Panthers 17, Giants 24

The first preseason debut is typically a lackluster affair, and this one proved to hold true. Here are some observations that I found from last night's game vs. New York Giants, starting with the bad:

The Bad

1. Run Defense-The Panthers have a desperate need for a run stopping DT. We all knew this, but when Jacbos and Bradshaw amassed over 60 yards with not much playing time, and literally ran over the defensive line, it just proved as further evidence. Nick Hayden is not a viable option to start at this point, as he was tossed around and run right over. There will be lots of free agent action in the coming weeks as players are released and signed to different teams. Look for the Panthers to take a look at DT Dewayne Robertson, who was a #4 overall pick in 2003 and is a 310lb DT just recently cut by Denver. He's played in a substantial amount of games and could be a good replacement at this time.
2. Jake Delhomme: was hardly impressive, and he missed a wide open Kenny Moore on a 3rd down conversion. He didn't play much, and he didn't have Smitty. We'll let it slide.
3. Tackling- looked like we jumped in a vat of vasoline before going on the field. Lots of sloppy tackles in the secondary, and I'm wondering if Meeks' "strip the ball" mentality is going to take away from players wrapping up and making tackles.
4. 2nd string o-line: they are just not good.
   

The Good:

1. Mike Goodson- looks like we now have a viable 3rd RB with tons of speed on the edge. Hopefully his fumbles were just a fluke. He definitely showed why he has been creating a buzz in Spartanburg.
2. Linebackers- All of them (Beason, Connor, Anderson, Leman) looked good. I was most impressed with Anderson and Connor. Dan Connor was involved and Leman also on nearly every tackle it seemed in the 4th quarter. Good job guys.
3. Everette Brown- Showed why the Panthers moved up and traded a 1st rd draft pick. He's got serious talent, and his moves off the block and spin towards the quarterback produced ample amount of pressure, and he even got a sack. This guy is going to be the real deal.
4. Injuries- none.

The ending of the game was rather comical. At no point in the sequence of getting the ball with 11 seconds, fumbling it away and losing as time expired, were my emotions moved away from hysterial laughter. Even Fox was laughing as he was jogging across the field to shake hands with Tom Coughlin.

Ohhh preseason...

Back to Spartanburg we go for workouts Wednesday and Thursday, before camp is wrapped up at Wofford and moved back to Charlotte.

Kemo Gone for Year

Awful news for us today. We just lost our biggest run stopper for the year, in the first 30 minutes of the season.

Maake Kemoeatu tore his achilles tendon.

There's a four letter word i'd like to post, but I'll refrain.

Here's what Shrike from The Wolf Web message board had to say, and I have to admit that I completely agree:

"Let's face it, Kemo was a ticking time bomb. He was fat and out of shape last year, and by all accounts he showed up to camp in just as bad or worse shape. He was going to sustain a serious injury like this sooner or later, and better it happen now when we have time to patch something together than in the middle of the season. Our linebackers and safeties will just have to step it up in the run game."

Training Camp: Day 1 Morning Session

• first morning session is over and word is Ron Meeks made all 11 defensive players partake in a drill in which all 11 ran on the field screaming at the top of their lung, and then sprint to the end zone
• Maake Kemoeatu "hurt his ankle" in the first morning session, details not yet know
• Jon Beason tweaked hamstring. Hopefully not serious, but will keep posted.
• Hit of the morning goes to Nail Diggs on 7 v 7 drills when he hit J Stew and jarred the ball loose. Meeks' defense is supposedly more pro-stripping of the ball.

Stay tuned.

KMAC PW Flashback

With the start of training camp, we thought we'd share with you an excerpt from the first ever KMAC Panther Weekly release. For all those going to training camp, you may find these steps helpful!

9/9/2008

How to Sneak into a Press Conference 101: The Crucial 9 Steps

Step 1: Pretend like you are somebody. If you and your compadre don't fully believe in the motto “Hey….I belong here”then your cause is unjust and lost. Get your level to 110%.

Step 2: Carefully select mode of entry. Scope out a laundry hamper. Diagram a ventilation duct. Or simply identify the door that says “ENTRANCE”. Make sureyou know what way it opens, as any signal of uncertainty can end your mission before it begins.

Step 3: Upon entry, quickly identify a safety zone– a place where you can take a deep breath and gather your thoughts. Losing your cool could cost you in the most highly anticipated of moments.

Step 4: Don’t forget...YOU BE-LONG THERE.

Step 5: When nobody is looking, hug your buddy and share in the glory. Immediately follow-ing, call your other friends who are out tailgating in the rain and let them know the fine details of your position.

Step 6: When players arrive,usually short one liners such as “Laser rocket arm today, Jake” or “Welcome home, Moose”work best. These establish a friendly, yet professional, open line of communication between you and the player.

Step 7: When the interviews begin, don't be timid. Who knows if this could be your only shot at glory. Go in, put your camera in their face, and snap away. They are used to it. In fact, you probably should so that you fit in.

Step 8: When experience is nearing end, slip out the way you came back in, thankful for the experience you just had, and conscious of the fact that there are others out there that may never have such a unique opportunity.

Step 9: Make fun of those people who were in the parking lot drinking bloody mary’s tailgating in the rain while you were rubbin’ elbows with the stars of your favorite team.