Hey, it's football season. Relax.

Let me start this diatribe by saying that I sweated it out for three hours on Sunday--Section 104, Row 12, Seat 3. It was hot, and it was maddening.

With that said, I would rather be front and center for a Panthers loss, than be coasting through the boredom that is February-June. It hit me this morning that our beloved Panthers still have (at the very least) 15 more opportunitues to redeem their own lofty expectations, with 7 more at home.

The pundits all had us in the playoffs. Most on the 53 man roster would tell you that they believe they will be there in January. I believe it. I hope most of you believe it. But that's why they play the game.

With their practice and life routine in ashambles, the Saints came in to Charlotte and made just enough plays to win. I was very impessed with their effeciency on offense. They did not take any risky chances. Just took what our defense gave them--5 yards underneath, Deuce off tackle for 4. They chipped away, took care of the football, limited their penalties, and made all their field goals. The better team won.

Now, no one thinks we should even bother showing up Sunday. Hell, why should we? We just lost, and New England is coming off a solid win. Furthermore, the two-time defending world champs will come into BOA with 10 days of preparation under their belt.

They have Tom Brady. They have Corey Dillon. They have three tight ends that are twice the player that Ernie Conwell will ever be. They have Willie McGinest, Mike Vrabel, Richard Seymour, Rodney Harrison....and not to mention the best special teams in the business.

But hold the presses.....remember this: They do have Tyrone Poole, who will have the pleasure of blanketing one Steve Smith. Wait.....my bad. Poole ain't a starter. He has been supplanted by something called Randall Gay. They have Monty Beisel, a Kansas City defensive castoff, starting at ILB. Eugene Wilson will be in charge of covering the deep middle of the field, and he is not exactly Ed Reed.

They have a rookie at left guard. I would hope that this would help Moorhead/Carstens out a bit. Maybe not, but it might.

All things told, they are the best in the biz. Nothing groundbreaking there. But in the heat of the home-field advantage race last year, they managed to lose to the Miami Dolphins. It can be done.

I will be at The Bank......again. And the Cats might break my heart.....again. But one way or another, it's football season. And I am going to savor it until they tell us we can't play any more games.

 

nice post.

 

First Panthers game of the year for me. I can't wait. And I will be there despite having gone to USC-Alabama the day before (and my oldest's soccer game before that). I love this time of year.

 

The Hammer has been dropped...

Nice one

 

Thanks.

Best time of year boys.

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cf8dm542ZrY&feature=related

 

Nice post, but we don't play the Patriots until December. The Falcons are next.

Just didn't want you to waste a drive out to BofA nect Sunday.

 

It sucks but it's September, not nearly as bad as the Cardinal loss.

Next up Atlanta. Beat them there and it's a new season

 

Not to mention moorhead and carstens are long gone, as are most of the new england players he mentioned.