BronxRik Posted December 10, 2006 Share Posted December 10, 2006 N.Y. Giants vs. Carolina Panthers Sunday 12/10/06, 1:00pm ET on FOX CBS Sportsline GameCenter: Giants vs. Panthers (LINK w/ Video Preview) GameCenter Carolina vs. New York Preview · Winning Edge Dec. 9, 2006 Carolina quarterback Jake Delhomme has been under fire lately, and this week, his critics might get their wish. Chris Weinke could make his first start in over four years for the injured Delhomme Sunday when the Panthers host the Giants in a matchup between two teams battling for a wild-card spot in the NFC. Delhomme injured his throwing hand when it hit an opposing player's helmet in the Panthers' 27-24 loss at Philadelphia on Monday. He missed practice with a sprained right thumb on Wednesday and is listed as questionable for this game. "It's sore," Delhomme said. "If I played any other position, there would be no question I'd play, but it's a pretty important part of the throwing process of holding on, so we'll see." Delhomme has made 65 consecutive starts, including playoff games, since taking over for Rodney Peete at halftime of the 2003 season opener. He led the Panthers to the Super Bowl that season, but many have called for him to be benched as Carolina (6-6) has struggled this year, blowing fourth-quarter leads in five losses, including Monday. Delhomme has a tendency to throw costly interceptions, and threw picks on Carolina's final two possessions against the Eagles, including one in the end zone with 25 seconds left. Coach John Fox has stated repeatedly that he is sticking with Delhomme, but the injury could leave him with no choice. "Well, I'm the quarterback, and when you're a quarterback and you're not winning, you should get criticism," said Delhomme, who has 15 touchdowns and 11 interceptions this season. "That's part of the deal. Fair or unfair, we're only 6-6, so whether or not it's fair, that's something I keep to myself anyway, because I know that it doesn't do any good. "Certainly I feel like I could make better plays at the end of the game. We were making that stride last week, but it just didn't happen." Weinke hasn't started since Oct. 20, 2002, at Atlanta, but did take over for an injured Delhomme early last season in Detroit and threw the winning touchdown pass with 2:41 left. He took snaps with the first team on Wednesday. "I've said all along I come in every week and prepare to be ready to play if something happens to Jake," Weinke said. "Obviously, not knowing the situation this week, I'll continue to prepare, and if he's not ready to go, I'll be ready to go. If I get that opportunity, I'll be excited." The Panthers' loss on Monday dropped them into a four-way tie with the Giants (6-6), Eagles and Falcons in the wild-card race. New York has dropped four in a row, including last Sunday's 23-20 loss to Dallas. That defeat came one week after the Giants blew a 21-0 fourth-quarter lead in a 24-21 loss at Tennessee. "This is not what we planned at the beginning of the season or where we feel we should be after these last two games," rookie defensive tackle Barry Cofield said. "We definitely feel like we are still a playoff team. We feel if we get to the playoffs, regardless of what seed it is, we feel like we can get through the NFC. We feel like we can compete against anyone." Despite the setbacks, New York is remaining optimistic. Punter Jeff Feagles, who played in his 300th consecutive game last week, reminded his teammates of last season's Super Bowl champion Pittsburgh Steelers, who were 7-5 before winning their last four regular-season games. "The bottom line is, we have a chance," Feagles said. "We had a chance three weeks ago when we were in first place, and it seems to me that some people didn't understand that." The Giants had nine penalties for 94 yards against the Cowboys and continued to make costly mistakes during the game, a trend that has haunted them lately. However, there were some reasons for optimism. Quarterback Eli Manning ended a three-game slump by throwing for 270 yards and two touchdowns, the defense had two interceptions and held Dallas to less than 27 minutes in time of possession, and the team battled back to tie the game three times. "We know we have four games left," said Manning, who has thrown six interceptions and four touchdown passes during the losing skid. "If we win four games, we'll be in the playoffs for sure. If we win three our of four, we might have a shot. Our focus is we have to win four games." The Panthers have dropped two straight for the third time this season. Star receiver Steve Smith, who ranks sixth in the NFL with 958 receiving yards despite missing the first two games of the season, has just nine catches for 88 yards in the last two contests. Carolina's defense, with its vaunted front four, has recorded just two sacks in the last two games. Defensive end Julius Peppers, who had 11 sacks in the first nine games, has none in the last three. "It will test our character," said Fox, who served as the Giants' defensive coordinator from 1997-2001. "We have four games left and we're fortunate we have four. We made some improvement offensively. The turnovers were a key and they made some big plays on defense, particularly that last one." Running back DeShaun Foster, who has missed the last two games with a sprained elbow, practiced Wednesday and is listed as probable. Fox said that if he is available, he will start over rookie DeAngelo Williams, who gained 137 yards in place of Foster. The Panthers are 3-0 against the Giants, including a 23-0 road victory in the first round of last season's playoffs. AP NEWS The Associated Press News Service Copyright 2005-2006, The Associated Press, All Rights Reserved GO GMEN!!!! Building the NY Giants Forum Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dyinghard Posted December 10, 2006 Share Posted December 10, 2006 They had better pressure Weinke all day long. I also think they should pound Jacobs at Peppers for the entire first half to take him out of the game. Wear him down. That'll open up the pass game. It won't happen and if the Giants don't figure a way to nullify that freak of nature, it's going to be a long frustrating Sunday afternoon. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
njsmalls Posted December 10, 2006 Share Posted December 10, 2006 One thing that distinguishes humans from other animals is the ability to reflect and think about things in the past. Apparently, our coaches have not evolved enough. They make no adjustments and never learn from mistakes. They do the same thing over and over again and expect the same result. They are truly insane. I'd like to see sane human thought by the coaches today. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dyinghard Posted December 10, 2006 Share Posted December 10, 2006 I would love to see the human thought coupled with running plays that set up other plays. Crazy I know, but I'd love to see the coaches use one play to set up another in an attempt to confuse the defense. That would be most beneficial. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
feefifoefum Posted December 10, 2006 Share Posted December 10, 2006 The slide ends today... I'm using a reverse psychology tactic on the football gods by rooting for Carolina. Carolina will lose, the gods will think they got me again, but I will be laughing last. Go Cats!!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dyinghard Posted December 10, 2006 Share Posted December 10, 2006 The slide ends today... I'm using a reverse psychology tactic on the football gods by rooting for Carolina. Carolina will lose, the gods will think they got me again, but I will be laughing last. Go Cats!!!! What if the "gods" are sleeping late today? Then we're effed right in the a. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
feefifoefum Posted December 10, 2006 Share Posted December 10, 2006 What if the "gods" are sleeping late today? Then we're effed right in the a. Come on... Who sleeps late on Sunday during football season??? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GorillaNJ Posted December 10, 2006 Share Posted December 10, 2006 Run that ball all DAY Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GorillaNJ Posted December 10, 2006 Share Posted December 10, 2006 They stuffed BJ.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hampton27 missed Posted December 10, 2006 Share Posted December 10, 2006 Why was a LB covering a WR? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
randoff Posted December 10, 2006 Share Posted December 10, 2006 Why was a LB covering a WR? Every week we ask that VERY same question! #47, #23, and other DB's can't cover. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Treehugger Posted December 10, 2006 Share Posted December 10, 2006 Why was a LB covering a WR? Especially Emmons! They looked lost on that coverage. Good thing the kid can't catch. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GorillaNJ Posted December 10, 2006 Share Posted December 10, 2006 Why was a LB covering a WR? Because Tim Lewis wanted to a DE do it, but Couglin talked him down a level. i cannot stand his zone blitz packages Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Treehugger Posted December 10, 2006 Share Posted December 10, 2006 Fuck you! That spot sucks! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GorillaNJ Posted December 10, 2006 Share Posted December 10, 2006 Nice catch Tyree Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Treehugger Posted December 10, 2006 Share Posted December 10, 2006 Ugliest screens in the league. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
randoff Posted December 10, 2006 Share Posted December 10, 2006 Tyree!!!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spear33 Posted December 10, 2006 Share Posted December 10, 2006 Is anyone watching on SopCast? Mine doesn't seem to be working. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
randoff Posted December 10, 2006 Share Posted December 10, 2006 Plaxico is at it again. And It doesn't help that FOX cameras are all over him. Burress disgusts me! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NeMesiS Posted December 10, 2006 Share Posted December 10, 2006 Eli has got to make that throw. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GorillaNJ Posted December 10, 2006 Share Posted December 10, 2006 Why make this challenge? for 8 yards? Suck it up and run the ball on 2nd and 10. this is shit head coaching. In what is destined to be a close game why waste the challenge or Time out? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
randoff Posted December 10, 2006 Share Posted December 10, 2006 Same O' Eli. Chuck and Pray....and Oh fer whatever on 3rd downs. Pathetic! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GorillaNJ Posted December 10, 2006 Share Posted December 10, 2006 Nice close up of the hold that made that last play a completion instead of a sack Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
randoff Posted December 10, 2006 Share Posted December 10, 2006 Nice close up of the hold that made that last play a completion instead of a sack How was that not a hold? Anyway, the Pathers are a mirrored image of these Giants. **Hey Tid Biddle with the titty in the middle** Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mickeef2 Posted December 10, 2006 Share Posted December 10, 2006 Pathetic fucking "defense" (and I use the term loosely). Pathetic. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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