Carolina Panthers Blogs

Due to a committment, I couldn’t watch the Patriots game live. But I do have a DVR. Though two days late, here is the weekly installment:

 

1. The secondary had a few familiar faces back. CB Shawn Springs played and CB Jonathan Wilhite and S James Sanders both returned to the starting lineup. On offense WR Julian Edelman and OT Sebastian Vollmer returned to action as well.

Continue reading "Pick Six: Week 14"

It was a crazy week 14 in the NFL, book-ended by division upsets on Thursday and Monday night. While the playoff picture is coming into focus, we still have loads of drama in the NFC East and two undefeated teams with their eyes set on the Lombardi Trophy. The Final Drive starts now!

Continue reading "Joe's Final Drive: Week 14"

It’s a moment of truth for the Patriots. Do they rise to the occasion or crumble down the stretch? With four games left, there’s almost no margin for error. Winning out ensures a place in the playoffs. Stumble once, and they may need help. Considering what happened last year, they want to control their destiny and not depend on others.

Continue reading "Hours Before Kickoff: Week 14"

So you can probably feel the universal glee from all those who cover the NFL and loathe the Patriots that SI's Team of the Decade is struggling right now. As impressive as the 2007 Patriots were it has set an unattainable precedent that will not (and should not) be met again.

Continue reading "Rumors of the Patriots Demise Run Rampant"

I think I'll keep that title and do little installments here and there, depending on what I can dig up, and post stories about the common hockey player being involved in stoopid goonish situations and goon-like behavior.

Continue reading "Goons Gone Wild"

With all of the surprise upsets, there’s no way I can take the time to properly address them all. I’ll hit the best and worst of week 10 in this edition of the Final Drive! 

(3-6) Tennessee Titans 41

Continue reading "Joe's Final Drive: Week 10"

     The Saints have gotten unprecedented rewards out of this season’s motto, “Finish!” Sunday the Who Dat Nation watched the Saints turn in another dominant second-half performance after trailing early to post a new franchise record 8-0 start. Saints fans remember last year’s painful gut-wrenching losses, when the team displayed innovative ways to snatch defeat from the hands of victory in the fourth quarter. In this week’s edition of

Continue reading "Big Daddy Navigates Uncharted Waters:"

Any Cowboys fan who watched Sunday’s game had to be ready to throw themselves out of a 3rd story window when they saw that the Cowboys were getting beaten by the Chiefs nearly the entire game.  I, myself, wasn’t able to watch the game but I constantly monitored the score which may be even more maddening.  

Continue reading "250 Miles between Austin & Kansas City"

Still love me some NFL. Josh McDaniels kicked Bill Belichick’s Patriots right out of Denver while Matt Ryan picked apart a supposedly stout San Francisco defense. Oh, and Peyton Manning is still awesome. I wrap up week five in the NFL in the Final Drive! 

Continue reading "Joe's Final Drive: Week 5"

 

With some downright horrendous match-ups this weekend, this edition of the Opening Drive is shorter than usual. Just writing about Cleveland versus Buffalo would put me to sleep. Let’s get things going with the most anticipated games of week four! 

Continue reading "Joe's Opening Drive: Week 5"

Tuesday evening hangover…

Here are some of my astute observations from the Cowboys’ Monday night victory against the Panthers:

     1. The Cowboys played a very gritty game.

Continue reading "Tuesday Evening Hangover: Dallas ..."

Plenty of drama in a weekend that saw one team break a 19-game losing streak and another keep their undefeated streak going. Let’s start the Final Drive of week 3! 

(1-2) Detroit Lions 19 (1-2) Washington Redskins 14 

Continue reading "Joe's Final Drive: Week 3"

Good morning fantasy friends!

Today is Saturday September 26, 2009 so you have a little more than 24 hours to get your fantasy act together or you may end up with that crucial week 3 L.  

Continue reading "Welcome to Fantasy Land!"

Could an exhibition game really give bad publicity to a major North-American sports league?

The NHL has constantly been trying to show that their league is the best to the public all over the world.  For the past few seasons, the league has sent four of their teams overseas to play in places such as Germany, Sweden and England.  The teams usually open the NHL regular season a week early, playing two games in the country that they were designated.  This season the league has decided to send the St. Louis Blues and Detroit Red Wings to Sweden, and the Chicago Blackhawks and Florida Panthers to Finland.  Not only are these teams playing each other, but they will see time against some of the best teams of the chosen nation in pre-season play.

Continue reading "Inter-League Game Could Spell Bad News for NHL"

Week two had its fair share of upsets and surprises. (Not the least of which were my Bears!) Let’s take a look at the week that was in my Week 2 edition of the Final Drive!

(2-0) Atlanta Falcons       28

Continue reading "Joe's Final Drive: Week 2"

 

With 16 games in the regular season, losing your first two isn’t a cause for panic, but it is a cause for concern. In the Week 2 edition of the Opening Drive, here are some teams who need to avoid an 0-2 start.

Continue reading "Joe's Opening Drive: Week 2"

Week one of the 2009 NFL season is in the books. Filled with injuries, blowouts and a dramatic ending out in Cincinnati, let’s take a look around the league in this first edition of the Final Drive!

Continue reading "Joe's Final Drive: Week 1"

Do you smell that? It smells like football! No more preseason, no more scrubs fighting for jobs. It's time for the return of the Opening Drive!

Continue reading "Joe's Opening Drive: Week 1"

Welcome everyone to my first post here on the hockey blogs! I know I am a Floridian, but hockey certainly runs through my veins. Today, I will first be talking about the Eastern Conference. And...how about them Bruins! They look like the team they were when the season started. I was a bit concerned about them in the middle of the season, I mean after all they lost to the Panthers and the Lightning in one road trip. I did not think they were contenders when the playoffs started, but I am starting to rethink that now. Their power play gives me nightmares. Bruins in sweep, I say.

Continue reading "NHL Playoffs Rock On! First the East"

Can Bill Belichick really swindle the Carolina Panthers into trading 4-time Pro Bowl DE Julius Peppers for just the 34th overall pick?

While I'm sure Peppers will stand by his word and push to play with a 3-4 defense, the Panthers know what they have and won't just trade him just to satisfy Peppers.

Continue reading "The Price of Peppers"

Every game the Penguins play these days is big. The playoffs are fast approaching and the Pens have been sitting just outside the top eight, unable to squeeze past the likes of the Hurricanes, Panthers and even the free-falling Rangers. There is little margin for error as every point counts. So when the NHL's secomd best team comes to the Mellon Arena fresh off a win against the statistically best team it's pretty clear just how huge a win would be against any team let alone San Jose, a team who a victory against could boost not only Crosby, Malkin and the gangs rank in the conference, it could also do wonders for their confidence.

Continue reading "Penguins Top Sharks"

Legendary quarterback Kurt Warner and the Arizona Cardinals defeated the heavily-favored Carolina Panthers 33-13 Saturday night at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, NC.

Warner, 37, a two-time NFL MVP and the MVP of Super Bowl XXXIV, went 22-32 and threw two touchdowns while leading the Birds surprising slaying of the Cats (12-5).

Continue reading "Kurt Warner is an All-Time Great!"

I think when your sub-sub-sub concious is trying to tell you something, you should really heed to that advice. Last week I talked about long layoffs, and low and behold three of the home teams were upset. Is that going to happen regularly? I hope not, because all the money that was won from the first round of the playoffs would continiously get blown on the second round games. Before I get down into the games this up coming weekend, I want to try to break down the four games that were played. So, with random stories about my past put aside for now, let's get into it.

Continue reading "NFC/AFC Championship game picks"

In a tough economy, the Kraft family is doing their part to reach out to the community. At Gillette Stadium, the Patriots will host a job fair.All stores and restaurants in Kraft City will be represented, from Bass Pro Shops, Bed and Bath Beyond, the CBS Scene, and The Christmas Tree Shops. Even the Patriots will have a table as the coaching staff and front office has a few entry level positions open.Of course these openings are due to the departure of three long time New England employees.The first to go was offensive coordinator/quarterbacks coach Josh McDaniels to Denverto be the next Broncos head coach. Just a day later, vice president of player personnel Scot Pioli accepted the general manager job from the Kansas City Chiefs. And earlier today special teams coach Brad Seely accepted the assistant head coach/special teams coordinator job with the Cleveland Browns.Apparently the AFC is adopting the "If you can't beat them, hire them" approach. That's four openings now available when broken down by roles (McDaniels had two titles).

Continue reading "Patriots Job Fair '09"

This year’s NFL action hasn’t failed to deliver intriguing storylines, and the Divisional round continued that trend. This round’s upsets have produced a fresh and exciting conference championship Sunday. Let’s find out how we got here with a look at last weekend’s action in the Final Drive.

Continue reading "Joey A's Final Drive: Divisional Round"

Continue reading "Cardinals Still Flying after A Panthers ..."

In what can only be described as ingenious regular-season scheduling on the NFL’s part, each of this weekend’s divisional contests are rematches from the regular season. That fact only serves to heighten the drama as we head into what is, in my opinion, the best weekend in all of football. After Wild Card Weekend gets rid of some of the riff-raff or gives surprise teams a chance to continue their run at the Super Bowl, the Divisional round ups the ante by adding the cream of the crop back into the mix after their bye weeks. This weekend’s slate of action looks to be an excellent one. I get you ready right here, right now. 

Continue reading "Joey A's Opening Drive: Divisional Round"

 

• Drew Brees won the AP Offensive Player of the Year award.  I can’t argue with that pick.  Anytime you come within a deep out route of Dan Marino’s single season passing record, you can be the Offensive POY.

Continue reading "Quick Hits and Playoff Week 2 Picks"

When I was a sophomore in high school playing on the JV basketball team, we went into our Christmas break undefeated and feeling pretty good about ourselves. Over the break we were scheduled to play one game against a team from the division below us. We practiced a few times, nothing too serious, and went into the game feeling good. But the week and a half layoff killed us and we lost by four, our only loss of the season.

Continue reading "Picks for the NFL weekend"

Although "my" Minnesota Vikings were eliminated from the playoffs last weekend, the Divisional Round of the NFL playoffs for both leagues offers a host of great matchups, Vikings or no Vikings...

Continue reading "Quick Picks For The NFL Divisional Playoffs"

When I heard that LB Jerod Mayo received 49 of 50 votes for Defensive Player of the Year, I asked two questions: 1. Who got the one vote, then later, 2. Who the hell voted for Keith Rivers?

I won't argue Rivers won't be a good player down the road. In limited playing time, he had 37 tackles with an interception. But to compare a player that only played seven games versus someone who started 16 is illogical. Even if Rivers' number were projected to 16 games he's far behind Mayo's production. Sorry Rivers that you got your jaw broke by Pittsburgh Steelers WR Hines Ward, but that's football.

Continue reading "Stray Votes"

Continue reading "Some Football blogging and Bowl game action."

Continue reading "Divisional playffs"

Continue reading "Week 17 pick em's And a couple Bowl ..."

Week 16 is off and rolling as the NFL season continues to wind down. Due to a busy schedule and some internet difficulties I was not able to bring you a Week 15 prediction post. But have no fear I'm back this week with a Week 16 post (yip yip hooray!) I went a miserable 1-3 in Week 14. With the season winding down, theirs several big games with playoff implications on the line. So without further a due....let's take a look at the games and predictions of the week.

Continue reading "NFL Week 16 Predictions"

Continue reading "Weekend top games and keys to battle"

as a fan, monday night's game was the most satisfying panther's game i've ever watched(and i've been following carolina for years). this was such a huge game. division rivals with two of the league's best records playing in front of a national audience so late in the season.

Continue reading "Impressive Win By Carolina, But Let's ..."

Let me see do you give the mvp to drew brees at 7-6 or kurt warner in a spred like throw all you want offense. We could give it to a running game that has 1840 yards and 21 tds and the team has 10 wins at the moment and no its not the steelers. Its the combo of Smash and Dash  Deangelo Williams and Jonathen Stewart if not for them splitting carries one would be on pace for a record breaking season. I'M starting it here SMASH AND DASH FOR MVP

Continue reading "NFL MVP"

Continue reading "Giant Distraction"

Get ready for the Fantasy football playoffs. This week, we will have analysis by position-wide receivers, quarterbacks, running backs, etc.

     Don't forget,  I am taking an informal poll in this post election era for your favorite "Fantasy Sportsgirl". In the comment section just place the name of the girl that you have enjoyed the most so far during this season. I will try to get more videos from the winner to enhance your experience on this site. The voting will end soon.  As they say in politics-Vote early and vote often.

Continue reading "Fantasy Football Playoffs! - Get ..."

The game was much closer than the score would indicate as the Vikings downed the Bears 34-14.

After a no-call on a roughing the passer, Minnesota had to settle for a field goal. The next possession, Minnesota forced a Chicago punt... which they didn't have to do because one of our DBs got a stupid (and I can't say that enough), stupid personal foul. He got bailed out by four stops from the two-yard line. The first play of the next Vikings' drive was a 99-yard, perfect pass to Berrian that resulted in a TD (and 15 points for anyone playing Berrian in fantasy football--the most you can have on one play in a non-point-per-catch league).

Continue reading "SNF win over the Bears 34-14 moves ..."

Continue reading "Thanksgiving gift"

Despite Carolina's loss to the Falcons this week, Carolina is a shoe in for the playoffs and anyone who wants to say something bring it on (Atl, Na leans, Tampa boo!).  We are 8-3 and you can argue passing stats, defense or whatever but we know that the most important stat is the W.   There are only 2 other teams out there with better records.  While going over the upcoming schedule I can safely assume to take 4 out of the next 5.  Greenbay will be tough in Greenbay, but Carolina is too raw for Arod.  Denver is hit and miss and there running game is a crap shoot not to mention we got them at home. 

Continue reading "Carolina Panthers- At Their Finest: Playoff Bound"

Week 11 is in the books as we roll onto Week 12 in the National Football League. I went 3-1 last week in my picks (picking without any assistance by the Crypt Keeper). With the success of last week, I've decided to go at it alone again this week. I'm feeling confident with my picks this week. Not 'cocky' confident, but...'determined' confident. So with that said, without any shenanigans again, let's get these predictions rock and rollin!

Continue reading "NFL Week 12 Predictions"

I’m looking over Sunday’s games for week 11 of the NFL and I am slightly bored. Seriously, I am struggling to find a compelling storyline to follow.

I love the NFL and have for years, yet I hardly care about one single game that will be played tomorrow.

Continue reading "Planning A Long Nap On Sunday"

The Carolina Panthers are rolling! Led by Jake's new Arm the two heading monster at running back, and the Best Receiver in the League Steve Smith. He is Just amazing! For the Third straight game is ha

Continue reading "Steve Smith is my Hero!!"

This should be your lock of the week. The new trend in the NFL is teams out west coming east and playing has lost every game this year when the game is at 1:00 and this one is. Plus the Panthers are u

Continue reading "Panthers Vs. Cards"

It's halfway through the season and I am finally starting my predictions. I am open to some challenges if anyone is interested.

Oakland @ Baltimore - Baltimore  (Joe Flacco throws for 2 TD's and rushes for 1 more.)

Continue reading "Week 8 Predictions"

A big thanks to everyone who participated in the "Inbound Link Contest".  We have a winner!  A big congratulations go out to Marija.  Thank you for all your hard work on this.  While we had a lot of people participate, Marija was able to win with only 4 links!  So it wouldn't have taken a lot to win this contest!  We'll be having another contest soon so stay tuned.

Continue reading "Inbound link contest winner announced!"

a 7-9 record was not good enough to get the Panthers into the playoffs last year. Most of that can be blamed on their quarterback problems last season. Jake Delhomme was having a fantastic year until the injury bug hit him hard and ended his season. This forced the Panthers to play the under-achieving David Carr, a man I feel should not even be playing in the NFL, let alone starting for any franchise. Things got so bad in Carolina, that they even went out and got the older-then-God Vinny Testaverde. Testaverde played ok, but it wasn’t what this team needed to have success. Lets face it, the season was over when Delhomme went down. The offensive line played terribly last season. Delhomme may not have been able to avoid the injury, but Carr was getting killed back there when he played. The Panthers needed to fix that offensive line coming into this year. They did pick up a couple of good draft picks. Jeff Otah from Pittsburgh will be a great addition to the line. I don’t think its going to be enough, but lets hope for the Panther’s sake that the offensive line can come through.

Continue reading "32 Teams in 32 Days, Team #15: The ..."

To try and motivate our bloggers to get inbound links we're going to have a contest to see which blogger can get the most inbound links to their blog. The contest begins now and ends July 31st, 2008. To be entered in to the contest all you have to do is go out and get as many websites to link to your blog as you can and at the end of the month send us an email listing all those links. All links must be active from August 1st through August 7th when we'll be judging the entries - a winner will be announced on August 7th. All entry emails must be received by Midnight on July 31st, 2008. You can email them to sportsfan@nbabasketballonline.com

Continue reading "Inbound link contest - Win $100!"

Aside from its outstanding regular season and Super Bowl run nearly three seasons ago, the Seattle Seahawks have suffered from receivers on the roster that cannot make timely catches, but through all the drops, Bobby Engram's been the most sure-handed and reliable target for quarterback Matt Hasselbeck.

Continue reading "Seahawks Need to Deal with Engram"

After seven rounds and 252 picks, one thing stands out. 41 defensive linemen were drafted and 39 offensive linemen were granted employment.

Did someone say monkey see, monkey do? They always said the NFL is a copycat league and it couldn't be more obvious.

Continue reading "Draft Review"

*Editor's Note: This piece was written Tuesday night but, due to Internet problems, is being posted just now.

Only the NFL can make headlines with the release of its regular season schedule. Granted, there are only a handful of games for fans to absorb, so the attention given to each week is natural. However, this speaks increasingly to the booming popularity of the league.

Continue reading "Bears Schedule Analysis"

http://wizbangsports.com/2008/04/florida_panthers_too_little_to.

My favorite hockey team did something last night they seldom do. Beat Carolina in Carolina.

RALEIGH, N.C. - Nathan Horton had a goal and an assist and the Florida Panthers beat Carolina 4-3 on Friday night to prevent the Hurricanes from clinching the Southeast Division.

Continue reading "Florida Panthers- Too little Too late"

http://wizbangsports.com/2008/03/pittsburg_takes_care_of_oral_r.

Pittsburg went in at the half with a 23 point lead. Both teams shot well from the arc hitting a combined 11-25 but Pitt dominated the boards and took 20% more shots in the half.

Continue reading "Pittsburg Takes Care of Oral Roberts 82-63"

Despite many Spygate-enthusiasts belief that Dom Capers was added to the Patriots staff strictly as insurance should the NFL suspend Bill Belichick when the Assistant Golf Pro finally comes clean, the addition of the veteran defensive coach is one that should greatly help the team in the area where they needed it most at the end of the 2007 almost-dream season.

Continue reading "What Does Dom Capers Bring to the Patriots Party?"

http://wizbangsports.com/2008/03/how_about_them_florida_panther_

They beat the New York Rangers last night to pull within 5 points of the Division lead.

SUNRISE - Panthers captain Olli Jokinen had not scored in eight games but had been finding ways to contribute during Florida's five-game win streak.

Continue reading "How about them Florida Panthers?"

We’ve got Cincinnati playing against Pittsburgh in a Big East matchup that the Panthers might win SU. However, go with the Bearcats. Over their last five games the Bearcats are 0-5 SU and 1-5 ATS their last six games. But that one win ATS came against the Panthers in Pittsburgh. And so far this season Pittsburgh and Cincinnati have played each other twice with the Bearcats winning outright 62-59 as 4-point dogs on Jan. 19 and winning ATS on Feb. 27. Now Cincinnati gets another shot at Pittsburgh, who is 5-5 SU and only 3-7 ATS its last 10 games. Of those five wins SU, only two were by six points or more. Over their last four games the Panthers are 3-1 SU, but two of those wins were by six points and five points. Pittsburgh hasn’t shown the ability to bury their opponents and won’t do so tonight. 

Continue reading "Big East Tournament Free Pick..."

Every year, the NFL shuffles the deck and teams get new cards. In this eternal poker game, we all know that each team will again ask for new cards after the season ends. This, my friends, is a metaphor. 4.5 years of college in all your mouthpieces.

Continue reading "NFL Free Agency Cinema"

The Patriots signed Safety Tank Williams today. He's had some injury concerns but performed well when he's healthy. Physically he is just what the Pats tend to like - big and physical. It's unkown if this signing will impact the future of other safety Rodney Harrison who's carrying a somewhat sizeable cap number. More likely is that Williams will play some special teams and be able to fill in should Rodney or James Sanders gets hurt. This also adds some competition for Brandon Meriweather or it may signify that he could be looking at some time at cornerback.

Continue reading "Patriots Signing and Visit News"

Flowers Moving Up the Draft Charts 

This weekend another cornerback who I've failed to talk much about in previous postings has been shooting up a lot of people draft charts... Brandon Flowers of Virginia Tech (shown below decleating someone). Upon further review I'm really starting to like this guy. Just check out these video highlights of Flowers. He's not the biggest guy in the world but he's by far the most aggresive cornerback I've seen of all the CB prospects this year. Flowers is currently Mike Mayock's number one ranked CB and the more I see of him the more I like him. Keep an eye on him tomorrow to see how he stacks up in the measurables against the rest of the CB class.

Continue reading "The Monday Patriots Huddle"

I don't know what I'm going to do with myself this weekend because...
a) No NFL games and no NFL news other than discussion on Tom Brady's high ankle sprain. Let's get to the real hype next week! I'm sick of talking about injuries that everyone on the team is just laughing off. At least ESPN is starting to run old Super Bowl Highlights. In fact, the Pats v. Carolina Panthers Super Bowl 38 is on right now.

Continue reading "Going insane on a weekend without NFL football..."

As I was watching the Tampa Bay Buccaneers host the Carolina Panthers today I saw a ray of hope. Actually, I saw several – the young defense and Luke McCown. Yeah, I know, they stunk up the place at the end of the game but at least they gave it a real try. You have to remember that many, if not all starters were out at that point. Plus I wonder if Monte Kiffin stops paying attention by the 4th but that’s a different story…

Continue reading "Shining Stars"

The NFL announced Wednesday that Cowboys' safety Roy Williams' appeal
to overturn a one-game suspension was denied. The suspension came as a result of Williams using the illegal horse-collar tackle, a technique that has become synonymous with his name since it was outlawed under the "Roy Williams Rule".

Continue reading "Cowboys' Safety Roy Williams Horse-Collared ..."