OK, first off, since this keeps coming up in my emails and blog post comments:
I was very critical of Cam Newton in this blog and in Saturday's newspaper for the same reasons Steve Smith was critical of him on the sideline Thursday night -- basically, he sulks too much when things go badly.
But I had no problem with Newton doing his "Superman" thing when the Panthers finally scored on his 1-yard TD run and cut a Giant lead frmo 23-0 to 23-7 in the third quarter. A lot of folks did have a problem with it, judging from the feedback I'm getting. Cam was celebrating there, yes, but he was also trying to get the fans and his teammates back into the game -- and God knows they hadn't had anything else to celebrate.
So let's be clear: I'm fine with the Superman thing in almost every situation -- I wouldn't do it in the fourth quarter down by 30 points on a score. But in this case the game was still (a tiny bit) in doubt and you don't want Newton to tamp down his positive emotions, because that's part of what makes him great when he is great. He doesn't need to be a robot, he just needs to be a better leader when the Panthers are losing.
OK, now onto the NFC South:
We now have a fairly good sample size in the NFC South -- three weeks worth of games. And the obvious conclusion is this -- there's Atlanta, and then there's everyone else.
The Falcons (3-0) are already at least two games clear of the rest of the NFC South field. They are one of only three undefeated teams left, joining Houston and Arizona. And they were the only team that won this week in the division -- an impressive 27-3 victory over San Diego Sunday. New Orleans (0-3) had a horrible home loss to Kansas City, blowing an 18-point lead, and Tampa Bay looked decent but lost by six to Dallas.
So the good news is the Panthers (1-2) definitely could finish second in their division. And, if you consider this good news, they have a shot at cutting into the Falcons' lead Sunday at 1 p.m. in the Georgia Dome.
The bad news is that it's hard to imagine the Panthers winning the South right now after that 36-7 blowout loss to the New York Giants, and they hardly ever beat the Falcons (especially not in Atlanta). So already it looks a little bit like the only playoff spot they have any shot at it is a wildcard, and that's only if they get about 80 percent better.
If I'm Ron Rivera, this is the week he must challenge his team as he has never challenged it before. The season hasn't slipped away yet, but it sure is sliding toward a bad conclusion unless things get reversed. Panther players had this weekend off and return to work Monday.
And it will be very interesting to see how the Steve Smith-Cam Newton drama plays out this week (see my previous blog post if you missed that). Newton's Wednesday press conference will be watched closely to see if he is taking No.89's advice to heart or if he plans to continue acting the way he does now when things start going wrong.
We're moving!
9 years ago
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14 comments:
Unless this team pulls a complete 180, it won't even be worth watching Sunday! Better make your tee times.
I didn't have a problem with Cam's Superman pose at that time either. The game was not yet lost and he was trying to increase the energy level. I had a bigger problem with his sulkiness later and with his overall play. If he plays OK, he can do as many Superman poses as he wants. Beating Atlanta will be next to impossible. The Falcons are smart, surgically precise, and consistent- everything that we are not (yet...)
Setting aside my general disdain for the 'look at me' endzone antics, I would agree with you regarding Newton's posing at that point in the game if he followed it up with some sideline encouragment of the offense. But he did not. Just back to his usual spot on the bench, under the towel. I noticed he did not hand the ball to anyone in the stands either.
Right now, I think the attention should not be on Cam sulking, posing or whatever. There is a very real problem with our defense that has not been effectively addressed. Coverage is incredibly poor (or porous) and tackling may be worse. When a defense cannot stop the opposing offense then there is tremendous pressure to score each possession. The Panthers won't surprise anyone this year offensively and I think we're seeing that. Until the defense gets it together at all positions, the playoffs will be a distant goal.
The sulking really needs to stop! It seems not only are the fans getting put off by it, but so are his teammates. If that continues in the locker room, that is going to become a problem. I can understand being angry, but the sulking makes him look like a child who had his toy taken away from him. Grow up, learn from your mistakes, and play with heart every time you step out on the field.
Winners don't need gimmicks.
10:16-If that problematic defense had allowed just ten points on Thursday, they still would have lost! Don't blame them for the offense's inability (twice in three weeks) to put up points and sustained drives to protect the defense. This team is built to outscore opponents, but they're not going to do that at 17 points a game (29th in the league.) For reference, the defense is 23rd in the league in scoring defense.
I think we're starting to see why alot of fans didn't want #1 with the #1 pick. Their worst fears are coming true...
You can have all the talent in the world but if you don't have the composure and mental fortitude that's needed in the NFL, you're not going to cut it.
Procton,
You fail to realize that when we go down 20-0, that changes what our offense does. If the D gets better, the O will get better by default.
I don't care about the superman junk either... unless he does it in garbage time after we have already gotten whipped... sulking is unacceptable.
Concerning our season... we are heading towards 5-11, imo. Cam is more of a playmaker and less of a quarterback right now. We have tons of RB talent, but defenses are taking away the run and making him win with his arm. When Cam starts picking apart a good defense consistently throughout a game, he will earn the "quarterback" title back.
The defense is patchwork at best... especially the DL. No pass rush against the Giants... Everyone knows that Eli will throw some picks if you can pressure him. The Giants DL completely ripped us apart.
The most frustrating thing is that we have enough talent to be competitive. To come out on a Thursday night game and give that effort is horrible... a total waste of my time and money.
Coach McGinty was right, it takes heart. I haven't seen an attitude that bad since Martel crossed.
to be honest ...I have been a proud Panthers fan for more than 10 years...bought 3 caps, shirts, jackets, everything that a proud fan should do. After being disappointed with Jake Delhome for so many bad years, I renew my faith and hope...and every new season I think "ok we will do better than the last season" but after 3 games, Giants loss (worst) I gave up..the season it is over for me and I won't watch any football game anymore thanks to Panthers..I truly don't believe t his team has GUTS, courage and attitude to win anything. Losing a game in any sport is not the end, but the way Panthers behaved...it will be another 5-11 (if we improve) season. I love NFL and I love watching games with my wife but just tell me how can I convince myself that this season is not over of us..or even worst..the next one won't be the same? Sometimes I caught myself wondering "Are those guys being paid to play or doing a big favor? Are they volunteers or professional players?" I am not asking for a Superbowl title, but at least could we make a decent season so football fans can enjoy watching couple games and who know feel the trill to make the playoffs? I have seen so many ok or bad teams making playoffs or even becoming champions just with guts, courage and the right attitude (Steelers and NY Giants last season for example) ... I think I will have to either chose another sport to support or another team.
I want Forest Gump.
dits only enterainment,bad enterainment ,panthers never put any mone in my pocket. cam newton needs to be moved to receiver and let anderson be qb. newton is a thrower not a passer.
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