Blogger Q&A with a Panthers Blogger

by Jaxon on Nov 20, 2008 11:39 AM EST Comment 12 comments

Jaxon here with Cat Scratch Reader welcoming your questions as we get ready to rumble in the A-T-L. Though we may have a 2-game lead on the Falcons this is still a huge divisional game because we have to keep pace with the Bucs. There's still plenty of football left and nothing is decided except that the Panthers will finish at least 8-8 (thats the John Fox in me coming out).

A few questions have been answered since our first meeting in the Queen City:

DE Julius Peppers is definitely back to his old form. He added two more sacks to his total and is now 6th in the NFL. He added another forced fumble and now leads the NFL with 5. He should once again be the center of your pass protection planning.
The Smash-n-Dash RB combo of DeAngelo Williams and Jonathan Stewart has developed into everything we had hoped leading up to the season. Williams in particular has developed into a complete back who is actually a good #2 RB in fantasy. The Falcons had trouble with the Panthers running game in the first one so expect more of the same.
The Panthers special teams have turned things around and are no longer a liability. They are getting good kick coverage, no blocked punts and return man Mark Jones has broke some nice run backs (though no TD's yet)

The Panthers are not without their concerns:

QB Jake Delhomme has struggled with his accuracy against lesser secondaries the last two weeks. It has made the running game that more important
The rushing defense has also slipped the past two weeks, allowing the Raiders and the Lions RB's (Fargas & K. Smith) 4.0+ yards per carry.

Thought I'd throw in a little reminder from the 1st game:

via assets.sbnation.com

Any questions or it a no-brainer?

This FanPost was written by one of The Falcoholic's talented readers. It does not necessarily reflect the views of The Falcoholic.

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Ok, I'll bite

Does the team’s performance the past two weeks worry you, or do you think it is a case of them playing down to obviously inferior opponents? Do you have confidence that the Panthers will be able to turn it back on for a division rival, or do you think the last two outings exposed chinks in their armor that can be exposed?

by SG Standard on Nov 17, 2008 4:50 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Somewhat yes.

There is some worry about the Panthers playing down to their competition. I also think that the both the Raiders & Lions played fairly well. It’s hard to say. I’m more worried about the run defense then the passing game. I don’t think the Panthers will have a problem getting up for the Falcons game. Its always a bruiser.

I blog the Carolina Panthers at www.catscratchreader.com

by Jaxon on Nov 18, 2008 10:43 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Is Jake Delhomme worth keeping?

Constantly erratic play, when do you tell Delhomme to sit down/take a hike?

We’ve heard that a million monkeys at a million keyboards could produce the complete works of Shakespeare; now, thanks to the Internet, we know that is not true.

by iRonin on Nov 18, 2008 8:53 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

Jake's not going anywhere

If we had lost those games it would be different. I don;t see Jake getting benched anytime soon but you have to take it one game at a time. As long as the Panthers can run the ball they won’t have to rely on Jakes’ arm to win.

I blog the Carolina Panthers at www.catscratchreader.com

by Jaxon on Nov 18, 2008 10:46 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Franchise

Can you realistically Franchise Peppers in the offseason and expect him not to bolt the subsequent season?

We’ve heard that a million monkeys at a million keyboards could produce the complete works of Shakespeare; now, thanks to the Internet, we know that is not true.

by iRonin on Nov 18, 2008 8:53 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

They are working on a deal now

I’ve heard rumors an offer is on the table but nothing official. Even if he is franchised doesn’t mean he will leave. He comes across as a loyal guy, as long as the Panthers make him a respectable offer. He’s from NC so he should want to stay in Carolina the duration of his career. At least that’s what the fan base is hoping.

I blog the Carolina Panthers at www.catscratchreader.com

by Jaxon on Nov 18, 2008 10:54 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I agree

Peppers seems to be the kind of person that just because he gets franchise, he won’t hold it over the team. If anything it just gives us another year to workout a contract.

by LittleKing on Nov 18, 2008 11:48 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Pretty quiet over here

Hows’ the O-line looking? Are you ready for Peppers?

I blog the Carolina Panthers at www.catscratchreader.com

by Jaxon on Nov 20, 2008 11:25 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

Still no Baker

That pretty much sums it up. The line is holding together ok, still better than I could have hoped for in the preseason, but its a different story with Baker in. Without him, they can hold their own. With him, they can dominate. I think its hurting the ground game more than the pass protection, personally. That doesn’t change the fact that I’d still rather have Baker lining up opposite Peppers. Have the Panthers been moving him around like the Falcons have Abraham at all?

by SG Standard on Nov 20, 2008 11:43 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Started

It seems that after our first meeting they started moving him around. He might have been before that game, but I really noticed after we played. Seems to have help in certain situations.

by LittleKing on Nov 20, 2008 4:29 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

He will line up in 3 spots

Both DE positions and at DT on 3rd and long plays. In those passing situations you’ll see Charles Johnson (former UGA guy) at LDE and rookie Hilee Taylor at RDE. Pep plays the LDT and Damione Lewis in his usual RDT spot.

I blog the Carolina Panthers at www.catscratchreader.com

by Jaxon on Nov 21, 2008 10:13 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Our progress

Thanks for answering our questions!
Clearly both the Panthers and the Falcons have made improvements this season while NO and Tampa (to a lesser extent) seem to have regressed slightly. I think Sundays matchup favors the Panthers – but do you see our two teams consistently battling it out of tops in the divison in the years to come?

by RynoRedhawk31 on Nov 20, 2008 12:19 PM EST reply actions 0 recs