It’s that time again for Blogger Q & A, a regular blog feature at CSR. David Halprin (Grizz) over at Blogging the Boys was kind enough to answer a few questions I had for him about the Panthers Saturday match-up with the Dallas Cowboys. Be sure to check out my answers to his questions over at his SB Nation site.

Question 1: What do the Panthers need to do to score on the Cowboys defense? Who must the Panthers account for on every play?

BTB: The weak part of our defense this week should be up the middle at the safety position. Starting SS Roy Williams is suspended for violations of the Roy Williams rule, that's got to be some kind of record - suspended for breaking your own rule. Backup FS Pat Watkins is also out and he plays a lot in nickel/dime situations. Special teams ace Keith Davis will start for Roy and rookie Courtney Brown will play on the sub-packages. The Panthers should go over the middle in the passing game to see if they can beat our backups.  On the Dallas defense the guy you have to account for is OLB DeMarcus Ware. He's got every skill in the book: speed, strength, agility, smarts, motor – the total package. I'm sure Panther fans remember him well from previous games.

Ware will be matched up with LT Travelle Wharton most of the night. Just as Jordan Gross had a spotlight match-up last week against Patrick Kerney so does Wharton this week. If Wharton wants to earn a big contract this off-season having a big game Saturday night against Ware could result in a big payday.

Question 2: Does Steve Smith present a challenge to your secondary or will Terrence Newman shut him down?

BTB: Steve Smith presents a challenge to everyone's secondary; he's a special ball player. The problem is can anybody get him the ball? If I'm Dallas the one guy who won't beat me in this game is Steve Smith. If rookie Matt Moore and the Panthers other receivers can turn the trick then more power to them. But there's no way I'm letting Steve Smith run wild. I would like to see Dallas match-up Newman with him most of the time. I don't know if they will, they really like playing Newman in the slot and we have enough commotion in our secondary this week. They may play a lot of standard zones.

With Colbert hurt I hope WR Ryne Robinson gets another chance to produce. He was in the slot most of the time against the Seahawks and played well. With the Panthers still struggling to find a threat opposite Smith,  Robinson is another player who could help himself with a good game.

Question 3: Can the Panthers learn anything from your last game against the Eagles? What did the Eagles do that the Panthers should try to copy?

BTB: Fly Jessica to the game. That was a cheap shot, I'm embarrassed. In truth, Tony Romo just had a bad game. We had receivers open and opportunities to score quite a few times and he just couldn't get it done. He also turned the ball over too much. I watched the game again and he was missing throws that he normally makes with no problem. I don't expect that twice in a row. There is his thumb injury to worry about, but by all accounts he was throwing well on Thursday. We also gave up on the run way too early in the game. The Panthers should try to get after Romo, especially because his thumb is hurting and they want him to be uncomfortable back there. Play deeper zones with your safeties, make him work it down the field and try to hit him as often as you can.

I predict a repeat of Romo’s performance last week followed by reports of mass hysteria and looting in Dallas. Romo’s effigy is burned in the streets as Jessica dumps Romo for Dennis Rodman. Romo sneaks back into Dallas wearing a Troy Aikman mask long enough to pack his bags for a trip to Miami to be reunited with his former mentor the Tuna... What? It could happen.

Question 4: I see that 11 Cowboys made the Pro Bowl this year. If the NFC loses the Pro Bowl can we just blame the freakin Cowboys? Seriously, who's your best Pro Bowler on offense and defense? Anyone who didn't really deserve to go?

BTB: You mean you actually blame people for losing the Pro Bowl. I didn't even think they kept stats in that thing, let alone the score.

Ok, he didn’t bite on that one.

Question 5: It looks likes Tony Romo will play with his ailing thumb. Is a Tony Romo with a bad thumb better than a healthy Brad Johnson? Can Matt Moore outplay either of them?

BTB: Supposedly his thumb has dramatically improved. But unless Romo can't throw the ball at all, I'm going with him. I saw Brad Johnson at training camp and he never threw a pass over 15-yards. But no, Matt Moore can't outplay either of them.

Oh I would love to see Romo scratched as a game-time decision. Then we’ll see how these Cowboys respond to adversity for the first time this season. Then we will see if they truly are the best team in the NFC. Until then I still have my doubts.  

BTB Game Score Prediction: Dallas 27 – Carolina 13

Anyone have any comments on Dave’s game score prediction?