Blogger Q&A with SBN's Panthers Blogger

by Jaxon on Dec 25, 2008 11:04 AM CST Comment 10 comments

Below is a FanPost written by Jaxon from Cat Scratch Reader. Please take advantage of this time and ask him any Panther's related questions you have. And be sure to check out my FanPost over on CSR and help answer question from readers over there.

Hello again Saints fans and Canal Street Chronicles readers. Jaxon here with Cat Scratch Reader ready to answer your questions for our season finale this Sunday. Before we get into that is there any chance the Saints might just mail this one in so the Panthers can get the #2 seed? Pleeeasse? I didn't think so.

You guys still think 'ol Drew Brees is going to set the passing the record huh? I have to admit considering how tough the NFC South is this year just being in contention for it is amazing. He needs just over 400 yards right? If that happens then I think the result is a #5 seed for the Panthers. I imagine that would provide a little positive vibe to an otherwise disappointing season for the Saints. Injuries were obviously a big reason but I get ahead of myself.

The Panthers are obviously smarting from their OT loss to the Giants so I'm sure some of you won't hesitate to rub a little salt in that wound. Hey, I'm hoping the Panthers use it as motivation for a SB run just as those same Giants did last season.

So bring on your questions or comments if you have any. I'll be checking this thread all week right up to game time so don't feel rushed. Oh, in case you forgot how our first game went here's a link to my game recap (the Panthers won 30-7).

via assets.sbnation.com

This FanPost was written by a reader and member of Canal Street Chronicles. It does not necessarily reflect the views of CSC and its staff or editors.

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Advantages all lie with Saints

Hey Jaxon, MtnExile reporting here from his secret lair in the mountains of western North Carolina. Y’uns gave us a royal butt-whooping in the last game, but this time it may be different. I know you’re fighting for the division title and a bye week; but usually when the other team is out of the playoffs, all the motivation and momentum belongs to the playoff team. But this year the Saints have numerous things to fight for: a winning record (never before, I believe, have all four teams in a division had a winning record), a possible passing record for Drew Brees, maybe even the last game of Deuce McAllister in a Saints uniform. We do have reason to fight, and fight hard.

But actually, that’s not the biggest advantage the Saints have. It’s difficult to win on the road in this division; but beyond even that, it’s the Saints who bring away the advantage from our first meeting. Your defense prepared well and executed well in that game; but giving Sean Payton half a season to mull over how to attack a defense that he’s already seen does not bode well for the Panthers. The offense you face this week will be different—in exactly what way, I can’t tell you, but I think I can guarantee that Payton isn’t simply going to try the same old approach. Given that as a premise, how does the Panthers’ defense prepare for only God and Sean Payton know what?

Three years of deteriorating results is enough. Replace Gary Gibbs!

by MtnExile on Dec 25, 2008 1:00 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

Unleash Julius Peppers again

All kidding aside, I’m not sure what they might do differently from the first game. Throw the ball more to Colston? What’s interesting in my view is that if the Saints want to try and give Brees the passing record then that would obviously require a lot of passing yet the Panthers biggest weakness the last few games is the run defense. So if they throw a lot then that helps the Panthers. I expect a few different blitz packages from the Panthers as they try to mix it up

I blog the Carolina Panthers at www.catscratchreader.com

by Jaxon on Dec 25, 2008 4:51 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

What they might do differently

I don’t think it’s a matter of simply trying to involve a certain person (like Colston) more, but of finding a way to exploit the Panthers’ coverages. For instance, if the backs are going to try to jam the receivers at the line, that opens up the possibility of escaping for deep throws downfield—if the Saints can flood zones and draw off safety coverage, something that Payton is a master at drawing up.

I hasten to add, this is only a guess, and might sound hopelessly naive to a professional.

Three years of deteriorating results is enough. Replace Gary Gibbs!

by MtnExile on Dec 25, 2008 6:18 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

What is the future of Jake DelHomme?

I’m out on a limb here being the only one that has no feelings for they guy, but isn’t he underthrowing to Smith? Do you see a QB selection in the draft? How many more seasons do you see for Jake?

by stujo4 on Dec 25, 2008 5:04 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

My thought is Jake is very secure and still part of the Panthers plans for a couple more years

He’s a leader who is the heart and soul of the offense. I don’t see the Panthers drafting a QB simply because they prefer to get them in free agency. They are very high on Josh McCown and still have Matt Moore in the fold. I’d be very surprised to see the Panthers draft a QB or get one in free agency regardless of how the season ends.

I blog the Carolina Panthers at www.catscratchreader.com

by Jaxon on Dec 26, 2008 9:04 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Pass Interference

I think the whole NFL and SB Nation must have been watching that incredible game Sunday night.

I think I heard Al Michaels say that Carolina was called for pass interference for THE FIRST TIME IN THE 2008 SEASON against the Giants. Are you kidding me???? It took 15 games for your D to get flagged for interference? AMAZING. Congratulations on that stat. I don’t think our secondary made it out of the first possession of the season without one of those penalties.

Was this statistic much of a big deal for the team or fans during the first 14 games? I don’t think I heard it mentioned in our first game in October.

Also, can you remember if there were times when you saw a play and said, “Dang, we really got away with one there and should have been flagged for interference!”

"There are no meaningless wins, only fans and sportswriters with meaningless ideas." Saints fan HansDat

by HansDat on Dec 26, 2008 9:59 AM CST reply actions 0 recs

Good point...I had forgotten about that

but did take notice when it was stated by Michaels. I’m pretty sure we’ve had ‘illegal contact’ calls, but not ‘pass interference’ as he pointed out. We prefer to jam at the line.

No I can’t remember a play where I thought we got away with one. There has to be at least a couple questionable ones though you would think

I blog the Carolina Panthers at www.catscratchreader.com

by Jaxon on Dec 28, 2008 10:13 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

By the way...I thought the call on Lucas was crap

He had his head turned and was going for the ball

I blog the Carolina Panthers at www.catscratchreader.com

by Jaxon on Dec 28, 2008 10:31 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

In case you missed this picture

This was snapped right before Lucas bumps into Hixon …as you can see Hixon initiates the contact with his left arm going into Lucas. Hixon stops to adjust tot he ball. It was close for sure but in my book if the defender has his head turned to the ball he just going for the ball. This was good coverage by Lucas, who even avoided the right arm wrap around on the WR. What do you guys think?

I blog the Carolina Panthers at www.catscratchreader.com

by Jaxon on Dec 28, 2008 10:40 AM CST reply actions 0 recs