Raiding Arizona
Posted November 1, 2009, 9:06 PM ET

Man, that Kurt Warner sure does a great Jake Delhomme impersonation.

Five interceptions and a fumble.....just like Jake did it in the playoff loss to Arizona, back in January.

No matter how you add it up, the Carolina Panthers will take it. In a season that was fumbled away last week at home against Buffalo, the Cats found a way to play with passion, heart and pride in knocking off their worst nightmare.

Some folks think this game is the turning point in a season that has been nearly unbearable to watch. It will take that kind of effort and that kind of generosity from their opponents to make it happen.

This week, the Panthers get back to their NFC South fistfights with a trip to N'awlins to take on the Saints. While the boys in the Big Easy get ready for their rival game against Atlanta on Monday Night Football, John Fox gets ready to pull another rabbit out of his hat.

Unless something crazy happens as far as an injury or suspension, I can't see the Panthers winning in New Orleans... Of course, I didn't think they would come out victorious in 'Zona, either.

---

Then, there was Tampa Bay.

The last team left in the NFL without a win....introducing the Tampa Bay Bucs. Of course, they should be used to going winless before, during an NFL season.

Somehow, the St. Louis Rams found a way to snap the 6th-longest losing streak in NFL history, by beating the inept Detroit Lions.

The Tennessee Titans started Vince Young and picked up their first win of the season, too.

So, it's all up to you, Tampa Bay. The perfect season awaits.

After 8 weeks of the NFL season, there are six teams in the NFL with one win or less: Tampa, Detroit, St. Louis, Tennessee, Kansas City and Cleveland. I swear to you, I've never seen more bad teams in one NFL season than I have in 2009.

I haven't even mentioned the Raiders or Redskins, and there are some other dogs that can play dead. The NFL playoffs will still be terrific, because there are plenty of really, really good teams.....but the collection of "have-nots" is at an all-time high.

---

I took the family up to the RBC on Sunday, for their first Carolina Hurricanes hockey experience.

I was asked to do the honor of cranking up the air-raid Hurricane siren prior to the Canes-Sharks game, and my wife even had the chance to ride the Olympia during the first intermission session.

Everything was great about the Canes gameday experience....except for one thing.

The hockey.

What's wrong with the Canes?

They've lost their last nine games, and are off to their worst start in franchise history. I know it's a long season, and every team will go through slumps and a period of time of bad breaks, but it's time to end this nonsense. The team hasn't won a game since October 9th.

The Canes have been outscored 16-4 in their last 3 games, and they're a team playing without any confidence.

Despite the outcome, I can't wait to go back and join in the fun.....and hopefully, they get back to their winning ways in the meantime.

---

I also checked out the Charlotte Bobcats' home opener last week, too.

We had a remote broadcast from the arena, and I had the chance to talk with Fred Whitfield about the changes to the team, uniforms and gameday experience.

I'm a big fan of Fred, and wish the team the absolute best in gaining the confidence of the basketball fans in the area.

They know they have a big hurdle to clear in Charlotte, and they know it won't be easy. A 33-point ass-kicking to open the season at Boston didn't help, but who expected them to beat Boston anyhow?

I love Larry Brown and I don't think there is any doubt that he knows how to put together a winner.

Watching the Bobcats this season will be fascinating. This is their best chance to finally crack the playoffs, and it's also critical that they get off to a good start.

There are too many people that will find something better to do if they can't capture them early in the season....and given the Panthers' slow start, more people will give them a look than ever before.

But, back to the opener: it was great that they held on to beat the Knicks, after blowing a 21-point lead. What was also telling was the reaction to Bobcat owner Bob Johnson, when he was introduced prior to the opening tip.

He was booed...and rightfully so.

I was amazed that Johnson, in a tribute to Skipper Beck, had to read from a sheet of paper to tell us what a wonderful guy and contributor Skipper was to the franchise. Surely, Bob could knock that 30 second speech out without the help of a written statement?

It was weak.