Third-quarter fumble a rare error for Williams

By Darin Gantt - daringantt@carolina.rr.com

ATLANTA -- Perhaps the biggest problem the Carolina Panthers have after Sunday's 28-20 loss at Atlanta — other than the 0-2 record it leaves them — is that they couldn't count on their bedrock principles.

The Panthers ran well early, but both running back DeAngelo Williams and backup Jonathan Stewart fumbled, the kind of miscues in the running game that are so rare for the team.

In fact, when Williams fumbled in the third quarter, it was his first on a run since his rookie season (2006). It ended a streak of 502 consecutive touches (including receptions and rush attempts) without a miscue, the longest active streak in the league.

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“It was tough,” Williams said with a shake of his head. “I just didn't wrap it up. I got too loose with it, got too comfortable, and the guy poked it out from me.

“You win some, you lose some. It was tough, but mentally you've got to block that out and you've got to keep playing. That's going to make me play harder.”

Williams got on the board with a pretty 3-yard touchdown run in the second quarter, stiff-arming Falcons quarterback Chris Houston all the way to the corner. That score continued a hot streak for the Panthers back, giving him a rushing touchdown in 10 of his last 11 regular-season games, with 18 total over that span.

He finished with 79 yards on 16 carries Sunday, while Stewart added 65 yards on just nine carries. Stewart recovered his own fumble, the third of his career, though only one of those was lost.

INJURY UPDATE — The Panthers left with a number of number of players hobbling, the most serious of which is at the position they can least afford.

Defensive tackle Louis Leonard, starting for an injured Nick Hayden (toe), was hauled off the field in the fourth quarter after suffering a left ankle injury. He was on crutches after the game but said he didn't know the severity of his injury.

Since Hayden was inactive, that left them with just two interior linemen at the end of the game — veteran starter Damione Lewis and recent waiver-claim pickup Sunny Harris.

Fullback Brad Hoover had to leave the game after his back “locked up” on him. He said he woke up sore Sunday morning, and couldn't finish when his back flared up on him during the game.

Linebacker Na'il Diggs was unable to finish, or even carry his own bag to the bus, because of sore ribs. He said nothing was broken but was in considerable pain as he had equipment men help him with his luggage.

Rookie Tony Fiammetta replaced Hoover, while James Anderson finished the game for Diggs.

NOT SO SPECIAL: — The Panthers continued to struggle on special teams, getting a punt blocked and allowing way too many kickoff return yards.

Punter Jason Baker's third-quarter attempt was blocked by Atlanta's Brian Williams, who blew past tight end Gary Barnidge to smother the punt. It didn't help that Baker flipped the ball in his hands to try to hit a rugby-style punt, giving Williams another beat with which to get there.

The Panthers also struggled to bring down returners, allowing the Falcons an average of 34.0 yards per attempt.

The amazing part is they can't really use new personnel as an excuse, as only two members of the punt team (snapper J.J. Jansen and gunner Captain Munnerlyn) and three of the kickoff team (Munnerlyn, Fiammetta, Mike Goodson) weren't on the roster last season contributing to special teams.

EXTRA POINTS — The Panthers had several significant developments on their inactive list.

Matt Moore remained as the backup quarterback, though recent pickup A.J. Feeley is expected to ascend to that spot eventually. The Panthers were clear about wanting a “veteran backup” when they signed Feeley, and it's hard to imagine he would have chosen the Panthers over other options if he was going to stay the inactive third.

The Panthers were also without a pair of defensive starters, safety Chris Harris and Hayden. Quinton Teal and Leonard, respectively, started in their places.

Also inactive for the game were: running back Tyrell Sutton, offensive linemen Garry Williamsand Duke Robinson, defensive end Hilee Taylor and cornerback C.J. Wilson. ...

The Falcons wore their throwback uniforms Sunday, with black jerseys and red helmets (not to mention the striped tube socks) from their inaugural 1966 season.

The Panthers were wearing theirs as well, since they haven't changed their uniforms since coming into the league in 1995. They did start wearing black shoes instead of white in 2003, but otherwise they're wearing the same duds they always have. ...

Though it's likely to be a week-to-week rotation, veteran tight end Jeff King started the game by taking the first snap Last week, it was Barnidge, though all three tight ends get plenty of time in different sets. ...

Team owner Jerry Richardson hopes to make a few appearances at road games this year, but he wasn't in Atlanta. While it's unclear if he'll go to Dallas next week, they should see new team president Danny Morrison, who's wrapping up his business at nearby Texas Christian (in Fort Worth) and should be on the job soon.

Panthers general manager Marty Hurney took advantage of the nearby college action, scouting Saturday night's Auburn-West Virginia game in person.