I hope everyone had a Happy Halloween last night. I won third place in a costume contest. My wife used a make-up kit with blood, latex etc.. and put one of the those fake screws through my forehead. I then donned my Panther jersey and told the crowd "I'm a Panther fan, Jake Delhomme is my QB and I am really screwed!" 

Let's hope the scariness ended last week and we get our act together today!

This is now an Open Thread!

Alright Panther fans, it is that time on a given Sunday and we have a Panther match-up before us. I realize we are a 4pm game today (not sure why) but thought I would go ahead and start the open thread so we can discuss the early games.

I also realize we are  favored in this game (-7) and the Panthers better not get caught looking at next Sunday. They are prone to turnovers and dumb mistakes so any team in this league can hang with the team. 

That's not what I'm expecting though. The Panthers will hopefully bring a running game with a few wrinkles to keep the Bills off balance. We have some injuries to worry about starting with WLB Thomas Davis. If he can't go then James Anderson has some big shoes to fill as Davis has played lights out this season.

The Panthers in turn must contain RB Fred Jackson. Jackson is easily the Bills most explosive player so far this season though many expected more from Terrell Ownes this season. Owens could finally break out if back-up Ryan Fitzpatrick has a career day (not likely).

Let's hear from you Panther fans. I'll post the inactives when they are announced.

The Is now an Open Thread!

Update: LB Thomas David is out and Landon Johnson is getting the start.

Are you ready for some football!

I know that's the MNF football slogan but I'm feeling stoked like its Monday Night and my team is playing. I admit it could just be left over euphoria from yesterdays GT victory over VT. Woooo Whoooooo! Is there anyone else happy with yesterday's NCAAF results? But I digress.

So I'm obviously bullish on the Panthers today against their division rival. It's time to even the division record and exit the NFC South basement. It's more a Buccaneer kind of place.

If I had to pick one key to the game for the Panthers its obviously turnovers. The Panthers have not played error free ball yet in 2009, with QB Jake Delhomme carrying a five game INT streak. I'm thinking he breaks it today.

Panthers win, Saints and Falcons lose. Its in the script! I'll stop now before I really jinx us.

This is now an Open Thread & Roll Call!

Go Panthers!

Roll Call (def) The act of commenting on a open blog thread simply to indicate you exist, even if you have never done so before (which makes you a lurker) Ex: "Jaxon here, from Charleston, SC; lurker since 2008; the Bucs suck!

Reject your lurker status, answer the roll call today!

The bye week is over and we are finally back to some football. I'm thinking the Redskins provide just the kind of red meat the Panthers are needing. Besides these guys are in complete disarray, calling each other out for poor play:

"These guys love each other. They absolutely love each other," Zorn said. "This is just how a team goes. I thought it was great. There's no fisticuffs. There's no shoving and pushing. These guys just, you know, ah, 'You didn't say hi to me.' 'No, you didn't say hi to me.' You know? I don't know really what the discussion was.

"In reality it's just a lot of nudging and posturing. It's just something that goes on. These guys are like brothers. And they care about each other. Seriously, it's not an issue."

When has calling out other players, Pro Bowl players at that, not hurt a team?

The Panthers defense will also have some key players back on the field as LB Na'il Diggs and SS Chris Harris return from injuries. Couple that with the recent acquisition of very-veteran DT Hollis Thomas and we should have a re-energized defense.

The biggest question mark is on special teams. RB Mike Goodson has been ruled out of the game from a concussion suffered during the Cowboys game two weeks ago. That leaves an opening at kick returner that we are still unsure who will fill. Beyond that the Panthers have hopefully been working on their kick coverage. They are currently the worst team in the league and it has been putting our defense in a hole.

If you are watching the game from home please join us and let us know what you think.

This in now an Open Thread!!

After the jump I have suggestions for an alternative strategy to motivate DE Julius Peppers:

Continue reading this post »

Wow, what a match-up we have this week. We play 'Americas' Team the Dallas Cowboys in their brand new spanking stadium nicknamed 'Jerry World' on the seasons biggest stage, Monday Night Football. We've had plenty of commentary leading up to this game so there is little else to discuss. We know how important this game is to the Panthers to avoid falling three games back in the division race. We know the Cowboys are equally stressed to erase last weeks loss to the Giants. We know the Cowboys are heavy favorites to win this game.

What the rest of the world doesn't know if how this Panther team will respond to the adversity. The Panthers are due some breaks and I bet they come tonight and they come big time.

Here's some pre-game reading links if you are looking for some, here and here.

Back in black? The rumor is that the Panthers will be wearing black jerseys tonight but will not be completely black as some other rumors are circulating (ie..black helmet and pants). I'm looking forward to seeing it.

What I want to know is what you are thinking Panthers fans throughout this game. This now an Open Thread!

Go Panthers!

Yes its Falcons week Panther fans. Our beloved Panthers travel to the roost in Atlanta for another taste of fresh bird and we know how much cats like bird!

The horrors of week one are but a distant memory as we know our Panthers will come out fighting. Consider the following factors the Panthers have in their favor:

• A superior running game led by Double Trouble
  
• A rejuvenated PB DE in Julius Peppers will look to abuse LT Sam 'Quiche' Baker
  
• Long time Falcon tormentor Steve Smith is sure to be juiced
  
• The Falcons are still trying to find the right combo in the secondary
  

There is plenty of pre-game reading material on the Falcons over at The Falcoholic if you care.

This is now an Open Thread!

If you are reading this Panthers fans we are inside one hour until kick-off of the 2009 season. Mini-camp, OT's and training camp are history. The preseason tune up is over. The bumps and bruises are being dressed and the Panthers are getting pumped! On the surface the Panthers are facing an NFC contender who brings a world of experience on both sides of the ball. The line is Eagles -2 and I'm thinking the Panthers +2 is a sure bet. I'd take the 'over' as well whatever it is. Hey, I finally found someone outside Charlotte who is bullish on the Panthers over the Eagles:

It must just be the uninformed dolts in the national media who haven’t bothered to look at what’s going on with the Eagles this year. All they see is that Andy Reid made the playoffs last year and they love kissing his big fat ass. I, on the other hand, have been watching the horror show unfolding this entire off-season up until the eve of the start of the regular season. The Eagles have been affected by death, injuries, free agent defections, bad personnel choices, stupidity and arrogance. I’m just waiting for the locusts. I don’t think the Eagles will beat the Panthers in week 1.

The Panthers went 8-0 in the regular season last year and will surely be ready the shake the taste of the 0-4 preseason off. The Panthers have to avoid turnovers that keep the Eagles hopes up conjuring up a road win. Okay, enough talk....

This is now and Open Thread!

Go Panthers!!

Hello again my fellow Panther fans. We are about to get underway for the final preseason warm up and it can't come sooner for the Panther fateful. Tonight we should see a limited PT from the starters, at least on offense. The defense probably still has a chip on their shoulder from the 3 previous games that has yet to provide solid confidence for the defensive group.

The Steelers #1 ranked 3-4 defense should again provide a good test for the offense in the first quarter. I expect to see another good dose of rookie RB Mike 'The Goods' Goodson and back-up QB's Josh McCown, Matt Moore and Hunter Cantwell. I'm also anxious to see if WR Kenny Moore continue his good work and if his counterpart Dwayne Jarrett can finally shine.

Once the back-ups get in though it should be reckless abandon by those 'bubble' players hoping to remain on the roster. Here's a few to keep an eye on: CB/PR Captain Munnerlyn, KR Larry Beavers, LB Jeremy Leman, DE's Casper Brinkley and Hilee Taylor, T Garry Williams, DT's Nick Hayden and  Marlon Favorite and new DT Louis Leonard. 

This is now an Open Thread! 

Conventional wisdom says the Panthers will play their starters well into the 3rd quarter of this preseason game at home against the Ravens. This is usually the last tune up before the season opener. Yet the ominous 'threat of injury' cloud hands over the Panthers as they have been without many key players. So how long will the starters play? I'm hoping they pull the starters after the 1st quarter but I imagine they will at least play the 1st half. The Panthers starting 11 on both sides of the ball is essentially set so I see no need to take further risk.

There is plenty to watch for even if the starters sit early. There's still the matter of the nickel corner spot. Will CJ Wilson hold his spot? Is Tyler Brayton still the starter at LDE? Has TE Gary Barnidge officially passed Jeff King as starting TE? The answers will be provided in the st quarter.

Then there is the bubble watch. Will rookie CB Captain Munnerlyn earn a spot? Will veteran PR Ryne Robinson reclaim his spot? Is there room for a player like LB J Leman? Some of these answers might come later at final cut downs but the story will continue tonight. 

Lastly there is an AFC contender rolling into town tonight. The Panther offense will want to build on the positive aspects from last weeks game. The defense is still looking for players up front.

Let's get it on. This is now any Open Thread!

Welcome to CSR's open thread to discuss tonight's Panthers preseason game versus the Dolphins at Land Shark Stadium as it unfolds. That has to be the coolest name for a stadium there is. It always makes me think of the Saturday Night Live skit, but I digress.

Just like last weeks game the Panthers play the Dolphins in the regular season so we can again expect a vanilla game plan from the 1^st team. Hopefully the first teams will put up a better performance than last week's less than spectacular showing. I'm in particular looking for improved play from WR Dwayne Jarrett and the 1st team offense and defense in general. I'm also looking forward to seeing if fast rising players like DT Marlon Favorite, WR Kenny Moore and RB Mike Goodson can build on their week one performances.

I do want to thank everyone who has been participating on the blog over the offseason and during training camp. The comments have been engaging and enjoyable to read and at least in my case have raised my understanding of the Panthers and the coming season. The blog membership has grown by 400% since January and I think that is a tribute to what each of you share on a routine basis. I also appreciate the fact everyone conducts themselves as adults (for the most part).   ;)

To wrap this introduction up I think now would be a good time for the season's first Roll Call. If you don't know what that is it is a simple one line comment announcing that you are on the thread at least reading if not commenting. Please include where you are at and I like to include the time since I know many of you are watching from around the world. Any other info you are willing to share is appreciated

For example: Jaxon here, Charleston, SC EST blogging from Snapper Jacks on Folly Beach, SC. Fan since 1995.

This is now an Open Thread Wooooooo!! Whoooooooo!!

Go Panthers!!!!