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.