PANTHERS HAVE FOUND A PASS RUSHER IN DELAIRE: Who is Ryan Delaire and why was he not on an active roster sooner?
After recording two sacks and five tackles in his first NFL game, many people around the league are likely asking that very question.
"We're pretty excited about who he is and what he brought to the table," said head coach Ron Rivera, who had Delaire break down the team in the locker room after the win over Tampa Bay. "He helped out right away."
Oddly enough, the Buccaneers know quite a bit about Delaire. The undrafted rookie spent training camp with Tampa Bay but didn't make the team. He was a member of the Redskins' practice squad before the Panthers signed him to the active roster Wednesday.
"I saw it in practice," defensive tackle Kawann Short said. "I knew this guy was special."
Seemingly every Panther went over to congratulate Delaire after the game. Did he take particular satisfaction in performing so well against his former coaches and teammates?
"It felt great," Delaire said. "It felt great doing it against them."
Delaire's performance may have come as a surprise to many, but it didn't surprise his cousin Andre, who called his younger cousin expecting at least two sacks.
"I was like, 'Man, I'm just going to give it my best effort. I don't know what's going to be the outcome," Delaire said. "I just did my best."
GINN MORE THAN A DEEP THREAT: Wide receiver Ted Ginn, Jr. is known for his ability as a vertical threat, but Sunday, he proved he can be just as dangerous on short and intermediate routes.
He scored Carolina's first offensive touchdown in the second quarter when quarterback Cam Newton found him breaking toward the right pylon. Ginn made the catch and reached the ball across the goal line while dragging his trailing foot for the 6-yard touchdown.
Midway through the third quarter, Ginn came across the field on an underneath pattern and Newton found him for a 12-yard touchdown.
"A lot of people just see the speed. I'm an all-around receiver," Ginn said. "I just feel like this team and this coaching staff knows what I can do. They maximize my speed and my talent. It's just a great fit for me."
Added Rivera: "If you can catch Teddy in stride, he's awful hard to catch. In the red zone, you saw his effectiveness."
NORMAN WELCOMES THE CHALLENGE: With the way cornerback Josh Norman is playing right now, opposing quarterbacks should be very careful before attempting to throw his way.
But Norman doesn't mind if the opposition wants to continue testing him.
"I'm happy. Keep doing it. I'm feeling good right now. I really am. Keep it coming," he said.
Norman recorded two more interceptions Sunday to run his total to four in four games. He's playing with a ton of confidence. Rightfully so.
"Right now the ball – as you say – my eyes get big," Norman said. "I get into that zone and just make sure I focus."
DAVIS NEVER HAD A DOUBT: There was speculation that linebacker Thomas Davis wouldn't play Week 4 due to a pectoral injury, but the defensive captain finished with a game-high 11 tackles and also recorded his second interception.
"I felt pretty good. Our trainers did a good job of getting me prepared to be back out here today, and I was able to contribute to the game," Davis said.
"It was never a question. You guys were ruling me out, saying that I might not play. I read that stuff, but seeing how my body was improving day after day, I had no doubt."
View game action photos from Carolina's 37-23 win over Tampa Bay.
Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton throws a pass in the rain against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the first quarter of an NFL football game Sunday, Oct. 4, 2015, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)
Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Jameis Winston (3) throws a pass against the Carolina Panthers during the first quarter of an NFL football game Sunday, Oct. 4, 2015, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Brian Blanco)
Carolina Panthers cornerback Josh Norman (24) intercepts a pass intended for Tampa Bay Buccaneers tight end Brandon Myers (82) before returning it 46 yards for a touchdown during the first quarter of an NFL football game Sunday, Oct. 4, 2015, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)
Carolina Panthers cornerback Josh Norman (24) heads for the end zone after intercepting a pass from Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Jameis Winston during the first quarter of an NFL football game Sunday, Oct. 4, 2015, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Brian Blanco)
Carolina Panthers cornerback Josh Norman (24) runs 46-yards for a touchdown after intercepting a pass by Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Jameis Winston (3) during the first quarter of an NFL football game Sunday, Oct. 4, 2015, in Tampa, Fla. Panthers' Bene' Benwikere (25) blocks Winston. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)
Carolina Panthers free safety Kurt Coleman (20) intercepts a pass intended for Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Mike Evans (13) during the second quarter of an NFL football game Sunday, Oct. 4, 2015, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)
Carolina Panthers wide receiver Ted Ginn Jr.(19) pulls in a seven-yard touchdown reception during the second quarter of an NFL football game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Sunday, Oct. 4, 2015, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Brian Blanco)
Carolina Panthers defensive end Mario Addison (97) grabs ahold of Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Jameis Winston during the second quarter of an NFL football game Sunday, Oct. 4, 2015, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)
Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Doug Martin, left, celebrates with teammates Vincent Jackson and Brandon Myers in front of Carolina Panthers strong safety Roman Harper, foreground, after scoring on a five-yard touchdown run during the second quarter of an NFL football game Sunday, Oct. 4, 2015, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Brian Blanco)
Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Jameis Winston (3) loses his balance after getting tripped up by Carolina Panthers' Jared Allen (69) and Star Lotulelei (98) during the third quarter of an NFL football game Sunday, Oct. 4, 2015, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Brian Blanco)
Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Doug Martin (22) breaks away from Carolina Panthers outside linebacker Shaq Green-Thompson (54) during the third quarter of an NFL football game Sunday, Oct. 4, 2015, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)
Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Charles Sims dives into the end zone after catching a 10-yard touchdown pass against the Carolina Panthers during the third quarter of an NFL football game Sunday, Oct. 4, 2015, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)
Carolina Panthers fullback Mike Tolbert (35) is upended by Tampa Bay Buccaneers free safety Bradley McDougald (30) during the fourth quarter of an NFL football game Sunday, Oct. 4, 2015, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)
Carolina Panthers outside linebacker Thomas Davis (58) celebrates with teammates cornerback Charles Tillman (31) and free safety Tre Boston (33) after intercepting a pass intended for Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Mike Evans (13) during the fourth quarter of an NFL football game Sunday, Oct. 4, 2015, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)
Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Vincent Jackson (83) slues Carolina Panthers free safety Kurt Coleman (20) during the fourth quarter of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 4, 2015, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Brian Blanco)
Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Vincent Jackson (83) carries Carolina Panthers free safety Kurt Coleman (20) and free safety Tre Boston into the end zone to score during the fourth quarter of an NFL football game Sunday, Oct. 4, 2015, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)
