Can't-miss Kasay's four field goals are key to Panthers' victory - 09/25/2006
Source: St. Petersburg Times Kickers have been the culprits in plenty of heartbreaking losses in the NFL, but the Panthers had no trouble identifying their MVP after Sunday's victory.
"Thank God for John Kasay," Carolina coach John Fox said.
Kasay, the kicker since the franchise's inaugural season in 1995 and the team's only remaining original player, was the hero four times over in the Panthers' 26-24 victory. And none of his four field goals could be classified as a chip shot.
Kasay made kicks from 51, 50, 49 and 46 yards. His last was the shortest, but also the biggest. The winner came with two seconds left.
The Bucs could only watch.
"Field-goal kickers do make their money in games like this," Bucs defensive end Greg Spires said.
Carolina receiver Steve Smith, who led the league last season in receptions and yards, played after missing the first two games because of hamstring injuries. Smith was the game's leading receiver with seven catches for 117 yards. |
| |
Last-second FG gives Panthers 26-24 win - 09/24/2006
Source: NFL.com Keyshawn Johnson insisted returning to Tampa Bay for the first time in three years was more about Carolina getting its first victory than him getting personal satisfaction against his former team.
Thanks to Jake Delhomme -- and a big game from the mercurial Johnson -- the loquacious receiver got both Sunday.
Johnson scored two touchdowns and Delhomme led a last-minute drive that produced John Kasay's fourth long field goal of the day with 2 seconds remaining, giving the Panthers a 26-24 victory over the winless Bucs.
Johnson finished with seven receptions for 97 yards. Steve Smith returned after missing Carolina's first two games with a sore hamstring and had seven catches for 112 yards for the Panthers (1-2).
Simms rebounded from a shaky first quarter to get the Bucs (0-3) back in the game. He threw an 8-yard touchdown pass to Joey Galloway in the second quarter, then took advantage of three second-half turnovers to put his team into a position to win.
Simeon Rice forced two third-quarter fumbles for Tampa Bay, and Shelton Quarles forced a third to set up Matt Bryant's 28-yard field goal for a 24-23 Bucs lead with five minutes remaining.
Tampa Bay got the ball back with less than three minutes to go, but was unable to get a first down and run out the clock.
Simms, who left the game for two plays in the second half because of cramps, was 13-of-24 for 139 yards. Carnell "Cadillac" Williams rushed for 48 yards on 19 carries and scored on a 4-yard run in the third quarter.
Carolina won for the sixth time in the last seven meetings between the NFC rivals. Delhomme improved to 4-0 at Raymond James Stadium. |
| |
Panthers 15, Steelers 13 (AP) - 08/31/2006
Source: Yahoo!, ESPN, Charlotte Observer The Carolina Panthers proved something during a long night that featured almost no starters and plenty of not-so-good football: Their junior varsity is better than that of the Pittsburgh Steelers. John Kasay kicked his fifth field goal on the final play of the game, a 29-yarder that finished an unbeaten Carolina preseason and a winless one for Super Bowl champion Pittsburgh as the Panthers won... Fantasy Impact: The only thing we can take from this game is that Kasay can kick field goals with ease. Move Kasay up slightly, but that's it. |
| |
10:31 am | Kasay kicks his 1st field goals - 08/08/2006
Source: Charlotte Observer Fantasy Impact: Good to see him back on the field and kicking, as he will be a fantasy option this year. |
| |
11:30 am | Kasay returns to Panthers practice - 08/07/2006
Source: Charlotte Observer Carolina Panthers kicker John Kasay returned to practice today, as his leg injury continues to heal. Kasay, though, did not kick in the morning practice, and coach John Fox was non-commital when asked if Kasay would kick in Saturday's exhibition opener with Buffalo. Fantasy Impact: Kasay is a draftable kicker, and with him returning to health, the risk is down. |
| |
Training camp notes | Kasay coming along - 08/01/2006
Source: Charlotte Observer TODAY'S PRACTICES: 10:30 a.m. at Wofford's stadium, Snyder Field, and 3:10 p.m. on practice fields. Fantasy Impact: Good to see Kasay getting back to 100%, so you can grab him without worry. |
| |
11:32 a.m. | Smith, Kasay ease back into action - 08/01/2006
Source: Charlotte Observer Two injured Carolina Panthers are getting closer to getting back to action. Fantasy Impact: Important for the veteran Kasay to get back to kicking. Very important for Smith to come back from his hammy. Move them back to where they were in your rankings. |
| |
4:12 pm | Kasay confident he'll be kicking soon - 07/31/2006
Source: Charlotte Observer Carolina Panthers kicker John Kasay spent his third straight day Monday riding the stationary bike and doing conditioning drills instead of booting the ball at training camp. But Kasay, suffering muscle tightness his kicking leg, is confident he'll be kicking by the end of the week. Fantasy Impact: Be a bit more careful with Kasay, but as long as it doesn't bother him during the season you shouldn't have to move him down. |
| |
No. 4 remains the Carolina constant - 07/13/2006
Source: RealFootball365 If the Carolina Panthers do reach the Super Bowl again next February, rest assured that John Kasay likely won't make another key error. Fantasy Impact: A consistent kicker is always helpful to any team, real or fantasy. |
