Julius Peppers is not Sick or Injured.
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by FatMan
The defensive captain of the Carolina Panthers, uttered that declaration yesterday. Why did it have to be stated?? For starters, he has 1.5 sacks this year and both came in the game against Arizona. Secondly, the defense of the Panthers has 7 sacks as a team, which is on pace to finish the year with the most futile total in history (or at least since the sack was a stat). There are almost 10 players with more individual sacks than the Panthers have as a team. As the defensive captain, Peppers is drawing heat for his lack of game-changing plays. Heck, he's under heat for the lack of plays - period.
If Peppers isn't injured then what's the problem?? It is a little more complex than wondering if Julius has mono or a chronic injury. First off, his DL peers haven't been giving him much help. Mike Rucker just tallied his first sack last week. Kris Jenkins has been the steadiest on the line, but is more effective versus the run this year. There has been no consistent pressure on the opposing QB. It isn't helped by the fact that the secondary has been poor. Even since Mike Minter retired days before the season began, throwing the safety position into a state of flux, there were coverage issues. When coaches have a lack of confidence in the secondary, they don't want to leave these "liabilities" on an island which is what happens when they blitz. So, they don't blitz that often which results in less pressure on the QB, giving him more time to find an open WR. It is a cycle that keeps repeating, and there are few parts of that cycle that are in favor of the defense.
The defense also has been strained because of the feeble output of the offense. They are consistently playing in a poor field position matchup, either having a long field to operate from on offense or having a short field to protect against on D. This has led to the D getting tired late in games and forcing the offense, which is not adept at scoring, to come back and produce points in the second half. A couple years ago the local papaer said that the Panthers were the best 1-7 team in NFL history, which to me came off as grasping at straws. It would not be to much of a reach to say this team might be one of the worst 4-5 teams in history. And it doesn't get any easier as they travel to Lambeau Field on Sunday.
WEEK 11:
Matchup: Panthers (4-5) at Packers (8-1)
When: Sunday, November 18, 1PM ET
Network: FOX
Weather: 30 degrees and clear
When the Panthers have the ball:
If the Panthers want to have a shot at winning, they simply have to involve Steve Smith more. Their star WR is averaging less than 5 touches over his past 5 games. That is inexcuseable. Testaverde has been better about getting Smith the ball than Carr, but they aren't taking any deep shots with him. They need to if only to loosen the D. I don't expect their running game to do much vs. the Packers, as teams have been putting 8 and 9 men in the box and forcing short passes. Carr will probably get the start, but Panther fans should hope Vinny does. He has the veteran know-how to win in Lambeau and has been a much better protector of the ball when he's been in there. They will need to minimize mistakes and control field position, and force Favre into a couple turnovers.
When the Packers have the ball:
If the Panthers are going to get confidence rushing the passer, they better do it this week. Favre isn't the most mobile of guys and the Packer running game up until the last two weeks has been terrible. Ryan Grant has provided them a much needed boost. The Panthers had better hope that was a function of playing against a poor rushing defense in Denver, or they might be in for a long day. The secondary is going to have to try and stay with Driver and Jennings, but Favre has also been going frequently to Donald Lee, the former WR now TE. This diverse passing game is going to harass the Panthers all day if they don't get pressure. The key to this game will be the pass rush, so so non-ill and non-injured Peppers better come to play.
Quick Hits:
- The Panthers released QB Drew Olsen who was signed last week to be the 3rd QB. Matt Moore will continue in that role - he was the backup last week.
- The Panthers are 3-1 on the road, their only loss being in Tennessee two weeks ago.
The FatMan is the beat reporter for the Panthers. He reports on armchairgm.com twice a week and never on Sundays.
