TAMPA, Fla. – The Carolina Panthers’ usually reliable passing game fell apart Sunday in a 27-3 loss against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Raymond James Stadium. Something that didn’t help: Receivers dropped several passes from quarterback Jake Delhomme, who completed 20-of-39 for 242 yards and had three intercepted.
Some drops were more significant than others. But they all played a part in the Panthers’ inability to overcome an early 14-0 deficit. A few examples: Tight end Dante Rosario mishandled a pass in the first quarter, with the deflection resulting in an interception by Tampa Bay’s Tanard Jackson. That led to the Buccaneers’ second touchdown. Dwayne Jarrett, who needs to play well to cement his place on the roster (this was the first game he’s played in since Sept. 14) was open on the sidelines in the fourth quarter and let the ball slip through his hands. On the next play, Steve Smith dropped what appeared to be a certain touchdown pass. He was several yards in front of his nearest defender when Delhomme’s perfectly thrown ball bounced off his hands. Rosario’s drop was one of the game’s key plays. “I was trying to slide into a zone, but (Bucs linebacker Derrick) Brooks dropped back and had me covered pretty well,” said Rosario, whose last-second catch against the San Diego Chargers provided the Panthers with their winning points in the first game of the season. “Jake threw it to a good spot. My whole feeling is, if it touches my hands, I need to come up with it.” By the numbers: 1: Game separating the NFC South’s four teams (4-2 Carolina, Tampa Bay and Atlanta all at 4-2; New Orleans at 3-3). 2.0: Average yards per rush for Panthers. 30: 100-yard rushing games in Warrick Dunn’s 12-year career. 38.6: Jake Delhomme’s passer rating (111.2, 124.8 the two previous games). Notes The Jonathan Stewart-as-a-kick-returner era/experiment might have ended. Stewart returned the Buccaneers’ first kick for 24 yards and was hit pretty hard. He was replaced the rest of the way by Mark Jones – who also returns punts. Jones returned four kickoffs for an average of 21.3 yards. Stewart, with his mind only running the ball, picked up 12 yards rushing on six carries. Best penalty of the game – maybe of the season – was called on Tampa Bay defensive tackle Jovan Haye for excessive cartwheeling. Actually, it was for unsportsmanlike conduct after a second-quarter interception by Jermaine Phillips. Haye, who is 6-foot-2, 285 pounds, did a cartwheel in celebration, but apparently it was excessive. “It’s too bad,” said quarterback Jeff Garcia of the penalty. “He was far away from the play. He was fired up. It wasn’t a distraction.” Panthers fullback Brad Hoover had his right index finger taped after the game. He said he dislocated the finger during the game and that the bone actually poked through the skin at one point. Hoover said he would know more about the injury today. In the fourth quarter, Muhsin Muhammad sustained what coach John Fox termed a knee injury. Muhammad left the game briefly but later returned. “I think I’ll be OK,” Muhammad said. “It’s to be evaluated.” Panthers rookie right tackle Jeff Otah didn’t play. Otah (high ankle sprain) was replaced in the starting lineup by Jeremy Bridges. Other inactives: Defensive tackle Darwin Walker, quarterback Matt Moore (emergency third QB), receiver D.J. Hackett (knee), linebacker James Anderson, center Ryan Kalil (ankle), wide receiver Kenny Moore and safety Quinton Teal. For a second straight game, DeAngelo Williams took a direct snap, gaining 7 yards on the first play of the second quarter. It doesn’t appear the Panthers are throwing a lot of energy at the “Wildcat” formation that some other NFL teams are using with some effectiveness. Three penalties were called on one play in the second quarter – and none of them counted. After Jake Delhomme threw an incomplete pass to tight end Dante Rosario, flags flew for 1) illegal contact on Tampa Bay’s Derrick Brooks, 2) taunting by Tampa Bay’s Jermaine Phillips and 3) holding on Panthers tackle Jordan Gross. The penalties offset. Both field-goal kickers kept perfect seasons alive. John Kasay provided the Panthers with their only points on a 20-yarder in the second quarter and is 11-for-11. The Buccaneers’ Matt Bryant kicked two field goals of 37 and 49 yards. He’s made all 12 of his attempts this season and hadn’t attempted one longer than 37 yards coming into the game. Buccaneers rookie Dexter Jackson, who played at Appalachian State, has struggled with returning punts and kicks this season and that continued against the Panthers. Jackson averaged 8.7 yards on three punt returns and returned one kickoff 22 yards. Charlotte will be a way-station for the Panthers’ next opponents – the New Orleans Saints. After playing Carolina at Bank of America Stadium next Sunday, the Saints directly fly to London, where they will play the San Diego Chargers at Wembley Stadium on Oct. 26. After a bye week, the Saints play two more on the road, against Atlanta and Kansas City. New Orleans, which beat the Oakland Raiders 34-3 Sunday in the Superdome, doesn’t play at home again until Nov. 24 against Green Bay. Quoting “OK, it has to come out, just be ready.” – Bucs safety Jermaine Phillips’ thoughts immediately before his end-zone interception, which happened after teammate Aqib Talib and the Panthers’ Muhsin Muhammad both leaped for – and tipped – the ball. “What he did makes coaching worthwhile.” – Tampa Bay coach Jon Gruden, on Earnest Graham, who volunteered to play fullback with B.J. Askew and Byron Storer injured. “Whether you lose it on the road or you lose it at home, lose it in hot, lose it in cold. It still bites.” – Panthers coach John Fox. “He says a lot of stuff.” – Panthers receiver Steve Smith on what Fox told the team after the game.
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