CHARLOTTE - Reggie Smith, a defensive back the past four seasons for the San Francisco 49ers, has signed with the Panthers as an unrestricted free agent. A third-round draft pick out of Oklahoma in 2008, Smith played in both of the 49ers' playoff games last season, breaking up a pass in a pivotal spot during their NFC Divisional Playoff victory over the New Orleans Saints. During the regular season he played in all 16 games in a reserve role, recording 16 tackles, an interception and three passes defensed. The interception sealed a 13-8 victory over the Cincinnati Bengals. "Reggie has been on our radar since the beginning of free agency and is a player we think can come in and compete at safety," Carolina Panthers general manager Marty Hurney said. "We brought him in for a visit Tuesday, and it worked out. He is another player we've added to increase the competition." Smith played safety for the 49ers the last three seasons after playing cornerback as a rookie. He has contributed on special teams throughout his NFL career, with 29 special teams tackles in 44 games. He started the final seven games of the 2010 season at strong safety – the only time he's started in his NFL career – and recorded 37 tackles with an interception and four passes defensed.

http://abcnews.go.com/blogs/business/2012/01/friendless-and-nearly-broke-terrell-owens-says-im-in-hell/

I hate this for anyone, but did anyone NOT see this coming? TO has always enjoyed the limelight. His persona, I assume, have influenced others, such as Chad "used to be called Johnson" Ochocinco.

It saddens me to see such a gifted athlete and really good receiver succumb to such ego fallacies. I assume he will probably be passed over by the hall of fame, becasue we could not get over the nauseating qualities of his off field behavior.

I am wondering if his PR person is still on the payroll.....

Put your money where your mouth is

 

 

Poll

Do You think Steve Smith deserves to be traded based on the performance of he and this franchise through the last several years?

14%

Yes he does to pursue a Super Bowl Ring

19 votes

5%

Yes he does to pursue a better chance for the Hall of Fame

7 votes

11%

Yes he does to give the Carolina Panthers better options for the future

15 votes

15%

Yes he does because he deserves better than what we have given to him

21 votes

4%

No because he will help us rebuild and get rebound quicker

6 votes

10%

No because he has more value than we can get for him

14 votes

14%

No because he means more to us than any other team can appreciate

19 votes

23%

No, just plain NO!!!!!!!!

31 votes

132 votes | Poll has closed

Continue reading this post »

I received this email tickler today from WFNZ as below:

Hey guys. I just got done taping the interview with Julius Peppers. Don't miss it on Tuesday's Mac Attack at 7am.  You'll hear why he doesn't want to sign a long term deal , why he turned down an offer to make him the highest paid Defensive Player in the NFL after his 2 1/2 sack season and what he thinks about  the label that he doesn't play hard all the time.

Hope you can tune in,
Mac

 

My take..... 

 

The acquisition of Hollis Thomas.  Based on his experience and the ability to play well in the middle shut down the run game of most teams.  The inability for teams to run, allowed Peppers to be more effective on the corners.

 

I think it would be interesting on your takes as to what was truly the turning point of the season for the Panthers.  Clearly their record of late allowed John Fox to continue his operation directing the team, and Marty Hurney his ability to acquire talent.

 

Your thoughts?

Find Matt Moore in the film room and sit by him.

Wash his car.

Buy him lunch and invite he and his wife(?) to dinner.

Laugh when he tells a joke.

Tell him how great that pass was and easy to catch.

Let him know you "have his back" and excited for Sunday.

Tell him that "we are a great combo"

Make sure he knows, "That's a GREAT idea!  We should try that!"

 

Do what I ask and 2010 roster is inevitable.

;)

Accoring to www.panthers.com they are reporting that Jake broke a finger on his throwing hand during their loss to the Jets.  He is listed as day to day.  this is according to coach John Fox.

 

They did not allude to who was taking first string snaps with the offense.  I suspect that it will probably be Matt Moore.  However, i am sure that announcement wil not be made today.

 

I could have sworn Jake's finger was broken all year long........

In light of all the never ending discussions, analysis, editorials, and media coverage of controversy, it is time to play side chair coach.  This is what john fox is going through.  As fans we get to sit back and critique.

 

So let's answer the question and see how majority feels.   Let's see how we do.  Let's see if we can win.

 

I am REALLY interested in the answer here.  Fox is grueling over this.  His career is also at stake.

Poll

Which Quarterback do you feel NOW will gives us the best Chance to Win on Sunday against the Cardinals?

38%

Jake Delhomme

31 votes

4%

AJ Feeley

4 votes

56%

Matt Moore

46 votes

81 votes | Poll has closed

Continue reading this post »

Idea of Benching Delhomme

Let's see how this progresses.  Clearly the pressure on John Fox is such that if he hitches his wagon to jake it could bring him down and out.  However, there is a good chance it may get worse for Jake's replacement.  Arizona is no rollover game.

 

Either way, the Panther's have a rough road ahead of them.  The question is to which quarterback will be the least "bumpy" along the road......

Wow!  I can't believe i am saying this, but it is time to start at the top and then retool through the next 2-3 years.

 

John Fox is a good coach, but it is time to move on.  We need toughness, and attitude.  Offensively we are weak.  Defenses shut down the run, and then double cover Steve Smith.  What's plan B?  There isn't.

 

I dread the 3rd Quarter, and this is where i feel John Fox lacks.  The adjustment to protect leads or reverse deficits are not done. We are toast when the 3rd Quarter begins and then use the 4th quarter scrambling.

 

We cannot replace him with anyone new.  We must have an established coach who knows how to draft, and coach.  make adjustments.  My preference would be Bill Cowher, and then Mike Shanahan.  Cowher gives us the toughness, and Shanahan gives us the finesse.

 

The team needs heart.  It begins at the top.  The key players are getting frustrated.  That is a VERY bad sign.

 

Here is my succession plan:

1. Fire john Fox and hire Bill Cowher.  Have Bill meet with Hurney and look at how to use whatever draft picks we have squandered to fill immediate needs through the draft or free agency.
2. Trade Peppers if you can.  he has placed himself out of the market for trading due to his high price tag.  Unless your defense has a specific role for Julius, he wil not command that much coin.
3. Renegotiate Jake's contract.make him the backup for the new quarterback.
4. Give Beason a long term deal.  Losing him would be a travesty to this team.
5. Cut Jarrett.  Replace Marshall to special teams only.

I wanted wait until the box score:

 

Average kickoff return for Atlanta was over 30 YARDS!!!!!!  Only 2 touchbacks.

 

Average Kickoff return for Philidelphia:  22 yards!!!!!

 

Average punt return for Philidelphia game:  53 YARDS!!!!!

 

We have no chance to win any game if we give up that much field position.  Lloyd needs to practice a little bit more than enjoy the fact that he is occcupying a spot that could have been for Leman.  Also, where was Dan Conner?  At least make Dwayne Jarrett play special teams if he is a nonfactor on the field with the offense.

 

Time to move on......

 

BTW, decent game all considering.  Jake was markedly better and Davidson's play calling took a TON of pressure off of Jake.

 

Rossario will be our saving grace this year.  Mark it and remember it.

 

No DEFENSIVE pressure on quarterback means the offense will pick us apart.

 

3rd down conversions were great today.

 

We have to have a 3rd down tight end that can get us that 5-10 yards.  Will Wesley Walls please come back?  My money is on Rossario.  Don't know why, but they learned something good today.

 

Panthers will be markedly better for Dallas, and maybe that is when the winning begins.  Let's tell Pepper's that for a million dollars a game, he should hustle for all plays.....

Let's be honest.  Preseason gives us a sneak peak to the future season.

 

Peppers wants to be a legend somewhere else, Hurney wants to play wheel and deal with draft picks, and we can't cover a friggin punt to save our lives.

 

I do not blame fox, despite the Jenny Craig new look.

 

I want to break this thing down:

 

First and foremost,  Jake WAS our best way to win.  The offense was great in the first quarter, but when their defense keys on the run and Steve Smith.....  What is plan B?  The answer.  THERE ISN'T.  Dawayne Jarrett is a bust.  Just like Kerry Colbert.  You can't make chicken salad out of chicken $hit.  Moore needs a more active role to take the pressure off of Smith.  Moose, can't do the deep route.  PLAIN AND SIMPLE!  Furthermore, The way to win is the tight end going that 5-10 yard sit and catch mode.  Can anyone say Whitten, and Walls?  That was our combination to winning.  Our tight ends are nothing more than chips for the Defensive end coming off of the tackle.......

Second, Special Teams coach needs to be fired.  PLAIN AND SIMPLE!  Preseason gave you a way to learn.  Letting Leman go was wrong, in my opinion.  Just tell Baker to punt toward the sidelines and give us a better chance to cover.

Third, Stick to the run.  We cannot win a shoot out with anyone at this time.  Run the clock down and put the pressure on them.

 

Fourth, Steve smith needs to go back to business.   we are ALL frustrated.  You are getting paid the big bucks, and we are paying it.  Quit letting your emotions get in the way of business.  Express your opinion and be a TEAM player.

 

Fifth, leave it to Matt Moore for the season.  The defenses are getting faster and faster.  The better quarterbacks have to have a QUICK release.  Jake holds on too long.  McKown, hasn't had a chance anywhere.  Matt Moore's record as far as I know is 3 wins out of 4 chances.  Who has a better percentage?

 

Lastly, and most importantly, leave Pepper's alone.  The more he shines, the more the value.  As Hurney plays the Bobby Bethard wheeling and dealing of draft picks, his values continues to rise.  We MUST retool, and he is our only chance of getting better next year by getting more draft picks.  Deal him, and take our winnings.  Let his legacy go somewhere else......

 

Nuff said.  God bless and Go Panthers.

 

Bill

http://www.nfl.com/trainingcamp/story?id=09000d5d811cd08e&template=without-video-with-comments&confirm=true

 

A must read.....

 

Pat is a very good analyst with NFL.com and Sirius radio with Tim Ryan.  Pat used to be a GM with the NY Jets.

 

SPARTANBURG, S.C. -- In 2008, the Carolina Panthers featured a potent one-two punch in the backfield and an excellent offensive line to run behind.

After watching a live full-pad practice on Monday, it appears that the Panthers -- with their strong line intact -- may be even better running the ball.

Jake Delhomme may no longer be an elite quarterback in the minds of some fans, but the Panthers players rally behind their leader, who is still capable of winning a game with his throwing arm.

On defense, the line has some question marks, while the linebackers fly around the field and the secondary is underrated. During the offseason, Panthers coach John Fox switched defensive coordinators, hiring former Colts assistant Ron Meeks. Meeks will utilize the speed on defense, particularly the front four, to rush the passer with very little blitzing.

A team that finished 12-4 a year ago and returns 20 starters is no pushover. However, Carolina seems to be flying under the radar, which makes no sense at all.

 

Enjoy the reading.....