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Sudden
Impact And just like that, it's over. The Carolina Panthers' season is officially dead. Nobody saw this one coming...at least, if you are in the national/local media or a fan of the Panthers. Carolina, while undefeated at home and a double-digit favorite, found a way to get throttled by a franchise with two, count 'em, two wins on the East Coast this century. How can that happen? First, it's the NFL Playoffs....any team still standing at this stage of the season can play. Plus, it helps when you decide to throw five interceptions and throw a fumble in for good measure. The Panthers' players and coaching staff picked the worst time to play a game of "we sucked". There was no question that the city was jacked-up. There was no question that the players were rested and confident. The Cardinals were fresh off an emotional home win and they had to travel to the East Coast where they have just slightly better success than Clemson does when they play hoops against the Heels in Chapel Hill. On paper, this looked too good to be true. That's the problem. It was too good to be true. The city was completely bummed out when the Panthers lost the Super Bowl to New England...but in some respects, this loss was worse. That Panthers team gave you the thrill of amazing wins and a great performance in the big game. This Panther team had a chance to build the momentum and excitement in making a run to Tampa....it didn't fall short; it fell flat. And in the process, suffered an embarrassing loss in front of a national audience. Winning the NFC South with a 12-4 record is a terrific season, one that John Fox, Marty Hurney and the Panthers should take a great deal of pride in accomplishing. But it's the 0-1 playoff record that burns into the football soul. And it's that record that will haunt this team and its fans into the 2009 season. I couldn't help but notice that distant, "deer-in-the-headlights" look fans have been carrying around since Saturday night. The city of Charlotte and Panther Nation is completely stunned and shocked by the blowout loss. Nobody this side of Phoenix saw it coming, and I'm not sure too many in the Valley of the Sun can even believe that their Cards are in the NFC title game today. The loss has been so tough on the locals, that it makes watching the rest of the playoffs difficult. What could have been for Carolina...it was there for the taking. Thanks to the Arizona Cardinals, they stole it from right under our nose. The play of Jake Delhomme has always been an interesting topic on our show. Some fans love him and some people believe he's a liability. Personally, I've always thought he gave the team their best chance to win. I know the fans will blister him this week on the radio show. His performance was inexcusable. In playoff time, you can't turn the ball over 6 times and expect to win. His mistakes cost the team points and in the process led to Arizona's offensive production. When you turn it over 6 times and give up 33 consecutive points in the process, you have the perfect recipe for failure. The Panthers failed miserably. The shocker is that the team had played so well at home, appearing to finally get over the hump of playing dead in front of the locals at the stadium. That nightmare returned at the worst time imaginable, on Saturday night. There's also the return of doubt. Did Fox do everything to get his team ready for the post season? Is Jake still the man to lead this team at the age of 34? What will they do with Julius Peppers' contract? So many questions...so few answers. Just like the Panthers' performance against Arizona. As the NFL Playoffs dominated the sports landscape this weekend, the college basketball season is gearing up with its respective conference play. Also picking up momentum is the crying of "Midas" Krzyzewski. The brilliant Duke coach had the audacity to complain that the local media was not publishing or promoting the fact that his current Blue Devil squad was #2 in the country. I swear to you, I'm not making this up. It was reported by the Raleigh News and Observer that K was incensed that none of the local media outlets acknowledged that his team was #2 and the highest ranked ACC team in college hoops. I guess rankings are vitally important to the guys in Durham in early January? I just assumed that March was the important month. I would ask Duke and Midas to act like they've been there before...because they have...bunches of times. Maybe Coach K has some type of Beijing Post-Olympic depression and needs the added exposure and pat on the back? Maybe his unreported car wreck has caused him some mental lapses? Is it possible that he confuses John Feinstein with another Duke-owned basketball official? Ease up, Midas. Congrats...you're #2. Remind me when you win two consecutive games in the ACC or NCAA Tourney....it's been a while. I'll make it my daily duty to promote to the masses that you have the #2-ranked college basketball team in all the land every day on the show this week. Perhaps that soothing declaration on the air can finally get your program some much-deserved air time on ESPN or another network? Seriously, when's the last time a Duke game was televised? Perhaps I need to send an email to Dick Vitale and alert him that you're #2...That's right, I forgot; Jay Bilas has already saved me the time and effort. Maybe Jay did forget since he's too busy cuddling up to Bobby Knight? Just in case, I'll make sure Dickie V knows that Duke is #2, baby. I'll also remind everyone as the season progresses where Duke stands not only in the ACC, but the national picture, too. It's the least I can do for the less fortunate. I attended the Bobcats-Celtics game last week at the arena. I had a great time and the game was terrific. Charlotte beat the defending world champs in overtime and the experience and the basketball was outstanding. Of course, since that game, the Bobcats have proceeded to get pounded, which included a 30-point defeat to the Cleveland Cavs. It should also be noted that Boston hasn't won squat, either. I noticed that Michael Jordan was in attendance for the Boston game. It should be pointed out that Jordan has his new Air Jordan 2009 shoe hitting the market and they retail for 190 bucks. I read an online column recently where Jordan took the time to discuss his latest creation. I guess he can find the time to do that without spending the time to talk with the local media about his NBA product, but that's a separate issue. Michael Jordan was asked about the new shoe and its cost and here is his response:
Hey, Mike....the Bobcats enter the week with a 14-24 record. Perhaps it's not the shoes? |
Packman
on Sports Commentary
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