Tag: halloween

Sports, Political, Panther Football

Put last 43-13 whuppin’ of Panthers on hold, Green Bay is here Thurs. Night- Will Charlotte be a Trick or Treater?

by gshorkeyblt2Leave a Comment on Put last 43-13 whuppin’ of Panthers on hold, Green Bay is here Thurs. Night- Will Charlotte be a Trick or Treater?
Calling Panthers game Sunday a House of Horrors wouldn’t be far from the Reality.

Pacino’s blind general in ‘Scent of a Woman’ speech torched an institutions legacy as dishonest- having nothing to do with the XL can of whupass Tampa Bay watched the Carolina Panthers open on themselves Sunday afternoon. Behind 7-0 immediately after the Buccaneers scored on their 14-play opening drive, *every*action*taken* in BOA Stadium turned out like Tom & Jerry mayhem, including a klong! extra point that turned into two-pts. for Tampa Bay, plus a fumble scoop ‘n score somersault.

JAWS films used the tag line, ‘Just when you thought it was okay to go back in the water,’ this rout was essentially complete after first quarter, and there’s no finger pointing to be done about it- total team collapse. If season opening 59-37 scorching- or, duh, Cleveland- are out-sized parts of 3-3- which Panther team comes out Thursday night is a major concern.

Yeah, ‘wheels off’ was appropriate- What else? was ungood vibe

As a fan-sports writer, I stopped taking notes at 19-6, then Young’s fumble, right? It sort of mashes together, seeing Brown and defense run on by ol’ Bucky (147? 2 TDs) looked like replays. More calls for Evero’s 3-4 to go and get more pressure abound. Is Okereke only guy who can tackle? (7 in 1st quarter)

What the HELL happened to offensive line? I was able to watch whole game Sunday, first in a while, and what can a sports writer or fan say about it? On a weekend where a half-dozen or so college games went to long-distance field goals to win intense overtime battles, there wasn’t a redeeming feature to any aspect of Panthers efforts.

If there’s a more ludicrous illustration of futility than having a missed extra point *run back against you* for two points, its maybe like Charlie Brown trick or treating in Halloween special, ‘I got a rock.’

Did I say ‘We agree’ about Bryce having arrived, and OC Brad Idzik’s play-calling? Uhhhh, guess so. My prediction early was 9-8, battle for division known for having iffy records. Bryce Young has been a best practices guy- good long ball thrower, minimal turnovers (ooops!) handles good rushing attack by Chuba Hubbard, Coker & TMac are tough to guard. Really? Is this why GM Dan Morgan hasn’t had (to best of anyone’s knowledge) serious contract talks with any representatives yet?

Or are Panthers pot-committed, with offense built around him that works- mostly? As fans and outside the selection process, its legit to wonder whether Next and Big Game Bryce is consistent, just as much as how secondary and linebackers tackle.

Fans can’t affect things at BOA or on TV, but Panthers kind of got people thinking the refurbishing of franchises reputation could expect more than a booster shot every other week.

Panthers Defense? Is that what they call it?

Okay, 258 yards and three TDs sounds more like the cooking QB Bryce Young has been doing so far, but those were rushing numbers against Ejiro Evero’s 3-4 formation, which still isn’t producing pressure/sacks. Young was very ordinary with very average protection (like Cleveland), so he can expect similar treatment from every NFL team *except* what maybe #32 Detroit did.

Green Bay is coming to town Thursday- anybody *thinking* of scalping tickets to the Cheeseheads? Like Dallas fans, they’ll pay $200+ for tickets, a flight and room for weekend isn’t a problem, and they *can’t* get a ticket to home games, so they come here. BE THERE Babalooey!

To cop a quote, ‘THESE are the times that try mens (guts, brains) souls,’ when you can’t trust the locals to win, or even cover. OC Idzik and Big Game Bryce going downfield to T-Mac or swervin’ from constant blitzers Thursday? WTF with offensive line dissembling?

Culture better include tackling better than those three Tennessee guys on goal line with USC kid battling to score. (not Sorry, and wow! What a moment there.)

Wasn’t this group declared ‘A Unit’ after guys went all 79 offensive snaps together last week? Yep, said that too, shouldn’t think I have to take it back already. Fan-wise, knowing its still only six games together, and we’re just spectators who like Ws better than Ls, the Hornets DID win their first two of season (Nets, Hawks) at home, get Wizards tonight. Just sayin’.

At NO POINT is any of this as important as our elections next Tuesday. Okay, for those college campuses across America, where a once-in-a-generation event causes everyone to lose their minds, and you’ll have lots more pictures and videos of rushing the field to show your friends-kids than they did from memorable times back at Whatsamatter U. Picture taking? Nahhhh. Conduct unbecoming what Momma said about gentlemen? Yaaa! and no evidence.

Panthers fans may of may not show their colors this week, but Army or App St. or UCF, whomever had a joyous ending, wear ’em if you got ’em. What else besides cardiac-causing finales is going on is early voting & campus voting. Almost 200 students marched to a polling place in Greensboro after campus voting was taken away? THAT is the real deal. Congrats on the good foot of those kickers, but election-wise, ONLY WINNING causes or allows the sort of changes USA need to call ourselves leaders again.

A guy up the street here in Myers Park gives out full-sized chocolate bars to kiddies, has adult beverages on porch for those who like to hang around and watch the kids roaming. Was it just last year I opined at a fire pit that night, ‘We won’t have to worry about ICE raids’ and they hit MPCC their 2nd day of ops in Charlotte?’ Yep. Will election results three days after Halloween be equally as dramatic as the goooood sized *moving* spider that gentleman has hooked up next to porch was with young Batman?

Whatever hex is on Panthers that prevents them from winning a couple games in a row, they took down Packers in Lambeau Field last time played, but they won’t be favored at home. Secondary could/will be tested as aggressively as Goff did (412 yds) if front seven doesn’t get actual sacks. Lee, Moehrig, Ransom must be thumpers on run support too.

Received kit of disaster pack and water sticks, none of which would have helped against 28 yards rushing, 3 TDs. Just sayin’.
Sports, Thought Leadership

Panthers back to Earth at 4-4, Hornets (3-4), Crown loses 1-0, then Wins 7-6 in penalty kicks

by gshorkeyblt2Leave a Comment on Panthers back to Earth at 4-4, Hornets (3-4), Crown loses 1-0, then Wins 7-6 in penalty kicks
Didn’t actually get a good read of the World Series, Attaboys! to Jays ,but while few know what ‘s under a Wizard’s hat. Shorkknows had a tough week of NFL football.

Okay, the question of Loserville being in Charlotte professional sports rear view mirror- NFL, NBA, MSL for starters- was actually rhetorical. ‘Escape velocity’ is still down the line.

QB Dalton (ehhhh) and RB Dowdle (!! Canales!!) are difference makers mas or menos, but seriously, nothing negative about Chuba or Kalkbrenner.

Halloween tricks probably won’t continue into Sunday’s game against Green Bay for Panther fans, and although 13 points might entice bettors, there are plenty of alternatives for this long-time sports bettor. No sense worrying about the home team when the Raiders are only getting 3 pts. from the Jaguars and the Giants (-2.5) are only getting a couple from the 49ers. While the Giants have screwed me religiously my entire betting life- and my 50th high school reunion was only a month ago- I won’t take Panthers game either way. Its more about the Hamiltons than Benjamins at this point, and although I’ll watch and cheer for them, no sense letting a good parlay get torpedoed.

Actually, scratch that ‘tude. Made Ed. Note- Just after kickoff, recognizing I couldn’t be a weenie about Panthers predictions, ‘If Bryce *doesn’t* blow things up and have to play from 14 pts. behind- just saying, we know that’s been a problem. Pass rush HAS to arrive today, taking good O-line making long drives, T-Mc and all others catching vs. dropping, Yes, Panthers beat the spread by scoring average 21.

Denver (-1.5!) in Houston sure feels like a gift, with 36 sacks by defense and Bo Nix picking up where he left off rookie year, which was pretty damn good. Whether it would be a sportscaster jinx for anyone in the TV booth or for a writer to suggest Colts QB Dan Jones (formerly an unappreciated Giant) could be a Comeback Player of the Year candidate- usually the domain of injured players vs. just hated for contract-production of wins negativity- suggesting Indy continue best practices, yeah, BUT… Maybe they open the proverbial can of whupass on the Aaron Rodgers Steelers, after Tomlin’s Monday Night’s performance. Give minimal three points? Done.

I’d also suggest taking the Lions (-8.5) against the Vikings, because Detroit is still working off a couple decades of being thumped by the Vikes and Packers. There’s no reason to believe Mr. Shough (really? the ending sounds like a K?) will have anything except ugly from pretty early against the Rams.

Guess what? Panthers game is only one I backed that pulled its weight. Its not 100% make a difference in season moment yet, but over .500 would certainly be progress, and just sayin’, Over-Under for Panthers W is only 6.5. https://www.foxsports.com/articles/nfl/2025-26-carolina-panthers-odds-odds-to-win-super-bowl-nfl-playoffs-division

‘The Other Guys’

In the MLS playoffs, Charlotte’s 4th seeded Crown lost the first game at home 1-0 to #5 seed NYCFC on a 34th minute goal by Alonso Martinez. Charlotte FC forward Wilfried Zaha, who was red-carded in the season finale and missed this game, was a considerable loss offensively. They went to NYC for the second leg of a cumulative score series Saturday, and evened the series with a 1-0 penalty shootout (7-6) win. Charlotte FC Goalkeeper Kristijan Kahlina stopped Agustin Ojeda for the finale. Teams will have an extended time before Game 3 Friday.

The Hornets, who hit a terrific 18-3s and nine players with double figures in their season opener against Brooklyn Nets, were much less prolific in second week of the season, are now 2-3 after being whacked by the Miami Heat 144-117, and Orlando Magic (2-4) last night, 123-107. Kon Kneuppel, who had five of the Hornets triples in opener, had one last night, and five points in 27 minutes, avg. 30 min. court time and shooting 41% from 3. Center Ryan Kalkbrenner continued his solid play with 17 points and 7 rebounds, and definite rim protector. Lorenzo Ball had a 17 point, 13 assist night, and is averaging 26.3 pts., 9.5 asst, 8.3 rebounds, Moussa Diabate had ten points and six rebounds. He and Kalkbrenner could become a tandem.

Loserville might be a state of mind, but in the betting world, you are frequently either the predator or the prey. The Panthers opened the season at +400 regarding winning the NFC South (FanDuel) is currently +700. Go figure…The Hornets (3-5) after losing 116-112 to Pelicans, is playing in the sorry Southeast Division, +2200 to win their division, ahead of the (honestly, still listed as an NBA team?) Washington Wizards at +25000, the Magic at +100.