Vinny Testaverde has been replaced to open the second half due to an ankle injury -- or at least that is what they're reporting in the press box. David Carr is in quarterback to open the second half with the Panthers down 17-7.

1^st Quarter

RECAP: The Panthers came out strong, taking the opening kickoff and going 80 yards on 18 plays for a 7-0 lead. RB DeShaun Foster scored his second rushing touchdown of the season on a 3-yard run to cap the 11-minute drive.

BIG PLAY: With Carolina facing a third-and-10 at their own 20, Colts CB Tim Jennings was flagged for a holding call on WR Steve Smith, giving the Panthers an automatic first down and keeping the drive alive.  

BIG MISTAKE: After Carolina’s defense forced the Colts to go three-and-out, return man Ryne Robinson made a rookie mistake when he tried to pick up a short punt and muffed it. Indianapolis’ Ramon Guzman recovered at the Carolina 20, leading to a Colts field goal.

COMMENT: The Panthers came into the game needing to keep Peyton Manning off the field and they did just that with an 80-yard drive that took more than 11 minutes off the clock. The Robinson fumble really hurt Carolina's momentum. The defense did a nice job of holding the Colts to a field goal.

SCORE: Carolina 7, Indianapolis 3

1^st Quarter

RECAP: The Panthers came out strong, taking the opening kickoff and going 80 yards on 18 plays for a 7-0 lead. RB DeShaun Foster scored only his second rushing touchdown of the season on a 3-yard run.

BIG PLAY: With Carolina facing a third-and-10 at their own 20, Colts CB Tim Jennings was flagged for a holding call on WR Steve Smith, giving the Panthers an automatic first down and keeping the drive alive.  

BIG MISTAKE: After Carolina’s defense forced the Colts to go three-and-out, return man Ryne Robinson made a rookie mistake when he tried to pick up a short punt and muffed it. Indianapolis’ Ramon Guzman recovered at the Carolina 20, leading to a Colts field goal.

COMMENT: The Panthers came into the game needing to keep Peyton Manning off the field and they did just that with an 80-yard drive that took more than 11 minutes off the clock. The Robinson fumble really hurt the momentum.

SCORE: Carolina 7, Indianapolis 3

 

2nd Quarter

RECAP: How frustrating must this be for the Panthers – they completely dominated the first half of action up until the final 3:31. That’s when Manning led an eight-play, 86-yard touchdown to give the Colts a 10-7 lead. He runs the two-minute drill as well as anybody ever to play. Too many wasted opportunities for Carolina’s offense so far.

BIG PLAY: Carolina linebacker Na’il Diggs strips Colts TE Ben Utecht of the football and SS Chris Harris recovers at the Colts 28. Nice play on the strip by Diggs, who purposely went for the football on the tackle.

BIG MISTAKE: After the turnover, Testaverde throws a pick in the end zone… Also, the Panthers allowed rookie Anthony Gonzalez to catch a 16-yard reception on a third-and-15 from the Colts 9. Had they stopped that play, the Colts would have been forced to punt.

COMMENT:  The good news for the Panthers is Foster already has 15 carries, and the Panthers are 23-2 when he does that.

SCORE: Indianapolis 10. Carolina 7

   The Indianapolis Colts will be without three starters today -- wide receiver Marvin Harrison, left tackle Tony Ugoh and linebacker Freddy Keiaho. Also out will be defensive backs Michael Coe and Matt Giordano, linebacker Victor Worsley, defensive end Jeff Charleston and defensive tackle Quinn Pitcock. Rookie Anthony Gonzalez will start for Harrison, while Charlie Johnson fills in for the rookie Ugoh. Also, Rocky Boiman starts strong side linebacker while Tyjuan Hagler moves over to weakside linebacker to fill in for Keiaho.

   No suprises for the Panthers.

   Linebackers Dan Morgan and Adam Seward are out, along with tackles Frank Omiyale and Evan Mathis, defensive ends Charles Johnson and Oits Grigsby and receiver Dwayne Jarrett. Matt Moore is the third quarterback.

   Ken Lucas' and Chris Gamble's jobs got a little easier this week when the Indianapolis Colts ruled out receiver Marvin Harrison (knne), according to nfl.com. Harrison will miss his second game in three weeks. Expect more passes to be thrown to Reggie Wayne and Dallas Clark. Rookie Anthony Gonzalez will likely start for Harrison.

   While Pro Bowl wide receiver Steve Smith continues to avoid interviews with the local media (It's nothing I did this time, folks), he doesn't have any problem telling all to the national media. Last week, Smith did an in-studio interview with ESPN and on Thursday night he was featured in a segment with Cris Carter on HBO's Inside the NFL. It's worth a look if you can catch one of the reruns this week but nothing new info-wise that you probably haven't read about here or there at some point in the past.

   In the interview, Smith talks about the altercation with Anthony Bright, the teammate he beat up in a film room fight a few years back. Smith said he started going to anger management counseling on his own (not because the team told him to) and that he still attends them now.

   Smith also talked about how it has helped him grow personally through the years.

   There is one uncomfortable moment in the interview when Carter asks Smith about the incident earlier this year with Atlanta cornerback DeAngelo Hall. I didn't tape the interview so I don't have the exact quote, but to paraphrase Smith basically says if this were a few years ago people would still be trying to drag him off of No. 21 (Hall).

   When Smith says it, Carter laughs. And I don't blame him, it's kind of a funny line.

   But as Carter laughs, Smith just glares at him, showing no change of emotion. It's pretty clear Smith is being quite serious and the scene quickly becomes uncomfortable. Finally, the camera pans away from Smith, who is still glaring at Carter. Hey, I've been on the receiving end of that glare before and I can promise you it's no fun. But that's part of dealing with Smith. Sometimes you think he's trying to say something funny and really he's being completely serious. I've about given up trying to figure out Smith. It's kind of like reading a Dan Brown novel -- once you think you've figured it out, everything changes.

   The thing with Smith is he can be a friendly, chatty guy when he wants to be. He can turn on the charm at anytime. And I can promise you one thing -- that Panthers owner Jerry Richardson absolutely loves him, although I'm willing to bet he's never been on the receiving end of a glare.

   But Smith seems to feel a need to be angry at someone -- whether it's another player or a member of the media -- whom he feels has dissed him. And I'm not dissing him here. I'm just trying to give fans a little insight into what it's like to deal with him.

   I guess that's part of what makes him tick, part of what makes him a great player. He uses anger or perceived lack of respect toward him as motivation. Hey, it works for him. You can't argue with his success.

   But I don't know, to me it just seems like a tough way to go through life. And that's just my opinion. Steve Smith is Steve Smith, and if we all had the same personality life would be pretty boring, right? So, to each his own, I guess.

   I just don't think the relationship between player and media (which is the conduit to the fans, by the way) needs to be so combative.

   Anyway, the HBO Inside the NFL segment, which features some rare shots from inside Smith's Charlotte home, is worth a glance because you probably won't be reading much about Smith on this website -- at least until the ban on talking to the local media is lifted.

   This year the NFL instituted a new rule that allows team captains to wear a "C" on the front of their jersey to dinstinguish them as leaders. But while the "C" is supposed to stand for "captain," I'm wondering if, at least in the case of the Panthers, it doesn't stand for "cursed."

   This about it.

   Already three of Carolina's five captains have struggled through injury-plagued seasons. Offensive captain Jake Delhomme and special teams captain Nick Goings are already on injured reserve, while Dan Morgan, one of the team's defensive captains, has missed the last three games with a partially torn Achilles.

   Carolina's other two captains are Steve Smith and Julius Peppers. Smith has played well this season despite a dip in production with David Carr under center, and Peppers is just now starting to turn it on after a slow start.

   UPDATE: By the way, on Thursday afternoon, not long after I posted this, the Panthers added offensive tackle Jordan Gross and kicker John Kasay as their new team captains on offense and special teams, respectively. Gross had a little fun with it, joking that he was honored to be selected as "the third place captain."

   The Carolina Panthers suddenly have sole possession of first place in the NFC South -- and they didn't have to do a thing on Sunday.

   By virtue of Tampa Bay's loss to Detroit, the Panthers (4-2) pulled a half-game ahead of the Bucs (4-3). New Orleans is slowly trying to creap up from behind with two straight wins after an 0-4 start. And Atlanta, well their season ended before it ever began.

   What this means, of course, is the Panthers control their own destiny in the NFC South entering yet another home game -- and that has never been a good situation for John Fox's team of late.

   It seems that anytime the Panthers are put in that situation of late, they lose. It won't be very easy to end that trend this week when the Panthers host the Super Bowl champion Colts. The one thing the Panthers have going for them is the unbeaten Colts have to travel after a short week. They play tonight on ESPN.

   However, the Panthers are 0-2 at home this year and have lost their last four games at Bank of America Stadium by a combined score of 118-44.

  

   On Wednesday, the San Diego Chargers completed a trade with the Miami Dolphins, acquiring veteran wide receiver Chris Chambers for a second-round draft pick in 2008.

   The Panthers were never a player in the trade negotiations for Chambers -- and there's a part of me that's a little disappointed about that.

   Hear me out.

   I don't think anyone can argue the Panthers are in dire need of a No. 2 receiver as four-year veterans Keary Colbert and Drew Carter and rookies Dwayne Jarrett and Ryne Robinson have shown no signs of stepping up and becoming "the guy" who can take pressure off Steve Smith. Colbert has shown flashes, but drops too many balls and other times disappers completely. Carter has dropped off the face of the earth, while Jarrett appears trapped in the rookie doghouse and can't seem to make it on the field. Robinson? He's active, but only because of his ability as a returner. 

   So in that aspect, I think Chambers would fill an immediate need.

   However, the Panthers are looking at this in terms of long term value. Despite all of the negative publicity Jarrett is getting these days, the Panthers still think he can play. They don't think he's another Eric Shelton. (God, let's hope not). And second, they view their draft picks -- especially first-day draft picks -- as precious commodities. And, I agree, a second rounder is a lot to give up for a receiver. Think of it this way, the Patriots acquired Randy Moss from the Oakland Raiders for a fourth-round pick in the off-season.

   On the other hand, isn't there something to be said for acquiring proven talent for a draft pick? Here's what I mean.

   What exactly have the Panthers done with their second-round picks anyway? I hate to drudge up their draft history again, but in the John Fox era here is what the Panthers have gotten in return for their second round picks -- Jarrett and Ryan Kalil (2007), cornerback Richard Marshall (2006), Shelton (2005), Colbert (2004), guard Bruce Nelson (2003) and running back DeShaun Foster (2002). Of those, only Marshall and Foster have proved to be consistent contributors.

   So again, I ask, isn't it worth acquiring a player who you know can help you right away -- even if it means pulling the trigger on a second-round pick?

   In case you're wondering about Chambers' age, he's 29. He's in his seventh NFL season and has only missed two games since coming into the league. He's shown outstanding pass-catching ability despite never having played with a decent quarterback. Like Smith, he plays the game with a bit of a chip on his shoulder.

   My guess is he'll be a star in San Diego.

   He wouldn't have put up the same numbers here in Carolina, but he sure would have been a nice complement to Smith.

   I don't know, part of me says the Panthers should have pursued Chambers. I can fully understand why they didn't, but man, I think that's a tough one to pass on. What do you think?

  

 

 

   Question to ponder: What should the Panthers do with Dan Morgan when he returns from a foot injury?

   After all, Jon Beason is playing extremely well in the middle.

   “I think he’s done an excellent job,” coach John Fox said of Beason. “We were probably a week too late (moving him to middle linebacker). But he’s stepped in, and I think he’s gotten better each week. He’s just getting more and more confident.”

   So will Morgan be the starting middle linebacker when he returns?

   Fox wasn't about to say.

   "Much like the earlier question (about the quarterbacks), we’ll kind of evaluate that when those things arise," Fox said. "It’s good to have some competition within your own team. We’ll put the guy in there we think gives us the best chance.”

   With that in mind, why not move Morgan to weakside linebacker when he returns.

  

  

   Despite proving that he can still play at the NFL level on Sunday, Carolina Panthers quarterback Vinny Testaverde said this, his 21st season in the league, will be his last.

   During the course of Sunday's interview, a reporter jokingly asked Testaverde if he views Carolina as a long-term team or if he's just using this is a stepping stone to go somewhere else.

   Testaverde, sensing the sarcasm involved, laughed and said, "You're joking, right?"

   Then, turning serious for a moment, Testaverde said, "No, I think this is probably my last year. I'm pretty confident this will be my last year."

   if Sunday does wind up being the final game Testaverde starts -- assuming the Panthers got back to David Carr as the starter against Indy -- then it sure was a great way to go out.

  

 

1^st Quarter

RECAP: No surprise here as Vinny Testaverde gets the start at QB for Carolina. On defense, everyone has been waiting for Carolina’s sack attack to arrive and it finally has. The Panthers, who had just two sacks all season, got two in the first quarter with maligned DE Julius Peppers having a hand in both.

BIG PLAY: Peppers’ second sack resulted in a fumble that he recovered, setting up a 33-yard John Kasay field goal. Peppers also knocked out QB Kurt Warner on the play, sending him to the locker room with a left elbow sprain.

BIG MISTAKE: On a third-and-1 at the Arizona 15, RB DeShaun Foster dropped a simple pass in the flat that would have went for a first down and kept the drive alive. Instead, the Panthers settle for a field goal.

COMMENT: It’s all even. With Warner out of the game, both teams are playing a quarterback they just signed this week – Testaverde for Carolina and Tim Rattay for Arizona. Now this is what the fans came to see. Carolina has two sacks and two turnovers already.

SCORE: Carolina 3, Arizona 0

 

2^nd Quarter

RECAP: The Panthers add another Kasay field goal before the Cardinals take the lead 7-6 with a 12-play, 80-yard touchdown drive.

BIG PLAY: WR Larry Fitzgerald made a great one-handed catch near the sidelines on third down to keep Arizona’s touchdown drive alive. John Fox challenged the play, but it was ruled Carolina FS Deke Cooper forced him out of bounds.

BIG MISTAKE: CB Chris Gamble failed to make a tackle when Arizona’s Edgerrin James rambled through the middle of the line for a 23-yard touchdown run.

COMMENT: The Panthers running game is abysmal. Up until the final carry to run out the clock, Carolina RBs DeShaun Foster and DeAngelo Williams had 15 yards on seven carries. Man, I could be watching Dallas vs. New England.

SCORE: Arizona 7, Carolina 6

 

3^rd Quarter

RECAP: Carolina takes a 9-7 lead on Kasay’s third field goal of the game with 5:44 left in the third. The Cardinals answer with a 50-yarder by Neil Rackers. The Panthers can’t complain about the field position they’ve had in this game. They simply haven’t taken advantage of it. They’re really struggling in the red zone.

BIG PLAY: Again, Fitzgerald came up with a 36-yard gain with a leaping grab over Chris Gamble. Gamble later had a shot at an interception but the ball came loose and Jerheme Urban battled for it on the ground.

BIG MISTAKE: This one goes to the back judge, who failed to call a defensive holding penalty on Cardinals LB Monty Beisel, who grabbed WR Drew Carter as he ran a slant route in the end zone. Beisel clearly grabbed Carter’s arm, impeding his ability to make the catch.

COMMENT: Testaverde hasn’t been great, but he’s not done anything to hurt his team at this point in the way of turnovers.

SCORE: Arizona 10, Carolina 9

 

4^th Quarter

RECAP: The Panthers picked off Rattay two more times in the fourth quarter in the fourth quarter and got a huge play from Testaverde and Steve Smith, who hooked up on a 65-yard touchdown strike.

BIG PLAY: The 65-yard bomb from Testaverde to Smith was a thing of beauty as Smith beat Arizona’s Rod Hood, who inexplicably seemed to stop running on the play. Afterward, Smith told Testaverde, “I told you that you can’t overthrow me.”

BIG MISTAKE: Kasay, who had been a perfect 3-for-3 on the day, misses a 45-yard field goal wide right with 13:29 left in the game, a kick that would have given the Panthers the lead. But he comes back a few minutes later and nails it from the same spot on the field to give his team an 18-10 lead.

COMMENT: Testaverde didn’t put up huge numbers, but he came through when the Panthers needed him and didn’t make any huge mistakes that hurt his team. Basically, he did exactly what the Panthers wanted, managing the game well.

SCORE: Carolina 25, Arizona 10

 

1^st Quarter

RECAP: No surprise here as Vinny Testaverde gets the start at QB for Carolina. On defense, everyone has been waiting for Carolina’s sack attack to arrive and it finally has. The Panthers, who had just two sacks all season, got two in the first quarter with maligned DE Julius Peppers having a hand in both.

BIG PLAY: Peppers’ second sack resulted in a fumble that he recovered, setting up a 33-yard John Kasay field goal. Peppers also knocked out QB Kurt Warner on the play, sending him to the locker room with a left elbow sprain.

BIG MISTAKE: On a third-and-1 at the Arizona 15, RB DeShaun Foster dropped a simple pass in the flat that would have went for a first down and kept the drive alive. Instead, the Panthers settle for a field goal.

COMMENT: It’s all even. With Warner out of the game, both teams are playing a quarterback they just signed this week – Testaverde for Carolina and Tim Rattay for Arizona. Now this is what the fans came to see. Carolina has two sacks and two turnovers already.

SCORE: Carolina 3, Arizona 0

 

2^nd Quarter

RECAP: The Panthers add another Kasay field goal before the Cardinals take the lead 7-6 with a 12-play, 80-yard touchdown drive.

BIG PLAY: WR Larry Fitzgerald made a great one-handed catch near the sidelines on third down to keep Arizona’s touchdown drive alive. John Fox challenged the play, but it was ruled Carolina FS Deke Cooper forced him out of bounds.

BIG MISTAKE: CB Chris Gamble failed to make a tackle when Arizona’s Edgerrin James rambled through the middle of the line for a 23-yard touchdown run.

COMMENT: The Panthers running game is abysmal. Up until the final carry to run out the clock, Carolina RBs DeShaun Foster and DeAngelo Williams had 15 yards on seven carries. Man, I could be watching Dallas vs. New England.

SCORE: Arizona 7, Carolina 6

 

3^rd Quarter

RECAP: Carolina takes a 9-7 lead on Kasay’s third field goal of the game with 5:44 left in the third. The Cardinals answer with a 50-yarder by Neil Rackers. The Panthers can’t complain about the field position they’ve had in this game. They simply haven’t taken advantage of it. They’re really struggling in the red zone. Keary Colbert and Drew Carter have combined for three first-down catches on a late third quarter drive.

BIG PLAY: Again, Fitzgerald came up with a 36-yard gain with a leaping grab over Chris Gamble. Gamble later had a shot at an interception but the ball came loose and Jerheme Urban battled for it on the ground.

BIG MISTAKE: This one goes to the back judge, who failed to call a defensive holding penalty on Cardinals LB Monty Beisel, who grabbed WR Drew Carter as he ran a slant route in the end zone. Beisel clearly grabbed Carter’s arm, impeding his ability to make the catch.

COMMENT: Testaverde hasn’t been great, but he’s not done anything to hurt his team at this point in the way of turnovers.

SCORE: Arizona 10, Carolina 9

 

1^st Quarter

RECAP: No surprise here as Vinny Testaverde gets the start at QB for Carolina. On defense, everyone has been waiting for Carolina’s sack attack to arrive and it finally has. The Panthers, who had just two sacks all season, got two in the first quarter with maligned DE Julius Peppers having a hand in both.

BIG PLAY: Peppers’ second sack resulted in a fumble that he recovered, setting up a 33-yard John Kasay field goal. Peppers also knocked out QB Kurt Warner on the play, sending him to the locker room with a left elbow sprain.

BIG MISTAKE: On a third-and-1 at the Arizona 15, RB DeShaun Foster dropped a simple pass in the flat that would have went for a first down and kept the drive alive. Instead, the Panthers settle for a field goal.

COMMENT: It’s all even. With Warner out of the game, both teams are playing a quarterback they just signed this week – Testaverde for Carolina and Tim Rattay for Arizona. Now this is what the fans came to see. Carolina has two sacks and two turnovers already.

SCORE: Carolina 3, Arizona 0

 

2^nd Quarter

RECAP: The Panthers add another Kasay field goal before the Cardinals take the lead 7-6 with a 12-play, 80-yard touchdown drive. The Cardinals have 112 yards of offense; the Panthers have 97.

BIG PLAY: WR Larry Fitzgerald made a great one-handed catch near the sidelines on third down to keep Arizona’s touchdown drive alive. John Fox challenged the play, but it was ruled Carolina FS Deke Cooper forced him out of bounds.

BIG MISTAKE: CB Chris Gamble failed to make a tackle when Arizona’s Edgerrin James rambled through the middle of the line for a 23-yard touchdown run.

COMMENT: The Panthers running game is abysmal. Up until the final carry to run out the clock, Carolina RBs DeShaun Foster and DeAngelo Williams had 15 yards on seven carries. Man, I could be watching the Dallas-New England game.

SCORE: Arizona 7, Carolina 6

 

1^st Quarter

RECAP: No surprise here as Vinny Testaverde gets the start at QB for Carolina. On defense, everyone has been waiting for Carolina’s sack attack to arrive and it finally has. The Panthers, who had just two sacks all season, got two in the first quarter with maligned DE Julius Peppers having a hand in both.

BIG PLAY: Peppers’ second sack resulted in a fumble that he recovered, setting up a 33-yard John Kasay field goal. Peppers also knocked out QB Kurt Warner on the play, sending him to the locker room with a left elbow sprain.

BIG MISTAKE: On a third-and-1 at the Arizona 15, RB DeShaun Foster dropped a simple pass in the flat that would have went for a first down and kept the drive alive. Instead, the Panthers settle for a field goal.

COMMENT: It’s all even. With Warner out of the game, both teams are playing a quarterback they just signed this week – Testaverde for Carolina and Tim Rattay for Arizona. Now this is what the fans came to see. Carolina's defense has dominated to this point.

SCORE: Carolina 3, Arizona 0

   Carolina's inactives for Sunday's game against Arizona include wide receiver Dwayne Jarrett, running back Nick Goings, linebackers Dan Morgan and Adam Seward, guard Evan Mathis, tackle Frank Omiyale and defensive ends Charles Johnson and Otis Grigsby.

   The Panthers did not officially list a starting quarterback, although we suspect it will be Vinny Testaverde.

   The Panthers did not list a third quarterback, which means Testaverde, David Carr or Matt Moore can play at any point during the game.

   My gut tells me that Vinny Testaverde will start today.

   When contacted around noon Sunday, GM Marty Hurney would not confirm that -- "It's still a game-time decision," he said -- I fully believe Testaverde will start. In fact, I've thought he would start all week long, except for a brief period on Friday when the Panthers declared Carr "probable."

   That surprised me.

   Now, looking back, I think there might have been a little gamemanship at play. Do I think the Panthers wanted the Cardinals to think Carr would start, knowing full well Testaverde would start? Yes. Do I think his back really tightened up on the flight? I'm a little skeptical. After all, if his back starting getting tight sitting down for four hours, couldn't he have just laid down in the aisle for awhile? So do I think Carolina's plan all week long was to start Testaverde, but attempt to mask it as much as possible? It's very possible.

   My feeling -- as reflected in the column I wrote earlier this week -- is that the main reason the Panthers went after Testaverde is because he's about the only free agent who could come in on a week's notice and start for this team and not look terrible running this offense. Honestly, Testaverde's arm looked real strong in practice.

   So, we'll see what happens. Game time is still about three hours away but I expect Vinny gets the start.

   .

  

 

   One of the more popular – and effective – offensive plays for the Panthers over the last few years has been the wide receiver screen to Steve Smith. Some refer to it as a "smoke route."

   But the Panthers have not utilized the play all that much this season and I asked coach Fox why.

   “I think Steve's drawing quite a bit of attention by defenses in coverages by rolling to him, and that's a little tougher to do when they've got a short, deep coverage on,” Fox said.

   It would also help, probably, if the Panthers established more of a running game and got some more help from their No. 2 receiver.

 

 

   With Jake Delhomme on injured reserve, I asked David Carr on Wednesday if he feels like this is HIS now his team.

   "No, it’s not," said Carr, a comment clearly made out of respect for Delhomme. "I know I’m the quarterback out there and I’m going to do everything I can to win football games, do what I’ve done my whole life. But that’s something you just don’t hand over. Jake’s been here a long time; he’s done some great things. That’s tough to say."

   Carr went on to say that he thinks he will start Sunday against Arizona, although he still walks a little stiff.

   "Ah, it'll be all right," Carr said. "It's sore right now and really tight. We're just taking precautions. It just kind of grabs once in a while if I'm at a wrong angle. We're just trying to calm that down."

   Carr said the training staff has been doing everything they can to get him back on the field.

   "They got suction cups on my back; they've got electrical -- it's like plugging your (TV) camera into my back, is what it feels like. They've got everything; whirlpool, I'm going to the pool after this. They're doing everything they can to keep it loose," he said.

   There apparently is no real medical diagnosis for what happened to Carr.

   After the game he called it a "mean chiropractor."

   "Basically, the vertebrae just got squished," he said. "I went the wrong way, leaned forward too far. It's like if you're stretching your legs and someone about 300 pounds comes and sits on you right at the point where you're not supposed to go any farther. It inflamed the whole thing."

   Carr said he's left games before for less painful injuries.

   However, he felt like he had to return on Sunday because the theme of the week had been about sticking together.

   "I wanted to show (my teammates) by coming back, I wasn't going to give up on them just because my back hurt a little bit," Car said. "That stuff you can fix. We talked so much about just being a team the whole week and sticking together, for me to just put a towel on my head and sit on the sideline for the rest of the game, that wasn't my personality. I didn't want to show that to them in only my second start with these guys. It was definitely important for me to get back out there."

    This is what the decision to sign Vinny Testaverde says to me.

   I think the Panthers chose Testaverde with the thought in the back of their miinds that he could come out and start -- yes, folks, I said START -- this week against Arizona if needed. The Panthers take the practice field soon and I don't know if David Carr will practice or not. I don't know how sore his back is. The Panthers are hopeful he can play Sunday, but they aren't sure.

   So then, you have to ask yourself this question: What if Carr can't play this Sunday?

   Who would you start -- Matt Moore or Testaverde?

   I would start Testaverde.

   Everyone is a little too excited about the fact Moore completed one pass last week for 43 yards. People forget that Moore's next pass was almost picked off and returned for a touchdown. Nothing against Moore, but keep this in mind -- he was an undrafted rookie and didn't even attend Carolina's training camp. He was claimed off waivers after final cuts and his head is still spinning as he attempts to pick up the offense.

   Testaverde, a 21-year veteran, should have no problem running this offense. He already knows it. Granted, it will be a vanilla offense at best, but he knows how to run things.

   My gut feeling is the Panthers would feel more comfortable trotting out Testaverde than Moore if Carr can't play.

   Just got off the telephone with a Carolina Panthers team official who said there will be no roster move tonight involving the addition of a new quarterback. That doesn't mean the Panthers aren't trying to get a deal done -- they certainly are -- with someone.

   However, the name of that quarterback has been kept very quiet.

   But again, no matter who they sign it's not going to be someone who knocks  your socks off. The good quarterbacks in this league have a home already and they are too precious of a commodity to give up. Whoever they sign will be backup material.

   The Panthers return to practice on Wednesday.

 

  

   The Carolina Panthers options for a replacement for Jake Delhomme decreased by one after the Arizona Cardinals signed free agent Tim Rattay a few moments ago. Still no word on who the Panthers will get to replace Delhomme, but my guess is if it's taking this long they are trying to strike a trade. Just a hunch.

   The Carolina Panthers options for a replacement for Jake Delhomme decreased by one after the Arizona Cardinals signed free agent Tim Rattay a few moments ago. Still no word on who the Panthers will get to replace Delhomme, but my guess is if it's taking this long they are trying to strike a trade. Just a hunch.

    When word broke Monday morning  that the Carolina Panthers were placing Jake Delhomme on injured reserve, the topic quickly turned to who the team would sign as a replacement. But I offer you this sobering thought, Carolina fans -- what if the Panthers need to sign not one, but two quarterbacks?

   I spoke with GM Marty Hurney on Monday night and he said the team is "hopeful" that David Carr will start Sunday against Arizona despite a painful back injury in a win over New Orleans.

   "Hopefully he's OK," Hurney said. "We'll see how he feels Wednesday (when the team returns to practice)."

   But what if Carr can't go this week? That would leave them with Matt Moore, who is basically a fourth-string quarterback. (Think about it, Delhomme was No. 1, Carr No. 2 and Brett Basanez, also on IR, began as the No. 3 guy.)

   If Carr's back were to tighten up -- which is very, very conceivable given the way he looked after Sunday's game -- and he were to miss any significant time then the Panthers may want to consider adding two signal callers. It's probably a long shot that they add two right now, but don't completely rule it out.

   At the very least they will add one within the next 24 hours.

   So who will that be?

   There isn't much on the free agent market. Drew Bledsoe has a history with offensive coordinator Jeff Davidson, as does Vinny Testaverde, although both appear happy with retirement. Doug Flutie, who also had time in New England, is apparently content working as a football analyst. Rohan Davey is a young guy who spent time with the Patriots and could warrant some consideration. Jay Feidler is a smart guy who could come in and pick up the offense fast. Tim Rattay is an option.

   It's also possible the Panthers may attempt to trade a late-round pick for a quarterback.

   Ken Dorsey, who worked last season under Davidson is in Cleveland. Charlie Frye, who was recently traded from Cleveland to Seattle after Week 1, could be another option. The Panthers  expressed interest in free agent Marques Tuiasosopo in the off-season, but he wound up signing with the Jets. Maybe they will try to pry him away from New York.

   Two teams have four quarterbacks and are eager to deal -- Tampa Bay and Oakland. The Bucs might be willing to part with Bruce Gradkowski (although they may not want to deal with NFC South rival Carolina) and the Raiders are said to be interested in dealing Andrew Walter, a former third-round draft pick some upside.

    After looking over the available list of free agents, I've come to one conclusion -- the Panthers should strongly consider making a trade. And I think they will. I have a feeling if the Panthers wanted to sign one of those free agents, a deal would be done by now.

   Hurney promised me nothing was going to get done Monday night.

    In case you're interested, here's a complete list of notable free agent quarterbacks, according to the NFL: Players Association: Dalton Bell, Drew Bledsoe, Todd Bouman, Shane Boyd, Casey Bramlet, Aaron Brooks, Rohan Davey, Koy Detmer, Ty Detmer, Kevin Eakin, Brett Elliot, Jay Feidler, Doug Flutie, Gibran Hamdan, Tim Hasselbeck, Doug Johnson, David Koral, Toby Korrodi, Tommy Maddox, Shane Matthews, Mike McMahon, Erik Meyer, Craig Nall, John Navarre, Drew Olson, Jesse Palmer, Bryan Randall, Brett Ratliff, Tim Rattay, Lester Ricard, Kent Smith, Vinny Testaverde, Chris Weinke, Jared Zabransky. Hey, what do you want? There's a reason the guys are unemployed.

 

 

1st Quarter:

RECAP: And the Matt Moore era begins. Already without Jake Delhomme, the Panthers lost quarterback David Carr to a back injury near the end of the first quarter. On the scoreboard, the team’s trade short field goals. The Saints outgained the Panthers 110-40. The Panthers were eld to 6 yards rushing on six carries.

BIG PLAY: The Saints were driving when Marshall came up with Carolina’s first interception of the season and returned it 34 yards.

BIG MISTAKE: On a third-and-7 at the Carolina 44, two Carolina players jumped off-sides and then inexplicably stopped playing. Brees took advantage of the free play and threw over the middle for a 28-yard gain.

COMMENT: Through 13 quarters, Brees has thrown eight interceptions and only one touchdown. A year ago Brees had 26 touchdowns and 11 interceptions for the season.

SCORE: Carolina 3, New Orleans 3

2nd Quarter:

RECAP: The Panthers are hanging in there at despite an injury to Carr (he returned to the game in the second quarter) and being outgained 177-112 in the first half. If you take away a 43-yard pass from Moore to Keary Colbert the Panthers are averaging 3.4 yards per play. The two teams again traded short field goals in the second quarter.

BIG PLAY: Moore’s downfield strike to Colbert helped lift the Panthers to a John Kasay field goal and a 6-3 lead.

BIG MISTAKE: Saints left tackle Jammal Brown was called for illegal procedure, nullifying a 10-yard touchdown pass from Brees to Aaron Stecker.

COMMENT: The Panthers have picked up where they left off last week in terms of sputtering on offense. It’s a good thing the defense came to play today. The switch of Jon Beason to middle linebacker has helped this defense.

SCORE: Carolina 6, New Orleans 6

3rd Quarter:

RECAP: Carolina’s offense continues to struggle and the defense simply can’t get off the field, victimized by some costly penalties. The Panthers had the Saints backed up deep in their own territory when Damione Lewis was flagged for a roughing the passer penalty on Brees on second-and-long. That gave the Saints a new set of downs. Three plays later, Thomas Davis was flagged for defensive holding, allowing the Saints to convert another first down.

BIG PLAY: On the Saints first possession of the second half, Drew Brees hooked up with Devery Henderson on a 54-yard completion to set up a 2-yard touchdown run by fullback Mike Karney. Later, the Saints fake a punt and pick up a first down on fourth-and-4 as punter Steve Weatherford runs for a first down to keep a drive alive.

BIG MISTAKE: Travelle Wharton was flagged for a holding penalty nullifying a dazzling 18-yard reception by Smith that would have got them in New Orleans territory.

COMMENT: The Panthers defense had played well up until the big play to Henderson. The offense is having a terrible time getting Steve Smith involved in the offense. He has just two catches for 20 yards. At this point in the game, the Saints have 305 yards and 19 first downs; the Panthers have 142 and four first downs. The Saints have converted 7-of-12 third downs; the Panthers are 0-for-6.

SCORE: New Orleans 13, Carolina 6

RECAP: And the Matt Moore era begins. Already without Jake Delhomme, the Panthers lost quarterback David Carr to a back injury near the end of the first quarter. On the scoreboard, the team’s trade short field goals. The Saints outgained the Panthers 110-40. The Panthers were held to 6 yards rushing on six carries.

BIG PLAY: The Saints were driving when Marshall came up with Carolina’s first interception of the season and returned it 34 yards.

BIG MISTAKE: On a third-and-7 at the Carolina 44, two Carolina players jumped off-sides and then inexplicably stopped playing. Brees took advantage of the free play and threw over the middle for a 28-yard gain.

COMMENT: Through 13 quarters, Brees has thrown eight interceptions and only one touchdown. A year ago Brees had 26 touchdowns and 11 interceptions for the season.

SCORE: Carolina 3, New Orleans 3

2nd Quarter:

RECAP: The Panthers are hanging in there at despite an injury to Carr and being outgained 177-112 in the first half. If you take away a 43-yard pass from Moore to Keary Colbert the Panthers are averaging 3.4 yards per play. The two teams again traded short field goals in the second quarter.

BIG PLAY: Moore’s downfield strike to Colbert helped lift the Panthers to a John Kasay field goal and a 6-3 lead.

BIG MISTAKE: Saints left tackle Jammal Brown was called for illegal procedure, nullifying a 10-yard touchdown pass from Brees to Aaron Stecker. Brown came out of the game after that play.

COMMENT: The Panthers have picked up where they left off last week in terms of sputtering on offense. It’s a good thing the defense came to play today. The switch of Jon Beason to middle linebacker has helped this defense.

SCORE: Carolina 6, New Orleans 6.

FIRST QUARTER:

RECAP: And the Matt Moore era begins. Already without Jake Delhomme, the Panthers lost David Carr to a back injury near the end of the first quarter. On the scoreboard, the team’s trade short field goals. The Saints outgained the Panthers 110-40. The Panthers were held to 6 yards rushing on six carries.

BIG PLAY: The Saints were driving when Marshall came up with Carolina’s first interception of the season and returned it 34 yards.

BIG MISTAKE: On a third-and-7 at the Carolina 44, two Carolina players jumped off-sides and then inexplicably stopped playing. Brees took advantage of the free play and threw over the middle for a 28-yard gain.

COMMENT: Through 13 quarters, Brees has thrown eight interceptions and only one touchdown. A year ago Brees had 26 touchdowns and 11 interceptions for the season.

SCORE: Carolina 3, New Orleans 3

   As expected, David Carr will start for the Carolina Panthers today against the New Orleans Saints. Matt Moore will be his backup and Jake Delhomme will suit up again as the emergency quarterback.

   The Panthers list of inactives include running back Nick Goings (concussion), linebackers Dan Morgan (foot) and Adam Seward (calf), guard Evan Mathis, tackle Frank Omiyale, and defensive ends Charles Johnson and Otis Grigsby.

   Just walked off the practice field Thursday. Here's the news:

   Carolina Panthers running back DeShaun Foster returned to practice on Thursday, but quarterback Jake Delhomme continues to be held out of work and it seems extremely unlikely he will play this week against New Orleans.

   Linebackers Dan Morgan and Adam Seward also did not practice, which probably means James Anderson will start at middle linebacker again.

   Delhomme has not thrown a football since suffering a strained right elbow on Sept. 23 against Atlanta. With missing two days of practice already this week, it appears as though David Carr will start this week against New Orleans. However, coach John Fox would not name a starter.

   Foster had been held out of Wednesday’s practice because of a "team decision." There is no injury involved.

   During a conference call on Wednesday, Saints quarterback Drew Brees effectively avoided a question about the unimpressive play of defensive end Julius Peppers this season the way he would if being chased by the old Julius Peppers. He basically chucked one into the seats.

   "If I did, I wouldn't say it," Brees joked when asked he's noticed Peppers' dropoff in production this season. "The last thing I want to do is make the guy angry. He is a great player and we all know that. You turn on the film and maybe he hasn't had the opportunity to make plays he has in the past. I just don't want to be the team that he turns it around against."

   The Panthers shouldn't feel alone when it comes to their inability to sack the opposing quarterback. Like the Panthers, the Saints have gotten no sacks from their talented defensive ends through three games.

   "If teams run the ball you don’t get a chance," said Panthers quarterback David Carr. "There’s a whole bunch of different things that go into it. I wish I could talk for them and speak for them, but there are so many things that can go one way or another. This is the NFL. Every team’s setup to go 8-8. What you do one way or the other with the little things can swing it totally for the good or for the bad and I’ve felt both ways this year and last year. Those things happen. They’re still good players. Don’t forget that."

   Carolina Panthers offensive lineman Mike Wahle has called a players-only team meeting for later Wednesday afternoon at Bank of America Stadium. That should give players a chance to discuss their concerns and try to right the ship.

   In other news, quarterback Jake Delhomme and linebacker Dan Morgan were held out of practice Wednesday as the Carolina Panthers began preparations for Sunday’s game against NFC South rival New Orleans.Running backs DeShaun Foster (team decision) and Nick Goings (concussion) did not practice either.

   Delhomme hasn’t thrown since straining his right elbow against Atlanta on Sept. 23.

   He expressed optimism that he might do some throwing in practice this week, but said that decision is entirely up to the trainers. Delhomme, who was 2-1 as a starter and off to the best statistical start of his career, is hoping his elbow heals through rehab. If it doesn’t, Delhomme could have season-ending surgery. As for Morgan, he told reporters on Monday he has a partially torn Achilles heel. Although he said the injury is not season-ending, it will need some time for the inflammation to subside.

   Neither Delhomme nor Morgan played last Sunday against Tampa Bay. Goings left with a concussion, while Foster played the entire game. He did, however, fumble twice and drop two passes in the 20-7 loss. 

 

   No news is good news on the quarterback front.

   Panthers GM Marty Hurney told me Tuesday they did not have any plans to workout any quarterbacks, which means they still have faith that rehab will work for Jake Delhomme. The other day Delhomme said if rehab does work then he wouldn't need elbow surgery -- ever. For Delhomme's sake, let's hope that works out.

   So we'll see how all of this pans out over the next few weeks.

   I will head down to practice today and give you an update later on if Delhomme is allowed to throw.

   Starting right guard Jeremy Bridges was in court Tuesday to answer misdemeanor charges of assault by pointing a gun at a woman outside of a strip club. However, defense attorney George Laughrun asked for a continuance after one of his witnesses -- former Panthers and current Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Taye Biddle -- could not make the trip to Charlotte.   A new trial date has been set for Nov. 27.
   Bridges was arrested on the eve of the Panthers training camp in July for allegedly pointing a gun at a woman outside of a South Charlotte strip club. He was suspended two games by the team.
   Biddle, a preseason superstar, was signed to the Bucs practice squad on Sept. 6 after being released by Carolina.

CHARLOTTE – Carolina Panthers coach John Fox said Kris Jenkins’ hard-hitting comments following Sunday’s 20-7 loss to Tampa Bay were "understandable" given the way the team performed.

"I think obviously after the way we performed there’s frustration," Fox said Monday. "I think that was what those remarks were based on. There’s no question the way we started the game was not how we finished it, and we’ve got to get that better. (But) I don’t know that it was a lack of effort as much as it was a lack of execution."

Fox said he doesn’t have a gag order on his players when it comes to talking to the media -- that is, except perhaps when dealing with injuries or position changes -- so there will be no disciplinary action for Jenkins. Fox said he had spoke with Jenkins since the comments.

Jenkins questioned the team’s heart after losing yet another big game Sunday that could have put them in the driver's seat in the NFC South. The Panthers fell behind 14-0 in the first quarter and were never really competitive.

"I think the players owe the fans an apology," Jenkins said after the game. "I would be as upset as they are if I had to sit in the stands for four hours and look at that garbage. I’m going to be honest with you. That’s what it was, garbage... This is our issue as a team. As a team collectively, we have no heart. We have no energy. We have no drive."

Jenkins talked with reporters again on Monday, saying he spoke out on Sunday because he feels like this is a talented team with so much potential. But his comments paled in comparison to the daggers he hurled around the locker room less than 24 hours before that.

Not everyone shares Jenkins’ opinion, including Fox and quarterback Jake Delhomme.

"To me, there's a lot of pride in this locker room," Delhomme said. "I know the guys that come to play on Sunday and I still see it. For some reason we're not playing good football right now."

Delhomme also disputed Jenkins’ notion the Panthers can't handle prosperity.

"We've got some guys who have handled prosperity pretty darn well in my opinion," said Delhomme, referring to the team’s two NFC title game appearances in the last five seasons. "And I truly believe we've got guys in here where backs are against the wall."

Offensive tackle Jordan Gross said Jenkins’ comments might serve as a wakeup call.

"Maybe it’s good to ruffle guys’ feathers a little bit," Gross said. "We’re all grown men and we can handle a little bit of criticism. I think there is a lot of validity to what he’s saying. When you come out and get down 17-0 at halftime, obviously everyone is not doing their best. He’s got a right to say it. He’s a good player and I think he’s frustrated."

Although it seems like the Panthers are reeling, Gross said at this point they haven’t called a players-only meeting.

But he wouldn’t rule out that happening later this week.

"Today isn’t the day for that," Gross said. "We’ll see how we feel on Wednesday and Thursday when everyone has calmed down."

 

--end—