Injuries of Note: Steve Smith (shoulder), Jonathan Stewart (heel), Maake Kemoeatu (Achilles)
Radio Buzz: Ranges from:
"we were 2-0 without him - see him after the buy week"
"Gamble getting back for Ken Lucas"
"He's faking to get people to underestimate the Panthers"
"Jake better when not trying to force ball to Smith."
Message Board Rattle: Ranges from:
"gives other receivers reps with Delhomme - blessing in disguise"
"Smith receiving and blocking will be missed"
"Gives other larger receivers a chance to block for running game"
"2-3 weeks tops"
LJ: Smith makes the entire team better, especially his quarterback. Delhomme would not be in the position he is today with the Pro Bowl WR. He opens the running game up by drawing double teams as a deep threat, a must for the historically conservative John Fox gameplan. The Panthers need a healthy Smith for the entire season. He has missed parts of the past several seasons due to suspension or injury.
Stewart is sitting out the afternoon practices to give his heel time to rest, a result of favoring his toe on a previous foot injury.
Kemoeatu's early loss weakens the defense but gives the Panthers time to adjust personnel.
Quick Note: Jerry Richardson made an inspirational appearance yesterday after his heart transplant. It's good to see he is up and about. Word has it he called Peppers up front to stand with him. Let's hope this works a little better than the last time Richardson called out Peppers, resulting in a 2.5 sack season from the enigmatic if athletic defensive star.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
As I have said in other places, the Panthers will be no better than an 8-8 team this season, and the reasons are plentiful. The injury to Smith's shoulder is now entering its 2nd full season, and whether he wants to admit it or not, it's going to become a distraction. He is either going to have to limit his range of motion to protect the shoulder by not stretching out or up to get to balls, or leave himself wide open to a worse injury by not protecting it. His production, either way, will be down. Also, the defense lost possibly its most important member when Kemoeatu was lost for the season. Why? Because he was an automatic double team on the line, and it allowed Beason to get inside to the QB more often than not. With him out, the LB are now one on one, and can't rush as freely. Sack production lost, and the secondary has to play man up, resulting in more one on one there too. One on one against, say, Colston and White and even Bryant. The schedule last season was so soft it could have been designed by a Kansas St grad, but not this year, uh-uh. And if something happens to Jake, well, better make that "when," things get really dicey. It's no wonder its been reported the Panthers are secretly courting Vick, which ought to play out well with the fans. NOT. As the preseason injuries mount, things are not looking great for Carolina.
ReplyDeletedookispuke - You bring up some good points. If only we had a QB who didn't rely on Smith to extend himself. The Panthers need an exit strategy for the Delhomme era. - LJ
ReplyDeleteSmith'll be all right. He's a gamer. The running game is strong and the defense should be good. I'll admit that the bloom's a bit off of Delhomme's rose and that the Panthers don't have a great history of stringing together back-to-back good seasons, but I'm a homer. And I think 9-7 or 10-6 is attainable. We'll know soon enough.
ReplyDelete