Fixing Carolina / Taking On The Role As General Manager

As you can tell, I have been on vacation for the past two weeks and I have spent a lot of time blogging and lets say I have been doing a lot of thinking as well. I kept asking myself if there was one thing I could do for the people of North Carolina for the holidays that can give them hope in the sports world. So I decided that I would hire myself as the manager of football operations for the Carolina Panthers and I would fix all of their problems in one year.

http://www.bullcitystateofmind.com/home/2010/12/30/fixing-the-carolina-panthers-taking-on-the-role-as-general-m.html

Labor Strife Looms For NFL, NBA, NHL In 2011

NEW YORK • Labor strife looms in the New Year for the NFL, NBA and NHL. By this time next year, two of the three leagues could be dark.

The National Football League's labor contract expires March 4, followed by the National Basketball Association's on June 30, Major League Baseball's on Dec. 11 and the National Hockey League's on Sept. 15, 2012.
Only baseball, interrupted by eight work stoppages from 1972-95, shows signs of peacefully reaching a new agreement.

NFL players, meanwhile, are bracing for a stoppage, going so far as to post a "Lockout Watch" countdown clock on the home page of the union's website.

CARRY ON

http://www.stltoday.com/sports/baseball/professional/article_3266a0ee-7d7e-5921-ab22-233fb679e543.html

Panthers Lock Up # 1 Pick in 2011 NFL Draft

It was about time the Carolina Panthers and their fans got Luck-y. Get it? No? Okay, don’t worry about it. It wasn’t that good.

Either way, the Panthers have officially wrapped up the No. 1 overall pick in the draft and are now on the clock. Their season was over long ago, but they worried the fanbase by actually winning a couple games. But, thanks to wins by the Denver Broncos and Cincinnati Bengals, the Panthers cannot be overtaken as the worst team in the league.
So, let the speculation begin. Who do the Panthers take and, absent a new CBA, give nearly $55 million guaranteed?

Right now, the most likely selection is Stanford quarterback Andrew Luck. (Do you get the joke from earlier?) However, Luck is a junior and has not said one way or another whether or not he plans to leave school early.
But really, why wouldn’t he? He should see what happened to Jake Locker and think better of actually staying in school. Had Locker come out last year, there’s a good chance he, and not Sam Bradford, would have been the No. 1 pick. He’d be sitting pretty with $50 million in guaranteed money and not a lot to worry about.

Instead, he’s probably going to fall to the middle or tail-end of the first round, if not all the way to the second

http://nflspinzone.com/2010/12/27/carolina-panthers-lock-up-no-1-pick-in-2011-nfl-draft/

A Few Christmas Stories From The World Of Sports

A Christmas story, every year: The crusty old coach gathers his players each December.

He’s usually barking instructions about the zone blitz, the defense he virtually invented, or how to stop the world’s best offenses.
There are no softies who make a 38-year career out of coaching in the NFL. Not a lot of softies who played college football for Woody Hayes and then 14 years in the pros, making 62 interceptions.
He’s a humble guy who doesn’t like the spotlight. Except every Christmas, when he gathers his troops in the locker room and, from memory, recites “The Night Before Christmas.”

And some of the toughest players in sport sit transfixed as their leader starts off. “Twas the night before Christmas, and all through the house ...”
Now maybe you know why guys like Troy Polamalu and James Harrison will run through fire for Dick LeBeau.

More Unique Christmas Stories From The World Of Sports.........

http://newsok.com/a-few-christmas-stories-from-the-past/article/3526718

Panthers Do Little To Slow Steelers’ March Toward Bye & AFC North Crown

Ben Roethlisberger showed off Pittsburgh’s deep passing game, and the Steelers inched closer to a division title and a first-round playoff bye by beating the visiting Carolina Panthers, 27-3, on Thursday night.

Pittsburgh (11-4) will wrap up the A.F.C. North title and the bye if it beats Cleveland on Jan. 2. The Browns (5-9) could end the division race even earlier than that if they upset the Baltimore Ravens (10-4) at home on Sunday.

“It’s good to be in the clubhouse before everyone else this weekend with a necessary win,” Steelers Coach Mike Tomlin said.

CARRY ON

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/12/24/sports/football/24nfl.html?src=twrhp

Panthers @ Steelers Preview

The Pittsburgh Steelers (10-4) clinched a playoff spot last week despite losing at home to the New York Jets and hope to move a step closer to winning the AFC North when they host the Carolina Panthers (2-12) on Thursday Night Football. The Steelers (-13.5) are tied for Baltimore atop the division but would win the tiebreaker based on a better divisional record than the Ravens at this point. Of course that could change since both teams still play Cleveland on the road.

Pittsburgh saw its four-game losing streak end on Sunday with a 22-17 loss to the Jets, which is the team’s second straight setback at home to a team with a winning record. The Steelers had allowed progressively less points in their previous three games but did not have safety Troy Polamalu on the field due to an Achilles’ injury. Polamalu could miss the rest of the regular season and has been one of the best defensive players in the NFL this season.

CARRY ON

http://www.madduxsports.com/blog/thursday-night-football-picks-steelers-vs-panthers-nfl-game-preview-11730/

Panthers 19 Cardinals 12

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — In what was likely his final home game as Carolina's coach, John Fox ensured he'd leave with a winning overall record.

He can thank his quarterback for his getting a long-awaited first victory.

Jimmy Clausen outplayed John Skelton in a matchup of rookie quarterbacks, John Kasay kicked four field goals and the Panthers beat the punchless Arizona Cardinals 19-12 on Sunday to snap a seven-game losing streak.

Clausen threw only his second touchdown pass of the season in his first win in eight starts. Jonathan Stewart rushed for 137 yards and the Panthers (2-12) held the Cardinals to 43 yards rushing.
Fox, in the final year of his contract, improved to 73-69 in a rare bright spot amid a miserable year.

http://www.ajc.com/sports/clausen-panthers-shut-down-782035.html

GAMEDAY / Arizona @ Carolina

Season Records:

Cardinals: 4-9, 4th in NFC West, Last Week: W vs. Denver, 43-13
Panthers: 1-12, 4th in NFC South, Last Week: L vs. Atlanta, 31-10

Gametime:

Sunday, December 19th, 1:00 p.m. EST, Bank of America Stadium, Charlotte, NC

A Pair of Rookie Quarterbacks go to Battle:

So a couple of last place teams with rookie quarterbacks will face off at Bank of America Stadium this Sunday. This match up is a far cry from the 08-09 divisional playoff game between these two squads when Kurt Warner and the Cardinals’ defense shocked the NFL with a stunning 33-13 victory over Jake Delhomme and the heavily favored Panthers. These are two starkly different teams now that are just trying to navigate their respective ways through a thoroughly disappointing season.

http://www.nflgridirongab.com/2010/12/19/gridiron-gab-week-fifteen-preview-arizona-at-carolina/

Fox Deserves Our Ovation

On Sunday John Fox will coach his final home game as the Carolina Panthers head coach. He will likely get booed by fans who can’t stomach the season that was. Fox entered the 2010 without a contract extension and while Jerry Richardson hasn’t publicly said he would relieve his franchise of the HC, he hasn’t given the smallest indication that he won’t. Truth is, when this season ends, Fox won’t get fired he will simply be left to walk away because he won’t have a contract.

But when he takes the field on Sunday, he deserves our ovation and regardless of the way the game plays out, he will deserve it again when he walks off the field

CARRY ON
 
http://catcrave.com/2010/12/17/fox-deserves-our-ovation/

'Carolina Dreamin’ / Is Jim Harbaugh’s Best Chance In The NFL With The Panthers ?

The Stanford Cardinal program has risen from the ashes. Four seasons removed from a 1-11 debacle and the firing of Walt Harris, who was the Cardinal head coach for just two seasons, Stanford is heading to their first ever BCS bowl game, the Orange Bowl against Virginia Tech. This year’s 11 wins are the most for Stanford in a single season in school history, a stunning fact considering that the Cardinal has been playing football since 1891. Quarterback Andrew Luck, who threw for 3,051 yards, 28 touchdowns, and just 7 interceptions, finished second in this year’s Heisman race behind Auburn QB Cameron Newton. This makes two years in a row that Stanford has had a Heisman finalist, as running back Toby Gerhart finished second to Alabama running back Mark Ingram last year. Prior to Gerhart and Luck’s placements in the Heisman voting, the last Cardinal to be a finalist for the prestigious award was John Elway, who finished second to Georgia running back Herschel Walker in 1982. The question on everyone’s mind is who is the person responsible for this dramatic turnaround in the Stanford program, and the answer is quite clear and simple: Jim Harbaugh.

CARRY ON

http://isportsweb.com/2010/12/13/jim-harbaugh-to-the-panthers/

Carolina Clobbered 31-10, Panthers Fall To 1-12

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) - The Atlanta Falcons still aren't very flashy. They certainly didn't wow anybody playing the NFL's worst team Sunday.

All they do, seemingly, is win.
Michael Turner ran for 112 yards and three touchdowns, Matt Ryan threw for another and the Atlanta Falcons maintained their grasp on the best record in the NFC with a 31-10 victory over the Carolina Panthers.
The Falcons (11-2) built a 17-0 halftime lead, survived a brief hiccup to start the third quarter, and cruised to their seventh straight win. John Abraham and Kroy Biermann each had two sacks, Mike Peterson picked off Jimmy Clausen and the Falcons became the latest team to shut down the league's worst offense.

Jonathan Stewart rushed for a season-best 133 yards, but lost a fumble on Carolina's first play from scrimmage to set up Atlanta's first TD. Things didn't get much better for the Panthers (1-12), who dropped their seventh straight stayed on track to get the top pick in the draft.

CARRY ON

http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/gametracker/recap/NFL_20101212_ATL@CAR/falcons-31-panthers-10

Panthers Are Unrecognizable During Disastrous Season

"The climb to the penthouse is long and arduous. The slide to the outhouse is swift and sure."
-- former Falcons coach Norm Van Brocklin in the 1970s .

FLOWERY BRANCH -- When the colorful Van Brocklin came up with the aforementioned quote, he could have been talking about the current Carolina Panthers.

It seems only yesterday that Steve Smith was running away from defensive backs, Julius Peppers was tormenting quarterbacks and quarterback Jake Delhomme was tossing passes with pinpoint accuracy.

The Panthers were in the NFL's penthouse, the Super Bowl, as recently as 2004. Offseason decisions, however, have led to a swift slide to that proverbial outhouse.
The Panthers, who face the Falcons at 1 p.m. on Sunday at Bank of America Stadium, are 1-11 -- the worst record in the league.

CARRY ON

http://www.ajc.com/sports/atlanta-falcons/panthers-unrecognizable-during-disastrous-771541.html

Richardson To PSL Owners / I Am Committed To Winning, I Take Full Responsibility For Our Shortfalls

The Carolina Panthers will enter play this weekend at 1-11 and securely in the NFC South basement. Apparently, team owner Jerry Richardson decided it was time to reach out to his beleaguered fan base.

The Gaston Gazette reported on Tuesday that Richardson recently sent out letters to all season ticket holders, imploring them to keep the faith in what has been a hugely disappointing season.

"I know how difficult the season has been for you," Richardson wrote. "As the person ultimately responsible for putting a team on the field, I take full responsibility for our shortfalls. It is agonizing that we have not performed at the level we had planned for and expected."

CARRY ON

http://www.nfl.com/news/story/09000d5d81cbb88f/article/panthers-owner-i-take-full-responsibility-for-our-shortfalls

Seattle Blitzes With A 21-Point Third Quarter SMACKING Carolina 31-14

SEATTLE (AP) — A trio of touchdowns from Marshawn Lynch and a nearly perfect third quarter made for one miserable half by the Seattle Seahawks.

Against hapless Carolina, that was more than enough.

Lynch scored on a pair of 1-yard runs in the third quarter, sandwiched around Lofa Tatupu's 26-yard interception return for a score, and the Seahawks rallied from a 14-0 deficit for a critical 31-14 win over the Panthers on Sunday.
Lynch added a 22-yard touchdown in the fourth quarter for the first three-touchdown day of his career as Seattle overcame injuries to their top two receivers and an awful first-half performance to stay even with St. Louis on top of the NFC West. Seattle (6-6) broke a two-game losing streak.

CARRY ON

http://www.latimes.com/sports/football/nfl/wire/sns-ap-fbn-panthers-seahawks,0,3572824.story

Panthers @ Seahawks / Playing For Little More Than Pride

RENTON — The last time the Carolina Panthers came to Qwest Field, they were playing for a Super Bowl berth. Almost five years later, pride is pretty much all that is at stake for the Panthers.
As far as the Seahawks have fallen from their 2005 Super Bowl season, things are even worse for the Panthers this year. Carolina is currently 1-10, good for the worst record in the league, and has scored fewer points and gained fewer yards than any team in the NFL.

“I think just youth,” Panthers coach John Fox said on a conference call. “We have a lot of youth in some critical positions — quarterback, wide-out — you know, we started young and then like everybody, you get the injury bug and that makes you even less effective because it’s not so much that you don’t have players that are qualified, it’s just that they aren’t as trained in your system or this league at the rate you have to be to play fast.”

http://www.kitsapsun.com/news/2010/dec/02/panthers-playing-for-little-more-than-pride/

Jonathan Stewart Returns To Seattle

The last time Jonathan Stewart played in Seattle, he ran for 251 yards and two touchdowns. Of course, he was playing for the Oregon Ducks, who shredded a hapless Huskies defense for 661 yards of total offense, including a school record 465 yards rushing.

Now the Lacey native returns to Seattle under vastly different circumstances with the Carolina Panthers. The team is 1-10 and Stewart missed two games with a concussion. He's rushed for just 306 yards on 81 carries this season.
With rookie quarterback Jimmy Clausen learning on the fly, teams have been and will continue to load up the box and stop the run game first and force Clausen to beat them.

Here's the transcript from our conference call with Stewart...........................

CARRY ON

http://blog.thenewstribune.com/seahawks/2010/12/01/jonathan-stewart-returns-to-the-puget-sound/

Panthers @ Seahawks

The Carolina Panthers and the Seattle Seahawks face off in Week 13 of the NFL Season. For the Panthers, they come in having won just once this season and assume the roll of spoiler from here on out. For the Seahawks, despite a record that is under .500, they remain in a tie atop the NFC West division with the St. Louis Rams, as this clash with the Panthers will be a critical game for them to get a win.

The Seahawks dropped to Kansas City 42-24 this past week, as the Seattle defense gave up 503 yards of offense including 270 yards rushing. That is a frightening statistic that will have to improve this week if Seattle is to win this week against the Panthers.

CARRY ON

http://www.sportsbookgurus.com/news/seattle-seahawks-6-favored-over-carolina-panthers