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August 12, 2008
How important is Thursday's exhibition?
So how important is it for the Panthers to play well at Philadelphia Thursday?
“It’s extremely important,” tight end Jeff King said today. “We want to come out and play well against Philly. We didn’t last year and it showed.”
The teams also met in Carolina’s second preseason game last year, and the Eagles drilled the Panthers, 27-10.
“We want to build from one game to the next, and that’s something we want to concentrate on this week.”
By that, King meant building on the team’s opening overtime win against Indianapolis Saturday.
Still, it is an exhibition, and fullback Brad Hoover said as much.
“We want to go out and do well, but if we don’t it’s not the end of the world. These are preseason games. We do want to build on it; we want to treat it like a stepping stone. And we want to become better rather than get worse.
“It’s going to be a little different game; Philly is definitely a physical football team. To come in and play them early on again is an opportunity to see where we measure up from last year.”
- Stan Olson
Posted by Observer Sports on August 12, 2008 at 12:16 PM | Permalink
Comments
How about that Seward guy. He's practically making a case to a starter. That injury bug of his is the major setback, otherwise...
swing Thomas Davis back to Sam;
put Beason back on Will &
let Seward fill Morgan's shoes in the middle.
Now you still end up with quality depth with Diggs at SLB, Johnson at WLB and the best of the rest winning over the backup MLB spot.
Again, this is only a dream because of the injury and longevity concerns. Maybe next year though. It's a nice problem to have. Regardless, like I said before, at least they have quality depth with him on the roster.
Posted by: SYRPIS | Aug 12, 2008 12:54:04 PM
Another related thought... Jason Kyle is still on the roster?? Couldn't they have committed to molding someone else to fill that spot?!? Someone like Evan Mathis comes to mind. He was the most athletic lineman on the roster a couple of years ago and could have provided quality depth to the OL, further helping to clear roster spots. Had they done so, the Rhys Loyd roster spot issue would not have been as much of a dilemma as it is now. Seeing that even Kyle can make a mistake (snapping to the turf on Saturday) why not take a chance on someone else?
Posted by: SYRPIS | Aug 12, 2008 1:05:39 PM
*correction, it was not related. It's just that it has been so long since I've seen him play his "natural" position that I forgot what that position was. He is a TE, right?
Posted by: SYRPIS | Aug 12, 2008 1:07:36 PM
you dont reshuffle the entire linebacking corp just to make a guy like Adam Seward the starter
Posted by: matt | Aug 12, 2008 1:13:33 PM
Make Steve Smith the MLB. He sure seems tough enough. :)
Posted by: Ben | Aug 12, 2008 1:25:43 PM
Kyle is a "linebacker."
Posted by: dogear | Aug 12, 2008 1:53:06 PM
SYRP, there's no way. You really want to move a guy who set a Panthers tackle record as a rookie and bench another high-paid LB?
And yes, we obviously should replace Kyle, but it's harder than you think to find a good LS. Before Saturday night, try and think of the last bad snap he made. Kyle is very highly paid for his position, although that's got more to do with the number of years he's been in the league (brings the minimum salary up.) It would also be GREAT to have somebody who could contribute at another position and long snap. That's a big reason why Conklin has stuck around. However...you certainly can't let a guy be your LS and compete for a lot of real (non-situational) PT at another position, because that guy's got to spend so much time practicing with the K and the P rather than his unit (O or D.) That's a big reason we can't use Kalil there, even though he does have LS experience. Finally, Kyle's "natural position" is LB. He still gets listed there on the roster, but I think they've usually left him off the LB depth chart completely of late.
Posted by: Michael Procton | Aug 12, 2008 1:56:08 PM
He does usually work with them down in camp.
Posted by: Michael Procton | Aug 12, 2008 1:56:33 PM
Syrpis,
I'm glad you aren't calling the shots. Those are terrible suggested moves. I like Seward too but moving him into the starting lineup would get you fired. Best case scenario, the Pats or another team likes what he has shown in the pre-season and requests a trade.
And you never mess with a longsnapper that has been solid throughout his career.
Posted by: Brainiac | Aug 12, 2008 2:08:47 PM
So why are we trying to replace Jason Kyle?
Posted by: matt | Aug 12, 2008 2:20:32 PM
The only way Steve Smith would make a good linebacker is if he could "attack" the other team in the locker room. It appears he may not be such a tough guy after all.
It would be the ultimate "Karma" (just watch Earl if you struggle with this one) for Steve to get hurt, miss the entire season and Ken Lucas intercept a pass to win the Super Bowl.
Posted by: Mark | Aug 12, 2008 2:36:26 PM
Mark,
You are a moron.
Posted by: Brainiac | Aug 12, 2008 2:38:46 PM
Because he's old, expensive, and he doesn't contribute anywhere else.
Posted by: Michael Procton | Aug 12, 2008 2:41:39 PM
Trust me, Seward is not a starter on this team. That will be the day when he starts over Beason, Davis, Diggs, or Johnson. Sure he has looked good, but that just means we should have more faith in him on ST and WHEN he gets in the game. He is NOT one of the top 4 LBs on this squad. End of discussion.
Posted by: Henry | Aug 12, 2008 2:52:55 PM
I dont think age matters to much in terms of long snappers, expensive yes, but he is very good at what he does, and think everyone wishes he could contribute at an actual position, i still dont see that as grounds to want to get rid of the guy
Posted by: matt | Aug 12, 2008 2:53:25 PM
As opposed to a "imbecile"? You Steve Smith apologist amaze me. But then again it boils down to morals and human decency.
You see "Brainiac" I do not go around posting under a silly moniker. But you my friend were most likely picked last in kickball. I'll bet you paint your face for the games.
I think Steve Smith has issues. I truly beleive he will do something foolish again. But just because he makes you feel good on Sundays you forgive his brutal assault.
Posted by: mark | Aug 12, 2008 2:53:32 PM
Silly moniker or not. This is about football so save your self righteous act. Perhaps you need a more moral sport to follow like cheerleading.
Posted by: Brainiac | Aug 12, 2008 3:06:30 PM
It's not a question of just trying to push him out the door. It's a matter of trying to find a viable alternative who can do more things for the team at a more cost-effective price.
Posted by: Michael Procton | Aug 12, 2008 3:18:15 PM
And Markie, that's certainly a silly email "moniker" you have. Or can I really email you at Marcus@mail.com? Is it hard to ride that horse without a ladder to climb up there?
Posted by: Michael Procton | Aug 12, 2008 3:19:25 PM
Anyone STUPID enough to claim this was a football incident....well what more can I say.
Here is one for you....let's say you and I get involved in a traffic "accident". We get into an argument and I assualt you. I guess taht would just be part of the accident.
The most over used defense of Steve Smith and his assault is the, "this is football" argument. When school starts back ask your teacher to explain this, obvioulsy your parents did a poor job.
Posted by: mark | Aug 12, 2008 3:19:34 PM
Mark, Lucas did not press charges, let it go.
As for Kyle, I would think a team is constantly looking for vialbe alternatives at a more cost effective price, at any position, but who is that person? Maybe there is no better alternative at the time.
Posted by: matt | Aug 12, 2008 3:26:04 PM
MP, very good points. Thanks. As far as benching a starter, that's going to happen anyway (either johnson or Diggs). Diggs can be used as an "elephant rusher" in my opinion, which would still make him a worthy situational contributor. Johnson can provide quality depth on either side.
All that said, of course I wouldn't start Seward, because of the injury concerns alone, just like I said at first. I just thought entertaining the idea would be fun.
Moreover, I really bet Mr. NFL Cheater himself wished he did give up the 5th round draft pick after all. However, I don't think he would try to make amends for it in a trade now.
In short, the real point is how much quality depth the Panthers have at LB this year. Wow! They still have Tim Shaw and Dan Conner in the mix too (let's not forget Donte Curry who also has starting experience). It would really be nice to get some future draft compensation for those that won't make the final roster.
Posted by: SYRPIS | Aug 12, 2008 3:29:54 PM
And Braniac, I'm glad I'm not calling the shots too. Frankly I was aware of my limitations before you came along. Are you aware of yours?
Posted by: SYRPIS | Aug 12, 2008 3:32:30 PM
Matt:
Lucas should have never been put in that position. The authorities in Spartanburg should have brought charges. I'll bet had that been you or I they would have. They did not want to upset Mr. Richardson or rock the boat. Just another example of money and power.
Posted by: mark | Aug 12, 2008 3:34:11 PM
The long snapper issue probably wouldn't even be discussed today if Fox had called a TO with 8 seconds instead of 1. It was only 3rd down, and we had a time out left. Did you see his reaction after the play? He apparently never even gave it a thought... bad coaching
I'm a big Panther fan, but I'm afraid it's going to be a long season.
Posted by: RT | Aug 12, 2008 3:34:58 PM
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