Dec 11th 2008 3:51AM by Sportz Assassin (author feed)
Filed under: Panthers, NFC EastThe good feelings in Charlotte has been dampened by some somber news. The Carolina Panthers announced that owner Jerry Richardson has been placed on a waiting list for a heart donor.Richardson, 72, has been at Carolinas Medical Center since last week, when he was admitted after complaining of not feeling well. Richardson, who received a pacemaker/defibrillator in June, also had a coronary bypass surgery in October 2002.

While the pacemaker/defibrillator is working effectively, according to a statement released Wednesday by the Panthers, Richardson was readmitted to CMC last week when he began to feel poorly and underwent several medical tests.Richardson is one of the best owners in the NFL. The original owner of the Panthers, Richardson became the first former player to own an NFL team since George Halas. He is popular among fans, players and fellow owners. In all the years I’ve lived in Charlotte (my family still lives there) I don’t think I’ve heard one bad word said about him.

Everyone in the Carolinas was celebrating the Panthers huge win over Tampa Bay on Monday night. That was also the first home game Mr. Richardson missed in the franchise’s history.

All NFL fans wish Mr. Richardson a speedy recovery..

Dec 9th 2008 10:00AM by JJ Cooper (author feed)
Filed under: Bears, Buccaneers, Colts, Cowboys, Dolphins, Eagles, Falcons, Jets, Panthers, Patriots, Steelers, VikingsBefore we know it, the NFL regular season is going to be done. Three more weeks and there will be no scenarios to map out and no far-fetched scenarios to think through.

But for now, the Jets’ collapse and the Cowboys’, Bucs’, and Falcons’ losses make for a very jumbled playoff picture.

Here’s the short-hand version, with a chart to help.Continue Reading

Dec 9th 2008 10:20AM by Will Brinson (author feed)
Filed under: Buccaneers, Panthers, NFC South, NFL VideoThat Panthers - Buccaneers game was one heck of a contest last night. Some people foolishly thought that the Panthers weren’t “teh heat,” and I suppose that’s forgivable, but let’s not go questioning the Panthers, John Fox, DeAngelo Williams or Jonathan Stewart ever again, shall we? Oh, and we probably shouldn’t question whether or not Antonio Bryant’s catch last night in the fourth quarter is going to win an ESPY — it is.

I mean, that grab was so filthy that it’s worth questioning/making some corny joke as to the cheating nature of Stick ‘em on Bryant’s hands.

/Mr. Tony’d

Dec 9th 2008 10:30AM by Will Brinson (author feed)
Filed under: Buccaneers, Panthers, NFC South, NFL Fans, NFL Media Watch, NFL VideoSteve Young has a reason to be restless. His job is, after all, highly dangerous. Sitting next to Emmitt Smith day in and day out is hazardous to your health, man. Oh yes, and there’s the little matter of being right in front of unruly and drunk Monday Night Football crowds. As Steph pointed out from experience, these people are close … apparently close enough to lob cans at Young’s face.

I’ve got $500 that says that can was aimed at Emmitt Smith — of course, as destiny would have it, the can flew by Young and now Southerns will have to face more rumors of Mormon persecution. Really, just a sad day for America.

Dec 10th 2008 1:52AM by Sportz Assassin (author feed)
Filed under: Giants, Panthers, NFC East, NFC South, NFL Media WatchFor the second time in three weeks, NBC has switched their Sunday Night game. Last week, they rejected the regularly scheduled Patriots-Seahawks game for the Redskins-Ravens contest. Next week, they are moving the Chargers-Buccaneers game so they can show the Panthers vs. Giants.

With the Panthers victory over Tampa Bay on Monday night, they have taken over the lead in the NFC South. Carolina also trails the NFC East champion Giants by just one game in the race for home field advantage in the NFC. If the Panthers beat the Broncos this Sunday (and/or the Giants lose to the Cowboys), it will set up a battle for the lead in the NFC in Week 16.

The NFL also moved the Eagles-Redskins and Falcons-Vikings games from 1:00 p.m. to 4:15 p.m. ET. The “Sunday late game” has been the highest rated time slot for the NFL this season.

The Chargers-Bucs game was moved to 1:00 p.m. ET.

Dec 8th 2008 8:15PM by Ryan Wilson (author feed)
Filed under: Buccaneers, Panthers, NFC South, NFL Fans
I have no idea how tonight’s matchup of 9-3 teams will come close to approaching last week’s Jags-Texans/Raiders-Chargers double-header, but, well, on we trudge.

Actually, on paper, this looks like a swell game; despite identical records, the Bucs lead the division (the difference: they spanked the Panthers 27-6 back in Week 6), but Carolina really needs the win. They have the Broncos, Giants and Saints to end the season, while Tampa Bay has Atlanta San Diego and the Raiders.

Shorter version: if John Fox wants to quell the “Here’s comes Cowher!” talk, he might not want to lose.

We’ll fire up the Al Gore Machine around or so.Continue Reading

Dec 9th 2008 12:07AM by Sportz Assassin (author feed)
Filed under: Buccaneers, Panthers, NFC SouthComing into tonight’s game, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers allowed just one rushing touchdown all season long. Tonight the Carolina Panthers broke through with rushing touchdowns in their Monday night showdown with the Bucs.

The Panthers ran for 299 yards in the 38-23 win over Tampa Bay. The win places Carolina in first place by a game over the Buccaneers.

DeAngelo Williams rushed for a career-high 186 yards and two TDs. His 13 touchdowns this season sets a Panthers franchise record. Jonathan Stewart added 115 yards and two scores of his own. Despite all the running going on, Steve Smith still was able to catch nine passes for 117 yards and a touchdown.

All that helped negate Tampa’s Antonio Bryant’s 200 yards receiving and two touchdowns. It also negated another mediocre game from quarterback Jake Delhomme. Take away that long touchdown to Smith and Delhomme would have thrown for just 135 yards and two interceptions.

Well, who needs a quarterback when you can just run all over the fourth-ranked defense?

Continue Reading

Dec 8th 2008 1:50AM by Sportz Assassin (author feed)
Filed under: Panthers, NFC South, NFL Police BlotterCarolina Panthers offensive lineman Jeremy Bridges was arrested Sunday night for assault and battery and communicating threats.The charges stemmed from an incident Saturday night involving Dom Perignon champagne and a bouncer at Villa Antonio Restaurant in Ballantyne, according to Bridges’ attorney, George Laughrun, and the restaurant’s manager.

Bridges turned himself in Sunday night and was expected to be released after posting $2,500 bond. Laughrun said he expected Bridges would plead not guilty.Apparently, Bridges ordered a bottle of bubbly at the bar, shook it up and got some of the other customers wet. He was asked to leave, which he attempted to do. However, a female customer who received the champagne shower took issue with Bridges. He didn’t like that — not one bit.

So Bridges started yelling at the customer and pushed away a bouncer. Because he is a big man and was obviously angry, the police were called.

Continue Reading

Dec 4th 2008 1:30PM by Chris Burke (author feed)
Filed under: Buccaneers, Falcons, Panthers, NFC South, NFL PlayoffsEarlier in the season, it appeared that the NFC East had a legitimate shot at claiming three of the conference’s six playoff spots. Then, Tony Romo got hurt, Philadelphia slumped, Washington did what Washington does and that fell apart.

Now, heading into Week 14, the NFC South is in position for three playoff spots - heading into the weekend, Tampa Bay, Carolina and Atlanta would all be postseason-bound. And unlike the East’s situation earlier, the South might be able to pull it off.

The division’s playoff hopes skyrocket if Carolina beats Tampa Bay on Monday night — that would put Carolina at 10 wins, hosting Denver in Week 15. Meanwhile, the Bucs would still be at nine wins and looking forward to closing the season with San Diego and Oakland visiting the Bay.

Atlanta’s the real toss-up team here. The Falcons’ final four games: at New Orleans, Tampa, at Minnesota, St. Louis. To get to the 11-win mark., Atlanta needs three victories. Difficult? Yes. Impossible? Far from it. Even if the Falcons only get to 10 wins, Dallas would have to find two more wins against a very, very tough schedule, or the average-looking Redskins would need a 3-1 close simply to Atlanta.Continue Reading

Dec 2nd 2008 10:45AM by Will Brinson (author feed)
Filed under: Packers, Panthers, NFL Fans, NFL VideoA group of Carolina Panthers fans braved the seemingly unbraveable Sunday afternoon; if you watched the thrilling Packers-Cats game on FOX, you most certainly noticed the group of teal and black wearing adventurers that were sitting just off to the right of one end zone. And you noticed them because as DeAngelo Williams rumbled all over Green Bay for a quartet of scores, he kept tossing the game ball to the Panthers fans. Finally, the Cheesehead behind them had enough, and, as you will see, launched the fourth ball back onto the field.

Now, one call this “making plays,” I suppose, but then again, one could also call this “bitter as hell.” You see, DeAngelo scored the go-ahead touchdown here following a gorgeous Jake Delhomme-to-Steve Smith deep ball, and the Pack probably realized their day was donecakes. So, yeah, “bitter playmaker” is probably a fair assessment.