导出博客文章CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- Panthers coach Ron Rivera is hoping a bye week and some
in-depth self-scouting will help the defending NFC champions salvage what is
quickly becoming a lost season.Carolina (1-5) is marred in a four-game losing
streak following a 41-38 loss to the New Orleans Saints on Sunday, a game in
which his young secondary was shredded for the second time in the last three
weeks.Oh, yeah. It really is a big challenge, Rivera said Monday. ... The
easiest thing to do is quit, but shoot, weve got 10 games to play. Atlanta lost
(Sunday). So heck, were not in a bad spot. What weve got to do is take care of
our business and doing the things were capable of. That starts now.Big challenge
might be an understatement.The Panthers are three games behind the Falcons (4-2)
in the NFC South -- and 0-3 in division play. Theyve matched the worst record
through six games for teams coming off a Super Bowl appearance, joining the 1987
New York Giants, 1999 Atlanta Falcons, 2002 St. Louis Rams and 2004 Panthers,
who also started 1-5.Rivera encouraged players to get away from football
following their practice on Tuesday.The Panthers are obviously frustrated as
evidenced by Cam Newtons brief postgame interview Sunday -- which he ended after
about one minute.During their time off, the coaching staff plans to do extra
self-scouting to figure out how a team that went 17-2 last season and reached
the Super Bowl has fallen off course.Hopefully we get some answers, Rivera
said.The biggest focus will be the teams pass defense, which is allowing 282
yards per game and has surrendered 13 touchdowns through the air since
jettisoning All-Pro cornerback Josh Norman.The Panthers have failed to generate
much of a pass rush with their starting defensive ends Charles Johnson and Kony
Ealy combining for one-half sack this season. That, combined with a young
secondary that has been riddled by injuries and lacks game experience, has led
to some poor results.Atlantas Matt Ryan threw for 503 yards and Drew Brees put
up 465 against the Panthers, the two biggest totals by an opposing quarterback
in the franchises 22-year history. Both threw for four touchdowns.Well, thats
probably the biggest disappointment is we havent had the production we would
have liked out of the front, Rivera said. The front has done a nice job. Weve
done a good job stopping the run. But (the run defense) is not whats killing
us.Rivera said the Panthers will look at ways of being more creative on defense
to get additional pressure on opposing QBs.The problem with blitzing more is it
leaves Carolinas young cornerbacks -- the Panthers have three rookies on the
roster -- exposed more in coverage. Carolina has already given up eight passes
of more than 40 yards, second most in the NFL.Rivera said the Panthers are
seeing more double teams on defensive tackle Kawann Short, more play-action on
first and second down and more chipping on their defensive ends on third
down.There are some things weve got to be able to do to counter that stuff,
Rivera said.The Panthers were counting on third-year defensive end Ealy to have
a big season after he came on strong at the end of last season and had three
sacks, a forced fumble and an interception in the Super Bowl. But Ealy has been
completely shut down this season, and Rivera acknowledged the team hoped he
would be further along in his progression as a player.Right now, for a six-game
stretch youd like to see a little more production, Rivera said. Its not like hes
not trying. Its tough because of the way people approach us now and look at
us.Defensive end Wes Horton said Monday the biggest difference from last years
defense that finished in the top 10 in the league overall and first in takeaways
is the lack of communication and consistency.There are flashes where were doing
well and other times when guys just arent in the right place, Horton said.If
nothing else, the bye should also help the Panthers get healthier.They played
Sunday without three starters: cornerbacks James Bradberry (toe) and Robert
McClain (hamstring) and left tackle Michael Oher (concussion). Defensive tackles
Vernon Butler (ankle) and Paul Soliai (foot) also sat out with injuries.---AP
NFL website:
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.In my heart and mind Im competing for India, luge competitor Shiva Keshavan
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Ha Ha
Clinton-Dix Womens Jersey . -- Arizona raced out to a big lead and did not
back off, hitting the accelerator instead. CHICAGO -- Milton Doyle had 16
points, five rebounds and six assists, Bruno Skokna added 15 points, and Loyola
of Chicago beat Division III-member Eureka 97-59 on Monday night.On Sunday, the
Ramblers coasted to a 100-51 victory to reach the century mark for the first
time since November 15, 1997.Its the best start for Loyola (3-0) since opening
the 2010-11 season with seven straight wins. The Ramblers played their third
game in four days -- all at home -- and have not lost a homme game in 14
November contests under coach Porter Moser.ddddddddddddundre Jackson and Donte
Ingram each scored 13 points for Loyola.The Ramblers closed the first half on an
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to extend their advantage to 58-42.Kendall Davis scored 16 points for Eureka,
while Shea Feehan 10. ' ' '
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