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Peppers: 'We're not going to panic'

By Charles Chandler and Rick Bonnell

McClatchy-Tribune News Service

Published: September 14, 2009

CHARLOTTE - Thanks to seven turnovers by the Carolina Panthers, the Philadelphia Eagles started two drives within 10 yards of a touchdown. Two other Eagles scores came without their offense ever lining up.

So it's a bit misleading to say Carolina's defense allowed 38 points Sunday. Except that's how Julius Peppers sees it.

"We gave up 38 points There's nobody on this team that should skip responsibility" for that, said the Pro Bowl defensive end. "We have a chance to stop them, no matter where they get (the ball). And a couple of times we didn't do that."

Peppers finished with a sack, five tackles and two passes defended. Good productivity, but as he put it, "not good enough to win." While he was accountable for this loss, he refused to sound rattled by it.
"We've got 15 more games. A lot can happen," Peppers said. "We're not going to panic or worry about this game too much."

Frustrating day for Smith Quarterback Jake Delhomme's struggles obviously affected star receiver
Steve Smith, who finished with three receptions for 21 yards. Two of Delhomme's four interceptions came on passes meant aimed for Smith. Eagles defensive back Sheldon Brown picked off both of them.

Did he feel he was open more than he was utilized?

"When I'm running, I'm always open," Smith said. "I'm open right now (answering postgame questions). A wide receiver who doesn't believe he is always open is not a very good wide receiver."
Interesting postgame observation by Brown: Whenever Smith moves inside to slot receiver,, it's a sure thing Delhomme will throw to him.

Briefly Linebackers Thomas Davis and Jon Beason both missed portions of the preseason, nursing knee injuries. Davis looked strong Sunday, with 16 tackles. Beason had four tackles -- about half his productivity last season -- but did intercept a pass.

Beason said he could still feel some after-effects from his sprained knee, but had no pain.
Punter Jason Baker's strong leg wasn't always a plus Sunday. While he averaged nearly 56 yards on four punts, he was a factor in an 85-yard touchdown run by Eagles returner DeSean Jackson.

Baker seemed to be out-kicking his coverage, and two punts became touchbacks when he booted them into the end zone.

Panthers coach John Fox has a reputation for conservative play-calling, but he chose to go for it on 4th-and-1 at the Eagles' 2. That gamble paid off, with tailback Jonathan Stewart picking up the first down.

The drive backed up after that, with Panthers linemen Ryan Kalil and Jeff Otah each committing a
false start, before running back DeAngelo Williams swept around left end for an 11-yard touchdown.

Panthers rookie running back Mike Goodson promised to wrap the ball better after fumbling twice in the preseason against the New York Giants. But he lost another one Sunday. While this happened late in the game -- well after it was decided -- it gave up possession in Panthers territory.

With Eagles quarterback Donovan McNabb suffering a broken rib on a touchdown run Sunday, recently signed backup Michael Vick would be awfully useful next week against New Orleans.

Trouble is, Vick is suspended another week by the NFL in connection to his dog-fighting incidents. Vick watched Sunday's game in a suit-and-tie, from a suite at Bank of America Stadium.

Eagles special-teamer Quintin Demps was ticked off about being penalized for interfering with a fair catch, after running into the Panthers' Captain Munnerlyn during a first-quarter punt. Demps' frustration might have been justified; Carolina's Richard Marshall shoved Demps from behind, accelerating him toward Munnerlyn.

Munnerlyn totaled 33 yards on two punt returns.

Former NFL Commissioner Paul Tagliabue sat in Panthers owner Jerry Richardson's end zone suite.

Fox didn't provide any details about quarterback Josh McCown's injury other than to say he suffered knee and foot sprains. McCown was hit hard early in the fourth quarter period and didn't return.
Initially, he sat on the sidelines, but later was taken to the locker room on a cart.

The Panthers played the game without starting strong safety Chris Harris, who injured his knee during last Wednesday's practice. Harris had hoped to play, but it was determined before kickoff that he wasn't recovered enough to play. Quinton Teal started in his place. C.C.

Defensive end Charles Johnson also suffered a knee injury during the game, but returned to play later. Fox didn't mention him on the postgame injury list, but Johnson was hobbling in the locker room amid speculation that he might have suffered a knee sprain that could keep him out of practice this week as the team prepares for next Sunday's game in Atlanta.

Gary Barnidge started at tight end, but Jeff King was in on the second play. They split playing time throughout the game, and Dante Rosario was in a fair amount, too.