Daily Press:Davis slams door on Skins, past

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Davis slams door on Skins, past

Published November 17 2003

David Teel

CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- The Carolina Panthers have everything the Washington Redskins lack.

Success and confidence.

Linemen capable of rushing and protecting quarterbacks.

A head coach steeped in the NFL's nuances.

Oh, and Stephen Davis.

Those contrasts, especially the last, proved critical Sunday as the Panthers beat the Redskins 20-17.

Discarded after last season as a plowhorse back unfit for Steve Spurrier's fast-break offense, Davis scored the winning touchdown against his former team, lunging into the end zone from 3 yards with 1:09 remaining. Replays showed Davis may not have reached the goal line and may have fumbled, but after reviewing the tape, referee Gerald Austin upheld the touchdown.

"No doubt," Davis said. "None."

Three plays before the touchdown, on fourth-and-1 from Carolina's 38, Davis sneaked out of the backfield past linebacker Jeremiah Trotter, caught a swing pass from Jake Delhomme and rumbled 25 yards.

Redemption rarely is sweeter.

"Whhhooooo," Davis yelped as reporters crowded around his locker. "This was very personal, very personal."

Washington's decision to cast Davis away, and Carolina's decision to sign him, epitomize the teams' respective seasons. The Redskins are 4-6 and stand last in the NFC East. The Panthers, two years removed from a 1-15 disaster, are 8-2 and lead the NFC South.

Moreover, Carolina is 7-1 in games decided by less than a touchdown, including road overtime victories against Tampa Bay, Indianapolis and New Orleans.

"It does wonders for you," Delhomme said of the Panthers' late-game escapes. "We believe we're gonna get it done."

That belief emanates from second-year head coach John Fox, a former assistant with the Giants, Steelers, Chargers and Raiders. Fox's roots are on defense, and in short order he has built one of the league's best pass-rushing units with Mike Rucker, Julius Peppers and Kris Jenkins.

And what better way to complement a rugged defense than with a ball-control offense centered around a back such as Davis? Spurrier disdained such convention when he coached in college, and he wasn't about to change for Davis.

Davis gained a modest 92 yards on 28 carries Sunday, but he cracked 1,000 yards for the fourth time in the last five seasons, and he ranks third among NFL rushers behind Baltimore's Jamal Lewis and Green Bay's Ahman Green.

"He's been huge," Fox said. "He's been a great influence on our offense both as a running back and a leader in the locker room."

Davis' presence has eased Delhomme's transition from Saints backup to Panthers starter. The Redskins, like many Carolina opponents, often stacked eight defenders to stop Davis, and for a second consecutive game, Delhomme took advantage. Last week he completed five passes on a last-minute drive to beat Tampa Bay. Sunday, protected throughout by his line, he threw for 317 yards.

Delhomme's primary target was Muhsin Muhammad, an eight-year Carolina veteran who caught nine passes for 189 yards. The Panthers advanced to the NFC championship game in Muhammad's rookie season but have not enjoyed a winning season since.

That's about to change.

"It's been a long road," Muhammad said. "I think this team is going to peak at the right time. The beauty of it is, we're winning but not playing our best football. ... We're going to win a championship here one day. I'm just glad we're on the right course."

Whatever course the Redskins are on, championships - divisional or otherwise - do not appear on the horizon. Davis, sporting an Earl Campbell retro jersey, neither grieved nor gloated.

"That," he said, "was closing the door to my past with them."

David Teel can be reached at 247-4636 or by e-mail at dteel@dailypress.com

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