Zod

New Panthers fan, aye?

A few months back, before training camp started, I did a commercial photo shoot for RSP Nutrition that featured Jon Beason in product placement shots. Jon arrived with a friendly smile and handshake. He looked liked the Jon Beason of old. But did he feel like he Jon Beason of old? I have had a few photo shoots with Jon among other social interactions. I'd consider him more of a friend than an acquaintance. "How ya feeling Jon" I asked, expecting his usual upbeat "ready to go" or "getting better every day". If Beason is anything, its an optimist. Instead he replied with a "We'll see" with a hint of unsureness. I knew then something was up. Since then, Jon Beason has worked through the pain of micro fracture surgery. He already has done what most people could not do in making it back to the NFL playing field. Motivation has never been a problem with Jon. Last night's trade announcement, while heartbreaking for Panthers fans, is probably the best thing for all parties involved. Once his salary was restructured to allow Beason to become a Free Agent at the end of the 2013 season, I knew this would be his last season as a Panther. Beason is a middle linebacker, and a good one at that. With the rise of Luke Kuechly as the best MLB in the game, Beason staying in Carolina would mean he would not be in a situation to be the very best football player he can be. If you know Jon Beason at all, you know that fact would not sit well with him. The New York Giants give Beason a real opportunity to get his career back on the middle track it needs to be on. In return, the New York Giants get a linebacker with tremendous leadership, work ethic, and a willingness to play through pain. The Panthers gain a late round draft pick. In a 2014 draft that will be heavy in offensive line for the Panthers, that is nothing to laugh at. Considering starting right tackle Byron Bell was never even drafted, a seventh round offensive line gem of a pick is not too hard to imagine. Win - Win - Win Will there be a leadership void left on the defense? You bet. But with Thomas Davis and Luke Kuechly on the team, it won't take long for it to be filled. All in all, we should all be grateful to Jon for the good memories he provided over the years in a Panthers uniform. I know I'll be pulling for 52 in New York, and so should you. Click here to view the article

Have you guys seen Ricky lately? He could suit up and play this weekend if needed.

I think that is a fair assessment. The fact that he is getting playing time again is a step in the right direction and an improvement over last season for him. If he can just produce a few catches a game and a long bomb here or there, it will help the whole offense tremendously.

Steve "cross me and I will fuggin end you right here right now you pussy" Smith

I'm not 100% sure Steve still has the speed to do that.

That is, perhaps, until now. In Carolina, Ginn has found a quarterback and a system that is not afraid to go vertical to him. Cam Newton may be the biggest difference maker for Ginn at this point in his career. Ginn says so himself... "A guy like Cam, he has a big arm and he's not scared of the speed. You get a guy who doesn't have a big arm sometimes and after you get two steps on a guy, he is scared he might under throw you and the defensive back might pick it off." Ginn currently has a pair of 40+ yard touchdowns from Cam Newton.This week against the Arizona Cardinals, Ginn has a chance to further cement his place as a legitimate NFL threat. Cardinals shutdown cornerback Patrick Peterson will cover Steve Smith for most of the game. If the Panthers plan on putting up points against their highly ranked rushing defense, they will need another receiver to step up and make plays. With Brandon Lafell being more of a possession type receiver, it will be up to Ginn to stretch the field. Just a single big play of 20 yards or more will help keep the Arizona defense honest and open up the passing lanes for Olsen and Lafell to cash in on. I believe he is up to the task. This Sunday Ted Ginn can tell the rest of the league that his career is just beginning. Click here to view the article

Yep, I really do. Its scary to think that they will be playing better by the end of the season as Star and Short gain experience.

Here is a look at how the Carolina Panthers match up against the Arizona Cardinals: Quarterback: Carson Palmer vs Cam Newton. One is a pocket passer on the downward slop of his career. The other is one of the most dynamic play makers the NFL has ever seen. This is an easy call, Advantage: Panthers Running Backs: Arizona starter Rashard Mendenhall is having an awful year. Last week against the Bucs he averaged less than 3 yards per carry and fumbled twice. The backup is a 6th round rookie. Carolina has Deangelo Williams averaging 4.7 yards a carry and features one of the best running games in the NFL. Advantage: Panthers Offensive Line Neither unit is considered good. Carolina's saving grace is Cam Newton's mobility. Arizona's downfall is Palmers concrete feet. Advantage: Push Receivers Fitzgerald, Floyd, and Roberts vs Smith, Lafell, and Ginn... I would take the former over the latter, as would any coach in the NFL. Jim Dray vs Greg Olsen? No contest, Olsen wins hands down. Advantage: Cardinals. Defensive Line While the Cardinals defensive line is nothing to sneeze at, it just can't compare with what may be the best defensive line Carolina has ever had. Rookie Star Lotulelei is performing at a pro bowl level, making all the difference this season. Advantage: Panthers Linebackers Daryl Washington makes his return after his four game suspension on Sunday, and will play next to Karlos Dansby in their 3-4 scheme. They will see improved linebacker play than against the Bucs last week, but I still would take Luke Kuechly and Thomas Davis any day of the week. Moch vs Blackburn is a push. Advantage: Panthers Secondary I'd trade the Panthers entire secondary for Patrick Peterson and Honey Badger. Advantage: Cardinals Bottom Line: The Panthers have the better players on the field and given adequate coaching and game planning should win this game. Overall Advantage - Carolina Panthers Click here to view the article

They have yet to face a top 20 rushing attack this season. Panthers are a top 5 rushing attack. I think we will have success.

The Carolina Panthers head to Arizona on Sunday where they will try to being their record to 2-2. After handing the NY Giants their first shut out in years, the Carolina Panthers defense will continue their quest for league domination. Arizona currently ranks 27th in the league in total offense. The Panthers should be able to hold them to under 10 points. Here is a preview of what you will see Sunday.... Arizona won't be able to run the ball. Rashard Mendenhall had an awful performance last week. 21 yards gained on 12 carries and two fumbles. It doesn't get much worse for a running back. Rookie Andre Ellington may get more carries this week. Ellington is a speedy edge runner, but should be stifled by the Panthers superior linebackers and defensive ends.Carson Palmer will fold under pressure. A quick look at Palmer's stats tells the story. While under no pressure, Palmer's completion percentage is a respectable 64%. However, while under pressure that number drops to only 20%. If the Panthers front four can get pressure in the base packages the game is over.Larry Fitzgerald will have his moments. The Panthers secondary will not be able to contain Fitzgerald the entire game. I expect a big play or two from him. Although the Cardinals offense is struggling, Fitzgerald has three touchdowns so far this season. The Panthers will give plenty of safety help in covering him, as the deep long ball has been the Panthers weakness on defense at times this season.Overall I see a very productive day for the Panthers defense on Sunday. If they can contain the outside edges in the run game and get pressure with their base package it will be an easy victory. Click here to view the article

What a strange NFL season this has been. It is the kind of season that just might allow for a previously 0-2 team to make the playoffs. With a record of 1-2, the Panthers are second in their division and definitely still in the playoff hunt. Here are the Panthers upcoming October games.... @ Cardinals (2-2) @ Vikings (1-3) Rams (1-3) @ Bucs (0-4) Every single one of these games should be a Panthers victory and put the Panthers at a 5-2 record heading into November. Heck, just winning the first two would give Ron Rivera his first taste of being over .500 in his head coaching career. It seems the football gods have smiled favorably on the Panthers this season. That said, Panthers fans are currently at a crossroads. While the home game against the Giants was a huge morale booster, there is still worry for a let down. We are accustomed to seeing this Panthers team play down to the level of the competition and not win the games that they should win. It all starts Sunday against the Cardinals, which I am calling a must win. This Panthers team MUST go on the road and win if they want to convince the fan base they are for real this year. After all, Ron Rivera is 0-2 after a bye week. A loss is very possible. Click here to view the article

While we all site and wait for the dreaded bye week to be over, let us take some time to appreciate the lovely Topcats for keeping the Bank of America crowd pumped up and ready to go. These gals work extremely hard perfecting their high kicks and hair swings for all of our benefit. Let us take a moment to thank the Topcats for all that they do! Click here to view the article

Adrian Peterson, Chris Johnson, Marshawn Lynch, Arian Foster... all running backs who are being out performed by the Carolina Panthers own Deangelo Williams. Deangelo quietly ranks 4th in the entire NFL, yet you won't hear his name in the media. Deangelo Williams With the promotion of Mike Shula to Offensive Coordinator, the Carolina Panthers doubled down on a running game still being important in a passing league. A risky move, but it appears to have some early returns. The Panthers have the second ranked rushing attack in the entire NFL. An amazing accomplishment given that Jonathan Stewart has been unavailable due to injury. By far Deangelo's most efficient running has been to the left edge with blocks provided by Jordan Gross where Deangelo is averaging a whopping 6.9 yards a carry. Interestingly, his second most efficient running is behind the right guard, who this season has been a mix of players. In a career with highs and lows, health and injuries, Deangelo has kept the right attitude. It remains to be seen if a premier rushing attack can again elevate teams to the NFL playoffs. No one is more hopeful than Ron Rivera and Mike Shula, who have wagered on this notion with their jobs on the line. Click here to view the article

Taking pictures of half naked women is against my values.

Funny you mention that, one of the Panthers representatives contacted me wanting a copy. Could be....

During warmups, Jerry Richardson typically plays host to the visiting executives. He is routinely seen driving them around on his cart as he shows them the stadium. This day was different. Jerry was not playing host. Instead, he got out of his cart and made his presence felt in the end zone during warm up drills. At one point I thought he was in danger of being hit by an offensive linemen, but he didn't budge. As they players walked to mid field, Jerry Richardson stood there stoically. The result was the biggest lopsided victory in Panthers history. The Panthers fired on all cylinders and finally gave fans a glimpse of what is possible with this team. The defense posted a shutout as I began to actually feel a little sorry for young Eli Manning. Eli frequently decided to hit the dirt before contact was made, a wise decision on his part. This was the defense that we all dreamed of this offseason. An unrelenting group of men determined to devastate their opponent. In fact, some of their hits knocked the Giants offensive players cleanly off their feet. The biggest question mark going in to the game was the Panthers secondary. Thomas Davis challenged them to make a play. The front seven was doing their part, it was time for the secondary to step up and contribute. Melvin White, a rookie out of Lafayette, did so in convincing fashion. His interception of Eli Manning some would say put the nail in their coffin. On offense we saw the Cam Newton of old. A Cam Newton not afraid to run the ball. A Cam Newton without the leash that Mike Shula had placed on him for two games. It seems the Panthers remembered they have one of the most exciting quarterbacks in the league, and called plays accordingly. Cam did have an interception (pictured below). Credit the Giants defense for getting in his face and forcing Cam to throw off his back foot. That would be the last time the Giants defense did something worth mentioning. The Panthers rushing attack also found its mojo once again. Deangelo Wiliams rushed for 120 yards. Mike Tolbert was not as effective in terms of yards, but very effective in spelling Deangelo and making sure the Giants defensive interior stayed winded. One thing I pointed out in the pregame was that Cam would need to spread the ball around if the Panthers were to win this game. While it is strange not seeing Steve Smith on the top of the receiving stats, it is for the best. Brandon Lafell finally got a pair of Cam Newton touchdowns, and was congratulated by #1 in epic fashion... Tedd Ginn Also snared a touchdown... and promptly rewarded a lucky fan. But to me, the play of the game was the Cam Newton QB sneak for the touchdown. For weeks we have been calling for the Panthers to use Cam on short down yardage. You have a huge and hugely talented quarterback, why would you not run him for a short quick gain? Apparently Mike Shula heard our cries and turned him loose. The result was sustained drives and 7 points. Once Cam scored that touchdown, I could literally feel a huge weight being lifted off of his shoulders for him. He gave a yell that was more serious than campy. more genuine than contrived. It was pure unadulterated joy, and it was fantastic. After the game Cam was called over by Eli Manning and exchanged a few pleasantries with him. Cam was all class and wished him the best of luck the rest of the season. The End. Click here to view the article

Joe Person ‏@josephperson 9m Could an 0-3 start headed into the bye week mean the end for Ron Rivera in Charlotte? #Panthers Looks like I was only about 3 days ahead of Joe.

You know better than every top notch steak restaurant in the world?

Doesn't matter. You don't cook steak on the grill. At most, give it a nice searing on the grill and then stick it in the oven.

Ole hair of the dog huh?

Today, the Panthers get back on track with a glorious win against the Giants! Where: Bank of America Stadium When: 1:00 Weather: 75 and partly cloudy TV: Fox Radio: 1110 WBT Follow @carolinahuddleon twitter for tweets from the sidelines Keys to Panthers Victory - Intercept Eli Manning at least twice - Apply pressure with front four while in max coverage - Cam must spread the ball around and not lock in on receivers - Help Byron Bell with Justin Tuck Click here to view the article

So you are saying we are going to propel them to another SB win? Off to call my bookie....

The point is if we do go 0-3, there isn't much worth discussing. Just another lame duck season and try to enjoy meaningless wins as they come.

The 1998 Buffalo Bill led by Doug Flutie... here is what their schedule looked like... They had a week 4 bye week. They also lost all 3 first games by under 7 points. Look at the results after the bye week. A five game win streak and did not lose two in a row from there on out. THATS what it takes to make the playoffs after starting 0-3. What has RIvera's longest win streak been? 2 games? It looks MUCH harder on paper once you realize what 0-3 does to you. Its a good thing the Panthers will be 1-2 this week... no? Click here to view the article