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Catching
a Buzz The Carolina Panthers were back in action for the first time in 2011, and there seems to be a real excitement about the club. Nobody thinks this is a championship caliber group, but after a 2-14 debacle last year, along with the unveiling of a new coaching staff and #1 pick Cam Newton, there is a case of intrigue with Carolina. I spent a few days at camp last week in preparation of hosting the SiriusXM NFL Radio preview of the Panthers, and there is no question that this team will be different than the previous John Fox regime. Don't get me wrong; I thought Fox did a decent job in Carolina, but his style of play and inability to win consistently had played out in the minds of the owner and fanbase. Before everybody throws Fox under the Panther bus, keep in mind he was the most successful coach in the team's history. After watching and interviewing the Panthers' players, coaches and front office officials....there is no doubt that this is a new beginning for the Panthers. And to be honest with you, I liked what I saw. The Panthers will be much improved, but they will be challenged in the best division of the NFL. The NFC South is a beast, and it includes three teams that won 10 or more games last season and each one of them has a big-time quarterback with experience. That alone makes the Panthers' task to attain respectability tougher than normal. But one thing we've seen in the NFL is that every year is a new season and a new beginning....and nowhere has that played a bigger role than in the NFC South. Just take a look at the trend since the division was created in 2002:
That is a bizarre trend. In the 8 years of the NFC South, six times the team that has finished in last place the previous season returned the following year to win the division. The two years it didn't happen, the teams finished with 11-5 and 10-6 records, respectively. Am I telling you that the Panthers are going to continue this crazy cycle? No....and I don't expect them to be a major factor in the NFC South, but I do expect them to win more games and surprise some folks in the process. Anybody that thinks they will be a pushover will be sadly mistaken. The Panthers are good enough to reach 7 wins in 2011. And after the boring 2-14 year, it will feel like a great season. Before I get to the world of college athletics, I have to say something about Cam Newton. Like most die-hard college football fans, we've all watched the dynamic play of the former Auburn quarterback and we've seen him under constant scrutiny by the national media over his recruitment to play at the SEC West school. Nobody can deny that the kid is an amazing college player. I had the chance to meet and interview him in person last week at the Panthers' training camp. It was the first time that I have ever spoken to him. I wasn't sure what to expect, as he decided to sit down with us live on the SiriusXM NFL Radio show after the evening practice. After a grueling day of work, the last thing you want to do at 9 o'clock at night is spend time doing a media interview. The #1 pick spent about 15-20 minutes cutting up and having fun and answering questions. He was terrific on the show. He was humble, self-deprecating and very impressive. He'd be the first one to tell you that he has a long ways to go....and he'd be the first one to tell you that he can't wait to get started. I have no idea if Cam Newton will live up to the hype on NFL Sundays....but after our interview and having the chance to watch him over a 48-hour period at camp....I'm hoping that he's better than advertised. As for the Panthers' first pre-season game, the guys that stood up and made plays were the same ones that were delivering during camp. The Panthers have to figure out the QB trifecta, but you gotta figure Cam Newton becomes the go-to guy in due time. Even Armanti Edwards made some plays, especially with the punt returns, and that was encouraging. The Panthers are going to be much better than '10....but it sure would help if they didn't play in the NFC South. It gives me the same feeling that Mississippi State fans must feel like this year, playing in the SEC West. As I'm writing this blog entry, there is all kind of speculation between Texas A&M and the SEC. It was the hot topic on the "College Sports Saturday" show that I was hosting on SiriusXM 91. Everybody had an opinion or a theory on what A&M and the SEC should do next. For argument sake, let's say the Aggies eventually become the newest member of the SEC....where do Mike Slive and the SEC turn to next, when it comes to their 14th member? Some folks believe they will continue to tap into new markets such as Oklahoma or Missouri. Some people believe they will raid the ACC and flirt with Florida State, Clemson or even Virginia Tech. All I know is that it makes for a great debate and conversation. I thought it was interesting, what ACC commish John Swofford posted...."We'll continue to be mindful of the collegiate landscape and what's best for the ACC and its member institutions." Well said....especially coming from the guy that led the raid of the Big East just a few years ago, when the ACC coaxed Virginia Tech, Miami and Boston College to join the ACC. If Mike Slive and the SEC decide to add a current ACC team(s) to their new expanded league, it will be fascinating to see what Swofford and the ACC do to fill-in the gaps. But the more I think about the SEC's potential 14th team, I just don't think it makes sense for FSU, Clemson or VT to jump ship. Here's why: There's no question that the SEC is a better football league....high profile, and without question the gold-standard compared to everybody else. But FSU, VT and Clemson have a much easier time of reaching the BCS and playing for a potential national title by staying put. I have no doubt that the ego at each school would love to thump their chest and claim that they are now a SEC member...but that will wear off as soon as you replace Duke, UVa, Maryland and Wake with the likes of Bama, LSU, Florida and Auburn. I love the expansion debate....and just like in college football....the SEC is the lead dog. Keegan Bradley just won the PGA Championship. It's the first time he's played in a major championship tournament, and he's now 1-for-1. He's now won as many major championships as Fred Couples and Davis Love III....somehow that doesn't seem right, but that's how we measure the great ones, right? The golf world has a big case of the blahs. The win by Keegan Bradley....or is it Bradley Keegan?....now means that the last 13 major championship tourneys have been won by 13 different golfers. The last seven have been first-time major championship winners. At least the kid is an American....the last time a USA golfer captured a major title was back at the '10 Masters, when Lefty put on the green jacket. Is it good for the game that we have so many new faces, or are you waiting for Tiger to find his swing, heart, mojo, caddy, swing coach and a clue? I think eventually the sport needs superstars.....big-time stars, to capture our attention. Maybe some of these new one-timers can get on a roll while Tiger tries to recapture his past fame and glory. Let's hope so. Earlier in the day, I wrote about the fascinating Texas A&M / SEC courtship, and wouldn't you know it.....the SEC honchos decided to throw some cold water on the proceedings. It was probably the smart thing to do in the short term, even though I have a funny feeling that the Aggies are going to be headed to SEC in due time. It seems that the conference is making the right move by taking their time and figuring out the easiest way to reach either 14 or 16 teams. The Super Conference scenario in college athletics is inevitable. And that means the debate over which schools are headed to which leagues will continue....and I love it. The ACC, Big 10 and Pac 12 better start rolling up their sleeves and making sure their plans are buttoned up. It appears that the SEC is going to start the trickle-down effect, and you don't want to get caught napping. Will the SEC grab a school from the ACC? Anything can happen....and if you want the answer, just follow the money. Even though I have my doubts that the SEC will grab an ACC team from a state in which they currently have a member....and that means FSU, Clemson and Georgia Tech seem like unlikely future candidates. But this is college athletics....and when you combine politics and big-time money.....well, let the games and negotiations begin. |
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