Cat Scratch Reader: An SB Nation Community

Navigation: Jump to content areas:


Sports blogs for fans, by fans.
Around SBN: Cal RB Jahvid Best Seriously Injured, Carted Off Field

Chiefs vs. Panthers: Blogger Q&A

Welcome to this weeks installment of Blogger Q&A. I sent five questions over to Chiefs blogger Primetime 07 at Arrowhead Pride who has provided some insightful answers. Primetime is very objective and doesn't pull any punches, even when he's talking about his own team, something we have in common. You can check out my answers to his questions and those of his Chiefs community at this fanpost.

 Question 1. The Chiefs pulled quite the upset against the Broncos last week. What did the Chiefs do differently that was the key to the victory?

AP: There were two major factors that played into the Chiefs victory last week against the Broncos.

First, we found the LJ of old.  His second run went for 65 yards and immediately put us in scoring position.  We don't have the offense for a shoot out but if we can run the ball then this is a good team.  Our offensive line, obviously, is in shambles but appears to be heading in the right direction.  2008 will have more struggles than successes but we finally put it all together against the Broncos.

Second, we created turnovers.  Two interceptions and two fumble recoveries.  Our young corners are progressing quite nicely and one of them, Brandon Carr, provided an interception while the other, Brandon Flowers, recovered a fumble.  As Chiefs fans we're in the midst of determining whether our defense is a let down or getting bagged because our offense can't stay on the field.  I lean to the latter with last week's game as an example - we rushed the ball and established a solid time of possession and our defense played very well.

Steve Smith and Moose should provide quite a test for the young CB's. If the Panthers are unable to run the ball due to the o-line problems Jake will have to throw the ball and avoid the dreaded turnovers as well.

Question 2. QB Damon Huard wasn't the starter coming out of the preseason but he has had to step in now that Brodie Croyle is injured. Why was Huard originally demoted and has he improved his play since?

AP: Damon Huard was demoted simply because he's 35 years old and we needed to determine if the young guy, Brodie Croyle, was the future or not.  Thus far, we're quickly figuring out Croyle is not that guy so brought Huard back in.

But we didn't do that without giving another young guy, Tyler Thigpen, a shot.  He turned out to be a train wreck.  All logical Chiefs fans understand Huard isn't the future but the argument to keep him in there resides in his ability to "not screw it up" and assist in the development of the rest of the offense.

Let's see if the Panther pass rush (Peppers perhaps?) can rattle Huard a little given the Chiefs o-line is banged up.

 

 

 

Star-divide

Question 3. RB Larry Johnson finally got untracked against the Broncos but he may find the going tougher this week against the Panthers, who've held LT, Forte, Petersen and Turner under 100 yards. What will the Chiefs do to try and get Johnson loose?

AP: Well, I don't have a very good answer for you.  LJ is going to struggle this week.  He thrives on pounding it out and wearing down the opponent.  I just don't see that happening against a staunch Panthers run D.  If 12 out of the last 13 games are any indication, LJ won't get going thus the entire Chiefs offense will struggle.  Running the ball is still a concern but we believe we're headed in the right direction.

Implementing speedy Jamaal Charles in more screens is something the fans have been calling for which could create opportunities in the open field. 

Screen plays have worked at times against the Panthers. The key point remains, shut down Johnson and the Chiefs offense will be in trouble.

Question  4. Most pundits agreed that the Chiefs had the best draft class this past April. Who's been the biggest surprise and disappointment of that class so far? I'm a GT alum so I'm curoius to get your thoughts on rookie FB Mike Cox as well.

AP: The biggest surprise is Brandon Carr, no doubt.  A 5th round draft pick out of Grand Valley State, he stepped it up big last week and didn't let Brandon Marshall get out of control.  Currently, he's holding down Patrick Surtain's spot whose injured but there's talk of Carr keeping the job.  We really, really like him and expect he and Flowers to team up for the foreseeable future.

The biggest disappointment is a little more difficult considering we're a mere quarter into the season.  But I'd have to say it's between DaJuan Morgan and Will Franklin.  Morgan, a 3rd round pick, hasn't disappointed on the field necessarily because we already have two good safeties ahead of him.  We spent a 3rd rounder on a guy that doesn't seem to be playing anytime soon.  Will Franklin is a local guy so we were all jazzed about him.  However, he's been injured and has seen very little action.  It's not necessarily a knock on him, but he went to Mizzou so we were all jazzed to see him play right away.

Mike Cox is excellent (That's what she said).  A lot of the UDFAs are picked up based on their knowledge of the offense.  And Cox, coming from current Chiefs OC Chan Gailey's system at GT, knew it well,  He's been very solid for us and we're excited to have him.

Nice 'Cox' joke, I set you up nicely for that one.

Question  5. Let's talk game planning. What do the Panthers need to do on both sides of the ball to beat the Chiefs this Sunday? What's your final game score prediction?

AP: The Panthers need to shut down the run which shouldn't be very difficult.  Damon Huard won't win this game through the air.  He's a complementary player in that, like last week, he is a capable player when the rest of the offense is clicking.

Our secondary is becoming pretty good so your best shot at beating us while on offense is to run the ball.  Check out the stats of our putrid game against the Raiders to see what I mean.

The Panther game plan against the Vikings was to shut down the run and force 'old man' Gus Frerotte to beat us with his arm...and he did. I pray the Panthers don't overlook the Chiefs or we may see a repeat. If their defense creates some turnovers they could generate enough offense to pull off two upsets in a row. Primetime didn't give a score prediction but here's mine from the post I put on his site:

Panthers 31 Chiefs 17

0 recs  |  Comment 6 comments

Story-email Email Printer Print

Comments

Display:

Thanks, Jaxon

CSC has been a class act. Now, let’s see how you handle a loss!

Just kidding….

Panthers 20 Chiefs 10

by Joel Thorman on Oct 2, 2008 4:11 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

You're predicting a Chief loss?

Even when I think the Panthers will lose I usually predicting something like…If the Panthers win the score would need to be..xxx.

I’ve enjoyed the exchanges with your site as well Primetime. You’ve got some great fans over there, sticking it out week after week in a ‘rebuilding year’ using your words. I’ll be pulling for you guys to win…when you play the Bucs & Saints!!

I blog the Carolina Panthers at www.catscratchreader.com

by Jaxon on Oct 2, 2008 4:49 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

I know, I know

Prior to this season, I definitely looked at things through a prism of optimism. I thought we had a shot at the playoffs last year. Ha!

4 wins later and I realized my mistake. We’re rebuilding. It’s time to get real.

Also enjoyed my time, Jaxon. Thanks for having us!

by Joel Thorman on Oct 2, 2008 7:19 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Croyle

I think you are wrong regarding Croyle. He hasn’t shown that he isn’t the future. You are just one more guy waiting for an instant Tom Brady.

by rnobar on Oct 3, 2008 11:01 AM EDT reply actions   0 recs

Disagree

There are two statistics that generally translate well from college to the NFL: completion percentage and games played. Croyle’s completion percentage was below 60% in every year save his junior year when he only attempted 66 passes. In addition, he never demonstrated the ability to avoid injuries in college.

He has never shown adequate ability in the NFL. By a quarterback’s third year he should be getting it. Croyle simply hasn’t. Besides, if he DID show ability in the NFL he hasn’t proven he can stay healthy.

No, we are not looking for the next Tom Brady. We never expected that of Croyle. We expected him, at the very least, to be able to stay in the game which he hasn’t proven he can.

by Joel Thorman on Oct 3, 2008 6:08 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Out of curiosity

What exactly do you see from Croyle that makes you think he can become a competent NFL quarterback?

And Damon Huard, a career journeyman, has outperformed him in every aspect of the game.

by Joel Thorman on Oct 3, 2008 6:09 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Comments For This Post Are Closed


User Tools

Welcome to the SB Nation blog focused on the NFL's Carolina Panthers.

Site Code of Conduct

Open Thread 3pm EST 11/08 Panthers @ Saints
Start posting about the Panthers »

Join SB Nation and dive into communities focused on all your favorite teams.

FanPosts

Community blog posts and discussion.

Recommended FanPosts

Andrew602_avatar_small
Ask Revenge of the Birds

Recent FanPosts

Small
#1 Ranked Pass Defense: Real or Mirage?
Dbc92c5112a9b23c_small
Navy vs Notre Dame
Funny-hilarious-kid-child-pics-162_small
Fullback quandry
3792654100_3c18c5287e_small
Panthers RB Analysis: Double Trouble 2008 vs. 2009
Small
John Kasay injured?
3792654100_3c18c5287e_small
Panthers Secondary and Double Trouble
Funny-hilarious-kid-child-pics-162_small
Should the Panthers run the Wildcat?
Funny-hilarious-kid-child-pics-162_small
From Realfootball365...
Small
Fire fox, cut jake, draft edwards, blah blah blah...bring on the aints.
Jake-delhomme_small
Would a 3 RB Offense work for the panthers???

+ New FanPost All FanPosts >

Latest NFL Headlines from SB Nation


Editors

N1523447507_30151367_6579_small Cyberjag

Img_0764_small LittleKing

Currentflag_small James The Aussie

Authors

Dbc92c5112a9b23c_small Revshawn

Myspace_small Ryan Basen