1. The deal with Pep: It’s a long, sordid tale I wont bore you with all the details, but the abridged version goes something like this. After three games Jon Beason (MLB and leader of the defense) publically called out Peppers for not being more like Jared Allen, saying they have similar ability. Magically the next week Peppers shows up again and (allegedly) apologizes in a 5 minute speech to the team after a practice. Peppers is physically the most dominant DE in the league, nobody can match him… but he is often maligned in Charlotte for not showing any fire, sometime smiling on the sideline despite the score. After this season… who knows. I am starting to believe if there is no CBA we’ll franchise him again and work for a trade prior to the draft.

2. Delhomme’s contract: Zero. Which was always the plan. The much discussed ‘extension’ was more of a contract adjustment where he played ball with us to ease the cap and we throw him extra dollars in the long run. Ultimately, he’ll retire before the contract reaches completion.

Rookie class: It’s an ‘incomplete’ right now. We had no 1st rounder (trading for Otah in 2008) and traded out 2010 1st rounder to the 49ers so we could get Everette Brown, DE out of FSU. He’s been lightning when he’s seen the field, but currently he’s not seeing as much playing time as I would like.

Our other second rounder, DB Sherrod Martin out of Troy has been lining up different ways, and he’s a project.

Our steal was RB Mike Goodson who we got in the 4th round. He lit up the preseason and figures to be the third part of a true ‘three headed monster’ at RB when he learns to hold onto the ball better.

Short answer… no.

Long answer… maybe.

We’re all trying to work out what’s up with Jake. Theorizing about his Tommy John surgery, a QB coach trying to alter his mechanics, poor playcalling. Really, theories have run the gamut. I wish we could attribute the problems simply to one playoff game, but they’re deeper than that.

The Cardinals started the Delhomme slide last January and could very well end it (badly) this Sunday. Another dismal performance and Fox cannot possibly start him again the following week (or could he?)n

1. You’re guess is as good as mine. We’re screaming in our open threads to keep pounding the rock, but we have an OC intent on passing. Right now, we’re getting down on points early (because of the turnovers) and are being forced to try and throw the ball to get back into the game, when this happens out chance of winning drops dramatically.

2. We have Matt Moore as a backup right now. He was one of Parcell’s last picks in Dallas before leaving for Miami and a lot of the fanbase are really high on the kid. He stepped in and played admirably in the last 3 games of 2007 when Jake went down.

Some people are worried about the lack of a 1st rounder, but the 2010 draft is so QB heavy there will be potential starters going in the 3rd round, from my projections. I don’t like to do it, but to quote Mel Kiper “If Mark Sanchez waited to leave USC in 2010 there’s no guarantee he’d be a 1st round pick”… said on draft day.

3. Steve Smith is just as dynamic as ever. Our offense HAS to find a way to get the ball in his hands. Rumors are rumors, but we heard prior to the season that Smith ran a 40 faster than his combine time in camp; he’s still lightning.

The Cardinals have a way of making us hold our tongues till after the games.

I couldn’t believe what I was seeing

That’s a pretty safe assumption.

Jake is missing him on the deep passes they used to complete together. Smith’s true value though is in the YAC, quick slants, screens or hitches that are 6-8 yard gains for 90% of receivers he can turn into a 25-30 yard gain. Smith hasn’t been getting those plays because Jake’s been lofting the ball too much and he’s getting stopped.

If you ask the vast majority of the fan base they’ll say his seat is hotter than ever. It doesn’t help his cause that Bill Cowher is sitting in Raleigh, three hours away from the Panthers’ stadium. He’ll make it through the season, no doubt. After all, our owner allowed George Seifert to go 1-15 in 2001 and didn’t fire him until the off season.

Fox’s job will be dependent upon how the rest of the year goes. I think most Panther fans aren’t fed up with Fox himself, but rather the team’s inconsistency.

I mentioned the extension earlier, but it’s something that is really misunderstood among the league. The amount of money we’re paying Peppers right now (upwards of $1 million per game) meant the team’s hands were tied and unable to sign any FA’s and remain under the cap. Jake’s extension was really a restructuring to free up some room.

The difference between 2008 and 2009… you’ve got me!? Really, we brought back almost every starter from 2008, the same offensive scheme was in place… it seemed like a lock. We changed our entire defense, so there were some growing pains… but now they’re better than they were last season. Tennessee lost Haynesworth, and I think they underestimated how much that effected their defense.

Out defensive line has been wrought with injury, starting with DT Maake Kemoatu in training camp and we’ve been piecemealing the line together. We signed Hollis Thomas who seems to be holding for now, but really, Jake Delhomme’s performance in the real reason we’ve lost games this season thus far.

OLB Thomas Davis

Davis was a converted safety we converted into an OLB when we drafted him in 2005. He never really seemed to find himself under previous defensive schemes, but he was reliable.

We brought in a new DC this season Ron Meeks who served under Tony Dungy in Indianapolis and Davis has been an animal in the new defense. He missed last week’s game due to injury, but he will play this week.

Though 5 games: 48 tackles, 1.5 sacks, 1 INT, 3 passes defended

You guys were more than gracious and I hope the Panthers use this win to rebound for the rest of the season. Stick it to the Niners and their draft pick!!

You guys definitely outplayed us yesterday… by a mile. Congrats on the win and thanks for stopping by to catch us up on all things Panther.