Cardinals-Panthers Live Blogging: First Quarter

> I miss the early going to feed the Shooter Kids, so I don't see the opening Panther drive where DeAngelo Williams goes for 31, with Jon Stewart cashing in the touchdown. The Cards then drive to within field goal position, but Julius Peppers knocks them out with a sack. Rather then put this one out of range early, the Panthers can't convert on a third and two with Williams, which is when I come back in. You didn't expect me to take 100% of Tony Siragusa, did you?

> Kurt Warner hits Larry Fitzgearld on a 51-yard bomb out of play action, with Fitz just showing him why he's the best WR in the league when it comes to going up and getting a ball in space. Wow. A short run to James is followed by an odd pass to fullback Larry Castille, setting up third and goal from the two. Warner then finds Tim Hightower for a surprisingly easy touchdown out of the flat, and we've got a tie ballgame, and a Cardinals offensive line that looks comfortable. Danger, Home Team! 7-7 with 2:43 left, and Fitz has 3 catches for 80 yards already. Paging Steve Smith! He's dissing you!

> And speaking as a Tim Hightower fantasy owner, can someone tell me why he's only useful inside the 5 yard line? Seriously, the guy's an entirely different back from in tight; the rest of the field, he's horrible.

> Fox tells us that what we've just seen is the Cardinals' first touchdown in the first quarter in the East Coast in six games. Well, I suppose They Were Due! A kickoff out of the end zone brings us Commerce. Yay, commerce!

> Jake Delhomme back to pass on first, and he's oblivious to Antonio Smith's rush, and his desperate swing forces a fumble. He also recovers it, just to make his IDP fantasy playoff owners really happy. Congrats, both of you!

> The Cards recover at the 13 and whoa, baby, that Panther point spread is looking like a bad bet. Edge James on a screen gets nine. On second and one, Warner nearly trips coming away from center, but he gets the ball to Edge, who finds enough room to the middle left for the go-ahead touchdown. After the PAT, it's 14-7, and the rain is coming down harder on Not Very Happy At All Panther Fan. The Cards have put up two touchdowns in less than a minute, folks.

> After an ordinary return, Delhomme finds Muhammad for 17 to start things. Had that ball been a little more accurate, he could have gotten more. Stewart goes left for 2, and the play by play shows us that the Panther run offense has been boom-bust so far tonight. Delhomme has a clean pocket and time to pump and wind up for an open Steve Smith. The pass falls incomplete, but the flag is immediate and obvious, and Smith is dancing as soon as he's up. First down at the Cardinals 15 from a 45-yard flag. The quarter ends with Stewart for no gain, and We've Got Ourselves A Game Here, Yes We Do.