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Let
the Clausen Era Begin Now that we've seen Jimmy Clausen start and play for the Panthers, can we move on? Clausen did exactly what everyone expected....he made some decent throws, he made some brutal decisions, and he has a long ways to go. But more importantly than that, the talent surrounding him is just not good enough to make a difference. The Panthers are 0-3 for the second consecutive year, and this time there is absolutely no hope of turning it around. The Panthers had gone young and cheap in the off-season, and there's not much you can do about it as we head into October. It's going to be a long, long year in Carolina. Up next for the boys is a trip to the Super Dome, to take on the defending world champs. To make matters worse, the Saints are coming off an overtime home loss to Atlanta. Thanks, ATL. I couldn't help but notice that my favorite Panther, Dwayne Jarrett, was ruled inactive for the Bengals game. Just when is Jarrett active? How this guy is still on the roster is amazing....I've been saying it for maybe two years....but somebody in the Panther front office is possibly just starting to catch on, that he can't play. I still can't believe that Armanti Edwards isn't good enough to at least wear a jersey? I'm not even talking about him making a play...just be good enough to wear a jersey and put down the baseball cap. I wonder if Darin Gantt still believes that Jeff Davidson is going to be a NFL head coach some day? Can you feel the explosion that is Steve Smith starting to gain some momentum? I hate how this season is unfolding for a guy like Jon Beason. The guy is a great player and one of the fiercest competitors on the planet.....he flies around the ball, but playing for a team this weak is going to drive him nuts. It's hard to imagine that he has to be a vocal team leader at the tender age of 25. Tom O'Brien and his NC State Wolfpack are 4-0 and turning some heads not only in the ACC, but around the country, too. Fresh off a 17-point thumping of Georgia Tech in Atlanta, State now finds itself the talk of the Triangle and apparently a major factor in the wide-open Atlantic Division of the ACC. Russell Wilson is playing great at QB, and John Tenuta has the Pack's defense flying around the football. NC State fans have been waiting for this kind of start and team for a long time. It's a far cry from the undisciplined nonsense that was being produced in Raleigh during the Chuck Amato era. O'Brien is bringing his tough, physical style and finally getting the production he demands. Of course, it helps to finally have a season in which injuries didn't disintegrate his team. It also helps to see Russell Wilson take it to another level and make plays from all over the field. Given the Pack's hot start and big game with Virginia Tech this week...along with their arch-rivals' issues with the NCAA...it has been a perfect September, for Wolfpack Nation. NC State was rewarded for their fine play by cracking the AP Top 25 for the first time since 2003. The Pack is ranked 23rd, becoming only the 2nd ACC team to be ranked in this week's AP Poll. We'll make our first appearance in Raleigh since 2008, as we visit Carter-Finley on the Southern Fried Football™ Tour on October 9th when they battle ACC Atlantic foe Boston College. Auburn must love the Palmetto state. In back-to-back thrillers, the folks at the loveliest village on the Plains have witnessed their War Eagles edge both Clemson and South Carolina. Cam Newton is a big-time player, and the Tigers' second half comebacks in both games were dramatic and highly entertaining. Between Auburn and Bama, both teams pulled out dramatic wins and it appears they are headed for an epic crash course showdown at the end of the year....and this time, it could have more on the line than bragging rights in-state. Speaking of Bama: this week, they play those Florida Gators in Tuscaloosa. It's the SEC's best rivalry in recent years, but this one has a different feel to it. The Tebow-less Gators are still looking for their identity, despite blowing out Kentucky. Something tells me Nick will have his Tide ready to roll all over Urban's latest edition. As for Meyer, he won his 100th game at Florida to run his record to 100-18.....pretty impressive. As I look at the SEC standings, can you believe how weak the SEC East looks as we head into October? Florida and South Carolina look like a cut above, even though the Gators are not nearly as good as they were a year ago. The rest of the division is garbage.
The SEC is a great football league, but the East from top-to-bottom isn't impressing anybody at this point in the season. I'd like to thank the entire staff at Furman University for making our first visit so enjoyable. The campus is beautiful and the locals made us feel right at home. We look forward to adding the Greenville, SC school into the yearly rotation on the Tour. You can check out the latest Tourstop Video (produced by my daughters, GG and Emmy) along with the updated Babes page. |
Packman
on Sports Commentary
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