John Fox is a brave man. He is rolling with Vinny Testaverde again as his starter Sunday against the high-flying and unbeaten Colts. Me, I woulda slid back to David Carr — but Carr’s back may not be ready for sliding.
This decision will at least give Vinny a chance to bask in the warm glow of Panther Nation adoration for a series or two. The question is, will the game be over by then?
The defense is gonna need a stellar complete game from players who have only put on a few flashes of stellar thus far. As it happens — with Dan Morgan still out and Jon Beason in the middle — I think there is a chance that happens. The Colts chess-board routes have to be disrupted by Beason and LB speedy mates, however. Meanwhile, Kris Jenkins absolutely must get push up the middle — the only real way to counter Peyton Manning’s step-up and gut you routinue. And a strip and/or pick six job from Peppers would be very helpful too.
Bottomline, the front seven is going have to play out of its mind. Vinny can’t help that. But if he gets a running game — spelled D-E-A-N-G-E-L-O — I wouldn’t be surprised to see multiple deep strikes uncorked for Steve Smith. The Panthers have to put points on the board and 89 remains the best way to do that.
It will still be an uphill fight, but by starting Vinny, Foxy is drafting a script that goes from one-week wonder to the feel good story of fall should the old man knock-off the defending Super Bowl champs.
Update: First the V-Cast, now Vinnie. A connection?
