Monday Night’s game between the Panthers and Cowboys was a very interesting game on several different levels. The first is I am a die-hard Cowboys fan and have been ever since I was four years old. Everyone in my family was Redskins fans, but something about that Star on the helmet just stood out to me. Secondly, I have worked on a pre-game show for the last eight years covering the Panthers, so I like to see them do well, just not against my Cowboys. I honestly felt that the show was at its best when the team was right around .500 because people were still interested and opinionated, but not too extreme. Last year’s 12-4 record brought out every homer fan and made some of the shows a love-fest. I also remember the other extreme of 2001 and the 1-15 record where I could bring home 45-100 tickets every home game that people dropped off because they had no interest in going. Finally, Monday was another birthday for me and I was lucky to celebrate it with a lot of friends at the Rusty Rudder in Cornelius. Brian and his staff were awesome to everyone, even if the game’s outcome was not what he desired.

 

0-3 is the reality right now going into the bye week. No matter how you thought these first three games would go (2-1, 1-2, 3-0) this is the hand this team has dealt itself. All of the signs were there for the Panthers to begin this way, but many tried to look for some positive signs to build on. The first drive of the season-opener at home versus the Eagles where the Panthers drove down the field and scored was rewarding, but that was the last positive thing that happened in that game. Last week in Atlanta, the Panthers played better, but could not make key plays down the stretch to win. Monday night, to me, had to be the most frustrating game of the first three for Panther fans. The first half of the game was a defensive struggle ( I say this to be nice to 2 badly called offenses in the first half) except for the Panthers two-minute drive right before the half. After the half, I do not know what was said at halftime, but I would burn that speech. The first four possessions of the second half were three-and-outs. The Cowboys entered the game as the only team without a sack or turnover, and Monday night they got three of each. 

 

Two big issues I have in the game involved # 90 & # 89. In a critical defensive situation in the second half, Peppers was on the sidelines, helmet off, watching. I understand wanting to rotate players in and out, but would Ray Lewis be out of the game in that situation in Baltimore or DeMarcus Ware with the Cowboys..NO. After the Delhomme pick six interception, Steve Smith was standing on the sideline for part of that following important drive. I would not expect to see Randy Moss off the field for the Patriots in that situation. Relating to that interception, I respect Steve Smith for stepping up on that interception, but I think Jeff Davidson should get some heat also. Dallas was playing with a safety over the top on Steve Smith all game and Newman was taking away the quick slants or inside move for Smith all game. Smith was never able to run that drag route across the field that he seems to pick up big yards on. Saying this, that play should never have been called knowing this or that route should have never been broken off by Smith.

 

Where do the Panthers go from here?? This seems to be everyone’s question and only the Panthers can answer that. The next three games could be winnable games in Washington, Tampa Bay and Buffalo. Everyone always says take it,"one game at a time,” and I think this team has to do that. After those three games, the schedule is not friendly. This organization, from the GM, coaches, and the 53 guys on the roster have to look in the mirror and ask if they are giving 110 %. As an observer, I do not think that answer would be yes from most guys thru the first three games. Every game is an audition tape for those involved and some of these guys may not like the tape they are putting together so far in 2009. Things need to turn around soon to keep interest in this team for the 2009 season. If I am not mistaken, December 28,2008, was the last day this team won a game. It will be October 11, 2009, at the earliest before this team wins a game in 2009. No, this is not a Detroit Lions situation yet, but expectations here were much higher than with the Lions. If things keep on the road they are currently on, when the Panthers do win their next game, it may be at home in front of 40,000 fans and no local television audience, as the Lions did this past weekend.         

   

 

 

 

 

10-10 for Season (1-4) last week.

 

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