Eagles present an interesting challenge.

[firstdayfan]

As the Panthers take the field this Sunday they will be faced with an interesting challenge, put up or shut up. The defense has really been talking this week about how they have corrected their mistakes from the preseason while also pointing out that for the first time this season the Panthers' defense is healthy (except for Kemoatu). While I for one believe these players and really think the Panthers' defense will be much better in two days the Eagles represent a perfect opportunity for them to do so.

As most of us already know the Eagles will be without two starters on the offensive line on Sunday. Right tackle Shawn Andrews is out and will be replaced by a backup in Winston Justice, they will also be Todd Herremans who plays left guard and will be replaced by Nick Cole, another reserve. Couple all that with the fact that this will be left tackle Jason Peter's first real game as an Eagle and the fact that this line has not played together for much of the preseason, and the Panthers' defensive line issues don't look so bleak. In fact, if the Panthers can't at least get a little pressure on QB Donovan McNabb then it will be a huge disappointment.

Yes, Nick Hayden will start, and yes he has improved throughout the preseason and by "improved" I mean it looks like he is wearing cleats instead of roller skates. Louis Leonard will get into the game and looked very intense in his limited action and it remains to be seen whether Sunny Harris gets much PT. Brayton and Johnson will play DT in passing situations and Beason and Davis will be back in the linebacking corps.

The Panthers defenders have no choice but to pressure McNabb, gang tackle the ball carriers, and force some turnovers. They are really out of excuses and have been given a gift by the Eagles with this "makeshift" offensive line. It's time for football people which also means its time to put it all on the table, lay it all on the line, put your money where your mouth is, and any other cliche's you can think of. Win or lose, this is the best chance the defense will get in the first month of the season to get back on track.

Oh and Jonathon Stewart is healthy and ready to go. Nuff said about the offense.

[pstall]

Release the hounds

[firstdayfan]

Release the hounds

Absolutely, the best part is that it can be so easy to frustrate McNabb and take him out of his game, if he gets time he is really good but if you get some pressure on him then he gets jittery. If we can make him hurry some throws he will make mistakes, I'm not so much worried about the run as I am the short quick throws underneath. A good pass rush can disrupt their entire offense.

[KBRed]

I heard from a friend of mine, not to name any names that is close to the organization, that Jonathan Stewart has a worse injury than everyone says and he won't play....J/K. :ack2:

[joemac]

cool story, bro.

[2jakefansinva]

I heard from a friend of mine, not to name any names that is close to the organization, that Jonathan Stewart has a worse injury than everyone says and he won't play....J/K. :ack2:

You wrote about 30 words just to put j/k at the end. Dumbass.

[firstdayfan]

cool story, bro.

Thanks, I really think this is a great chance for the defense to make a statement. The Eagles are good enough that if the defense were to play well it would definitely open up some eyes, shut up some mouths, and put a lot of confidence back on that side of the ball.

[panther4life]

I just wanna see us play with the same intensity as the steelers did on thursday..that was impressive

[firstdayfan]

I just wanna see us play with the same intensity as the steelers did on thursday..that was impressive

Beason did say they were going to take it up a notch because it was the regular season...but I doubt they get anywhere close to the intensity of a Steeler defense. At least not right now. John Fox needs to get his motivational speach ready like the year they started 1-7 and at halftime against San Francisco he said something to the team that made them play harder and with more intensity. Oh and the finished that season 6-2.

[Carolinafan320]

Absolutely, the best part is that it can be so easy to frustrate McNabb and take him out of his game, if he gets time he is really good but if you get some pressure on him then he gets jittery. If we can make him hurry some throws he will make mistakes, I'm not so much worried about the run as I am the short quick throws underneath. A good pass rush can disrupt their entire offense.

sounds like jake and the panthers:(