Here are a few good nuggets on the Panthers preseason game against the Colts that I found interesting. I’ve also enjoyed reading some comments from the SBN Colts blogger rationalizing there poor performance against the Panthers rushing attack which I’ve linked further down. Enjoy…

Among the other rookies with notable efforts Saturday were middle linebacker Dan Connor (a team-leading six tackles), offensive lineman Mackenzy Bernadeau (played extensively at center in the second half), defensive end Casper Brinkley (notched a fourth-quarter sack and a fourth-down, overtime tackle that set up the game-winning drive) and defensive end Hilee Taylor (one tackle for a loss and a pressure on Colts quarterback Quinn Gray).

I didn’t realize that Bernadeau could play center and I find it interesting that the Panthers put him in there. Are they letting the kid showcase the extent of his talents in case the Panthers cannot find a spot for him? Being able to play guard and center certainly adds to a players’ value. Who knows, he just could beat out the FA Milford Brown (though it’s a long shot).

I was also surprised that Terrence Holt started at strong safety for Chris Harris instead of Nate Salley. I thought Holt was pegged at FS but he has played both in the past. I bet Fox keeps the four safeties that play the best football regardless of position preference.

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LB Adam Seward Steps Up

With star LB Jon Beason sidelined 2^nd stringer Adam Seward got the call and made the most of it:

With Jon Beason nursing an ankle injury, the Panthers called upon Adam Seward to fill in at middle linebacker on Saturday night and he responded well.
Seward is probably going to make the roster, but given his history of injuries and the presence of rookie Dan Connor it's not an absolute lock.
But he showed why the Panthers view him as the No. 2 guy at middle linebacker on Saturday night. He came up with an interception that led to a touchdown on the Colts second drive and halted their third drive with a third-down sack. He also had two tackles for losses, a quarterback hurry and a pass breakup. All in all, a terrific game for him.

If you recall the Patriots considered nabbing Seward from the Panthers for a 5^th round draft pick but then changed their mind at the last minute. The Patriots then used their first round draft pick on LB Jerrod Mayo. Honestly I think getting Seward for a 5^th rounder would be a good trade for another team as the guy can play. He just won’t get that chance in Carolina unless he moves to the weakside.

From the same link:

OTHER BATTLE FRONTS: Na'il Diggs vs. Landon Johnson for starting SLB - This is the closest battle in training camp this summer. Diggs and Johnson have been splitting a lot of reps with the first team during practice. Diggs started against the Colts, but Johnson was in the game early on.

I think the Panther brass prefer/expect Landon Johnson to win this battle because otherwise moving T-Davis to weakside doesn’t make sense. They signed Johnson specifically for SLB because they wanted an upgrade and Davis is more suited for WLB anyway. If Diggs beats out Johnson then it makes Hurney and Fox look bad so I’m going to put it in stone: Beason, Davis, Johnson will start at LB for the Panthers against the Chargers.

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Panthers Need a Kick Off Specialist?

David Scott with Charlotte.com detailed the performance of kick off specialist Rhys Lloyd kick by kick:

Lloyd opened the game by booting the ball into the end zone and out of bounds for a touchback.

After a quick Panthers touchdown, Lloyd’s second kick flew through the end zone, hitting the wall that sits about 5 yards behind.

His third was caught by Rushing 9 yards into the end zone, who downed the ball for another touchback.

Then came some problems.

Rushing caught Lloyd’s fourth kick 7 yards deep in the end zone and returned it 42 yards to the 35. Lloyd’s fifth kick was taken at the 1 by Rushing, who returned it 39 yards.

Considering how poorly the Panthers covered the kicks that were returned how can they not keep him? Besides the obvious coverage problems here’s another benefit…when Peppers sacks the opposing QB in their first 3^rd down and long look how much closer the Panthers will be to a TD when they recover the fumble! 

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Panthers Preseason Game 2: Eagles

Don’t forget this game is Thursday night. I’m going to try hard to blog that one live so I look forward to having anyone join me.

It seems the Eagles fans favorite past time is musing about where that #1 draft pick from the Panthers will land. They actually think it’s going to be a top 10 pick, really. After watching and focusing on Jeff Otah against the Colts I am remain convinced it was a good trade for the Panthers. If you want value you have to give up value. Wait till they see Jeff Otah maul their DE this Thursday and I bet the Eagle fans start to wonder if maybe they should not have drafted the big guy themselves. Only time will tell.

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What the Colts Bloggers Are Saying About the Panthers Game

They were obviously not happy with the first two possessions but they aren’t too worried and who can blame them. Peyton didn’t play. They also for some reason were not too worried about the 200 yards rushing their defense gave up because, well…see for yourself over at SB Nation site Stampede Blue:

 The Panthers ran the ball 48 times. 48! Are you kidding me? Gee, do you think Panthers coach John Fox was trying to send a message to his team in their first pre-season game? Carolina averaged 4.3 yards a carry and generated over 200 yards rushing on 48 friggin' attempts. Either Fox is really wanting to run the football this year in Carolina, or he's trying to get his RBs killed. Poor tackling from Indy's linebackers resulted in some good gains early on for the Panthers. With guys like Jordan Senn, Kyle Shotwell, and Danny Verdun-Wheeler (who was signed just a few days ago) playing LB for you, those things are going to happen. None of these guys are making the team anyway.

Sure, the Colts will plan on running up and down the field again this season using their high-powered passing game. But if you remember I strong pass rush can disrupt a passing game ala..their playoff losses to the Patriots and Steelers. The Panthers ball control offense won’t be as flashy as the Colts but they will control the clock and keep themselves in the game. By running the ball the defense will remain fresh into the 4^th quarter where the pass rush will really be effective.

I guess they don’t have a lot of depth on defense. Here’s more on the Panthers pass rush:

Carolina seemed to game plan the game and did an awful lot of blitzing. Is that cheap and silly for a pre-season game? Yes, but Carolina's coaches are desperate this year, and need to get this team to the playoffs in order to retain their jobs. Desperate teams do desperate things. The blitzing was unexpected, and not something Indy could game plan for. LT Tony Ugoh struggled because he'd never matched up with Julius Peppers before, and wasn't given a chance to study Panthers game film because (unlike Carolina) the Colts didn't game plan this pre-season game.

The Colts bloggers apparently feel some comfort because the Colts didn’t game plan for the Panthers. Huh..? How much game planning do you need to stop a RB going off tackle? There is nothing more demoralizing for a defense than to get the ball ran down your throat, especially when you know it’s coming and you still can’t stop it. That’s how it felt watching the Panthers run the ball against the Colts and it gave me a sense of comfort as well.

Bring on the Eagles. We’re ready for the next test.