3 to go next time by....

The Carolina Panthers have 3 games left on the 2009 schedule which no one will give them a chance to win (they will be underdogs in all of them, including the 2 home games they have left), and have only a few things left to play for. A .500 record for the season, jobs for next season, and the role of spoiler in the case of New Orleans. That, of course, is only if the Saints win their next 2, and are on the brink of a 16-0 season.

It has been a rough year. The defense fans had hoped to see is just now gelling, and it is doing so without some major parts. Depending on who the Panthers retain (or are able to retain), the defense could improve. Lots of possibilities on that side of the ball.

Offensively, there is work to be done. The QB position will likely be addressed. The 2nd receiver position will likely be addressed. Surprisingly, the offensive line depth that has been tested, has responded pretty well. No team can ever have too much depth, and the Panthers likely wouldn't mind a little help there behind the starters.

Special teams are still somewhat of an issue. John Kasay's range appears to be falling off each year--he is still string straight more often than not, however, he's not a threat for 50 yards anymore. How does the franchise transition away from the last original Panther? The classy way, which is how they have handled things in the past, would be for Kasay to call it quits on his own. Forcing him out would be ugly. I couldn't imagine the Panthers doing that to him, given what he means to the franchise as a person.

There continue to be thoughts that Coach Fox and GM Marty Hurney could be on the way out at season's end. Would that cure the ills? I don't think so. I don't think firing Fox and/or Hurney is the answer. Stability, to me, helps build consistency. This year has been anything but consistent, though. Jerry Richardson is not a knee-jerk kind of owner. He assesses, and evaluates. The thing Fox and Hurney have in their favor is Richardson's playing career. He's the only owner that actually played in the NFL. He knows what it's like to lose key players to injury early in the season. He knows how important that chemistry is.

My guess is that he's not happy with certain aspects of things on his football team, and may make changes, without gassing the leaders. I could be wrong about all this, but the big picture outweighs the short-term action/reaction.

More on this week's matchup later in the week.

On my drive down to Charlotte from Raleigh on Sunday morning, I had the chance to listen to WEEI Radio out of Boston. It was their pre-game show, leading into their NFL coverage. Studio hosts (whose names escape me), joined by former Pats TE Christian Fauria. Fauria spent part of the 2007 season with Carolina as his career was winding down.

They were doing the usual pre-game breakdown--the Pats offense v. Carolina's defense, vice-versa, and so on. I was a little surprised, and somewhat disappointed to hear Fauria describe Panthers WR Steve Smith as "a cancer," and "unstable." Now, I know he was in the Panthers dressing room, and interacted with Smith, but unstable? He went on by saying, "take the most unstable person you know, multiply that by a million, and that is Steve Smith." It makes great radio, I know, but it also is a bit of a knife to the back. Maybe the two didn't get along. Maybe Fauria just didn't like the attention Smith got in the offense. I don't know. That seemed to be a bit over the top for my taste.

It's been a frustrating season for the Panthers, so much so, that now even former one-year stopover players are getting in their shots.

Mike Solarte

Quick Panthers-Patriots thoughts

The Panthers head to Gillette Stadium for the first time this weekend, facing a New England team that has lost 2 straight. Both teams eye their opponent as the right medicine at the right time (Carolina likes a struggling Patriots, the Pats like a Carolina team that has had its own issues). Some storylines...

• Jake Delhomme missed practice again Wednesday with the broken finger on his throwing hand. Matt Moore looks to get the nod at QB, unless Jake makes a quick recovery. Moore said Wednesday that he needs to trust himself more, and go after plays. Good sign that he recognizes that. The kid wants to get better, and knows he may have left some points on the field against Tampa Bay. That can't happen over the final 4 games, given Carolina meets the Pats, Minnesota, NY Giants and New Orleans.
• Staying with the injury front, RB DeAngelo Williams returned to practice Wednesday--good sign there, meaning Carolina should have both "Double," and "Trouble" for the Pats. Williams missed last week with an ankle injury, and told me on the sidelines being in street clothes "sucks."
• Defensively, Carolina faces a big-play threat every time Tom Brady takes the snap. Randy Moos and Wes Welker pose big problems. DT Damione Lewis told me on Wednesday that they try not to give up the big play, but if they do, bending is better than breaking. Give them 3, not 6 is the mentality. Carolina had five interceptions against the Bucs, and will need another day like that to neutralize the Pats offense.
• It's expected to be cold in Foxboro, with the possibility of snow. QB Moore says he's played in the snow "when I was 10, so I'm prepared for that." Funny, but no doubt the game changes when the elements show up. The team that minimizes mistakes (read turnovers), generally ends up getting the "W."

In speaking to some of my media colleagues on Wednesday, we came to the conclusion that this Panthers team could go 0-4 over the final month, or even 4-0. Schizophrenic as they can be, you can never count out a John Fox coached team. They have done more in seemingly worse situations.

I'm not sure they can pull that feat this weekend in New England, however. The Pats are wounded, and fairly unhappy. A grumpy team loaded with talent generally makes for a long day for their opponent. Given the season the Panthers have had, though, they should be a little grumpy, too.

Grumpiest team wins.

Mike Solarte

Be still, my beating heart...

It's finally gonna happen. Danica Patrick is going to sign with JR Motorsports, and run a select number of Nationwide Series races over the next 2 years (at least).

Which ones are not know, but she'll take part in an ARCA series test in Daytona a few days before Christmas this year.

You can feel the excitement in the air.

OK, if you don't think I am PILING ON the sarcasm, I should warn you I am.

This "I'm coming to NASCAR but, nothing is set yet," dance Patrick has had the motorsports world on is tiresome, and annoying. It's the gnat at the picnic that seems to buzz in your eyes right when you get ready to take a bite of your sandwich.

What is the NASCAR world waiting for, anyway? Patrick's IRL numbers, according to one NASCAR team member: 82 starts, 1 win (in Japan), 16 top-5's, 42 top-10's. 110 laps led.

110 laps led in 82 starts? Kyle Busch leads that many in 1 start. And Kyle hasn't won a championship yet (but his day will come).

Not knowing HOW this deal came together, it's hard to pick at JR Motorsports, and I'm truly not picking at them. They feel this is the best decision for their company, and I'm cool with that. It's the hyped nature of this thing. Danica is a woman. She's attractive. She can line up sponsors for miles.

Can she win?

If she can't win, she's the Anna Kournikova of racing. Period.

Tuesday's press conference is in Phoenix, just 3 days after NASCAR celebrated it's 2009 season with the end-of-year banquet. In Las Vegas. All the media that was out there (and there were plenty of the series garage-heads out there), went back home either Saturday or Sunday. Wouldn't you want the folks that cover NASCAR to be there when it is made official that the Great Danica is planning on beginning her stock car career?

Personally, I'm not rooting against her, I would just prefer she back up all the hype with some success on the track. Jacques Villeneuve couldn't do it. Sam Hornish, Jr. has struggled, but has improved. Patrick Carpentier couldn't do it. The only open-wheel racers to be successful in NASCAR (recently) are Tony Stewart (who can drive anything, and I mean ANYTHING), and Robby Gordon, although Stewart has done far more than Robby.

In this case of style v. substance, style laps the field. When the smoke clears, substance will speak the loudest.

Mike Solarte

On Bowl Match-Ups and What Could Have Been

I have a question to those on the Bowl Championship Series Committee. What purpose does it serve to have undefeated Boise State vs undefeated Texas Christian (TCU)? Don't get me wrong, I'm thrilled both non-BCS schools are in BCS Bowls, but against each other? These programs want to prove themselves against the big boys to show they belong, just like Boise State did to Okalhoma and just like Utah did to Alabama in previous years. Wouldn't having TCU face Cincinnati and Boise State battle Florida been the perfect stage for both schools to show its worth? But I digress....

Speaking of the Bearcats, what a roller coaster weekend it was for UC. They come from behind to beat Pittsburgh and claim the Big East Championship. Then they were one second away from Nebraska beating Texas, and thus being in the BCS Championship versus Alabama. You see, according to several media reports, if Nebraska had upset Texas, Cincinnati would have leap-frogged TCU in the BCS standings. Now while no one will quibble with the championship game we have with Alabama vs Texas, it still leaves three other undefeated teams (UC, TCU and Boise St.) on the outside looking in. Not to sound like "The Godfather of Soul" James Brown, but please, please, please, can't somebody come up with a viable playoff format!? It seems to work for all the other college football divisions in the NCAA. Just ask Appalachian State.
--Jason Brown
BTW, don't follow me on Twitter since I don't Tweat.

In lieu of writing it out....

I submit to you this link, with my thoughts on Sunday's Panthers-Bucs meeting.

CLICK HERE

Jake Delhomme will not play, and DT Tank Tyler went on IR Friday, replaced on the roster by Derek Landri, recently released by Jacksonville. The attrition continues.

Enjoy the weekend!

Mike Solarte

A Case of the Mondays

Boy, did the Carolina Panthers have a case of the Mondays--in fact, they may have had 2 cases.

Chronologically, as roughly 12:30 pm, Head Coach John Fox told the media that Jake Delhomme suffered a broken finger on his throwing hand. When pressed on which finger, Fox said, "right finger," but did specify that it wasn't his thumb. Media and fans have a 25% chance of figuring out which of his digits is busted. We may find out more on Wednesday, but Fox also pointed out that he didn't have to tell anyone which finger it is (per NFL rules). More on Jake in a bit.

Then, at 1:36 pm, LB Jon Beason was arrested on misdemeanor assault charges, stemming from an alleged incident on Nov. 15th, at a Charlotte strip club.

I am not about to tell anyone how they should spend their free time, or their money. You like buying cars, going on vacation, or going to strip clubs, be my guest. However, given the nature of the NFL's Personal Conduct Policy, is it wise to be hanging out in places that are generally frowned upon by the league? It's not a crime, but why take the chance? That's just me. Turns out, the person that filed the complaint against Beason has had previous encounters with authorities. Based on Char-Meck records, he arrested once for passing a bad check, and on another occasion for assault on a female. Both charges were later dismissed.

Beason says he will plead not guilty in court on Jan. 11, 2010. His agent says Beason is looking forward to his day in court. I'm anxious to see how this plays out.

Back to Delhomme...the broken finger apparently happened with 2:24 left in the game. It was, as I described on my Twitter page, the "Eephus Pass," to Dwayne Jarrett. Delhomme never left the game, and continued slinging it, until his 4th and final interception. I think I know Jake, and I think the dude is pretty tough. Having seen him take some pretty big hits, he's bounced up more often than not, so to think he played with a busted finger over the final 2 minutes isn't much of a stretch.

I just wonder this: What if Carolina's record was reversed, at 7-4, and Jake had just 8 interceptions, as opposed to 18. If he finished the Jets game with a banged up hand, would starting him this week against Tampa Bay be a question? Personally, I don't think so. Of course, the reality is 4-7, 18 picks, and a busted finger. My hunch (on Tuesday), is Matt Moore gets the nod against Tampa Bay. Jake is tough, and could probably play, but the injury gives Fox a chance to sit Jake (even for just 1 week), and let him regroup. Delhomme is Fox's guy (there can be no doubt about that), and Fox will remain loyal to his guys as long as he is the Head Coach (admirable). the week off, might help, and it might not, but the injury buys the Panthers some time to determine that.

For the record, I am a Delhomme supporter, in spite of the picks. He is more than a quarterback, he's a good person who does great things for the Charlotte community. It is difficult seeing the guy struggle the way he has, and I have been critical of him when it was fair. He is not the lone reason the Panthers are 4-7. His overall play can, and should be examined, especially when the INT's outnumber the touchdowns by more than 2-1 (18 INT's-8 TD's). Laying all the blame at his feet, however, is ignorant.

Bobcats go for 5 straight as they take on the Boston Celtics, NASCAR Champions week getting cranked up out west, and much more on Sports Night at 10. Don't miss it!

Mike Solarte

Tired of Tiger Watch

I understand that because Tiger Woods has made millions upon millions in the public eye, that his late-night Thanksgiving crash is news. However, the stakeout of his secluded residence in Orlando, Florida, by ESPN and other media outlets I just find too much. I would hate to be the reporter assigned to this story.

The state highway police say charges are pending, but quickly added that alcohol did not play a factor. And just because charges are pending, doesn't mean they are forthcoming. Charges may never be filed.

Assuming that's the case, who cares why Tiger crashed into a fire hydrant and a neighbors tree at 2:25 in the morning. It's none of my business. The situation is juicy and fascinating, but at it's core it's just gossip. Frankly, something too many of us Americans take part in and I wish it would stop.

The primary theory is this crash is the result of some domestic dispute between Tiger and is wife, Elin. Having been married for nearly three years, I can appreciate the ups and downs in a marriage; however, those issues should remain private no matter who you are. Tiger does not owe me or anyone else an explanation. The only people he owes one to are his wife and family.

Celebrities personal lives are written about, scrutinized and judged in this country almost as much as health care or the war in Afghanistan. Stop for a second and ask yourself if you would want the magnifying glass examining your life.

None of us are perfect and it should come as no surprise that neither is Tiger Woods. Athletes are human beings too.

--Jason Brown