Let's talk a little bit about the lack of explosive plays from Carolina's receivers, because that's one of the reasons this team struggles so much getting the ball into the end zone. Here's a disturbing statistic for you Panther fans. Philadelphia's Jeremy Maclin has five catches of 50-plus yards in 2014 -- by himself! The Panthers' entire team has one (Kelvin Benjamin's 51-yarder in the loss to Seattle, which is pictured here).
This is where the departure of Ted Ginn Jr. and Brandon LaFell has really hurt Carolina. Those two weren't as consistent catching the ball as Steve Smith, but they would rip off a 50-yard play every now and then.
And Jerricho Cotchery, the Panthers' other starter at wide receiver? He does have a 47-yard reception -- after the game was decided against New Orleans -- but he has not scored a touchdown all year. The Panthers' third wideout in most situations, Jason Avant, has only one TD. Carolina simply isn't getting enough production from any receiver besides Benjamin. Opponents have figured out that if they pay a lot of attention to Benjamin and Greg Olsen, it's very hard for Carolina to find anyone else to hurt them.
-- Want to talk Panthers with me? I will be appearing at the Myers Park Public Library on Tues., Nov.18th at 6 p.m. for a free talk. I will also have copies of my book "100 Things Panther Fans Should Know & Do Before They Die" available for purchase, but you don't have to buy a book to come join the conversation. You can sign up in advance right here -- pre-registration is encouraged -- or just show up that evening.
-- Here's something I didn't know about the Eagles until the past few days: They have an official offseason basketball squad that plays in charity events. These used to be fairly common in the NFL -- when I covered the Miami Dolphins in the early 1990s, they had one for awhile -- but dwindled out because of the injury risk. The Panthers have never had an official team (although Greg Hardy once claimed he could beat LeBron James in a one-on-one game).
You know who holds the Eagles' all-time record for most points in a single offseason basketball game? Maclin, with 50 points.
-- You can bet Darren Sproles will have at least one huge play against the Panthers Monday night. He was a thorn in their side for years in New Orleans and always plays well when he sees black and blue.
-- Prediction time. I misfired on picking Carolina to win against New Orleans, which dropped my record for the year to 5-3-1. Mark Sanchez will make a few mistakes as quarterback for the Eagles and I think Cam Newton is due for a good game. But ultimately I just don't see the Panthers' defensive secondary holding up against that frantic Chip Kelly offense. My pick: Philadelphia 31, Carolina 20.
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11 comments:
Good job posting your prediction record... But honestly you are trying to only pick straight up win vs loss... You throw in a score for fun but don't track it for the reader. If you were actually trying to play against the Vegas line what would your record be? Not good...
Straight up wins and losses is all that matters. His 5-3-1 is better than the Panthers 3-5-1. They don't get points in real life either.
Anon at 9:25:
Stick to Draft Kings.com
Ted or Smith still could not catch Cams high throws so stop making excuses ,Its accuracy and knowing how to quickly release the ball ,Its understanding pocket pressure and dropping it off quickly instead of taking a sack and hurting the team looking for a big play thats taking way to long to develope when he could drop it off and move the chains hands down nuff said,
fowlers by 50
Scott is below average.......year in and year out!Ron Green jr is actually a lot better and used to hit 70%. In a pick em league with no point spread,anyone who is decent should be picking 70%. In a point spread league,you should be hitting 52.7 percent to be average. Scott should be hitting 80% since he can take the "gimme" wins for the panthers(Atl,Tb,Minn upcoming) and fade the panthers against good teams(Pitts,Balt,GB,Sea,Philly upcoming.)Scott is a pencil pusher who knows nothing about football!
Please tank the season and get in position to get another great wide receiver opposite Benjermin, If we lose out we should be in position to get the 1st or 2nd pick in each round and make our team a contender ,We cannot keep up with Breez and Cook and Jimmy Graham unless we get better and it would help us get better o lineman also.
It's all Armanti' fault...
Why in the world are Harper and DeCoud still starting???!!! Enough is enough.
Scott, we have had this exchange before but even so I dare to repeat myself: the problem with the Panthers (just label non competitive by ESPN on national television) is the owner Jerry Richardson. He has never built an organization that can put a CONSISTENTLY competitive product on the field and therefore, like any CEO that fails, he should be fired.
To have a decent football team, the owners and other decision makers need to invest their profits in return capital for players who can bring the fans up out of their seats with applause. The only player to wear the number 89 who could do this, year after year was Steve Smith. Jerry Richardson always commended Smith for his performances; but, he let him go looking elsewhere to another team. The fans there love Steve Smith.
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