Carolina Panthers scouting report

[BernietheKid]

Carolina Panthers may be 1-9, but Cleveland Browns should still be wary: Tony Grossi's Scouting Report

Published: Wednesday, November 24, 2010, 6:04 AM Updated: Wednesday, November 24, 2010, 8:25 AM

Tony Grossi, The Plain Dealer


Jeff Siner / Charlotte Observer
John Fox appears to be in his last six weeks as the Carolina Panthers' coach, but he remains one of the NFL's most respected mentors, and comes to Cleveland on Sunday with his Panthers carrying a 3-0 record against the Browns

BEREA, Ohio -- The Carolina Panthers are the only NFL team the Browns have never defeated. But at 1-9, are they a dangerous team?

Scoff, if you will, but we've seen John Fox execute a win-ugly game plan to perfection with a similarly-depleted team. He brought a Panthers team to Cleveland in 2002 that had lost eight games in a row and saw its starting running back arrested during the practice week. Carolina played tough defense, got a 100-yard rushing game from its
No. 3 back and won with a 36-year-old quarterback completing eight passes.

Those Browns of Butch Davis would actually recover and become the only team to make the playoffs in the expansion era. The lesson learned was never count out Foxie when things look bleakest, especially when he's on the road.

Fox is finishing up a nine-year run as Panthers coach. He is a lame duck, as Panthers owner Jerry Richardson last year rejected his overtures for a contract extension.

Richardson has been one of the league owners proactive in planning for a potential lockout in 2011. At Richardson's behest, the Panthers used this uncapped year to dump big contracts without salary cap penalty. They parted ways with defensive end Julius Peppers and Jake Delhomme (who's reportedly owed over $12 million in guarantees).

At NFL league meetings, Fox seemed totally on board with the decision to turn over the offense to Delhomme's backup, Matt Moore, who had been impressive in the last month of the 2009 season. Nobody with the team envisioned Moore blowing his opportunity, but he pretty much has.

Rookie Jimmy Clausen was forced in prematurely and he struggled through four games. Clausen went down with a concussion two weeks ago. He could return for Sunday's game.

The offense was further thrown asunder by injuries to the offensive line and to running backs DeAngelo Williams and Jonathan Stewart. Stewart could be back this week, too.

In his place, unsung Mike Goodson had 100-yard rushing games against Baltimore and Tampa Bay. Fox seems most dangerous when his backfield is beat up.
Fox, a good friend of Mike Homgren's, has been able to maintain his lofty reputation despite the 1-9 record because everyone in the know is aware of what's going on. He will be in high demand if the NFL labor strife is averted by March.

He's a big enough name to command attention in Dallas if Jerry Jones replaces interim coach Jason Garrett. Fox has always been held in high esteem by the Giants organization since serving as their defensive coordinator for five years beginning in 1997. If those opportunities don't develop, he might still have his pick of jobs.

As for motivation for the remainder of this year, insiders point to Fox's pride in never having a worse record than 7-9 in Carolina. They'll need to run the table to meet that standard, but nobody is counting them out.

Panthers fans aren't enamored, of course, with the team's current state of affairs. But what's keeping them interested are the possibilities for next season, and beyond. How does a Jim Harbaugh-Andrew Luck combination sound?

TONY GROSSI'S SCOUTING REPORT
Browns vs. Carolina Panthers
Sunday, 1 p.m., in Cleveland Browns Stadium.
Record: 1-9.
Last game: Lost, 37-13, to Ravens on Nov. 21.
Coach: John Fox, 77-70, ninth year.
Series record: Panthers lead, 3-0.
Last meeting: Panthers won, 20-12, Oct. 8, 2006, in Charlotte, N.C.
League rankings: Offense is 32nd (24th rushing, 32nd passing), defense is 14th (24th rushing, seventh passing) and turnover differential is minus-10.

Offensive overview: It's been a nightmare season for former Browns assistant coaches Jeff Davidson (coordinator) and Rip Scherer (quarterbacks). Injuries to the offensive line, running back and quarterback have rendered the offense a complete mess. It started with Jake Delhomme-successor Matt Moore failing the organization's faith in him and fumbling his starting opportunity. Rookie Jimmy Clausen wasn't ready to play, and he struggled. Clausen should be back after missing two weeks with a concussion. Injuries split up the famed Smash-and-Dash running tandem of DeAngelo Williams and Jonathan Stewart. Two revelations have been second-year running back Mike Goodson, who has two straight 100-yard games, and rookie receiver David Gettis. There's always Steve Smith to throw to on the other side, as well, but he's terminally frustrated.

Defensive overview: Never underestimate a John Fox defense. Without the departed pass rusher Julius Peppers and injured linebacker Thomas Davis, the unit is still performing well, considering it is on the field so much. The defensive front is the weak spot, particularly at tackle, but the back seven keeps the team in games as long as it can. Middle linebacker Jon Beason makes tackles all over the field. The cornerback tandem of Chris Gamble and Richard Marshall is quite good considering the lack of pass rush.

Special teams overview: New coordinator Jeff Rodgers has helped to rescue the kicking units from the bottom of the league. Most of the improvement is seen in the coverage units. They're limiting teams to 7.8 yards on punt returns and 23.8 on kickoffs. Return specialist Captain Munnerlyn averages 10.2 yards on punt returns and had a 64-yard kickoff return last week. Kicker John Kasay, 41, still makes them from 50 yards out. He is 15-of-17, with a long of 55 yards. Punter Jason Baker is 18th in gross average (43.3 yards) and 17th in net (37.3). Kickoff specialist Rhys Lloyd has reached the end zone on 25 of 32 kickoffs, nine for touchbacks.

PLAYERS TO WATCH
Jeff Siner / Charlotte Observer
With Jake Delhomme gone and his successors hobbled by injury and inexperience, it's been a long season for perennial All-Pro receiver Steve Smith.

• Running back Mike Goodson: Not the inside banger the team usually fields, the second-year scatback is dangerous in the open field. He had 100-yard games his two starts against Baltimore and Tampa Bay.

• Receiver Steve Smith: A victim of the offense's injuries and problems, he's still capable of breaking a game open. He has two touchdowns, but averaged eight over the previous five years.

• Receiver David Gettis: The most productive of team's three receivers taken in the draft, this tall long-strider has 25 catches for a 16-yard average and three touchdowns.

Injury report: Running back Jonathan Stewart (concussion), quarterback Jimmy Clausen (concussion) and guard Travelle Wharton (turf toe) missed the last game.

Small world: Offensive coordinator Jeff Davidson coached with Browns 2005-06. ... Quarterbacks coach Rip Scherer coached with Browns 2005-06. ... Strength coach Jerry Simmons had same job with Browns 1991-95. ... Cornerback Chris Gamble played at Ohio State. ... Running back Tyrell Sutton is from Akron and attended Archbishop Hoban High School.

http://www.cleveland.com/browns/inde..._be_1-9_b.html

[faninthehammer]

gotta love the struggling rookie qurterback on the road in his first game back after a concussion. This could be fun for the Browns' linebackers and corners.

[Crow]

I would take a concussed rookie quarterback over Jake Delhomme.

But seriously I don't feel good about this game at all.

[Sez.EJ]

Last week I said the key to the game was stopping the run game..we did not (133 yards to MJD) .. lost.. same this week.. of course we must block better on offense this week..

Trust me they will try to do just what the Jags did... pound the ball at us and blitz. then again that's probably our game plan too.. pound the ball and blitz.. whoever EXECUTES those things; wins

[faninthehammer]

Colt has looked good for a rookie but is still a rookie. Jake should be able to manage the game as well or better than McCoy. He just has zero upside at this point. I don't think the team will take a step backward by playing JD IMHO.

The game is winnable if we can win the point of attack and feed them a healthy dose of Hillis with some play action. If Delhomme starts to feel the need to get revenge on his old team, it could be a long day.

[Enigmatic Evil]

It feels like Deja Vu but this is a game we should be able to win! I've been saying this for weeks now it seems and our record makes me look like a nut case. If we can't beat a 1-9 team then what the hell? Even with Doom Delhomme who so few of us seem to have any sort of faith in, I think that we should more than be able to win this game. Hillis won't have an easy time out there, their D will be hungry to stop him as he is really our only offensive threat at this point. I agree with faninthehammer that Delhomme SHOULD be able to manage the game and hopefully he wont throw up any, or many, prayers... I think our D should be able to more than handle themselves.

[BernietheKid]

Browns-Panthers: Don's Game Preview
		By Don Delco OBR Reporter Posted Nov 27, 2010 Unlike most of the Browns' opponents, the Panthers are struggling. Don Delco takes a look at the upcoming contest. 4 Comments
Two wins separate the Cleveland Browns with Sunday’s visiting opponent, the Carolina Panthers. It may only be two wins — the Browns are 3-7 and the Panthers are 1-9 — but there is a wide gap between the teams. Carolina arrives in Cleveland at an excellent time. The Browns have lost two consecutive games. The Browns lost their promising young quarterback Colt McCoy to a high ankle sprain. What is old is new again as Jake Delhomme will get the start in place of McCoy. “I’m looking forward to going out and just playing, just doing whatever this team needs to help us win,” said Delhomme on Wednesday. “We’ve had two very tough losses in a row. Certainly we had a couple of weeks where it was very fun, but two very tough losses in a row. We are just looking for any kind of way to bounce back and get a win.” Delhomme played in Carolina from 2003-09 where he led the Panthers to the Super Bowl in 2003 and in 2005 he was a Pro Bowl selection. That season Delhomme was 262-for-435 passing for 3,421 yards with 24 touchdowns and 16 interceptions. On March 5, 2010, the Panthers waived Delhomme and 10 days later the Browns signed him. “It’s unfortunate that Colt (McCoy) got injured because I thought he was doing a good job and I know Jake’s excited to play,” Browns offensive coordinator Brian Daboll said. “(Delhomme’s) really played one half of football for us healthy since we got him. He’s been out there doing a nice job with all the guys. He hasn’t shown over excitement about facing his old team, I think he’s kind of steady for us, old savvy vet.” Delhomme’s only start this season came in the Browns season-opening 17-14 loss to Tampa Bay in which he finished 20-for-37 passing for 227 yards with one touchdown and two interceptions. As it turns out, Tampa Bay was a pretty good team. Carolina? Well… The Panthers are allowing an average of 128.4 rushing yards and 203.5 passing yards a game and 25.2 points per game. In the offseason, they lost pass rushing defensive end Julius Peppers, linebacker Na’il Diggs and safety Chris Harris. Offensively, the Panthers have truly struggled. The team released Delhomme because they felt their future was Matt Moore. He’s now on injured reserve and rookie Jimmy Clausen is getting the start Sunday. Clausen, a Notre Dame product some thought might land in Cleveland, is struggling this season. He 67-for-138 passing for 692 yards with one touchdown and four interceptions. As a team, Carolina is ranked last in points per game (11.7), yards per game (252.5) and passing yards per game (156.1). The Panthers are averaging 96.4 rushing yards per game, which places them not last, but 23rd. Jacksonville running back Maurice Jones-Drew torched the Browns last week, as the tiny, but powerful, running back proved hard to bring down. Jones-Drew rushed for 133 yards on 23 carries and caught three balls for 87 yards including a back-breaking 75 yards screen pass that set up the winning touchdown. Entering Sunday, there is plenty of good news remaining for the Browns. Cleveland forced six turnovers last week leading to a plus-six on the season’s turnover ratio. Despite Jones-Drew’s performance last Sunday, the Browns are allowing fewer yards on the ground this season (116.4). Carolina’s running back tandem of Jonathan Stewart and DeAngelo Williams are missing a piece, with Williams placed in the IR several weeks ago. Last season, with Delhomme at quarterback, those two each rushed for more than 1,100 yards. This season in 10 games, Williams has 361 yards on 87 carries and Stewart has 208 yards on 69 carries. Mike Goodson, a second-year player out of Texas A&M, is the most productive back average 4.4 yards per carry. Individual statistics aside, for the first time since Oct. 3, the Browns are playing a team below .500. Nine of the Browns' first 10 opponents this season have above .500 records and the Browns have faced the toughest schedule in the NFL as their opponents have a combined 69-35 (.663) record. Oh, and of the 14 NFL teams with six wins or better, nine have been on the Browns' schedule. “It doesn’t matter who you play, I think we’ve played nine teams with winning records or whatever it is out of 10 games,” Ryan said. “When you’re out there on Sunday, it’s just the one opponent. Whoever it is, we want to win. We are working our tails off to prepare. We don’t know if we are favored or not, but we really don’t care. We just want to win.” Scout.com: Browns-Panthers: Don's Game Preview

[Sez.EJ]

Browns are favored by 9 1/2.... WOW.. Who would have thought that in ANY game this year.

[BernietheKid]

Browns vs. Panthers keys to the game
By Nate Ulrich
Beacon Journal sports writer
POSTED: 05:24 p.m. EST, Nov 26, 2010

1. Panthers coach John Fox and his players are dangerous for one main reason: At this point, they have nothing to lose. Fox, who is widely believed to be at the end of his nine-year run in Carolina, is 2-0 against the Browns. In 2002, his team snapped an eight-game losing streak with an ugly 13-6 win in Cleveland. Therefore, the Browns (3-7) can't afford to take the Panthers (1-9) lightly. They must start and finish strong in all three phases of the game, which has been a problem in recent weeks. The offense has been dreadful in the second half, and the defense has failed to tackle star players in crunch time.

2. The Browns must take advantage of golden opportunities instead of squandering them. Winning the turnover battle is vital to the success of every team. The Browns finished with a plus-five turnover differential last week against the Jacksonville Jaguars, but they somehow managed to lose 24-20. The Panthers have a minus-10 turnover ratio this season, so the Browns will probably have some takeaways. Their response to turnovers could be the difference between winning a game they should win and choking.

3. Running back Peyton Hillis had nowhere to run last week, and that's a significant problem. The Browns need to run the ball. It's their identity. Anything less than a solid rushing attack leaves the offense vulnerable against pass rushers, and quarterback Jake Delhomme, today's starter, isn't as mobile as Colt McCoy or Seneca Wallace. Hillis had 21 carries for 48 yards (2.3 average) against the Jaguars. There should be no excuse for him finishing with anything less than 100 yards against the Panthers, who are ranked 24th against the run.

4. On the other hand, the Browns need to shut down the Panthers' main rushing threat. Running back Mike Goodson has rushed for at least 100 yards in two consecutive games. Last week, he had 22 carries for 120 yards against the Baltimore Ravens' ninth-ranked rushing defense.

5. Like most rookies, Panthers quarterback Jimmy Clausen is prone to mistakes. He has thrown four interceptions and only one touchdown pass. The Browns' pass rushers must keep the momentum alive from their season-high four-sack performance against the Jaguars. If they pressure Clausen, he will falter.
— Nate Ulrich

Ohio.com - Browns vs. Panthers keys to the game

[Enigmatic Evil]

Points two and four feel like the most essential to me. We have squandered big breaks in every game we have lost this season. That's the common thread among our hard work and never-say-die attitude. We need to make the most of what we are given, and when they hand us opportunities we seem to just give the ball back more often than not.

If we cab bring the pain to the Pickle, we can keep things in our favor. Our run D is improved so I'm not worried about the Panthers running wild on us. We need to make sure we bring our best D effort because this is a game that could go the Panthers way just as easily as it could go ours.

Others have said that we need 'everything to go our way' to win games. I don't see that being any different this game. Not only do we need breaks, but we need to take ADVANTAGE of those breaks if we want to win today.