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Carolina Panthers Strategy and Personnel
by Sports Xchange
That means the Panthers will have to move someone from a different position to fill the fullback spot.
"You just adjust," coach John Fox said. "There are guys that have been in our system, know our system.
"I can go back to New Orleans. Two weeks ago, they lost (Heath) Evans, their fullback. They brought a guy in and played the Atlanta Falcons last week with no fullback. I mean, they got a guy, but he had been in the building for three days to get ready to play a division opponent. You make do, you adjust and you put people in there that know your system."
The Panthers elected not to sign a fullback, although they did work out two players this week. Since fullback is an important position for the Panthers, a team that prides itself on running the football.
"It's huge," Fox said. "We run the ball; it's not a mystery. So the blocking element is important and the fullback is a big part of that blocking element. We interchange the tight end and fullback position. There is some cross-training there that I think everybody in the league pretty much uses, so you've got some flexibility -- not just week-to-week but even within a game if something happens."
PLAYER NOTES
--RB DeAngelo Williams became the franchise's all-time leading rusher last week against Arizona, surpassing DeShaun Foster and becoming the first Panther to rush for 3,350 yards. Williams did it in nearly 200 fewer carries (666 to Foster's 851). He's averaged 5 yards per carry for his career to Foster's 3.6.
--WLB Thomas Davis, despite missing a week with a hamstring injury, is second on the team in tackles with 63 and has two sacks, two interceptions and three passed defended through the first seven weeks of the season.
--FS Sherrod Martin will almost certainly start this week regardless of whether Charles Godfrey is ready to return.
GAME PLAN: This isn't hard to figure out. Carolina's problems in the passing game aren't exactly cured, so the Panthers will need another outstanding effort on the ground this week from DeAngelo Williams and Jonathan Stewart to move the ball and keep Drew Brees off the field.
Defensively, the Panthers must continue to do what they've been doing. Carolina's defense is much improved the past four weeks and last week pressured Kurt Warner into six turnovers.
MATCHUPS TO WATCH: Panthers RBs DeAngelo Williams and Jonathan Stewart vs. Saints run defense. In just a few weeks, the Panthers have vaulted from 23rd in the league in rushing to sixth. That's what happens when you put up totals like 270 yards against the Cardinals and 267 yards against the Bucs. They will look to exploit a Saints team that is allowing 4.4 yards per game on the ground. Keep in mind that a lot of Saints opponents have been forced to abandon the running game after falling behind early. If the Panthers can stay close and establish the run early this could be a competitive game.
Saints QB Drew Brees vs. Panthers pass defense. The Saints rank first in total offense (428.7 yards per game) and the Panthers are first in pass defense, limiting opponents to just 160.6 yards per game, so something has to give.
INJURY IMPACT:
--FS Charles Godfrey is listed as questionable with a sprained ankle and not expected to play.
--WR Muhsin Muhammad missed his third straight day of practice with an MCL sprain. He is listed as questionable an unlikely to play.
--K John Kasay was held out of practice Friday with a tight groin. His status for Sunday is up in the air and is listed as questionable.
--RB Jonathan Stewart returned to practice on Thursday and should be ready this week for New Orleans.
--FB Brad Hoover will miss his third game this season, this time because of a high ankle sprain.
--LB Landon Johnson returned to practice Thursday.
--TE Dante Rosario is expected to miss his second straight game with a knee injury.
--FB Tony Fiammetta is expected to sit out this week with a concussion.
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