Blogger Q&A: Panthers Edition
Hello there Viking Fans and members of the Daily Norseman. Jaxon here with Cat Scratch Reader to answer your questions about the Panthers leading up to our match-up this weekend. I wish I could be a little more excited about this match-up but the 2009 season has soured for us and we have all but been mathematically eliminated from the playoffs.
The Vikings should have little problem with the Panthers this weekend:
- Several key starters on IR: LT, LB (2), DT (3)
- Back-up QB Matt Moore likely to start and he hasn't been overly impressive
- Panthers run defense has been getting ripped by non-Top 10 rushing teams
- The offense is anemic at best
It just isn't pretty right now for Panther fans. On the bright side the defense has overall been playing better. The running game still shows flashes of brilliance and we still have Steve Smith.
So fire away with any questions you may have. Also, you can check out Gonzo's answers to my readers' questions here.
This FanPost was created by a registered user of The Daily Norseman, and does not necessarily reflect the views of the staff of the site. However, since this is a community, that view is no less important.
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yes, we still have Moose
he might catch a couple balls. The only other real threat we have is TE Dante Rosario, who has great hands but is a liability in pass protection.
I blog the Carolina Panthers at www.catscratchreader.com
Technically...
you’re not eliminated yet. Play to the whistle and see what happens. You’re team is still loaded with talent and should be a contender regardless of failed expectations so far. On talent alone, you’re probably better than a few teams that will make the playoffs.
"You are what your record says you are"
I believe our HC John Fox has uttered that in the past. Talent alone doesn’t win crap but higher draft positions. This team is playing sloppy ball.
I blog the Carolina Panthers at www.catscratchreader.com
Thats the thing. Sloppy ball can be corrected at any time. Lack of talent requires offseason work. This team could wake up at any moment. Though I doubt they will.
I'm doubting it too
all the reasons for waking up and putting together a good effort this weekend are there…but it won’t happen. We just put our RT on IR (Otah) to match our PB LT making 12 players on IR….
I blog the Carolina Panthers at www.catscratchreader.com
Ugh I feel bad for the guy trying to block Jared Allen
And I feel worse for your QB. Might be a long day with two back up tackles.
Simple question
What the hell happened to Jake Del-Homie?
by Jepp The Viking on Dec 15, 2009 11:00 AM CST reply actions
I wish I knew...
his arm seems okay…the playoff meltdown did affect is psyche apparently but it doesn’t explain 18 INTs. I suppose if his finger is healed he just might play against the Vikings…who knows
I blog the Carolina Panthers at www.catscratchreader.com
Another Panther Bright Side...
I’d place your cheerleaders in the top 5 in the NFL. :D
I guess that is something...
but I’d take Tiger Woods harem over any NFL team squad…the guy does have good taste!
I blog the Carolina Panthers at www.catscratchreader.com
LOL
Man I have had some GOOD times in NC (no cheerleaders)….Just good clean fun, shooting at holes, if you get my drift (GOLF OK!!!!!)….
Have not seen the cheerleaders from Panthers, but have seen the women Tiger was apparently going for hole in ones on…I will acquiesce to your opinion on this one….
Although if the cheerleaders look like the women in NC…..hmmmmmmmmm…….
Tough choice….Take a mulligan on this one….best!
Good luck to your team….
I prefer that we (Vikes) go full bore for this game….
We saw what happened when we went to sleep against AZ….
Cheers!
I would rather be IN the Arena than watching from the stands...That is my life!
* Read Teddy Roosevelt's "Man in the Arena" if you need further explanation...
by vikingfanfrom afar on Dec 15, 2009 6:48 PM CST up reply actions
It's not just you....
Reminds me of one of the best sights I was lucky enough to happen on in Bosnia-Herzegovina some years ago….
In the middle of chaos, destruction, and mud, I was leading a convoy and we came on the Swedish and Norwegian Battery compound (near Tuzla)…..
They were the ONLY NATO force with the foresight to have a swimming pool, and Swedish ladies in bikinis/battle dress (not necessarily in that order)….
Was like a breath of fresh air….I had a couple of really great Gov’t mucky mucks with me on that trip…woo hoo, they went nuts!
They took a BUNCH of pics of the “scenery” and some included themselves as part of the setting….great shots that like on internet, once out there, can’t take back…
Almost cost them their job (I forgot to get them country clearance on top of everything lol) but in the end, that trip turned into a legend with their colleagues/in their department….
I made some friends for life, we saw/did some things that not many have done, and all in all was good…
Ahhhhh blond Sedish women are GOOD!
SKOL!
I would rather be IN the Arena than watching from the stands...That is my life!
* Read Teddy Roosevelt's "Man in the Arena" if you need further explanation...
by vikingfanfrom afar on Dec 15, 2009 8:47 PM CST up reply actions
Thanks but was just doing my job like many others....
This was one of the high spots of that deployment for me lol….
One of those things that you can laugh about (after having taken a LOT of shi$t at the time by the way)….
Lots of these over the years…kinda like Viking stories/games…..
Nice to reflect on/remember/share….over a beer or three….
Know what I mean?
I would rather be IN the Arena than watching from the stands...That is my life!
* Read Teddy Roosevelt's "Man in the Arena" if you need further explanation...
by vikingfanfrom afar on Dec 16, 2009 6:42 AM CST up reply actions
I gotta ask,
Do any of these look familiar?

"What is best in life?"
"To crush your enemies, to see them driven before you, and to hear the lamentations of their women."
They all look like that I think!!!!
Note in another post I just was mentioning NOT making generalizations LOL….
But seriously….ya gotta give it up to these girls or?
Holy Schmoley!
Can you say “gorgeous”?
I would rather be IN the Arena than watching from the stands...That is my life!
* Read Teddy Roosevelt's "Man in the Arena" if you need further explanation...
by vikingfanfrom afar on Dec 16, 2009 6:38 AM CST up reply actions
Swedish Quintuplets?!
Be still, my thumping heat heart :)
Ah, ah,
We come from the land of the ice and snow,
From the midnight sun where the hot springs blow.
The hammer of the gods will drive our ships to new lands,
To fight the horde, singing and crying: Valhalla, I am coming!
SKOL!
love the vikings logos...
would prefer the swedish nude volleyball team with vikings tattoos though.
I BELIEVE...
by ArizonaVikingsFan on Dec 16, 2009 4:52 PM CST up reply actions
I thought I would be better off
adding the logos, as opposed to removing the bikinis and getting banned.![]()
"What is best in life?"
"To crush your enemies, to see them driven before you, and to hear the lamentations of their women."
Tiger Tail
Hey Jaxon if you had Tiger’s money hotties would be beating your doors down.
@ JasonAve6413
I bleed purple, but I live in North Carolina and have also been a Panther fan for a long time as well. But Sunday night, I’m(as always) pulling for my Vikings. And a definite thumbs up on the cheerleaders, they are SWEEEEEEEETTTTT!!!!!!!!
by purplepride57 on Dec 17, 2009 11:03 PM CST up reply actions
Who's coaching the Panthers in 2009?
I’ve heard a lot of mixed reports about John Fox’s job security going into next year. The general consensus seems to be that he’s currently “coaching for his job” in Carolina, meaning that the Panthers need to finish playing well even if they miss the playoffs as they’re likely to do.
Do you see Fox sticking with the Panthers in 2010? Do you WANT him to be the coach next year? If not, who would you like to see Carolina try and bring in?
by Eric J. Thompson on Dec 15, 2009 12:27 PM CST reply actions
Topic FAIL
I obviously meant “2010”, not “20009” when I posted this. Whoops.
by Eric J. Thompson on Dec 15, 2009 12:28 PM CST up reply actions
I can reply to that...
They do not want him back there have been efigies burnt that look suspiciously like him and Delhome… I think the they want tossed in this order the GM, Coach and Delhome. This is from extensive research as I gloat to all the people in the bar while Minnesota is winning
sounds depressing (not),,,,
I would rather be IN the Arena than watching from the stands...That is my life!
* Read Teddy Roosevelt's "Man in the Arena" if you need further explanation...
by vikingfanfrom afar on Dec 15, 2009 6:49 PM CST up reply actions
+ YEP Good Call....
Done some of my best work in bars…..
I would rather be IN the Arena than watching from the stands...That is my life!
* Read Teddy Roosevelt's "Man in the Arena" if you need further explanation...
by vikingfanfrom afar on Dec 15, 2009 8:50 PM CST up reply actions
I personally would like to see Fox back...
And I think he will be. He can be stubborn to make a change when needed, but I think we could do a lot worse than John Fox. I would like to see the OC (Davidson) go, the special teams coach go, Jake not take another snap and then go from there….
by John Chilton on Dec 15, 2009 2:18 PM CST up reply actions
I'd like to see Fox back next year, too.
He’s a very good coach, if overly-conservative at times. But this is the team’s worst season under him, and we’ve still got a good chance of finishing at 7-9.
Keep in mind, though, that this position probably puts me in the minority among Panther fans. That said, owner Jerry RIchardson has in the past expressed admiration for the way the Steelers run their franchise, and said he’d like to operate similarly. In my mind, this means that you know you’ve got a good coach (Fox/Cowher), and you keep him through good years and bad.
The team’s failures this season have a lot to do with the obvious failures at the QB position. Some of that’s the fault of team management and coaching for failing to bring in and train up Jake’s replacement. So there’s a really good argument to be made for replacing the HC. But I agree with JC_GSO, our special teams coach has GOT to go, and our OC needs more training and creativity before he gets the keys to an offense again.
by r3 on Dec 15, 2009 2:54 PM CST up reply actions
Speaking for myself only
since there are plenty on my site who want Fox gone…I would like him back, but I want a new OC. The current guy just is not getting it done.
I still think Fox is a good coach, players love him, he knows how to manage a team. If he should get fired my first thought is Shanahan if he is still available. But I don’t think he is going anywhere. He and the Big Cat are tight.
I blog the Carolina Panthers at www.catscratchreader.com
Are you kidding?
@ ericj69…I know this would probably NOT happen, but my first choice would, of course, be Bill Cowher. He’s got a home in Raleigh, and some of us thought that that might be a clue that he was coming here, but to no avail. A more realistic shot might be (I WISH) Jon Gruden. I love that guys’ heart and passion for the game. If he can make champions out of Tampa Bay, he can make champions out of any team.
by purplepride57 on Dec 17, 2009 11:13 PM CST up reply actions
jon gruden signed an extension with espn
not to say that he can’t back out of it or anything/get fired, but he sounds happy
anyways, he might not add much commentary when talking, but he’s fun to listen to
beating vikes and saints to close out the year...
…would give optimism for 2010, if nothing else.. maybe that could be their ‘spoiler’ motivation..
Don't forget the we have the Giants between those two games
I’m way past the ‘win out’ hope. One more win maybe…beating an undefeated Saints team would be sweet but we just aren’t playing well enough for that to happen.
I blog the Carolina Panthers at www.catscratchreader.com
lol personally i hope you utterly devastate and disassemble an undefeated saints team
whether it “wakes them up” or not be damned. i just want to see them humiliated.
I piss people off on a fairly regular basis. I cherish my right to speak my mind, whether I sound like an uneducated savage or not. I've never been accused of keeping what I think a secret, nor will I ever. Don't like it? I don't care.
by IABerserker1 on Dec 15, 2009 9:57 PM CST up reply actions
sean payton is a little too proud to let that happen
but here’s hoping!
Let's save that for the playoffs.
And let’s do it ourselves. By ‘ourselves,’ of course, I mean the Beloved Purple.
by virginia viking on Dec 17, 2009 8:25 AM CST up reply actions
Top of the Division
Your team finished top of the division last year, what sort of adjustments have happened where your currently not holding the top like the previous year?
Other teams got better, and we got worse.
That’s a little overly simple, but it’s basically true. New Orleans’ defense finally stepped up to match their offense’s play, so they’re kicking butt down there. Atlanta is basically on par with us, as they were last year.
But injuries have been a problem. We lost our stud run-stopping DT during camp, then lost his replacement, then lost HIS replacement. We lost both starting OLBs, then lost our top backup OLB. We’re equipped to handle losses there, but now we have no more LB depth.
Also, our offense can’t overcome the malaise caused by horrid QB play.
And, of course, we’re not playing against Oakland and Detroit this season. So there’s that.
by r3 on Dec 15, 2009 3:02 PM CST up reply actions
Injuries have been big...
but the mental changes have been bigger. We swept the Saints last season and came into this season with essentially the same team. We OWNED them the past couple seasons, winning 6 of 7 until this season. But they add a couple good players and we just play bad and its a total 180…now we expect to get killed by them in a couple weeks.
I blog the Carolina Panthers at www.catscratchreader.com
Maybe...
You can get some pay-back :)
take them down a notch
by Deek on Dec 15, 2009 3:15 PM CST up reply actions 1 recs
if we go 6-10 but that is our 6th win
it would be a sweet ending to a sour season
I blog the Carolina Panthers at www.catscratchreader.com
Weather?!?
What sort of weather shall we be expecting to see during a Sunday night game?
Worse case scenario...rainy
its been wet the past couple of days. I would say it might be ‘cold’ but to people from Minny you could wear a wifebeater. Anything under 60 degrees is cold to us.
I blog the Carolina Panthers at www.catscratchreader.com
Ok
For some reason, i thoguht somewhere I read, since it was in the evening and the intended forecast showed 40 degree weather. I figured that would be a little chilly for what the team is used to since their last outdoor game was in AZ. And we all know how they did there.
Actually from what I saw
It might get down into the 30’s by the end of the game. That would be pushing it though if you ask me. But then I live on the coast and the weather is usually abit nicer here.
Okay...that is possible and news to me
I do live about 3 hours South of Charlotte….30 is damn cold in my book.
Game plan for both teams anyway: run the damn ball
I blog the Carolina Panthers at www.catscratchreader.com
I stand corrected...they are now calling for snow
Actually they are probably calling it a ‘blizzard’ but I’ll let you guys be the judge of that that. When I hear that word in the south for me I immediately think ‘Oreo" or Peanut Butter Cup’ flavor from DQ. ;)
For those fans coming from the North you might get to see Southerners act stupid in 2 inches of snow.
I blog the Carolina Panthers at www.catscratchreader.com
DeAngelo Williams
This is more of a fantasy football question since I own Williams.
What are your thoughts on his running game this weekend? And how your new qb could affect Williams’ production?
He's a complete stud; start him every week.
Now, will he do great this week? Against the Williams Wall? Probably he’ll have a big run or two, and we’re hoping he gets a score. One of the things that’s held him back this season is the in-and-out availability of FB Brad Hoover. All of our backups at FB are liabilities, so when Hoov is out, he suddenly has to avoid people in the backfield just to make it to the line.
I think he’s probably the second-best back in the NFL right now, right behind Chris Johnson. He just has a lot more blocking problems and crap play-calling than most of the top guys have. But his ability to run patiently, explode through the hole, and (most importantly) secure the ball are all magnificent. He would do well to have any sort of passing game at all, but that’s just not an option right now.
by r3 on Dec 15, 2009 3:11 PM CST up reply actions
Oh by second best back you mean
That hes second behind 1A) Adrian Peterson and 1B) Chris Johnson right? ;)
Purple Haze is the worlds greatest Natural Resource.
by Percy Harvin My Fav! on Dec 15, 2009 4:23 PM CST up reply actions
People forget about AP because we have been throwing too much and he fumbles “a lot”.
But when you fight for extra yards like AP does, you are gonna expose yourself to a higher amount of fumbles than someone who goes down on the first hit. I don’t blame him though he needs to know when to fight and when to go down.
AP is still the best overall runner in the league. If we used him like the Titans use Johnson, there would be no question of who is better.
Johnson is faster, but you won’t see him destroy DB’s like AP does.
by Bjorno on Dec 15, 2009 8:15 PM CST via mobile up reply actions
Yeah...I'd play him
He’s due for a big game and I’m hoping the Vikes come in over confident. Maybe Favre gets his INT groove on
I blog the Carolina Panthers at www.catscratchreader.com
Other than Julius Peppers
Who should the Vikings worry about on defense, and how’s Chris Gamble doing? OSU fan here as well.
"We're used to Favre-a-palooza now. We're engulfed in Favre-a-palooza. It's not even Favre-a-palooza anymore. He's family now."
--Vikings TE Visanthe Shiancoe, on Brett Favre
with the general performance of Peppers over the season
there isn’t really a reason to be worried about him… the Vikings o-line seems to have kept old man favre in one piece so far
Gamble has played well this season...had a pick of Brady last week
No need to worry about Peppers, just put a TE on him should be fine. I expect him to walk this offseason and good riddance. $1M per game is a joke. I have soured on Peppers the past few weeks. He has had dream match-ups against young or inexperienced LT and he has done little.
Our secondary is playing better but if you run the ball you’ll put up 30 on us easy…
I blog the Carolina Panthers at www.catscratchreader.com
Yes, Gamble is playing very well, as is MLB Jon Beason.
Beast is a fantastic LB with good awareness, solid tackling and soft hands. Unfortunately, he’s all we’ve got at linebacker right now. Our future All Pro at the Will is Thomas Davis, but he blew out his knee in week 9.
OSU product Gamble is an aggressive run-supporter who has four INTs in the last six games, several of them the diving variety. His hands have suddenly begun to look good after a career of stonehandedness. CSR regular Chris Harris is a thumping tackler at SS with a real talent for causing fumbles.
But more broadly, we have an average DL, an adequate LB corps, and a very solid secondary. Jaxon’s right, running is the key to success. We’ve created a lot of turnovers in the passing game recently, so you probably want to try to focus a little more on the ground game.
by r3 on Dec 16, 2009 5:22 PM CST up reply actions
Panthers SS Chris Harris is a regular poster on CSR
and just put up a post about playing the Vikings. He doesn’t say a lot but…the Vikings shouldn’t expect a Panther let down given its a Sunday Night game.
I blog the Carolina Panthers at www.catscratchreader.com
That is cool that he takes the time to post/communicate with his fans!
Kudos to him…you fans as well!
I was expecting the Panthers to put up a fight….
Guess is coming from the horse’s mouth here….
So now I am sure of it…
Think Vikes know as well….
Should be a good game….
Hope no injuries and fair calling by refs….
Thx for stopping by and contributing here BTW!
Cheers!
I would rather be IN the Arena than watching from the stands...That is my life!
* Read Teddy Roosevelt's "Man in the Arena" if you need further explanation...
by vikingfanfrom afar on Dec 16, 2009 11:09 AM CST up reply actions
Oh, we'll put up a fight alright!
But there’s a difference between putting up a fight and being competitive.
I can go wrestle one of the local state champion wrestlers and, while I’ll put up a fight, there’s no doubt who’s gonna win.
But yeah. There’s a lot of pride on the defense, and I expect them to play at a high level. But our offense can’t do anything. My guess is that we’ll see a 24-10 sort of score, with one of your TDs on special teams or defense.
by r3 on Dec 16, 2009 5:09 PM CST up reply actions
24-10?
Earlier you told me to start Williams for fantasy football, so I’m assuming 6 of those points that you’re projecting are from a Williams TD? :)
Yup, 50 yards and a score.
In the first half. Both of our stud Tackles out, no threat in the passing game… he’ll get his yards in chunks, and hopefully start the game with a touchdown drive. But he won’t get much in the second half.
that is awesome
what a great opportunity for fans to interact with their favorite stars….we should try to get a vike doing that
Adrian Peterson...Beast Mode
Back away from the cliff Viking fans
I can see by your comments you are doubting your team when you should really consider you played an under-achieving team that finally put it together last night. Peppers hasn’t played like that in a while and our QB finally got it together.
The Vikings still have a very good team who should and can make noise in the playoffs.
I blog the Carolina Panthers at www.catscratchreader.com
Thanks man
The Panthers played lights out last night my hat off to you guys. I bet yo wished Fox had tried out Mat Moore a bit ealier now….
Well played, it’s going to suck being down here though as every one I know is now flipping me crap. Oh and I owe about $150….
The rest of the NFC is grateful
That you only stopped underachieving now.
Please beat the Saints, though. Just for the heck of it.
Good job, Panthers.
by medicineball on Dec 21, 2009 8:43 AM CST up reply actions

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