Sunday Brunch: Thoughts on the Carolina Panthers

Sorry I have missed the last two dates on my Sunday Brunch article. I am back on track now. Thanks to all my readers.

With Julius Peppers finally signing his Franchise Tag (which is valued at about 16.7 million) the Carolina Panther can finally sleep easy, at last for the next few months. But in all honesty Carolina has issues. Their defense, despite what many think Carolina’s defense wasn’t very good last year. In fact, it was rather average to put it nicely. The Panthers finished 18th in total defense, hardly intimidating. Peppers, Middle Linebacker Jon Beason, and Cornerback Chris Gamble, those are the team’s best players on defense.  The rest are rather no-name journeymen who, while solid players, have allowed Carolina’s once fierce defense to degrade.

While I love the selection of Everett Brown in the draft it will take some time before he becomes the pass rush force I believe he can be. And new Defensive Coordinator Ron Meeks leaves much to be desired. Otherwise the Panther defense will struggle to improve and will possible regress unless another proven, talented defensive lineman that can contribute immediately can be found – I am honestly shocked that the Panthers didn’t make a serious play at Greg Ellis.

Offense is the team’s strength but even it isn’t that imposing. Yes I know it finished 10thin total offense but that has more to do with teams like Indianapolis, Dallas, and San Diego having huge down seasons than to their own offensive firepower. In truth, in Carolina the individual pieces are greater than the whole.  I love their running game, DeAngelo Williams has finally realized his great talent and has emerged as a top notch back and Jonathon Stewart is ready to break out as well. With this great wealth of running backs capable of carrying the load Carolina may soon be in a running back controversy.

Steve Smith is the third-best wide receiver in the NFL and is a threat to score every time he touches the ball and Moose Muhammad is a solid veteran number two. But behind them there is nothing as Dwayne Jerett has proven to be a massive bust. And there really isn’t much to talk about at the tight end position.

The O-line is among the best in football, powerful road graters and solid pass protectors. But QB Jake Delhomme is the wildcard. A proven veteran he is perfect to run the team’s offense.  But he has significant problems when asked to throw 30 or more times a game. And his TD-to-interception ratio leaves much to be desired. As big of a Panthers fan as I am – and I do follow the team closely – I just can’t help but feel they will regress.

10 things I think I thought and Am Now Thinking Again:

1.  Peppers may have signed his tender, but this will be his last year as a Panther unless he has a complete change of heart.

2.  Yes, DeMarcus Ware’s contract will top that of Albert Haynesworth’s because Ware is the game’s best defensive player, period.

3.  The league will win this anti-trust lawsuit. Baseball won theirs in 1922 so I’m sure the Supreme Court will follow the same ruling.

4.  The Pack is back (again). Their offense is terrific and I love what they’re doing on defense (Though I think the switch to the 3-4 is unnecessary).

5.  I think the G-Men will take a step back this year. Next year, when Hakeem Nicks is ready to be a number one option they will compete for the Super Bowl again. But this year will be an off year.

6.  I think because of the temporary step back the Giants are taking, the Cowboys and Eagles will compete for the Division title.

7.  Speaking of teams that will take a step back, Atlanta I hoped you enjoyed your magical 2008.

8.  I also think the Dolphins will take a step back, but it won’t be as big as Atlanta’s.

9.  The Ravens should make every possible (yet reasonable) attempt to trade for Brandon Marshall. He would put the team over the top and into the Super Bowl.

10.Enough with the Tom Brady ass kissing. Peyton Manning is this generations best QB. Always has been, always will be.

Sunday Brunch: My Thoughts on Brett Favre

Hello all! This will be the first edition of my new weekly column entitled Sunday Brunch. In it I will discuss one main issue and also do my Ten Things I Think I Thought But Am Now Thinking Again (I know a total rip off Peter King).

I will also have a Monday Edition and a Tuesday Mailbag. Keep in mind though, I can’t guarantee I’ll always be able to post these but I will do my best. So let’s begin shall we?

We’ve all been hearing the rumors. Will he? Won’t he? Favre’s annual retirement debate has become the nation’s new pastime (sorry Baseball fans). And well frankly, I’m sick of it. When its breaking news when his agent says as of now he’s retired, things have gone too far.

I’ll go on record that Favre is my all-time favorite player, being too young to remember the Staubach’s, Tarkenton’s, and O.J. Simpson’s of the day. I love Favre, his swagger, how he plays and his passion for the game and how for so long he related to fans of all type. He was a true American Hero, much like Joe Montana and Rodger Staubach were before him.

But enough is enough Favre. Decide now. To play or not to play. Even your most loyal and supportive fans (like me) are growing sick of your waffling. You’re tarnishing your reputation with all this. Just stop it now.

Favre has every right to play so long as he feels he’s up to it and someone’s willing to pay for his services. I will always believe that. But if the decision is this hard, biceps injury or not, it’s time Favre.

I grew up watching you. And I feel in love with you as you created so much magic for all those years. Let’s not forget that magical Monday Night Game against the Raiders in 2003 when he played a day after his dad died and had one of the best performances of his career. A performance so incredible that even Raider Nation stood up and applauded you.

But it’s time.

Let someone else take up the mantle of America’s Hero. As hard as it is to except, the game doesn’t need you anymore.

 

Ten Things I Think I Thought But Am Now Thinking Again

1) If Sage Rosenfels doesn’t beat out Tarvaris Jackson for the starting job with the Vikings then Minnesota fans will be wishing that there front office had made a stronger play for Cutler. There is still hope for Jackson, but don’t hold your breath or you may choke.

 

2) As to the debate of who’s better, Larry Fitzgerald or Andre Johnson, it’s Fitzgerald. But the gap between them is smaller than you’d think. And that’s saying a lot.

 

3) Don’t jump on the Patriots bandwagon just yet. Despite what reports say there is no guarantee this will be the same Tom Brady. And in his absence the rest of the division has grown stronger. Much stronger.

This will not be the cakewalk people are acting like it will be for the Pats. And remember, one hit to that knee (or the other for that matter) and the Pats are left with second year man Kevin O’Connell to lead the offense.

 

4) I fully expect the Williams’ to be suited up for the Vikings season opener. They appear to have state law backing them and the NFL isn’t powerful enough where it can defy a court order.

 

5) As for Will Smith and Charles Grant… there state doesn’t offer them the same protection so expect them to serve the full four game suspension.

 

6) Its about damn time Comcast added NFL Network to its basic package. Props to Roger Goodell for making this happen.

 

7) It appears the NFL Network can’t get enough of Dallas. The Bengals, who star in these years version of Hard Knocks, feature three ex-Cowboys in Roy Williams, Tank Johnson and defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer, as well as several players who dream of being on the Cowboys roster (Carson Palmer, Chad Ochocinco).

 

8) I think Greg Ellis will go to Miami. The South Beach Cowboys could always use another palyer like him. Plus he’d probably get to start next to Joey Porter with Cameron Wake and Jason Taylor serving as pass-rush specialists.

 

9) Don’t expect the winner of Mike Irvin’s Fourth and Long to make it past the second round of cuts. I’ll be floored if he does. Good show though I recommend it for football junkies with nothing to do over the offseason.

 

10) Speaking of all things Cowboys. The new stadium is amazing. It will be the standard for all future ones. But don’t expect anything to challenge it’s magnificence for at least the next ten years.

To submit questions for the Tuesday Mailbag email me at jkwawrs@hotmail.com

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