Initial Impressions

[KillerKat]

connor almost had an INT

[tarheelpride]

In a related note, Chris Gamble is more important to the Panther defense than he gets credit for.

This. I didn't like our first-team pass defense this game. I think it's a matter of pass rush out of the front 4, but if Gamble miss any time this year, trusting that secondary could be a big gamble.

[KillerKat]

Per the depth chart, that's what they are.

I'm still not clear what effect Ron Meeks has had on the "interchangability" of the safeties. Pretty sure Fox still sees it that way, but not so sure it'll play out that way on the field.

Now that you mention it, I see they switched them where they should be since they first released the chart and Gant's report =\

[outlaw4]

The rain threw a wrench into the game and with so many young players going against a good defense, the result isn't surprising.

Gross has had really bad games in the past so I'm not too concerned. However, if he continues to struggle in pre-season, there will be questions on whether his injury last season has affected him.

It's nice to see that we can still pound the rock and that we stopped the Ravens from doing the same. Yet, watching the Ravens throw screen pass after screen pass and looking completely lost on defense was sad.

The passing attack...well, even the tight ends were limited in receptions out there.

Some of those center snaps looked bad. Not quite sure if Kalil was in still in there but they might need some work there.

Edwards looks like someone that will be a long-term project. I was expecting some trick plays with him tonight but I guess not.

Special teams...some of their "highlights" could have Benny Hill playing in the background.

[scpanther22]

backup center was Bernadeau...

Pray Kalil never gets hurt.lol

[KillerKat]

Pray Kalil never gets hurt.lol

hope Justice gets more looks at #2 center now

[Mr. Scot]

Kenny Moore made an awesome play catching a tipped ball thrown by Clausen.

Also, about your E. Brown point: Brayton has been the same way the past two years. I'm not holding my breath for it but I think that it is possible he can turn those near misses into sacks, fumbles, and bad throws perhaps as soon as this season.

Also I was watching Connor when I could and it seemed he was just a little bit slow getting to the ball. Not that it was that he is slow just that he was a little bit out of position or got caught with a block etc.

I credit K Moore for that. Truthfully that ball should have been picked. Need more though.

More than once in recent years, our defensive nickname could have been "The Near Miss Defense". I really don't want to see that persona manifest itself again.

[Evil Hurney]

My observations

Running game looked good almost all night, which makes me feel like the offense will be fine.

Clausen definitely separated himself from Cantwell. I will give Cantwell a little bit of a pass considering he playing in rain the whole time, however I think he is now battling Pike for the third spot, if either of them are even worth keeping around as a third.

Receivers looked spotty, TE's looked good. They definitley tried everything in their power to get Armati the ball and he didn't really make any plays out of it.

Speaking of Armati, he needs to put his foot in the ground and get upfield before dancing on the punt return. I'm sure its a byproduct of him being able to dance around fat men in the backfield and not smaller guys flying downfield.

Defense looked surprisingly okay. Hardy looked good, as did Brayton. I am really glad to have Brayton back, I feel like he brings a bit of swagger and tenacity to the D-line. I will echo the thoughts on Brown. He would get a decent rush and then just stop short like he ran out of steam. He needs to get better separation as he is no where big enough to bull rush like he was.

The secondary and linebackers were okay, but nothing really stood out. Beast definitely needs some time to get used to the outside again.

And lastly special teams was short bus special as always. I hope things improve once we start making some cuts and we get the more permanent guys in there.

[Mr. Scot]

The rain threw a wrench into the game and with so many young players going against a good defense, the result isn't surprising.

Gross has had really bad games in the past so I'm not too concerned. However, if he continues to struggle in pre-season, there will be questions on whether his injury last season has affected him.

It's nice to see that we can still pound the rock and that we stopped the Ravens from doing the same. Yet, watching the Ravens throw screen pass after screen pass and looking completely lost on defense was sad.

The passing attack...well, even the tight ends were limited in receptions out there.

Some of those center snaps looked bad. Not quite sure if Kalil was in still in there but they might need some work there.

Edwards looks like someone that will be a long-term project. I was expecting some trick plays with him tonight but I guess not.

Special teams...some of their "highlights" could have Benny Hill playing in the background.

Jeff King is another guy who's more important than a lot of people know.

I'm willing to give Jeff Rodgers and Sam Garnes time to put their stamp on the special teams, but it needs to happen quick. the team put a lot of effort into making offseason acquisitions that were supposed to improve the Special Teams. I hoped to see better tonight. No such luck

[Future of the Funchise]

One decent catch on a wobbly ball from Hunter Cantwell, one slip and fall, not much else that stood out initially (I will watch the game again, though).

my bad... i didn't see that part sorry.

[Peppers90 NC]

Our dline looked "stingy"

i thought both moore and clausen played well for what theyre working with

i think we have potential

gruden wants to coach our team

[ChucktownK]

I look at it as...we'll have plenty of mistakes on tape to watch and learn from before the season starts. No excuses after game 1.

[CatMan72]

My only real concern after tonight is a complete lack of a pass rush outside of Tyler Brayton.... Everette Brown, paging Everette Brown, where are you?

GREAT block by Fiametta to spring DeAngelo for a nice run, that's exactly what we needed to see out of this guy.

Beason did look a little lost, but that's to be expected - he'll get it sorted out.

Armanti did okay tonight for a guy who hasn't played WR since high school and has never been a punt/kick returner.

I was really impressed with Clausen, Moore is still the guy but Clausen could make it very interesting. That throw Clausen made to Rosario was a thing of beauty.

Good coverage on that TD pass by Capt... Clayton got away with one.

DJ made a couple nice catches, still need to see him do it in the regular season before I totally buy in but it was good to see.

[OnlyPantherFaninMaine]

What stuck out most to play was the awareness and pocket presence of Clausen. For a rookie, he sure stood tall and put a zip on the ball while the pocket was collapsing. Several times he avoided contact or a big hit and still managed to get positive yardage. He looked flat out smart, seems to be adjusting to speed nicely.

Hardy and Brayton were the most enjoyable to watch on defense. Norwood showed up which was nice to see.

Glad to see that Armanti wasn't responsible for any turnovers. The kid did look like he was nervous and over-thinking it some situations. Overall though, for his first game I see the light and once he becomes comfortable it could be history from there.