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No One Ever Said It Would Be Easy
It’s quiet. Too quiet. At least that’s the feeling in Charlotte among Carolina Panthers fans struggling to keep up hope after a miserable 0-3 start by the hometown team. In a city proud to be the home of NASCAR, an NBA team, the Panthers and a hotbed of college sports, fall in the Carolinas tends to be full of hoopla and pomp surrounding athletics. After the Cats’ winless start, the wind has been knocked out of this city’s fair sails.
Back in the Huddle
After a long absence from my favorite chicks, it’s time to recap what’s been going on in the Panthers huddle. And let me tell ya, it ain’t winning. Here we go, bullet-style.
- The Cats had a chance to shine on Monday Night Football against the Cowboys, and you know, didn’t.
- The team has been so low, that I haven’t even been getting Google Alerts this week.
- Steve Smith has yet to catch a touchdown pass this season. Maybe that’s why we’re 0-3?
- Favored at home against the struggling Redskins, the Panthers should be able to pull themselves together for a win. Should being the operative word.
- The Panthers travel to Tampa Bay in two weeks. The Bucs are also winless this season, but they’re probably the best winless team in the league. I’m expecting the Cats to drop again.
- With 11 turnovers in 3 games, expect the Panthers to rely even more heavily on their strong running game.
Panthers “Feel” Out New Quarterback
Following Sunday’s crushing defeat against the Philadelphia Eagles, the Carolina Panthers placed second string quarterback Josh McCown on IR and signed veteran QB A.J. Feeley. In an ironic twist, Feeley was released from Philadelphia’s roster earlier this month to make room for Michael Vick. In his ninth year in the NFL, Feeley has also played for the Miami Dolphins, New England Patriots and San Diego Chargers.
Head coach John Fox has made no move to alter the depth chart, though. Despite the addition of Feeley, Fox still intends to start Jake Delhomme (coming off 11 turnovers in two home games), with Matt Moore rounding at the roster in the third spot.
Underwhelmed is an Understatement
The Panthers opened their season against the Philadelphia Eagles with a 70-yard drive down the field ending with a touchdown run by DeAngelo Williams to give Carolina a 7-0 lead. The Eagles answered with a 48-yard field goal. For the Panthers, the lead was shortlived as the Eagles proceeded to outscore the home team 28-3 in the second quarter.
Protests Could Work in Panthers Favor
The Panthers are set to kickoff the 2009 regular season against the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday. The 13th also marks the official “World Wide Protest of Michael Vick Day.” Although Vick won’t take the field until Week 3, the protests and distractions could be enough to edge the Panthers over the 2-point favored Eagles.
The media hoopla surrounding Vick’s reinstatement has already overshadowed Philadelphia’s on-field accomplishments and other players who don’t have the initials MV. The protest rally is already over 13,700 members-strong, and the stage is set for a peaceful protest outside Panthers stadium.
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