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Both of them
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The Carolina Panthers | A to Z
Charlotte Observer | 09/04/2007 | The Carolina Panthers | A to Z
Quote:
A
is for agitation. The Panthers' fan base is in a state of unease entering this opener. This team looks a lot like last year's 8-8 version. Whether it's any better will depend, first of all, on whether its offensive line can be any better.
B
is for Beason, as in Jon, the team's top draft pick. He's fast, but he has struggled some in the preseason with the strength of the average NFL player. He needs to make a quick impact.
C
is for Colbert (Keary) and Carter (Drew). Between these two on-and-off wideouts, somebody has to develop into a legitimate threat.
D
is for Davidson, as in Jeff, the new offensive coordinator we don't know much about. His ideas sound promising, but the Panthers averaged only 11 points per game in the preseason -- 31st out of the NFL's 32 teams. Fortunately, that didn't count.
E
is for earsplitting, which is what it sounds like at a home game in St. Louis. There are 40-foot high billboards all over St. Louis that proclaim "I Believe." Believe me, the Rams will be ready.
F
is for Fox, as in John, the coach. If this season becomes a train wreck, it will be his last one here. I think it will be better than that, though.
G
is for Grigsby, as in Otis, who beat the odds to make Carolina's final roster. Everyone who has ever seen "Animal House" loves the name Otis. The Panthers needed an Otis.
H
is for Houston, Carolina's first home opponent on Sept. 16. If the Panthers can't defeat David Carr's former team in Bank of America Stadium, you'll know this will be a long season.
I
is for Indianapolis, which actually begins the NFL season Thursday night by hosting New Orleans. I'm covering that for the Observer. Can't wait.
J
is for Jake Delhomme, serving up touchdown passes and biscuit justice for Bojangles' on good days and nasty interceptions on bad ones. It's an extremely significant year for the Panthers quarterback.
K
is for Kasay, as in John. Seventeen years for the calm kicker, including the past 13 with the Panthers. One day, this man should have a statue outside the stadium (and Mike Minter should, too).
L
is for Linehan, as in Scott, the St. Louis Rams coach. He fired himself as offensive play-caller the last time these teams played, when Carolina was nearly perfect defensively in a 15-0 shutout in November. There will be no shutout this time -- not with the Rams' Steven Jackson on the field.
M
is for Morgan, as in Dan. I think he should have retired, with five concussions. But it's his brain, and the former Pro Bowl linebacker is willing to risk it for the rewards of the NFL. If he stays healthy for 12 games this season, Carolina will flourish on defense.
N
is for negativity, which will be rampant around here unless Carolina gets off to a good start. The Panthers should. The team won't have a softer month on the schedule than September.
O
is for odd-numbered years. Carolina is better during those, appearing in the Super Bowl in 2003 and the NFC Championship in 2005.
P
is for Peppers. Julius Peppers, inarguably, is one of the best defensive players in the league. Will he ever have a year so outstanding that he will be voted the best at its end?
Q
is for quick, as in the way 300-plus pounder Kris Jenkins has looked for much of the preseason -- a very positive sign.
R
is for "rocket surgeon." A former Carolina Panther once told me you don't need to be one of those to play his position. Or a brain surgeon. Or a rocket scientist.
S
is for Steve Smith. He says he will try for 2,000 receiving yards in 2007, an admirable goal. He won't get that, but he will still be the most exhilarating player on the team.
T
is for Torry Holt, the St. Louis receiver and former N.C. State star whose production against Carolina often determines whether his team wins or loses.
U
is for underdog. Carolina is about a 25-1 shot to win the Super Bowl this season.
V
is for Vick, as in Michael, as in the NFL season is about to start and his mess will thankfully be pushed to the back pages.
W
is for Williams, as in DeAngelo. For all the fan support he gets around here, you'd think his numbers are far better than DeShaun Foster's. They aren't.
X
is for X Clown. That was the name of the pass play that Delhomme and Smith turned into a 69-yard touchdown on the first play of the second overtime at St. Louis in the 2003 playoffs. You'll hear it mentioned a few dozen times this week. It concluded the best football game I've ever seen in person with a thunderclap.
Y
is for yawner, and the Panthers will have very few of them. With a very respectable defense that will keep Carolina in every game and an offense that will too often strain to score, expect a lot of 17-14 games.
Z
is for zone blocking. It seems like a good concept, but will it really make much difference? We find out in five days.
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The Carolina Panthers | A to Z
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