Silent Treatment
Posted December 23, 2007, 11:13 AM ET

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays.

Since I have all this free time on my hands during the holiday season, I've had an interesting sideline perspective on the latest developments surrounding our local pro sports scene.

The Charlotte Bobcats gained some national attention, if you want to call it that, when HYPE (ESPN) decided to give us an all-access, behind-the-scenes look at the franchise on game day.

Nearly every aspect of the "worldwide leader" was in full force, as they highlighted Charlotte's NBA franchise. You name it, and ESPN had it covered...shoot-around, pregame meetings, interviews, etc. I thought it was a smart move by Bob Johnson; it only makes sense to allow folks a chance to see the inner-workings of a basketball team that Charlotte has basically ignored.

Somehow, ESPN even gave us an interview with the ghost known as Michael Jordan. It's funny how Jordan is available for an interview with HYPE, but seemingly off-limits to everyone else in the local media. The in-depth interview revealed that Jordan drinks a lot of coffee while working "overtime" in the Bobcats' front office. Who knew?

After all the attention, the Bobcats proceeded to get smoked by Orlando in front of the ESPN audience. What wasn't told in all this fanfare was that the Bobcats-Magic game on ESPN was nearly doubled in the national cable ratings by the Appalachian State-Delaware game on ESPN2.

Despite ESPN's all-access effort, the NBA gets destroyed by the 1-AA National title game....I wasn't aware that App State and Delaware commanded so much more attention than Michael Jordan's hoopsters. I can assure you that there was an even larger discrepancy in the ratings in the Charlotte market.

On a side note, it was good to see Michael Jordan working overtime with the guys, as he decided to show up and play a little one-on-one with the Bobcats during practice. It was especially good to see that MJ and the guys were playing a little high-stakes gambling during each one-on-one session....I'm sure David Stern was glad to know that while he tries to improve the image of the league after the Donaghy gambling fiasco, his highest profile owner is collecting a few dollars on the side playing against his current employees.

While the Bobcats continue to struggle, the Carolina Panthers are putting the bow on another disappointing season. The last two years in Panther-land have been frustrating...great expectations, but terrible coaching, injuries and other excuses have caused Fox and Company to enjoy the playoffs from the comfort of their own home.

While the fan base has found other things to do on Sundays, the Dallas Cowboys' appearance in the Queen City gave people a reason to get excited. In addition to T.O., Romo and Jessica, we were all lucky to be in the presence of the NFL Network.

I am a subscriber (begrudgingly) of Time Warner Cable, so I don't have the Dish Network. I was curious to watch the NFL Network production of the Panthers-Cowboys game. After trying to listen to Bryant Gumble and Cris Collinsworth along with a botched production, I'm glad I'm not paying for the NFL Network.

But an interesting tidbit that developed during the telecast was the announcement by Collinsworth that he spoke with Jerry Richardson before the game....who knew Richardson spoke with the media? According to the NFL Network cast, Richardson proclaimed that John Fox and Marty Hurney would be returning in 2008.

I bet the local newspaper and other media types that follow this team on a daily basis had to love the scoop by the NFL Network. These poor guys suck up to the Panthers all year, and the biggest story of the year goes to Richardson's very own network....that was a classic Jerry Richardson move. Screw the local guys, let me give the story to "my network".

The bigger picture is the future of FoxHurney...it is apparent that the guys better have a terrific 2008. The last two years, they have been the biggest bust in the NFL. I think it's also safe to say that FoxHurney will have to make some changes on their staff. Last year, FoxHurney spent the entire off-season staying status quo and telling the local media that 21 of 22 starters returned....big deal. How did that turn out?

I expect the Panthers to be more active in the off-season, as they try to get back to the playoffs next season. To be honest with you, the NFC is so weak and devoid of quality depth, it is inexcusable for Jerry Richardson to watch another post-season without his franchise being in the mix. If the Panthers come up empty again next year, there will be a mass exodus on Mint Street.

I have a few more weeks of chilling out...I'm back on the radio on January 7th (last year of my contract at WFNZ), the daily 10pm television commentaries on WJZY will continue during the rest of the year (I just signed on for another year), and I'll be back next week on the blog with some predictions for 2008.

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!