him in a whole lot of live play lately, but I think he’s capable of making all of the throws and he has the height, weight and arm strength you’re looking for,” Fox said. “The quarterback position is about decision-making and until you get in there in live situations you really never know. He hasn’t had that opportunity a lot. I think he prepares hard and I think he’ll definitely give his best effort.”

Delhomme ranks 31st in the league in quarterback rating (59.4) and has thrown a career-high 18 interceptions with eight touchdown passes.

When asked if a little time away might be good at this point anyway for the struggling Delhomme, Fox said, “I think with a broken finger he’s going to get a little time away from it. I think if his finger wasn’t an issue I couldn’t, with a straight face, make a change. (The struggles) are a combined effort by the offensive players, not just one player—just for the record. We get a chance to research those things and it was poor not just by the quarterback.”

In other injury news, running back DeAngelo Williams(notes) and wide receiver Dwayne Jarrett(notes) suffered ankle sprains against the Jets, while defensive tackle Tank Tyler(notes) sprained his knee. Williams and Jarrett did return to the game.

All will be reevaluated on Wednesday.

NOTES, QUOTES

—Linebacker Jon Beason(notes) did his part for the Panthers on Sunday, tying a career-high with 17 tackles as the defense played extremely well.

The defense caused three turnovers and sacked Mark Sanchez(notes) three times. The Panthers only allowed one touchdown and that came after a Jake Delhomme interception set up the Jets at the Carolina 38. New York’s other touchdown came on an interception return by Darrelle Revis(notes).

But Beason wasn’t about to point fingers at the team’s offense.

“It’s tough, but the conversation during a game and at the end of the game and right now is the same, and that’s that we’re going to be men about it and continue to do our job,” Beason said. “Don’t point fingers and just look at yourself and say what can I do better? That is what being a team is all about.

“Obviously you are upset about being 4-7, but we’ve got to finish up on a positive note.”

Added Julius Peppers(notes): “I don’t get discouraged. The defense doesn’t have any control of what happens with the offense. All we can worry about is how we play.”

• DeAngelo Williams had a rough day for the most part but still managed to become the first Panthers running back in franchise history to go over 1,000 yards in back-to-back seasons.

Earlier this year Williams became the franchise’s all-time leading rusher.

At one point Williams hobbled to the sidelines with an apparent leg injury, but he returned to the game.

• In 2007, the Panthers and Jets made a blockbuster draft-day deal that aided both teams.

The Panthers gave the 14th overall pick to the Jets, getting New York’s first- and second-round picks in return (25th and 59th overall). The Jets used the 14th pick on University of Pittsburgh cornerback Darrelle Revis, who had two interceptions on Sunday including one he returned 67 yards for a touchdown.

The Panthers made out pretty good, too. With the two picks they selected linebacker Jon Beason (25th) and center Ryan Kalil(notes) (59th), both of whom figure to be starters here for years to come. Of course, they got those two for a lot less money than the Jets gave Revis since they were drafted much lower.

“He did a good job against me and I have the utmost respect for him,” Smith said. “He’s a very good, solid young corner and he will continue to do well if he continues to work the way he’s working.”

STRATEGY AND PERSONNEL

Player Notes  

• RB DeAngelo Williams sprained his ankle on Sunday, but did return to the game. He was listed on the injury report Monday so keep an eye on his status moving forward.

• WR Dwayne Jarrett also sprained his ankle on Sunday, but did finish the game.

• DT Tank Tyler sprained his knee on Sunday.

• WR Steve Smith has run two wrong routes this season resulting in pick-six touchdowns for the opposition. The first came in Week 3 against Dallas and the most recent was Sunday against the New York Jets.

• DE Tyler Brayton(notes) is really elevating his play of late. He had 1.5 sacks on Sunday, giving him four for the season. He also had nine tackles.

• LB Jon Beason tied a career-high with 17 tackles on Sunday against the Jets.

• QB Jake Delhomme and the Panthers offense failed to convert on two of their last 10 third-down opportunities on Sunday against the Jets.

• WR Kenneth Moore(notes) has been inactive the last two weeks, replaced by Charly Martin(notes).

Report Card Vs  . JETS

Passing Offense:   F—Another beauty here from Jake Delhomme, although it’s certainly not all his fault. Delhomme was 14 of 34 for 130 yards with four picks and took three sacks for minus-26 yards. Delhomme overthrew and under threw receivers all day long and his receivers were forced to go up after some “hospital passes.” Steve Smith had one catch for 5 yards and Muhsin Muhammad(notes) had one for 2 yards. Dante Rosario(notes) led the Panthers with four catches for 62 yards. Basically, this passing game is as bad as it has ever been in team’s 15-year history.

Rushing Offense:   D-minus—The Panthers couldn’t move the ball consistently on the ground, but it wasn’t from a lack of trying. Carolina stayed true to the run but managed just 75 yards on 25 carries. The Jets stacked the box and had no problems defending DeAngelo Williams, who was held to a season-low 40 yards on 16 carries. Jonathan Stewart(notes) had 35 yards on nine carries. The lack of a running game is a direct result of having limited weapons in the passing game. Keep in mind, the Panthers could have added some this offseason, but instead decided against trading franchise player Julius Peppers, thus limiting the team’s ability to add a No. 2 receiver. Right now a second-round pick and $16.7 million in free cap space sounds pretty good, huh?

Pass Defense:   B-plus—Carolina did a great job against Mark Sanchez, sacking him three times and forcing an interception. Sanchez finished 13 of 17 for 154 yards with no touchdowns. Richard Marshall(notes) had a tough time on a few plays with Braylon Edwards(notes), but overall the defense played well against the pass. Tyler Brayton continues to play well as he totaled nine tackles with a hand in two sacks. Chris Gamble(notes) had an interception and played a terrific game.

Rush Defense:   B—Considering the amount of time the Panthers spent on the field, they actually did a pretty good job against the run. The Jets had 139 yards, but were limited to just 3.6 yards per carry. Julius Peppers and Chris Harris(notes) each forced fumbles for the Panthers. Thomas Jones(notes) had 75 yards on 25 carries and one touchdown, marking the 11th straight game in which the Panthers have allowed a rushing touchdown. Jon Beason had 17 tackles.

Special Teams:   B-minus—Captain Munnerlyn(notes) had probably his best day, averaging 25 yards per punt return. John Kasay(notes) converted both field goal attempts. Carolina did have two miscues in coverage, allowing a 38-yard kickoff return and an 18-yard punt return. Rhys Lloyd(notes) struggled getting the ball deep into the end zone in the cold weather.

Coaching:   D—The Panthers have had all season to figure things out and yet the offense is getting worse. If ever there was a time to bench Delhomme it was Sunday, but that may say something about their confidence, or lack thereof, in backup Matt Moore. The Panthers aren’t going to flick a switch on offense and get better. They simply need better personnel and that won’t come until the offseason. Defensively, the Panthers did well considering they are so banged up. However, at 4-7 you can expect the Fox-to-be-fired rumors to start in earnest.