Being a quarterback in the National Football League is a tough business. One day, you could be signing a 128-million dollar contract, and the next, you could be getting benched in favor of Jimmy Clausen. Or, if you're Johnny Manziel, you could be playing for a team that is seemingly blighted with a curse at the position, one which chews through quarterbacks like they were a bowl full of carrots at a rabbit convention.
The Carolina Panthers, at least currently, have no such problem. Cam Newton is the clearly entrenched starter, and Derek Anderson only fills in due to injury or when the game is out of hand. This Sunday, the Panthers have not indicated whether Cam will make his first start post-car accident, or if Derek will make his second straight start in relief.
What we do know, however, is that Johnny Manziel will be making his second career start after one of the most putrid quarterbacking performances of the NFL season, and that the Carolina Panthers defense is playing more like the 2013 unit of late. There is oodles of potential here for a big game by the defense, as long as they don't get in their own heads and give Johnny Football the coming out party ESPN has been voraciously fapping over.
No matter whether we see Johnny Football or Johnny Fartball (see what I did there?) on the field on Sunday, we have a host of Panthers players deserving recognition for their exceptional play lately. Here they are...
This Week's Specials
Charles Johnson - Heat Rating - Fresh baked squash casserole
If there were any audible whispers of CJ's skill set being in decline, I think we can... Squash... them now. Charles Johnson played like a man possessed on Sunday, feasting on Buccaneers tackles and pressuring Josh McCown on seemingly every drop back. His stat line won't make waves, but his +8.9 grade from PFF which includes credit for a sack and 10(!) pressures really speaks to his impact. For years, we talked about Julius Peppers, and his ability to be constantly disruptive behind the line of scrimmage. Johnson has been exactly that, without the complaints that he doesn't go 100% every down.
Josh Norman and Bene Benwikere - Heat Rating - Arroz con Pollo y Chorizo aka "The Afternoon Shutdown"
Grilled chicken and spicy Chorizo sausage on a bed of seasoned rice covered in ranchero sauce and melted queso. Side of refried beans. Free chips and salsa.
No one, on planet earth, actually performs BETTER at their job after having tex-mex for lunch. It's delicious, you love it, I love it, but you know that when you have it, your afternoon just became a 4 hour drag through the time wasting bowels of the internet. Sure you might respond to an email or two, but for the most part you will be spending your time perusing your favorite sub-reddit, or arguing with your favorite registered user du jour at catscratchreader.com. Those few emails you sent, represent the inconsequential amount of receptions that opposing receivers have been registering against our "shutdown" corners recently. Johnny Football better stock up on Tums because this plate is hot, and chef Rivera added diced fresh jalapenos this week.
Kelvin Benjamin - Heat Rating - Krispy Kreme baker's dozen glazed doughnuts... and the red light is "ON"
13 targets for number 13, resulting in 8 catches for 104 yards. KB recorded his third 100+ yard game of the season in another impressive performance for the promising rookie. He is very much on pace for 1,000+ yards receiving and 10+ touchdows this year. The only reason he might not win Offensive Rookie of the Year, is because Odell Beckham Jr. is having a historic season for the Giants. No matter. Benjamin is by far the Panthers most productive non-QB offensive rookie in franchise history, and the future is extremely bright. Expect lots of cheap boxes of Krispy Kreme goodness on monday mornings around the Carolinas in the near future.
Greg Olsen - Heat Rating - A Bojangles Cajun Filet Biscuit
Greg Olsen, given his stellar season, and hopeful Pro Bowl selection, deserves the highest food honor this blog can properly bestow on a player, and that is the signature item on the Bojangles menu... the Cajun Filet Biscuit. Just like the Cajun Filet is everything you could want in a biscuit sandwich, Greg Olsen is everything you could want in a tight end. Currently sitting at 81 receptions, 960 yards, and six touchdowns... Olsen will assuredly break 1000 yards receiving this season, which is a monster feat for any tight end in any offense, and it is still possible he could break 100 receptions as well. Olsen was a massive thorn in Tampa's side on Sunday, hauling in a healthy 10 receptions for 110 yards, continuing his best season as a pro. It will be nothing short of criminal if Greg is not selected to his first Pro Bowl, as the individual on the team who is absolutely most deserving.
Mike Remmers - Heat Rating - A 24oz. juicy porterhouse steak
On what was another fairly good day for the retooled offensive line as a unit (except for our favorite left punching bag), Remmers continues to stand out. No one could have expected the mid-season free agent acquisition to even be servicable so quickly, much less give fans dreams of a cornerstone RT for the future. Remmers continues to be an asset in pass pro, and has improved each game in the run game as well. The eye test says the only thing limiting his road grading ability is his strength, which will hopefully improve with more time in the weight room in the offseason. This will probably go down as Gettleman's signature free agent acquisition of 2014, it's a shame it didn't happen sooner.
Tater's Gameday Food of the Week
We have another early Sunday game this week at home against the Cleveland Browns. I know some of you like to get out early for tailgate, and maybe you're more so in the mood for breakfast rather than a snack or lunch type offering. This week, I have the perfect thing for you... it's easy and makes a great breakfast. So pack an electric skillet (or use a cast iron on your portable grill) because this week we are eating...
Johnny "Football" Cakes with pecans and maple syrup
Ingredients
2 cups of water
1 teaspoon of salt
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 tablespoons sugar (brown sugar is okay, but make sure to break up the chunks really well)
2 tablespoons butter
1 cup corn meal
1 cup pecans
Maple Syrup
Preparation
- Bring water to a boil
- Pour cornmeal slowly into boiling water and cook for about 5 minutes
- Stir in the sugar, butter, pecans, cinnamon, vanilla, and salt until butter is melted and ingredients are well combined
- Remove mixture from heat
- Heat a non-stick or well seasoned cast iron skillet to about medium heat
- Melt some butter in the pan or on the skillet, and spoon mixture into pancakes ontop of the skillet
- Cook until slightly brown on each side and fluffy
- Remove cakes from heat and serve with maple syrup