Panthers finish season No. 3 in rushing
December 30
Charlotte Observer
"The Carolina Panthers finished third in the NFL in rushing this season, the best they've ever done in that category in team history.
The Panthers also had finished 10th in total offense, marking only the second time they've made the top 10. They were sixth in total offense in 1999, George Seifert's first season as coach, when they were more of a pass-oriented team.
The Panthers also finished seventh in scoring this season, and were 19th in passing.
(A previous version of this story mistakenly reported Carolina was fifth in passing this season. That was the result of misreading an NFL statistical summary sheet).
Coach John Fox said Monday "there's no doubt" this year's team has the best offense in his seven seasons with the Panthers.
Bye a chance to heal
Immediately following Sunday's 33-31 win at New Orleans, Fox downplayed the importance of his team's first-round bye, but he more readily embraced it Monday.
"There's no doubt we prefer it worked out that way," he said. With "our current state, it is beneficial to us. We've got guys banged up that we'd like to have back before we play again. If it happened the other way, we'd have a short week and with this short season, you want your best players."
If the Panthers had lost to New Orleans, they would have had to begin preparing immediately for a game this weekend at Arizona and might have been without some of their injured starting linemen - defensive tackles Maake Kemoeatu (ankle) and Damione Lewis (shoulder), guard Geoff Hangartner (ankle) and offensive tackle Jeff Otah (toe).
The bye allows the Panthers time to heal and rest. Fox said they'll have a light week of practice.
He declined to provide updates on any injuries until next week, when he's required to do so by the NFL."
Link
Calendar
