tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-70281559982917036122024-03-05T20:03:44.844-08:00Carolina PanthersGuiTarHeelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12413857762949356012noreply@blogger.comBlogger70125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7028155998291703612.post-68194085390654036822016-10-16T15:34:00.003-07:002016-10-16T15:51:36.144-07:00Kick in the Grass<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> Okay. I'll be honest. I wanted to call THIS blog post <i>-something else- </i>but I decided to hold back. At least it rhymed.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> This is also my <b>FIRST Panthers post</b> of the year. As I've said in the past, I don't get paid for this.. and honestly.. I didn't think there was anything noteworthy to write about. </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">And that really hasn't changed today.</span><br />
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<b style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #3d85c6;">Who Would've Bet?...</span></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> I had hoped to be writing about a 6-0 start and a great look at another run to the Super Bowl.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> Wow</span><i style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">! </i><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> Who would've called the Panthers a bet to go </span><b style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>1-5 to start the 2016-17 season</i></b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">? WELL-- who would've called </span><b><i><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">the Panthers a bet to go 17-1</span></i></b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> last year and make it to the Super Bowl? I wish it had been me.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> There will be a LOT of speculation and bad-mouthing of the Panthers going on this week-- frankly, there will be plenty to go around. So I'm NOT going to join the fray. At least, not to a great extent. I have to say a few things, because.. well.. there's NOT much good to be said.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> The Panthers seem to have reverted back to their old ways. I remember the teams of 1997-2001 and 2006-2012. Most of those were losing teams, with the 1996, 2003, 2005, 2013 and 2015 teams being the only exceptions.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> The typical pattern for those losing Panthers teams? </span><br />
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<li><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Start out Slow.</span></li>
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<li><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Often come back in the third quarter to make the game close.</span></li>
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<li><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Finish Slow... or else lose in the closing seconds.</span></li>
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<span style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>Today... & Yesterday...</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> Today, Carolina again reverted back.. and back.. and back.. to their old ways. Yeah, there were some good plays. Cam Newton threw for over 300 yards. But Saints QB Drew Brees threw for almost 500 yards. The Panthers outscored the Saints 38-20 after the Saints jumped out to a 21-0 lead early.</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>Cam Newton : Lookin' Good.. but Same Result.</b></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> I have to admit: the Panthers looked great in the third and most of the fourth quarter. They got a turnover interception by new call-up Teddy Williams, and Newton was lighting it up to receivers Benjamin and Funchess and Olsen. RB Jonathan Stewart wasn't looking too bad either. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> They scored four touchdowns--28 points-- in the second half.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> But the problem (unfortunately, a reoccurring one) was: the Panthers did not outscore the Saints in the last 15 seconds of the game.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> For the third time in six games, the Panthers lost on a last-second field goal kick. Most frustrating in that scenario is the fact that the Panthers' kicker, Graham Gano, has missed numerous FG and even extra point kicks, primarily in close games when it mattered most.</span><br />
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<li> <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Sept 9 : Panthers kicker Gano misses 50-yard FG with nine seconds left, Panthers lose 21-20 to Denver;</span></li>
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<li> <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Oct 10 : Tampa Bay kicker Roberto Aguayo kicks 38-yard FG with time expired to beat Panthers, 17-14;</span> </li>
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<li> <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Today : Saints kicker Will Lutz kicks 52-yarder with 11 seconds left to beat Panthers, 41-38.</span></li>
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<span style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>What If?... 20 & 6...</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">So-- if Carolina had back 20 seconds and only six points, <b>they would now be 4-2 instead of 1-5</b>, and in <b>first place of their division</b> instead of near the bottom of the heap. Three of the Panthers' five losses have been against division teams, which means they are even more important than non-division games. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> I have to admit. It doesn't look good for our Panthers team. <b>ALL</b> of the past history of the NFL is stacked against them. There has <b>NEVER</b> been a team that started 1-5 that came back to make the playoffs, much less the Super Bowl. It looks like we had our cake this past February, but we are not allowed to eat it too.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> Hang in there. I hear that maybe Panther GM Dave Gettleman is going to make a person-to-person call to ex-Panther <i>Josh Norman</i> to beg him to come back. Unfortunately, Norman is now under contract to the Washington Redskins and this will be an impossibility. And if that doesn't work out, I hear that maybe the NFL will allow the Panthers to schedule high school or college teams on their schedule next year... just to make things fair and balanced.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Hang on... More to come.. Hey, if things keep going sour, we could always turn this into a Patriots or Cowboys blog. Nah.. maybe not.</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I WILL CEASE & DESIST... I WILL CEASE & DESIST... I WILL CEASE & DESIST</span></b><br />
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GuiTarHeelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12413857762949356012noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7028155998291703612.post-19045748690794381042016-03-27T11:33:00.002-07:002016-04-07T20:46:10.714-07:00Super Bowl--- NOT Superb<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> This will most likely be a short post. I will try to keep posted on any Panthers off--season news. But I'm still in "Panthers Rehab" since their Super Bowl debacle. </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">The biggest game in 13 years--- maybe the biggest in franchise history--- and we blow it. </span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> Yes-- in some ways, it was oh so close-- but not the score. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> We were within a field goal or a touchdown at times. But never in control--- never ahead--- never having a real chance to win. My friend gave up and went to sleep after the third quarter. I stuck around and hoped things would turn around--- but they never did-- it just wasn't our day. On Super Bowl Sunday, we shouldn't have to say that. It should have at least been competitive --but seriously, honestly... it just wasn't.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>SUPER BOWL?-- NOT<i>!</i></b></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTNC62z1DUWzZj64IzJqFK0jfs4dw_ub3v7RHaudjgRr-o7srCbQMnqYo4PT8ST7YG2LlgPW3X2ZlqwDUjpSvSStlSAk7WNeqmR72qjLWBqlvlX7gH-0jo2IwQXHzgDJpqL1m98cG7DS8/s1600/Super+Bowl---+logos.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTNC62z1DUWzZj64IzJqFK0jfs4dw_ub3v7RHaudjgRr-o7srCbQMnqYo4PT8ST7YG2LlgPW3X2ZlqwDUjpSvSStlSAk7WNeqmR72qjLWBqlvlX7gH-0jo2IwQXHzgDJpqL1m98cG7DS8/s320/Super+Bowl---+logos.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">The Super Bowl was a Blooper Bowl</span></b></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> Still, although it seemed a lopsided loss, a couple of plays may have made the difference. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> In the first half, Cam Newton was sacked near the Panthers goal line, fumbled, and it was recovered in the end zone by a Broncos player for what has to be the easiest points ever scored in Super Bowl history. We practically handed it to them. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> Then, in the second half, a Peyton Manning pass was intercepted, then we fumbled it back to them, inside the 10--yard line. Another "gimme play". On another play, a Panthers receiver was ruled out--of--bounds or incomplete inside the five--yard line, and we had to settle for a field goal. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> If any-- or all-- of these plays had gone the Panthers way, it could've been a different ball game. At least on paper.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> </span><b><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> Could've--- Would've--- Should've--- yep</span></b><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">. It was THAT kind of a day. And I've been in mourning for the last two months. It's amazing that I can even remember any vague details of the game's plays, since my mind is doing its best to forget them.</span><br />
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<b style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">LOOKING FORWARD</span></b><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeGYecbOePVTQZpsYFWV0Rqg8VA6Zwh71J_B7dXVh9cnMeqJ91xJNH4jLm4sbxCKMAXnnG0gtI1j3VtaDwVCceCruKdopcgeXa_BDLBkm-Xmc_lTuGQe1YjyhADhlZ2prdnmQNnRG3TsA/s1600/kelvin+benjamin.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="191" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeGYecbOePVTQZpsYFWV0Rqg8VA6Zwh71J_B7dXVh9cnMeqJ91xJNH4jLm4sbxCKMAXnnG0gtI1j3VtaDwVCceCruKdopcgeXa_BDLBkm-Xmc_lTuGQe1YjyhADhlZ2prdnmQNnRG3TsA/s200/kelvin+benjamin.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">Kelvin Benjamin:<br />Panthers Comeback</span></b></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> Since the end of the season, we've scored a couple of Free Agent acquisitions, resigned some veterans, and will be looking forward to the upcoming college draft to fill some more gaps. But all in all,</span><b><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> the Panthers are looking better than ever for 2016-17.</span></b><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> One of the biggest pluses is getting </span><b><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">WR Kelvin Benjamin</span></b><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> back from an ACL injury that sidelined him all of this past season. We could've really used him, especially in the Super Bowl. He led the Panthers (as a rookie) with over 1,000 yards receiving. He will be counted on to recapture his starting role as the Panthers' top pass catcher.</span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; text-align: center;"> </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms', sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><b>_________________________________________________</b></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> Congratulations to the Denver Broncos and Peyton Manning</span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">. He went out a winner. I'm hoping that our experience in a losing cause will serve us in bouncing back with another successful year and playoff run --- maybe even another Super Bowl.</span><br />
<br />GuiTarHeelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12413857762949356012noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7028155998291703612.post-79113336520081705242016-02-07T11:54:00.006-08:002016-03-27T11:58:10.914-07:00Super Bowl--- Superb?<span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>THE SUPER BOWL<i>? ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------</i></b></span><br />
<span style="color: #0b5394;"> </span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b style="color: #0b5394;"><i>Superb</i></b><span style="color: #0b5394;">--</span><span style="color: #073763;"> the definition is--- excellent, superlative, first--rate, first--class, outstanding, remarkable, marvelous, magnificent, wonderful, splendid, admirable, noteworthy, impressive, fine, exquisite, exceptional, glorious.</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #073763; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> Wow<i>!</i> Could a football game be <i>ALL</i> of that--- and more<i>?</i> Well--- Carolina Panthers--- the team, coaches, and fans--- all hope so.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #073763; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> This Super Bowl has the #1 Offense vs. the #1 Defense. The Panthers average over 30 points a game, and over 500 yards of offense per game. The Broncos lead the league in lowest yard average per pass AND run. Pretty amazing stats<i>!</i></span><br />
<span style="color: #073763; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i><br /></i></span>
<span style="color: #073763; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i> It's like the old adage of--- The Irresistible Force (Panthers) vs. the Immoveable Object (Broncos). </i></span><br />
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<span style="color: #073763; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> If you had told me last year that the Panthers would even be in the Super Bowl, it would have been hard to fathom. But if I had believed you, I would've said that it would've been the Panthers who had the #1 defense. Not so. Earlier this season, the Panthers were the #1 Offense and the #1 Defense. But Denver overtook them in the defensive category.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>WAITING GAME ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------</b></span><br />
<i style="color: #073763; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> I can't believe</i><span style="color: #073763; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> that it's been over a month since I wrote my last Panthers blog--- especially since so much has happened in that time span-- We clinched the division title. We won two playoff games against quality opponents in convincing fashion. We also lost a game to the Falcons, and lost two (count 'em) starting players, and almost a third one, to injuries.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #073763; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> But it's been more than just a month in waiting. It's been twenty long years for everyone. A Double Decade. We came close several times. 1996. 2003. And yet--- now we are on the cusp of something unique, something great. Something never before achieved in the history of the franchise.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><b>A SUPER BOWL VICTORY</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> <span style="color: #073763;">What do I think the game will be like? Some say it will be a defensive struggle. It might start that way. Some think that the two quarterbacks will be in a shootout. Maybe. I'm torn in trying to figure out how it may go. It's been a long time coming, and so I think that I'm just going to sit back and just enjoy it. </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>MY PREDICTION --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------</b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #073763; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> If you want a prediction, I'll say</span><span style="color: #073763; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> </span><b style="color: #073763; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">--</span></b><b style="color: #073763; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">Panthers-- </b><span style="color: #073763; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">(of course)-- the score?--- Most of you are probably thinking 24--21 or 17--14. A lower--scoring, close game. It could happen that way. But I think the following will happen--</span></div>
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<li><span style="color: #073763; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The Panthers' offensive line will do much better against Von Miller and DeMarcus Ware than the Broncos' offensive line will do against Charles Johnson and Kawann Short. I predict Manning will not be a big factor and will be sacked at least five times. Cam<i>?</i> Maybe once or twice;</span></li>
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<li><span style="color: #073763; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">A combination of Jonathan Stewart and Newton will be able to run against the Broncos. I look for them to have 150 yards on the ground. This will also open up the passing game for the Panthers;</span></li>
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<li> <span style="color: #073763; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I believe that Ted Ginn will have a big play in the game--- either with a touchdown pass or a punt return.</span></li>
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<li><span style="color: #073763; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The Panthers' defense will force several turnovers--- both interceptions and fumbles. They forced 48 turnovers so far this year, which leads the league. I think the Panthers' offense may also make mistakes, but they will be few, and they will be able to overcome them better than the Broncos.</span> </li>
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<span style="color: #073763; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> I may be all wrong--- if so, I'll admit to it-- the way I look at it, if the Panthers win, I don't really care if I predicted it correctly or not. But here goes "nothing"--- my prediction</span><i style="color: #073763; font-family: 'helvetica neue', arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">?</i></div>
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<span style="color: #073763; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><b>Panthers 41, Broncos 17</b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #073763; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> We will see how it goes. In the meantime, if you read this BEFORE the game, include your own prediction below in the comments section. I'd be interested in seeing WHO predicts the game correctly or not.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #073763; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> Hope we are celebrating a Panthers victory--- see ya next time on <i>The Panthers Blog.</i></span></div>
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<span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><b>GO PANTHERS<i>!</i></b></span></div>
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GuiTarHeelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12413857762949356012noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7028155998291703612.post-8923091964472239232015-12-26T09:21:00.001-08:002015-12-26T09:25:16.540-08:00Stretch Run<span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>KEEP ON-- POUNDING</b></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1td7os3rKyYJjeHgot8khNYOU1vETv7ZJK__lPhqD04POA1fpgOoc4BjA9Qoh_nL3FpLhc_52vZ7XLHNvVHcVqBa80mzoyRf5wp7MbrXr8Klarqgl2V13f0hAeFIXcWuTwjrgIoWscio/s1600/keep+it+pounding+Drum.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1td7os3rKyYJjeHgot8khNYOU1vETv7ZJK__lPhqD04POA1fpgOoc4BjA9Qoh_nL3FpLhc_52vZ7XLHNvVHcVqBa80mzoyRf5wp7MbrXr8Klarqgl2V13f0hAeFIXcWuTwjrgIoWscio/s320/keep+it+pounding+Drum.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i><b>"Keep On Pounding!"</b></i>--- this has become the Panthers' battle cry over the past few seasons. First initiated by popular Panthers linebacker <i>Sam Mills</i>, and immortalized during his fight with cancer, this team mantra has excited and motivated both players and fans. The focus of this slogan has been the "<i>Pounding</i>", and the team has a tradition before games, when someone who's usually a big fan or celebrity (or both) gets picked to pound a huge drum on the sidelines.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> As the Panthers hit the home stretch, an equally important focus are the words "Keep On"--- it's easy to get ahead of the game, setting our sights on the playoffs, or even the Super Bowl, and allow our attention to be diverted from the most important thing--- the next game. The Panthers have two more regular season games. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQouii87tqq_MGGUMKI_AXk4UpOxvtfUMtOfxfSA3ZqgMZSNliGDinAVxhzCQj7f-9VS1C0HF5M2z58-MGosn8Q8f3ntaqs5FOd7fG-QxyEWp3CuafzJEjqV-uzQy5Ts-hw_QlECKubZI/s1600/panthers-giants.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="105" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQouii87tqq_MGGUMKI_AXk4UpOxvtfUMtOfxfSA3ZqgMZSNliGDinAVxhzCQj7f-9VS1C0HF5M2z58-MGosn8Q8f3ntaqs5FOd7fG-QxyEWp3CuafzJEjqV-uzQy5Ts-hw_QlECKubZI/s320/panthers-giants.png" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> For the first three quarters of the Giants game, it appeared that the Panthers were in Super Focus mode--- they were up on the Giants by 35-7, a supposedly unsurmountable lead. But no one seemed to make that clear to the Giants. Suddenly, they came back to life. Giants QB Eli Manning threw three of his four touchdown passes in the second half, and the last one to tie the game at 35-35. The our own QB--- and Superman-- <i><b>Cam Newton</b></i> helped march the Panthers down the field, and set up a game--winning field goal by kicker <i style="font-weight: bold;">Graham Gano</i> with no time left on the clock.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> It seemed that although the game itself was dramatic enough in its own right, Panthers CB <i style="font-weight: bold;">Josh Norman </i>and Giants' <i>Odell Beckham, Jr. </i>stole the show with their own personal struggle. Both players drew multiple penalties, and Beckham was suspended one game by the NFL for their rough and tough personal battle.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>HOME FIELD ADVANTAGE</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> Against the Falcons, we have the opportunity to clinch <i>Home Field Advantage</i> during the playoffs. This writer thought we would clinch that with a win over the Giants, but it escaped my attention that the Cardinals also had to lose. Since they didn't cooperate, we still have to win vs. the Falcons to clinch that position.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> Having "Home Field Advantage" is a big plus for this team. It would be great to be able to stay home during the playoffs. It would be a big disappointment to lose that advantage and have to travel to Green Bay, Seattle, or Phoenix during the postseason. Surely, our chances of making the Super Bowl are much better if we get to play at home.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>HEALTHY, WEALTHY & WISE</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> One of the keys to the postseason will be to stay healthy. The Panthers are keeping <i>RB Jonathan Stewart</i> on the sidelines right now to rest and recuperate from an ankle injury. We already lost a starting cornerback. So far-- besides our star receiver <i>Kelvin Benjamin</i> before the season started-- that's the only major injury to our team. We need a completely healthy team from here on out to be able to make a run at the Super Bowl.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>BUCKLE UP FOR THE PLAYOFFS</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> Okay--- hold on-- the next couple of weeks will be somewhat of a downer for me. I'm hoping that the Panthers' focus is better than mine. I'm ready for the playoffs to start-- today. But we will have to wait until January 17 or 18. Right now, it looks as if we will play the Vikings, Seahawks, or Redskins--- based on who wins the Wild Card playoff games on January 10 / 11.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> Keep your seatbeat buckled and we will soon start the ride of our lives--- to <i>Super Bowl 50</i>.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>GuiTarHeelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12413857762949356012noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7028155998291703612.post-55663276489599303162015-12-20T06:25:00.001-08:002015-12-20T06:55:25.494-08:00A Giant Game<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> For some, today's game between the<i><b> Carolina Panthers</b></i> and the <i>New York Giants</i> wanes in importance compared to many of the games already played, and a few yet to be played, this season. Our team has already clinched a playoff berth, and won <b style="font-style: italic;">the NFC South division</b> title for the third straight year. Then there are some others who think today's game is of supreme importance---because we can keep our undefeated season hopes alive. A victory today will match the Miami Dolphins' 14-0 regular season of 1972.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> Both opinions would be wrong. Today's game --<i>IS--</i> important, but <i>NOT</i> because of the possibility of achieving a perfect season. No--- today's game is all about <b><i>The Turf</i>.</b> We are playing for a seldom--discussed, but all--important topic--- <i>Home Field Advantage</i>. The Panthers already own <i>ONE </i>home playoff game. But if they win today against the Giants, they could also play the<i> NFC Championship Game</i> in Charlotte. A huge difference, considering the alternative might be going on the road to Green Bay, Seattle, or Arizona--- all long distances from home.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> And it would be nice if this was a throw--away game for the Giants. Even though sometimes losing teams play for the pride factor, this game means even more for them. Though they have a losing record of 6-7, they are locked in a three--way tie for the division lead (and a playoff spot) with the Redskins and Eagles. And unlike a few other teams, the Giants can <i>ONLY</i> make the playoffs by winning their division. Their record will not justify a wild card spot.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> <i><b> YES--- today is a <span style="font-size: large;">Giant Game</span></b></i><b>.</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> Let me do some catching up with you. Over the past four games, the Panthers have raised both heads and eyebrows--- while maintaining a dominating defense ranked 3rd in the NFL, <i><b>Cam Newton</b></i> and the energized Panthers offense have also averaged <i><b>39 points per game</b></i> to overtake Arizona and New England as the Highest Scoring team in the league. The Panthers have scored <i><b>411 points</b></i> this season, while giving up only 243 to opposing teams. This is an amazing feat, considering the Panthers have <i>ALWAYS</i> been considered a defense--minded kind of a team. I don't think anything has really changed-- the team still emphasizes defense, but our offense has come into its own this season. But this is especially amazing, since they have done this without our top receiver, <i><b>Kelvin Benjamin</b></i>--- some fans might also mention, without our team's franchise leading rusher, <i>DeAngelo Williams</i>, who went to Pittsburgh in the off season.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijlg06OdrOSSGy979iuz7e2hA7lEOADPykPl605MhRJA0Q-CokAFDRXjU9tNd8bhZEkoa-dr-uvaeZwzFHeSlgE5FEJVux_wYHJ-gUpshOlY8XtrLCFzoI1Xymk0bjjy1Os1Emtip23bg/s1600/panthers-falcons1.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="105" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijlg06OdrOSSGy979iuz7e2hA7lEOADPykPl605MhRJA0Q-CokAFDRXjU9tNd8bhZEkoa-dr-uvaeZwzFHeSlgE5FEJVux_wYHJ-gUpshOlY8XtrLCFzoI1Xymk0bjjy1Os1Emtip23bg/s320/panthers-falcons1.png" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> The offense's late surge notwithstanding, let's also <i>NOT </i>forget our defense, who, after giving up 38 points to the Saints, bounced back and registered their<i><b> first shutout of the season,</b></i> 38--0, against their arch-rival division opponent Atlanta Falcons.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> By the way, cheers to <i><b>Bene Benwikere</b></i>, Carolina's CB, who started most of the team's games this season, before breaking his leg in the Falcons game. Here's hoping that we will escape any future major injuries for the rest of the season. Late--season injuries have always been a "show--stopper" for teams contending for a title. And here's also hoping the rest of the secondary can step up to help in his absence.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> More after the game today.</span><br />
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<b style="font-family: 'helvetica neue', arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: xx-large;">PANTHERS vs NY GIANTS</b></div>
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GuiTarHeelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12413857762949356012noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7028155998291703612.post-17394664752624782872015-11-30T18:58:00.001-08:002015-11-30T21:15:27.659-08:00And Then-- There Was ONE<div style="text-align: center;">
<i style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-weight: bold;"> </i><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> Earlier this week, the magic number was 11----</span><i style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b> 11--0</b></i><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">But now-- this week-- there is a NEW magic number--- </span><i style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>ONE.</b></i><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> </span><i style="font-weight: bold;"> You see--- this weekend, HISTORY was made in the NFL</i><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">. </span><b style="font-family: 'helvetica neue', arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: xx-large;">______________________________________</b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> First of all, the Carolina Panthers became part of an elite group of teams--- just a handful--- who have started the season <i><b>11--0.</b></i> The eventual promise of an undefeated season seemed all the more attainable. Five more games and we are in a select group of <i>THREE</i>-- with the 1972 Miami Dolphins and the 2007 New England Patriots.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> History was made again on Sunday when the Broncos played this year's version of the Patriots in the snow at Denver and beat them in overtime, 30--24, giving New England its first loss of the season, and making <i><b>CAROLINA</b></i> the only undefeated team remaining in the NFL.</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">NO MEASURING STICK</span></b></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> This is a prestigious, and also precarious, position for an NFL team. On the one hand, we have made history. We have <i>NOT</i> only broken all kinds of team franchise records, but now we are in the<i> NFL history books</i> as well. But at the same time, we no longer have a measuring stick to gauge our progress. It was good to look at the Cincinnati Bengals or the New England Patriots and say, "They may be undefeated, but --we-- are better than they are at (fill--in--the--blank)". </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> But maybe having ourselves as our only measuring stick isn't such a bad idea. I've heard the Panthers coaches and players saying that they were not satisfied by being undefeated-- they still feel they can be a better team, and want to improve each and every game. Now, we no longer have someone else that we may look over our shoulders and wonder about. It becomes a matter of fulfilling our destiny as a team. That will only happen as each player fulfills his own potential as a player and member of the team. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> It's no longer (if it ever was) a thing of trying to keep up with the Joneses (or the Patriots) but about being the (to use a cliche) "best we can be". It seems that Destiny is calling our name and number this year. If we blow it-- it will be just because of <i>THAT</i>-- we will beat ourselves before anyone else is able to do it. I'm hoping that I'm right in believing that each Panther player and coach believes in the team and understands we cannot look ahead or get lackadaisical, or begin to pat ourselves on the back for-- well-- accomplishing "nothing." Being undefeated in the regular season will get you lots of accolades and applause--- but no trophy.</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">$2.5 Million to a Loyal Fan</span></b></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> On a more personal level, if you were half as good of a loyal Panthers fan as you think you are, you would also be a rich man (or woman) right now. The Super Bowl odds for the Panthers was 50--1 back in the preseason. If you had emptied your bank account, and mortgaged your house, a $50,000 investment would have brought you a cool $2.5 million. All I can do is keep reminding myself that "the love of money is the root of all evil" and that we can't take it with us. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> I don't know about you--- but this season is somewhat of a new, exciting twist-- and I'm finding myself spending every possible free moment looking at anything Panther--esque. "Panthers Huddle" and "Panthers Game Day" are both locked in on my DVR schedule. I check the Observer Sports pages every chance that I get, or look up their "Panthers Insider" online. I listen to ESPN and tune in to watch the entire Pre--Game show. It's like a fantasy sports world for us Panthers fans. I had a Redskins fan tell me not to get "too snobby" about my Panthers. YEP-- he's right. We can get a little TOO caught up.</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">Looking Back with a Laugh at Losing Years</span></b></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> It might pay us all a favor to go and pull out an old VHS tape or two of the Panthers' inaugural 1995 season, or maybe 2001 (1--15 record), ones when they were struggling just to get a first down, much less a winning season or a playoff berth. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> Maybe we got a bit spoiled when in our second year ('96) we went all the way to the NFC Championship. But we lost. All of our successes have been short--lived. <i> We've been in the playoffs six times (1996, 2003, 2005, 2008, 2013, 2014) and lost our last game six times. </i> One year we made it to the Super Bowl (in 2003). Three times we made it to the NFC Championship (1996, 2003, 2005). I think the last three trips to the playoffs have been especially disappointing, at least as a fan. Last year may have been an exception, only because we barely got into the playoffs, winning our division with a losing record.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> Hey-- let's end on a positive note. This is a different year. Things to be truly thankful for---</span><br />
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<li> <span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">We're undefeated </span><i style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>(yay!)</b></i><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> --- 11--0--- (a Panthers franchise record)</span></li>
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<li><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">We will no doubt win our <i>NFC South Division</i> title for the third straight season (another Panthers-- and NFC record)</span></li>
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<li><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">We will have at least one Home playoff game--- and chances are good that we will play <b><i>ALL</i></b> of our playoff games at home this year</span></li>
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<li> <span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">We are relatively injury--free. Hopefully we will stay that way.</span></li>
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<li> <span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">As much as we are excited for the Panthers and this amazing season, let's remember that it --IS-- just a game. Let's remember to put God and Family first-- and not get so caught up in our team that we forget everything else that is important in our lives.</span> </li>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The team will be heading down to New Orleans this week to face the Saints at the SuperDome in front of a home crowd of 75,000 screaming fans. Hopefully, we will continue our <i>modus operandi </i>of getting points on the board early and dominating the opposing quarterback. It doesn't hurt anything that the Saints defense is next to last in the NFL, giving up over 400 yards and 30 points per game.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>Stay tuned for more Panthers blogs--- </b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>as we finish strong and head to the Playoffs <i>!</i></b></span></div>
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GuiTarHeelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12413857762949356012noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7028155998291703612.post-89840008680658249332015-11-30T17:58:00.001-08:002015-11-30T18:03:32.357-08:00PANTHERS PAC-MAN<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> Back in the 70's and 80's, there was no Internet and Video Games were the craze. There were home versions and there were video gamerooms in most malls and theaters. One of the most popular games was PacMan. As I was thinking about how dominating the Panthers defense has been this season and especially in recent games, the thought of a Panthers Pac--Man came to mind. You might also call it "Quarter Bac--Man"--- some of you younger readers may NOT appreciate this as much--- but there's probably a Smart Phone app for PacMan and maybe some computer nerd will come up with a Panthers version. For now--- this is all I've got.</span><br />
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GuiTarHeelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12413857762949356012noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7028155998291703612.post-24050100832577741752015-11-29T18:27:00.004-08:002015-11-29T18:40:26.461-08:00TARGET PRACTICE<div style="text-align: center;">
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<span style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><b>TARGET PRACTICE</b></span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><b>QB DREW BREES<br />New Orleans Saints</b></span><br />
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GuiTarHeelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12413857762949356012noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7028155998291703612.post-10176963930468390262015-11-29T12:31:00.000-08:002015-11-29T14:25:44.755-08:00Panthers Rolling Snake Eyes<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHVs9qkbERjos1J82myygbL987GzNtVpqM-A3m7HRD3pCmiLjYVuBFbN822DybyFuK2yny_to4lStfZINwAynEo9LnXMkbsQ3i6Zlbt3WtGUKpvhMMKc8m57M1s7evjo7UTqS7AVxh2u4/s1600/panthers--cowboys.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="105" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHVs9qkbERjos1J82myygbL987GzNtVpqM-A3m7HRD3pCmiLjYVuBFbN822DybyFuK2yny_to4lStfZINwAynEo9LnXMkbsQ3i6Zlbt3WtGUKpvhMMKc8m57M1s7evjo7UTqS7AVxh2u4/s320/panthers--cowboys.png" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">Panthers Beat the Cowboys</span></b></td></tr>
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</span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> The Carolina Panthers are on a much--deserved 'mini--bye" week, with </span><i style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">ten days off</i><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> following their Thanksgiving Day massacre of the Dallas Cowboys. But don't be surprised if our team is working harder than ever during this '</span><i style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">vacation</i><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">'. They seem to be resolved not to be satisfied until ALL of their team goals are met this season. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> They are a perfect 11--0. Although almost no one expected this kind of a season-- or record --so far, more and more people--- including professional sports analysts --- are getting on board the Panthers bandwagon.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> </span><b style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><i><span style="font-size: large;">BEST CHANCE? </span><span style="font-size: x-large;">_________________________________</span></i></b><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Rolling Along</b></span></td></tr>
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Prior to the season's start, Carolina's odds were 50 to 1 to win the Super Bowl. This week, the Panthers began to garner the respect they rightfully deserve as they took over the top spot from the New England Patriots. Yes-- according to the oddsmakers, our team has the <i>BEST</i> chance to make it to the Big Game.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> A Falcons loss to the Vikings today will give the Panthers a playoff berth, and also make them the NFC South Champion for the third straight year. </span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">We head down to face the Saints next weekend in a game that many would say means nothing. But it is far from that to the Panthers.</span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> From here on out, Carolina will be playing for homefield advantage, pride, and history. Only two other teams have finished the regular season undefeated--- and only one--- the 1972 Dolphins-- finished the entire season unblemished.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> And while we're speaking of the Saints, the Panthers have barely squeaked through a few of their past ten wins, just beating the Colts, Seahawks and--- the Saints. Last game, it was 27--22 at home in Charlotte. This time, we play in front of 75,000 screaming Saints fans. This trip to the Big Easy may not be all that easy as the Saints' Drew Brees is back from injury--- he was not playing in the previous game.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>--> PLEASE TAKE THE PANTHERS POLL --></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>Will the Panthers Make It to the Super Bowl?</i></b></span></div>
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<b style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><i><span style="font-size: large;">IMPOSSIBLE TO BEAT? </span><span style="font-size: x-large;">____________________________</span></i></b><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> It's only been the past four games that Carolina has begun to show a more complete and balanced team, with the offense beginning to pick up steam and carry its weight, along with a dominating defense that is in the Top Ten in all defensive categories. The Panthers are third in the NFL in scoring, averaging over 30 points per game, while having the third--rated overall defense in the league, which give up only about 88 yards per game rushing, and 18 points..</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> Over the last four games, the Panthers have outscored their opponents (Packers, Titans, Redskins, Cowboys) by 141--69, or an average of 35--17, a winning margin of 18 points per game.</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Dominating Defense</span></b></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> Certainly, several Panthers can be singled out for their amazing plays against the Cowboys. <b><i>Luke Kuechly</i></b>'s two interceptions. His and <b><i>Kurt Coleman</i></b>'s returns for touchdowns. The consistent play of offensive players <b><i>Jonathan Stewart</i></b> and <b><i>Cam Newton</i></b>. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> Media and sports outlets are always looking to praise individuals, and point the spotlight on how they have singlehandedly dominated a sport or led their team to a championship. <i style="font-weight: bold;">Cam Newton </i>is a prime candidate for the NFL MVP award this year, and is featured on the cover of the current <i>Sports Illustrated </i>magazine. He definitely deserves the recognition, and the Panthers would probably not be undefeated without him, and several other star players.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> But the Big Story is the emergence of the Panthers <i>team</i> this year. Not just the <i>TALENT </i>of the team. Newton himself has remarked that the Panthers may <i>NOT</i> be the most talented team in the NFL, but they may be the <i>BEST</i> team. Veteran Panthers players have remarked that they feel a different, more powerful dynamic among this year's locker room and players.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> We've had great teams before--- the 1996 NFC Champions, led by the legendary Sam Mills. The 2003 Super Bowl team, with Jake Delhomme and Steve Smith. Both of these teams, as well as others, show promise to go down as some of the greatest Panthers teams in their brief but storied history. But the 2015 version may surpass them all-- it's not just the undefeated season (so far), it's not just their dominance during the past few games. It's more of the feel of this year's team. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> They seem to have a unity and strength that is impossible to beat. </span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">And-- so far-- it has been. </span></span><b style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: 'helvetica neue', arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: xx-large;">______________________________________</b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>REMAINING SCHEDULE</b></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>--> PLEASE TAKE THE PANTHERS POLL --></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>Will the Panthers Make It to the Super Bowl?</i></b></span><br />
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GuiTarHeelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12413857762949356012noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7028155998291703612.post-47953387845067720682015-11-22T14:34:00.000-08:002015-11-22T15:07:11.409-08:00Cam & Company--- A Perfect Ten <span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">A bowling strike. Bo Derek. <b><i> The Carolina Panthers</i></b>. All examples of <i><b>a "perfect 10."</b></i> On any day but Sunday (if she were available), I might be tempted to choose Bo Derek over the Panthers. But today--- <i><b>no one beats the Panthers</b></i>. Absolutely no one.</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"><b>Panthers Roll over the Skins</b></span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> <i>Cam and Company rolled over the Washington Redskins today 44--16</i>-- to go 10--0 on the season. The Panthers were good in almost every area. They dominated the running game. T</span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">he Panthers outrushed the Redskins 142 --14, with <b><i>Jonathan Stewart</i></b> leading the way. C</span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">arolina out--yarded the Redskins 368</span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">--186. </span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> </span><br />
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<b style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i><span style="font-size: large;">CAREER DAY FOR NEWTON</span><span style="font-size: x-large;"> _________________________</span></i></b><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> <b><i>QB</i></b> <i><b>Cam Newton</b></i> had a career day, hitting <i>five different receivers</i> for a record <i>five touchdown passes</i>. As usual, Newton's yardage stats were not astronomical, but he made it count whenever he got in the Red Zone. Rookie <b><i>Devin Funchess</i> </b>made several impressive catches today, as did <i style="font-weight: bold;">Ted Ginn, Jr. </i>, but today's receiving was balanced among several Panthers players.</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">Cam Newton & Panthers : Perfect Ten</span></b></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> The Panthers defense dominated the Redskins offense. When they weren't sacking the Redskins QB, they were hurrying him. The Panthers also won the turnover battle, forcing four fumbles and an interception. Carolina held the Redskins to only 14 yards on the ground. Most of the Redskins production came in the first quarter, or at the end of the game when it no longer mattered. </span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The Redskin scores came on an interception, a kickoff return, and a safety in the final seconds.</span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span><br />
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<span style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">WHAT NEXT</span><i><span style="font-size: large;">? </span><span style="font-size: x-large;">__________________________________</span></i></b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> Okay--- so what for an encore? <i><b>We're 10--0</b></i>. That "10" looms large, but to me, it's also the Big Zero. We have NOT lost yet. The last time the Panthers lost was in the preseason, and before that, in the divisional playoffs against the Seahawks. Going back to last season, the Panthers have actually won 14 straight regular season games (and still counting).</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"><b>KEEP ON POUNDING</b></span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> We look invincible. Undestructible. <i><b>Unbeatable</b></i>. Wait a second--- unbeatable? No one (theoretically) is unbeatable. What about that old adage--- any team can beat another team on any given day? Go back and read my blog "<i><b><a href="http://bobspanthers.blogspot.com/2015/10/smooth-sailing.html">Smooth Sailing</a></b></i>"--- the best thing going for our Panthers team is NOT their record--- but their attitude. They insist on taking this season "game--by--game". The veteran leaders on the Panthers--- both long--time Panthers and NEW Panthers--- are leading the locker room and practices--- and not allowing the rookies and others to get lackadaisical or overconfident.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> <i><b>Next up-- Dallas</b></i>. With Tony Romo back. Should be a good game. Will we win? I hope so. If we continue fielding the same type team that manhandled the Redskins today, then I think we'll keep on winning. Going unbeaten is <i>NOT</i> unattainable. It's just improbable. The reason is-- at some point, a team usually will have a letdown. If we <i>DO</i> have one, oh God, let it come during the regular season. I hope we save our BEST football for the playoffs--- and--- dare I say it?--- </span><br />
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<b style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: verdana, sans-serif; font-size: xx-large;"><i>The Super Bowl ?</i></b></div>
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GuiTarHeelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12413857762949356012noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7028155998291703612.post-35053223516544321292015-11-16T18:14:00.002-08:002015-11-16T18:50:04.140-08:00The Blessing of Mediocrity<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmVCaSFs_TaWijnQtmWbijG1wmghLr5KpzeRECRNLH7WF0Nr7120jn3tmandrYYiZFvOyCui12MXxVnntdgUQnkIyjpfpAt02s-OQW7-1648its7YuiRHyHRJep-nrJRVIlWGAL85_osE/s1600/panthers-titans.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="105" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmVCaSFs_TaWijnQtmWbijG1wmghLr5KpzeRECRNLH7WF0Nr7120jn3tmandrYYiZFvOyCui12MXxVnntdgUQnkIyjpfpAt02s-OQW7-1648its7YuiRHyHRJep-nrJRVIlWGAL85_osE/s320/panthers-titans.png" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> The Panthers went to Nashville and came back with yet another win for a perfect (and counting) 9--0. <b> QB Cam Newton</b> had an extraordinary game, completing his first eleven passes and 21 out of 26 for the game, and both threw and ran for a touchdown. He is chasing Steve Young's record of 43 running touchdowns by a quarterback. And while the offense overall wasn't dominating, they were efficient enough, while the Panthers defense continues to overwhelm the opposition, allowing only 11 first downs and 10 points.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> My friend and I were just having a conversation tonight about how the NFL's overall strength has somehow deteriorated, and this year especially. The concept of parity among teams seems to be lost. In a record--breaking season in which there are <i>THREE</i> (count 'em) teams in the league with undefeated 8--0 or 9--0 records, the majority of teams are experiencing subpar records and seasons.</span><br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqqPtbgWYkInlVOkaLoBH0gN76hwGl8Yp4VwrvUC7YeT_qHeCAUpXaLxsf2xOD9nrkS_DQgDtR_7Ly8bxb79gvL6DBosmPJMZRtDwBz8df-ysgIQLR80UeT92-h2OhzlVnFLa_Od5Jo4U/s1600/mediocrity+and+excellence.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; display: inline !important; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqqPtbgWYkInlVOkaLoBH0gN76hwGl8Yp4VwrvUC7YeT_qHeCAUpXaLxsf2xOD9nrkS_DQgDtR_7Ly8bxb79gvL6DBosmPJMZRtDwBz8df-ysgIQLR80UeT92-h2OhzlVnFLa_Od5Jo4U/s320/mediocrity+and+excellence.png" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"><b>TWO ROADS</b></span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> Cases in point--- We find losing or barely .500 teams leading their divisions, like the Giants and the Colts. On the other hand, there are also teams like the Patriots and Broncos leading their divisions by three and four games at the midpoint of the season. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> Teams have lost starting quarterbacks (Dallas, Pittsburgh, New Orleans, Indianapolis) and have struggled during the first half of the season. Teams that were excellent last year have turned mediocre this season (Green Bay, Seattle). Other teams just seem to have completely fallen apart (Atlanta, Washington, San Diego).</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> There are eight teams (New England, Cincinnati, Carolina, Denver, Minnesota, Arizona, Green Bay, & Atlanta) that are a combined <b>58--12</b> this season. The rest of the league (24 teams) are a combined 86--132.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> I've </span><i style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">NOT</i><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> downplayed or spoken negatively about the Panthers season or team. However, they have no doubt benefited from this season's disparity of teams. Eight of Carolina's nine wins have come against losing teams, having a combined record of 28--43. Only Green Bay currently has a winning record (6--3). In Carolina's last seven games, they will meet teams with a combined record of 31--34.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> The Panthers are undoubtedly a very good team. They may have also struck gold in playing their best football in a year in which the rest of the league is on a downturn. If there's a sour note in the chord, it's that the Panthers have played their best games against the best teams. In several games against mediocre competition, Carolina has barely squeaked out victories.</span><br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpZQi-6dn_pRgCjTCqJwNcF8svdcZGN3Ju27sWvjWUPxXcTNR4DALzwBouQv5qQYwykZP7Y8zgXZh40XAtF31pVmQZ7Lrg3-aI_vCkl_0WU7nVmqurahoVTKVI7L1vigyE5kP0_myXCqo/s1600/super+panthers.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="196" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpZQi-6dn_pRgCjTCqJwNcF8svdcZGN3Ju27sWvjWUPxXcTNR4DALzwBouQv5qQYwykZP7Y8zgXZh40XAtF31pVmQZ7Lrg3-aI_vCkl_0WU7nVmqurahoVTKVI7L1vigyE5kP0_myXCqo/s320/super+panthers.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"><b>SUPER PANTHERS</b></span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> Whatever you may say about it--- it's all good. The worst thing that can happen is that the Panthers could meet an equally tough team in the playoffs or Super Bowl that may be more game--tested than our team. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> Could there possibly be--- two 18--0 teams in the Super Bowl this year? Maybe. I believe by then, our team will be sufficiently strong to weather that storm.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> Hey--- our Panthers are Super--- one way or another. It looks like a banner year. </span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">A Super Bowl year. Jerry's dream may come true. What better year to do so than in the Super Bowl's 50th Anniversary year<i>?</i> Let's stay on the bandwagon and ride it to the end of the road.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6UR-E9iLElV1bx1V7q2ncsDL61E_qY4-LjdrrHGUJCfxeAZHhfNgk8X_XKD6XBnGBwCynAH_vd8dorX_6Y7uRg9HqaaZ9oRcX-KA34vzW4CilSgJ-Nw5kOcHj6ShLxmw1BtO90jNWUVQ/s1600/panthers+Nov+games.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6UR-E9iLElV1bx1V7q2ncsDL61E_qY4-LjdrrHGUJCfxeAZHhfNgk8X_XKD6XBnGBwCynAH_vd8dorX_6Y7uRg9HqaaZ9oRcX-KA34vzW4CilSgJ-Nw5kOcHj6ShLxmw1BtO90jNWUVQ/s640/panthers+Nov+games.png" width="557" /></a></div>
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GuiTarHeelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12413857762949356012noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7028155998291703612.post-27652060831866942842015-11-10T07:56:00.001-08:002015-11-10T09:02:00.411-08:00What Does It Mean to Be 8--0 ?<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> <span style="font-size: large;"> <b>Going 8--0</b>. </span> Wow <b><i>!</i></b> Yay <b><i>!</i></b> We're rocking the NFL--- right <i>? Well--- </i>SORTA--- KINDA.</span><br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg26lCJKyAszHCLc8A4_FElKBKDDnlK73E-tHfX27QTFmm134-LBywiYSAc5yFJKHBmGTSxfMRSr4o9Ic9FqyeDKO0dXMSJ_Ddy_aLiz3y1xHD2d2fl8D7k6q3IAzVtu_UiOd1LDcrNfug/s1600/don+and+mike.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="163" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg26lCJKyAszHCLc8A4_FElKBKDDnlK73E-tHfX27QTFmm134-LBywiYSAc5yFJKHBmGTSxfMRSr4o9Ic9FqyeDKO0dXMSJ_Ddy_aLiz3y1xHD2d2fl8D7k6q3IAzVtu_UiOd1LDcrNfug/s200/don+and+mike.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Don & Mike Shula--- circa 1972</b></span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> This is a first-- for the Carolina Panthers franchise-- and frankly, for EVERYONE-- players, coaches, fans, sports writers-- all of us. There is literally </span><i style="font-family: 'helvetica neue', arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>NO ONE</b></i><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> -- well wait, I take </span><i style="font-family: 'helvetica neue', arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">THAT</i><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> back--- maybe offensive coordinator </span><i style="font-weight: bold;">Mike Shula</i><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">--- but he was only seven years old when his dad </span><i style="font-weight: bold;">Don Shula</i><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">'s Miami Dolphins team went 17--0 in the 1972 season and beat the Washington Redskins 14--7 to win the Super Bowl.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> I'm <i>NOT</i> a big fan of statistics. I probably would be-- if most of them held true. But it's a FACT-- not a statistic-- that statistics usually lie or deceive. They do <i>NOT</i> always paint the true picture. But here are a few of them for you to consider, and if you choose, to throw away--- like I always do.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2lSNesMFth1kKT8Ov6Isz-jHPER_W3XMrHkANFAnUHIpeYn7-9VXNpxs8BFY39xGW-_Zw3830BvKCUameOmNMDOLaaaalI0GjCqp_Q3cnhyWyrB_iBP00zTRXO8XCeWGx0FUu_Nhu23E/s1600/1-some+stats.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="75" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2lSNesMFth1kKT8Ov6Isz-jHPER_W3XMrHkANFAnUHIpeYn7-9VXNpxs8BFY39xGW-_Zw3830BvKCUameOmNMDOLaaaalI0GjCqp_Q3cnhyWyrB_iBP00zTRXO8XCeWGx0FUu_Nhu23E/s400/1-some+stats.png" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> There have been 21 NFL teams to start the season 8--0. 100% of them made it to the playoffs. 57% (12) made it to the Super Bowl. But only 38% (8) won the Super Bowl. What about the other 13 teams</span><i style="font-family: 'helvetica neue', arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">? </i><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">In just a minute, we'll take a look.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">____________________________________________________________________</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> When the Panthers were 7--0, my friend and I were talking and he said, "You know what going 7--0 guarantees you, don't ya?" And he answered his own question, "It guarantees that you'll be <b><i>at LEAST 7--9</i></b>". Wow--- Most of us Panthers fans are probably in orbit now. It takes an honest perspective like his to really center you and take you back down to reality.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> What do I think? I've seen people asking, "Do you think the Panthers could run the table?" That is--- go undefeated--- 16--0. It doesn't take a wizard to look back and remember the 2007 New England Patriots. They were touted as the supreme team of the decade. They won all sixteen regular season games and two playoff games to enter the Super Bowl at 18--0. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcSecg-O-MjlyTruSOVsIPNq8V24qsQ2Hfg9m_yP-5ePjALkpC27BeNEJQ_-zqkppVyncoSWM-t8jDkExAHVI-JC5EsbEPqQi2Cc4FpZeDXV8-jQAW4tjPEbEhR0pIkDlqLgljakvFW44/s1600/tom+brady+losing+super+bowl.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="166" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcSecg-O-MjlyTruSOVsIPNq8V24qsQ2Hfg9m_yP-5ePjALkpC27BeNEJQ_-zqkppVyncoSWM-t8jDkExAHVI-JC5EsbEPqQi2Cc4FpZeDXV8-jQAW4tjPEbEhR0pIkDlqLgljakvFW44/s200/tom+brady+losing+super+bowl.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Unhappy Tom Brady at 18--1</b></span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> There were practically no oddsmakers favoring the New York Giants, although just over a month before, the two teams had met in New York and the Patriots had just squeaked by the Giants, 38--35. It would've appeared at that point that the two teams were almost equally matched. But the Patriots undefeated record stood in the way of anyone looking at the game in a logical way. </span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Every football fan knows what happened next. The Giants narrowly defeated the Patriots in the final moments of the game to spoil their undefeated season and this game has been mentioned in the greatest upsets of all time, right up there with the Jets' 1969 victory over the Colts.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_72tBvuvdmgoM7gQRFQH6l2GaLsipRpOuS0KiSWXzZnfLCOkragQ8r5GNppM7R8por-ePQWGEOwmGSau8uwqIgU2pzDQ1qR1aLITwgNqK6stPvjkI1FFRHxUxbAblfWrxIbXqMXfgf-Q/s1600/2-more+stats.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="71" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_72tBvuvdmgoM7gQRFQH6l2GaLsipRpOuS0KiSWXzZnfLCOkragQ8r5GNppM7R8por-ePQWGEOwmGSau8uwqIgU2pzDQ1qR1aLITwgNqK6stPvjkI1FFRHxUxbAblfWrxIbXqMXfgf-Q/s400/2-more+stats.png" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> Here's a LOOK back in time--- to other near--perfect teams ---</span></div>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The 1967 Baltimore Colts went 11-0 (with two ties) before losing their final game to the Green Bay Packers and not qualifying for the playoffs;</span></li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The 1969 Los Angeles Rams went 11--0 -- before losing their final three games and finishing 11--3, not making the playoffs;</span></li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The 1973 and 1975 Minnesota Vikings went 9--0 and 10--0 and both years lost in the playoffs or Super Bowl;</span></li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The 1984 Miami Dolphins went 11--0 but lost in the Super Bowl;</span></li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The 1990 San Francisco 49'ers went 10--0 but lost in the playoffs;</span></li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The 2005 Indianapolis Colts went 13--0 but lost in the playoffs;</span></li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The 2007 New England Patriots went 18--0 but lost in the Super Bowl.</span></li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The 2008 Tennessee Titans went 10--0 but lost in the playoffs;</span></li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The 2009 Indianapolis Colts went 14--0 but lost in the Super Bowl.</span></li>
</ul>
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<li><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The 2011 Green Bay Packers went 13--0 but lost in the playoffs;</span></li>
</ul>
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<li><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The 2012 Atlanta Falcons went 8--0 but lost in the playoffs;</span></li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The 2013 Kansas City Chiefs went 9--0 but lost in the playoffs;</span></li>
</ul>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGXWwrQGTV4e-j0NID9UOiWi12YXtucE7NFxl473cxekrYn7nC7yKQsfajMesIVaNoOJidZHhx85k6gglMYcaNKHSI2OEXL_Xmxrq2Ubp3eJLJxT5POG7xTllH61PKyXwFcGJ25D28xgw/s1600/3-even+more+stats.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="80" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGXWwrQGTV4e-j0NID9UOiWi12YXtucE7NFxl473cxekrYn7nC7yKQsfajMesIVaNoOJidZHhx85k6gglMYcaNKHSI2OEXL_Xmxrq2Ubp3eJLJxT5POG7xTllH61PKyXwFcGJ25D28xgw/s640/3-even+more+stats.png" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> Only the following teams </span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">have gone 8--0 or better during the regular season and won the Super Bowl----</span></div>
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<div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Miami Dolphins (1972)</b></span></li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Dallas Cowboys (1977)</b></span></li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Chicago Bears (1985) </b></span></li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>New York Giants (1990)</b></span></li>
</ul>
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<li><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Washington Redskins (1991)</b></span></li>
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<li><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Denver Broncos (1998)</b></span></li>
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<li><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Indianapolis Colts (2006)</b></span></li>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> What does <b>ALL</b> of this prove<i>? Absolutely </i><b>NOTHING. </b>Before you label me a traitor or a naysayer, I'm <i>NOT. </i>I'm just as much a Believer as anyone else. I firmly believe that this ---could be--- our year to go ALL the way. But if we do, it won't necessarily be because we went 8--0. You can see that by how many other teams have fallen by the wayside over the years.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDbTPbemFER11JxhfanDhTfIbyJ6Lv1JqJCTRz5wWo3TCoPD1H6DrjuORvjS1vXv6NpZgXOdiNIxf014wQUEHoEAwD_5P4jchjc0e12pEyKCcQ_vP5hyphenhyphenCg8YWcBOzzUBpbJijQ6gn5Dbo/s1600/Super-Bowl-50-Logo.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="181" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDbTPbemFER11JxhfanDhTfIbyJ6Lv1JqJCTRz5wWo3TCoPD1H6DrjuORvjS1vXv6NpZgXOdiNIxf014wQUEHoEAwD_5P4jchjc0e12pEyKCcQ_vP5hyphenhyphenCg8YWcBOzzUBpbJijQ6gn5Dbo/s200/Super-Bowl-50-Logo.jpeg" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> What is positive from ALL of this is that we don't have to be like ALL of the other teams. We can continue playing well --- and get even better. We can cut down on our mistakes and make even more big plays. The Panthers players can ALL be clutch performers and do what they need to do to take us to The Big Game--- and win it. </span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> Wouldn't it be something if our Panthers got to play in (and win!) the </span><b style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-style: italic;">50th Anniversary Super Bowl, </b><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">and</span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> Jerry's prediction can finally come true-- ten years later.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> Just remember the age--old cliche-- don't count your chickens before they hatch. We've got a ways to go. Hey. I remember my past blogs. (HA HA) </span><br />
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<li><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="http://bobspanthers.blogspot.com/2015/10/the-highs-and-lows-of-4-and-0.html"><b>The Highs and Lows of 4--0</b></a> --- in which I said that the supreme test of our season would be the next four games against the Seahawks, Eagles, Colts, and Packers (we ran the table)</span> </li>
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<li><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b><a href="http://bobspanthers.blogspot.com/2015/10/smooth-sailing.html">Smooth Sailing</a></b>--- in which I said that after the Seahawks win, the Panthers' road to the playoffs would be easy from here on out--- as long as they didn't know it.</span></li>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> I still maintain all of the things that I said in both of those (and all my other) blogs. I'm just saying that ALL of these things are --dependent-- on us playing up to our potential. We also have to avoid late season injuries and mistakes. We can keep up this momentum and maintain our advantage. But as they say, you still have to PLAY the game.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> Right now-- I'm a fan who's wishing that he might have took the Vegas odds in August and bet on the Panthers to go to the Super Bowl. </span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> Hindsight is 20/20. But just because we are on the bandwagon and it's playing our tune-- we've still got some serious games to play over the next couple of months.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> Let's hope we defy history and become one of those 38% that didn't let down but took it to the max and went all the way.</span><br />
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GuiTarHeelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12413857762949356012noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7028155998291703612.post-39056585142679140922015-11-08T10:50:00.001-08:002015-11-08T17:38:01.006-08:00PANTHERS & PIZZA<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> <b>Hey-- I've got Papa John's pizza On--the--Way and gametime is in about 20 minutes.</b></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiudn4dTGobhhFuxO7P8YFEveqZtHNBHyGiDic_eYP0jihysvRg-fD7oAgJxRzCiWSwyrZZAbzbXXh1ndrwimNv0eFQh1Z6-ABm9aN8ksRzXp62Z98PAE-11hsQveD_qXWcrjKBMFE1vuY/s1600/panthers+pizza+boxes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiudn4dTGobhhFuxO7P8YFEveqZtHNBHyGiDic_eYP0jihysvRg-fD7oAgJxRzCiWSwyrZZAbzbXXh1ndrwimNv0eFQh1Z6-ABm9aN8ksRzXp62Z98PAE-11hsQveD_qXWcrjKBMFE1vuY/s320/panthers+pizza+boxes.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Panthers Pizza Promo</span></b></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> What more could I want? well---</span><i style="font-family: 'helvetica neue', arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><b> a WIN </b></i><i style="font-family: 'helvetica neue', arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>against the Packers</b></i><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> would do just fine.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> FoxSports analyst <i><b>Terry Bradshaw</b></i> was asked if he thought the Panthers could make a run into the playoffs, and he answered, <i>"No, I don't think so"</i>.---well-- that's what he's paid to do. Give opinions. Whether they're good ones --- or <i>NOT</i>.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinKzmVuatBnqiXKb0H40eKlO8k_WuvmCjN1Zdq-iw6kDkwAS0LJ__SgnMtRLwz2FpE1UMG7S85YogDwieZoNKreoHWMjILBPqOsLUTrRj9tV5krFPaz0NfdJI7szWkLAbphPGTbtLm-ik/s1600/panthers+and+pizza.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinKzmVuatBnqiXKb0H40eKlO8k_WuvmCjN1Zdq-iw6kDkwAS0LJ__SgnMtRLwz2FpE1UMG7S85YogDwieZoNKreoHWMjILBPqOsLUTrRj9tV5krFPaz0NfdJI7szWkLAbphPGTbtLm-ik/s320/panthers+and+pizza.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Pizza & More Pizza<i>!</i></span></b></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The media has also tried to paint </span><i style="font-family: 'helvetica neue', arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">ONE or TWO</i><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> players as the stars or cornerstones of the team. Of course, </span><b style="font-family: 'helvetica neue', arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>QB Cam Newton</i></b><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> on offense. On defense, first it was </span><b style="font-family: 'helvetica neue', arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>LB Luke Kuechly</i></b><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">. Now it's </span><b style="font-family: 'helvetica neue', arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>CB</i></b><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> </span><b style="font-family: 'helvetica neue', arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>Josh Norman</i></b><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">. Later, it might be somebody else. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> The bottom line is-- whether on offense or defense, the Panthers are a </span><i style="font-family: 'helvetica neue', arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>TEAM</b></i><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">. Sure, on a given day, someone may rise above the crowd and have a great game. There will be standouts. But their mindset is that everyone contributes and everyone is important to the team.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNkxf1_oc3fQFg0abKB1XFqujaHfSNHR_x0KYhRcSpOqIBGWDIQZyV8a0Q1t7ipjxjWHTx-_jhHeGpVyJDRke_jfRgMFpwssAiUJdOvgvtkFLv7iQ17CWBpo4jH-_4Q4tLAULrmEdS06c/s1600/helmet--+panthers.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="167" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNkxf1_oc3fQFg0abKB1XFqujaHfSNHR_x0KYhRcSpOqIBGWDIQZyV8a0Q1t7ipjxjWHTx-_jhHeGpVyJDRke_jfRgMFpwssAiUJdOvgvtkFLv7iQ17CWBpo4jH-_4Q4tLAULrmEdS06c/s200/helmet--+panthers.png" width="200" /></a></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjBWAEqtGyYb4jEXIbOcs0kg42CtE3FCWz10joGdr0I0It3-Th6h_zbQCMWTLVVay2mtO_Ixakc6lrOHXEZise9QVwEB14fHJo9__rjk0rd_FwLEXFh2jEwh8AiQms75DM6CLiNtgOOHE/s1600/helmet--+packers.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="169" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjBWAEqtGyYb4jEXIbOcs0kg42CtE3FCWz10joGdr0I0It3-Th6h_zbQCMWTLVVay2mtO_Ixakc6lrOHXEZise9QVwEB14fHJo9__rjk0rd_FwLEXFh2jEwh8AiQms75DM6CLiNtgOOHE/s200/helmet--+packers.png" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>PLAY--BY--PLAY </b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b><i>(sorta kinda)</i></b></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> I decided that it might be fun to write a </span><i><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">running summary</span></i><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> of the game. </span><i style="font-family: 'helvetica neue', arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">NOT</i><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> that anyone is going to be reading </span><i style="font-family: 'helvetica neue', arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">THIS</i><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> during the football game (</span><i style="font-family: 'helvetica neue', arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">HA!</i><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">)</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> The Panthers got the ball first, went down the field, and I thought they would score. Well-- they did score, but <i>NOT</i> a touchdown. </span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">We just let the Packers move the ball down the field, and then score on a really flaky pass play.</span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> It's NOW </span><i style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>the end of the first quarter, and it's 7--3 Packers</b></i><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">. We are looking pretty good on both sides of the ball, but we've gotta do better than THIS. On a couple of occasions, the Panthers defensive players had their hands on the Packers quarterback or runner and let them get away. We have to wrap them up. Like a package.</span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> Good News<b style="font-style: italic;">!</b>--- at the beginning of 2nd quarter, the Panthers got a clutch catch on a 3rd--and--16 play by <b><i>WR </i></b><i><b>Jerricho Cotchery </b></i>and then Cam hurdled into the end zone to make it <b><i>10--7</i></b>. After holding the Packers, the Panthers got a 52--yard pass play from<i><b> Cam Newton</b></i> to rookie <i><b>WR Devin Funchess</b></i> and then capped it off with a 7--yard TD pass to <i><b>TE Greg Olsen</b></i>, (which was the 500th pass reception of his career) to make it <b><i>17--7</i></b>.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> After a field goal and a missed field goal, the Panthers got the ball back in the last minute of the half and <i><b>Newton</b></i> connected on a long touchdown pass to <b style="font-style: italic;">WR Corey Brown</b> to make the score <i><b>27--7</b></i> at the half<b style="font-style: italic;">. Wow! </b>Looks like most of the pundits and predictors <i>(including myself)</i> will have to reevaluate the situation. I got the <i>TEAM</i> right but I had it being a <i>LOT</i> closer.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> <b><i>HAPPY @ the HALF</i></b>--- It's amazing to me, <i>NOT</i> that the Panthers are playing well, but that they seem to be forcing the Packers into playing so poorly. I haven't seen the first half stats, but if the rest of the game is like this, the Panthers are going to <i>NOT</i> only out--score the Packers, but out--perform them in almost <i><b>ALL</b></i> categories-- first downs, overall yards, running and passing. They are dominating the game on both sides--- offense and defense. And t</span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">he Panthers are even out--doing the Packers on special teams.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3B_odkj5-ELJBhuWNZsvaMtVf1O4yZO6BXwteGhmaoMI4LA27dsgKjSl-hMBsnUDYaePNu2tDTxrb6kNN7I2vI9MNwJHaXX2PNNj7eDIs1uD7QrOgmaDafXaekh66IUT2vQ1xGAZ89UE/s1600/Second+Half.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3B_odkj5-ELJBhuWNZsvaMtVf1O4yZO6BXwteGhmaoMI4LA27dsgKjSl-hMBsnUDYaePNu2tDTxrb6kNN7I2vI9MNwJHaXX2PNNj7eDIs1uD7QrOgmaDafXaekh66IUT2vQ1xGAZ89UE/s1600/Second+Half.png" /></a><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> Early in the second half, Packers </span><i style="font-family: 'helvetica neue', arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>QB Aaron Rodgers</b></i><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> hit a perfect pass over a Panthers defensive back to </span><i style="font-family: 'helvetica neue', arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>WR Randall Cobb</b></i><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> for a long, touchdown pass to close the score gap to 13 points at </span><b style="font-family: 'helvetica neue', arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>27--14</i></b><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">. The Panthers immediately went 3--and--out. They are looking listless and lethargic after playing almost a perfect first half.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> Hold that thought. The Panthers just sacked <i><b>Rodgers</b></i> twice in a row-- the second one was called back on a penalty, but they still held the Packers and forced them to punt the ball on fourth down. Let's see if the Panthers can restore their "mojo" of the first half. I'd hate to see them pull another meltdown like they did in the Colts game and make this game a close one. </span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">At halftime, it appeared to me-- and probably almost everyone else--- that this game was over.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> I've heard a lot of talk about "all the Panthers have is <i style="font-weight: bold;">Newton </i>and<i style="font-weight: bold;"> Olsen</i>" on offense, and at times, I've been tempted to believe them, especially when receivers like <i style="font-weight: bold;">Corey Brown</i><span style="font-weight: bold;"> </span><span style="font-weight: bold;">and</span><i style="font-weight: bold;"> </i><i style="font-weight: bold;">Devin Funchess </i><b>and</b> <i style="font-weight: bold;">Ted Ginn Jr.</i> drop passes that are right in their hands. Yes--- <i style="font-weight: bold;">Greg Olsen </i>has played well-- and today again-- but <i style="font-weight: bold;">Brown </i>and<i style="font-weight: bold;"> Funchess </i>both caught incredible passes today, and are coming into their own. And <i><b>WR</b></i> <i style="font-weight: bold;">Jerricho Cotchery </i>caught a great pass today. <i><b>Newton</b></i> often goes to <i><b>Olsen</b></i> as his favorite target, but I don't think it's a one--man receiving operation by any stretch of the imagination.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7tx2nItyH__bKK59kikkN_0YJ7hfSkFoqhGONiiK0-B_4k46lwnsKJEbPRtrSqu0ZU5BBeGBUVpOK-RX_MJzg1tKOzDgGevq1tPXpxOuPrUj6NixN0pIAsPy-DMQI3gYVu-bcXIIXCdg/s1600/Team+8--0.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="233" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7tx2nItyH__bKK59kikkN_0YJ7hfSkFoqhGONiiK0-B_4k46lwnsKJEbPRtrSqu0ZU5BBeGBUVpOK-RX_MJzg1tKOzDgGevq1tPXpxOuPrUj6NixN0pIAsPy-DMQI3gYVu-bcXIIXCdg/s320/Team+8--0.png" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Win-- Win-- OR-- Win : We're a Team</span></b></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> They also say that the Panthers defense revolves around <i><b>Luke Kuechly</b></i>. I think he would be one of the first to tell you, this is a TEAM defense. He and <i><b>Josh Norman</b></i> may be a couple of the leaders, but everyone is contributing to this season's success story.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> The Panthers answered the call-- and the Packers score--- in the third quarter, by marching down the field to the four--yard line, but had to settle for a field goal when <i><b>Newton</b></i> misfired on what looked like an easy touchdown pass to <i><b>Cotchery</b></i>. Still--- we look safe at <i><b>30--14</b></i>. Ya know-- the Panthers have already scored the points that I predicted-- 30-- but they may need more before it's over.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> Carolina kept Green Bay in check for several minutes, until the Panthers got another break with a 34--yard pass interference penalty call that took the ball to the Packers 15--yard line. Two plays later, <i style="font-weight: bold;">Newton</i> hit <i style="font-weight: bold;">Funchess</i> with a 14--yard touchdown pass to give the Panthers a <b><i>37--14</i></b> cushion with just about 9 minutes left in the game. Panthers fans can all breath a collective sigh now. I do think it's pretty much over now.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> Uh--ohh<i>!</i> Green Bay put the ball in the end zone on a short drive. A couple of plays-- and poof-- eek<i>!</i> I still feel like we're safe. A 23--point cushion has become 15 (with a touchdown <i>PLUS</i> a two--point conversion). But the clock has also ticked off a few minutes in the process. Keep on clicking, clock---let's get this thing over. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBzYBqmnnRr-F7n3xod-GQtj082kDWHxrTMYX4iJ4oqPfwLbuZetyVl_6-776o9u0XrtrnGdz2Fdn1FJVXTe_PQFvgbbDSszaAamtnjNAl-a-6v3vnVex6SH_snaGO28Gn4BBZSvg_Qdk/s1600/panthers--packers.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="105" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBzYBqmnnRr-F7n3xod-GQtj082kDWHxrTMYX4iJ4oqPfwLbuZetyVl_6-776o9u0XrtrnGdz2Fdn1FJVXTe_PQFvgbbDSszaAamtnjNAl-a-6v3vnVex6SH_snaGO28Gn4BBZSvg_Qdk/s320/panthers--packers.png" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Cardiac Cats Do It Again <i>!</i></span></b></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> Folks--- I thought my blog was over for the day. With another quick touchdown, the game got close at <i style="font-weight: bold;">37--29</i> and then the Panthers did something I find just mind--blowing. <i><b>Cam Newton</b></i> threw a sideline pass which was<i> intercepted by Green Bay</i> deep in Panthers territory. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> The Packers now have the ball at the two--minute warning at the Panthers five--yard line, but it is now 4th--and--goal. A do--or--die situation. <i>Wow<b> !!</b></i><b> <i> </i></b></span><b style="font-family: 'helvetica neue', arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>Thomas Davis </i></b><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> intercepts <i>(see picture)</i> inside the five--yard line to save the game </span><b style="font-family: 'helvetica neue', arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>! </i></b><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Another hard--to--believe ending to an up--and--down " fairy tale & nightmare" type of game </span><b style="font-family: 'helvetica neue', arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>!</i></b><br />
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<b style="font-family: 'helvetica neue', arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><i><span style="font-size: x-large;">FINAL GAME SUMMARY</span></i></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZQnubx-_u0PgIGuG2m3iNAieY-uMd8oOYud_Map6uXecatSHjKQRqooom-GhSsgSfQixHNfWXJOBeKyZwsN_A1hWz_EH_OTFsNB1Fj9CkEZddFQqyVWfgwzFwKoAAsZAo6nf-2ZKr6eQ/s1600/thomas+davis+interception+vs+packers.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZQnubx-_u0PgIGuG2m3iNAieY-uMd8oOYud_Map6uXecatSHjKQRqooom-GhSsgSfQixHNfWXJOBeKyZwsN_A1hWz_EH_OTFsNB1Fj9CkEZddFQqyVWfgwzFwKoAAsZAo6nf-2ZKr6eQ/s640/thomas+davis+interception+vs+packers.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> <span style="font-size: large;"> We </span></span><span style="font-size: large;"><i style="font-family: 'helvetica neue', arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">NEVER</i><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> had to get to this point. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> I cannot believe that we've allowed this to happen two weeks in a row. We will win this game, we will be </span><i style="font-family: 'helvetica neue', arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>an unbelievable 8--0</b></i><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">, and yes-- it will be unbelievable-- we just don't seem like an undefeated team, the way that we seem invincible, and then tend to squander big leads and try to give games away in the last few minutes.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJsomz0vO7_tpXahGiXS9bVIh_yC5zm6RAjj5Ox5X_iVz7tDjhPn8eTlQuN2iUIAcBOiDojAxG_FHZ66Ee0Ryw5tG2z5fMyV0Skxh60Sp-HMNPHMV8SYuieTNHT2x_LnpZafmDmWAGtfg/s1600/helmet--+panthers.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="167" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJsomz0vO7_tpXahGiXS9bVIh_yC5zm6RAjj5Ox5X_iVz7tDjhPn8eTlQuN2iUIAcBOiDojAxG_FHZ66Ee0Ryw5tG2z5fMyV0Skxh60Sp-HMNPHMV8SYuieTNHT2x_LnpZafmDmWAGtfg/s200/helmet--+panthers.png" width="200" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghC4-DSTbXaQBFtvqYPiYqSha-BAUjLF_D00pZkHzK0TsTzVgEz5z2rmEq3N1zvTP3xL7ldv7kSLEa2v59n3vsXRUGqpgWXa2VxuRMH9a9muG0s64mKkv5ZhzAbZNukFsVe1y2QqL31ic/s1600/helmet--+Titans.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="166" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghC4-DSTbXaQBFtvqYPiYqSha-BAUjLF_D00pZkHzK0TsTzVgEz5z2rmEq3N1zvTP3xL7ldv7kSLEa2v59n3vsXRUGqpgWXa2VxuRMH9a9muG0s64mKkv5ZhzAbZNukFsVe1y2QqL31ic/s200/helmet--+Titans.jpg" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b><b>NEXT GAME</b></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Nov 15</b></span></div>
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<b style="font-family: 'helvetica neue', arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">Carolina Panthers</b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>Tennessee Titans</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><i><b>Don't forget-- to take </b></i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><i><b>My PANTHERS POLL</b></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: medium;"><i><b>"Will The Panthers Go to the Super Bowl this Year?"</b></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><i><b>GO & CAST YOUR VOTE</b></i></span></div>
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GuiTarHeelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12413857762949356012noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7028155998291703612.post-34346619837701091812015-11-07T07:05:00.001-08:002015-11-07T07:33:31.494-08:00SACK THE PACK<div style="text-align: center;">
<b style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">PANTHERS vs PACKERS</b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZLvMQR6eNeU9YOUTvOwIU9nAW6RVRdS_BVselu7yFJXEbk8J04dz3oCIywYSKv2DFwK9VL2GeYNVczRLDeCK_K0pHG9YFEZfvGLDN1KzT2w9zaxgU5OtwtY__QVGOA-u9xx12WpsGmRc/s1600/helmets+panthers--packers.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="167" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZLvMQR6eNeU9YOUTvOwIU9nAW6RVRdS_BVselu7yFJXEbk8J04dz3oCIywYSKv2DFwK9VL2GeYNVczRLDeCK_K0pHG9YFEZfvGLDN1KzT2w9zaxgU5OtwtY__QVGOA-u9xx12WpsGmRc/s400/helmets+panthers--packers.png" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>SHOWDOWN ON SUNDAY</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The Panthers game with the Green Bay Packers on Sunday will be the toughest game they have played so far this season. It could very well also be the most important game that we will play all this year, including our division games with the Falcons. Fan and media buzz is that this game will have playoff implications, perhaps deciding a <i>playoff seeding</i> or a <i>home field advantage. </i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> So what's the big deal? The main thing is that Carolina <i><b>MAKES</b></i> it to the playoffs, right? <i>Maybe</i>. Maybe not. You might point to the fact that in 2008, the Panthers went 12--4, won the NFC South, got a first round bye, and played the Cardinals at home in a divisional playoff. And they <i>LOST </i>33--13. Yes-- anything can happen. Playing on your home field doesn't ever guarantee a win. The game still has to be played, and the team still has to execute and play well to win. But still--- these things do matter.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiugSxotzGudG53QPmYtaJAQ9G68QGY8gEFBAUIu_FbDhQ-_my0n9gqjC3ZQr2JuVBvRNPtBxSVSEgt8F2W2b1MP0M9w_iD4FvGoOj898qDokLMiBK0F97HYmp5j0uKVHiIsl1Fi4LVI3s/s1600/NFC+Championship.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiugSxotzGudG53QPmYtaJAQ9G68QGY8gEFBAUIu_FbDhQ-_my0n9gqjC3ZQr2JuVBvRNPtBxSVSEgt8F2W2b1MP0M9w_iD4FvGoOj898qDokLMiBK0F97HYmp5j0uKVHiIsl1Fi4LVI3s/s1600/NFC+Championship.png" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Possible Preview <i>?</i></b></span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> Think about this scenario-- the Panthers win a playoff game (or two) and wind up in the <i>NFC Championship Game</i>-- one game from the Super Bowl. But they ended up <b style="font-style: italic;">TIED</b> in the regular season with the Packers-- let's say, with identical 14--2 records-- but one of the Panthers' two losses was to Green Bay. The head--to--head matchup would determine playoff seeding and the home field advantage. So, instead of playing at home in Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, where we'd be playing in milder 40--ish degree weather, the Panthers would go all the way to Green Bay's infamous Lambeau Field, the site of the 1967 "Ice Bowl" (with temperatures below freezing ) <b><i>! </i></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> So a loss on Sunday won't have immediate negative impact. It won't eliminate us from playoff contention. But it could have some playoff ramifications for January.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> The Packers' loss to the Broncos last weekend showed that the Pack is not invincible. They are beatable. But it also possibly gave Green Bay an added incentive against the Panthers. They are not wanting to go from a 6--0 undefeated team to a 6--2 team with a two--game losing streak. There's a certain amount of pride involved. But there's also the surprising Minnesota VIkings at 5--2, sitting just a game behind the Packers, and waiting to take over the division lead. Yes-- the Pack is a good team with great motivation to win this game.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> What is the best scenario for Sunday's game<i>?</i> Well-- the keys to the Packers game are much like any other. I'm sure that Carolina has a more specific game plan designed just for Aaron Rodgers and the Green Bay team. But there are a few basics that must happen for us to win this game-- or even stay in this game.</span></div>
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<li><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i style="font-weight: bold;">FAST Start. </i> Carolina needs to score first, or at least get out to a good start in the first quarter. We cannot afford to get down to a great team like Green Bay. It will help us if we can build a lead and maintain it throughout the game.</span> </li>
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<li> <span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i style="font-weight: bold;">POSSESSION. </i>We need to win the time of possession battle. In other words, our offense needs to "take their time" marching down the field on most drives, and keep the ball away from the Green Bay offense. If the Packers don't have the ball, they can't score.</span></li>
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<li> <b style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>RUN the Ball. </i></b><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The Panthers running backs (plus Cam Newton) must have a good day. Carolina has been averaging 145 yards per game on the ground. </span><i style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We must gain at least 75--100 yards or more rushing</i><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">. This doesn't appear too difficult when you see the Packers are #25 in the NFL in rushing defense, allowing almost 125 yards per game.</span></li>
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<li><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b><i>NO</i> Turnovers</b>. Carolina must <i>NOT</i> give up the ball to the Packers. We've had a tendency to lose the ball a few times a game, but be able to bounce back from those mistakes. We mustn't expect that level of resiliency against this Packers team.</span></li>
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<li><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b><i>BIG Plays.</i></b></span> <span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> In particular, the Panthers receivers cannot drop big--time game--changing catches in the open field, like they have done occasionally against other opponents. Ted Ginn's drop on a potential touchdown pass in the Colts game comes to mind. Also, Carolina's defense cannot drop interceptions that literally slip through their fingers. We must take advantage of every opportunity given to us.</span> </li>
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<li><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b><i>HANG in There.</i></b></span> <span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The Panthers have already been doing this for as long as I can remember. They never give up-- they "keep on pounding." This game may come down to the wire, just as the Saints and Colts games did. Our team will have to show poise and patience in grinding out another win.</span></li>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i style="font-weight: bold;"> </i></span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> I've seen some predictions saying that the Panthers are ripe for a whipping, and the Packers are motivated-- after their first loss-- to give it to us. But I don't see either team dominating the other in this game. I think this will be a close game. It could go either way. As was the case in the Colts game, it may be the last team to have the ball that will win the game. One team or the other may get ahead by a touchdown or two, but I see both teams coming back from any deficits to make the game close at the end.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> <b> <span style="font-size: large;">MY PREDICTION--- Panthers 30, Packers 27</span></b></span></div>
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<i style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-weight: bold;"> </i><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Even if we don't win against the Packers on Sunday, the season's not over by a long shot. We still have many more games and more chances to prove ourselves. Unless we completely fall apart, we seem destined for a playoff berth and run this year. We are looking like a team of destiny. Maybe this could be our year to go all the way. Anyone else feel <i>THAT</i> way <i>?</i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i><b>Don't forget-- to take My PANTHERS POLL</b></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><i><b>"Will The Panthers Go to the Super Bowl this Year?"</b></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i><b>GO & CAST YOUR VOTE</b></i></span></div>
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GuiTarHeelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12413857762949356012noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7028155998291703612.post-59880361584236814692015-11-02T21:59:00.001-08:002015-11-03T07:22:08.894-08:00Cardiac Cats Squeak By Un-Luck-y Horseshoes<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSBuGdzMPhDNB2xwzvfj33R0R3hs5xR-37umWru3rDx7CUxFruXtJzPGcW61HFpivmphlCjU9t2IVht29FXWGeIJsFrWJ2n39-KvPLLwMMO6h1Nm7j0BmuBdDyBlFiZSCerVta2Ce8fhU/s1600/cardiac+cats.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="112" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSBuGdzMPhDNB2xwzvfj33R0R3hs5xR-37umWru3rDx7CUxFruXtJzPGcW61HFpivmphlCjU9t2IVht29FXWGeIJsFrWJ2n39-KvPLLwMMO6h1Nm7j0BmuBdDyBlFiZSCerVta2Ce8fhU/s200/cardiac+cats.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Panthers Win in Overtime</b></span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>THIS BLOG WAS WRITTEN AFTER </b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>MY HEART STARTED BEATING AGAIN</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> Carolina Panthers fans were given much more than they bargained-- or asked --for on Monday night-- more ballgame and more breathtaking action as the Indianapolis Colts came back from a 17--point deficit to send the game into overtime. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> The Panthers looked invincible for three quarters, their defense holding the Colts to only six points on two field goals, while the offense racked up 23 points on three touchdowns and a field goal.</span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">At the beginning of the fourth quarter, the Panthers held a comfortable 23--6 lead, and it appeared as though they would coast to an easy victory. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> But things soon changed dramatically and unexpectedly. </span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The momentum suddenly shifted in the fourth quarter. </span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> The Panthers defense, which had kept the Colts out of the end zone, suddenly loosened up and became less stingy, allowing two long drives. The</span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> Colts offense, which seemed hapless and lifeless until then, seemed to ignite and take control of the game, scoring two touchdowns and then kicking</span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> a last second field goal to force the extra period.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFw4gx8K3yjYBrEgUXf5Av8wVmwVeikt8Cf2uxvdqo468I9-Pg99wERzCEhXVjYpSe7T9rwXl2tyge-_RqYZl5eOpAAoBGBSMbz4WY8kParRK278bsYftDSuthu2ou2CpyCU_VnjXRL-g/s1600/panthers--colts.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; display: inline !important; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="105" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFw4gx8K3yjYBrEgUXf5Av8wVmwVeikt8Cf2uxvdqo468I9-Pg99wERzCEhXVjYpSe7T9rwXl2tyge-_RqYZl5eOpAAoBGBSMbz4WY8kParRK278bsYftDSuthu2ou2CpyCU_VnjXRL-g/s320/panthers--colts.png" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> The overtime period was a heartstopper, as both teams had opportunities to pull out the win. In the end, Carolina made the bigger plays when they counted to force the outcome, beating the Colts by 29--26..</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-Z6eHw4esZPLkIbHrQsTFQa43XZCNSsMWJDAzBv29jrJXwjYcU8GkzNkCNCh4z3B5ZsafpDNPoba9vkU7FJqUPTcZXLZh7kpkb7Sk_Mzp-7DDdU17pD8aUASL-J_gFLxh7mrPpwiUv5w/s1600/Ted--+Luke--+Graham.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-Z6eHw4esZPLkIbHrQsTFQa43XZCNSsMWJDAzBv29jrJXwjYcU8GkzNkCNCh4z3B5ZsafpDNPoba9vkU7FJqUPTcZXLZh7kpkb7Sk_Mzp-7DDdU17pD8aUASL-J_gFLxh7mrPpwiUv5w/s320/Ted--+Luke--+Graham.png" width="147" /></a><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> This game was also a showcase of redemption for several Panthers players. </span><br />
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<li><b style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>WR Ted Ginn, Jr.</i></b><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> missed a perfectly thrown, wide open pass from <i><b>QB Cam Newton</b></i> that should have been the winning touchdown, but later caught a first-down pass that helped get the Panthers into field goal position to tie the game during the first overtime period---</span></li>
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<li><b style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>LB Luke Kuechly</i></b><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> missed making an end zone interception which would have also sealed a win, but later collaborated with </span><i style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>S Roman Harper</b></i><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> to make an interception to halt a Colts drive and put the Panthers in position for the winning field goal---</span></li>
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<li><b style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-style: italic;">K Graham Gano, </b><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">who</span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> missed a crucial extra point which proved to be a deciding factor in the game going to overtime, also ended up kicking the winning 52-yard field goal.</span></li>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> The Panthers came out of a hard fought, imperfect game with a <i style="font-weight: bold;">perfect 7--0 record </i>-- another first in the history of the Carolina Panthers franchise. The team will enjoy this victory for a day or two, but will soon be allowed to look forward to hosting the Green Bay Packers on Sunday, who lost to Denver on Sunday night and are now 6--1. With a win over the Pack, the Panthers could go up two games over <i>BOTH</i> the Packers and Falcons in the NFC playoff race and be on the road to a top berth and first round bye in the </span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">NFC Playoffs.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSYP9ieYjE6WLrtotyjm32ojQfnmWMoMiA23ez_bEX2RVRENzgq8vdwTMuTQtt1ndSvP8TOZlx72nlw1uZRrzRIPtCOuqUiCDxGngr6d56GnFsGFCYbxWaTqpw6EwbFxUF6siqSPoOlI8/s1600/helmets+panthers--packers.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; display: inline !important; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="270" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSYP9ieYjE6WLrtotyjm32ojQfnmWMoMiA23ez_bEX2RVRENzgq8vdwTMuTQtt1ndSvP8TOZlx72nlw1uZRrzRIPtCOuqUiCDxGngr6d56GnFsGFCYbxWaTqpw6EwbFxUF6siqSPoOlI8/s640/helmets+panthers--packers.png" width="640" /></a></div>
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<i style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><b>Sunday Nov. 8 --- 1:00 pm EST</b></i></div>
<br />GuiTarHeelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12413857762949356012noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7028155998291703612.post-52986299315964063652015-11-01T17:27:00.002-08:002015-11-01T17:32:45.523-08:00FALCONS FIZZLE OUT IN OVERTIME<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> Since the Panthers didn't play this Sunday (our game is on Monday Night Football on </span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">National TV), I got a chance to watch some other teams play--- in particular, our rival </span><b style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>A</i></b><b style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-style: italic;">tlanta Falcons.</b><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> They played the "lowly" (last place) Tampa Bay Bucs. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> The Bucs got up to a 20--3 lead, due in large part to multiple Atlanta turnovers, and then the Falcons roared back to tie the game at 20--20 in the closing minute and send the game into overtime. After a Bucs field goal, the Falcons (under the "new" overtime rules) got a chance to score, but came up short, 23--20.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCaIPiOZMZiiuiY8pk_W6m2s-E49slGevL6tVQJpWYyUrc4jWzEAJMcIIbyISexIFXRjA-8itqafpmYpID9YIidtR_Z65df_beVBBndpQrCUJNj7Gn4thdHEzzXBjfj_ABjCgYSKSWiIY/s1600/my-dream-came-true.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCaIPiOZMZiiuiY8pk_W6m2s-E49slGevL6tVQJpWYyUrc4jWzEAJMcIIbyISexIFXRjA-8itqafpmYpID9YIidtR_Z65df_beVBBndpQrCUJNj7Gn4thdHEzzXBjfj_ABjCgYSKSWiIY/s320/my-dream-came-true.jpg" width="193" /></a><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> This is what I would've dreamed on happening, but didn't think in a million years that the Falcons, who've been playing so well lately, would lose to the miserable Tampa Bay Bucs. Guess I could say something lame like, "Well-- this is proof that there's a God"--- but I already knew God exists without this game's outcome.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> All I know is--- this is just what the doctor ordered for the Panthers--- just hope with the division lead in our laps, we don't stop playing like we played to get to this place. I'm hoping that we will even turn it up another notch or two. As many of the Panthers players and coaches have said, I don't believe we've played our best football yet. But I'm hoping it will come soon. We'll need it for the playoffs.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> <b><span style="font-size: large;"> Okay--- ATLANTA fans and players-- can you say--- umm--- </span></b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">"WILD CARD" <i>?</i></span></b></span></div>
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GuiTarHeelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12413857762949356012noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7028155998291703612.post-53230898176126480432015-11-01T17:02:00.002-08:002015-11-01T17:02:33.792-08:00Scariest Halloween Costume <span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A friend of mine suggested that I wear the scariest Halloween costume that I could find. This is what I came up with--- I figured that ---</span><i><b><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">the whole NFL is scared</span></b></i><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">--- of this costume.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> How many of you agree <i>??? </i>Let me hear from you--- just leave a comment below--- okay.</span><br />
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GuiTarHeelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12413857762949356012noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7028155998291703612.post-63881247386843682162015-10-29T16:21:00.004-07:002015-10-29T16:24:58.253-07:00SHORT ON THE LONG END OF THE STICK <span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>JULIUS PEPPERS. </b></span><b style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </b><b style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">CHARLES JOHNSON. </b><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>GREG HARDY. </b></span><b style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">KRIS JENKINS. KEVIN GREENE. </b><b style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </b><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> There's been quite a few prestigious defensive sack leaders to pass through the Carolina Panthers over the years who made their marks on the NFL. </span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><b>Kawann Short</b></span></i></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> Since last year, </span><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Greg Hardy</span></i><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> was released and </span><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Charles Johnson</span></i><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> was injured. The Panthers have been known to have a motto called "<i>Next Man Up</i>" which indicates the ability of prior backup or unknown players to rise to the occasion and help the team in times of difficulty.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> This year, one of those players has definitely been </span><i><b><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">DT </span></b></i><i><b><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Kawann</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Short</span></b><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-weight: bold;">. </span></i><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-weight: bold;"> </span></i><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">He has come on really strong in the last couple of big games against Seattle and Philadelphia, registering five sacks in those two games and earning the <b>NFL's Defensive Player of the Month </b>award for October.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> The third--year player from Purdue becomes the second consecutive Panther player to win the award, with </span><i style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">CB Josh Norman</span></i><i style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-weight: bold;"> </i><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">winning the September award after returning two interceptions for touchdowns.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> Okay-- this is pretty amazing-- but can we make it three<i>?</i> I'm thinking maybe-- Luke Kuechly<i>?</i></span><br />
<br />GuiTarHeelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12413857762949356012noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7028155998291703612.post-13586306153283956192015-10-29T14:03:00.002-07:002015-10-29T15:05:51.868-07:00FALCONS LOOMING ON THE HORIZON<div style="text-align: left;">
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> Whenever I first looked at the Panthers 2015 schedule, I saw two things that stood out or struck me rather interesting. One I've already mentioned-- the four--game stretch with the </span><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Seahawks, Eagles, Colts & Packers</span></i><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">. We are halfway through that tough road and have scored an A+ by going 2--0 against Seattle and Philly. I think we will win at least one of the two games left before the midway point of the season. I'm predicting 8--0, but with the Packers being the top--rated team in the NFL right now, I'd also be happy with 7--1.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> The other striking thing about the Panthers schedule this year was that they would be facing three out of four games in December against their division foes Atlanta and New Orleans.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><i>RECENT HISTORY</i></b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> In 2013, the Panthers were 10--4 and still had to win their last two games </span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">at home </span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">against the Saints (in the rain-- I was there) and the Falcons to win the NFC South and win a first round bye in the playoffs. Last year, Carolina wasn't nearly as good, losing six games straight and going 3-8-1 before having to win their final four games, including the closer at Atlanta to barely squeak out the division title again and get a home playoff game.</span><br />
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<b style="color: #134f5c; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>WHERE DO WE GO FROM HERE?</i></b><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><b>Here's Hopin' !</b></span></i></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> It would seem to the casual observer that the Panthers are doing great this year. My gosh-- they are undefeated-- for crying out loud </span><b style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-style: italic;">! </b><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> Even I wrote the blog just a couple of weeks ago entitled "</span><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Smooth Sailing</span></i><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">", speaking of an easy trip to the playoffs for the Panthers elite. But no matter how excited we may get, or how often we repeat the mantra of "</span><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Undefeated</span></i><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"-- the fact of the situation is that even at 6--0, we sit precariously atop the NFC South, only a half game ahead of the Falcons, who lurk in our shadows at 6--1. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> If you look over the Falcons & Panthers schedules, you see that Atlanta has only one other opponent with a winning record--the Vikings. Other than that, only the Panthers seem an indomitable foe. A possible exception may be the last game against the New Orleans Saints, who already beat Atlanta just a couple of weeks ago. The rest of the Panthers schedule also seems lightweight, with the exception of perhaps Dallas and our divisional rivals.</span><br />
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<b style="color: #134f5c; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>THE BOTTOM LINE</i></b><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> As any loyal, respectable Panthers fan would, I have a deep-seated hope that the Falcons will completely lose their composure and go on a long season--ending losing streak. I'm just not sure whether Atlanta's team will cooperate so willingly. It appears more likely that they will continue to stalk us, either tied or close behind in the NFC South divisional race, for the rest of the season. </span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Carolina Panthers</span></i></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> It just doesn't seem fair. A mediocre record last year was enough to squeak out our division title & a playoff berth. But this year, we stand undefeated almost halfway through the season, & yet we cannot legitimately claim </span><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">anything</span></i><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> yet. We are one of five teams in the NFL who are undefeated. Yet, when you look at the other teams & their divisions, they are all 2--3 games ahead of the second place team. No such luck this year in the NFC South. We are much better this year-- but so is Atlanta. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> Having a great year doesn't mean as much if we end up blowing our slim division lead and perhaps becoming a Wild Card team behind our rival Falcons. Last year, the Panthers won the division by just 1/2 game ahead of the Saints, and 1 1/2 games ahead of the Falcons. Unbelievable as it may seem, it could be just as close this season.</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><b> { DECEMBER 13 & 27 }</b></span></i></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> It's a very real possibility that by December 13 & 27 (yes-- we play the Falcons twice in three weeks</span><i style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">!</i><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">), we could be tied or one game apart in the divisional standings. Barring a complete breakdown by either team, the Panthers and Falcons could be either 9--3 or 10--2. If we're extremely good </span><i style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">AND</i><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> lucky, we could even be 11-1. But one thing's almost for sure-- the Falcons will be waiting, looming on the horizon, eagerly awaiting our final showdowns.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> Let's hope that those two games with the Falcons don't mean as much as they appear they could right now. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> But if it comes down to a die--or--die matchup, let's also hope that we are ready.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><i>So--- </i></b><i><b>YOUR THOUGHTS ?</b></i></span></div>
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GuiTarHeelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12413857762949356012noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7028155998291703612.post-42128801785597787322015-10-29T09:29:00.001-07:002015-11-01T17:34:36.370-08:00SURPRISING STAT-- Part Two<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The Carolina Panthers hiked their record to <i><b>a perfect 6--0</b></i> for the first time in franchise history this past Sunday by trouncing the Philadelphia Eagles, 27--16. Even though </span><i><b><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">QB Cam Newton</span></b></i><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> suffered three interceptions (two on balls tipped by Panthers receivers), the Panthers defense held the Eagles to two field goals off these turnovers, sacked the Eagles quarterback five times, and also held them scoreless in the fourth quarter. The consistent Panthers offense scored in every quarter, ran for over 200 yards, and averaged <i>an amazing 6.8 yards per play</i>.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> A couple of weeks ago, I wrote a blog entitled <i><b>"Surprising Stat</b></i>"-- in which I told about the phenomenal Carolina Panthers defense achieving<b><i> the #1 position in the NFL Stats for lowest number of points allowed.</i></b> At that time, they were allowing about 18 points per game. Their stat is still around that figure-- but now, the Green Bay Packers have taken over that #1 spot, allowing about 17 points per game. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9KuHD1wOJJXGz-I6spToU__BAOsidTNkuMS3yFJPhyphenhyphenSo7FwCsdnB6-QTaSwUUKfZbzAD7gvk87HqoMkJ-s3SS0RXB972B0uUJC4JtfHQC95_RKC8IS7jxX4hzZxBOuLipTALSFT2qmG8/s1600/7-0.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="141" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9KuHD1wOJJXGz-I6spToU__BAOsidTNkuMS3yFJPhyphenhyphenSo7FwCsdnB6-QTaSwUUKfZbzAD7gvk87HqoMkJ-s3SS0RXB972B0uUJC4JtfHQC95_RKC8IS7jxX4hzZxBOuLipTALSFT2qmG8/s200/7-0.png" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><i>Who'd-a Thunk It?--<b>Not Me!</b></i></span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><b style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </b><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> It is no secret that we play these Packers in another week. As I previously mentioned, it is possible that we will meet Green Bay with both teams being 7-0-- which is a very rare oddity in the NFL. Oddly enough, Green Bay will meet Denver this weekend, with both teams at 6--0, and will have to beat the Broncos to get to 7--0. We meet the 3--4 Indianapolis Colts on Monday night. It would appear that we have the easier game. But the Panthers are </span><i style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">NOT</i><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> taking the Colts lightly, as they won the AFC South last year and are leading their division now. </span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Panthers #1 in Rushing</span></i></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This week's blog is entitled </span><i style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>"Surprising Stat-- Part Two"</b></i><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">--- because lo and behold, the Panthers offense is leading the NFL-- yes #1 this week in an offensive stat ---</span><b style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-style: italic;"> rushing yards per game. </b><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The Panthers </span><b style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>ran for over 200 yards</i></b><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> in the Eagles game, and are now averaging an amazing </span><b style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>145 yards per game</i></b><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">, and <i><b>6.2 yards per carry</b></i>. And this week, the running game was <i>NOT</i> led by #1-- the rushing was spread out among three players--- </span><i style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-weight: bold;">RB Jonathan Stewart, </i><b style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-style: italic;">FB Mike Tolbert, </b><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">and</span><b style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-style: italic;"> QB Cam Newton.</b><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;"> </span><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Even</span><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;"> </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">WR Ted Ginn, Jr. </span><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">contributed this week with a 43--yard end--around run that set up a touchdown.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqTdO2y97S2ThXcXcBRtimXcdV9EN02D-QGEd9j7_9QdZrdoG6P59BrNZ9qQ4jUQ7HfD0OB1B9s9Y9bu7b7fmp8AgmsN1wrLOvLUNwU-xVbkNjH3nb9Kdr35QOo8htp6KZ_oEbmGTT5tI/s1600/stewart--tolbert.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqTdO2y97S2ThXcXcBRtimXcdV9EN02D-QGEd9j7_9QdZrdoG6P59BrNZ9qQ4jUQ7HfD0OB1B9s9Y9bu7b7fmp8AgmsN1wrLOvLUNwU-xVbkNjH3nb9Kdr35QOo8htp6KZ_oEbmGTT5tI/s200/stewart--tolbert.jpg" width="156" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><i>Stewart & Tolbert</i></span></td></tr>
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<i style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-weight: bold;"> Tolbert </i><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">gave the Panthers a two--touchdown cushion at 21--6 when he scored in the third quarter on a phenomenal two--yard pass play in which he literally carried four Eagles defenders with him into the end zone. </span><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Panthers.com analyst Mike Craft</span></i><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> compared this play to the equally amazing four--yard touchdown run by </span><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">DeShaun Foster</span></i><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> in the NFC Championship game in January 2004 vs. the Eagles that sent the Panthers to the Super Bowl.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiD8tMLJ4Oh6_VF8gm63BfLUxA0NJ-ST0aPxak83FXY7Qkao-gHUWPFwI5a0oCQ_hZZsFFIg29flUZhNqt6nhPH-OKZU0O2zyPK49NfxWWebpUnNG6aG9YtuYI3Y95s7Tu0X30xZIpQOQ/s1600/keep_pounding.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="85" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiD8tMLJ4Oh6_VF8gm63BfLUxA0NJ-ST0aPxak83FXY7Qkao-gHUWPFwI5a0oCQ_hZZsFFIg29flUZhNqt6nhPH-OKZU0O2zyPK49NfxWWebpUnNG6aG9YtuYI3Y95s7Tu0X30xZIpQOQ/s200/keep_pounding.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><i>One Game at a TIme</i></span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> Perhaps another interesting (and surprising) stat is that there is only <i>ONE </i>Panthers player who is in any Top Five category in the NFL--- that would be </span><i style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-weight: bold;">CB Josh Norman</i><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">, who is</span><b style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-style: italic;"> tied at #1 with four interceptions. </b><i style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b> The Panthers defense is rated #9 in Total Defense</b></i><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">, allowing about 339 yards per game. The best defensive stat is one that is neither computed nor recognized, and that is allowing fewest points when it really counts. The defense seems to </span><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">bend but not break</span></i><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">, and always seems to stop the opposing team at crucial points in the game.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> It is only natural that a team in our position (undefeated at 6--0) would be tempted to look ahead to a huge game like the Packers next week, but I don't think that </span><i><b><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Coach Ron Rivera</span></b></i><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> and the Panthers team will do that. They've been emphasizing the "one game at a time" approach ever since he came to Charlotte. And I believe that he and the other coaches and veteran players on this team will "keep pounding" that message into everyone's heads.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCZzR26sKz3nuEw4exzAgPJLNIevQmKzzAy0AXB0Oimdy4VLqy6XvPcKBmvYRzYwL8R9asY2fugFsdQkjZk3vwpt3LGfL6rHz2CPez_dgopyRSH8rIiFbZ6QbLSdmKwr60i4HK2hM51QA/s1600/Bob+Predicts.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCZzR26sKz3nuEw4exzAgPJLNIevQmKzzAy0AXB0Oimdy4VLqy6XvPcKBmvYRzYwL8R9asY2fugFsdQkjZk3vwpt3LGfL6rHz2CPez_dgopyRSH8rIiFbZ6QbLSdmKwr60i4HK2hM51QA/s1600/Bob+Predicts.png" /></a></td></tr>
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<i style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: medium;"> </i><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><i> </i>I think that we will probably lose a game (or two) this year, but it will <i>NOT</i> be this week, or next. I'm going out on a big limb this time & predicting that the Panthers will beat <i>BOTH</i> the Colts & the Packers, and go to<i><b> a perfect 8--0</b></i> at the midway point of the season.</span><br />
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This past week was miserable, waiting an incredibly tough 14 days between games. This week is almost as bad, as we have to wait eight days until Monday night's game. Getting to Sunday and <i>NOT</i> having a Panthers game is like a kid going to a front door and <i>NOT</i> getting any Halloween candy <i><b>!</b></i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><i style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large; text-align: center;"><b>Next Game : Carolina Panthers vs. Indianapolis Colts</b></i><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht7194Ut4xk9m2mjkwF0N_xbdISANQTICvKrs1yePLDCriT4I5niUvVIolPsfxbLoGPgSqrvJ3N3T9f3XSVqTF6XSI5ghd5K2rikDodLLw0eee2uc_qm8oD7CYlIt3iCTFwZuqfWK73Es/s1600/panthers--colts.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="166" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht7194Ut4xk9m2mjkwF0N_xbdISANQTICvKrs1yePLDCriT4I5niUvVIolPsfxbLoGPgSqrvJ3N3T9f3XSVqTF6XSI5ghd5K2rikDodLLw0eee2uc_qm8oD7CYlIt3iCTFwZuqfWK73Es/s400/panthers--colts.png" width="400" /></a></div>
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<i style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><b>Monday Night Football -- Nov. 2nd</b></i><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMiLfEAkt25sRAPmLRCSsTz7OIytQlfYQ8euATNV01KtKoPngO3up50WgbgDNvoI-EIBXZxi93hmWkU0kz5ewBEJaKqyW1FZ0fft0NpzAIRGPuD9e7B5Jt3DXr-U224LeKog7TSYxQ2_8/s1600/undefeated+panthers.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="210" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMiLfEAkt25sRAPmLRCSsTz7OIytQlfYQ8euATNV01KtKoPngO3up50WgbgDNvoI-EIBXZxi93hmWkU0kz5ewBEJaKqyW1FZ0fft0NpzAIRGPuD9e7B5Jt3DXr-U224LeKog7TSYxQ2_8/s640/undefeated+panthers.png" width="640" /></a></div>
GuiTarHeelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12413857762949356012noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7028155998291703612.post-72595503162832761052015-10-24T18:45:00.000-07:002015-10-24T18:46:16.192-07:00BIG NEWTON<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3YivVX5hdwKRLDfRjkG1ZTH1Tmi9NQUde3qcFKbsPwxPrIz_K5pfta9VLa-PgvkuAhT9Uu328zVxbFigDKKYmG-7sByDg9FzuBfDpqUOH97xCrQsWXjXIAjawNI2UlPgvcBmEZWZzclo/s1600/Cam-Newton.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3YivVX5hdwKRLDfRjkG1ZTH1Tmi9NQUde3qcFKbsPwxPrIz_K5pfta9VLa-PgvkuAhT9Uu328zVxbFigDKKYmG-7sByDg9FzuBfDpqUOH97xCrQsWXjXIAjawNI2UlPgvcBmEZWZzclo/s320/Cam-Newton.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>CAM NEWTON : SUPERMAN <i>?</i></b></span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i><b>Carolina Panthers quarterbacks</b></i>. We've had a bunch of 'em over the years. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> Some were just plain 'ole flops--like </span><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Jimmy Clausen</span></i><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> Some sparkled, but were in the twilight of their careers-- </span><i style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Frank Reich. Steve Beuerlein. Rodney Peete. </i><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">and</span><i style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> Vinny Testaverde.</i><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> Others were promising, but let us down--</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i> Kerry Collins. </i><i>Chris Weinke</i></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">.</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> There's </span><i><b><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Jake Delhomme</span></b></i><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">. </span><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Jake</span></i><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> is a whole different story. For probably the first time in the Panthers' 20-year history, someone emerged as a real leader. Someone with raw skills and abilities, but also leadership and charisma. And yet-- still-- in the end, </span><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Jake was Jake</span></i><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">. He was great on some days, and mediocre on others. He threaded the needle on one Sunday, and threw five interceptions other Sundays. He led the Panthers to the Super Bowl in '03, but then personally committed six turnovers in an embarrassing playoff loss to Arizona in '08.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> And then there's </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">CAM NEWTON. </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-style: italic;">Cam </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">is a beast of an athlete.. at 6'5" and 245 lbs., he is fast enough to evade tacklers, and strong enough to run over them. </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">After being our first round draft choice in 2011, he has put together five solid seasons as our team leader. He has broken numerous passing and rushing records. But even with </span><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Cam</span></i><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">, I've had my doubts. Last season, playing the Seattle Seahawks in a divisional playoff game that could have propelled the Panthers into the Super Bowl, </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Cam </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">drove our team down the field, threatening to score and make a tough game close. But focusing in on a receiver, the defensive back read him and jumped out to make an interception and run it back for a decisive touchdown. I'm glad at that point, the Panthers staff did NOT give up on </span><span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Cam Newton</span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">. </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I'm glad that somehow they weren't thinking the same thoughts as I was at the time. I was ready to call it quits on another Carolina Panthers quarterback. Haul him off-- release him-- and go out spelunking for another one.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span><i style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Cam </i><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">has come out this year in an entirely different mindset. Carolina players and coaches believe that besides his obvious maturity and growth over the last five years, <i style="font-weight: bold;">WR Kelvin Benjamin</i>'s injury during training camp has affected him in a <i>positive </i>(yes, good) way. He has been forced to NOT be a go-to-one-man kind of a quarterback. He's reading defenses better, and spreading the ball out over more receivers. During the final drive in the last two minutes this past week against the Seahawks, </span><i style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Newton </i><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">completed a perfect 6-of-6 passes to <i style="font-weight: bold;">six </i>different receivers <i>!</i> This obviously kept the Seahawks secondary guessing, and might have helped <i style="font-weight: bold;">TE Greg Olsen </i>get open for a game-winning touchdown.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> Just how good is </span><i style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-weight: bold;">Cam Newton? </i><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">And is he able to lead us to the "Promised Land"-- the Super Bowl </span><i style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">?</i><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> Well-- no one really knows for sure. There are plenty of great quarterbacks who never won the big one, including </span><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Fran Tarkenton</span></i><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> of the Vikings, and </span><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Dan Marino</span></i><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> of the Dolphins. But I believe that </span><i style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Cam </i><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">has the raw skills to get it done, and he definitely is only getting better.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> I wouldn't say that </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Cam </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">is a </span><b style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-style: italic;">Tom Brady</b><i style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> </i><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">or a </span><b style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-style: italic;">Peyton Manning </b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-style: italic;">--</span>just yet. He may never pass as well as a </span><i style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-weight: bold;">Johnny Unitas </i><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">or be as great a leader as </span><i style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-weight: bold;">Joe Montana. </i><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">But he's a great one.. and getting better. And can he take us to the Super Bowl</span><i style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">? </i><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Absolutely. Is he Superman<i>? </i>Maybe--maybe not. But-- one things certain-- he's </span><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">good enough</span></i><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> What's even better than that </span><i><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">? </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>The Panthers are looking good enough too.</b></span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><br /></b></span></i>GuiTarHeelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12413857762949356012noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7028155998291703612.post-25950982308821281312015-10-20T20:45:00.000-07:002015-10-22T08:12:43.957-07:00SMOOTH SAILING<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> <i><b> Shhh</b></i></span><i style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>!</b></i><i style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b> I've got a big secret</b></i><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> --but don't let it out. (Remember- it's our secret, just between us!) If you </span><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">promise</span></i><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> (double fingers crossed) not to tell, I'll let you in on it.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2XpyfZWQoswcYmV7ylFM7ULJAdNfZLl4YJ-gQdcrUTlFOVy1IEBdElwVmN8CE19fIJGWLoGSBYzUTUCdQAWgvkOx0DaIX6naS6ZmkcAcDodjCr044NZWpv-2c_6J-OH6CourWB8bVrkQ/s1600/panthers-seahawks.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="105" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2XpyfZWQoswcYmV7ylFM7ULJAdNfZLl4YJ-gQdcrUTlFOVy1IEBdElwVmN8CE19fIJGWLoGSBYzUTUCdQAWgvkOx0DaIX6naS6ZmkcAcDodjCr044NZWpv-2c_6J-OH6CourWB8bVrkQ/s320/panthers-seahawks.png" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> OKAY-- here it is.. After <i><b>the Panthers' monumental win over the Seahawks</b></i>, their road to the playoffs will be <b><i>SMOOTH SAILING</i></b> from here on out.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> Many of you may disagree. <i><b>ALL</b></i> of the Panthers' coaches and players would tell you I'm nuts. And many of the sports writers and TV analysts would laugh in my face. But it's true. Sunday was a <i><b>TEST</b></i>. Kinda like the Emergency Broadcast System or an Algebra final. It was to find out if we knew our stuff. To check and see if we were up to the task.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> Hey--the Panthers passed the test. In fact, they passed with flying colors. Give them <i><b>an A+</b></i> <b>~<i>!</i></b> </span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The only thing is-- they will </span><i style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">NOT</i><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> get their final grade until the end of the season.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i><b>THE BOTTOM LINE</b></i></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> "Are you crazy?" you may say. Well-- maybe. But there is a bit of method to my madness. </span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The four-game stretch with the </span><b style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>Seahawks/ Eagles/ Colts/ Packers</i></b><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> looked like an unsurmountable obstacle in the Panthers' path. But now that we've knocked off Seattle, the next three of these tough games are at <i>Home </i>in Bank of America Stadium.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> Carolina is still undefeated at 5--0 for the second time in franchise history, having also won their first five games in 2003 when the Panthers went 11--5 and went to the Super Bowl.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE09A3zZn80rdrgPPfyNiyD37xVlTfFy4HuXM4FnMep1n0Xq_L2ScFU5soNOIxjhkv_Fq3-c89kJvyBN7IqVHMvlT39kBNSArKLr9QC0VB-7h1RVw3cijU6WVIsNdbEovQgh1oR6va2g8/s1600/NFC+South+Standings.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="203" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE09A3zZn80rdrgPPfyNiyD37xVlTfFy4HuXM4FnMep1n0Xq_L2ScFU5soNOIxjhkv_Fq3-c89kJvyBN7IqVHMvlT39kBNSArKLr9QC0VB-7h1RVw3cijU6WVIsNdbEovQgh1oR6va2g8/s320/NFC+South+Standings.png" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>NFC South Standings</b></span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> It's a very strong possibility now that when we meet the Packers in three weeks, we both will be <i><b>undefeated at 7-0</b></i>. It will most likely be a media frenzy. It will be <i><b>The Game</b></i> that everyone will focus on the entire week. And rightly so. Most sports analysts have rated the Packers the Top Team in the NFL. In the Power Rankings, they are #<i>1</i> and the Panthers are #<i>4</i>. But more than a spectacle, that game will be another <i>TEST.</i> The only thing is-- as the season gets longer, each test we face will <i>NOT </i></span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">only be scored on wins & losses, but in our character and how we bounce back. And just as I said that a loss to Seattle wouldn't have ruined our season, neither will the Packers game. It will just show us once again what we are made of, and if we've got what it takes.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHXH06hiLeZgs42atfeMkmER5h5hRblM9id9NqAs2NYYRfnp4EV3ayevvqV4WKBpIkufWWIiauv7YVl6l1zs-uahFqCrA4AEYukpFZhZZYkr3JjtP5ru1y5cEhyBou_huDchCVwLoyOaw/s1600/Bob+Predicts.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="54" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHXH06hiLeZgs42atfeMkmER5h5hRblM9id9NqAs2NYYRfnp4EV3ayevvqV4WKBpIkufWWIiauv7YVl6l1zs-uahFqCrA4AEYukpFZhZZYkr3JjtP5ru1y5cEhyBou_huDchCVwLoyOaw/s320/Bob+Predicts.png" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><i><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Panthers Prognostication</span></i></b></td></tr>
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</span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> After the Green Bay game, the only thing that stands between us and the playoffs are </span><i style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>three games in December against division foes Atlanta and New Orleans</b></i><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">. If I know this team like I think that I do, by that time, we will be riding so high that no one will be able to defeat us,
and if they do, it won't really matter, at least not in the big picture. I predicted before the season that we would be 11-5 this year. I'm going to go out on a limb and say that I was wrong. I think </span><b style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>the Panthers will be at least 13-3</i></b><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">, </span><b style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>win the NFC South</i></b><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> for a record third straight year, and head into the playoffs as the </span><i style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Top or 2nd seed</b></i><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> in the NFC.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> Like I said before-- there is a key to all of this working out according to plan. This little bit of genius that I've shared with you is meant to stay between you and me. The Panthers team must<i> NOT</i> find out that they have crossed over the top of the mountain and the rest of their season will now be downhill. They must continue to approach the rest of the year just as they've done up until now. They must work even longer. </span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">They must struggle even harder.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> Because you see-- my prediction is solely based on our Panthers <i>NOT</i> believing it's true. If they begin to think for one minute that the rest of the NFL is going to lie down and let them roll over them, then my whole argument loses its weight. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><i style="color: #0b5394; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><b>THE BIGGEST GAME</b></i><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> I'll tell you-- I was a doubter. I wondered if they could do it. I felt strongly that if our team were to fall to Seattle, it might result in an avalanche in which our whole season might tumble off of a cliff into the ravine. And even on Sunday, it wasn't until the fourth quarter that I really began to believe again. One of my friends shared that he sorta lost hope when the team fell behind 20--7. I must admit that I was despondent too, with my proverbial "tail-between-my-legs". I was drowning my sorrows with a cup of sweet tea. (HA<i>!</i>)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> I admit to you that the Panthers did <i>NOT</i> look like much the first three quarters of the game. It seemed like "old hat"-- the same predictable start slow, make a run, and then stumble late in the game. But somehow we metamorphed into a totally different animal in the last few minutes of the game. Coaches made calls. Players made plays. We got some breaks. Everything seemed to gel for us.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTQS5ZsPawVIiIhtnHl9Zm9NI72felr8eajYgHCMv83r4yYg88LbGsjTGG9VPWKlbGxVc1nAV9Ero2K_WS54P0do2Yesz1b5jSGsC566ltXi5ZFnwlZPnBngug3yc-nXgFIt0gOzKvtco/s1600/Greg+Olsen+celebrates.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTQS5ZsPawVIiIhtnHl9Zm9NI72felr8eajYgHCMv83r4yYg88LbGsjTGG9VPWKlbGxVc1nAV9Ero2K_WS54P0do2Yesz1b5jSGsC566ltXi5ZFnwlZPnBngug3yc-nXgFIt0gOzKvtco/s200/Greg+Olsen+celebrates.jpeg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>Greg Olsen Celebrates</b></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxqNrf-MsV6_oxjflPmb84vk15qURtRUBDPUwHv6wFX5sytWBuBpmzVbF9kQ4V_-xlxNeozfOH_EgOIXTpBCa_3AaQRf-kV5kR-fbl2jaaR3ZeL1Socjfkvmh41UAzqaiDycLpNat05eE/s1600/Newton+to+Olsen+TD.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxqNrf-MsV6_oxjflPmb84vk15qURtRUBDPUwHv6wFX5sytWBuBpmzVbF9kQ4V_-xlxNeozfOH_EgOIXTpBCa_3AaQRf-kV5kR-fbl2jaaR3ZeL1Socjfkvmh41UAzqaiDycLpNat05eE/s200/Newton+to+Olsen+TD.jpg" width="111" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>TE Greg Olsen</b></span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> One statistic that makes this clear is </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i><b>QB Cam Newton</b></i>'s passing. In the first three quarters, he was 8 for 21 with two interceptions. Down the stretch, he was <i><b>an amazing 12 for 15</b></i> and a touchdown.</span><br />
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<b><i> And what a touchdown it was! </i></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i><br /></i> With about nine minutes left in the third quarter, Seattle scored to make it 20--7. Things were beginning to look bleak. The fact that there was plenty of time left in the game didn't really help my outlook. I just looked at it as more opportunities for Seattle to pour it on. It looked like it could be a blowout. But then things suddenly changed.</span><br />
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<i style="font-weight: bold;">RB Jonathan Stewart </i>scored on two one-yard runs, first near the end of the third quarter, and the second with about four minutes to go in the game. Even so, the Seahawks added a field goal, and it was 23--20 with only 2:20 left on the clock when the Panthers took over for the last time on their own 20 yard line. For the second time in a row, Carolina marched down the field, this time with <b>Newton completing a perfect 6-for-6 passes</b>, amazingly going to <b><i>six different receivers</i></b> (Stewart, Ginn, Dickson, Funchess, Cotchery and Olsen). </span><br />
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The final play on the drive was the 26-yard touchdown pass scored with only 32 ticks on the scoreboard clock. <i><b>TE Greg Olsen</b></i> was wide open on the play, and he joked that it was pulled out of their playbook. It actually was a broken play, with two Seattle defensive backs getting mixed signals and neither covering the receiver. Hey-- we'll take it. Even though he wasn't covered, Olsen still had to catch the ball, and it was a perfect throw by Newton.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>_______________________________________________________________________</b></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioehu802jNOgGmreg8QQbim7EBgWdaLQbjRF3t0DB4DtjYEBV8wA7ACRS4gc9hJXQgp3E0m0iHQGLfgIGPV_VFQfKLfzhEqmU6OS4bC04Xg6W2Osa-P6yMqqYZAicIhp5EKjcVd9z0ay8/s1600/side+note.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; display: inline !important; float: left; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioehu802jNOgGmreg8QQbim7EBgWdaLQbjRF3t0DB4DtjYEBV8wA7ACRS4gc9hJXQgp3E0m0iHQGLfgIGPV_VFQfKLfzhEqmU6OS4bC04Xg6W2Osa-P6yMqqYZAicIhp5EKjcVd9z0ay8/s200/side+note.jpg" width="192" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> I invited my pastor to watch the game with me on a </span><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Big Screen</span></i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> at one of our favorite local restaurants. He brought three of his kids with him. I forewarned him on the last Panthers drive that if they made a big play or scored, I would react somewhat out of control. He assured me that he and his kids could handle it. And they did. Whenever Olsen caught that pass, I started </span><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">howling and screaming</span></i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">, and I don't think that I stopped for two or three minutes.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> It was a great experience-- one that I will probably never forget </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">---or at least not for awhile.</span><b style="text-align: center;"> ______________________________________________________________________</b></span></div>
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<i style="color: #0b5394; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><b>GAME STATS & MVP HONORS</b></i><br />
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<b><i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">QB Cam Newton RB Jonathan Stewart TE Greg Olsen LB Luke Keuchly</span></i></b><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i style="font-weight: bold;">Newton </i>finished 20-for-36 for 269 yard with The Touchdown and two interceptions. <i style="font-weight: bold;">Stewart </i>had 78 rushing yards on 20 carries and<i style="font-weight: bold;"> Olsen </i>finished with seven catches for 131 yards.<i style="font-weight: bold;"> Kuechly </i>led the Panthers defense with 14 tackles in his first start since leaving in the first game with a concussion.</span><br />
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<i style="color: #0b5394; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><b>QUOTE OF THE WEEK</b></i><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i style="font-weight: bold;"><br /></i></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i style="font-weight: bold;"> Panthers coach Ron Rivera </i>said, "This was one of the bigger victories we've had since I've been here." </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-align: center;">Duh </span><b style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-align: center;"><i>!</i></b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-align: center;"> No Kidding </span><b style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-align: center;"><i>! </i></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><i> </i></b></span><b style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">___________________________________</b></div>
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<b><i><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">NEXT: Carolina Panthers vs Philadelphia Eagles</span></i></b></div>
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<b><i><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Sunday, October 25 @ 8:30 PM EDT</span></i></b></div>
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GuiTarHeelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12413857762949356012noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7028155998291703612.post-35049962000471683562015-10-17T09:41:00.002-07:002015-10-17T09:45:31.383-07:00PANTHERS--SEAHAWKS<div style="text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"> This-- in the strictest mathematical sense of the word-- is not a <b>CRITICAL</b> game for the Panthers. Seattle's NOT a divisional opponent. Almost everyone-- including most football analysts with ESPN, FoxSports, and the NFL Network, believe that Seattle will win the game, especially because it's being played on the Seahawks home field. Even if we lose, we will still be <b>TIED </b>(at 4-1) for the NFC South division lead with the Atlanta Falcons.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"> Having said THAT, this is still a <b>HUGE</b> game for the Carolina Panthers. Why? Because Seattle is one of our toughest rivals. Because they beat us last year in the divisional playoffs and kept us from advancing to the NFC Championship game and the Super Bowl. And because the Seahawks have won the last five matchups and lead the Carolina-Seattle series 7-2 since 2000.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"> No-- a loss won't kill our season. But a <b>WIN</b> will catapault our already sky-high momentum into the statosphere. The Seahawks game marks perhaps the most difficult opponent in a four-game stretch of difficult games, in which the other three games will be at home. Seattle-- Philadelphia-- Indianapolis-- Green Bay. If we manage a better than passing grade against this opposition, the rest of the season will seem like a cakewalk in comparison. Only a Thanksgiving game against the Cowboys and three more division games against the Falcons/Saints stand in our way to a third straight NFC South title and a top spot in the playoffs.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"> SO-- not critical-- but Huge. Get out of the way, Seahawks. Here comes the Panthers locomotive. Super Bowl-- here we come<i>!</i></span></div>
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GuiTarHeelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12413857762949356012noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7028155998291703612.post-9558693204828135242015-10-17T07:55:00.001-07:002015-10-17T09:21:26.470-07:00SURPRISING STAT <span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">As I look forward to Sunday's game with the Seattle Seahawks, I was surprised to find an interesting (and surprising) statistic about this year's Panthers team.</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><b><i>PANTHERS DEFENSE</i></b></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZWd1ajI39jxASqoraJ8Fd6pQJ2WCiSyw5Sz8eApLqqiR7sf_F6Sozzv6_kWlRK6UhjP4wMzIVihTwFYxeUyBDh3yfkJGhGRP-HR3UUUakpYdosQoC9IHKj5NVkj25FvV3fNB-QiLrDVI/s1600/D-FENCE.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZWd1ajI39jxASqoraJ8Fd6pQJ2WCiSyw5Sz8eApLqqiR7sf_F6Sozzv6_kWlRK6UhjP4wMzIVihTwFYxeUyBDh3yfkJGhGRP-HR3UUUakpYdosQoC9IHKj5NVkj25FvV3fNB-QiLrDVI/s1600/D-FENCE.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><b><i>D-FENCE !</i></b></span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"> The Panthers have scored 108 points, and given up 71, over four games. The most surprising stat is that the Panthers defense </span><b style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">LEADS <i>the</i> LEAGUE</b><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"> in points allowed, giving up just 17.75 points per game. Although I already thought the Panthers defense was playing well, I did not know they were playing </span><i style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><b>THAT</b></i><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"> well. Fact is-- the Panthers "D" has been keeping the team in the game, until the offense revs up and finishes games off. </span><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">And in some cases, the Panthers defense has actually -</span><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">won-</span></i><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"> games for us. In particular, I'm referring to turnovers, and specifically two interception returns for touchdowns by <b>CB Josh Norman</b>.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"> I'm also a little surprised that we are 4-0-- not shocked, but surprised. Before any of you Panthers fan jump on me for being less than loyal, I believe we are good enough to be undefeated. But in some cases... just good enough. you've probably heard that any team can beat any other team on any given day. And a couple of the Panthers' wins could have gone the other way, if it were not for a few opportunistic plays just at the right time.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"> Our offense needs to catch up with our defense. The Panthers will always be a defense oriented team. This goes all the way back to <b>LB Sam Mills</b> and the "Keep on Pounding" theme. On offense, I'm wondering if the Panthers receivers can make up for the loss of <b>WR Kelvin Benjamin</b> (out with an ACL knee injury) this year. I certainly hope so. I really want to believe they can. But I'm not sure. They really need to step up if we are to continue this streak and be effective later in the year.</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><i><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: small;">PANTHERS UPCOMING SCHEDULE</span></i></b></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> The time of the season that I've been talking about ever since before the season began has finally come. This will be the supreme test. Can the Panthers conceivably be 8--0 after the </span><b style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><i>NEXT</i></b><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> four games? Probably not. Only in a fairy tale "and-they-lived-happily-ever-after" scenario. If they do, I will be all-in for a Panthers Super Bowl run, similar to the 1996 and 2003 Panthers. But even if our team is 7-1 or 6-2 on Nov. 9, I will be a proud, happy camper. If they end up 5-3 (or -God forbid- 4-4), they we may be facing some severe problems during the second half of the season.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> Twp positive notes about returning players : this game will be highlighted by the much anticipated return of defensive leader <b>LB Luke Kuechly</b>, who has been sidelined three games with a concussion. At the end of this four-game stretch, the Panthers are projected to have star defensive player <b>DE Charles Johnson </b>back after a severe hamstring injury that has sidelined him since the first game. That will significantly improve an already superb Panthers defense.</span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><b><i>IS IT POSSIBLE ?</i></b></span></td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ-khJXV_X0x8sd48Un7EFAh4DGq8ZPftAfh0xV7D9kRzSd3kkTqM6PvAR_i-nvV0SXB4McMOe7ST2rth2D8grumxGYHq0TbI81ScmZYv3sFbzhp5MeB7PB_FC95Dhyp3YX0pSGOFe6gc/s1600/phil+simms--+michael+irvin.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="111" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ-khJXV_X0x8sd48Un7EFAh4DGq8ZPftAfh0xV7D9kRzSd3kkTqM6PvAR_i-nvV0SXB4McMOe7ST2rth2D8grumxGYHq0TbI81ScmZYv3sFbzhp5MeB7PB_FC95Dhyp3YX0pSGOFe6gc/s200/phil+simms--+michael+irvin.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> NFL Network anal-ysts Phil Simms and Michael Irvin unanimously picked the Seahawks to give the Panthers their first defeat of the season. I sincerely hope they eat those words. I've been watching the Panthers TV shows and following their website, and the players seem both confident and unified in their desire to end the Seahawks domination of their team. Seattle is 7-2 since 2000 (including an NFC Championship game and last year's divisional playoff), and has won five games in a row since 2010. It is time for a change. We will all find out whether that change will come on Sunday.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">While you're HERE, look Right and participate in my<i><b> Panthers' Poll</b></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>Predict the final Panthers regular season Record</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I predict an 11-5 Panthers Season and 3-Peat as NFC South Champions</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b><i>SUNDAY'S GAME</i></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b><i>CAROLINA PANTHERS vs SEATTLE SEAHAWKS</i></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b><i>4:25 EDT on FOXSports</i></b></span></div>
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GuiTarHeelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12413857762949356012noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7028155998291703612.post-8010996139600312962015-10-04T13:44:00.001-07:002015-10-05T07:20:28.254-07:00The Highs and Lows of 4--and--0<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWdFVnQQUO5VQNsD_G9i6HQUq89F16qdq7gMsHAZEpZ8IpLbJ-V7qAMeRpNjmZvuDrNQIY6hfu-KB4AV4t1ZuwGarFiR7v6shMTnvJdbF-_AYyG-nh625EaRGjc6ly0nVf1FahTY7CaYw/s1600/josh+norman.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWdFVnQQUO5VQNsD_G9i6HQUq89F16qdq7gMsHAZEpZ8IpLbJ-V7qAMeRpNjmZvuDrNQIY6hfu-KB4AV4t1ZuwGarFiR7v6shMTnvJdbF-_AYyG-nh625EaRGjc6ly0nVf1FahTY7CaYw/s200/josh+norman.jpg" width="190" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">CB JOSH NORMAN</span></b></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"> <b>HIGH </b>After just a little over four minutes in the game, the Carolina Panthers had forced two turnovers, including another <b>Josh Norman</b> interception return for a touchdown, and had a quick 10-0 lead. This was a refreshing contrast to past games, in which the Panthers usually fell behind early and came back in dramatic fashion to win the </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">games.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"> <b>HIGH </b>Having a perfect, undefeated 4-0 record is a luxury only had once before by the Panthers. That was the start of the 2003 season, one in which they went all the way to the Super Bowl.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"> <b>LOW </b>The rest of today's game wasn't quite so perfect, as the Bucs came back within a touchdown twice, before the Panthers finally went up by three touchdowns and held on to win, 37-23.</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">WR TED GINN, JR.</span></b></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"> <b>HIGH</b> The Panthers forced five Tampa Bay turnovers, including four interceptions.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> <b>LOW </b>Amazingly, the Bucs outgained the Panthers with over 400 total yards to just 244 for Carolina. Carolina won the game based upon field position and big plays, mostly on the five Tampa Bay turnovers. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> <b>HIGHS </b>Panthers <b>QB </b></span><b style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Cam Newton</b><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> put in another fine game, throwing for two touchdowns to <b>WR </b></span><b style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Ted GInn,Jr. </b><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">and running for another score. <b>RB Jonathan Stewart</b> rushed 50 yards on 10 carries, averaging an impressive 5.0 yards. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"> <b>HIGH <i>& </i>LOW </b>Next week is the BYE week for the Panthers, so there are TWO whole weeks for fans, analysts, and scoffers to whoop, holler, and belly ache about either how great is the achievement of a perfect 4-0 record, or how superficial it is. Most of the naysayers will point out the weaknesses of the four teams that Carolina has beaten.</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">PANTHERS UPCOMING SCHEDULE</span></b></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"></span><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"> <b>HIGH or LOW </b>While still a believer in the team, I am one who would exercise caution in predicting just how long this winning streak will continue. We will definitely need these next two weeks to prepare for our next opponent, and those that follow will not be any easier. The next four weeks could spell doom for our season, or perhaps usher in a door of opportunity. It will be the supreme test of our season. Outside of perhaps Dallas and Atlanta, these next four opponents (Seattle, Philadelphia, Indianapolis, and Green Bay) will determine just how good (or bad) we are as a team.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"> <b>HIGH <i>& </i>LOW </b>After this tough four-game stint, we have two mediocre opponents, Tennessee and Washington, before going to Dallas on Thanksgiving Day to play the Cowboys. Then we finish out the season by playing away from home four out of six games. These include home-and-away games against Atlanta (who is also undefeated--and tied with us for the division lead). These two games could be crucial to win our division--unless we keep winning and Atlanta hits a downturn.</span><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i>SUMMARY & PREDICTIONS</i></span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i><br /></i></span></b></div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"> In summary, I'm ecstatic for the Panthers to be 4-0 and undefeated at this stage of the season. We have normally started slow in the past. It's great to be up and confident. However, the most difficult part of the season is in front of us, not behind us, and we will know more about our team at the end of November than we do now.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"> No one expects the Panthers' undefeated status to continue for very long, just as none of us really expected them to be 4-0 at this point. For it to even reach one more game, the Panthers have to be much more consistent offensively against the Seattle Seahawks. Amazingly the Seahawks, usually one of the top-rated defenses, is ranked 30th among 32 teams. Don't expect them to play like it when they face us, though.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"> My <i style="font-weight: bold;">PREDICTION </i>for the <i style="font-weight: bold;">SEATTLE SEAHAWKS </i>game? <i>WELL</i>... I'm <i>NOT</i> gonna be the first (or last) to predict the Panthers falling from their undefeated pedestal. I do NOT think this will be an easy game for us, but I'm going to predict that we pull it out, maybe in the last minute of the game. <b><i>SCORE? Panthers 27, Seahawks 24.</i></b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"> Before you go, please LOOK in the far right column and take our Panthers Poll. Just click on your prediction for the final regular season record. My prediction ? 11-5. Yeah, I know-- very optimistic. But... that was Carolina's record during their 2003 Super Bowl year. Here's hoping...</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"> Looking forward to the ride. It could be rocky. Might be a roller coaster. But I'm still up for it. Buckle your seat belt and let's go<i>!</i></span><br />
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<b><i><span style="font-size: large;">NEXT GAME : OCT 18 @ SEATTLE SEAHAWKS</span></i></b><br />
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