Panthers-Ravens Primer

Normally, I would be stoked about the Panthers 3rd pre-season game. It's the only one that actually feels like a regular season game.

Not so much for this one.

The Panthers are banged up on defense, and that means the backups will be seeing more of the work against a Baltimore team that has the reputation of being tough on defense, and with Joe Flacco at QB, more than capable on offense. The Ravens have plenty of weapons, and I would expect to see them on display Saturday night.

Carolina's offense hasn't been at full capacity all pre-season long. WR Steve Smith and RB Jonathan Stewart have yet to play in the exhibitions, so judging the offense to this point isn't fair. One area that is under the microscope has been ball security. There was improvement between weeks 1 and 2, which is what Head Coach John Fox says he looks for.

Based on the injuries, I am looking for the Panthers to get out of this game as healthy as possible. Seriously. I don't care about wins and losses in the pre-season. My mantra (and repeat it if you like), is this: exhibition anything is meaningless. I don't care if it's football, basketball, hockey, baseball, etc. If it is a pre-season game, the result is pointless, so don't get worked up over it.

** Have you seen this piece of wackiness? Brandon Marshall's "practice" with the Denver Broncos? Check it out here: http://www.thedenverchannel.com/video/20590420/index.html

I wouldn't facilitate a trade for this clown. I would find a way to not have him on the field and also not have to pay him. Maybe, for displays like that, the Broncos should fine him. You hear it all the time, "conduct detrimental to the team." I would say he crossed that barrier based on the video in the link above.

** It's Friday, and that means the Discount Tire Friday Night Final comes your way at 11 with high school football action from across the state! Hope you can check it out, but if you miss it at 11pm on Friday, you get a 2nd chance with the Saturday morning replay at 11am.

Mike Solarte