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2007 Recap Head Coach John Fox began with a team that had just a one-win season six years ago. Since then, he has taken them to two playoff appearances, two NFC championship games and to Superbowl XXXVIII. Coming off an 8-8 season last year, Fox was determined to have another winning season in 2007. But with several quarterback swaps and a ground effort that was less than stellar, the Carolina Panthers finished the season with a 7-9 record and second in the NFC South. Quarterback Jake Delhomme had a rough pre-season but proved himself in the opening regular season game against the St. Louis Rams completing 18-27 for 201 yards and three touchdowns, enough for the victory. In the second win of the season, which came in week three against the Atlanta Falcons, Deshaun Foster darted for 122 yards and caught a 13-yard touchdown pass sealing the win for the Panthers. The second quarterback swap of the season came in game four as David Carr replaced an injured Delhomme, but led the team to a loss against division rival Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The following week, kicker John Kasay kicked a 53-yard field goal as time expired to win the game against the New Orleans Saints. Wide receiver Steve Smith caught the 17-yard pass for the touchdown to tie the game giving the Panthers the opportunity to win. Carolina Panthers’ ticket holders saw quarterback number three against the Arizona Cardinals as Vinny Testaverde became the third oldest starting QB since 1970 at 43. With his impressive 20-33 for 206 yards and one touchdown, he then became the oldest quarterback to win a game. The Panthers went on to lose five games in a row. One of these losses came against a rematch with the Atlanta Falcons. Although the Panthers dominated most of the game, Atlanta scored a touchdown with 33 seconds left on the clock. This brutal loss allowed the team to have a record of 0-4 at home this season. But Panthers’ ticket holders finally got to see the big “W”, which was the first in eight home games dating back to last season, against the San Francisco 49ers. The quarterback shuffle continued in the third to last game of the season giving Matt Moore the first start of his career. His 207 yards was very impressive and he helped give the Panthers their second consecutive win at home. Although the team was just shy of the playoffs this year, Fox plans to lead the team into another winning season in 2008. Be there to watch your Carolina Panthers claw their way to another championship.
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