The old saw about best attribute of defensive backs is a short memory (for being burned) is legit POV for Charlotte, after lopsided loss to Bears in home opener. Its not division of responsibility-blame to say Bryce Young and offense produced mostly as anticipated. Whether such scoring becomes the new standard- 18.3ppg was 27th in NFL last season- starting now seems legit. Chalk Chicago up as big loss and wake-up call, a division game with QB-challenged arch-rival Falcons feels locked in for Eviro’s defense.

Yes, Forgive vs. just Forget

Its still going to be a long season, 16 more games, and any prediction of beating 9-8 is prejudiced by how strong the schedule is early with playoff-level opponents, although Atlanta is not one of those teams.

Looking to Game #10 vs. New Orleans, if Panthers have better than break-even record, that should be considered a positive accomplishment. I’m not the only person who looked at Chicago score and said, “That’s not going to be how things go all season. Chill.”

GlennS.- 9/16/26 This whippin’ will indeed be something defensive unit should chew on for a while. No 300 yds. (ok, 291) rushing, defend home turf, MISTER Brown et al. Poke that nose tackle. Nobody is separating team elements, but certainly not what *anyone* expected though.

OC Idzik, production by Primaries is Factual

Half a loaf of Success because ‘it was plenty of points except for X’ is wrongful thinking. Give credit to Chuba for a pair of TDs, Coker for 134 and a TD, and Brooks 48-yard catch and run- watching replays, he gets going FAST. That’s regular offensive weaponry for first-year Offensive Coordinator’s Brad Idzik’s list of calls. T-Mc had an average game and a bummer play, Head Coach Canales has said repeatedly that Idzik and he ‘have worked together for years, they’re on the same page’ is now a production fact.

Those who expected Young to put up these kinds of number regularly as proof of leadership, its a pretty tight package right now. He did leadership pretty damn well second opportunity after benched for five early in Year 2, and now people will continue to talk about his contract situation.

IMHO, Trust your QB to deliver, trust the organization is going to reward the progress you’ll make over five-five record at Saints game. I’m not sure $$$ has to be a top-6 $$ amount, Prescott anyone? Mega deal with Lawrence? Is $30M anywhere near the table? Carolina Panthers have always been seen as fair to deal with. ‘Unless’ isn’t usually a positive operative word, but fifth year option isn’t getting ‘You’re the Man!’ money.

Idzik’s primary role is moving the ball, sequencing effective plays, packages of players. One relatively recent addition is scoring off major plays vs. constantly slugging it out with 13-play drives. That fits with the ball control offense Panthers were structured around with Chuba Hubbard and early offensive line upgrades, now quick strike is a legitimate option.

Some will bemoan Scourdon, Brazzell II loss for season, and latest drop by Legette, Wallace and Jimmy Horn gone and think season is in flux immediately. Despite the kickin’ in opener, the operational reality is this is a team with no major flaws, long on best practices. There’s an old coach’s truism, ‘Nothing wrong a couple Ws can’t cure.’ That’s where Panthers are. GShork 9/18/26

Playing a First Place Schedule Counts

For those who expect negativity about record, yes, Panthers will indeed be playing more good teams based on their 1st place in NFC South last year, and this year they draw the AFC North (Steelers, Ravens, Bengals, Browns) https://www.si.com/nfl/panthers/onsi/predicting-panthers-games-ahead-daunting-2026-schedule?page_source=v_recir. Except for the always dangerous Joe Burrow aerial show, thats not (any younger) ol’ MVP Aaron Rodgers in Pittsburgh, and God only knows- in Cleveland. Those are the places to get a little healthy along the W-L way. Win one-lose one won’t really get the job done any more.

The offensive line, a strength through most of last two seasons, after GM Morgan spent big money on a pair of guards to stabilize Young’s pocket- now has a raft of new faces. They’ll have to refocus on keeping Young upright in pocket, without forsaking the ground game Canales plans around. With Hubbard’s run-pass TDs as positives, and 361 well-distributed passing yards and three TDs (+1 rushing) by Young Sunday, is there anyone in Charlotte who feels actually BAD about losing *and* scoring 37?

Straight up, I’m going to grab a BUNCH of just giving 2 1/2 to ATL. https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/49974012/qb-cooper-rush-getting-second-start-falcons-sources-say The defense getting a couple picks/sacks, some turnovers versus outrageously blown coverages would reassert Eviro control. The offensive line is probably due for Show Us Time, with 100 yards by *somebody* or maybe 170 overall. Expectations? Nahhh, wellll, yeah, I guess it is time to see if (FA, GBay) Rasheed Walker is an answer at LT, and whether Ikem Ekwonu will contribute there and in what time frame, $17.6M contract is only secondary consideration. Moton on the right is sidelined, so Freeling is getting early runs; new guy, Hecht (R, Iowa) might get early start at center.

Panthers going five-five, including with win game in New Orleans, is feasible. 7-3 seems like over-achieving, and given how Saints usually treat Panthers in the Dome, 4-6 record is just as likely. Panthers have Sun. late game at home with Lions, or must pull off another win at that frozen tundra place, as biggest variables. I sure wouldn’t want to compare opener with Bears to a 160 yard-3 TD game by Gibbs when I’m sporting a losing record. Evero is still not able to make a single tackle, but overall, this OMG! seeming moment is fixable.

Nobody’s heads are on the line in Charlotte, although Jimmy Horn, Jr. is not an option now. T-Mc, Coker, and Brooks should continue getting plentiful opportunities in Idzik’s flow. Ooops! thats still offensive stuff.

So if Jaelan Phillips gets another 13 tackles as Panthers move forward with the 23rd most difficult schedule in NFL (based on W-L record Week 1), thats kind of a new vibe, sacks too…? We should/better hear Moehrig’s name a LOT more regarding tackles, and all things to consider, how about 3-4 blitzes from Thornton in ATL? A blitz sack or two by Panthers defense, yeah, putting heat on Cooper Rush, who had a 2.6 QBR for a 12-22, 143 yds/1 TD/2 INT opener in Falcons opener vs. Steelers, sounds like a best practices deal.

You know this, right GOP?

Honestly, this isn’t going to be a rant about a crazy old SOB continuing a Mideast (forever?) war with Iran, telling people (multiple times) the Strait of Hormuz is open, which, as many know, is where about 25% of the world’s oil passes through daily, and also isn’t true. The sailors jumping off an aircraft carrierbecause they’ve been at sea for some eight months, and are eating CRAP because no tender ships can enter ports nearby to load supplies. Many countries have forbidden US aircraft to fly over them in order to resupply these ships, which is less a national shame than an indictment of Hegseth-trump, who together don’t have the mental firepower of, well, it ain’t easy to find an analogy.

I’m watching the final season of The Last Ship (from 2018), THOSE guys knew the mission HAD to succeed- it doesn’t appear the GOP has any sense of urgency about the US-world order at this point.

Can we say ‘thankfully’ that while House passed SAVE Act, the Senate hasn’t ratified it yet. Knowing Speaker Johnson has the barest possible majority- and McConnell being declared *something* would cut it to almost 0- shows how desperate the situation is for them to stop as many voters as possible. IMHO, alllll of them go down then and are OUT in January because America isn’t fooled by unreal volume of political ads $200M buys. Another factor though- doesn’t trump et al know We the People *tune out* excessive advertising like that early, and KNOWING its coming, we’ll find something *somewhere* that minimizes exposure to BS.

Maybe I’ll skip TV except football games, just do bathroom and snack breaks instead, but one thing I won’t do is buy a book ANY of them ever tries to peddle. Does trump make it to the end of term? Wouldn’t bet on it.

NFL, Panthers roster cut down to 53, two weeks to opener vs. Bears

Its going to be a different kind of season for the Carolina Panthers, because expectations always come with more success, and while ‘only’ 8-9 with a NFC South divisional title, they will now be playing a first place schedule vs. trying to get healthy on (previous) fellow bottom feeders.

There probably won’t be many surprises regarding top half of the keepers, even if new nose tackle Lee Hunter (Texas Tech) hasn’t set anything afire, but inside LB Trevin Wallace was waived after losing out to Claudin Cherelus and the addition of Bobby Okereke, and long time Canales favorite WR David Moore was taken out by John Metchie III, a teammate of Bryce Young’s at ‘Bama. YES! Jonathan Brooks will be active, and Jimmy Horn, Jr. makes for a full complement of receivers.

Offensive Coordinator Brad Idzik will NOW have the opportunity to show how much more can be possible with Panthers offense when they can go downfield more frequently without 100% clock control during 13 play drives, and AJ Dillon made the most of this preseason, as did LB Jason Kuwatch (Miami of Ohio). The secondary is as set as can be imagined, Will Lee III and Ransom Lathan are young hitters to go with Tre’von Moehrig, Mark Jackson, JC Horn, and Chau Smith-Wade is a pro in his 3rd year now. Free agent LBs Devin Lloyd and Jaelan Phillips have showed well throughout preseason they are righteous if expensive additions.

Vacay is half over, I’m okay with that

I’ll hit the casino in Schenectady tomorrow, hopefully get in nine holes, although rain predicted and I need to buy new golf shoes. Drive up was smooth, 800 miles in 14 hrs., and I got off the highway after the Cooperstown (Hall of Fame) exit when it rained insanely hard- no sense getting clobbered by someone who cant see or stay on the road. With brother Dave’s house being 800′ off the road, I haven’t been waking up before 7:00 because of traffic outside my window on Sharon Rd. Just sayin’, physically/mentally refreshed.

Oh, and while I looked GOOD while at the track, I’ll be duded up for casino action. Everyone likes the fedora.

Month: September 2026

Panthers loss should intrigue, ok to appreciate offensive ‘half a loaf,’ BIG Effort in ATL will silence Naysayers