Friday, December 9, 2011

Can Panthers beat a 'real' quarterback?

Now the Panthers get to see if they can beat a big-time quarterback.

If you're keeping count, the 4-8 Panthers' four wins this season have come against starting quarterbacks named Curtis Painter, Josh Johnson, Blaine Gabbert and John Beck. That's not exactly a murderers' row -- you could argue, in fact, that only Gabbert has any sort of future among the four. The rest are basically backups who were temporarily thrust into a starting role.

But the Panthers have come close to beating a couple of big-time quarterbacks this season, and they'll get another chance Sunday when they face Matt Ryan and the Falcons.

Ryan is smart enough to avoid major errors -- especially when he's simply handing off to Michael Turner. In the teams' first game this season, Ryan only threw 22 times, Turner ran 27 times and the Falcons won by a couple of touchdowns.

Ryan isn't having a great year by his standards, but he was plenty good enough to lead the Falcons to 17 unanswered fourth-quarter points against Carolina on Oct. 16. How Carolina fares on third down against Ryan -- and how they tackle the bowling ball that is Turner -- will likely determine this game's outcome.

-- Don't forget that you can contribute to the Marine's "Toys for Tots" drive by bringing a new, unwrapped toy to the Panthers' game Sunday. Marine representatives will be at each gate to collect the toys. Fans can also visit ToysforTots.org/touchdown through Dec.24th to sponsor a child.

-- If it seems like the Panthers rarely beat the Falcons these days, it's true. Atlanta holds a 21-12 edge in the series and current Falcons coach Mike Smith is 5-2 against Carolina, including three wins in a row.

-- I've picked the Panthers' outcome correctly the past four weeks in a row in this space. This week I think Carolina's two-game win streak comes to an end. My prediction: Atlanta 27, Carolina 20.

27 comments:

Mike P said...

Could've beat him the first time. Don't see any reason we can't this time at home.

Anonymous said...

With Zero Panther turnovers:
Panthers 34
Falcons 23

With Multiple Panther turnovers:
Falcons 34
Panthers 20

Anonymous said...

What do you think about Cam's interview? Agree with the Charlotte media?? What do you think about the Panthers future? About our coaches? About the record?
http://agronstreet.wordpress.com/2011/12/09/cam-newton-the-lion-and-his-record/

Anonymous said...

I hear J Gross is hurt....mr false start cannot handle abraham when he is 100%...that has been one of the main reasons our offense bogs down so much against these guys....when are we going to get some players with some heart?

Cam is dead on with his assesment of of most of the players on our team & I blame this entirely on Marty Hurney

Anonymous said...

Don Davis the Panther says,

Good point. The answer is NO. Big headed Newton is clearly on his way out and hates his team his fans and the "loser" franchise in general he says is not on his "level" and is too good for it obviously.

The sooner the better that he exits and dont let the door hit you on the way out.

No other player in franchise has been so arrogant and divisive and he is not needed and never was with his 4-8 record not willing take responsibility for his losses.

Nobody wants that kind of self centered player.

Falcons win by a couple tds

Wylton said...

Don Davis, I didn't realize that there was internet access at the "Nervous Hospital." Welcome to the the mysterious words and sounds you see and hear! And most certainly, keep posting your silly comments!

Anonymous said...

I'm glad Matt Ryan is considered a "real QB", because he is ranked just below Cam Newton. They are separated by a few numbers in most categories. Fortunately, our guy happens to hold the all-time TD rushing record for NFL QBs. So to be fair, you must count Cam's rushing yards and rushing TDs in his total. This game we can win to serve notice in the division.

Anonymous said...

Newton blamed everybody but himself. When he grows up, he'll figure out what interceptions do to a team. That was low class, Cam. How about coming thru in the 4th quarter? You've had chances to lead winning drives and failed. You've had the lead and the ball and a chance to run out the clock and failed. Put your performance where your mouth is.

Anonymous said...

It still amazes me how "Cam Haters" and the media look for some reason to bring this kid down."WHY" he has been humble with all the record breaking has taken the blame each press conference"but "most probally dont watch those just what the media prints" for" His play"and is thriving for players to develop a WINNING ATTITUDE "the swag" "Getting on his level"nothing more or less.

Sportsdon said...

Gonzalez is going to be free to catch wide open passes all day, just like Graham of the Saints did to us. Our skeleton crew of LB's will have no chance to even bump him off his routes and it will be up to the safeties to tackle him after he makes first downs. I have no confidence in our pass defense against Atlanta.

Anonymous said...

There was a local QB in CMS just a few yrs ago who broke about every nat record with an impeccable rep and top academic credentials as the perfect role model for youth winning it all as a Gator just before Tebow came along.

So instead of signing him, how did this local pro bunch end up with the GA bum who did everything the wrong way got caught and was nowhere near as good or talented or smart? This defies all logic.

Clearly a hellava lot of other top secret bums got paid off to make this major racketeering rig work.
What a shame.

Brandi said...

Some have been following Cam Newton since he was in HS in Savannah and then on to Florida. Cam is competitive; that's true. But ultimately, Cam is all about Cam. He has a prima donna WR attitude, running the huddle. There's a reason why Urban Meyer wouldn't even elevate him to back-up QB, despite all of Cam's undeniable talent.

He didn't trust him and he didn't think he cared one bit about his team or his teammates. And that's what we're seeing now. As charismatic as he can sometimes be, when things aren't going well, Cam can't help being Cam. And there's only room for one Star in that "Show". That's how he's been for years. He might bring a Championship. But when he leaves, and he will, he'll leave a burnt out team and franchise.

Anonymous said...

Ryan Leaf > Chris Leak

Anonymous said...

Somebody needs to teach him football is a team sport not a one man show. His head is bigger than Goodyear Blimp. No good.

Anonymous said...

December 10, 2011 11:55 AM

Brandi ?

WTF ?

Anonymous said...

Chris Leak was not good enough to get drafted and when signed to a free agent contract wasn't even good enough to make a team. Newton is setting records and the so called fans in Carolina show they know nothing about football say he us a waste.

PhilW1957 said...

Three in a row. Go Panthers!

Anonymous said...

@ Brandi, Cam Newton did not attend HS in Savannah. He attended Westlake HS in College Park, GA (Atlanta area). He WAS the back-up QB his freshman year at Florida. Your opinion is yours, but facts stand on their own. Maybe you have him confused with someone else...

Jason B said...

Since when is Matt Ryan a "big-time quarterback"?!?!

Jason B said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Anonymous said...

GO FALCONS

MATT RYAN & CO WILL DESTROY THE CROOK

FALCONS BY 30

Anonymous said...

Heisman Trophy Motto created by the Downtown New York City Athletic Club in 1935.

"The outstanding college football player whose performance best exhibits the pursuit of excellence with integrity."

This is official motto of the Heisman Trophy Committee. The key word is "integrity".

After the pay for play among all other crimes by Scam Newton how could they award the Heisman to a 3time felon cheat kicked out of FL and a giant stain on college and pro football?

If Newton is allowed to keep this trophy the Heisman committee has lost all credibility with the NCAA.

Anonymous said...

http://www.thesmokinggun.com/documents/college/cam-newton-lame-laptop-thief

MicFlo said...

I played at Independence High with Chris Leake. He was an amazing highschool talent and led the Gators to a BCS victory but he was given a chance in Chicago and couldn't make it happen. He chose not to try out for the panthers as he wanted to be somewhere else that Carolina: I wonder why? And by the way: Chris was my dude but you are something or on something if you think he is even near as talented as Cam Newton

Anonymous said...

December 11, 2011 8:34 AM


fukoff waterboy

Anonymous said...

Cam showed his immature, petulent self, getting down on himself and frustrated after another schoolyard play (20 yd shovel pass) that didn't work. And then we turn everything over to a has-been kicker to blow another chance at a win. Mare could have been hired to kickoff since touchbacks seem to be his forte, and Kasey could have been used to actually win a couple of games that Mare kicked us out of. Where are out coaches? No adjustments; no motivation; another loss. This stinks!

Anonymous said...

I watched the first half, and one minute before the half, IU witnessed what I have been troubled with this whole season, poor coaching in all departments and management's failure to deliver what they promised us before the aseason began. Total failure! Cam Newton and Steve Smith and our tight ends and fan base deserve better from a bunch who don't want to fight to do better.