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What's up everybody. I've been living in Charlotte, NC for about 2 years now. I've been a big time football fan all my life (KC since birth), but I've always kept an eye on the happenings of the NBA. The only problem I've had with professional basketball was I never really identified with one team. I grew up cheering for Jordan, Magic, Bird and the other stars of my childhood as individuals. I kept basketball in the background while doing homework every night and paused to see a dunk here, no-look pass there. I never had a team. Bulls on Wednesdy, Lakers on Friday.

My search for a basketball team changed as of last night. I had been to several Bobcats games last season and this season with the hopes that the team would do good. I live uptown so I should cheer for the home team right?! I honestly cared about the women in the stands more I think (girlfriends kinda change that).

As far as the dynamics of a basketball game, last night had a different feeling. I was blown away by what I saw from DJ. His play last night made him seem like a leader on the court. I know he's small  (a liability on defense I'm sure), but he played with playground confidence last night. I think Larry Brown was mentally holding this guy back, because he looked every bit of a PG to me. I don't remember him turning the ball over once. He needs to see the court a little better (especially when the shot clock is down), but I think that comes with more experience at the point. 

Other notes from last night's game:

- I really liked the energy Gerald Henderson and Derrick Brown brought to the court. I don't remember having the chance to see either of them play much before, but I think they are extremely athletic and built for more of a running offense for sure.

-Stephen Jackson: He should have taken that shot instead of trying to pass it to Diaw. Everybody in the stands was like WTF?! Bad passes happen, but damn he was on Diaw hard for that one. He needs to just relax and play ball. Chewing on Diaw like that (and trust me I'm not big on Diaw) does nothing to help the situation. Jackson was shooting good though. Maybe is attitude will gradually change with the new head coach.

-Carroll: I don't think I had even seen this guy play much either, but I have read on this blog about him having a contract that's a liability to the team. I think Carroll had some good minutes, he just needs to hit those jumpers. It looks like he won't have to create his own shot anymore and they gave him some great looks.......gotta make em.

-Diop: I think he played some solid minutes. He could really use his size to abuse people down low if he's put in the right position. 

-Thomas: He had some awful turnovers late in the game, but beast mode on defense. I think he will eventually become a face for the franchise because he plays with some serious passion. The fans really respond to this guy and the shots he blocked sent everyone into a frenzy.

-Diaw: Maybe you seasoned Bobcats fans can give me thoughts on Diaw? He seems like a journeyman that doesn't really stand out in any category. I saw him attempt to drive in the lane a couple of times but he is painfully slow....

Overall I think the team should avoid any major moves over the next couple of weeks. I seriously doubt that the players of this team have been able to play up to their abilities under Larry Brown. I think Silas should continue moving the team to a fast paced offense and Jordan should really evaluate the players and determine the next steps to take with the long-term in mind. I do hope this organization is done trading away draft picks for some time. If I'm not mistaken they do have their first round pick next year, and I hope they would spend that pick on a big man with presence and the ability to keep up with the fast pace.

I'm painfully aware that my sample size is extremely small so feel free to discuss your thoughts and give me your opinions on the players as individuals and the team as a whole. I'm looking forward to jumping in with you guys and dissecting the hell outta this team much like we do on Arrowhead Pride. Hopefully Silas can revitalize the Bobcats and set this team up for success in the future. I'm officially a fan..............

Dig in!

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What's up everyone! For those of you who didn't catch my last post on here, I'm a lifelong Chiefs fan that happens to be from the Carolinas. I live in uptown Charlotte currently, and I'm a big fan of the Panthers as well. I published a post on here before the draft and received some great feedback from you guys on who to select for the Panthers in my mock draft. Thanks again to all that participated in the discussion. My pick in round 2 of the Arrowhead Pride Mock Draft for the Panthers was Arrelious Benn, but wow we got a surprise with Jimmy Clausen falling to #48 right?! Brandon Lafell seems to be a good choice at WR, however, and I'm glad we were able to get him at #78.

Anyways, it's a slow day at the office, so I wanted to maybe get a discussion going on how you guys are feeling post-draft coming into the lull before training camp. It seems with all the cuts and roster movement going on, the Panthers are in the beginning stages of going in a different direction. We definitely lost some familiar faces this offseason (I was partial to Hoover myself). I am glad Delhomme has a new home. Great guy, but I got tired of sitting in the stands last year scared everytime he threw the ball!

So here are some questions for you guys (and girls):

1. What were your thoughts during the draft? Are you happy with the focus of the draft (QB/WR/DB)?

2. Which rookie are you most excited about?

3. Who's gonna be the starting QB come mid-season next year?

4. Which 2009 Panther draftee do you think is gonna step up big time this year?

5. How do you feel we rank in the division this year? (Record predictions from the bold encouraged)

6. What's the best damned place to get a beer in Charlotte?

Here's to a good offseason for the Panthers!

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What's up everyone! I'm a big-time Chiefs fan living in uptown Charlotte for the past two years, and I wanted to introduce myself to you all. Although my #1 is Kansas City, I've definitely become a fan of the Panthers over the years seeing as how my family is originally from South Carolina. I live down the street from BOA Stadium and attend all the home games! Here's to hoping the Panthers have a better start to the season (props to Matt Moore for coming in and helping the team to a good finish last season)

So the members of Arrowhead Pride have all signed up to be GM's in a mock draft starting next week, and I've volunteered to represent the Panthers in the draft. I chose the picture of Stewart and Williams above, because I am a huge fan of Carolina's running attack. This RB tandem is the best in the NFL no question about it. That's one position this team shouldn't have to worry about for years to come, so I guess my question is: where do we go from here to getting the team back on track to being a perennial playoff contender starting with next season?

I'd like to generate a little discussion and get caught up with everyone's opinions on the state of the franchise and who they would like to see taken with the 2nd round pick in the upcoming draft. 

My questions to you:

1. Who was your favorite player this season?

2. Who do you predict to be the most improved player on the roster?

3. What are your feelings about Matt Moore possibly being the starting QB next season?

4. Top five team needs coming into the draft and why?

5. What FA would have the most impact on the Panthers next year?

6. Who should I select in my mock draft with the 2nd round pick and why?

I'm noticing the makings of a youth movement going on around here lately with all the cuts to the roster this past week. I'm excited to see where the Panthers organization is headed with the infusion of some talent from this year's draft (which is shaping up to be loaded with mid-round talent). 

Thanks for reading.

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     There is definitely a growing contingency of us on AP that would like for Haley to be fired. Honestly, I have days where I want to drive to Arrowhead pitchfork and torch in hand to help make it happen. But we have to remind ourselves that we should have expected another bad season in KC, because the one year turn around is simply not the norm. Good for the Dolphins and Falcons for getting it together last year after dismal seasons prior. I'm not sure that we will have the same fortune. That doesn't mean that we are not on the right track, however. I've been digging through the NFL archives to find stories of teams in situations similar to ours. And without further ado I give you the tale of a team that was just as buried in the muck and mire as our Chiefs...........enjoy.

The San Fransico 49ers (1978-1981)

• 1978    The 49ers were in a bit of turmoil this year with GM (Joe Thomas) in his second season managing the players and personnel. The season prior to this one he fired the previous coach and hired his own guy to get the team going in a different direction. The 49'ers had two first round picks that year that were later deemed busts. 
  • Record 2-14 (sound familiar?)
  • Offense Ranking 28th (out of 28)
  • Defense Ranking 23rd
• 1979    Bill Walsh (then head coach of Stanford University) is brought in in the offseason after 1978 in hopes to turn around the nightmare that was the 49'ers at the time. In his first draft the 49'ers chose some guy by the name of Joe Montana. Apparently Montana was not highly rated at QB at that time because of his height (6'0") and lack of arm strength. Bill Walsh began to mold the team installing a new offensive scheme (the West Coast offense), but the turn around would take a little longer than 49'ers fans had hoped.....
  • Record 2-14 (drawing parallels people, follow me)
  • Offense Ranking 16th (out of 28)
  • Defense Ranking 27th

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I had to choose this topic as my first post on AP seeing as I have a little insight on the matter. I played free safety in high school, and nothing bothers me more than the glaring need the Chiefs have at the safety position. I never feel comfortable when the opponent has the ball, and the quarterback drops back to survey the field.....ever. Anytime said quarterback has a few seconds (in many cases against us more than 3) to survey the field, we have a great chance of getting beat deep. Brown, Page and company are out of position way too much for NFL starters. I knew when I played if we got beat deep and I wasn't on a blitz, then I had to take responsibilty for the play, because a safety shouldn't let anybody get behind him.  I've been all for us drafting DL the past few years, but I think we have the players we need to develop at this position. Dorsey and Jackson are showing improvement against the run, and we can get some good pass rushers in later rounds to rattle the quarterback more next year. But I don't think we can draft another position this year that is gonna have a greater impact on this team than safety.....go ahead and jump......

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