Note: I wrote this right after the game Saturday night but for various reasons I'm just getting it up now (the post that is). My apologies for the delay for those who didn't get to watch the game.

If the Colts and Panthers should happen to meet in the Super Bowl in January you won’t be able to draw much from this game. Too many stars sat the game out, like the Colts QB Peyton Manning and Panthers MLB Jon Beason. At the same time I saw a lot in the first quarter, enough to make me giggle like a kid in anticipation of the coming season.

The defense came out like a swarm of bees on Colts QB Jim Sorgi, lead by none other than the re-energized Julius Peppers. Peppers blew past Colts T Tony Ugoh for the sack and forced fumble. He provided pressure on the next series when DT Gary Gibson deflected a pass intercepted by Adam Seward. Nice play by all parties and it resulted in two quick TD’s by the offense.

DeAngelo Williams and the Panthers offensive line gashed the Colts first team defense for two quick TD’s. D-Will looked fantastic with quick cuts followed by bursts of speed. I can’t be more excited about how our offensive line looked. On the second TD went off the right side as RT Jeff Otah pushed his guy half-way across the field he was so out of the play.

The only negative I can even mention (before the 3^rd stringers got on the field) was Colts QB Jared Lorenzen completed some passes across the field. The Panthers had trouble covering the TE, a carryover from last season. Both Dallas Clark and the rookie Tamme (2 TD’s) made significant catches.  

Here are some players that I thought helped themselves:

·         RB Decori Birmingham ran the ball well in the 4^th quarter, showing a good combination of quick cuts and power running. He may have pulled even with RB LaBrandon Toefield

·         WR Dwayne Jarrett made several nice catches in the middle of the field. He took some shots, made some blocks in the running game and showed some toughness. He looks ready to play the #3 WR slot

·         WR’s Jason Carter, Travis Taylor and Chris Hannon all had nice plays they can smile about in the film room

·         DE Hilee Taylor flashed his speed on a QB hurry and also helped stuff a 4^th and 1 in the fourth quarter

·         CB CJ Wilson defended a couple passes and seemed to be glued to his man during man-coverage

·         LB Adam Seward played well in place of Jon Beason, dropping a running play for  a loss and getting the INT

·         RG Keydrick Vincent played well in tandem with Jeff Otah and should continue to line up with the first team. The whole line dominated the Colts light DL on the first three drives

·         Rhys Lloyd kicked at least three balls out of the end zone. One that was returned went for 35 yards. Fox may have no choice but use a roster spot on the extra kicker

·         QB Lester Ricard threw the ball pretty well, hitting a couple nice timing patterns. I’d say he played as well as Brett Basanez if not better

·         Former Gamecock DE Jasper Brinkley had a nice sack

Of course the Panthers were far short of perfect. Here are a few players who may have hurt themselves to some degree:

·         S Nate Salley was late getting in on a punt and caused a delay of game penalty

·         DE Stanley McClover had two offside penalties but did otherwise play well

·         RB Troy Fleming dropped an easy pass that hit his hands and then fumbled the ball a couple plays later. Fleming may not make the first cut down

Panthers Quarterback Play

Jake only threw the ball once as the Panthers mainly ran the ball in the first two series.  Matt Moore played well the rest of the quarter as he solidly entrenched himself as #2 QB. Basanez played ok but not well enough to offset the play of 4^th stringer Lester Ricard.

Injury Report

The only injury to a Panther player discussed during the game was to WR Dwayne Jarrett, who left late in the game with a bruised right knee. He was seen icing it later but it didn’t appear serious at all

In the “Get It Out Now in the Preseason” bracket:

·         K John Kasay missed a 51 yard FG that would have won the game early in OT

·         Long snapper Jason Kyle botched the snap on 50+ yard FG try as time expired in regulation

·         A nice punt return by Jason Carter was negated by the dreaded block-in-the-back penalty on WR Thompson

Colts Player of the Game

I thought Colts Player of the Game QB Jared Lorenzen played well, impressing me with his precise passes and touch on the ball. If the Colts should for some reason cut him I would not be unhappy if the Panthers picked him up. Can you believe he weighs 300 lbs and can still run the ball if needed? He’s like Jerome Bettis at QB (I kid).

Overall I saw nothing that gives me pause about my lofty expectations for the Panthers this season. If you gage these games by the first quarter than the Panthers should be smiling. The running game looked great, the pass rush was active and the Panthers for the most part executed their game plan. Of course Peyton Manning may have produced a different outcome if he had played that’s neither here nor there. The point is that overall the Panthers played well and took the first step towards a successful season.