Click here for final game stats from AOL Sports.Here's all you really need to know about this game -- Luke McCown and Matt Moore earned the right to keep their jobs in 2008.
Sure, they're still backups. Jeff Garcia will probably be the Buccaneers' starter until he can't walk anymore, and Jake Delhomme's elbow should be healthy again by the start of the Panthers' next training camp. If either of those guys gets hurt in 2008, though, McCown and Moore are ready, and they proved that today.
McCown arguably had the better day, completing 19 of 25 for 219 yards and 2 touchdowns until a late interception by Richard Marshall late in the 4th quarter. McCown found targets regularly and scrambled for first downs when nobody was open. He even finished the game as the Bucs' leading rusher, gaining 47 yards on 5 carries -- a rather scathing indictment of Michael Bennett. (15 carries, 39 yards)
Perhaps that was the big difference between McCown and Moore; Moore had help.
DeAngelo Williams had 20 carries for 121 yards and 2 touchdowns, including a 32-yard scoring scamper that showcased his speed. He was everything the Panthers drafted him to be, and while his pass blocking still needs work, he showed he deserved to be the Panthers' starting running back in 2008.
Moore, meanwhile, completed 15 of 24 for 174 yards, 2 TDs and one pick, and while he still forced the issue at times, he remained steady in the pocket, converted 3rd downs and found his targets when he needed to. Some pundits still think the Panthers need a more experienced backup, but after watching Moore today, I disagree. Should something happen to Delhomme next season, Moore deserves the opportunity to step in for him.
Of course, it was Vinny Testaverde who took a knee on the last play of the game. His teammates sent him out a winner.
Still, all will be quiet on New Year's Day for the Panthers, while the Buccaneers' season will continue next week. It's worth noting that the Panthers got four sacks in this game. I suspect the New York Giants will be licking their chops after seeing that.
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Reader Comments ( Page 1 of 1)
1. he will be, i think...Moore pretty much nailed down his spot on the team. Watch out Jake
Posted at 5:34PM on Dec 30th 2007 by Rick
2. Has David Carr been cut yet???
Posted at 7:47PM on Dec 30th 2007 by Big Sam
3. All in good time, Big Sam, all in good time. I suspect Carr will be the first of the salary cap cuts in the next two months.
Posted at 7:49PM on Dec 30th 2007 by Dave
4. Fire John Fox, and please do it soon. He is the worst. People who live in Charlotte are demanding he be fired.
Posted at 7:50PM on Dec 30th 2007 by Emilie Kennedy
5. AND FAYETTEVILLE , EMILIE
Posted at 12:26AM on Dec 31st 2007 by brian
6. You can't ask for John Fox to be Fired. I think he did pretty well seeing as though it was like playing hot potato with the quaterbacks this year. Okay i admit somebody should be fired for getting David Carr, we should have let him go to the cardinals. But they were smart enough to pick up Matt Moore and he will be he backup. Now I feel that the Defensive coordinator, no , the secondary coach should be fired because we gave up the big play too many times. I know our safeties are not the best in the league but even the 5th stringers no not to get beat deep. When we get the defense back to the Jack Del Rio defense, then we will be a force to be reckoned with.
Posted at 7:47AM on Dec 31st 2007 by Dorian Edwards
7. Tgorvac and Smith (the D coordinator and secondary coach) should be kanked, but Fox won't do it. He has no cohonas, and folks down here in Orlando want him gone too!
Posted at 8:32AM on Dec 31st 2007 by John
8. Only people in Charlotte that needs fired are the lousy fans. GO BUCs!
Posted at 9:38AM on Dec 31st 2007 by Melissa
9. Dear Melissa -
"Needs Fired" I think that you needs learned englais prior to posting in here sweet thing.
Tirdovac can split and so can the Special Teams coach, who just happens to be sooooo special that I dare not even mention her name.
Can the D Foster experiment officially be called? D Williams is sooooooooo much better.
Posted at 5:12PM on Dec 31st 2007 by John
10. Hey everybody it really doesent matter what we the fans want to do with fox, Richardson is bound and
determined to keep fox, to heck what the fans want
right jerry? I hope people show the owner that they
are in charge and keep on not showing up for games.
Posted at 12:47PM on Jan 1st 2008 by gene
11. It's one thing to lose, but the Panthers have looked uninspired the past two seasons. Despite injuries, they played poorly. Fox needs to go.
Posted at 6:13PM on Jan 1st 2008 by Danno
12. Well I believe Fox is a good coach with bad tendencies. He is too much of a players coach. Foster is not, has not and will not be a productive back. He has all of 10 rushing TDs in 6 seasons? He needs to be traded, waived or whatever. The defensive coaches all need to be fired. D-linemen lazy and not rushing the passer, L-backers 7 yards off the ball and Corners and Safeties 10 - 15 yards off the ball? What tha ****? What are they trying to stop, winning obviously! What we need is D. Williams starter and a quality veteran back up (non of the current players), Two other receivers, another QB (keep only DelHomme & Moore) and a new defensive staff and let the O-Coordinator call the plays and we will win some pall games.
Posted at 1:36AM on Jan 2nd 2008 by rhyynoxxx