How Each Panther will be Key in this game.

Offense:
Stephen Davis - This one is obvious. He's been a key to a number of the Panthers wins this year. With St. Louis's weakness against the run between the tackles it makes it even moreso. Also we'll need the run game to be effective to keep the Rams offense off the field as much as possible. A solid run game would also help to take the Rams fans outta the game.

Jake Delhomme - He has to be ready to deal with St. Louis when they blitz. He'll need to make key throws when they move 8 men into the box to stop Davis and he'll need to properly manage this team in a hostile environment.

Steve Smith - This is a fast track... while the Rams can use it to gain extra yards he'll need to do the same. Make good catches and make something outta them. He'll probably do even more damage on Punt Returns if he doesn't make mistakes. If he plays mistake free on Punt Returns he'll be able to make things happen vs. a Rams team that struggles on PR coverage.

Mushin Muhammed - Needs to make the catch when the ball comes his way. This is a game that we can't afford drops of any kind. But moreso continue to play solid as a blocker as this game will be keyed more to the run.

Ricky Proehl - Provide veteran leadership... assist the defensive coaching staff by helping to identify patterns in the Rams offensive scheme... and of course catch the ball when it comes his way.

Kris Mangum
Jermaine Wiggins - Of course they'll both be key in the running game and they'll need to block effectively, but when key passes come their way they HAVE to make a good catch. Too many times this year they've come close but missed out.

Todd Steussie
Jeno James
Jeff Mitchell
Kevin Donnally
Jordan Gross - For starters this is by far one of the biggest keys to the game... hell both O and D Lines will be for the Panthers... #1 key for this group is to control yourself and limit the false start penalties... this will be tough in their environment, but not impossible... next they'll be needed to block solid in this game... if they can get into the second level and provide downfield blocks we will destroy St. Louis's run defense... On passing downs it'll be key for them to pick up the blitz... Lovie Smith likes to send the Rams in blitz packages frequently and if they play like they did vs Dallas this shouldn't be a problem.

Defense:
Julius Peppers
Mike Rucker - Early on play to stop Faulk... force Marshal to the outside and allow the LBers to come in and nullify him... once St. Louis abandons the running game pin your ears back and go after Bulger... Pace and Turley can be solid defenders, but both can be beat with speed rushing... I think Turley will have his hands full with Peppers but Rucker/Pace will play to a stalemate

Kris Jenkins
Brenson Buckner - You guys will be key in this game... The St. Louis interior O-Line is soft... Push them back HARD... by doing this you'll be able to take away the run game up the middle and force them to the outside... and like I said before allows the LBers to move and stop the run... it would also put pressure on Bulger up the middle on passing downs forcing him to get rid of the ball quicker than he'd like... the D needs to keep Bulger's passing time down to an average of 3 secs.

Dan Morgan
Will Witherspoon
Greg Favors - STOP THE RUN. Hopefully The D-Line is forcing Faulk to the outside and the LBers will be able to hit him for a loss, but if Faulk does get through the middle they'll have to contain him ASAP... in the passing game... be ready to blitz on occassion, but the key is DON'T allow passes to the RBs and TEs short... Faulk can be deadly in this situation... if anyone touches the ball in that area smack them hard and fast.

Terry Cousin
Reggie Howard
Ricky Manning Jr
Deon Grant
Mike Minter - By far these guys have the toughest job of the day... St. Louis likes to go deep vertically for the big play... if the D-Line isn't able to get to Bulger fast enough this is where the Panthers secondary could get burnt... if a Rams WR even toughest the ball a Panthers DB needs to hit the ever living shit outta him... the Rams recievers are smaller recievers and don't like being hit... see the Detroit game... the DBs primary job is that they play smart and don't get down... they will be beat some, but by keeping mistakes to a minmum should be able to keep St. Louis outta their game plan.

Todd Sauerbrun -
Punt Protection Team- No wind helps this a lot... Sauerbrun needs to obviouslt kick the long ball but moreso need the hang time... the longer the ball is up the more the Protection team has to get down and stop the returner (simple huh?)... Protection team can't allow blocks like happened in the NY Giants game.

John Kasay
Kickoff Team - As far as the normal kicking game Kasay is generally clutch even under pressure... he simply needs to continue that route... on kickoffs he needs to increase his disatnce a little... Kickoff team simply needs to play like they have all season

Punt Return Team
Kick Return Team - These groups are gonna be huge as well vs St.Louis... St. Louis has trouble protecting on Special Teams and has given up some big yards... the biggest key for these teams is play like you're capable and HANG ON TO THE FOOTBALL.

 

So in other words, limit mistakes and execute

 

:feedme:

 

Should see.

Should see Stevo returning kickoff's this week too...

 

So what you are saying is that everybody needs to play well?

 

hows that?

 

Stave Smith

 

yeah, supposedly they're stepping up Steve Smith's involvement in the kick return game.

 

I think that's a mistake... stay the course

 

What I'm worried about is Leonard Little on Steussie. Todd has had a LOT of trouble with fast, agile speed rushers.