08-12-2007, 04:50 PM
The Carolina Panthers suited up for their 2007 season debut against the Giants of New York. They looked to be running on all cylinders. It could be a banner year as the Panthers are on the prowl for their second Super Bowl appearance. It could be possible, but as coach John Fox said, "No one is recreating the wheel." This is not a new team, but a refurbished network of experience and inexperience.
The Quarterbacks; Delhomme, Carr, and Basanez, all had a touchdown with Basanez leading them with 111 yds. Carr ended with 83 while Delhomme, mainly helping from the sideline, compiled 30 yds.
The Runningbacks also had a good night with D. Foster leading the pack with 62 yards. Behind him was N. Goings with 50 yards, and Shelton, Jackson, and Basanez combined for 42 extra yards.
The Receiving Corps looked promising. 11 receivers caught a pass. Newcomer receiver Biddle made a lasting impression as he caught 2 passes for 108 yards. The most of his yards comming on an 85 yard catch. He pulled in 2 touchdowns for the Panthers. Other notable receivers was Robinson with 41 yds on 2 catches, Horn with 24 yds on 2 catches and Youngblood had a 13 yard catch. Steve Smith had 1 catch which was a 5 yd TD.
Defensively, the Panthers look strong, quick, and agile. Even with the loss of Mike Minter, they will be one of the most aggressive in the NFC, if not the NFL. The Panthers first round pick J. Beason picked up 8 tackles in his pro career debut. He also ended up with 1 forced fumble. The Panther front office is feeling relieved after his long holdout and final negotiations. Because of his excellent debut performance, the holdout negotiations seemed worthwhile.
Look for fast paced football with a lot of tough, aggressive defense that can break through tough offensive lines. I predict that the Panthers will return to the playoffs as the NFC-South champion, and will make it to the NFC Championship game and will have a tough time making it any further. This may not be the Super Bowl year, but this is the squad that will eventually return the Panthers to the Sacred Land of professional football, and I don't mean Dayton, Ohio.
The Quarterbacks; Delhomme, Carr, and Basanez, all had a touchdown with Basanez leading them with 111 yds. Carr ended with 83 while Delhomme, mainly helping from the sideline, compiled 30 yds.
The Runningbacks also had a good night with D. Foster leading the pack with 62 yards. Behind him was N. Goings with 50 yards, and Shelton, Jackson, and Basanez combined for 42 extra yards.
The Receiving Corps looked promising. 11 receivers caught a pass. Newcomer receiver Biddle made a lasting impression as he caught 2 passes for 108 yards. The most of his yards comming on an 85 yard catch. He pulled in 2 touchdowns for the Panthers. Other notable receivers was Robinson with 41 yds on 2 catches, Horn with 24 yds on 2 catches and Youngblood had a 13 yard catch. Steve Smith had 1 catch which was a 5 yd TD.
Defensively, the Panthers look strong, quick, and agile. Even with the loss of Mike Minter, they will be one of the most aggressive in the NFC, if not the NFL. The Panthers first round pick J. Beason picked up 8 tackles in his pro career debut. He also ended up with 1 forced fumble. The Panther front office is feeling relieved after his long holdout and final negotiations. Because of his excellent debut performance, the holdout negotiations seemed worthwhile.
Look for fast paced football with a lot of tough, aggressive defense that can break through tough offensive lines. I predict that the Panthers will return to the playoffs as the NFC-South champion, and will make it to the NFC Championship game and will have a tough time making it any further. This may not be the Super Bowl year, but this is the squad that will eventually return the Panthers to the Sacred Land of professional football, and I don't mean Dayton, Ohio.