#Panthers defense – Page 3 – CDTalent Enterprises

LaMelo starts Hornets season with 34-11-8 line as rebound to action – What equals a Worthy Return for Bryce?

October 27, 2024January 16, 2025by gshorkeyblt2Leave a Comment

Its unfair to compare Melo’s classic effort in bringing Hornets back from 18-down to the Houston Rockets to what some-many see as a career-defining return as starter game for Young. Hold those trade offers a while longer, but yeah, its nut-crunching time.

One Game Doesn’t Equal a Season

There was nothing but joy in Charlotte after LaMelo’s first game fireworks return to the court, looking like the whiplash weapon that a past-present face of the franchise should play like. By all accounts, there’s a new sheriff in town mentality with the new owners, Charles Lee’s hiring as a Celtics-trained coach, and Brandon Miller’s time has arrived as well. Go Bugs, and that new kid, Tidjane Salaun too!

There have been major overhauls in Hornets since 1987 inaugural season; I covered the HUGE ’96-’97 changes with Dave Cowens as coach and a bevy of top end players, including Anthony Mason after a 6th Man of Year production for Knicks, the Kobe Bryant for Lakers center Vlade Divac swap, 6’8″ Glen Rice swooping in from wing-and-ones at 28 ppg, that other Curry was shooting treys back then…7′ Matt Geiger on the glass, and taking Cowens no more cha-cha drives to the hole on defense philosophy to heart.

2015-16 was the Lin-sanity year during Steve Clifford’s first tour. He’s the winningest coach in the franchise’s history, leading the team to 244 wins and 574 games coached. 2016 was Hornets last playoff year, a Game 7 loss to Miami Heat.

FYI- Mason was a slightly smaller individual in real life than his picture on a downtown building. If anyone ever asks, yes, he (and Barkley) were the reason NBA changed how they slowed play to a crawl, backing defenders down with controlled dribbles and muscled in layups.

That Cowens year is still one of my best sports predictions, but even my 52-30 wasn’t as good as their actual 54-28. Hornets sold out every game for first eight years, leading the league in attendance, and Charlotte became a legitimate place on the map with a professional team.

Then, thirty seasons ago, came NFL football, two Super Bowl appearances (2004, 2016), and damn! if #MrTeppers$ didn’t gain a mess of a team since Super Bowl 50 with Cam (Feb. 2016).

Fast forward to the hoo-ha! about Carolina Panthers maneuvers to select Heisman-winner Young at a premium price (OMG! DJ Moore to Bears!), a fact Panthers re-regretted after DJM’s two TD catches in recent meeting, along with the disaster of Rhule and Reich experiments.

A supposed jewel of athletic achievement in a slight, unimposing frame, Young was put through the wringer – 62 sacks worth in 2023 – and then toasted steadily for two games in 2024 before Head Coach Dave Canales put pretty good #2 QB Andy Dalton at the controls, leaving Young in learning vs. contributor-savior role.

So now we’re Here, 2024.

There’s not a huge body of evidence – that 2-15 for Young, but yes, Smith and Mayfield for Canales – that indicates either coach or player can resurrect the franchise short term, which makes it an elementally different equation from 81 more games for Hornets and LaMelo.

YES – As Melo’s noted, a full, hopefully*healthy* season is going to be difference maker in how things are viewed in Charlotte. That mobile, 7′ center Mark Washington, productive when he’s on the floor for Hornets, starts 2024 season injured is – well, just sayin’.

At a recently turned 37, Dalton wasn’t intended to be a solution beyond a short term future. Last year he also had a 300 yd, multi-TD game in relief, and yes, three solid scoring drives (26/37 for 316 yards/3 TDs, no turnovers) vs. ATL weren’t enough when defense surrendered 38. Those receivers Dalton has done decently with, the running attack Canales said would be a staple, with Chuba Hubbard and maybe, some week soon? Jonathan Brooks – there are still buttons to be pushed.

Expectations, 11 good passes for at least one TD (like Melo?)

Last week was a 40-7 pounding by Commanders, so what are expectations against Denver, team-wise and for Bryce Young? Will we determine that Canales has indeed done some QB Whispering with Bryce during this period? What weapons will be utilized better than ‘before’? Will he still get blitzed *about*every*play*?

If its a 34-24 loss like v. Bengals, must a No Moral Victories thing be invoked, or can Young earn an extra special little silver star for hitting Ja’Tavian Sanders with a red zone TD strike? 200 yards with less than a couple dozen dump off completions?

Making Leggette gallop around in his Dollar Bill pony act again would ring a bell for many.

LaMelo Ball already has an All Star appearance, and with all possible sorrows for injuries in Charlotte, his bro Alfonzo had it seriously worse, getting on the court for first time in over 1,000 days for Chicago recently. People come back from injuries all the time, Young got a well-deserved by any metrics break (bless his heart) on the bench after two games of deer-in-the-headlights type play before Dalton took the controls.

THAT is what Charlotte Panther fans don’t want to see again.

Turnovers have fed the Broncos defensive rep so far, running on their front is a great time to renew what has been solid contributions by Chuba Hubbard and a somehow renewed O-line. Below acceptable tackling prowess has been a critical factor lacking on Panthers defense, and you can’t really scheme that away.

Wooten is coming back from injury? Does linebacker Trevin Wallace get more chances to chew on MLB position? Is the sturdy and counted on (104 starts, over 6,500 consecutive snaps on offense) Taylor Moton good this week? Panthers will definitely need a center who has it buckled up tight with Austin Corbett gone.

Is there an apples-apples line we can follow Sunday, one that makes LaMelo’s P34-A11-R8 basketball stat line and that scrawny-looking kid from Alabama’s production a legitimate discussion of efforts? A simple W, and less than an ambulance full of injured would be good be a good starting point.

When our NFL and NBA sports teams haven’t produced anything memorable in a while – okay, the local Checkers won the Calder Cup (Triple A hockey) last year, and Teppers other futbol team, Charlotte FC, opened a playoff series in Orlando Friday night – its a looong way to anything like playoffs from any Day One NBA success. If all the crossed fingers about Melo’s good health (ankle supports? sounds like a fine idea) somehow fail, people can forgive a couple years of lesser production due to injury, right?

Well, are we talking about Christian McCaffrey as injury prone again as reason he left Charlotte? Hmmm… Super-popular guy, All-American image, that rare NFL 1000-1000 rushing and receiving year, then married a former Miss Universe if you can believe it.

People expect him to be great again when (although ‘if’ has surfaced) he’s back. The game after Panthers traded him, he caught a TD, rushed for TD, and *threw* for a TD. I defend him always, still expect he’ll hoist a trophy before Panthers, but no, LaMelo and CMC aren’t linked like that.

Comparison shopping?

Comparing Sunday and a Hopefully Better Result than Before situation? Young can’t do an awful lot about Panthers defense giving up NFL worst 33.8 ppg, and with an Over/Under of only 41.5, it doesn’t seem the bookies are expecting an awful lot from Panthers and Young. It wouldn’t be worst thing to run it a whole lot of times, show that commitment Canales talked about, THEN pass a couple, and MAKE SURE THEY GET TDs.

Panther receivers were upgraded, Chuba Hubbard is still gaining credible yardage, and those resources worked for Dalton, so use Leggett and Diontae Johnson like producers they should be.

This is truly a time for Young to step into his big boy pants. Feed the Panthers O-line running game, and somehow make Broncos pay for loading the box and blitzing – that was a BIG negative in Bryce’s first two games, wincingly bad to watch. Broncos have a superior secondary defense (5th) and #3 in scoring defense (15.1ppg), receivers will HAVE TO get separation, and dammit, lets see Brooks.

LaMelo was Rookie of the Year ’21, an All Star in ’22, but frequent injuries to his 6’7″, maybe 185 body, have made questioning his max $$$ extension ($260MM) as a potential drag on club – extended bench time in civilian clothes does bring up that knock.

People knocked the $21.9M signing bonus McCaffrey got, and the $92M debacle with Watson in Cleveland now going down is, just maybe, karmic. At least so far, Charlotte fans are more concerned about Panthers having given away too much for too little results for Bryce, and who really cares about Mr. Watson?

Bryce QB v.2.0 will be out there today, but the +10.5 pts. Panthers offer is a proposition bet that’s nowhere near tempting enough for me.

Panther Football

Production counts, passing Disaster, Good Points for Panthers Pt. II

September 30, 2024October 9, 2024by gshorkeyblt2Leave a Comment

For those experts who thought they saw a glimmer of Hope for (better than 5.5 projected) wins in accumulation of better talent for 2024, Sunday was nearly as good as Charlotte sunshine, with due respect to friends and unfortunates in the disasters of Carolina mountains from Helene. I was early a.m. Friday-late Sat. night without power, *two* trees came down on apartment building next to me, and a third one was taken down because there was ungood lean to it.

Apologies if there’s a hard-fast rule about not (admitting) taking some moral victory from a strong showing in an overall loss, like Little Leaguers who won’t rub where they’ve been hit by a pitch, or ask for time from an umpire while carefully picking themselves out of the dirt from a pickoff attempt.

As an umpire, I’m always looking in case runner gets sloppy, its a legit analogy to say someone’s keeping tags on Panthers game by game process, and most sports fannies will admit, heck yeah! plenty of Good Points to consider about 34-24 loss to Bengals.

Dalton’s grip on offense, O-line Respect is legit

Putting several strong elements up to the rest of NFL light –

Offensive line played 100% of snaps together, no sacks this week, two vs. Raiders. Chuba Hubbard went 18/104 yds/TD, exactly the running strength HC Canales has preached since Day 1. Brooks might not be exactly ready after PUP period, two weeks of 100+ by Hubbard is always legit to point out.
Generally under-utilized lately, Miles Sanders picked up nine touches for 46 yards, new TE star possibility Ja’Tavian Sanders had two catches for 16, Xavier Legette (lee-gett) took a great zap! TD catch from Dalton, but dropped two others.
Panthers went 68 yards with opening drive, didn’t put it in endzone, no points. J’T Sanders on goal line was my thought.
Never a bad thing for other teams to worry about you pulling a fake punt, and punter Hekker has made the pass more than a couple times in career, nothing wrong or way strange with the attempt.
Bengals Brown falling inside the five, then getting up quicker than a Panther defender, to score with one second left in half.

Two pass interferences at goal line, all of these are difference between win-lose in the NFL. Accept it? Not a whiff of discontent today.

Hence the overall Attitude, team and fan-wise, Panthers collectively missed a half-dozen solid opportunities to do something that might have made a difference. Ja’Marr Chase’s 63 yards of getting bumped but not *tackled* for Bengals, their 130 yards rushing in second half after 11 in first, will be remembered by Ejiro Evero’s Panther defense. Yes, there are going to be standards again.

Canales comment in post-game about Legette’s semi-breakout game, with 6/66 yds. and that TD, was 100% Good Teaching Moment stuff. ‘Secure the catch, then be special,’ could become a credo for WR room. Mingo looked like he *wanted* those extra yards.

You saw it, more than decently better than 2023

At a time when Bryce Young’s name is going to be used at lower levels than in past year, thinking he didn’t learn LOTS even watching would be wrong. One drive at end of pre-season never convinced me there was a leadership passage figured out. Go ahead with that QB Whisperer thing, but changing horses for an offensive mindset based on upgraded receivers and running the ball, yes, this is a better TEAM.

Commentator Moose Johnson noted the size of Panther WRs, Mingo is big for a slot guy, Thielen will be back though.

Appreciating the difference that GM Dan Morgan and team developed in identifying the dawgs they wanted in the trenches, this 1-3 moment honestly feels like a Team Thing. There were empty seats in the stadium, and no judgement on that, lots of bad happening. Watching the giddy galloping of Leggette for his first pro TD, 3rd rounder Wallace getting an upgrade on playing time in the middle after Shaq and Jewell injuries, nothing like experience, though not all of it will be great.

Dropping small passes can kill drives instead of start – Message accepted.

Wrap up and take down, not arm tackles, is a best practices must do.

Ties are like kissing your sister, so Sunday’s 34-24 loss wasn’t like that, and no, Evero’s secondary didn’t stop Burrow’s 22/31, 232 yd/ 2 TD/1 INT day, but he wasn’t carving on them either. Even with a clutch pass interference call on goal line, Jackson’s presence on back line is noted, Horn is close to being what Panthers need every week, a stud cover guy who takes one side of field away. Secondary has given up 9 TDs in 4 games though, that fact has got to change.

FOX Sports says Panthers are #24 in overall defense (353.1 ypg), Dallas is #25 at 355.3, and has given up 8 rushing TDs. The Eagles (204.7) and Cowboys (209.5) are behind #16 Panthers (201.7) in passing D, at 151.3 a game, Panthers rush defense is 29th.

#leadership thought, Panther Football, Sports

So the ballers played, With Harvest Moon & Kinda Muddy is A Blue’s Story – but Panther’s win is Definitely #1

September 24, 2024November 17, 2024by gshorkeyblt2Leave a Comment

I was early for a field ump assignment, under the lights at Independence Field Wednesday, and saw the coaches working on it, but 10 hours plus of tropical rain Monday was still around, a tarp didn’t help home plate area enough. Decently hit grounders were seriously slowed by grass/turf. For whomever does the pants this week, that red clay on uniforms is gonna be tough.

With a yellowed full-full moon above, and the artistic coloration of a building beyond right field, we played seven, the full two hours and fifteen allowed. I congratulated Corey, the home plate Blue, around him and 1st base line looked WWII stuff, where ‘slogging’ is operative word.

I’ll get back to the ballers a little later, such a shareable youth sports event. Muddy? Pssshhh. Yes, my outlook on Wednesday, but MONDAY Panthers are #1 story. Hold the awww, Bryce is gone moans. Andy Dalton is the QB who just won Panthers first game in as BIG a way as you could believe, AND defense stoned the Raiders run game with just 54 yds. allowed. Absolute team effort.

And then came Dalton

Diontae Johnson most definitely, 8 catches/122 yds/TD, Leggette 2/42 yds, Tremble 3/29, Hubbard 5 rec/55yds/TD, plus 21/114 yds. lugging it, Thielen 3/40 yds/TD, that means all dawgs got fed. Of course, that brings up the absolute change in norms coming at benching of Bryce Young after 0-2, deer-in-headlights performances that weren’t appreciated. No excess judgement on ultimate decision maker, but Bryce, by any metrics of successful QB play, needed to sit.

Sunday was elemental, empirical – Did using a very good veteran #2 QB satisfy the idea more could be/needed to be done offensively? Yes. Next football decision and hold the Awww, Bryce...

Next action, and Reality at 37, is Dalton isn’t the forever QB, the expectation is Bryce will return to helm, but Panthers were down 30-3 by time I finished polishing my season opening blog and turned on game. Unreal. I think the way Saints mauled Cowboys for 44 in Big D the week after wasting Panthers has to be considered along the way, just sayin’. Carr is throwing it pretty well.

The Panthers defense got gouged regularly by Chargers without Derrick Brown, but somehow the Eagles are giving up worse than 6.7 per rush, so call it a spear set in place vs. Raiders for front seven Panthers.

This Monday morning, I still believe Panthers have significantly better personnel in 2024 than before Morgan, Tilis, Canales started running football ops. I’ve given #MrTeppers$ props for not talking much, but bringing back those Game 1 projections of mine seem a lot more real now, after Dalton has connected long and with Everybody on passes, and hung a genuine W on the board. 2024/09/08/it-wont-be-a-jinx-to-say-panthers-start-2024-with-a-w-in-dome/

There’s no denying its a different game with experienced vet like Dalton, and yes, everyone got healthy with his distribution. Yes, he’s only guy in NFL so far with 300+ yds., 3 TD day. 437 yards sounds like lot of contributors because it was. By the money numbers, Panthers were +5.5 (didn’t interest me), and over/under was 39.5 (-115), nobody was expecting fireworks like 36-22. HC Canales has always maintained that running football would be difference maker, and they would be doing it – Hubbard and O-line produced.

Give it up for 3 sacks and INT, only allowed 3/11 on 3rd down. That’s Evero’s hot buttons for Panthers defense, sacks and getting off on third downs.

Uhhh, no, its not JUST one win. Glad to have the Red Rifle working with live ammo. Stay strong Panthers defense. Not seeing any cred that Canales somehow abused Bryce by pushing belief in his abilities (yada yada). No, that was QB Whisperer Coach.

It says Cincinnati on schedule next, that would seem a legitimate tester. See ya’ Sunday.

The epitome of athletic team effort, well, sort of

About umping a muddy, full moon game, it was 10-11s vs. 12-13s, same org, everybody on same system. Corey was plate ump, handled the truly mucky area, people moved gingerly around the plate all night. To keep their balance, batters weren’t taking full cuts either. Still, no bitching about the conditions, that’s what was working for me. Making a few calls during ball game, fine panorama of the evening down near an active park, with some live music from back of a bar, a short block from back of theater behind home place. Runners and nearby girls soccer, a little wet, yep.

Wednesday evening as symbolic of athletic team effort, meh, but youth baseball works for me. I appreciated how the pitchers pitched, not stressing balls and strike calls, a little heavy, maybe. Hey, *everybody* runs on pass balls. Outfielders didn’t just miss fly balls, they tracked them down and usually found the cutoff man effectively. What’s to complain about? we got a game.

There were people sitting in the stone-ledge amphitheater behind home, someone always went to find balls fouled out of play. A wet field didn’t bother watchers. The coaches wiped off and rotated the balls steadily, telling their pitchers, ‘Take a good one.’ One of younger team, Wyatt, I recognized from last week. Had to chuckle when his Dad, coaching at first, just shook his head, “Ahhh, maybe some day he’ll learn how to hit a curve ball.”

My four games at Saturday assignment at Carmel MS, and three nights next week, started at 8:30 (-3:15), but its barely five miles from my house. I’ve always said-felt umpiring, being a Blue, was my contribution to the American Family Experience. $60 when you’re plate umpire is a legitimate contribution to my microeconomy too. Extra groceries, y’know.

Just maybe, sometimes, I’m a guy who can make a difference with a young pitchers (obvious) flaws. When you start umpiring, they tell you don’t be chatty with people on other side of fence, just takes one call to get them going wrong.

Answer: Sorry, I’m a yakker. Extra talking kind of got me sideways with a commissioner type Saturday, specifically a thrown bat and my calling runner out vs. just warning. All about safety issues Mr. Manager. Maybe a little #Boomerwith Attitude.

If you hear it hit, its no big deal

*Clipped by a 15 yr. old fastball-foul tip to bone in forearm. Thanks to coach with ice pack! Mon. after. from wrist to elbow.*

Sunday I’ll be back at Sedgefield, where I got foul-tip clipped this Spring. Whether arm was broken (not) was an immediate concern then, ice pack arrived just in time or it would’ve blown up. Supposed to be 13-unders today, little less velocity. The ‘hear it hit aspect,’ crowd always ohhh!s when you take a crack! in chest protector or mask, but its more not hearing it, that means it caught meat (me).

Being Blue is still a physical challenge. I always get a chuckle for saying, “I don’t get out of bed if not going to get hit at least a couple times.” The best thing a Blue can ever do is Out! call, standing over finale to a play at third when tag is high, runners foot got underneath it. Bam! Case closed.

After a stiff one to the grill in Spring, I took off mask and said, “I’m gonna think about that one an extra second,” just for little theater. I haven’t taken a nutter in all my years, fingers crossed. I consider that a ‘best practices.’

Turns out a beef from Sat. caused me to be off Sun. I’m almost glad, lost $120, but when I left after one o’clock, it was 89 degrees, turned out to be a scorcher afternoon, mid 90s, blazing Carolina blue sky. I finally washed my cruddy car instead. I wonder if that clay in Independence Park dried out. Here’s where that staying hydrated focus meant taking care of yourself – Sedgefield is a hike around to back side of school, no services for bottled water.

Panther Football

It won’t be a Jinx to say Panthers start 2024 with a ‘W’ in Dome

September 8, 2024September 29, 2024by gshorkeyblt21 Comment

The Panthers trainwreck 2-15 season won’t immediately and finally be put to rest, the team didn’t survive a death march through the usual cauldron of Spartanburg heat for training camp, and only a few prognosticators elevate expectations to even the 5.5 wins the oddsmakers have set. (My $$ is down on that, couple bucks on winning NFC South at +1100 is legitimate)

Today, against an NFC South Saints team with numerous flaws itself, I’ll go with Canales positive outlook and several on-the-money throws to those offensive additions Panthers need to produce a very acceptable WIN, not a Feel Good close loss.

YES! About JT, DJ, a Cool Canales, and #MrTeppers$

Writing in the shadow of a 1:00 season opener in New Orleans, few things matter more than seeing a revamped Panther offensive line keeping what is still an above-average Saints defense off of quarterback Bryce Young. Having survived – a very accurate assessment – a 62 sack first NFL season in Charlotte, almost every factor in free agency and draft was tied to improving his situation.

Starting with a pair of guards getting big $$$ as GM Dan Morgan’s first move, and a surprising 4th round pick to add a potential star (finally!) tight end like Ja’Tavian Sanders that changes the conversation of ‘Nothing since Olsen left,’ the naysayers will be able to breathe easier later this afternoon.

Contributions from the fast, studly Xavier Leggette, highly proficient route runner Diontae Johnson from Pittsburgh for about to be released Donte Jackson, the reliable veteran slot receiver Adam Thielen has always been (103 catches/1014 yds/4 TDs in 2023), and the emergence of Jonathan Mingo https://www.espn.com/nfl/player/stats/_/id/4426485/jonathan-mingo as a threat should bring a dynamic change from last years weak (tied for NFL low) 13.9 scoring average.

IMHO, very few have given team owner David Tepper sufficient credit for letting Morgan, Head Coach Dave Canales, and Executive VP of Football Operations (‘the cap guy’ to many) Brandt Tilis, run his team without even dabbing a big toe in matters. While he’s still getting described as disruptive in national press, he hasn’t opined about ANYTHING that’s been done since March. If/when that changes about 4:00 this afternoon, nobody should blame him for going a little extra yackety-yak happy.

He won’t be projecting a division title, but he can allow himself to congratulate eeeeeverybody mentioned above for getting the once proud NFL franchise’s rebuild on righter track without having to sweat taking a major load of guano.

What about Brooks and the defense?

Yes, its a team sport, and while NFL All Pro Derrick Brown and his upgraded contract (4 yr./$96M) after a record-breaking year https://www.msn.com/en-us/sports/nfl/panthers-dc-ejiro-evero-thinks-dt-derrick-brown-can-get-8-to-10-sacks-this-season/ar-AA1q4e4v?ocid=BingNewsSerp has space to improve with sacks vs. QB pressures, a full replacing of Panthers linebacking experience because of departures by Burns, Luvu, Gross-Matos isn’t going to be immediately visible.

Jadeveon Clowney is still a force to be reckoned with holding the edge, even if Shy Tuttle isn’t a true-true nose tackle there’s more beef around Brown, and fingers will be crossed every day of the week-NFL season about oft-injured safety Jaycee Horn https://www.msn.com/en-us/sports/nfl/panthers-willing-to-pay-top-dollar-to-extend-cb-jaycee-horn/ar-AA1pmvDJ becoming the lock-down safety he’s always been projected as.

Defensive Coordinator Ejiro Evero stayed in Charlotte after a #4 rated year for Panthers defense that would have gotten him head coaching consideration in a lot of other league situations, and a well-deserved whew! for Morgan about that. The cabinet is not empty despite the drain of last years linebacking corps, but the return of veteran Shaq Thompson (8 years a Panther) from a season-ending ankle injury against Saints in a Monday Night game, and rising expectations of Kentucky product Trevin Wallace (6’1″, 244 lbs, 3rd round) as a reliable middle LB and A-1 banger/blitz problem will count heavily.

Extra Points (but not Pinero related)

The secondary seems to have become a personnel strength, and credit Morgan with using the Panthers status as first in line for anyone worth while that got to waiver status; he picked up *six* on cut-down day (90 to 53), meaning he had to bump several names from the 53-man roster who originally made the cut. S Jordan Fuller, formerly of LA Rams, was an easy pickup back in March, and fits exactly the size and experience profile Evero likes at the back end.

Several names, including S Demani Richardson, who had two picks in joint practices with the Jets and another in pre-season win over Bills; veteran Jordan Matthews, (32 ) a converted WR who was elevated to regular roster after a couple other TEs haven’t fully recovered from dings; and undrafted QB Jack Plummer (Louisville), who had a sterling effort against the Bills (21/29 for 278 yards, 2 TDs to Jalen Coker and Terrace Marshall Jr., one sack) to earn being kept, will be heard from soon. Okay, maybe not from Marshall, who is now in San Fran.

Second round stud RB Jonathan Brooks will be on PUP (physically unable to perform football duties) list until after fourth game of season. Not pushing him to return from torn ACL surgery last November means cutting someone when he returns, so last years mainstay at RB will continue to be Chuba Hubbard (238 carries/902 yds/4 TDs) in meantime. Austin Corbett, who had ACL surgery in 2022, didn’t play in 2023, and is now switched to center position on Panthers redone O-line. LT Ikem Ekwonu will shake his sophomore season negatives, while Taylor Moton has a 100 game long string of starts at right tackle.

Prediction: Having noted several times that Sanders at TE would be targeted in the red zone early, getting a start today moves my prediction up a game, from third to second at latest. His speed is rated as ‘just shy of elite,’ he’s a touch it-count it guy. If he’s watched enough of Olsen tapes to have a ninja ability about disappearing-reappearing to catch a pass for first downs, or break away for long gainers, he’s going to be a tough cover nightmare around the goal line every week.

Morgan will be viewed as a seer and not just lucky that Sanders somehow fell to #101 in draft, and when Brooks gets into lineup and defenses have to be concerned about him on play action, Young will gain valuable half-seconds to find his new, faster-better receivers, including Mingo, who often failed to separate from coverage in 2023.

Pinero was seen as a silent holdout who thought he deserved more $$$, but he’s not a long-range leg, and will never be mistaken for original franchise member-Panther legend John Casey (1995-2011, over 1400 points). Kicking situation is settled, in the short term at least.

Boomer with Atttitude

I’ve seldom considered myself ‘a homer’ while sports writing/watching, my early chops writing about the NFL was in early ’80s, just as LeRoy Selmon, his brother, HUUUUUGH! Greene, mobile, agile, hostile; and Doug Williams, running for his life and yardage, made them a little less like Suck-aneers. https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/W/WildJa00.htm https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/B/BellRi01.htm https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/W/WillDo01.htm

QBs running and throwing because they *needed to,* thats how it USED to be for QBs on ungood teams got abused. Ask any Manning about Archie. A Legend, took that his whole career. Tampa for me was when the Bucs started getting some respect. Nobody forgets they started out 0-26.

The great Coach John McKay, who left a successful USC program to coach the expansion Tampa Bay Buccaneers, put it classically pithily, when asked what he thought of his team’s execution,

“I’d be for it.'”

*So work with me on the analogy – like Bryce, I looked cool-clean in July (at Saratoga in Up-State NY)- but now its for real 2024. Looks good, meh, its still a john selfie.*
Getting some $$ on them, just in case, $10 on division, could be legit ? 8-9?

I was there a couple years later, 1980-82. Yeah, most called them the Suck-aneers, but 9-7, heroic stuff from their Before, Lost in 2nd round. My cousin Frank was in the band, I was a sport writer, Bucs and Rowdies soccer. I’ve seen pretty bad, Doug Williams was barely over 50% passing.

I’m not 100% convinced about Young’s worthiness, after one damn drive in preseason; mixed practices with the Jets was the O-line’s ‘don’t get hurt’ mentality until its For Real Blocking and Blitzes vs. Saints. It sure *sounded* like they’ve done a fine job of getting better personnel in camp, I trust GM Dan Morgan (with #MrTeppers$) no problem. Canales, fingers crossed about the Whispering.

Start taking the points, Panthers will probably always get, how many is enough? give them (or play 49ers?) I arrived in Charlotte in 1995, same as Panthers, and #1 fact worth stating again is always, until they went 10-0 by whipping Cowboys on Thanksgiving, almost nobody thought they were Super Bowl worthy. lol Amen! on the first shot out of barrel today (and my over 5.5 in short term).

Today is Game One. Whisper away.

Panther Football, Sports

Knights win 6-4, Ascent FC takes inaugural game 1-0, Panthers 15-12 game vs. Jets was satisfying Sports Saturday in Charlotte

August 19, 2024August 22, 2024by gshorkeyblt2Leave a Comment

Panthers scored TD at end of regulation, not getting to kick extra point (or playing many first teamers) wasn’t a problem. Vicky Bruce’s goal in 27th minute at refurbished ($41M) American Legion Memorial stadium was seen by 10,553 enthused spectators, and Knights hung a 5 spot in 4th inning fireworks, none after matinee game. On a 90 degree day, cold beer and well-played games were all you could ask for.

Forget about naysaying for just a little while Charlotte, although winning their inaugural game guarantees nothing for the first women’s pro sports team here since WNBA Sting folded in 2007. Saturday’s triple header sure beats the ‘Loserville’ tag our teams have earned while being blasted regularly the last couple years. Hornets only won 21 NBA games last season, Carolina Panthers were an often described as a dumpster fire while going 2-15 in 2023, and Triple AAA Knights, now 54-62, were a dismal 54-96 last year. Take the upswing on Knights being more competitive.

Panthers still not playing first teamers

For the fans who continue to sweat (sorry! its legit about Sat.) Head Coach Dave Canales still not putting starters (37 held out vs. Jets) on field in pre-season games, there is an expectation that changes against Buffalo Bills this Saturday. Cutdowns to 53-man roster are next Tues. (27th) and HC Canales has *got* to want to see Bryce Young and the offense working for real before season opener vs. Saints two weeks later.

Given the barrage of injuries throughout NFL camps, ie. Vikings QB J.J. McCarthy (torn meniscus) that will sideline the rookie from Michigan for 2024 season, Canales caution with expected starters is still outside usual NFL best practices.

The joint practices against Jets last week provided helpful indicators on progress. Jets QB Aaron Rodgers started slow with a pair of INTs, got back on track late with a TD pass during two-minute drill. Panthers QB Bryce Young was 14/22 on Thursday, 5/7 to five different receivers on his chance at two-minute drill, resulting in a FG. Eddie Pinero is the only kicker in camp now, so apparently he’s not getting any more than the $2.5M for year two of his contract like he desired.

Terrence Marshall, Jr. and second year receiver Jonathan Mingo seem to be assured of making the 53-man team off the intrasquad practices. Marshall’s TD in Jets practice left him giddy enough to drop the ball on his defender, a major reason for the teams dust-up during week. That $100M free agent Robert Hunt went down early in one practice was cause for concern, but he came back later, so whew! for offensive line and yes, points to Canales for holding starters out in another game. Panthers are better, but losing first line players (they had 15 people at guard positions in 2023) would be a killer.

RB Chuba Hubbard (238 carries, 902 yds, 5 TDs in 2023) went down awkwardly in practice but is judged okay, and Jonathan Brooks isn’t ready yet, but Dillon Johnson (18 carries, 89 yds., last second TD) looked fine. Panthers Jack Plummer was 11/18 for 42 yards, but HC Canales is truly pushing the running game aspect.

DB Demani Richardson’s late INT on Saturday capped a terrific week, with two others in practices. Despite DC Ejiro Eviro’s Panthers defense putting up somewhat gaudy numbers – 3rd in passing yardage, 4th in overall yardage, and 5th in third down efficiency in 2023 – they only had NINE TOs last year. Some ball-hawking in secondary, and increased respect for rookie Trevin Wallace’s banging people as MLB, Panthers looked more like an NFL team.

Knights played to few, Ascent FC before many

It was difficult to determine how close to their average attendance (6,000) the Knights were, because almost everyone took shelter in shade, but the Ascent fared much better with that enthused 10,553. Renee Guion’s free kick was headed by Annika Creel to a well-positioned Vicky Bruce, who tucked it away in the 27th minute against DC Power FC.

The Ascent will have 14 games in Aug.-Dec. part of season, then 14 more from Feb.-May, playing in USL Super League. That they drew such a crowd at other end of Charlotte from Panthers game is a hopeful sign. Sorry, didn’t see that game, can’t say a ton about it.

Business, Panther Football

For what its worth, Panthers pre-season is here, Young being held out

August 8, 2024August 9, 2024by gshorkeyblt2Leave a Comment

What’s in the cards for 2024 Carolina Panthers? Not all answers will be made clear after a pre-season game, but count on them being more watch- and bettable. Willing to reinvest more of my NY casino winnings, what’s over-under on TE Sanders for TDs?

Enormous rain in Charlotte from Debby is no problem, game in New England will be closely watched by all. (Well, depending on Olympic schedule; US-Brazil women’s VB figures to be killer.) Holding out Young so maybe he doesn’t get broken ‘for nothing’ doesn’t sound right; give HC Canales extra rope on who-what-when at this point. Start the season clock, big Nexts will be 53-man roster (Aug. 27th) and opener vs. Saints (Sept. 8).

When assessing the Panthers brain trust during free agency and draft, the poker axiom ‘You can’t win everything in first couple pots, but you CAN lose it that quick,’ is still legitimate now that first preseason game is here. Head Coach Dave Canales knows as well as anyone that proving definite operational changes are as positive as his outlook is constantly described, will count. Nothing could say Tah-dah! better than Young going vertical and tagging one, or several, of those new receivers. But not this week.

Can Panthers run the ball?

While Young’s development will always be front and center consideration, Canales stated offensive plans revolve around running the ball effectively. “Every team I’ve been on, we used all of our running backs at different points because it’s such a violent position,” states the case, and he’ll have full tight end (9) and WR rooms (9) with 90 bodies in camp.

#2 pick Brooks isn’t expected to be available for another two months (post-Achilles surgery). Yes, surgery was reason the Texas product was available. Leave CMC out of any discussions on injury front, when Brooks is ready, we’ll know about it.

The new guard tandem of Robert Hunt-Damian Lewis and center Austin Corbett can’t be one-dimensional QB protectors, seeing Ikem Ekwonu put 3-4 people on their keesters would be uplifting, nothing better than Chuba Hubbard getting thirty-five yards on a half-dozen carries (2023 avg. 3.9/carry) out of the gate tonight. If Sanders put four good carries together, people would be less inclined to point at his $25.4M contract (in Year 2 of 4).

Playing many of the lesser names (Canales eventually held out about 30 players) is 99% the rationale for pre-season, and ‘Lets see what we’ve got’ has to include those here for last year’s 2-15. A lot of personnel is being re-evaluated, Legette (foot concern) and Brooks, like Young, are being handled carefully. GM Morgan has a plethora of Others to dial up immediately, but there will be now be film to watch and names to forget-replace at a steady clip.

RBs – Hubbard (4), Brooks, Sanders (6), Blackshear (3), D. Johnson, Jaden Shirden, Mike Boone (7)

TEs – Franks (4), Hodges, Hollister (7), Horsted (5), Matthews (8), Sanders, Sullivan (3), Thomas (7!), Tremble (4)

WRs – Diontae Johnson (6), Legette, Marshall (4), Mingo (2), Moore (6), Smith-Marsette (4), M. Strachan (4), Thielen (11), Thompkins (3)

Defense will have opportunities

Patriots were a decently strong defense up front last year, and they’ve given safety Jabril Peppers a 3 yr./$24M contract based on last years strong work. Panthers should be motivated to physically move people every chance they get, pre-season doesn’t earn a participation trophy. ‘Coach wants ground game, we do ground game!’ is order of the day. HC Canales has made it clear the lack of pre-snap discipline at FanFest at Clemson last week can’t/better not be best he gets.

Both offenses will be looking to prove they can run against the other, and Panther fans will be looking for Jadeveon Clowney to become enough of the ‘generational talent’ he was drafted as out of South Carolina. Its Year 11 on his physical clock, and he’s always been more of a beast against the run than truly overwhelming pass rusher. None of that changes with a pre-season game appearance (or not).

We’ll see how DC Evero uses his very different personnel in 2024, but Derrick Brown HAS to duplicate his feats of last year (57 solo tackles, 103 overall, 2 sacks) to move the Panthers defense up the overall rankings – they got scored on a lot without giving up sustained drives for a #3 rating.

Nobody can predict whether betting on Jaycee Horn will become a consistent terror in coverage or guy (still) walking the bench area during games is good idea. Just sayin’.

America is set to bet

Would I bet on this game (+5)? Sure, and a lot sooner than I would have bet that Swedish pole vaulter Mondo Duplantis (via LSU, Mom’s heritage) https://bleacherreport.com/articles/10130873-swedens-mondo-duplantis-sets-pole-vaulting-world-record-at-2024-olympics-wows-fans would go Olympic record (6.1m), world record (6.25m) with last two tries, after already nailing his second gold medal (Tokyo, 2021).

Even Canales would be hard pressed to out-positive that.

Results $$ during March Madness were good on FanDuel, I’d invested a lot of time on Big East watching (beyond UConn). I’m going to be an expert on understanding-writing Panthers season, and hugely talented Olympic athletes aside, football, including college, is where the meat is for sports books. Yes, I’ve got early $50 on Panthers (+800 consensus over several sites) for the NFC South.

#leadership thought, Panther Football

This ex-Yankee sharpens 2024 production – Panthers, politics, Red Silk Boxers

August 2, 2024September 20, 2024by gshorkeyblt2Leave a Comment

*Talk about a classic shot: December game at Clemson, 1995. Sam Mills is going to try and stop Steve Young sneaking in from the one.* *31-10 was final.*

I bought tickets for Knights game on 17th, expect to ride bike downtown and see how close to Panthers practice fields I can get this week. The names of those who won’t be playing football in Charlotte long will be, well, long, starting soon. Lots of people to not learn about.

My red silk boxers picture, from just before moving to Charlotte in 1995, was about elementary personal positivity I’d like to revisit in 2024. That feeling a rising tide lifts all boats, the sunshine-y promise over four days that April for folks anniversary, became Go! action 38 days later. I was never a Giants or Jets fan.

I attended my first Panthers game, against the Steve Young-Jerry Rice 49ers, at Clemson. Panthers made it to NFC championship in Year 2, lost 32-29 to Patriots in their first win (2004) of Super Bowl run, and Broncos in 2016.

The franchises overall record is 223-260-1, 31-68 since #MrTeppers$ bought the team. Its not all his fault, but…Without 15-1 record in Super Bowl season, Rivera wouldn’t be nearly their winningest coach. I lucked into Panthers-Cowboys playoff tickets on Christmas Eve.

I’ve seen the depths three times, but just about every righteous button has been pressed by Panthers GM Dan Morgan in 2024, starting with extending stud defensive tackle Derrick Brown. https://www.nfl.com/news/panthers-dt-derrick-brown-agrees-to-four-year-96m-contract-extension While extensive coverage went to Brian Burns struggles with getting paid, Brown’s stats became a profound statement of his value to this organization – any upgrading of talent or regard for its #3 yardage defense ranking last year is based on his effectiveness.

The free agent elements brought in to mitigate the wiping out of Panthers linebacking corps, the newbies, and names in/out/remaining in the pot, they know THE PADS ARE ON NOW.

–8/1/24, GShork – Yes, Carolina, the Panthers will be bettable this year – points will be scored. No, its not just Canales positive smoke, its a brighter operational day. #MrTeppers$ should just ride the wave, maybe talk about stadium $$$ after they beat 5.5 win projection.

Not Cam Newton’s RPO

Its not necessary to visit any Panthers practices to know run-pass options won’t be in Head Coach Dave Canales playbook, even though he speaks regularly about running the ball offensively. Defensive coordinators figured out long ago that whacking the QBs *on*every*play* was a definite way to slow an RPO offense down, and yes, ‘6’5″, 250 and runs like a deer’ description of early Newton’s physicality is 180 degrees different from Bryce Young’s much slighter frame.

Otherwise, yes, there will be a real quantity of head banging for Panthers O-line in 2024.

If even TWO of the reports that Young is throwing it accurately to Everyone, Everywhere, All the time is true, *that* is still what most sports pundits consider a major criteria for Good Quarterback. The only time Cam hit a receiver on ‘up’ throw in red zone, Devin Funchess reached OVER a Redskin defender from behind to pluck what would have been an easy INT free. https://www.panthers.com/news/devin-funchess-becomes-first-nfl-player-to-sign-professional-basketball-contract (Who knew he was this good an athlete?)

Chuba Hubbard is the stalking horse for Panthers running game – at least right now. He’s been a grinder (3.9/carry) and scored 12 TDs for Panthers, five in ’21 when McCaffrey was the lead back and got traded, five last year (238 carries/902 yds) when there was NOT a great O-line in big picture. https://www.espn.com/nfl/player/stats/_/id/4241416/chuba-hubbard

If only thing that’s come out of camp about Miles Sanders is he’s lost some weight, Canales still likes crowds in RB and TE rooms.

Sizeable IFs

Austin Corbett’s move to center (post-knee surgery) and early addition of free agent guards Hunt, Lewis to run with the extremely solid Taylor Moton at right tackle, and betting on a better, remotivated Ikem Ekwonu on the left, is highly anticipated. Corbett has never played center as a professional, Ekwonu’s rep took a righteous dinging in a sophomore season full of penalties and shredding by blitzers that ruined Young’s first season.

Brady Christiansen will be backing up most line positions, but people will be leaving camp sooner vs. later if results are lacking. Morgan replaced Rashaad Penny’s retirement in less than a day. There’s already position competition gents… Cade Mays (3 yrs.)? Stephenson, excuse me, Steven Sullivan?

Solid Credit for upgrades to receiving corps

Best news for WR room is (seriously) that Jonathan Mingo spent time with Panthers great Steven Smith, Sr. during off-season. Mingo has all the physical tools, as does Terrance Marshall, and by all accounts, Ian Thomas has shown something under Canales early coaching. Keep the standard of ‘Whatever improves the competitive outlook of team’ in mind. Football Operations is getting great PR for consistent moves, and yes, it still seems #MrTeppers$ is being invested appropriately and without any hoo-ha.

When talking best moves on upgrading front, getting All Pro who runs great patterns Diontae Johnson as WR1 for CB Donte Jackson, who was about to become an economic cut ($14.5M), tops the trade list. A close #2, because Charlotte has gotten some quality personnel on the roster vs. shunned as ungood place to be, is Xavier Leggette (lee-get), the first round pick Panthers didn’t have going into draft. He’s a rookie most likely to earn a nickname and too modest to accept it. An inch shorter and a ripped 221 lbs., he’s Mushin Muhammad size with serious giddyap, and he’ll be a party to watch happen.

Canales-OC Brad Idzik won’t take as long to get production from him at WR2 as Panthers waited for Ohio St. blur Curtis Samuel to succeed (and then go free agent).

Canales-OC Brad Idzik won’t take as long to get production from him at WR2 as Panthers waited for Ohio St. blur Curtis Samuel to succeed (and then go free agent). Mushin is a franchise great, will be inducted into Ring of Honor with Julius Peppers during Week 8 game vs. Houston Texans.

Ja’Tavian Sanders out of Texas has got to be a prayer answered at tight end. My credo is use that weapon until a defense proves they can stop him, don’t sweat his blocking. Pavoratti didn’t sing the praises of Buicks or Golden Corral, right? Has it only been since 2020 that Olsen has been gone? 15.3yds./catch at Texas and almost elite speed, check, so maybe, please, show us how touches can (always?) equal catches.

Because I like the prospect of calling an obvious event early, mark Sanders down for a red zone TD catch early in season; he’ll filter outside on a goal line defense, be an unstoppable 1-1 cover. You might call it ‘best practices.’

–GShork says, 8/1/24

No pressure on Brooks cutting things up too soon, adding catch-run yardage out of backfield? Noooo, zero expectations…

Hey, WR room still has Adam Thielen, won’t get 1,000 again as primary, but he keeps getting open, so Young has the safety blanket tosses. He’ll earn his check and be a great teammate too. If part of what’s being rebuilt in Panthers organization is culture, with dawgs and foxhole guys in the mix, Thielen deserves to run some routes with daylight between catches and getting thumped by OLBs on a bad team at ending of solid career.

Business, POV - Content Creation, Sports

‘Blue’ for American Family baseball, Panthers May is New Normal, Year 30 starts in Charlotte

May 28, 2024June 13, 2024by gshorkeyblt2Leave a Comment

Earning over $1100 in last ten days, even having four rainouts, makes umpiring a favored evenings/weekends gig. Seeing terrific glovework, the JOY of tough catches, winning, and hell yes! 10 year olds going yard, is worth an occasional mask-adjusting foul tip. My new product on Etsy – entrepreneur again! online gig, being ‘Blue,’ a girlfriend? my recent New Normal is all positive.

A week after opening OTAs, business is like Carolina Panthers handle on 2024 – Back-glancing isn’t necessary, fans are interested.

Arrived in Charlotte 1995, same as Panthers

Making a case for kinship-history with a football team’s hopeful resurrrection feels legitimate. I use ‘Year 30 starts’ as a personal marker, Memorial Day being my landing date in the Queen City. Having come down from NY for my folks 40th anniversary (up from Tampa), I enjoyed Chamber of Commerce weather in mid-April, 38 days later, I was here. I was never a Giants or Jets fan, so when Panthers threw down that 12-4, NFC championship game second year, I was an easy convert. And hey, the weather is still terrific.

I’ve only been to two Hornets games at Spectrum Center, good thoughts sent to them for new owners efforts to turn that franchise around too. Charlotte doesn’t want to become (stay?) Loserville. It definitely looks like a time to change almost any-everything after Bridges, Miller, Grant and Mark Williams, plus the upcoming high draft pick. Since huge extension contract $$$ is kicking in, maybe keep that LaMelo dude healthy.

The first Super Bowl https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xK_2j0CDNFo was exactly what fans remember forever. Conversely, I’m chuckling at the offer of tickets for a rain-soaked final game of 1-15 train wreck under George Seifert in 2001. “No, thanks, hopefully there’s another game on TV,” was reasonable response to going just to support in very yucky weather. I’ve done the pilgrimage to Wofford twice, and the 95 degree heat (plus index) as ‘a cauldron to test players in’ is Truth; I sweated lots just standing in the minimal shade. I maintain such efforts are still a marking point for fandom.

Highs and lows happen. I tried going to the Cowboys game last year, thought fan interest was about zero, and found out scalpers were having a good day. Cowboys fans travel well, tickets were over $150 in three tries – my expectation had been $30-50.

Brother Steve gave me tickets to the 29-10 stomping of Cowboys in 2003 playoffs, I scalped the second ticket for $50, only took one try, and nobody ever showed up next to me. I still have an over-priced, large plastic beer mug, and a #34 DeAngelo Williams jersey was a good Belks discount rack purchase.

You see how out of control things are in Detroit after finally winning a division (and maybe choking vs. 49ers)? They gave Goff HOW MUCH $$$? New Normal won’t be like that in Charlotte.

If the Panthers are .500 at Thanksgiving, Tepper *will* get more than adequate good press. An $800M re-do on stadium? Oh man…!

It Won’t be like that in Charlotte

Still not sure why nobody has given #MrTeppers$ even back-handed kudos for what certainly ACTS like a Football Operations Team that has produced positive, substantial changes in the roster already, without any stated output about approval or expectations by him regarding any of it.

While I’m still a little amazed that Ian Thomas isn’t one of those constantly tabbed to be gone players from last year, Tommy Tremble sounds positive about the tight end room, including that #101 pick https://www.nfl.com/players/ja-tavion-sanders/ from Texas. Every analysis of Panthers TE position always ends ‘since Olsen left,’ drafting a REAL pass-catcher sounded like an excellent decision.

Let Canales and Offensive Coordinator Brad Idzik earn their paychecks. Yes, put people in positions where they’ll use their talents well/better. Tillis and Morgan ripped off the $46M bandaid of bad contracts/salary cap situation, tomorrow (2025) is a better day, but nobody is liking idea of Tampa Bay and Mayfield ruling the NFC South in 2024 either.

The operating theory is that WAY too many disparate opinions about the Panther offense, combined with a dearth of talent at skill positions, put Bryce Young into a horrific situation, which he survived, if not as admirably as some expected. Its been pronounced from the rooftops that Panthers GM Dan Morgan and Head Coach Dave Canales have got better players for sure after free agency and draft.

Has Bryce put on same couple pounds of muscle McCaffrey did after a year with the big boys? not a bad idea at all. In fact, nobody *wondered* if C-MC bulked up a little – he had GUNS to show for it. Young does look like he’s a little firmer topside though.

Putting a number on how much better outlook could be, is according for several, not all that decisive a change, like 5.5 victories. I won’t ask Charles Barkley for his opinion, but getting maybe $20 ($50?) worth of whatever those odds (about +2500 for playoffs) may be is reasonable. I tend to concur with The Athletic analysis, “It is safe to say that the Panthers won’t be an out-right elite team in 2024, but it could be a feisty team that odds-makers are a bit too low on.”

That could be a great take on New Normal compared to last season’s pounding. Feisty and under-appreciated bets-wise, I like the idea.

Business-like plan, No panic

The sense of business as usual seems legitimate at this stage, the operation has even sorted through personnel at the office level, and there is a steady stream of whose status is better or worse in 2024 to read online. Given the emphasis on positivity Canales has engendered, is Young truly catching on to the methods, philosophy, progression, footwork Canales brings to the QB Whisperer function?

There’s no reason to believe otherwise. If the worst thing you’ve heard is Panthers stretched on some picks, well, Ejiro Evero’s defense is still being assembled. Nobody is forgetting that Luvu and Burns were A-level talents now playing elsewhere, and Gross-Matos is in San Francisco. On a team that either stopped people (#4 in yardage) or very definitely *didn’t* stop them (29th of 32 teams in ppg given up), a decent amount of attention has been paid to the secondary. The verdict is still out on getting Clowney’s HS buddy, Stephon Gilmore – late of Dallas and Buffalo – to Charlotte again, but additional names and bodies (and economics) will be checking in-out of here consistently.

Whether there’s any hyping of possibilities, the player shuffle now seems regular and well-documented. Some experts are coming around to the idea Panther draft picks as reasonable choices instead of ‘flyers,’ those never-as-good-as-we-thought selections that happen less in good organizations, because they don’t need Magic.

If the Panthers finally discover they can move the chains with throws to a tight end not named Olsen, that would be a good thing, and if Brooks breaks a 60 yard run before November, that would count plenty for sure.

Other people will have to produce besides Bryce Young. Former Panther Head Coach Ron Rivera often said, “Things change when the pads go on.” Mandatory minicamp is June 11-13.

Panther Football

Pineiro kicks, Bryce leadership, defense come through for Panthers in 15-13 win over Texans

October 31, 2023September 16, 2024by gshorkeyblt2Leave a Comment

*Still an all-time favorite house in Monroe, from sidewalk to second floor, these people are exceptional. Plenty of time for regular football pictures, right?*

Pineiro’s missed PAT before half was a matter of concern all the way to end of game. Young’s baptism of fire with last drive was the QB everyone thought Panthers had drafted #1. There were empty seats aplenty this week, 1-6 still looks better than it did in 2022 (or 0-7).

There’s a justifiable feeling of euphoria in Charlotte after Bryce Young’s first comeback win (22/31, 235 yds/1 TD) as a Panther. Noooo doubt about it being a total team win. The defense backed the offense when it faltered – a strip fumble by Jackson, a Burns sack – and how about a tight end catching a touchdown pass (Tremble, 1 yd.)! Add three more field goals, 24 in a row, for Pineiro.

Proposition bets were Panthers +3, over/under 43.5 (-112), and I definitely took that. Young was moving and throwing accurately today, and with the constant blitzing he’s gotten,that’s progress. Lets say his approval rating is markedly higher than before the bye week.

That #offensive lines are discussed regularly until they’re not for a good reason, the Panthers are still being discussed.

Young’s performance vs. Dolphins wasn’t bad either: 23 of 38 passes (60.5%) for 217 yards and a touchdown, with a still decent 85.1. Nothing spoke of panic. The first two scoring drives of the day worked smoothly, Panthers got a gift score with pick six off Dolphin’s QB White for a respectable 42-21 final score. Overall Young got a chance to drop back, assess, and throw plenty for a full, prime time game. Plus, he didn’t turn the ball over, and minimizing negative possessions *does* adds up.

Was yesterday make or break?

ONE PLAY, with a blitzer blowing through a block, Young shakes him off and makes *killer* throw to sideline, Thielen with tipppy-toes in. Even if no score with a failed 4th and 2, that’s doing the deed. Isn’t it great to have a definite #1 receiver, and somebody to throw it to him?
–10/30/23 Subtract 55 yards of sacks from Young’s QB rating (to 180 yards) if you want to, he held up pretty well.

Timing for breakout win couldn’t have been better. At home after bye, in pursuit of elevated play for all areas, and OC Thomas Brown calling offensive plays instead of Head Coach Frank Reich was the biggest question coming out of the bye. The Panthers defense has been giving up just under 140 yds/game, gave up only 110 this week.

Chuba Hubbard had 15 carries for 28 yards, but got first downs with short runs during final 15 play, six minute plus drive to third field goal as time ran out. This team might have developed discipline.

Yes, 1-6 is exactly where Panthers were last year. Will #offensive line regain its run mojo against the Colts? Not just being a homer to reinvest this weeks winnings with +2.5 vs. Colts this week, and Under 44 is legitimate too. Return of RG Corbett is the biggest positive https://www.panthers.com/news/for-austin-corbett-after-294-days-it-all-poured-out-in-that-moment-acl-rehab

Frankie Luvu got his citizenship, family attended, and Luvu fills up a stat sheet weekly (12 tackles v. Texans). Still not understanding misuse of Chinn, Burns is still a disruptor, and still not going anywhere. Yes, he’s playing out a 5th year, and having turned down high draft choices last year and up tohe trading deadline in 2023, Tepper won’t let Burns go, although he’ll pay a premium for the delay. No deal could heal that move. Lots of people think otherwise though, https://www.the33rdteam.com/category/analysis/2023-nfl-trade-deadline-why-a-brian-burns-trade-is-worth-considering/

Six sacks as ball security?

Texans D came to play, but ONE PLAY, with a blitzer blowing through a block, Young shakes him off and makes *killer* throw to sideline, tipppy-toes in, even if no score at end, that’s doing the deed. Its great to have a definite #1 receiver (Thielen, >65.5 yds, -130 a DraftKings winner – he had 8/72 yds.).

The Whacking of Quarterbacks 1,2,3 (4,5…)

With a courtesy nod to the noteworthy GOAT Brady, a frequent beneficiary of gentle handling for several years, who has likened NFL protectiveness as akin to playing flag football, only Cousins’ Achilles, as a non-contact injury, is anything out of the ordinary with ‘rash of injuries.’ Stafford’s thumb (we’ll see), Ridder (Atlanta, possible concussion), Taylor (neck) and Pickett (ribs) sound ordinary when Brett Favre strapped it up 321 times without a miss.

For all his supposed slightness, Young showed no hesitation about moving forward in the pocket and throwing on the run. There was a stat with Chargers 6’6″ stud QB Justin Herbert being tied for lead (12) with Josh Allen for batted passes, and he led the league last year. Young is willing to eat the ball on a sack more than just sling it, but 5-6x a game is NOT a great O-line stat for anyone.

Purdy is finding out a little about not always being perfect, Joe Burrow is the best/sweetest thrower in the NFL. Sounds like Minnesota will have a busy week sorting out who takes over for Cousins, who was having a career year. In 2017, Case Keenum went 11-3, with 22 TDs/7 INTs and over 3,000 yards saved the Vikes bacon last time they needed a QB fix who. (Odds wouldn’t be good on Case again. Or Kapernick)

At 1-9, the Panthers +300,000 odds of getting to the Super Bowl (Eagles are +450), with a money line of +164 (bet $164 to win $100). Unfortunately, no prop bet on Panther sacks.

Speaking of those who got the job done during their times in Charlotte:

https://www.panthers.com/video/julius-peppers-hall-of-honor-speech

https://www.panthers.com/video/mushin-muhammad-2023-hall-of-honor-speech

Business, Sports, Thought Leadership

Triple shots of Bugachi, Double suits on Dad made Micro-economy shine, Hoops in Charlotte sun makes Monday better than Panthers was

September 17, 2022September 22, 2022by gshorkeyblt21 Comment

Selling *eleven* of those very good-feeling shirts ($170) Sunday was product knowledge and good service. Finding 3-size 3Xs – I didn’t know they existed until checking the computer -was a $500 difference maker. Was on sales floor 20 minutes Monday when Mr. Froelich and his son literally walked into a pair of 44L Peter Millar suits ($895). Way to start a day, and appreciate banker Dad who knew suits, shared enthusiasm about A-1 service while getting two really good ones for son’s job in CA .

Totally unexpected: $20 tip from a 40-yr. old gentleman after I ‘sized’ him, and provided 10 minutes of good intell on suit factors. ie. Fill or indent of shoulders, sleeve length (S-R-L), 6″ standard difference between jacket size and pants, ‘close’ and ‘tight’ on slim cuts. He’d never had a clue what to look for in the process.

*Wore Boss Blue jacket, Nautica shirt and Nantucket Red pants, new Steve Madden shoes ($120, cognac) Sat., went full ‘Blue’ Sunday.*

Alpha Dog? OK for Baker, feelin’ it a little myself with Micro-economy
— Glenn S., ‘Mr. Hugo Boss Blue,’ 9/11/22

Nobody doubted Baker Mayfield’s worth during the 4th quarter of Panthers first game of the season, especially his seven yard scamper for TD. Despite losing the first game of season at home to Browns 26-24, there are a reliable number of fans still on Panther bandwagon, most looking for more McCaffrey carries.

STATS – Mayfield https://www.pff.com/nfl/players/baker-mayfield/46518 produced a TD run, the difference (6 pts.) in 17.9 ppg for Panthers in 2021. Just sayin’.

Robby Anderson is happy with 75 yard TD catch, check. DJ Moore 3/43 receiving, tough day for new kid Ekwonu to block DE Myles Garrett (2 sacks) – check. One TD (1 yd. run) no injuries for McCaffrey, with 10 rushes/33 yards and 4 catches/24 receiving yards. Check. Panthers had 4 fumbles off snap miscues – fixing that is mandatory.

The defense wasn’t stellar most of day – Nick Chubb had 141 yards on 22 carries – but held late, so Cleveland’s York needed a 58-yard bomb for the winning FG. Browns weren’t supposed to give up 17 in the 4th, so Mayfield gets ‘almost’ credit. Sunday still goes down as a loss, BUT…I expect to buy a ticket or two, a game for $40 could be real this year.

My micro-economy – We have product, I have expertise

Brookes Brothers small corduroy shirts ($118), big rugby stripes and big wale pants (golden brown, green) will kill. Yes, more preppy stuff than we’ve seen, and this is a great market for it. Sales-wise, it doesn’t seem we’re losing anything to Peter Millar reopening in nearby Phillips Place.
Plenty of Canali suits, a wall full of Ted Baker, sports coats, and even tuxedos available now. Hugo Boss gets prime spot across front of department, with plenty of ‘Blues,’ which I (perhaps immodestly) have repped well. Talks with customers affirms they trust me as very competent, able to impart inform/opinions. Leading people to good choices 1-1 with great SERVICE counts in micro-economy.
All three suits Monday were Millars, a natural choice if a guy is ‘thicker.’ Gentleman with fiancée carrying a dramatically wrong size Boss (they liked the color coming in, naturally) listened-followed up well about successful change to Millar cut. Having six people in Alterations Dept. allows us to commit to tight needs, like a three day turnaround. Free hemming and a reasonable $15 expedite fee is a relief for customers, their professional opinions always a great hole card for us salespeople.
Finding 3X Bugachis were actually in the store, because I checked the inventory on computer, became a $500+ sale instead of sending a guy with bowling ball-type shoulders away with zero. “It feels great!” is the most common response of Bugachi ‘tryer oners,’ and its a low maintenance garment – hang dry, no wrinkles or ironing – with 8-way stretch that stays close but not tight.
Settling on a solid cream/striped tie (Donahue, $115) that shadowed Mom’s dress, with a classy off-white oooo! feeling Bugachi, the step-Dad in charcoal suit was a great ‘tryer oner.’ Both were happy with decision – after three calls about groom changing suit colors, they could say, “No sweat, we’ve got ours.”
Greatest challenge is still, “This young man needs a suit,” because they’re usually thin guys. I find a short presentation of What Abouts with designers usually moves the needle positively. Kudos to the Mom who happily got her son all in black (“Like Neo in ‘The Matrix'”) all smiling for the effort, finding a $299 Topman jacket and $129 pant separates. An $850 Baker (Size 36) looked great, but 29 waist pants wouldn’t have lasted long on growing 16 year old.

About hoop shooting, Lifestyle, New Normal

Heading for October, #gshorkonsharonroadseam has been a stable, productive, very nice, safe to be location, a 1000% step up, being across the street from the Myers Park CC pickleball courts for 11 months, not tip-toeing with homelessness. Its a world of difference about New Normal. https://cdtalententerprises.com/2021/12/11/vaxxed-check-with-a-comma-threat-of-homeless-handled-well-a-good-suit-feel-to-end-of-2021/

Working afternoon-evening shift at Nordstrom, I’ve put $$$ in the bank, re-established my writing discipline at creative and professional content creation levels. I take pride in how affirming physical elements are with cycling, read with my Mom weekly, good days are cherished.

Two things I’ve always believed in absolutely – my jump shot, and a God-given, frequently sharpened writing ability. With two bricks, you’ve got something to build with.

Getting out for even 25 minutes of hoops regularly in gorgeous Charlotte sunshine has been a bedrock to my physical state forever. At 65, five months into my 29th year in Charlotte, I’m a Boomer with Attitude, and tagging a hoops session on after work is still a terrific habit.

What constitutes New Normal is the Social Security and Medicare that kicked in this year. Pretty sure I’m going to finally need glasses.

Growing up, even before first FICA deduction, we Boomers heard regularly about shaky finances with Social Security UNLESS things were changed, These benefits are long-term commitments, NOT ENTITLEMENT PROGRAMS subject to political rhetoric or negotiated loss. It was insurance, a safety net, and we Boomers paid up every step through FICA.

*Reading with Mom started with bike riding earlier to beat summer heat, a very affirming new habit.*

I was glad when my first check arrived last August. Apparently there’s a COLA (cost of living adjustment) I’ll benefit from soon as well.

Millions of people getting a chunk of student debt forgiven? Not a problem by me. Graduating in Spring of 1975, when South Vietnam was overrun in track-speed time – the worst finish to a US war in history, including the documented final ‘copter out rooftop desperation – I’ve always felt WAY lucky to not have been involved in that meat grinder. My year older brother Mike, driving around the country in a 37’ RV with two beagles, actually had a valid number.

Taking ten grand or so off a couple million poor bastards debt, my Normal as Any Life since then is worth cutting somebody else extra slack. Not my $$$, really. And hey! we don’t need to hear “It’s not enough!” either.

FYI

One very New Normal was ordering a case of wine through National Geographic ($59.99++). Never let it be said I didn’t do the least I could for a good cause. Also, a personal ‘double down’ on a Democratic ‘7 seats for $7’ campaign, see what evil they can stop with my $15. (Sort of) New Normal – I’m squeezing in a four game Sunday of Little League umpiring for 13 year olds, only 2nd time out this year. American Family Baseball rocks.

Social Security benefits are long-term commitments, NOT ENTITLEMENT PROGRAMS subject to political rhetoric or negotiated loss. It was insurance, a safety net, and we Boomers paid up every step through FICA.
— Me, because documented naysayers that GOP are, their reaching for the legendary ‘3rd Rail’ by talking about Social Security as a budget drag is truly, breathtakingly stupid. (Yeah, I’m looking at you, Ron Johnson.)

How I feel about life since our North Carolina COVID shutdown https://cdtalententerprises.com/2020/03/30/hoops-heat-for-lockdown-prep-weekend-worries-about-ny/ and the relative freedom of going unmasked to a stadium full of Panther fans in September, 2022? New Normal has been working out pretty good, even thumped some tennis balls against a wall in semi-celebration of ‘official’ end of pandemic. Thanks Brandon!