Preseason 3 - New England

Didn't watch the game, even though this one was on national TV. Believe me, if I was not on a plane, I would have watched it. I am now glad that I didn't though, because looks like we got manhandled again. I like to think most of this is due to the coaching staff being more concerned with trying new plays and schemes and not showing their full hand as opposed to winning the actual game.

However, there is a pattern in the last two losses. Our secondary is getting torched in the air. Talent wise, we may have upgraded Mike Minter's position, but looks like his leadeship is starting to be missed. That's just me though. I mean how else can you explain that. From the charlotte.com panthers forum, I am also getting that Trgovac is too conservative. Better not be the case during the season. I miss that 2002 defense flying around the ball. He has to injest more aggression into the defense.

Our offense was stopped for the second week in a row. I really think we will be ok ofensively if we can get continuity at the line. I guess we will see.

The special teams are also inconsistent according to fellow fans at charlotte.com.

I'm gonna hold my tantrum until mid-season or something and we are in the same shape. hopefully that won't be the case.

Preaseason 2 @ Philadelphia

Oh God. An a$$ kicking would be an understatement. I mean, I understand it is pre-season and I am not too concerned, but cmon! I get on the net to check the stats around half-time and we are down 24-0? The same Eagles team that lost bad last week? Cmon people.

I am goiing by the stat-sheet, and also like I said, it is only preseason. But still, what-ever happened to the revamped new offense? I don't care is McNabb(a great player) is back, a defense of this caliber should not be getting lit up like that. Does this mean we have issues with our secondary especially the new safeties? These are all speculations. Once again, it is only pre-season, but no one at the Charlotte.com board is happy about this either. We got our a$$es handed to us. Now let me go back to that board and eat my words to the Eagles fan I was talking $hit to yesterday.

PS - I know this is too early for this kind of talk, but Jake better get it together. I say that, because unlike last year, there is a real QB right behind you. You are replacable this year. Love you Jake, but stop fu**king around.

Kenyatta Walker - Are you $hittin me?

There was no other player available? The Buccaneer that played a significant part in the bad blood between the Panthers and the Bucs is now Panther. This is actually a good pick-up, but I am just a lil worried about the rivalry here. I still want to see tempers flaring when we play the Bucs. Someone's gotta step up from Tampa.

Preseason 1 @ NYG

Did not get to watch the game, but based on the stats, it looked like our offense will be much better this year. Deshaun Foster had some nice runs with the first team. Also looks like we are moving away from the power running game and taking advantage of the speed in the backfield with DeAngelo Williams as well as Deshaun. Really wanted to see Taye Biddle’s 85 yd TD catch on TV, but could not find it. He keeps playing like that, he'll survice that cuts...I think

On Defense, rookie LB Jon Beason led the team in tackles, but what I got from the Panthers forum in Charlotte.com was that the defense was weak. I won’t get on Trgovac’s case just yet. No one shows their cards in the preseason. Let’s hope that he calls a more aggressive game with this defense once the season gets rolling. The 2002 defense was not this loaded with talent, but they were flying to the ball and hit harder. If he just brings back that intensity that left with Del Rio, I will not start a post in Charlotte.com asking for Trgo's head. I have a feeling someone will beat me to it.

Special teams gave up a huge return. That’s not good man!!! We need to clean that up.

Oh ya, we won the game :-) Not that it means anything, but Panthers have won 16 of the last 18 preseason games.

Here is what the world said about the game.

Official Panthers site
USA Today
Official Giants site

Mike Minter

Mike Minter retired last week. If I am not mistaken he is the first player to have a lengthy career that started and ended in Carolina. In all honesty I think that position can be upgraded and it already has with the signing of Chris Harris. But hopefully the team will find a way to replace his leadership on and off the field.

Reminisce some more

I've seen 'Silence of the Rams' on NFL Fims somewhere. After that game, we beat the Eagles in the NFC championship 14-3 and lost another thriller in the Super Bowl. But for me, Steve Smith's 69 yard TD in double OT is the single greatest panther moment. A close second is a blocked extra point kick by Kris Jenkins against Tampa Bay that saved a game and sent it to OT. Yes, we won that game too :-)

OK! Forwarding to present time, here is the latest article about tomorrow's first preseason game against the Giants. I hope to catch the game somewhere :-)

Silence of the Lambs: January 11, 2004

Scenario:

-We had the game, but we blow an 11 point lead in the last 2 minutes.

-Genius 'Challenge an interception" Rams coach Mike Martz also plays for the tie and kicks a field-goal so we go to OT

-In the 1st OT, we miss a game winning FG after we had to rekick twice due to a false start(and I forgot what caused the other re-kick). I know the St Louis crowd was rocking that place though

-Rams also miss a game winning field goal in 1st OT

-Towards the end of the 1st OT period, Rams march for the winning drive.

-That's when this video begins

-Rookie Ricky Manning intercepts Mark Bulger(more like a strip)

-Our offense completely stalls mostly due to the rough crowd. A false start and a sack put us at 3rd and 14 in our own territory in a hostile environment

-The rest is history. You could hear a needle drop as Smitty took it to the house...

PS - I bleed blue!!!!!

PS2 - Thanks to panthers_178934 for youtubing this

Beason Finally Signs

The Panthers have signed first-round draft choice Jon Beason from Miami (FL). Beason played in 38 games with 22 starts for the Hurricanes and collected 187 tackles, 3.5 sacks, one forced fumble, one fumble recovery, one interception and three passes defensed. He is expected to be on the field when the team resumes practice on Monday at 9:10 a.m. at Wofford College in Spartanburg, SC.

Read the rest here

It's official we're looking like a SuperBowl team

Solid pickup! I really think this may be the year. Great trade. This is what I am talking about!

http://www.charlotte.com/507/story/221603.html