Fasani vs. the Bucs

News on Weinke & Minter

Rookie QB could start against Bucs after Weinke's concussion

By JENNA FRYER
AP Sports Writer
October 21, 2002


CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) -- Carolina quarterback Chris Weinke spent the night in the hospital with a concussion, leaving the Panthers with rookie Randy Fasani as their only healthy option for this week's game against Tampa Bay.

Weinke was knocked out of Sunday's loss to Atlanta and spent the night in a Charlotte hospital being treated for a serious concussion. He was released Monday, but coach John Fox said he didn't know if Weinke would be able to face the Bucs and their top-ranked defense.

"He lost some memory of the day, (but) he never was unconscious,'' Fox said. "I can't speak hypothetically, but right now he's not healthy. So Randy right now would be our starter going into the week.''

Rodney Peete, who started the first six games for Carolina, had surgery on his knee last week and is out until next month. So that leaves Fasani as the only option, unless the Panthers sign someone.

Fox said the team would consider bringing in a quarterback, but refused to speculate on whom the team might work out Tuesday.

The coaching staff told Fasani, a fifth-round draft pick from Stanford, to be ready to work with the first team offense Wednesday and prepare as if he'll start against Tampa Bay.

"At this point, I'm starting,'' Fasani said. "I'm excited at the chance to start for the Panthers. You never know what's going to happen.''

Weinke, in his first start of the season, completed three of eight passes for 26 yards. He ran twice for 15 yards, but was sacked three times.

Then he was injured and Fasani took over.

Fasani completed six of 18 passes for 100 yards with an interception. He rushed eight times for 58 yards and was sacked once.

Fox said he would not hesitate to start Fasani on Sunday.

"He's smart, he's got a lot of intangibles that I think are important,'' Fox said. "He does have that mobility that is helpful and I think with time he'll be a fine young player. I feel very confident in Randy Fasani.

"Now, we don't have a lot of depth after him at this point. That probably concerns me more than starting Randy.''

Meanwhile, safety Mike Minter's strained bicep is not as much of a concern to the Panthers as his possible right ankle sprain. Minter was treated for the biceps strain following Sunday's game, but the ankle injury was only revealed on Monday.

Rookie running back DeShaun Foster, out all season with a knee injury, is expected to make his season debut Sunday. And linebackers Mark Fields and Dan Morgan both have a chance to play after sitting out against the Falcons with hamstring injuries.

 

That dude had it going on.....Meat, you run a fly and get in the open.

 

I don't think the Bucs will beat us as bad as the Falcons. At least if our D can get to Brad Johnson or Rob Johnson, whichever one plays, they won't be able to get away like Vick did.

This might be a close one. I'm feeling better about this game than I was before the Falcons game.

Looks like it will be Rob Johnson:

Brad Johnson Doubtful

 

i'm definitely going to the Bucs game.

Fasani starting, Foster in, the D-Line overwhelming Tampa's "Please Sack Our Quarterback" O-Line and teeing off on Rob "Please Sack Me" Johnson. It should be a fun day!

 

I am thinking this could be an ugly day. Tamas offence is basically dump passes to Alstott and Keenan McArdell who is nicked up on. We have to pick up blitzes better and occassionally toss the damn ball to the TE to soften up the middle so our runningbacks can operate

 

Atlanta tends to be the least instinctive defense in the NFC that has any talent at all, behind us. Tampa is for the most part the smartest and most instinctive.

Chris Draft noted that Fasani locks in on one guy and then passes.

Draw your own conclusions.

 

Well regardless of what we think, it's what we're stuck with. Weinke didn't look any better when he was in last week. I'm just hoping our defense will be able to stop their offense and we can keep the score low and/or score some points on defense and GET some turnovers. It's really the only chance we have to win. Gotta have a little optimism or no reason to go to the game. I'm not giving away my tickets yet.

 

Afraid Randy "Read My Eyes" Fasani may throw a lot of picks if he tries to go downfield, but I hope Henning and McCoy at least can teach him the fine art of throwing it away when necessary.

Much as some fans wish it to be, Randy is not Michal Vick. TB has a punishing defense and the Fasani "run first" philosophy will get him killed, and while it would be amusing to see Dee Brown under center I don't really want to see it happen that way.

 

I only watched about 30 minutes of the MNF game this week, and I saw Peyton Manning doing the same thing. Maybe that's why he throws so many picks?

 

I hope so, too. Although it would seem that Chris Weinke hasn't quite grasped that lesson yet.