Jake tweaks elbow, says he's fine

Jake tweaks elbow, says he's fine
By David Scott
dscott@charlotteobserver.com
Posted: Sunday, Nov. 23, 2008

http://www.charlotteobserver.com/sports/nfl/carolina-panthers/gameday/story/373035.html

ATLANTA – Carolina Panthers quarterback Jake Delhomme wore a long, elastic wrap on his right (throwing) arm while on the sideline late in Sunday’s 45-28 loss against the Atlanta Falcons in the Georgia Dome.

Delhomme, who had Tommy John elbow surgery last season, said the elbow was hit during the game but was fine.

His statistics against the Falcons bear that out: Delhomme completed 21-of-35 passes for 295 yards and a touchdown. He bounced back from consecutive sub-par performances against Oakland and Detroit the past two games.

Running back Jonathan Stewart, who has had toe and heel problems this season, wore a protective boot on his left foot after the game. But that was precautionary, too, according to team spokesman Steven Drummond.

When Stewart was asked what was wrong with his foot, he smiled and said, “Nothing.”

Panthers players are discouraged from talking about their injuries to reporters.


Notes
A visibly upset Panthers general manager Marty Hurney approached the press box officiating supervisor in the fourth quarter to complain about what he considered to be mistakes with how officials managed the game clock after second-half penalties.

Hurney walked from his third row seat in the press box down to the front row to speak to officiating supervisor Neely Dunn to argue his points.

Hurney, who declined comment after the game, apparently felt the game clock should not have continued running after the Falcons were flagged for an illegal substitution and when the Panthers had consecutive false starts called against them.

Dunn wouldn’t discuss the specifics of the situation, but said he told Hurney the NFL procedure is for teams to file written complaints about officiating to the league.

Referee Tony Corrente told a pool reporter that the officials handled each of the situations the same, based on league rules.

“We kill (the clock) to administrate the penalty, then after the penalty is over we wind the clock again,” said Corrente. “That’s just the way it is. That’s part of the penalty enforcement.” – Charles Chandler The Panthers’ uncertainty at the third receiver position continued when Dwayne Jarrett was activated and D.J. Hackett was inactive. Jarrett, who had been inactive the past two games, caught two passes for 27 yards against the Falcons. Hackett played the previous two games against Oakland and Detroit, catching one pass. – D.S.

Atlanta running back Michael Turner – who was LaDainian Tomlinson’s understudy in San Diego for four seasons before signing with the Falcons earlier this year -- passed the 1,000-yard mark for the season on his third carry of the game. – D.S.

It was a quiet game for Carolina’s Julius Peppers and Atlanta’s John Abraham, who entered the game 1-2 in the league’s defensive ends in sacks. Abraham got his 12th sack of the season and had two tackles. Pepper, who had five sacks in the previous two games, didn’t have one against the Falcons but did have three tackles. – D.S.

Other inactives for Carolina: Quarterback Matt Moore (emergency), defensive back C.J. Wilson, linebacker Landon Johnson, center Mackenzy Bernadeau, tackle Frank Omiyale, wide receiver Kenneth Moore, and defensive tackle Darwin Walker.

It was the first game of the season Johnson, a free-agent signee in the offseason who was supposed to compete for a starting spot, had been inactive. He was replaced by James Anderson. – D.S. The Panthers got a scare when De Angelo Williams lost the ball during a two-point conversion run in the fourth quarter. But officials ruled he’d already crossed the goal line when he fumbled. The two points cut Atlanta’s lead to 24-21 at the time. – D.S.


By the numbers
0: Punt return yards allowed by Falcons (averaged 1.4 entering the game, best in NFL) on one punt.

0: Panthers turnovers.

3: Three-and-outs before Panthers gained before gaining initial first down (picked up with nine minutes left in first half).

3: Panthers passes tipped by Falcons linemen at line of scrimmage.

6.4: Average yards per play for both teams.


Observations

The Falcons’ final touchdown – a 61-yard punt return by Harry Douglas – was a classic case of a punter out-kicking his coverage. The Panthers’ Jason Baker crushed the punt 59 yards out of his own end zone and there wasn’t a tackler with 20 yards of Douglas when he caught the ball. He had a full head of steam going by the time Panthers players approached him.

The Falcons wore black jerseys and black pants (to go with their black helmets), the first time they’d done so this season. If it was meant to be an intimidating look, it appears to have worked – at least early in the game.

The Falcons had an embarrassing penalty in the fourth quarter when offensive tackle Quinn Ojinnaka reported as an eligible receiver. Ojinnaka turned around and left the game before the play started, which is against the rules.


Quoting
“It was an easy decision. There was no other choice.” – Falcons coach Mike Smith on his decision to go for it on fourth-and-goal from the 1 in the fourth quarter. The call resulted in a Falcons touchdown. “I think it was wide open from the get-go. It usually is.” – Panthers coach John Fox, asked if he thought the NFC South race (with Carolina and Tampa Bay tied for first and Atlanta a game back) is wide open now. “Twenty-eight points is sufficient.” – Panthers linebacker Jon Beason, saying the offense scored enough points to win. “I can’t believe he’s a rookie.” – Panthers cornerback Chris Gamble on Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan.