Jump to content

  • Welcome!

    Register and log in easily with Twitter or Google accounts!

    Or simply create a new Huddle account. 

    Members receive fewer ads , access our dark theme, and the ability to join the discussion!

     

Roman Harper: Why We’re Undefeated (A Must Read)

The Saltman

By The Saltman,
in Carolina Panthers

Recommended Posts

The Saltman Apprentice

The Saltman

Posted
Posted

Man, what a great article by Roman Harper. 

http://mmqb.si.com/mmqb/2015/12/03/nfl-roman-harper-carolina-panthers-undefeated

 

Quote

The Panthers are 11-0, something I’m proud to have a small part in. At 32, I’m no beacon of wisdom in the NFL, though our team is so young and my hair is so gray my young defensive backs are calling me Uncle Rome in the locker room. These days guys are beginning to realize how rare it is to go undefeated for this long. As a veteran of the 2009 New Orleans Saints, a team that started 13-0 and won a Super Bowl that season, I get asked about success, and winning, and what an undefeated team looks like.

The short answer is I don’t know.

Also... this is ridiculous... 

 

Quote

 Luke Keuchly, like Jonathan Vilma, has the authority to change any call on defense now, and it’s one of the biggest reasons we’re 11-0. There was a moment, two weeks ago against the Cowboys, that made me fall in love with football all over again.

 

Kuechly’s second interception against the Cowboys was a result of the freedom he’s given in Carolina’s defensive scheme.
Photo: 

Kuechly’s second interception against the Cowboys was a result of the freedom he’s given in Carolina’s defensive scheme.

 

During the Dallas game, Luke checked us completely out of a blitz at the very last moment, a scenario we hadn’t even practiced. Normally with that play we will just flip the side of the blitz if a change is needed. But Luke got everybody into a different coverage and communicated with the defensive line to rush Tony Romo with four men just before the ball was snapped. Then Luke saw the beginnings of a dig route by the slot receiver and recognized that Jason Witten was likely coming over the top, trying to work the gap between me and the linebackers. Luke just slid into the window, and Romo threw it right to him for his first of two interceptions in the game. And it all happened in the span of about five seconds.

It’s the kind of play that makes you proud as a player to be apart of something like that. That’s what football’s all about.

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites
pantherking15 Newbie

pantherking15

Posted
Posted

Yes, we have loads of talent on both sides of the ball and are well-rounded, but so are a few other NFL teams. It's the intangibles Roman Harper talked about that sets this team apart from the pack.

My favorite part:

Quote

We have a bunch of really good football players, but most of them realize they wouldn’t be as good if they weren’t on this team.

It sort of reminds me of what Charles Tillman said when he was on First Take back in October: "The most dangerous thing you can have is 53 guys believing in one thing together. Right now, we have 53 guys believing that we are the best team in the NFL."

Link to comment
Share on other sites
KB_fan Proficient

KB_fan

Posted
Posted

Great article.  Thanks for posting it.

I also really enjoyed BBRs "oral & pictorial history" of our huge win last year in New Orleans that started our current 15 game winning streak. 

http://blackandbluereview.com/oral-history-of-the-panthers-2014-win-at-new-orleans/

Roman Harper is also one of the players whose comments are featured.

Really great to reread the highlights of that game, the players' comments, and see how certain trends we've seen all year began (eg. a turnover on NO's 2nd play of the game ... sounding so much like our wins against Tampa or Dallas this season...)

Link to comment
Share on other sites
yasuhara2241 Contributor

yasuhara2241

Posted
Posted

awesome article! For some reason I am obsessed with hearing players talk about the teams culture and the differences between this team and their prior teams. When you hear things like this from Harp and what we have heard from Tillman and Allen, it really makes me as a fan appreciate our team so much more! Go Panthers!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Archived

This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.

Go to topic listing

  • PMH4OWPW7JD2TDGWZKTOYL2T3E.jpg

  • Topics

  • Posts

    • LegioX
      Why does Bryce get the blame?

      By LegioX · Posted

      Bryce has been in the NFL 3 years and still looks like a very mediocre QB. Most games are nothing but mediocre plays with a highlight reel every now and then.  He is a very INCONSISTENT QB and it’s very fustrating. He does not deserve a 5th year option, even though the Panthers and all the dumb asses in the front office will give it to him.
    • Joe Bear
      If they lose the last three......

      By Joe Bear · Posted

      I’ve rarely ever been more sure of anything than losing out — but how can anyone say with a straight face “Bryce hasn’t improved, but Canales has and he’s masks his flaws”. You have to be so out of touch with reality to put one way above the other when discussing those two. 
    • Bama Panther
      2025 College Football Thread

      By Bama Panther · Posted

      Last night was the classic example of a visiting team just holding on through the wave of emotion a home team has at the start of a big time game. Bama’s first two kickoff returns really set them back as far as playcalling and allowed OU to dictate field position. The emotion of the home crowd fed into what OU was doing at that point, and it felt like Bama would not be able to overcome that.     Once the kickoff returner was told to fair catch every kick, the game shifted, as Bama wasn’t starting each drive inside their own 15. It was then that Bama was able to make some plays, outscoring OU 34-7 the rest of the way.  I think the last 3/4 of the game proves Bama was the better team. OU was just able to ride the initial wave of emotion to a big lead, but Bama held on just enough.  However, had OU blocked the punt on Bama’s second drive and scored a TD (vice a FG on the ensuing drive), things likely would have been different.  Anyway, Roll Tide!
×
×
  • Create New...