Game Grades – Redskins at Panthers
August 25, 2008
This game was probably the most exciting preseason game for Panthers fans in Panthers history.
You will surely hear “its only preseason” from some of the more level headed fans, and normally I would agree, but to label this game as “only preseason” does not do it justice.
This game was the transfusion of excitement the Panthers have needed for several seasons.
Offense:
Not much to pick on here. Over 200 yards rushing and close to 50 points. Who would not take that every Sunday? The running game looked phenomenal, but that could have something to do with the banged up Washington linebacking core. Still, we all expect big things from the first round duo Williams/Stewart.
Offensive Grade – A
Defense:
Overshadowed by the offense by mose mainstream media, the defense was the most impressive aspect of Saturday night’s game. Afterall, they are the ones that handed the offense short fields to work with off of turnovers. On a good NFL team, that is handing easy points to your offense. It does appear that the Panthers are once again a good NFL team.
Defensive Grade – A
A Word on Local Redskins Fans..
August 22, 2008
This Saturday the stadium and parking lots will be filled with morons wearing red, too weak and ignorant to cheer for their home team.
Its funny they wear red. It reminds me of colonial redcoats. Holding an old allegiance now that a new order has formed. Too cowardly to look forward and cheer for the new home team.
I call them traitors.
That is all.
Preseason Game Grades – Panthers at Eagles
August 15, 2008
Now you see why I called for cautious optimism in my last game grades. Welcome back to earth, Panthers fans. I will only be grading the starting units.
Offense:
An actual test for the first unit, who was without Steve Smith. however, with Steve Smith being out the first two games of the season, we can consider this the starting unit.
Clearly more work needs to be done on the offensive line. It seems to me that the big fellas know their assigments, but they are not yet gelling as a unit. I suspect this will not happen until well into the season.
Jake Delhomme, in his first real preseason action, looked very rusty. His throws were often not on target or late. This could have had something to do with the rain, but Delhomme showed the same rust in last years exhibition games. The good news is he came out looking like a pro bowler in the regular season.
Offense – C+
Defense
Considering the defense was playing with out 75% of their starting defensive backfield, they had a convincing performance. Aside from Marshall’s INT for 6, they were not flashy, but they allowed no points to be scored. For any defense, that is the only stat that matters.
Defensive Grade – A
Special Teams
Still impressed with the kickoffs. Even in the rain, they reached the end zone.
Special Teams Grade – A
All in all this game can be wrapped up in one sentence, provided by Coach John Fox.
“I think it was evident their backups were better than ours, basically their (third-teamers),”
Preseason Game Grades – Colts at Panthers
August 10, 2008
Its time to shake the dust off of the ole grading calculator.
Offense:
I know everyone is glowing over the offense this morning.
I’m not.
The first string offense was given a short field twice, and it scored twice, on a defense that is not playing at its full strength and did not gameplan for the Panthers one bit. While the prospects of a strong running game are solid, I am not ready yet to declare improvement over last season. Deangelo Williams does appear to be a man on a mission. Lets just hope the offensive line can give him what he needs to accomplish it.
Offensive Grade – A
Defense:
Peppers is back. Every other story is dwarfed by this to the point of not comment worthy.
Defensive Grade – A
Special Teams:
I was on the field Saturday Night. I lined up on the sideline ready to once again snap pictures of a kickoff return going well past the 20 and closer to Panthers territory. Last season typically the ball was caught by the opposing team somewhere between the 5 and 10. Saturday night, the first kick sailed into the back of the endzone. The Panthers seemingly have addressed one of the biggest needs of the team that went unnoticed by the media.
Special Teams Grade – B
Carter a Starter?
August 5, 2008
Just a couple of months ago I knew with some certainty that a group of NFL fans would be giddy over a young WR prospect named Carter, who was tearing it up in camp. What I did not realize is that it would be Carolina Panthers Fans. It seems the Panthers replaced all pro camp player Drew Carter, with a new and improved Carter. Is this one any different?
Jason Carter, the former undrafted free agent and practice squad member, has looked better than all wide recievers on the team not named Smitty or Moose.
What remains to be seen is if this Carter can do what the previous Carter could not. Can Jason Carter be more than just a fluff camp player? Can he produce with the safety bearing down on him, knowing he is about to get knocked into last week?
I can understand the Panthers Fans excitment and enthusiasm over the prospect of a real sleeper star on the field. But somehow I think cautious optimism is in order.
Sound off on your thoughts in our forum.
The Dude Abides
August 4, 2008
With all of the mainstream media’s attention on Jeff Otah, I would like to take a moment and bring everyone’s attention to “The Dude”, you may know him as rookie lineman Geoff Schwartz out of Oregon.
His recently appointed nickname comes from the cinematic marvel that is “The Big Lebowski”
Schwartz has an uncanny resemblance to the main character in the movie, known only as “The Dude”. See for yourself…
Indeed it is clear that The Dude is here for a reason. He has quickly become a fan favorite, despite the lack of attention, and well I will say it, ignorance of the local mainstream media. The Dude will not only make the team, The Dude will also contribute faster than anyone has expected. Whoa to any defensive end he faces.
The Dude abides.
Fanfest and Topcats…
August 4, 2008
Our media partner WCNC has posted slideshows featuring the Topcats and players during fan fest on Saturday…
Check out the slideshow here.
Talk about your Fanfest observations in our forum!
Nose Job?
August 3, 2008
PFT is reporting the Smith/Lucas scuffle was over an alleged nose job?
Can we start the season yet?
Thoughts on the Smith drama…
August 3, 2008
I had not planned on commenting on the Smith/Lucas daytime television drama, but it seems this story will just not go away.
Allow me to address some common misconceptions by the fans and local media….
- Smith and Lucas do not have to “get along”. They have not “known eachother” for years. As members of opposing units on the team, their day to day interaction is minimal if any at all. It is clear these two ego enduced testosterone filled men don’t like each other. Never have, never will, and I am ok with that.
- Everyone on the team and in the front office know that Smith is the most aggressive guy on the squad. This is what makes him the best player on the team. Fans also forget very easily that he is one of the most passionate and fan friendly members on the team as well, always taking time out to sign autographs for kids at camp. Not every top five reciever in the league does that. With Smith you take the good and the bad. Anyone calling for a Steve Smith trade needs to take a deep breath and search all day today for a clue, any clue.
- The punishment handed down to Smith was fair. A two game suspension means that Smith will not break the season recieving record, his goal for the season. As a pure competitor, keeping Steve out of games hurst worse than the blow to the bank account that comes along with it.
- While Ken Lucas did not deserve the beat down, he is not completely innocent either. I don’t make a habit of taunting the neighborhood pit bull. Sure its harmless most of the time, but I never know when it might be having a bad day.
All in all it has been seven years since the last Smith incident. Thats seven years of keeping his anger under control. This two game suspension will act as a reminder to Steve, and I expect this is the last time we will need to hear about his temper for the rest of his career.
In short, if you like drama, turn on the daytime soaps. The season is starting. Players are fighting for positions.
You know, real football news.
