As the temperatures have dropped, one Panthers wide receiver has heated up. It's Muhsin Muhammad, the eight-year veteran who leads the team in virtually every career receiving category.
Muhsin Muhammad has brought his game to new heights lately.
As wide receiver Steve Smith began to emerge earlier in the season as quarterback Jake Delhomme's favorite target, Muhammad posted modest receiving totals. But lately he has been looking like the receiver who led the NFC in receptions in 1999 and 2000.
Muhammad caught nine passes for 189 yards in the Panthers last victory, a 24-20 thriller over the Washington Redskins. Three of his best five performances this season have come in the last three games.
"I've been seeing a lot more balls," said Muhammad, whose 16.0 yards-per-catch average is third best in the NFC this year. "As the season has progressed, the continuity between Jake and I has gotten better and better. He's getting a better grasp of the offense and where to go with the ball versus certain coverages and plays. The ball is getting spread out more."
The offense isn't clicking on the same level as it was in 1999 when Muhammad and fellow pass-catchers Patrick Jeffers and Wesley Walls terrorized secondaries around the League. But it is moving the ball much better than it has in the last two seasons. Unfortunately, that didn't translate into points last week in a 25-16 loss to Philadelphia.
"If you look at the film and then look at the stats and what we did against Philadelphia, we were a little frustrated in that we didn't put the ball in the end zone and we kind of left a lot out there," said Muhammad. "This week, our emphasis is going to be to put the ball in the end zone when we get the opportunity."
The Atlanta Falcons are ranked last in the League in both pass defense and overall defense, so the Panthers hope to see those opportunities present themselves. Muhammad caught four passes for 61 yards in a 23-3 Panthers victory over the Falcons earlier this season.
Muhammad caught nine passes for 189 yards in the victory over Washington.
"They're pretty much the same guys, but they changed almost their whole secondary since that game," notes Muhammad. "They have the same guys up front and they're very capable of putting a lot of pressure on the quarterback and disrupting the running game. They're a very good defensive ball club. I can't take anything away from them. This year they're struggling a little bit and trying to find an identity. They're trying to find some young guys to step up and play. Hopefully, we can capitalize on that."
"I believe that big plays breed big plays. Any time you are searching for something to happen, if someone makes a big play that could create a snowball effect," said Muhammad. "(Vick) is a guy that they rely on a lot to make big plays and create momentum and generate enthusiasm. Our defense has to do a good job of taking him out of the game."
And the offense will have to do what it can to keep the chains moving and keeping Vick off the field. Now that December has arrived, every possession takes on added importance. As one of only two players on the roster to have played in the Panthers last playoff contest during the 1996 season, Muhammad knows full well what the team must do these next four games.
"I feel like we have a lot to play for," said Muhammad. "We have a lot at stake in this game. There is so much revolving around this week. If you can't get excited for this, you better check your pulse. Guys are fired up for this game." -panthers.com
I posted this early to let some bettors get some info with the prop. Expect Muhammad to have at least one 25+ yard catch and to come down with more than a few balls tonight. Play is on Muhammad OVER 62 yards receiving. His 16ypc average might go up tonight. Comments welcome, GL to all.
~IX
Muhsin Muhammad has brought his game to new heights lately.
As wide receiver Steve Smith began to emerge earlier in the season as quarterback Jake Delhomme's favorite target, Muhammad posted modest receiving totals. But lately he has been looking like the receiver who led the NFC in receptions in 1999 and 2000.
Muhammad caught nine passes for 189 yards in the Panthers last victory, a 24-20 thriller over the Washington Redskins. Three of his best five performances this season have come in the last three games.
"I've been seeing a lot more balls," said Muhammad, whose 16.0 yards-per-catch average is third best in the NFC this year. "As the season has progressed, the continuity between Jake and I has gotten better and better. He's getting a better grasp of the offense and where to go with the ball versus certain coverages and plays. The ball is getting spread out more."
The offense isn't clicking on the same level as it was in 1999 when Muhammad and fellow pass-catchers Patrick Jeffers and Wesley Walls terrorized secondaries around the League. But it is moving the ball much better than it has in the last two seasons. Unfortunately, that didn't translate into points last week in a 25-16 loss to Philadelphia.
"If you look at the film and then look at the stats and what we did against Philadelphia, we were a little frustrated in that we didn't put the ball in the end zone and we kind of left a lot out there," said Muhammad. "This week, our emphasis is going to be to put the ball in the end zone when we get the opportunity."
The Atlanta Falcons are ranked last in the League in both pass defense and overall defense, so the Panthers hope to see those opportunities present themselves. Muhammad caught four passes for 61 yards in a 23-3 Panthers victory over the Falcons earlier this season.
Muhammad caught nine passes for 189 yards in the victory over Washington.
"They're pretty much the same guys, but they changed almost their whole secondary since that game," notes Muhammad. "They have the same guys up front and they're very capable of putting a lot of pressure on the quarterback and disrupting the running game. They're a very good defensive ball club. I can't take anything away from them. This year they're struggling a little bit and trying to find an identity. They're trying to find some young guys to step up and play. Hopefully, we can capitalize on that."
"I believe that big plays breed big plays. Any time you are searching for something to happen, if someone makes a big play that could create a snowball effect," said Muhammad. "(Vick) is a guy that they rely on a lot to make big plays and create momentum and generate enthusiasm. Our defense has to do a good job of taking him out of the game."
And the offense will have to do what it can to keep the chains moving and keeping Vick off the field. Now that December has arrived, every possession takes on added importance. As one of only two players on the roster to have played in the Panthers last playoff contest during the 1996 season, Muhammad knows full well what the team must do these next four games.
"I feel like we have a lot to play for," said Muhammad. "We have a lot at stake in this game. There is so much revolving around this week. If you can't get excited for this, you better check your pulse. Guys are fired up for this game." -panthers.com
I posted this early to let some bettors get some info with the prop. Expect Muhammad to have at least one 25+ yard catch and to come down with more than a few balls tonight. Play is on Muhammad OVER 62 yards receiving. His 16ypc average might go up tonight. Comments welcome, GL to all.
~IX
