Panthers Training Camp Coming Up

It’s just about time.  Can you smell it in the air?  Even though we’re more than a month away from the beginning of the regular season, NFL fans can almost feel the football boiling in their blood.  It’s a Pavlovian tick we all know too well.  Training camps are about to start.  Yes, soon teams will be suiting up and getting down with 2-a-days, full contact drills, and everything else that makes the first real practices of the year so special.  And we all know what comes after Training Camp.  Soon we’ll be enjoying our first looks at the new rookies and other players who need some time to learn a new offense or defense during the preseason.  We’ll know if the Colts can repeat, if the Raiders are still MIA, and if Calvin Johnson is really the second coming or not.  Or at least, we’ll think we know, until the regular season starts (Sept. 7th are the first games, in case you weren’t aware).

And of course, our good friends at espn.com have every team’s camp covered.  In preparation for the camps, ESPN had a couple of their esteemed analysts take the time to make sure that their readers knew exactly what was going down at every team’s camp.  They have locations scouted, tips for seeing your team, and even a few ideas for other things to do while you’re on vacation to see your team practice.

Their rundown of the Panthers Training Camp is one of the best.  Held at owner Jerry Richardson’s alma mater, Wofford College, the Panther’s camp is in a lovely town by the name of Spartanburg, South Carolina.  Other attractions in town besides football players practicing include a BMW plant with an extremely fun guided tour, and one of the last remained drive-in theaters in the country.   And while some people you know may scoff at the notion that you’re taking time out of your life to watch grown men practice a game, those people obviously don’t know what it means to be a true football fan. So go ahead and hit up the link, see what your team is up to, and tell your boss you’re going to need some time off.  Because while the world doesn’t actually stop for football, it very well should.

You can get all your Carolina Panthers tickets at www.stubhub.com.

Panthers Wide Receiver Depth Chart Not Written in Stone

An interesting article is up on the Gaston Gazette’s website right now, discussing the idea that fourth-year wide receiver Drew Carter could become the number two receiver lining up opposite Steve Smith.  Common theory has held that Dwayne Jarrett, the big receiver out of USC, would be the second option in the Carolina offense, as he was in teh same mold as fellow Trojan Keyshawn Johnson, the player the Panthers let go after drafting Jarrett.  Logic would say that they drafted Jarrett to replace Johnson, but the Gazette raises some interesting points.

First of all, Carter has more experience than Jarrett in the NFL.  If you don’t think that counts for something, then you haven’t been paying attention.  Secondly, he’s 6′3″ and extremely fast.  Carter is also in a contract year, which means that if he does take advantage of the time he could get on the field, his performance could lead to a big payday next season.  Carter is flying a bit under the radar right now, but Panthers fans should keep an eye on him, an fantasy football fans might want to keep an eye out for him on their waiver wire.  He could be a steal in 2007.

You can buy all your Carolina Panthers tickets at www.stubhub.com. 

Panthers Sign Former French Bobsledder

In a story I am glad to report just because I got to write that awesome headline, it is being reported by the Gaston Gazette that the Carolina Panthers have apparently signed a former French bobsledder (he’s still French, just not a bobsledder) Philippe Gardent to a contract.  I can only hope and pray every night that someday very soon the name Philippe will strike fear into the hearts of opposing players just at its mere mentioning.  Gardent has five seasons in NFL Europa under his belt, and was apparently extremely good at what he did.

Look, I don’t want to come across as ignorant, but the fact is, like many Americans, I don’t know diddly about the NFL Europa.  However, Mr. Gardent was the co-defensive MVP of the league in 2006, so obviously he can play football.  He’s 6′1″ and 240 lbs, according to the article.  I’m not sure if the Panthers really think he’s got  a shot in the NFL or if they just need another body around for running drills in training camp, but keep your eye on Philippe.  I mean, there is a chance that he could surprise everyone.

You can buy all your Carolina Panthers tickets at www.stubhub.com.

Panthers Fan Fest

Panthers.com has posted an article detailing this year’s annual “Fan Fest”, to be held August 4th at Bank of America Stadium.  Events for people of all ages will be held inside and outside of the stadium, giving fans a chance to take part in the beginning of a brand new season of Panther football.  Fans are certainly hoping that this year’s season of Panther football goes a whole lot better than last year’s season of Panther football.

I think this is a great event.  It’s free, for one.  It involve a charity walk, which is always cool.  It has events for the whole family.  Plus, it just gives the fans a real opportunity to feel a lot of ownership of the team, and community with the other fans.  I don’t know if all NFL franchises throw this type of event, in some form or fashion, but if they don’t, then they most certainly should.  Here’s hoping all Panthers fans enjoy their day at Fan Fest.

You can buy all your Carolina Panthers tickets at www.stubhub.com

Are Panthers Contenders in 2007?

Foxsports.com is running an article right now detailing a few pros and cons for the Carolina Panthers heading into the 2007 season.  The Panthers, who were heavily favored by many experts, analysts, pundits, and fans to make it to the Super Bowl last year, had a disappointing season and finished without even making the playoffs. This year, they have flown under the radar for the most part, with many analysts being reluctant to pick them again after last year’s debacle of a season.  The preseason favorite to represent the NFC in the Super Bowl is New Orleans.

Am I the only one that thinks this is bonkers?  New Orleans, really?  The Saints?  One good year, and we’re ready to crown these guys as Super Bowl contenders?  Shouldn’t they have something that resembles an NFL defense first?  Shouldn’t teams that have been there recently, like Carolina or Chicago, have at least some pull?  Don’t get me wrong, I expect the Saints to be great, especially on offense.  However, I was always taught that defense wins championships, and until the Saints start showing that they can shut down some of the best teams in the NFL, I still have to give the slight edge come playoff time to NFC teams like Chicago, Carolina, and even the Dallas Cowboys.  I think Carolina could certainly be a sleeper team this year after being the heavy favorite last year.

You can buy all your Carolina Panthers tickets at www.stubhub.com.

Panthers Jake Delhomme a Hometown Hero

There’s a very interesting article today out of the Acadiana Daily Advertiser about Panthers QB Jake Delhomme.  The article details the quirky path Delhomme took to the Super Bowl with the Carolina Panthers in 2005, before delving into the disappointment that was the 2006 season.  Delhomme talks about the disappointment, the injuries, and his desire to return to the Super Bowl again.

There’s good reason to believe the Panthers have a shot.  They’re coming of a year of bad luck, and the odds that they see two terribly unlucky seasons in a row are slim to none.  They’ve also reloaded quite well, and they play in the NFC, which is always a plus.  Though this year all the pundits are gun-shy about projecting them deep into the playoffs after last year’s monumental collapse, I think the Carolina Panthers are going to surprise a lot of people this year.

You can get all your Carolina Panthers tickets at www.stubhub.com. 

Panthers Linemen Victim of Racial Profiling?

Carolina Panthers defensive guard D’Anthony Batiste is making headlines, saying that race played a role in his recent arrest. Batiste was pulled over for having his windows tinted too dark. After he was initially pulled over, police then searched his car. Batiste was arrested and initially charged with carrying a concealed weapon. However, the charges against Batiste have now been thrown out by a local judge in the county where the incident occurred.

At a time when the NFL is cracking down and utilizing what basically amounts to a “No Tolerance” policy for off-field misconduct, it is certainly appropriate that this type of discussion enter into the debate. Unfortunately, we live in a country in which large, rich, African-American males with flashy clothes, cars, and jewelry are viewed in a certain way by certain people. Does this make them easy marks? In light of the revelations about the last Tank Johnson arrest, in which it was found that he had ultimately done nothing wrong, though only after the Bears released him, I believe this debate is more important than ever.

You can get all your Carolina Panthers tickets at www.stubhub.com.

Peppers Named to List of Most Indispensable Players

Espn.com NFL Analyst Jeffri Chadiha has created a list of the top 10 most indispensable NFL Players, and Carolina Panther Julius Peppers was named number six. The list is basically comprised of the 10 men in the NFL who, if they became injured, would wreak havoc on their respective team’s ability to compete at same level. Other players on the list, to give you a frame of reference, are Peyton Manning (Colts), Larry Johnson (Chiefs), and Michael Vick (Falcons).

I most certainly agree that Julius Peppers is extremely valuable to the Panthers, though I’m not sure if he’s more valuable than say Michael Vick (ranked 7th) is to the Falcons, who are an absolute mess on both sides of the ball. However, the fact is, without Peppers, the Carolina defense is aging and barely average. But with him, they could be Super Bowl contenders once again.
You can buy all your Carolina Panthers tickets at www.stubhub.com.

Panthers not Favored this year

It’s that time of year again.  All the NFL season preview magazines have come out, and USA today was nice enough to break it all down for you, just in case you’re too cheap to actually run out and buy the magazines.  Then again, considering how many of the magazines were dead wrong in their Super Bowl predictions last year, with many of them picking the Panthers to go all the way to XLI, with a few actually picking them to win it outright.  We all know how well that turned out.

This year, predictions heavily favor the New England Patriots.  The Pats are picked to get to the Super Bowl by every major preseason mag but one. If last year is any indication, the Patriots can look forward to going 8-8 on the season.  Except, I kinda get the feeling that’s not going to happen.  Besides the Patriots, the two names being batted around from the NFC to reach the big game are the Cowboys and the Saints.  The only other team picked to come out of the AFC is the Ravens.

You can buy all your Carolina Panthers tickets at www.stubhub.com.

Panthers Coach Makes Theisman’s List

Carolina Panthers coach John Fox has made3 Joe Theisman’s lists of five coaches on the hot seat this year.  Congratulations to John.  He joins the likes of Jack Del Rio of Jacksonville, Romeo Crennel out of Cleveland, John Gruden in Tampa Bay, and Tom Coughlin in New York.  Vegas should run odds on these guys keeping their jobs.  They really should.  Who wouldn’t want action on this?  Del Rio is probably 3:1 to lose his job by the end of the season.  Romeo Crennel has got to be 3:1 too, unfair as that is.  Gruden is probably 7:1 to lose his job now that he has Jeff Garcia under center.

Fox has got to be the biggest favorite to keep his job.  His teams tend to have one off year, then one really great year, then another off year.  They certainly have all the talent in place, and they team seems very optimistic about the coming season.  We’ll put Fox at 10:1 to lose his job.  I don’t think it’s happening.  I think Fox will be back after this season.

Tom Coughlin is 100:1 to keep his job all season.  I’ve got action on a Week 11 forced resignation in my office’s pool.

You can buy all your Carolina Panthers tickets at www.stubhub.com.

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