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November 07, 2008
Panthers on ground: Good, not great
Right now, as the Panthers move past midseason, their running game has been effective, good but not great. So far, Carolina is averaging 113.9 rushing yards a game, 13th-best in the NFL. It might have been better than that, but the offensive line has had a number of injuries, and rookie Jonathan Stewart, RB DeAngelo Williams' backup, is still learning the professional game. And Stewart, recovering from a bruised heel, is uncertain for Sunday's game at Oakland.
But now the O-line appears to be intact again with the return to practice this week of center Ryan Kalil and right tackle Jeff Otah from injuries. And the running game--particularly if Stewart is healthy -- could quickly become even better over the next four weeks.
The Raiders are allowing an average of 157.6 yards on the ground--30th in the league--and were blasted for 252 by Atlanta last Sunday.
The following three weeks see the Panthers home against Detroit, at Atlanta and at Green Bay.
*Detroit is allowing 161.8 rushing yards a game, 31st in the league.
*Atlanta is allowing 120.9 rushing yards, 22nd in the league.
*Green Bay is allowing 146.4 rushing yards, 28th in the league.
Panthers coach John Fox likes to establish the run. And while past performance is no guarantee of future ineptitude, the next four opponents seem to offer pretty good opportunities for doing so.
--Stan Olson
Posted by Observer Sports on November 7, 2008 at 12:47 PM | Permalink
Comments
For those who don't watch football, it means that the Raiders are about to become Panther pets!
Posted by: Revshawn | Nov 7, 2008 2:31:03 PM
As long as the come out to play like they did with the Chiefs, you are right on the money Rev. OTHERWISE, expect the Panthers to get embarrassed again this week. I hate to use these words but in all reality, the Panthers "can only beat themselves" in the next two games. I've said it at the beggining of the season and I'm saying it again. This team has too much talent to not go deep into the playoffs this year. Come on Jake! Sling that rock!! Go Panthers! Dominate!!!
Posted by: Keeping It Real | Nov 7, 2008 10:19:50 PM
The only thing embarassing is that you have the ability (probably because mommy and daddy pay) to have access to this blog....and just because you "beat" yourself doesn't mean the Panthers will. QUIT PLAYING DEVIL'S ADVOCATE. Your self absorbed validity and nauseous "attempt" to keep a sense of balance and realism is MORE THAN ANNOYING. You know nothing and that is about all you contribute when you post.
Posted by: josh | Nov 8, 2008 1:35:37 PM
I somewhat agree with Keeping it Real, the only way we will lose to the Raiders is if we beat ourselves, the Raiders are a team that don't have the talent, chemistry, or coaching like we do and we should clean house with them. I don't think our team this year is as we've seen Panther teams be in the past, losing games they have no business losing. This team has stepped up to the challenge multiple times this year, and has given us many reasons to believe that they will not take any game as a given! GO CATS!!! 7-2!!!!
Posted by: JAKE OB | Nov 8, 2008 1:58:20 PM
JAKE OB,
Your agreement with KIR, coupled with not recognizing your screen name, leads me to believe you are either, one, really KIR posing as said screen name or two, brand new to this blog trying to fit in and buying in to her ludicrous babble of self worth. If your are the latter, I welcome you and just invite you to read all the latest blog entries of KIR to understand where I come from. I, however, think you are the decrepid (sp) KIR (aka SYPRIS, and who knows whatever else screen name she has used) not the innoculous JAKE OB, but the point was AND STILL IS, NOOOOOOOOOOOO ONE cares what KIR thinks or says, she is an IDIOT!!!!!!!!!!!!! So, before you come to the defense of someone, know the HISTORY of that person's character..... Just some words of advice
Posted by: josh | Nov 8, 2008 3:56:26 PM
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