Blogger Q&A with SBN's Panthers Blogger

by Jaxon on Dec 16, 2008 11:07 AM EST Comment 34 comments

Hello Giants fans and Big Blue View! Jaxon here with Cat Scratch Reader, SBN's blog dedicated to everything Carolina Panthers. I would have never guessed at the beginning of the season this game would have be as big as it has turned out. We have nothing short of the #1 seed in the NFC on the line and we all know how important the home field can be, though the Giants didn't need it last season (So feel free to rest your starters!). The Giants SB run from last year is something Panther fans would love to see repeated...by the Panthers of course.

So I'm here to answer any questions you may have about the Panthers and their match-up Sunday night with your Giants. Let me head off a few questions I think I can anticipate:

The Panthers have remained fairly injury free the last few games until this last game against the Broncos. It looks like DT Maake Kemoeatu is questionable at best since he's on crutches today from an ankle injury. No official word on that until tomorrow. RG Keydrick Vincent also left the Broncos game with an ankle injury and didn't return. Otherwise we've had a couple back-ups miss some time but thats it
The Steve smith - Ken Lucas ordeal is a dead issue. It has actually had more of a postive affect on the team than negative (believe it or not)
QB Jake Delhomme's elbow is fine with no lingering affects from his Tommy John surgery
WR Steve Smith has been unstoppable. He is obviously a key assignment for the Giants defense
The Double Trouble RB duo of DeAngelo Williams and Jonathan Stewart has been very effective of late. I think Williams deserves a Pro Bowl slot given is 1,200 yards rushing and 15 TD's on the season
DE Julius Peppers has returned to form and posted 12.5 sacks on the season, 1/2 sack ahead of your own stud Justin Tuck

Any questions? I'll do my best to answer them objectively and call it like I see it.

FanPosts are written by community members. This is simply a way for community members to express opinions too long to be contained in a comment.

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Away Games

At home you guys have been unstoppable, but on the road your a .500 team. Do you think the Panthers game will suffer in the cold weather of the Meadowlands?

by BigBlue4Life on Dec 16, 2008 12:22 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Our 3 losses were all about turnovers

You could also say the Vikings loss was an inability to run the ball too. The cold weather (plus light snow) didn’t seem to slow us down in Green Bay. It could be a problem but I think the panthers will be ready for it

I blog the Carolina Panthers at www.catscratchreader.com

by Jaxon on Dec 16, 2008 12:24 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

The Panthers are built like a cold weather team

Fox always prefers pound the ball… big plays through the run, setup the pass with the run, and chew up the clock with the run.

on behalf of tha dirty south: soul food, carolina blue, southern hospitality, and tha queen city

by southtunnel on Dec 16, 2008 5:39 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Keydrick Vincent injury

This is a bigger deal than you probably think. The Panthers have been much stronger running to the right than the left. Much of that has to do with Keydrick Vincent being over there. If he is out it could definitely hurt the Panther running game.

on behalf of tha dirty south: soul food, carolina blue, southern hospitality, and tha queen city

by southtunnel on Dec 16, 2008 1:01 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Do you think the Panthers will target Ross's side of the field?

Even at the expense of Smith (assuming that Webster will be on him the vast majority of the time)? I do not know who the second receiver is in Carolina, but if Delhomme is willing to use him, there is potential there to really have a big day (not bagging on Ross, but he does tend to get thrown at an awful lot for gains).

by brisulph on Dec 16, 2008 1:06 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

If you over play on Smith

Delhomme will target Musin Muhammad. No one else in the offense will get more than a couple looks for the game.

I blog the Carolina Panthers at www.catscratchreader.com

by Jaxon on Dec 16, 2008 3:36 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Hi Jax

I watched the game against Denver on Sunday, it was the first time I’d had a chance to really watch a full Panthers game, and I must say, they looked scary good.

How good are the Panthers running backs at catching the ball out of the backfield? The Eagles and Cowboys both had success doing it agains the Giants defense, so I expect to see more of the same from the Panthers on Sunday.

Giants fan from the womb to the tomb

by Jim Schmiedeberg on Dec 16, 2008 1:15 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Not bad...

but it’s not a major part of the offensive gameplan. Jake rarely checks down, preferring instead to wait out the development of the deep routes, comebacks and crossing patterns.

Note: this is a bad thing to do against an aggressive pass-rushing D-line, which you guys have. So my hope is that he’ll take the check-downs more often. I’ve seen no evidence that’ll happen, though.

by r3 on Dec 16, 2008 1:32 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Jake usually checks down to the TE

r3 is correct that the Panthers rarely throw to their RB’s. Maybe 2-3 passes a game if that.

I blog the Carolina Panthers at www.catscratchreader.com

by Jaxon on Dec 16, 2008 3:37 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

which is too bad

D-will made some great plays last year as a pass catcher, he’s another guy who is really good in space

by lj1983 on Dec 19, 2008 10:48 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Muhsin

How has that old fart looked this year?

It's not easy being Giants fan in Philly.. but it sure is satisfying

by Hoyadestroya85 on Dec 16, 2008 2:06 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

At times like a beast.

At times like an old fart.

He’s still one of the top blocking WRs in the league, if not the very top, so that’s one thing that hasn’t changed.

But as a receiver, during camp he was outstanding. During the first few games of the season, he was fantastic, took over for Smitty during the suspension, made a lot of big plays.

But he hasn’t been that impressive for a few weeks. He’s been dropping as many passes as he’s catching.

But this past week he had a nice game, he seemed to attack the ball. Not sure if that was a one-off, or if that’s the kind of play we can expect from now on.

by r3 on Dec 16, 2008 2:37 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I can't much to what r3 has stated

He could catch 4-6 balls against the Giants though if Smith has a tough time getting open

I blog the Carolina Panthers at www.catscratchreader.com

by Jaxon on Dec 16, 2008 3:38 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

On Smiths first TD...

Against the Broncos Moose blocked 2 guys at once, to allow Smith into the end zone. And he will occasionally have a big day catching the ball. The 1st Atlanta game comes to mind.

on behalf of tha dirty south: soul food, carolina blue, southern hospitality, and tha queen city

by southtunnel on Dec 16, 2008 5:29 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

DeAngelo Williams

I’ve been a big fan of his since his days at Memphis, and I expected him to be a star right away out of college. Instead, it’s taken a few years, but he definitely seems to have “arrived” this year. Is it just that he wasn’t being given enough opportunities in years past, or did he just “figure it out” this year, or some combination of both?

by cjmulrain on Dec 16, 2008 3:13 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

A little of both

I thought he should have gotten more carries last season. You can tell though he’s been in the weight room over the off-season. Running with more power as he has become a complete back.

I blog the Carolina Panthers at www.catscratchreader.com

by Jaxon on Dec 16, 2008 3:39 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Fox is partial to veterans

Deangelo out performed Deshaun Foster last year with less carries, yet Fox limited him all year in favor of Foster. Most Panther fans knew he would be a great big play threat, but never thought he could be an every down back. We thought he was more suited as a change of pace guy… which is probably why they drafted Stewart too. Luckily it appears they wound up with 2 do it all guys.

on behalf of tha dirty south: soul food, carolina blue, southern hospitality, and tha queen city

by southtunnel on Dec 16, 2008 5:36 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

That was suppose to be in response to cjmulrain question

on behalf of tha dirty south: soul food, carolina blue, southern hospitality, and tha queen city

by southtunnel on Dec 16, 2008 5:36 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

thanks

I knew Deangelo was having a good season, but I looked up his numbers before and it’s staggering. He’s averaging like 5.7 yards per carry. Amazing. I’m not jealous of many teams run games, b/c ours is so good, but I’ll admit to being jealous of Deangelo.

by cjmulrain on Dec 16, 2008 6:21 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Now you can see

why we’re all up in arms over at CSR about his not making the Pro Bowl.

Of course, Jacobs and his gaudy numbers didn’t make it either, and I’m pretty sure it’s because both those guys split carries with someone(s) else. Which is crap. They both whooped butt all season long, and I feel like there’s room enough in Hawaii for both of them.

by r3 on Dec 16, 2008 10:19 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Splitting carries should not be a factor

We have seen the last 2 weeks how the Giants running game looks without Jacobs. He makes the other backs better.

Same with Deangelo. Stewart needed someone to show him the ropes, not to mention set a great example. I don’t think Stewart would have the numbers Deangelo has, if he was starting.

Plus, doesn’t leading in stats while splitting carries mean you have accomplished as much with less the opportunities?

on behalf of tha dirty south: soul food, carolina blue, southern hospitality, and tha queen city

by southtunnel on Dec 16, 2008 10:53 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

yea

he definitely should be a Pro Bowler. I probably would have gone with Peterson, Deangelo, and Portis, although every week Portis makes me think he deserves it even less.

by cjmulrain on Dec 17, 2008 1:20 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Any more questions?

I’ll be checking the thread throughout the week up until the game. I should have mentioned that in my intro.

I blog the Carolina Panthers at www.catscratchreader.com

by Jaxon on Dec 17, 2008 8:51 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

NYG Running Game

Is the injury to Kemoeatu a significant hit to the Panthers run D? Jacobs is clamoring that he will be ready to play (and should have played against Dallas), so the NYG may have a full strength running game again (pending Kareem McKenzie’s status as well).

"We're only going to score 17 points?" ~ Tom Brady

by mwilli on Dec 17, 2008 9:09 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I want to say 'yes'

since we don’t have anyone else at DT with his size and experience. He doesn’t make a lot of tackles but he’s good at occupying two blockers and keeping them from the 2nd level. A very under-appreciated job that I think we will soon learn to appreciate very much.

I blog the Carolina Panthers at www.catscratchreader.com

by Jaxon on Dec 17, 2008 10:49 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

one question

without looking it up, can you spell the last name of this former Panther?

his first name is Tshimanga, he played at Michigan, an accounted for almost 1,000 total yards in the 2000 season for the Panthers.

i don’t really have any other questions about the Panthers. they’re good, i know they’re good, and they’ll likely be good on Sunday.

by SBakerTheTouchdownMaker on Dec 17, 2008 9:34 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

Biakabutuka?

It's not easy being Giants fan in Philly.. but it sure is satisfying

by Hoyadestroya85 on Dec 17, 2008 10:07 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

He flamed out pretty quickly

He had what, 2 good seasons I think? I actually have a reader that goes by that handle so I believe I would have gotten the spelling right. It is actually spelled just as it sounds.

I blog the Carolina Panthers at www.catscratchreader.com

by Jaxon on Dec 17, 2008 10:47 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Well, it's hard to succeed with Seifert as your coach.

Remember when he had a pair of 60+ yard TD runs in the first half, then Seifert sat him in the second half of a still-competitive game? Ugh. Hard to have success that way.

Of course, his career ended when he almost had his foot torn off in a horrible in-game injury. Jerry Richardson used his personal jet to get him to a specialist who could save his foot. Anyway, he sells really expensive Christian-themed jewelry in Charlotte now.

by r3 on Dec 17, 2008 2:37 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Definitely the injury ended his career

He was a good RB pre-injury.

I blog the Carolina Panthers at www.catscratchreader.com

by Jaxon on Dec 18, 2008 10:57 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

it looks complicated though

lots of vowels.

i actually owned him in fantasy during the 2000 season, that’s why i brought that year up.

by SBakerTheTouchdownMaker on Dec 17, 2008 8:04 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

What ever happened to Dan Morgan?

I loved watching that guy play

by ryanwk628 on Dec 17, 2008 2:37 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

You and me both!

But he was forever hurt, and as his concussion count neared double digits (seriously, last count of 8, I believe) we finally had to make a choice about whether we could continue to put faith in his being there every week. We couldn’t, we replaced him with our latest “Great LB From The U,” Jon Beason.

Morgan signed with New Orleans this off-season, got into training camp and realized he wasn’t able to keep doing this with all his physical maladies, so he retired.

I’ll never forget the 25 tackles he made in Super Bowl XXXVIII. Just an amazing talent.

by r3 on Dec 17, 2008 2:54 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs