SB Nation User Blog: WillParker81

Is NCSU Basketball making a comeback?!?

WillParker81 — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 14:43:01 -0000

The Wolfpack men's basketball program has been down the past few years, with sprinklings of hope only to be dashed later by disappointment. The current team is predicted to struggle this upcoming season, but there is again reason for hope. More after the jump.

The current roster is young with only one real proven player, C/PF Tracy Smith. However, the recruiting class of 2009 was a quality class with players at every position. Guys like 4-star PF Richard Howell (#61 overall player in the country), 3-star PF/C DeShawn Painter (#127 overall player in the country), 3-star SG/SF Scott Wood (#133 overall player in the country) and C Jordan Vandenburg are all young guys with complementing skill sets who would need some time to develop. However the best of the bunch, 4-star PG/SG Lorenzo Brown (#37 overall player in the country), had to wait to enroll due to academic eligibility.

The 2009 loss may turn out to be a blessing in disguise as the 2010 class is turning out to be a top 10 class in the country, maybe even top 5. The previously mentioned Brown is reportedly still solid in his NCSU commitment along with 5-star PG Ryan Harrow (#24 overall player in the country) and recent commitment 4-star PF Luke Cothron (#33 overall player in the country).
Why would getting Brown in 2010 be a blessing in disguise? Well, even if he played this year, the team probably would not be too good, meaning challenging in the ACC. Plus there are already 3 PG's on the team (even though they each have their issues), Sr Farnold DeGand, Jr Javier Gonzalez, and So Julius Mays. So getting him next year, maybe in the spring, would defer a year for a very talented player giving the team more quality young players for a longer time, unless any of them leave for the NBA of course. So with the 2009 class getting time to develop and grow, then getting 3 quality players, so far, in 2010, that looks like a potential bounce-back year. Here is a look at the possible roster for 2010.

Potential Starters:
PG - Ryan Harrow (Fr) SG - Lorenzo Brown (Fr) F - Luke Cothron (Fr)
PF - Richard Howell (So) PF - Tracy Smith (Sr)

Bench: PG - Julius Mays (Jr) PG - Javier Gonzalez (Sr) SG/SF - Scott Wood (So) SF - C.J. Williams (Jr) SF - Josh Davis (So) SF - Johnny Thomas (Jr) PF - DaShawn Painter (So) C - Jordan Vandenburg (So)

The Panthers have the 3rd WORST defense in the NFL

WillParker81 — Tue, 22 Sep 2009 02:44:24 -0000

I was reading the paper this morning and when I was looking at the standings, I realized that we have given up more points, 66, than ALL but two teams in the league. The worst team, Detroit, has given up 72 points while the next team is Tampa Bay, with 67 points. We have given up 9 TD's tied for worst, with the Lions. Now we lose yet another DT for the season. More stats after the jump.

NFL rankings

168 rush yards/game - tied for 30th

4.9 rush yards/att - 26th

19 first downs allowed - 31st

5 pass TD allowed - tied for 31st (This stat is a bit worrisome, Meeks came from Indy where they gave up an NFL record 6 pass TD ALL YEAR last year)

67.9 opponent comp % - 29th

9 TD's allowed - 31st

Here are some good stats:

319 yards/game - 15th

5.0 yards/play - 12th

151 pass yards/game - 3rd (This is deceiving b/c when a team can run at 4.9 yds/clip, why pass?)

That's about all of the "good" stats I could find. Now I know the total points and points/game is augmented by all the turnovers against the Eagles. However, a defense should still keep opponents out of the endzone more. This is even more evident when looking at only 1 FG given up.

In the off-season, I was a Pep supporter, and I still am. However, I am very disappointed in the front office for franchising him. We could have gotten several quality or even Pro Bowl level type players with the 18 mill wrapped up in Pep. There were guys available like DE Greg Ellis, DE Jason Taylor, DE Richard Seymour, DE Antonio Smith, DE/DT Chris Canty, DT Rocky Bernhard, DT Tank Johnson, DT Shaun Cody, DT Jovan Haye, etc.

What are your thoughts?

Poll

Is the Carolina Panther defense as bad as the stats say?

Yes

34 votes

No

32 votes

66 votes | Poll has closed

DeAngelo Hurts His Knee

WillParker81 — Thu, 27 Aug 2009 04:54:00 -0000

DeAngelo has now missed practice b/c of an injured knee. Of course Fox has not given much info on the subject. In the link provided, Charles Chandler says that Fox did not say how the knee was hurt, how severe of an injury it was, or if D-Lo will play against the Ravens. I am guessing that this is just an excuse to keep him out against a tough, physical, defense when the game does not really matter. This is pure speculation on my part, and honestly a bit of hopefulness. I would not mind if D-Lo was held out this game even if he was healthy. There is no reason to play him, IMO, as he has looked tip top. Any other opinions?

At last!! Good news from the Panthers pre-season.

WillParker81 — Tue, 25 Aug 2009 15:22:49 -0000

Well Panther fans lets address the elephant in the room. We are hit with some serious injuries. Kemo, Smitty, Beast-on, TD, and Godfrey are all starters to be bit by "the bug." In John Fox's tenure, the only time's we have not had a winning/playoff season is when we were devastated by injuries. But, hold on Chicken Little, the sky is not falling yet.

"Linebackers Thomas Davis and Landon Johnson returned to practice Monday after being out for extended periods with injuries." - David Scott, Insider the Panthers

via z.about.com

Also Smitty is expected to return for the Eagles game, if not sooner. Beason could also return against the Eagles, but with Conner backing him up, we probably will not risk bringing The Beast back to early. Godfrey has a broken hand, which is not a very serious injury. Speculation is that he maybe able to play against the Eagles, but I think Teal has a shot at pushing Godfrey for pt when he does return from injury (Sadly, Teal is the one guy in the secondary who can catch the ball).

via i.a.cnn.net

We have not looked too good this pre-season, but lets also put things into perspective. We played both games on the road, without key players, against good teams who we will be playing later in the REAL . . . uh. . . regular season. The one big area of concern is the loss of behemoth blocker occupier Maake Kemoeatu. There is also light at the end of the tunnel here. Hurney and the Panthers FO has been reportedly interested in several DT's around the league, although are NOT offering future draft picks.

via z.about.com

With all this said, I still think we are a playoff contender. I encourage you to stay with me and not jump ship yet. After all, we have only seen the team play in 2 practice games. We still have potential All-Pro's in Gross, DeAngelo, Smitty, Beason, and Peppers. Along with potential Pro Bowlers Otah, Kalil, Wharton, Beef Stew, TD, Gamble and others. I will be at our first home game this Saturday 8/29 against the Ravens. This should be another good, tough, and entertaining game which will help prepare us for this season's schedule. I will watch the team with expectation and as always cheer "Go Panthers!!"

Poll

Are you jumping ship?

No

74 votes

Yes

6 votes

80 votes | Poll has closed

There's irony in Carolina's DT quandry

WillParker81 — Sat, 22 Aug 2009 04:54:22 -0000

There's irony in Carolina's DT quandry

I was watching the Cowboys and Titans preseason game tonight and realized that the Titans starters at DT were Tony Brown and Jovan Haye. In case you do not know, they were both on the Panthers roster at one point. Now with the well known state of our DT position, the success of these guys certainly stings. Here is a good and short article from ol Patty Yaz on the subject.

Plaxico Burress pleads guilty in his weapons possession case and will serve 2 years in prison. -...

WillParker81 — Thu, 20 Aug 2009 15:21:04 -0000

Plaxico Burress pleads guilty in his weapons possession case and will serve 2 years in prison. - ESPN

He may end up serving 18-20 months, but even so, he would be 34 before the next season in which he could play. That does not include a possible suspension from Goodell. When considering the time away from elite training and his age, it sounds like his career is finished. - WP

Yahoo Sports

DT Depth To Spare?

WillParker81 — Mon, 10 Aug 2009 04:01:02 -0000

DT Depth To Spare?

This is a Fan Post I made on the NY Giants blog trying to gauge which players they may cut at DT since they have, IMO, the best DL in the league.

DT Depth To Spare?

WillParker81 — Mon, 10 Aug 2009 03:35:50 -0000

First I want to say hey from Panther land and congratulations on the win last season to lock up the NFC. That was one exciting, yet difficult game to watch. You guys put up a ludacris amount of rushing yardage against us partly due to the fact that we had injuries and a lack of depth at the DT position. The other part was due to your great O-line and RB's. (I expect you to miss Ward, but my boy Dre' Brown will help you to forget him)

Going into training camp this year DT depth was again a position of concern for us. Then we lost starting 6'5" 345lbs DT Maake Kemoeatu for the year with a torn achilles tendon in the first practice of the season. So now I find myself looking around the league at teams with loads of talent and/or experience at DT. In my opinion the NY Giants have the best group of D-linemen in the league. So I ask you, got any to spare? How many DT's do you usually keep on the 53 man roster? Who do you expect to be cut at DT? What position would you be looking to improve on, like for example in a trade? Thanks for the info, and see you guys on the 17th.

Observations From My First Ever Panthers TC Visit on 8/5/09

WillParker81 — Sun, 09 Aug 2009 05:17:32 -0000

1. WR Dwayne Jarrett extremely disappointed me. While he MAY have improved as a professional in terms of his preparation, he lacks in his speed, quickness and perceived confidence. As a professional Sports Performance Specialist, I have worked with many athletes, both academic and professional.

A) He seems to have NOT worked on his speed at all in the off-season. Jarrett CONSISTENTLY lined up and had a false step coming off the line-of-scrimmage. This is one of the most basic and fundamental things even a high school coach should be able to focus on and improve. He was slow in and out of his cuts. B) I did not see any "fight" for the ball. For example, there was a play in which McCown was pressured and needed to get rid of he ball quick, and Jarrett again slow in his route and cut, THEN did not fight for the ball as it was intercepted and returned for a TD. Practice like you play. C) He also did not show ANY confidence, as he hung his head, barely hustled, and rarely talked to anyone. D) WR Marcus Monk, 6'4" 212lbs, is virtually the same build as Jarrett, 6'4" 219lbs, but Monk is much quicker and more aggressive. Monk, a 7th round draft pick in 2008, overall impressed me much more than Jarrett, a 2nd round pick in 2007. I hope he had just a bad day, but I did go to both morning and afternoon practices', and neither were impressive. I do think he has talent and can be a factor in this league, hopefully it is this season with the Carolina Panthers.

2. Smitty looks great, of course. He "plucked" several passes with his aforementioned grip strength right before a safety was about to lay him out.

3. DeAngelo and Stew are noticeably different from other RB's. They both have trees for legs. If any of you get reasonably close to them while they stand next to the other RB's, you will be able to tell what I am talking about.

4. While on RB's, Lee is absolutely fast. However, my questions with him still remain: A) Can he run behind his pads with any power? B) Can he pick up the blitz? C) Can he read defenses before the snap? D) Can he run away from NFL starters? (when I saw him, he was going against many players that will not be in the league next month)

5. Larry Beavers is DEFINITELY fast. I do however, question his hands. The special teams coach yelled at him for dropping a punt.

6. WR Jason Carter lived up to the hype for me. He has great hands, consistently catching the ball away from his body and then making a quick move to gain extra yardage. I did not see breakaway, Smitty, speed, but he very quick.

7. It is much easier to evaluate the skill positions over the big uglies b/c of lack of contact.

8. Everette Brown did look good in the limited action I was able to see him in. He lined up at RDE and used a quick and powerful move to get pressure on the QB. Brown used his quick first step with a wide berth. Then he powerfully engaged the LT (Pat Brown I think) with a push/pull move and successfully "tossed" him aside. He then proceeded to burst to the QB in a situation which he was lucky he wore a RED jersey.

9. DL I saw: 1st team - Brayton, D-Lew, Favorite, Peppers 2nd team - Johnson, Irvin, Harvey, Brown

10. Otah is still the young guy of the OL. After practice, Jake got on a golf cart followed by the OL. Otah was one of the first to hop-on, if you can really call it that, only to have Gross put him in his place and have him take a walk while Jake, Gross, Wharton, and an assistant drove off.

11. Dan Conner looks good and fully recovered. Thank God for that, with the absence of Beason.

12. I almost past out from holding my breath when Thomas Davis fell to the field holding his knee during a coverage drill. With the possibility of Beason and TD missing time along with Kemo, and our D would have become quite average very quickly.

I had a few other observations, but I did not take any notes and had to write this on memory alone. I hope you enjoy and have learned something. Do you have any thoughts or questions?

A Word to Panther Fans and Pep Haters.

WillParker81 — Sun, 02 Aug 2009 04:01:08 -0000

The following fanpost comes courtesy of Will Parker, long time Panther fan and CSR reader

Julius Peppers has been quite the odd ball when compared to many of the other elite sports stars in this era. He has always shied away from the spot light, rarely doing interviews and almost never seeking them out. In a time where TV, radio, and print exposure can bring in a fortune for any star athlete, I do not think I have ever seen one thing that Pep has promoted. So when his rookie contract finally came to an end and he stated his interest in playing for a NFL team based outside of North Carolina, he was just doing what he normally does, be different.

More after the jump

Many people, myself included, thought he would want to finish his career with the Panthers and stay in the state that raised him, so to speak. For those that do not know, Julius Peppers went to high school in Nash county (about 30 minutes east of Raleigh), played both basketball and football at a high level for UNC Chapel Hill, and up to this point has only played professionally for the Carolina Panthers.

No matter which team he went to, Julius would have become even more rich than he already is. Not only that, to my knowledge, he has never signed an endorsement deal. Because of those reasons, it shocked me when a guy was being thought of by many people as greedy. Yes, he is scheduled to make around $18 million this year, but if he was all about the Benjamins, then why not seek out deals for 6 hour energy, go get daddy.com, over armour, SPike nARQ, etc? Why not go out and try and talk your way out of the Cincy Bengals, err Carolina Panthers?

Peppers has been quoted recently in the Charlotte Observer as being 100% committed to the Panthers.

“That's been my attitude and approach in every season I've played. I have no reason not to put forth full effort in any game that I play.”

Here is a link to read the rest of that article/interview. Until I have more substantial evidence than some statistical analysis to make me think otherwise, I will continue to believe him. What actions has he had which make him not a man of his word? If he were taking plays off, don't you think at least one player would step up and call him out on it? The only thing I heard from players on the Panthers during this whole off-season fiasco was how much they wanted him back. These guys know how much money he was due to be paid. They are relatively intelligent men. They would have known the ramifications of his cap hit. Yet they all supported him and wanted him back, in the trenches, fighting side-by-side. To me that speaks volumes.

For those of you reading this that are Panther fans, the only thing you need to know is that Julius Peppers is still a Carolina Panther. I urge you to stand and cheer for him as loud as ever when he gets introduced to those at Bank of America stadium for the first time in '09. Remember this, he could have been a lot worse, both as a player and as a person. Does anyone remember Courtney Brown? Would any of you rather he had the personality of an OchoCinco? With the start of training camp today, a new NFL season is upon us, one in which I believe we have a very real shot at a Super Bowl. Ask yourself this, do you want to start possibly our first Super Bowl season off by booing one of our own? Come on now, just because we play the Eagles and the Jets doesn't mean we have to act like them. I have enjoyed writing this post. My hope is that it at least made you think. Go Panthers!!!

Poll

So, when/if given the opportunity, will you boo or cheer for Julius Peppers?

Boo

44 votes

Cheer

323 votes

367 votes | Poll has closed