"Punch The Ticket"
Posted August 14, 2005, 10:59 AM ET

That is the catch phrase I'm going to use for the 2005 Carolina Panthers.

I know it is only August, but the Carolina Panthers look like the real deal to me.

And based on what I saw and heard on Saturday night, nothing will change my mind. The 2005 Panthers are the team to beat in the NFC.

I know what you're thinking..."Pack, it is only August and the Super Bowl is in February in that vacation paradise known as Detroit." But think about it...who scares you in the NFC?

Philadelphia?

Not the way Andy Reid's team has acted on and off the field...they've got problems everywhere.

Atlanta?

The Falcons have never had back-to-back winning seasons in their franchise history...even though this Vick guy can cause some problems.

Minnesota?

Do you really think Mike Tice can coach and motivate this team? How many times have they jumped out to a great start and fallen apart down the stretch ?

Seattle or St. Louis?

Puh-lease.

Dallas?

Remember this is 2005, not the 1990's.

So, who scares you in the NFC?

Nobody. And that's precisely why a relatively healthy Carolina Panther team is going to "Punch the Ticket" and play for the championship.

Even new play-by-play radio man Mick Mixon sounded good in the preseason opener. Replacing Bill Rosinski won't be easy, and I thought Mixon did a good job Saturday night. Hopefully, the Panther faithful will give Mick a chance to win them over...and it sure helps when the team is as good as the Panthers.

Gary Williams and Steve Beuerlein were solid as well on the TV coverage. I'm happy for Gary because it is a dream come true for him, and Beuerlein has been a semi-regular on CBS games, so doing a preseason Panther game is a piece of cake.

Right now, life is good on the Panthers' front...and fans should start feeling the vibe and "Punch the Ticket"...the 2005 season can be very special indeed.