Thursday, January 20, 2011

On Shula, Carmelo and Silas

3 mid-week thoughts:

1) The Panthers would pull off a minor coup if they hire Mike Shula for an assistant coaching job, which they are considering doing. I've been around Shula a number of times -- I covered three of his father Don's teams as a beat writer for the Miami Herald in the early 1990s -- and Mike is smart and tough and one of the most likable guys you'll ever meet. The guy was a quarterback at Alabama and later the head coach at Alabama. And although he ultimately got fired from that job, he has since had a productive NFL career as an assistant. This is a move that should be made.

2) So the Nets' multi-billionaire Russian owner suddenly called off talks with Carmelo Anthony Tuesday, then announced that decision in a rather surreal and bilingual news conference.

You know what I'd do if I'm Bobcats owner Michael Jordan? Try to swoop in.
I know it's a longshot -- and there have been reports that MJ has already tried this before and been rejected by Carmelo's people -- but maybe the dynamics have changed. Carmelo is one of the league's purest scorers, and he'd be worth giving up a whole, whole lot to get. And until the Bobcats make some sort of move like this, they're never going to get beyond being a No.7 or No.8 seed in the playoffs (if that, this year). Go for Carmelo. Make the call to Denver. And then make the call again -- because with the Nets out, and even though Carmelo's preferred destination is New York, just maybe there's a sliver of possibility there.

3) I totally agree with Paul Silas telling his players that they've simply got to stop complaining about the officiating in Rick Bonnell's excellent blog on the topic. While Stephen Jackson has toned it down a little over the past month, and that's a good thing, his teammates seem to have more than made up for that with their own complaining judging by the Bobcats' dubious number of technical fouls. This was a longtime Larry Brown complaint -- that his players complained too much -- and now Silas is realizing how deep-seated this problem really is.

15 comments:

Anonymous said...

Regarding Carmello Anthony to Charlotte...there are two problems. 1) He wants a big market, and 2) Bobcats lacks the supporting cast. He would be duplicating his Denver experience.

Craig Morton said...

Charlotte, Carmello??? Don't think so! He will be the final piece that puts the Knicks over the edge as a major contendor. He would be a perfect fit in the Big Apple.

Anonymous said...

There he goes again. Sorenson, trying to get Roy Williams fired, says he needs to suck it up and stop whining?

Cant wait till he is perm assigned to golf only and forced to wear gay pink shirts yellow plaid trousers with white & patent leather shoes. NO Ts, jeans or tennies. hehehe...

We like Roy. Tom, not so much.

Go Heels !!!

NFL Realist said...

Shula would do himself a favor by saying no. This Panthers franchise has not hit bottom yet, not by a long shot. Next year may well be even worse than this past one. We have an owner who has already stated he will not pick up ANY big name free agents in the offseason. Our core was horrible next year, and we are set to loose many of our best players through free agency.

Don't kid yourselves people. The reason Luck decided to stay in school was the fact that we had the #1 pick. He and most of the NFL knows this team is in a downward spiral, with no bottom in sight.

Anonymous said...

Carmello might be interested if Chris Paul wanted to be closer to home... Make that happen and I'll become a Bobcats fan.

Anonymous said...

http://games.espn.go.com/nba/tradeMachine?tradeId=46ux5kv

if nothing else.. both these guys endorse jordan's brand.. hmmm..

Anonymous said...

We could trade Jimmy Clausen away, if we could find someone willing to give us the last pick in the 2011 draft

or maybe we could at least get a ham sandwich?

NFL Realist said...

Shula would be a great hire. We have a strong group of core players and ownership that is committed to winning. This will be a great season for the Panthers. Quick, quick turnaround.

THE NFL Realist said...

Umm yea right. 2-14. Solid core. Laughable. Some of these rose colored glasses bunch are good for a laugh now and again. And some are just as ignorant as they come.

NFL247 said...

NFL Realist (fake or real)...you are obviously an ex-employee or PSL owner that feels shafted by Jerry, Fox, Hurney or someone else! The Panthers are far from rock bottom because they have a class act organization. I don't wear rose colored glasses and I'm definitely not a homer by any stretch of the imagination. In fact, I've grown rather tired of the team over the last few years to the point that I hardly watch them anymore. That said, my biggest two problems with the team are now gone...Delhomme and Fox! Now, if they'd only get rid of Hurney and Clausen too but that's another thread! I am a little excited because at the very least we're going to have new blood and a new regime in the building on Mint Street! To date, the coaching staff is filling out quite nice so let's hold judgement and see what happens with the draft, CBA and subsequent free agent signings before making rash judgements.

Anonymous said...

Getting rid of Clausen is NOT another thread!! --

It's the BACKBONE of every thread worthwhile re the Panthers

Talking to 4 other season ticket holders tonight. To a man, we have never disliked a player as much as Jenny Clownsen

I hope he reads this stuff and quits

Anonymous said...

I'm am NFL Realist. You've become an atheist to watch Temptation Island. I'm am NFL Realist! You've stooped to a new low by watching The Littlest Groom! I'm am NFL Realist! You've floated away watching The Swan! I'm am NFL Realist! I'm am NFL Realist!

I'm An N-F-L Realist!

This is for Real!

Anonymous said...

I think Don Gregory's days are numbered here in Carolina!

Anonymous said...

If Charlotte swooped in for the deal, it wouldn't have a team after the deal. We don't have enough assets to give up unless we include another team or two in the deal and have them deal the good players Denver wants.

All the fans hating on Clausen. A bunch of ND haters I am guessing or they don't know much about football. Give the kid a chance. Obviously he wasn't ready this season but with the talent and play calling he had, he was doomed from the start. Out of all the QBs drafted last season he was the youngest and probably wasn't ready for the NFL year 1. This coming season will be the season he shows himself or we might not see him starting again for us...unless of course they bring in a vet

Anonymous said...

Funny -- All you Clausen supporters do not put an ounce of blame on Clausen for the mistakes he made all season. -- and I dont mean the rookie mistakes, I mean the mistakes a high school qb would get benched for-

Wost QB for the Panthers ever--- including Jeff Lewis and David Carr

At least Carr gave us a chance.

Clausen is a freaking joke