Tom Talks

Boxing analogy time

    This game reminds me of a boxing match. Many things remind me of boxing. Panthers are moving and jabbing and way ahead on points. And then Seattle catches them with a huge right and Panthers are never the same.

    Thing is, you can stop a fight.

Rookie moment

   Jimmy Clausen hadn't looked like a rookie all afternoon. Then he did. On third and one he threw to fullback Tony Fiammetta. Linebacker Lofa Tatupu jumped the route, caught the ball and returned it 26 yards for a touchdown. Down 14-0, the explosive Seahawks lead 17.14.

    The Seahawks aren't really explosive. But they're ahead.

Panthers running up the score, or clinging to a lead, your call

    Until today, Carolina's biggest lead of the season was seven. And that was last week against Cleveland. Panthers lead Seattle 14-3 at the half.

   Offensive and defensive lines have consistently beaten their counterparts, Jonathan Stewart and Mike Goodson have run beautifully, and Jimmy Clausen has been as good as he's had to be.

   Although Seattle kicked a field goal on its final drive of the first half, the Seahawks had reached the Carolina 1. Seattle fans weren't thrilled with getting only three points, and neither were the Seahawks.

Panthers score on opening drive -- again

   One drive, one touchdown for Carolina. Strong running, great blocking and Jimmy Clausen was as good as he had to be. Did the same thing last week against Cleveland. Panthers moved 61 yards in 10 plays. Mike Goodson got the Panthers going with a 40-yard kick return to open the game.

    My kids are here. Older kid wore a Steve Smith jersey. Kid is old enough to pick out his own clothes. He bought a beer -- like I said, my kids are old - and beer man spilled beer on him, my kid says intentionally.

    I told him he can't get in a fight. In Philly, of course. But not in Seattle. Have a latte, enjoy the view.

    He promised he wouldn't go off. But he says Steve Smith will.

 

Seattle bound

   Haven't been blogging much lately. Been working. There's a difference.

    Cecil Newton, father of Cam the Auburn quarterback, has been eliminated from 2010 Father of the Year competition. He's a minister. What denomination, I wonder.  And how much did Cam know about his father's marketing scheme?

  Watched the first half of LeBron's homecoming last night. Would love to have seen Cleveland destroy Miami. Instead, LeBron and the fellows destroyed the Cavaliers. I knew Cleveland would get smoked when, after Antawn Jamison really had it working for the home team, looking young and spry and unstoppable, his teammates refused to give him the ball.

    That's dumb basketball, and dumb teams deserve to lose.

    Like to hang out in downtown Charlotte before the ACC championship Saturday in Charlotte, but I'll be in Seattle. Seattle is one of my favorite cities, and it never rains when I'm there. It's like a rule. I'm meeting my kids, who are grown and gone and live in Minneapolis and Las Vegas. They've never been to the Northwest.  Haven't bought tickets for them yet. But I'm thinking i won't have much trouble. They're flying direct. I'm flying to Minneapolis and then to Seattle. Better me than them.  My ticket was less expensive. Cheapest Charlotte to Seattle ticket I've ever bought.

    While we're all here, maybe I could market my kids.

   The SEC championship is incredible.  I went once. Was blown away. Atlanta felt like Athens. Fans made a big city feel small.  Loved it. Love to see the Gamecocks beat Auburn. Spurrier has an array of deft one-liners simmering, I know he does, and a victory will unleash them. 

 

 

Sorry I'm late

   I pick every game every Sunday in the newspaper, pick the Thursday games in a blog. Worked late tonight, came home and watched LeBron's homecoming. Philadelphia 6 over Houston.