National Football League

Panthers QBs confident despite lack of points

Published Aug. 13, 2010 7:13 p.m. ET

foxsports

Matt Moore looked poised despite getting knocked around. Jimmy Clausen gained confidence in his NFL debut despite constant pressure.

Now if Carolina's quarterbacks could just get some protection and put the Panthers in the end zone.

The first game in the post-Jake Delhomme era provided a mixed bag for the new crew of arms on Thursday night. Moore was hit, fumbled and the victim of penalties, while Clausen had little time to throw and had a drive end with a turnover at the goal line.

Third-stringer Hunter Cantwell was hurt by dropped passes and protection trouble, too, in Baltimore's 17-12 victory that produced no offensive touchdowns for Carolina.

''I think all three quarterbacks did a good job - when they had time to pass,'' coach John Fox said.

The Panthers returned here late Friday for the last week of training camp happy about the surprising pressure they got from their revamped defensive line, but trying to sort out problems from what was supposed to be their strength, the offensive line.

Carolina allowed seven sacks and the line was responsible for six penalties as it faced constant blitzing by the Ravens' potent defense.

''There are no worries whatsoever,'' Moore said. ''Those things are going to happen. We'll watch the tape and get those things fixed.''

Moore brought flashbacks to Delhomme's turnover-plagued 2009 when he never saw safety Tom Zbikowski go unblocked on a blitz and fumbled after getting sacked from the blind side. The Panthers recovered but were forced to punt.

Moore was 4 of 7 for 32 yards and had a passer rating of 68.8. In three first-quarter possessions with Moore, the Panthers produced three first downs and no points. They were once knocked out of field goal range when a long pass to Dwayne Jarrett was wiped out by left tackle Jordan Gross' holding penalty.

Gross, in his first game since breaking his leg late last season, was called for two holding calls and a false start penalty. Duke Robinson struggled with pass protection in the snaps he got at right guard, too.

The much anticipated debut by Clausen was largely a success. The former Notre Dame star took over in the second quarter against Baltimore's second-string defense and appeared relaxed. He was in command of the offense despite often being flushed out of the pocket and sacked twice.

''We had some bombs in protection, but overall he did a pretty good job,'' Fox said.

Seemingly taking control of the No. 2 job, Clausen threw some underneath passes early before weaving a pass into Kenny Moore, who made a difficult catch for a 25-yard gain that helped set up John Kasay's 37-yard field goal.

After a Baltimore turnover, Clausen was on the verge of a touchdown drive when backup running back Tyrell Sutton fumbled at the goal line.

Clausen started the third quarter and quickly threw an interception when receiver Dexter Jackson slipped. He soon gave way to Cantwell after completing 8 of 15 passes for 80 yards. He had a passer rating of just 41, but did rush twice for 11 yards and showed an accurate arm.

''I was anxious to get out there for the first time, but I felt comfortable,'' Clausen said. ''It's a different vibe, a different atmosphere, but it's still football.''

Cantwell got no breaks when heavy rain started to fall. Armanti Edwards dropped a couple of his passes, and the game became extremely sloppy. The second-year player who spent most of last season on the practice squad completed 6 of 17 passes for 68 yards.

Rookie Tony Pike had a brief stint, throwing one incomplete pass.

While the Panthers rushed for 142 yards, their lone touchdown came on C.J. Wilson's 31-yard fumble return after Eric Moore stripped Jalen Parmele.

The good news came with the defensive line, which had six sacks in the first game since Julius Peppers left in free agency. Tyler Brayton had two sacks before twisting an ankle, while rookie Greg Hardy had sacks on consecutive plays.

The Panthers will have more offensive weapons when star receiver Steve Smith returns from a broken forearm and running back Jonathan Stewart gets back from a lingering heel injury. But they have shown little on offense in a team scrimmage and the exhibition opener as they adjust to numerous offseason changes.

The next test for Carolina's QBs will be Aug. 21 against the New York Jets.

''There are plays to be made and we know it,'' Moore said. ''That's a good sign. I think we are moving in the right direction.''