by Sports Xchange

--FS Charles Godfrey could return for the next game against the Jets, but likely will find his position has been filled by Sherrod Martin.

--WR Charly Martin got a jersey and saw action on special teams.

--WR Kenny Moore was deactivated Thursday night.

REPORT CARD VS. DOLPHINS:

PASS OFFENSE: D- -- It was obvious the game plan was to get Steve Smith the football against Miami's two rookie cornerbacks Vontae Davis and Shaun Smith. Jake Delhomme tried his way 15 times, connecting on seven for 87 yards and a touchdown. Delhomme, who hadn't turned the ball over in the previous three games, had a costly interception in Miami territory when he underthrew Smith. A big problem was pass protection as Delhomme was sacked four times (including twice in the red zone) and hurried quite a bit. But let's get to the real problem. The Panthers need more weapons in the passing game. It's time to give up on the Dwayne Jarrett experience. He was targeted five times and didn't catch a pass. Maybe that's because he's almost never open. Carolina desperately needs to find a No. 2 receiver next season.

RUN OFFENSE: B+ -- The only problem with the run game was the Panthers didn't do enough of it. They ran for 182 yards and averaged 6.7 yards per carry on the ground but called 26 run plays and 47 pass plays (42 pass attempts, four sacks and one Jake Delhomme scramble). The Panthers surprisingly went away from their running game near the goal line, except for DeAngelo Williams' two-point conversion run. Williams had 122 yards and averaged 9.4 yards per carry, buoyed by a long run of 50 yards that wound up yielding no points. The Panthers had seven trips inside Miami territory, yet came away with only one touchdown and three field goals.

RUN DEFENSE: D -- Not to make excuses, but it's pretty clear the Panthers aren't the same defense with WLB Thomas Davis out and DE Julius Peppers nursing a broken hand. And over the last two weeks, it has shown up big time. Carolina's tackling is a major concern and the players know it. The Panthers managed to outscore the Falcons last week, but on Thursday night they allowed Ricky Williams to run for 119 and two touchdowns, the big one coming on a 46-yard run to clinch the game with 3:55 left. The Panthers have allowed a rushing touchdown in every game this season.

PASS DEFENSE: C+ -- Chad Henne only threw for 172 yards, but he was efficient completing 17 of 29 passes. He had some big throws in key situations, including a 15-yard pass to Davone Bess on a key third-and-11 late in the game. Williams scored the game-clinching 46-yard touchdown run on the next play. Henne threw one touchdown pass to Ricky Williams and had a QB rating of 87.1. The Panthers didn't sack Henne, which isn't a surprise given Julius Peppers is a virtual non-factor with a broken hand and fellow defensive end Charles Johnson was out of this game with a pectoral sprain. For the second straight week Peppers was limited to pass-rushing situations, but when he played Jake Long completely dominated him, just as he did in the preseason. Rookie Everette Brown made his first start, but he's a pass rush guy, not a run stopper. Chris Gamble struggled a bit against one of the most unheralded groups of receivers in the league.

SPECIAL TEAMS: C- -- Simply put, Carolina's coverage teams are abysmal. They allowed Ted Ginn Jr. to return kickoffs of 49 and 37 yards in a game where field position really mattered. Carolina also allowed Bess to return a punt 22 yards. John Kasay had a solid game hitting from 29, 33 and 48 yards and Jason Baker had four punts inside the 20 with no touchbacks. The good news is it looks like the Panthers have found a decent kick returner in Tyrell Sutton. Still, the Panthers have had only one big play on special teams all year while giving up several.

COACHING: D -- This one started to get away from the Panthers in the second quarter but the fact is they never trailed by more than 11 points, so they were never really out of it. So it needs to be explained why the Panthers called 26 running plays and 47 passes plays. That's a ridiculous number especially since Carolina was averaging 6.7 yards per carry on the ground. There's something wrong with this red zone offense, but that may be personnel more so than play calling.