Khyber53

Imagine how many yards passing he would have made if he hadn't been working with a short field so many times thanks to our defense.

Tampa's got a decent team that has been getting better and better. First rate running back, good young QB and good receivers. This is just the kind of team we need to be facing before heading into the playoffs. Our defense will have their hands full and we really need to see them be dominant again. It will also be a big game for our offensive line. Sure hope they are up for it. Panthers 35 Buccaneers 14

Well done! This was in your top 3 so far!

This is how a quarterback goes about starting the legend. Someday that kid will be talking about the day when Cam threw 5 touchdown passes and ran for 100 yards, and he was there to watch it. And when that kid's grandkids look at him like he's crazy, he'll go get that ball and show them. Classy QB that will be remembered long, long after his playing days are done.

Hrm, flame out, they will. Good read!

Everything is going to be fine.

That was a fun read! Good job! And your prediction doesn't seem too much of a stretch. 36-10 Panthers.

Viva la revolucion!

We grow, we learn, we adapt, we win, we thrive. Can't argue with success.

Hoping for an early lead and a chance to send in our second stringers as a group. Also hoping that everyone gets on the bus healthy and unhurt.

I guess they were right. The answer was on the roster. So many answers. 8-0. Not even sure what to do with this, never been here before.

I think Jared Allen's experience playing against the Packers will certainly help the team. Pass rush will be key on defense and on offense it is going to be imperative that we make sure Peppers doesn't have a day that makes all of the fans in the stands miss him again. This isn't a statement game, or even a game where we have anything to prove. It is just a competitive game and the kind that is the bread and butter of good teams. We're playing like the big boys now, here's what it will be like throughout the playoffs. Win and move forward.

You really aren't getting this, are you?

Smitty's last hurrah. It was a good season, but if you couldn't see the tension and the cracks. Smith fell behind Olsen in yards, with LaFell not too far behind. He was also no longer the star as Cam was getting almost all of the Me-me-me-media attention.

I love Smitty, but the best thing that has happened to him and the Panthers in the last five years is that he was sent off to Baltimore. For Smith, he got national recognition and he was able to start the HoF talk that you now hear. If he had stayed in Carolina, his grousing would have left the tag of locker room poison on him. That tag is the death knell for a great player with bad PR. Ask Terrell Owens, Chad Johnson a host of other guys in the top 20 players for their position that can't get a nod by the nominating committees. Two years in Baltimore to pad career stats, build some more great highlight reels and to get the mantle of fiery competitor. He needs this and he deserves to be in Canton. The Panthers, we lost one of our most beloved sons. We also gave Cam the opportunity to make this his team, not Smitty's. That's a big, big deal. And don't you think that this summer that would have been Smith fighting with Norman, rather than Cam fighting with Norman? That would be a whole different ball game. Our offense has also shifted since Smith left, as now it doesn't flow through him as the first, second and fourth options.

This is probably the most dangerous game for us so far. The Eagles are hit and miss, luckily they just struck big last week. I think we'll catch them on the downswing and their offense will sputter against our defense. I do see this as a rough night for Cam, though, as the Eagles can really get after a QB when they need to. Our O-line will tell the story of the night, though, as Stewart will have his breakout game and top 100 yards rushing. Panthers 24 Eagles 10

Next to the actual Panther's games, I look forward to PhillyB's weekly article when it comes to sports. A fun read, again!

Pay the man! (I mean PhillyB, somebody ought to have you on staff as a sportswriter!)

The Town that Feared Sundown, now there's a scary movie. The prototype for Axe Murderer films.

The team has gone through a lot this week with changes on the defensive line and saying goodbye to a couple of familiar faces. The weather here has been terrible as well, and even though the game is in Florida, those NC practices have probably been pretty wearing and not as complete as they normally would. We're playing a team that hasn't been a threat in some time and that many are regarding lightly. They've also got a rookie QB and an apparently soft offensive line. And that's why we have a tough game ahead of us. We're trying to mesh new moving parts under less than perfect conditions while facing up against an opponent that shouldn't give us trouble. It's a classic trap game. I hope that's not going to be the case. My gut feeling is that we're going to come out and fall behind early, then dig in and claw our way back to a tight win. Look for a repeat of last week, but a closer score. Whereas Nawlins had a great day passing and a lousy day on the ground, Tampa will run well but their passing game will be their downfall. Carolina 23 Tampa Bay 18

Can you wear scuba gear and a football helmet at the same time? The way it is looking, our DL will be using purely swim moves to get at their QB. Cam should practice his Aquaman pose.

This oughtta be good...

PhillyB, that was masterful! Great article, great read and just well done throughout! Cheers!

My theory is that GRRM will make HBO wait for that last book. And they will, because the anticipation will be the best advertising that anyone could ask for.

I can't make a good argument against this lineup. It's a good one for today, this year, and it would sew seeds for the years ahead.