Panthers expect healthy dose of Jets run game

By Darin Gantt - daringantt@carolina.rr.com

CHARLOTTE -- The good news is, the Carolina Panthers know exactly what's coming Sunday.

Stopping it might be a little complicated.

The New York Jets are going to run the ball and dare a banged up Panthers defense to stop it. The Jets are second in the league in rushing yards (163.5 per game), and first in rushing attempts (35.0 per game).

“It's basic,” linebacker Dan Connor said of the challenge the Jets present. “They try to push you around and out-tough you. They do a great job. It's a big challenge for us.”

The Jets lean on veteran Thomas Jones (191 carries for 884 yards) but have gotten decent production from rookie Shonn Greene as well. It's a familiar formula, as their offensive line has some similarities to Carolina's, and that makes this week a look-in-the-mirror game.

“There is no mystery offensively, they want to run the ball much like us,” Panthers coach John Fox said. “They are second in the league in rushing, and we're third in the league in rushing. They lean on those guys pretty good. Both Greene and Jones have done an outstanding job.

“Their blocking element is key. They've got offensive linemen that are good, have been around and have been together all season. They know what they're doing in the run game and they execute it very well, so it will be a big challenge.”

Injured linebacker Na'il Diggs said stopping the Jets running game will have to be a collective effort. He might not play because of a rib injury, taking one of the Panthers' better run defenders off the field. But coupled with the broken hand on defensive end Julius Peppers and the lack of stout backup end Charles Johnson (much less Thomas Davis), the Panthers will need all 11 contributing to slow the Jets.

“We're going to have our hands full across the board,” Diggs said. “Even the cornerbacks are going to have to buckle their stuff on tight. They are good at what they run. They don't do a lot and they're not fancy, but they are good at running their bread and butter. We have to show up and stop their run. They will try to expose what we're not so good at on defense.”

MISSING JENKINS — The Jets defense was dealt a huge blow on Oct. 18, when nose tackle Kris Jenkins blew out his left knee and was lost for the season. Up to that point, he was playing well and anchoring a solid defense that has sagged without their big man in the middle.

While Jenkins left Charlotte disgruntled (and the Panthers were with him as well), Jets coach Rex Ryan said he has had nothing but positive experiences with Jenkins.

While he weighed north of 400 pounds during the end of his stay in Carolina, the Jets put weight clauses into Jenkins' contract and have found him willing to comply.

“He's 370, 360 pounds, but he looks like almost normal,” said Ryan. “He's a huge man, but he's in great shape, he's in good condition. I don't know the particulars when he was at Carolina, I know he was an outstanding player there for a number of years.

“But I just know Kris from being here this year. He is a huge man, but he is always a well-conditioned player, I thought.”

SAFETY SHUFFLE FORTHCOMING — With safety Charles Godfrey practicing again Thursday, Fox alluded to the possibility of using him, Sherrod Martin and Chris Harris in different combinations.

While the team would lose some leadership and knowledge without Harris on the field, they would be much faster on passing downs with Martin and Godfrey out there.

“I think it's a good problem to have, No. 1,” Fox said. “Again, we are bringing a guy back that hasn't played in a month, and there really is something to practicing and playing instead of just looking at it on tape and just listening to it in meetings.

“So it's a good problem. I think all three of them are very good players. We can mix them in based on situations, based on matchups, based on a lot of things.”

Asked if it was realistic that all three would play Sunday, Fox said: “It's a possibility. They should all three be healthy, which is the big thing.”

EXTRA POINTS — Diggs and Johnson were held out of practice Thursday, while running back Jonathan Stewart returned as normal after taking Wednesday off. Defensive tackle Damione Lewis (shoulder) was listed as limited. Otherwise, the rest of the roster practiced fully. ...

Former Panthers center Jeff Mitchell dropped by practice. He was downtown with his kids watching the parade, and decided to swing by to check in on some old friends. “Full pads on Thanksgiving, I don't miss that,” Mitchell cracked.