Panthers to Face Banged-up Chargers Team

by Jaxon on Sep 5, 2008 6:00 AM EDT Comment 7 comments

If you're looking for something positive about the Panthers season opening match-up with the San Diego Chargers look no further than the injury report:

Linebacker Shawne Merriman is playing with two torn knee ligaments. Tight end Antonio Gates will go, but his surgically repaired toe is far from 100 percent.

Defensive tackle Jamal Williams, the key to the team’s success on early downs, has tender knees.

Players already ruled out of the game include starting left tackle Marcus McNeil and starting center Nick Hardwick. This is good news for a defense intent on stopping a potent Chargers offense and a team picked by many to represent the AFC in the Superbowl. This puts big emphasis on DE Julius Peppers and DT Damione Lewis

to perform well since they are facing back-ups. Panthers 2nd year center Ryan Kalil gets a bit of break but not much against the mammoth NG Williams though I doubt he will ever have to face him single-handedly.

If the Panthers need bulletin board material all they need to see is the Point Spread that is giving the Panthers 9.5 points. Holy cow I wish I was a betting man. I realize we will be missing Steve Smith and that is huge but 9.5 points?!!

Of course Charger fans think all they have to do is show up to beat the Panthers:

At least they draw the Panthers, one of the softer spots on a decent schedule. And their upset hopes aren’t helped by missing standout wide receiver Steve Smith.

To me it shows that no matter what a team does in the offseason and no matter how well you play in the preseason no one will believe you've improved until you do it on the field in a game that counts.

Fair enough, it's time to make some believers!

Poll

How optimistic are you? Panthers vs Chargers result will be:

Panthers upset the favored Chargers (-9.5)

55 votes

Panthers beat the spread but still lose

16 votes

Chargers win big covering the spread

4 votes

75 votes | Poll has closed

0 recs | Comment 7 comments

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Comments

The Charger’s injuries sound like the Panthers. They are banged up but still playing. Likewise, a handful of our starters either didn’t play, or only played one game in the preseason. Unlike the Chargers, our star player is out. However San Diego showed us last year that they can get off to a slow start. And if they underestimate the Panthers like everyone else, than the Cats will be in a situation they love to be in… on the road, with everybody doubting them. So I am optimistic. But to win this game, or even to keep it close, we have to get that running game going, maintain field position, and Hackett must live up to his initial expectations. A W against one of the NFL’s best teams would be a great way to start the season!

Jack Sutherland
SouthTunnel Web Development
http://www.southtunnel.com

by southtunnel on Sep 5, 2008 7:04 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Isn't Carolina close to full strength again?

Non of our starters are on the injury report, expect if you consider DJ Hackett, who probably would not be a starter if Smith wasn’t out because of the suspension.

by LittleKing on Sep 5, 2008 9:44 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

forgetting

the chargers fans are saying they barely have to show up to win but their forgetting about all their injuries and that the chargers are a whole lot better and have delhomme back. it is hard enough against the panthers at full strength but now they are missing key players to their team so i don’t see how they think that they can win hands down

by JStew28 on Sep 5, 2008 10:27 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

16-0?

While I am not predicting or even believe we will go undefeated, but as I look at the schedule I believe there is no team we can’t defeat.

by LittleKing on Sep 5, 2008 11:34 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Running Game

This is the same Chargers team who gave up an NFL record 296 yards to Adrian Peterson last season with a healthy Merriman in the lineup.

With our receivers hurting, this is JD Power & Associates’ (or whichever RB tandem tag you guys prefer) time to shine. We need to go back to “punch ’em in the mouth” Panther ball, and this is as good a time as ever to do so.

We set the tempo, we manage the clock, we grind it out- we surprise the league.

by the bomb dot com on Sep 5, 2008 4:00 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

2005 Chicago

This game reminds me of the 2005 playoff game in Chicago. No one gave the Panthers a chance, and the Bears talked smack all week about how they were going to tear us apart like they did in the regular season. Within in the first few minutes Smitty was in the end zone, and the Panthers never let up. That must of been my most enjoyable Panthers game. I would love to re-live that this Sunday.

Jack Sutherland
SouthTunnel Web Development
http://www.southtunnel.com

by southtunnel on Sep 5, 2008 9:57 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Not a betting man

but your post inspired me to become one… I just signed up for centsports and placed my 10 cent bet on the panthers to win. I’ll make 32 cents if they do!

by mariners124m on Sep 7, 2008 1:42 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs