While Frank Omilyale and Geoff Hangartner completed their contracts and hit FA and we released Jeremy Bridges, our offensive line depth never the less has been depleted. However, since we do have all the starters from 2008 returning for next year, our depth can be replenished later in FA and through some later round draft picks. The early ones of course should be used for the D-line.

Omilyale hit pay dirt early in FA by signing a four year, $14 million, contract with the Chicago Bears. He hasn't had a lot of playing time in Carolina since he arrive in 2007. It appears he wasn't active in any game for 2007 and only in 10 game for 2008, but did start in one for Jordan Gross. Also, before he came to Carolina he was in Atlanta for two years but was only active for one game during that time. While I am not surprised that he was signed by another team, I am surprised by the size of the contract. But he's a younger player and I wish him the best.

Hangartner is also getting some early looks. He will meet with the Buffalo Bills today and I would expect he will be offered a contract. If he wants to look around more is another question but I would be surprised if he doesn't get a fairly big pay check, close if not larger than Omilyale. I would have loved to have him resigned but you can't keep everyone and he should start where ever he goes, something that wasn't going to happen here.

Finally, while I haven't heard any news for Bridges, he should garner a least a little interest. His of the field troubles may slow down the contacts offers, but I would be surprised if he wasn't signed somewhere by training camp.

The Panthers defensive line coach, Sal Sunseri, is leaving to become the linebackers / assistant head coach at the University of Alabama according to The Biringham News.

His biography page from the Panthers.com is an interesting read and almost makes me sad to see him leave, although I don't know much about him. While he wasn't fired I do wonder if his acceptance of the job was encouraged by Fox in making subtle moves for Peppers sake.

While I am a bit perturbed at Peppers for his handled of the situation, after being reminded that we've lost both Kris Jenkins and Mike Rucker, and doing very little to replace them, I can see Pepper being a little anxious to find a team that will help him out. Yet this was only after last season and Peppers wanted out before then.

Giving my thoughts on the subject, if he really wanted out this bad he should have said something last year or the year before about wanting to leave. If he really wanted out and wants the best for both him and the team, as he indicated, he should have said something earlier. That way we could have either tried utilizing "his" abilities better or decided to trade him while we still had the chance. Now, if the Panthers want anything in return he has forced the team into franchising him. For those wondering where the hostility is coming from, I think this is probably a large part of it.

Say all you want about how nice of a guy he is, something is definately going on here. Whether it be personal for Peppers or something with the coaching staff, something has to give.

Ladies and Gentlemen, as the final seconds tick off the clock on the Baltimore vs Dallas game, the Panthers are now secured at least a wildcard. While Baltimore controlled most of the game, the final nail for the Cowboys was when McGahee broke through the Dallas D-Line with around 4 minutes left to play for a 77 yard TD to put the Ravens up 26 to 17. The Cowboys tried to make a game of it and drove to scored a TD and brought the score to 26 to 24. Yet on the first possession for the Ravens, Ron McClain broke for a 82 yard touchdown that sealed the deal.

It does take some of the pressure of the Sunday night game against the Giants, but doesn't make the game any less meaningful. For me the biggest relief is that we don't go into NEXT week against the Saints on a must win.

It's been reported at Panthers.com that RG Keydrick Vincent has been placed on IR ending his season/postseason. In an interesting move, they activated DT Nick Hayden from the practice squad, our 6th round draft pick.

Here's the report:

For nearly 14 games, Keydrick Vincent was the iron man of the Panthers' offensive line.  Now, his season is over.

Vincent was placed on injured reserve Saturday, ending a season that saw him start each of the Panthers' first 14 games this season, making him the only constant on an offensive line that saw every other starter miss at least one game because of injuries.

But a groin injury suffered early in the fourth quarter of last week's 30-10 win over Denver forced him to the sideline.  He would miss all three practices this week and had been listed as doubtful before being moved to injured reserve Saturday.

Jeremy Bridges, who started four games at right tackle in October, moved over to right guard last week when Vincent was hurt.  Bridges started 10 games at right guard last year.

Vincent's move to injured reserve opened a spot on the 53-man roster that will be filled by defensive tackle Nick Hayden, who had spent the entire season on the practice squad.  Hayden was a sixth-round pick in last April's draft.

Here's a quick look at the injury report for today.

While we are luckly our injury report is relatively short we do have some key players on it. As of late today, Keydrick Vincent has been ruled out for Sunday, while Kemo did practice on a limited basis he is still questionable.

For the Giants not much has changed. Brandon Jacobs is listed as questionable, but basically that means 50/50 chance. Another interesting injury for the Giants is Hixon as questionable. They will both probably be game time decisions. If either one or both of them or out it give the Giants a void of offense. Of course Jacobs is the bigger story.

Sunday, December 21, 2008 @ 8:00 PM (EST). Mark the calendar, call in the babysitter, send the family on vacation, we face our biggest game of the season and in franchise history during the regular season. We are playing for the top seed in the playoffs for the NFC.

We are now tied at 11-3 with the New York Giants after their loss to the Dallas Cowboys. And while we didn't clinch a playoff spot with a Dallas loss, the winner of our next match-up guarantees the top seed in the NFC with home field through out the playoffs. It doesn't matter what happens in the the final game. It won't be easy but nobody expect us to be in this current position.

Stay tuned all week for game coverage.

Coach John Fox won the Motorola Coach of week 14 for leading the Panthers to a win over the Tampa Bay Bucs. During which of course Williams and Stewart ran for over 300 yards.

For DeAngelo Williams contribution, of 189 yards and two touchdowns, he won the FedEx Ground player of week 14 award.

Thanks for voting everyone.

Two Panther players have been bestowed honors this week.

DE Julius Peppers was named the NFC's defensive player for the month of November.

WR/KR/PR Mark Jones was named NFC Special Teams Player of the week. This is the first Panther to be honored for special team play since K John Kasay earned it in week 3 of the 2006 season and the first returner to earn it since Steve Smith in 2002.