CHARLOTTE – Half of the NFL season is over, yet the Carolina Panthers continue to struggle in the passing game.
   It showed up again on Sunday against New Orleans prompting offensive tackle Jordan Gross to remark after the game that the Panthers need to get "more dangerous" on offense, particularly through the air.
   Coach John Fox was asked again Monday what the Panthers need to do to improve in that area.

   “The same things we did a month ago to get better in our running game -- just continue to work at it, and do everything we can do get better,” Fox said. “We had some big plays -- obviously not enough -- but we had some big run plays. We just weren't able to capitalize when we got down there (in the red zone). I think they (the Saints) had some of the same malfunctions.”
   At times, the Panthers appeared to lack confidence in allowing Jake Delhomme to throw the football, perhaps the result of his 13 interceptions in his first six games. In particular, the Panthers are struggling with big play as Delhomme has just 17 pass plays of 20 yards or longer. That's well below his normaly career level. He's had at least 44 plays in each season except 2006. So far this season he's 21st in the NFL in yards per pass attempt (6.62 yards per). To put that in perspective, he was fourth in the league at 7.94 yards per attempt a year ago.

   When asked if there is a lack of confidence in the passing game, Fox replied, “It really didn't have a whole lot to do with the pass game. On third down we were eight-of-16, which was 50 percent, which is above normal standards. So we possessed the ball. The difference in the game was we weren't able to capitalize on touchdowns when we got in the red area.”
   As for it being a personnel problem, Fox replied, “I'm confident that we can get better. We've got the personnel we've got. That's not any kind of a negative comment, it's just the way it is. New Orleans has got who they've got, and Atlanta's got who've they got. So we've just got to get better.”

   SUTTON’S START: After watching tape of Sunday’s game, Fox said he was impressed with the play of Tyrell Sutton, who stepped in to start for the injured Brad Hoover at fullback. Fox said he thought Sutton did an “terrific job,” although adding that he’d not be his ideal choice for an every-down fullback
   “He's a guy that works hard and knew what he was doing,” Fox said. “He looked to be dependable and reliable. I'm not saying he would ideally be our every-down fullback. I'm saying he was adequate yesterday.”
   Sutton picked up 9 yards on the game’s first play and finished with three carries for 15 yards. He also picked up a first down on an 11-yard reception. All of that said, it’s likely the Panthers will go back to Tony Fiammetta this week as their starter since he should be cleared to play after concussion.
   Even Hoover, who helped tutor Sutton last week, was impressed.
   “I thought he did a really good job,” Hoover said. “There’s a couple of things that come along with experience, but for the most part he did a superior job.”
   It’s expected that backup fullback Tony Fiammetta will be ready to return next week and take over that role. Hoover, meanwhile, will probably miss the next two games.

   WILLIAMS FUMBLITIS: After going all of last year without a fumble, DeAngelo Williams has fumbled three times in the first half of the season.
   But Fox doesn’t think it’s a trend.
   “There isn't anything wrong,” Fox said. “Their guy (defensive tackle Anthony Hargrove) made a nice play. I'd remind everybody, they practice and get paid, too.”
   The Saints had a league-high 21 takeaways entering Sunday’s game.
   “That was one of the reasons why we played the way we did,” Fox said. “We didn't throw an interception. Unfortunately, we fumbled the ball. This game is about turnovers or lack of, and we ended up on the short side and I thought it was the difference in the game.”

   PANTHERS FALL FROM TOP: The Panthers entered Sunday’s game with the league’s top-ranked defense, but fell to seventh after allowing Drew Brees to throw for 330 yards. They limited New Orleans to 84 yards rushing.
   "They've gotten to where they're running the ball better," said linebacker Jon Beason. "It used to be that a lot of teams just sat on the pass. You can't be one dimensional in this league. We did a good job containing the run, but we blew some coverages."

   NO UPDATES: Coach John Fox offered no updates on the injuries to the five players who sat out Sunday’s game because of injuries.