Some Noise from a Carolina Panther Fan!

6:37:28 AM EDT
Hearing Aerosmith

Falcons safety Cory Hall even fired a shot at the Panthers earlier this week while discussing Atlanta's 3-0 start.

``Who's going to beat us? I looked at the schedule and who's going to beat us?'' he asked. ``And that's the question. I'm going to ask that after every win. I don't think too many teams in this league, not in the NFC, they're not going to deal with us.''

Hall's comments did not go unnoticed in Carolina.

``Everybody can run their mouths, everybody can say their little things,'' said defensive tackle Kris Jenkins. ``But the only thing that gets me is that sometimes these guys that say their little smart comments will be the first ones on the field trying to be your buddy. `How's it going? You doing all right?'

``Don't come out and try to be nice after running your mouth, because we're coming at you. Whoever it is on the field Sunday, that's who we're coming after.''

So this is what it has come down to.  My. My.

Any long time Panther fan knows that with or without Michael Vick the Panthers just can't beat the Falcons.  Sure they have beaten them a few times but on the average, no matter how good or bad either team has been the Falcons just have the Panthers number.  It is mind boggling.

The Panthers have had two weeks to prepare for this game.  They've had practice squad QB Rod Rutherford doing his best Vick imitation during practice.  Still in my heart of hearts I wouldn't be surprised if Sunday's game is chalked up as a loss.  That's just the way it is.

If the Panthers are going to win I think it will boil down to the play of the linebackers.  Dan Morgan needs to play one of his best games.  The X factor just might be LB Mark Fields.  I've heard Fields called the "anti-Vick" and while I'm not so sure about that Fields' speed may just be the thing that the Panthers need to keep Vick from running up another 141 yards on the ground this Sunday.

As good as Vick is I'd really rather be a fan of a team like the Panthers.  The Falcons are Michael Vick and Vick is the Falcons.  Last year when Vick was injured we watched the Falcons spiral downwards until his return.  And Vick's style of play just invites injury.  It is a tenuous situation. 

The Panthers on the other hand are built as a team, with some depth.  As much depth as can be allowed in these days ofthe NFL salary cap.  We saw that against the Chiefs when Steve Smith & Stephen Davis were out with injuries.

 

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6:59:23 PM EDT `I felt good about the people that were stepping in there,'' coach John Fox said Monday. ``As I mentioned to the team, 'There are no redshirts here, everybody has got a scholarship. There's 53 of us, and we chose you because we believe in you and we believe you have the opportunity to either start for us, play for us and help us win.'''

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7:20:37 PM EDT

Ok.....so this isn't a new quote.  It is actually from some time during training camp but I needed to read it again.  ;-)

"When he came into minicamp, he came a day late and yet he learned everything real quickly," said offensive coordinator Dan Henning. "He plays at wide receiver like Jordan Gross came in last year and played at tackle. You don't know he's a rookie; he plays like a veteran. So we're pleased with him."

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7:17:34 PM EDT
Feeling Worried
Hearing Neil Young - Southern Man

I've been told for years that bad football is better than no football but I'm not so sure.  Last night I watch the Carolina Panthers play bad football.  And I didn't like it.

I'm better about it today.  I didn't work today so logic had a chance to creep back into my head.  The Panthers didn't play well enough to win.  Period.  They made stupid mistakes and turned the ball over.  They just didn't play smart football, John Fox football.

What I am interested in now is where they go from here, how they react and how well they play on the road against the Kansas City Chiefs next Sunday.  If they're better, then I'll be better.  Simple enough.

A truly bad thing happened last night in that game.  WR Steve Smith broke his leg.  My first thought was that he was gone for the year but Coach Fox says maybe not.  We'll see.  Bless his heart though, from where I sit at the stadium I could see how much pain he was in.  Both in his leg and in his heart.  It was horrid.

At first I wanted to blame Packer LB Hannibal Navies (a former Panther).  Especially when I saw Panther D line player Al Wallace go after Navies after the next play.  After watching the tape of the injury I realize that Navies just fell awkwardly on Smith's leg.  I admit I just wanted to blame someone, anyone.  but it was just one of those things.

So where do the Panthers go from here?  It looks to me like rookie WR Keary Colbert gets some quick lessons on how to play in the NFL.  The kid showed talent, speed and big play ability during the preseason but I had hoped that he'd have this season to learn the ropes before being thrust into a starters spot.  No such luxury Keary, welcome to the NFL.

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6:01:07 AM EDT When asked to describe quarterback Jake Delhomme, Panthers wide receiver Steve Smith replied, “He’s goofy and country.”

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9:59:17 AM EDT
Hearing Cream - White Room

I am.

But considering that the Panthers are opening their season on Monday Night Football.....here I sit.  Being patient.  Yeah right.

I'm ready to get the 2004 season underway.  It has been 10 days since the Panthers have been on the field.  I'm ready.

The NFC Champions get to face the Packers and future Hall of Fame QB Brett Farve on the NFL's biggest stage with the nation watching.  To be honest I always liked Brett Favre and in general like and respect Packer fans.  Years ago, before the Panthers existed I spent a week in Wisconsin.  Beautiful place, the biggest mosquitos I've ever seen and some of the best football fans I've ever met.

Sure they love their team.....they live and breathe Packer football.  They also treat the opposition fans with respect.  Unlike the Eagle fans that I ran into during the playoffs last year.  I swear that Eagle fans are the missing link between man and beast.

I expect to see a good many Packer fans in the BOA Stadium on Monday.  Hopefully not as many as previous meetings.  Packer fans travel well.  Mostly because Lambeau is so hard to get into.  I'm looking forward to some good natured sparring with them.

Back to Brett Favre.  I was reading in the Rock Hill Herald the other day that when Favre threw his first TD pass most of the Panthers secondary were still in elementary school.(with the exception of Mike Minter).  Is that a scary thought or what?  LOL!  Hopefully the Panthers front seven will keep enough pressure on Favre that he won't have time to pick apart the kids in the secondary.

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7:40:37 PM EDT
Feeling Happy
Hearing Panthers-Steelers game

The Panther's starters are out of the game and as far as I know no one is hurt.  Bad things have happened to the Panthers during the preseason in Pittsburgh (remember the end of Patrick Jeffers?) and so far the starters are unscathed.

From what it looked like the Panther running game is back......thank you Stephen Davis.  What I'd like to know is who is that guy playing RT?  Dave Katela?  Puhlease!

Steve Smith still dazzles me.  When is the rest of the league going to figure out just how good he is.  I am clueless as to his stats in this game but once again he and Jake showed that chemistry that has developed between the two.  Did you see that leap he took over that Steeler player during a punt return?  Too bad it was called back for a penalty.

The second strings are in for both teams......Roethelberger (sp) is getting an hour to pass.  Where is that defense?

Ok...here is my first edit.  I just have to say something about rookie WR Keary Colbert.  Earlier in this game he had a rookie brainfart and allowed a Chris Weinke pass to get intercepted.  But he more than made up for it with an 87 yard reception for a TD.  This kid is going to be something special for this Panther team.  It was gorgeous!

Well......back to the game.  Bring on Green Bay!

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8:17:29 PM EDT
Hearing Bob Seger

On if there is any added excitement of a Super Bowl XXXVIII rematch against New England: It is a practice game and it is what it is. We are trying to improve and I am sure they are.

On if there is a revenge factor: I am not sure those two games are of equal importance. I am not sure how much revenge there is.

                                                   Coach John Fox

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8:29:43 PM EDT
Hearing Panther Talk Radio Show

Not hardly!

Sure the New England Patriots are coming into BOA stadium this Saturday night, but for heavens sake it is still a preseason game!  Believe it or not one of the local department store in Charlotte is actually selling t-shirts promoting the game as a big rematch.  Perfectly ridiculous if you ask me.

Personally I am really looking forward to seeing the Patriots play in person.  Early in the playoffs this past season I said that the last team that I wanted the Panthers to have to play was the New England Patriots.  In my eyes they were a darn good team and I was right........they did beat the Panthers in the Super Bowl.  Not by much, mind you.  ;-)

This Saturday I do expect to see a hard fought game, especially when the starters are in the game.  From what I'm hearing the Panthers first string may play onto the third quarter.  Of course I do expect a tussle or two.  Preseason or not these guys are competitors.

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6:44:06 AM EDT
Hearing Elton John

When asked about the Panthers using the pass to set up the run on Thursday night, Steve Smith replied, “Don’t tell Stephen Davis I said this, but we’re changing to a passing team.”

:-)

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