Bleacher Report - Articles by David Scercy

The Countdown to Zero: Carolina at N.Y. Giants Expectations

David Scercy — Thu, 13 Aug 2009 22:04:06 -0400

The Arizona Cardinals ended Carolina’s dream season in Charlotte roughly seven months ago, and the city has been itching for more since that heartbreaking defeat.

Monday night means more to Charlotte than a scrimmage. The Carolina’s are embracing Monday night with a little more passion than any pre-season game. Let’s face it, to the community of the Carolina Panthers, Monday’s game in N.Y. has a lot of meaning.

But to Coach Fox and the Carolina Panthers, this is simply put, the first pre-season game of the 2009 season. And don’t be surprised at all if the Panthers treat it like a pre-season game.

True, Carolina wants to win the game. In the fourth quarter players who normally wouldn’t be in an NFL game in the fourth quarter will be fighting it out for a “W”.

The Carolina Panthers return 21 of 22 starters in 2009 from a team that won 12 games in 2008. Something tells me that every one of those players remember their last game, a little more than the 16 before that one.

That being said, what is it we expect come kickoff Monday night? Here’s just a few of my expectations for this Monday night.

I expect to see a QB battle for No. 2 on the depth chart on this team. Matt Moore and Josh McCown should be competing for the backup spot to Jake Delhomme. McCown is the favorite, however Moore could very well possess the best arm in Panthers training camp.

I expect all eyes will be on Dwayne Jarrett as he continues to battle his way up the depth chart as he enters his third year since being drafted by Carolina out of USC. Jarrett should get the start Monday, as Steve Smith recovers from a shoulder injury suffered in camp.

I also expect Panther fans to keep an eye on Everette Brown, who should get quite a bit of playing time coming in with the No. 2 defense. Brown could be pressuring Brayton for the starting spot on the left side of the defensive line opposite Julius Peppers.

I expect the rookies to get evaluated by everyone involved with the Panther’s family.

Carolina drafted two defensive backs in 2009, Sherrod Martin out of Troy, and Captain Munnerlyn out of South Carolina. One of these rookies could become the Panthers’ nickel back behind starters Chris Gamble and Richard Marshall. The rookies may have to play at an extreme to beat out Dante Wesley for the spot.

The other rookies to keep an eye on include Mike Goodson (RB), Duke Robinson (OG), Tony Fiammetta (FB), Corvey Irvin (DT), and Gerald Cadogan (OT).

I expect second-year tight end, Gary Barnidge, to battle with Jeff King for the starting position. Barnidge is a guy who can open the field up for Jake Delhomme. I would hope they use him this pre-season, so Carolina fans can get a glimpse of the future TE position for the Panthers.

I expect all Panther fans to keep an eye on the starting offense, particularly the offensive line, and the running backs. It is anticipated that Carolina brings the best running game to the NFL in 2009, and we can’t wait to see these guys live up to the hype.

I expect every Panther fan in the world to watch the starting QB Jake Delhomme as he embarks on a campaign of redemption after a miserable performance against Arizona which abruptly ended Carolina’s season in 2008-09.

Jake has a lot to prove, and he may be on his last stand, despite signing a contract extension in the offseason.

But most of all, I expect Panther fans to just be happy to watch their team play some football.

This is a community full of expectations and passion. The Carolina Panthers from top to bottom carry one of the most talented teams in the NFL, and even for just one night, pre-season or not, we get to see this team take the field in preparation for another NFC South Divisional Championship.

How great would it be for Carolina to become the first back-to-back champion of the division?

After all, that’s what I expect.

DEI: The Demise of What Was Once a Promising Empire

David Scercy — Sat, 11 Jul 2009 18:56:58 -0400

The legacy of Dale Earnhardt in the world of auto racing altogether is immeasurable.

You can go to just about any block in America and ask folks if they've ever heard of Dale Earnhardt. Undoubtedly, the percentage of people who say yes would be a very high number, almost certainly reaching in the 90 percent or above range.

Earnhardt is credited to the explosion that took place in NASCAR in the '80s, as Winston Cup Racing accumulated larger TV audiences as well as played host to sold out tracks every weekend.

As Earnhardt's success mounted, he invested more and more into a shop in his front yard while his son, Dale Earnhardt Jr., was winning stock car races at Myrtle Beach Speedway and various other tracks across the Carolinas.

DEI made its Winston Cup debut in 1996 at Charlotte with driver Robby Gordon in the No. 14 Racing For Kids Chevy.

Jeff Green also raced the car in 1996, but it was in 1998 when the team began its first full year at the Cup level.

Steve Park raced the No. 1 Pennzoil Chevy in 1998 for DEI for what looked to be a potential-filled, stellar rookie campaign.

Early in that season, however, Park broke his leg in a practice crash and was temporarily replaced by Darrell Waltrip.

Waltrip competed rather well in the No. 1 car, scoring a bevy of top-15 finishes scattered from Bristol to the July race in Pocono.

Park would return to his ride at Indy, but the team fell behind due to his injuries and crashes that continued to mount up.

2000 was considered the breakout year for DEI, as Park won two pole awards and his first-ever Cup Series race at Watkins Glen. As a result, the No. 1 team finished 11th in the points standings.

The No. 8 Budweiser Chevy made its full season debut in 2000 with Earnhardt Jr. at the wheel, impressing fans immediately by winning two poles and three races (which included The Winston All Star Race in Charlotte).

Despite the success, Earnhardt Jr. just missed out on winning the Rookie of the Year Award, finishing second to Matt Kenseth.

In 2001, DEI had a three-car operation full of sponsors, talent, and expectations of becoming one of the best overall operations in the racing world.

Earnhardt Sr. was reeling with praise and emotions, as he enjoyed the success of an organization he built from the ground up. This was his moment to shine.

What a feeling it must have been, to have it all right there in the palm of your hands and know that failure is not in your vocabulary and category.

Then came the Daytona Speedweeks of February that year.

DEI was among the best at restrictor-plate racing, seeming to have figured out the keys to winning at Daytona and Talladega.

The family-run organization came out with its new, third entry in the form of the No. 15 NAPA Chevy with Michael Waltrip.

With Earnhardt Jr. pushing and Earnhardt Sr. blocking, DEI had a one-two finish at the Daytona 500. It appeared as if the boss was going to finish behind his friend and his son in front of a massive track turnout and television audience across the States.

It was that day where we lost Earnhardt Sr. To this day, I don’t think NASCAR has fully recovered.

Dale was gone, unfortunately.

But Earnhardt fans had reason to feel some optimism, as we still had DEI.

This past Friday, my daughter and I were driving along Hwy 3 and passed by DEI.

I decided to turn around and see how things were doing.

The receptionist in the gift shop had a big smile on her face. We were two of maybe six customers wondering around the shop and lobby, admiring the museum and the trophy display of the seven-time champion.

Things seemed slow but joyful, at least on the surface.

However, I couldn’t help but wonder deep down inside how much of Dale Earnhardt was actually left in the business he died trying to protect.

Sure, the shop is full of Dale, as expected, but what has really become of what we saw in 2001, wheh DEI looked like one of the most promising teams in NASCAR racing?

Quite the adventure is how you could best sum it.

DEI has gone through multiple drivers, sponsorship problems, and plenty of rumors the last two years.

What does it say about this organization when it can’t even keep the prize of the operation, the son himself of the man who gritted his teeth and dirtied his hands building this empire?

The survival of DEI is in many other people’s hands now. DEI has merged multiple times in its quest to stay afloat. The future is in question, and the history is brief.

One of the most disturbing images ever captured in sports was the crash in Turn 4 on the last lap of the 2001 Daytona 500.

As I think about it, I cringe inside knowing that we watched a legend die doing what he loved to do.

But I sometimes wonder which is worst:Watching Dale, the man, die in Daytona, or watching Dale, the spirit, die slowly every Sunday as his promising empire continues to sputter along?

I think the answer is obvious.

How Jake Delhomme Can Make It A Little More Quiet in 2009

David Scercy — Sat, 11 Jul 2009 06:14:16 -0400

The Carolina Panthers are coming off a 2008-09 campaign in which they averaged just over 26 ppg for the season and 32.6 ppg over their last seven games. They return every starter on offense in 2009 including the entire offensive line, which is regarded as one of the best in the NFL by many experts.

As staggering as those numbers are, a lot of Panther fans and NFL writers still question their offense entering the 2009 season…including myself…after the team restructured the contract of QB Jake Delhomme, a contract which will in all likelihood guarantee Delhomme his chance to finish his playing career as a Panther.

Since the 2003 season Jake Delhomme has been a fixture as the starting QB of Carolina. In 2003…just two years after a 1-15 season…Delhomme and the Panthers made a historic run into the postseason, and through the playoffs losing Super Bowl 38 to New England on a last minute 41-yard FG by Adam Vinatieri.

Those of us who remember the 2003 season remember how Delhomme worked his way into the No. 2 QB spot on Carolina’s depth chart after a remarkable 2003 preseason. Although his on-field play was impressive to the Carolina coaching staff, Rodney Peete was still awarded the starting job opening the 2003 regular season.

Peete’s stranglehold on the starting QB position lasted exactly a half, as Carolina went into the locker room at halftime during Week One of the season losing to the Jacksonville Jaguars 17-0 in Charlotte. Delhomme was given his chance to replace Peete and never looked back, leading Carolina to a comeback win against the Jaguars.

In 2007, Delhomme suffered ligament damage in his elbow in a game against Atlanta and was lost for the season. Going into that game Delhomme was among league leaders in passer rating, throwing eight TD’s to only one interception.

During Jake’s absence the Panthers season spiraled out of control as Carolina went through three other starting QB’s and never were able to mount any threat of a playoff run. Following the season, Delhomme opted for Tommy John’s surgery to his right elbow, and vowed for a comeback in 2008.

But is was clear to many, including myself, during the 2008 season that Jake Delhomme, once again was one of the best deep ball passers in the NFL, despite losing some arm strength after the surgery. Balls hung in the air longer, allowing DB’s more time to adjust to his passes.

Although this would completely destroy most QB’s in the NFL and their chance to win, those same passes allowed Carolina WR Steve Smith to adjust as well, and Smith bailed out his QB in many situations. It's plays like this that put Steve Smith into MVP consideration entering the 2009 season.

How much more valuable can a player be to his club than Smith is to the Panthers?

Jake Delhomme has a 50-31 record as the starter for the Carolina Panthers. That is a very impressive number for a man who wasn’t even drafted into the league, and basically had to work for every chance available to get on the field during his early career. But the real number to key in on is his 7-22 record when he has more than 30 pass attempts.

That record alone is scary, especially for a team that has all the tools in place to be one of the best offenses in the NFL entering 2009. NFL defenses will likely do everything they can to stop the Panther rushing attack, and allow Delhomme to rack up pass attempts as the game goes on. The more pass attempts Delhomme has, the more chance Carolina has at losing the game.

When you look at the Carolina Panther offense on paper, you can envision what this team could be with a Tom Brady, Drew Brees, or even a Donovan McNabb under center. But it would just be on paper, because the Carolina Panthers are committed to living and dying by their QB Jake Delhomme. And John Fox is showing no intentions of changing that anytime soon.

When looking at the overall total of Delhomme’s contract extension the numbers are pretty big…five-years, 30.4 million dollars. But it was an extension that benefits the Panthers in a lot of areas. Delhomme will only account for just over two million in the salary cap for each of the next two seasons.

Compare that to the 25 million that McNabb will account for against the Eagles cap the next two seasons. It is a good contract for the franchise that has talent throughout their entire roster. And we all know that with talent, comes higher payrolls.

But when you have a team that is loaded like the Carolina Panthers are, fans want to make sure that 12-4 seasons aren’t wasted on a QB who throws the ball five times to the other team in the postseason.

That is why it is essential that for the upcoming 2009 season, Jake Delhomme must work on becoming the most consistent QB in the NFL, and not worry about being a star like Peyton Manning.

I don’t see this team winning a Super Bowl with Jake Delhomme under center. The fans who still hang on to the 2003 season must now realize that that was six years ago and that the player Delhomme once was has slowly died down into mediocrity, kind of like a Delhomme deep ball dies down in the air once it is launched.

Everyone has an opinion, and it is clear that mine is more of doubt for Delhomme. So what better way for Jake and the 2009 Carolina Panthers to create their place in history, than to roll through the division title, playoffs, and through the Super Bowl…shutting people up like me, who just can’t see it happening?

That’s how Delhomme can make it a little quieter in 2009, and it would not bother me one bit if he did shut me up.

Steve Smith: Still Playing with a Chip on His Shoulder

David Scercy — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 05:24:28 -0400

Throughout professional sports today, we see many examples of how greed can take over and play a prominent role in how athletes carry themselves on and off the playing field.

Most sports fans in the country today wake up to watch all the sports news we can before the day at the office begins. The headlines, especially in recent years, have us baffled at some of the actions of athletes who sign their contracts, then threaten holdouts and demand trades as their lives become unhappier. We, as fans, struggle to understand the reasons why athletes become so unhappy with their status.

There is no doubt that, behind the scenes, fans don’t know everything that goes on. Agents throughout the NFL go to battle for their clients, while general managers fight back with the organization in their best interest. It’s a war that gets played out behind closed doors, and when the news breaks that holdouts and trade demands are expected from athletes who are paid seven figures to play a game, the fans' initial reaction is anger. As a fan, we dream of looking the players in the eyes and telling them, “Just shut up and play ball.”

Carolina Panther fans are blessed to have one of the game’s top wide receivers on the roster, and even though his numbers become outrageous as the years go on, Steve Smith has never publicly threatened a holdout or demanded a trade from the team that drafted him.

It's often said that Smith plays the game with a chip on his shoulder. That is an understatement to say the least when we use this term to describe an athlete who screams with excitement after every catch, even the standard 12-yard post pattern that gives the team a first down. As a fan of the game, the emotion and energy that Smith plays with is addicting to watch.

Growing up on the streets of Los Angeles, Smith was an only child to a single mother. He often went to work with his mother, Florence Young, who was a drug counselor. Smith was horrified at the addicts his mother counseled, and he credits those days at his mother's office for why he never ventured into a life of crime and drugs.

Smith lettered in football and track and field at University High School in Los Angeles. He played tailback and defensive back in football. In track and field, Smith excelled as a high hurdler and broke many school records. Smith also made a name for himself as an excellent triple jump and 300-meter hurdler.

Although his speed could have carried Smith to an Olympic career, Smith’s passion was in football. And in 1997, Smith graduated from high school with no scholarship offers from major universities. Many believed at 5’9”, Smith was too small to make an impact on the football field at the college level. That year, 1997, was when the chip began to form on Smith’s shoulder.

Smith decided to attend Santa Monica College. Smith and college teammate Chad Ocho Cinco were advised by Santa Monica football coach Robert Taylor to play for future Division-I scholarships and not for riches or fame. Taylor knew he had something special in the two outstanding athletes, and he took the opportunity to council his football stars and lead them in the right direction. During Smith’s two years at Santa Monica, he never missed one day of classes.

Smith’s hard work eventually paid off, and he was offered a scholarship to play at the University of Utah. Utah ignored Smith’s size, a move that ultimately paid off for the program, as well as Smith himself.

At Utah, Smith exploded as a wide receiver. He averaged an unbelievable 20.6 yards per catch. He learned how to catch balls in traffic and invited linebackers to hit him. He taunted linebackers and challenged them to defend him in the zone, rarely losing a fight for the ball. The chip was beginning to grow, and so was Smith’s confidence.

At the 2001 NFL Combine, Smith was described by many as the most “explosive” player in the building. His numbers ranked Smith high in most categories for wide receivers, but Smith wasn’t the fastest player as most people anticipated. He ran a 4.38-second 40-yard dash. Although that number is staggering, Smith expected better.

Smith made enough noise that he was all but guaranteed to make an NFL roster as a rookie kick returner. With the 77nd overall pick in the third round, the Panthers drafted Smith.

As a rookie, Smith excelled on special teams as he returned seven kickoffs past 40 yards and returned two 99-yard touchdowns. As a punt returner, Smith had one touchdown. Smith received many accolades in 2001-02 for his special teams work, but his most astonishing achievement was being one of only two rookies to make the 2002 Pro Bowl.

Smith was becoming a star overnight, but he never threatened a holdout after his first season as an All Pro. He just kept playing.

During the next few years, Smith became recognized as one of the best receivers in the NFL. Although Smith became a role model in the Charlotte community with his work at the Carolina Panthers Courage House, a foundation dedicated to help abused and neglected children, he became best known for headlines he made on Nov. 10, 2002, when he had an altercation with fellow Panther teammate Anthony Bright, an altercation that left Bright with a broken nose and a two-night stay in the hospital. Smith was arrested and charged with misdemeanor assault, and he later apologized and admitted to having a temper issue.

In 2005, Smith exploded with a year that included 103 catches, 1,563 yards, and 12 touchdowns. By this time, Smith was a three-time Pro-Bowl player, yet he never publicly complained about his role with the team or his contract. After the 2005 season, the Panthers rewarded Smith with a contract extension through 2012.

Although Smith’s current contract makes him one of the highest-paid receivers in the NFL, he continues to play every down with the chip on his shoulder. The ball is never too high or too far out in front for Smith to attempt making a play on it. At 5’9”, Smith continues to prove doubters wrong every time he takes the field.

In a world of economic struggles and superstar greed, Carolina Panthers wide receiver Steve Smith carries the advice of former college coach Robert Taylor with him every day. He also continues to carry that chip around with him, a chip that encourages Smith every time he takes the field to just “shut up and play football.” And boy does he do that so well.

Martin Outlasts the Field, Wins LifeLock 400 at Michigan

David Scercy — Sun, 14 Jun 2009 21:39:28 -0400

Going into the LifeLock 400 at Michigan International Speedway, everyone involved with NASCAR in some way or another had a feeling that fuel mileage might decide the outcome of the race.

MIS has a long standing reputation for fuel mileage races, due to its history of long green runs. So it came to nobody’s surprise that the finish would be so amazing.

Brian Vickers started on the pole as the green flag flew, but it didn’t take long for everyone to see who the dominant car was going to be, as Jimmie Johnson passed race leader Kyle Busch for the lead on lap nine and began pulling away.

On lap 72 the first caution waved for debris on the back stretch. The leaders pitted and Johnson emerged with the lead off pit road.

With Johnson the dominant car early, other notable strong runners to this point included Greg Biffle, Juan Pablo Montoya who ran most of the first run in the top five, Tony Stewart, Matt Kenseth, and Carl Edwards.

Debris caused the second caution flag to fly on lap 121. The top five to this point included Jimmie Johnson, Greg Biffle, Juan Montoya, Kasay Kahne and Tony Stewart.

On lap 150, David Stremme spun down the track in turn four and hit the water coolers at the entrance of pit road causing caution No. 3. The leaders pitted, and Greg Biffle won the battle off pit road. This caution happened right at the edge of the fuel window, and drivers were asked to conserve every bit of fuel they could.

The final 44 laps of green flag racing were probably the best 44 laps of the year. Some drivers were going for it, some were conserving, but it was clear that most didn’t know if they were going to make it or not.

The entire run Mark Martin sat in conservative mode. He knew that he was border line making the chase and the last thing the team needed was to run out of fuel and blow a good finish.

The final 10 laps Johnson and Biffle traded for the lead, sometimes they conserved, and sometimes they raced. Martin just hung back in third and refused to chase down the two as they jockeyed for the lead.

Coming to the white flag Johnson and the 48 Lowe's Chevy loses fuel pressure and drops to the bottom of the track. All Biffle has to do is make it to the finish as he holds a big lead over Martin.

But going down the back stretch Biffle’s Ford runs out of gas and he coasts to the finish. Martin has just enough in the tank to grab his third victory of 2009.

Rounding out the top 10 include Jeff Gordon, Denny Hamlin, Carl Edwards, Greg Biffle, Juan Pablo Montoya, Tony Stewart, Kurt Busch, Brian Vickers, and Clint Bowyer.

Martin’s win elevated him five spots in the standings, and he now sits eighth place as the races wind down to the Chase for the Sprint Cup.

Other Notables:

-Jimmie Johnson dropped all the way to a 22nd place finish after running out of fuel.

-Matt Kenseth and Kasay Kahne ran out of fuel late, dropping them to 20th and 21st place.

-Tony Stewart maintains his point lead over Jeff Gordon by 47 points.

The Quiet Contender: Juan Pablo Montoya Just Keeps Coming

David Scercy — Sun, 14 Jun 2009 20:38:55 -0400

The same names every week just keep popping up when someone discusses who will win the Sprint Cup—Jimmie Johnson, Jeff Gordon, Tony Stewart, Kyle Busch.

When talking about the teams fighting to get into the chase, again, the same names keep popping up—David Reutimann, Kasay Kahne, Brian Vickers, even Dale Earnhardt Jr.

But quietly, one team has put it together to become serious contenders to block a big name from the chase.

Juan Pablo Montoya and the Target Chevy No. 42 team do not have the stats in 2009 that will “wow” anybody. Montoya has not posted a win or a top five yet in 2009. But the consistency is becoming evident for the team as we approach the chase cut-off.

Juan Pablo has posted six top 10s in 2009. That’s more that Kyle Busch and Denny Hamlin have. Matt Kenseth, one of the most consistent racers of all time, has six top 10s. If you combine Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Kasay Kahne’s top-10 finishes, it is one more that Montoya’s.

Montoya is 14^thin Sprint Cup Points and 43 points from the cutoff with 11 races remaining until the Chase. It’s clear that he has an uphill battle, but with an eighth-place finish two weeks ago in Pocono, a sixth-place finish in Michigan, and the tour headed to Sonoma next Sunday, Montoya could be looking at a major momentum swing in his direction.

Juan Pablo is a road racing expert, to say the least. His only win on the tour came at Sonoma in 2007, his rookie season in Sprint Cup.

Every time the series goes to a road course, Montoya is a contender. He will likely unload fast, qualify up front, and lead some laps this week.

The secret to the team’s recent success could be crew chief for the No. 42 Target Chevy Brian Patti. At 34 years old, Patti could be entering the critical phase in his career where he excels and becomes a star.

In Patti’s first full-time Sprint Cup crew chief gig, he has shown that he is here to stay in the sport. Under his leadership, the Target team has slowly become one of the teams that run up front almost every week. And now it appears they are learning how to finish there as well.

If there is any driver that is looking forward to Sonoma, it is Juan Pablo Montoya. The driver and team know that they have to take advantage of this opportunity if they are going to make the chase.

The rest of the sport better take notice. Just as quickly as you hear the Target Chevy of Juan Pablo Montoya approach and you see him in your mirror in Sonoma, he will blow by and once again Montoya and the No. 42 car will get quiet again as it leaves you in the dust.

This is a driver and team that should not be ignored anymore. I predict that the “quiet contender” will be making some noise in victory lane—real soon.

Johnny Benson Hospitalized After SuperModified Accident

David Scercy — Sun, 14 Jun 2009 05:47:55 -0400

Defending Craftsman Truck Series champion Johnny Benson was injured after crashing in a SuperModified race at Berlin Raceway in Marne, Mich., on Saturday, numerous media outlets reported.

Benson is in serious condition at Spectrum Hospital in Grand Rapids but "is expected to be fine," according to WOOD-TV in Grand Rapids.

Benson was coming around to take his second lap when the wreck occurred with Larry Lehnert. Benson's car caught on fire. Benson was extracted from the vehicle and the fire was extinguished.

Benson lost his Camping World Truck Series ride Monday when Red Horse Racing folded his team because it couldn't find sponsorship for the defending Truck Series champion.

My Top 8 Draft “Busts” in Carolina Panthers History

David Scercy — Sat, 13 Jun 2009 17:04:09 -0400

The Carolina Panthers have had good success drafting players in the short history of the franchise. The success of the draft every season is key to the organization's consistancy especially during the Coach Fox era. However, there is always a pick or two in every draft that just does not fulfill expectations. It was very hard to put together a top 8 Draft Bust list because of three reasons: 1....The team has only been in existance 14 years. 2...Most of the guys listed were ineffective due to injury. 3...The Panthers, especially recently, have had a very good draft record.

Begin Slideshow

The Top 10 Greatest Draft Picks in Panther History

David Scercy — Sat, 13 Jun 2009 15:27:29 -0400

The success of the Carolina Panthers franchise has cruised high and low like a roller coaster throughout its short history. The draft picks are an example of the roller coaster ride. This is a slideshow dedicated to my favorite draft picks in team history. It is important to note that this is an opinionated slideshow, and that in no way by leaving someone out do I think that they were not a important to the Panthers organization, I just simply list my favorites here.

Begin Slideshow

The Secrecy Behind Jonathan Stewart's Ankle

David Scercy — Sat, 13 Jun 2009 12:29:54 -0400

It is no surprise that you cannot get an answer from Marty Hurney concerning one of the Panthers' players.

The Panthers' front office has a reputation for keeping quiet about personnel moves in general, as well as injuries. They only report what they have to, when they have to.

Jonathan Stewart has missed all of the Carolina Panthers' activities this offseason. It was first reported around June 1 that he was day-to-day with an ankle issue.

As the days went by, the team became tight-lipped about Stewart’s status, and Stewart himself has ignored reporters.

Although there is no reason to speculate at this point, I don’t expect to see Stewart next week as the team prepares for its final week of activities before training camp begins Aug. 2.

Stewart also missed all the Panthers' activities last season recovering from turf toe.

Hopefully this is a minor setback for Stewart, and he arrives at camp 100 percent healthy and ready to go.

However, the failed attempt at getting answers causes some to wonder exactly what is going on with Stewart’s ankle. But it wouldn’t be any surprise at all if Hurney just doesn’t want to talk about it.

Julius Peppers Says He Will Be In Camp

David Scercy — Sat, 13 Jun 2009 09:15:05 -0400

After months of debating, wondering, and speculation, it appears that Carolina Panthers Defensive End Julius Peppers will report to Spartanburg S.C. Aug. 2 for training camp.

The news broke Friday as Panthers Play-by-Play voice Mick Mixon told 99.9 The Fan ESPN Radio that a linebacker for the team received a text message from Peppers.

"My friend, one of the linebackers said 'hey look at this we got a text from Julius'," Mixon told The Insiders on Thursday. "The text said 'hey, out here in Arizona working out, I won't be early for camp but I won't be late, and I'll be ready to go."

Peppers voiced his desires to be a free agent and pursue other opportunities, possibly in a 3-4 defensive scheme, after the team’s loss to Arizona in the 2009 Div. Round Playoffs in Charlotte in January.

During the off-season Carolina placed the franchise tag on Peppers preventing him from entering free agency. The franchise tag is equivalent to a one year deal and will be worth over $16 million for the 2009 season.

The Panthers have one week left of summer school OTA’s, and while the workouts are voluntary, Peppers is the only defensive starter not to make an appearance.

Carolina goes into the 2009 season with a new defensive coordinator, Ron Meeks, and it would have been a plus for Peppers to attend the OTA’s to become a little more familiar with Meeks.

Vickers Wins Third Pole of Season

David Scercy — Sat, 13 Jun 2009 07:12:24 -0400

Toyotas shinned in qualifying Friday taking three of the top four spots for the LifeLock 400 at Michigan International Speedway Sunday.

Vickers emerged as the fastest, posting a lap of 189.110 mph. Rounding out the top 10 included Kyle Busch, Jimmie Johnson, David Reutimann, Kurt Busch, A.J. Allmendinger, Juan Montoya, Kasay Kahne, Clint Bowyer, and John Andretti.

Vickers and the No. 83 Red Bull Toyota continues to show strong qualifying results on the racetrack. It’s on race days where the team hasn’t been able to finish off strong runs and convert them into wins. Vickers has one win in Sprint Cup competition, winning in Oct. 2006 at Talladega.

Although Toyota’s have unloaded fast at Michigan, expect fuel mileage to once again play into the outcome of the 400 mile race. Michigan has a steady long reputation for its long green flag runs and having races decided on fuel strategy.

Other Notes:

-Mike Skinner was the only driver not to make the field for Sunday’s race.

-Jeff Gordon posted a lap good enough for 27 Th fastest, but lost an engine in the first practice session prior to qualifying. The result of changing his engine means Gordon will start the race Sunday from the rear of the field.

NCAA Basketball: A Double Standard, and a Bar of Soap

David Scercy — Wed, 10 Jun 2009 01:35:54 -0400

We often look at society with the beliefs that the words “cheat” and “lie” could be used in almost everyone’s vocabulary. Let’s be honest, how many of us can say we have never cheated on a test in High School? What about just a tiny little lie to get us out of the jam we were in?

Then there’s that time we let that four letter word slip, then find ourselves sucking down a bar of soap giving to us by our mother.

It’s uncommon to go through life and not bend the rules. If the shortcut is there, most of the time we take it, hoping to avoid the briar-patch that’s waiting to stick you.

But one thing is for sure when the rules get bent…you get caught, you pay the price. Well, some of us do.

The NCAA is going to allow newly hired University of Kentucky basketball coach John Calipari to walk away from the mess he left behind at the University of Memphis with no repercussions.

As most college basketball fans know, it’s not the first time Calipari has been caught violating the NCAA rulebook. But this time he may be swift enough to dodge the bullet. I guess that’s what experience can do for you. You know what they say, practice makes perfect.

THE UMASS INCIDENT:

From 1988–96 at the University of Massachusetts, Calipari led the Minutemen program to a number of conference titles and NCAA Tournament appearances, including periods where the program was ranked first nationally. He finished with a 189–70 record overall, with a 91–41 record in Atlantic 10 conference games.

It’s no doubt that Calipari had it clicking at UMass and no one could argue that he couldn’t coach a men’s college basketball team. Coach Calipari led UMass to its first ever Final Four with Naismith Player of the Year Marcus Camby.

Later, the Final Four banner was stripped from UMass by the NCAA, as it was proven that Camby received a fairly generous $28,000 “gift” from a couple agents. Of course, before the allegations were proven true, Calipari had already bailed from UMass for the NBA.

MEMPHIS SUCCESS, OR WAS IT?

After a brief stint in the NBA, Calipari landed a job back into the NCAA as the Head Coach of the University of Memphis in 2000. Calipari constructed Memphis into a powerhouse, even if the Conference they played in was anything but a powerhouse.

In nine seasons, Calipari won 252 games at Memphis. An incredible number for any coach at any school at the NCAA level. He was 2-free throws away from a National Championship is 2008, free throws that didn’t drop for them but a three pointer by Kansas’ Mario Chalmers that did drop.

So this is where we stand. The report from the NCAA reads, “knowing of fraudulent and misconduct” on an SAT exam by who is believed to be Derrick Rose. But wait, although this happened under Calipari’s direction he was never named in the report.

Memphis could face major disciplinary action including the stripping of the 2008 Final Four banner and having wins removed from their record. Of course, before the allegations are proven true, Calipari has already bailed from Memphis for the blue grass in Kentucky.

ALREADY GIVING UK A BLACK EYE:

You would have to be blind to think that Calipari is not one of the best head coaches in the game. There is no doubt that Kentucky is a good fit for him. But looking at his actions since he has been hired, one has to wonder whether or not he is already burning bridges in Lexington.

Instead of coming into UK with a clean slate, Calipari has begun telling UK scholarship basketball commitments “you just aren’t good enough”, even after they turned down other offers and accepted Kentucky’s offer, a promise written out in black and white.

This should be a message to future prospects, if they offer and you sign, there is no guarantee Calipari won’t find someone better, and ignore honoring your scholarship.

The NCAA took a stand against Kelvin Sampson, who is currently banned from the sidelines in NCAA basketball. They also were preparing to cut throat Tim Floyd, who just announced his resignation at USC.

Why is it so easy for them to allow the antics, lying, and cheating from Calipari? Is it because he is so marketable? Is it because the NCAA wants the University of Kentucky to be successful again?

One could only speculate the theory behind why they ignore his behavior.

Most fans will not dispute how good Calipari will be in Kentucky. We all pretty much know UK will be in the Final Four within the next two or three years, if not sooner. But what good does a Final Four do, if in a few years it gets stripped from you?

At some point in time the NCAA Committee should evaluate themselves on this subject, and really ask themselves why certain punishments are carried out to only a handful, while others are immune from the punishment.

If they look really hard in the mirror, they will notice how dirty their hands are, and wash the dirt away and do what’s right. And in that same moment, they should take that bar of soap, and wash their mouths out, just like momma use to do.

Stewart-Haas Racing, The Next Super Team?

David Scercy — Mon, 08 Jun 2009 20:50:36 -0400

It’s often said “miracles happen everyday.” Sometimes we stumble upon an ingredient that completely changes the dynamics of a recipe, or we find that perfect balance in the soil in the garden that miraculously enhances our entire yard. Then there are times, maybe three or four times our entire life, when we find out what it is we are meant to do….and we take off with it not really knowing for sure how successful we will be with it.

It is obvious what Tony Stewart is meant to do as he enters his next phase in his racing career. Tony has found that magic we all look for when we dream of what our next phase is. It came to him in the form of becoming a Sprint Cup Team Owner.

Overnight success in not an exaggeration when it comes to Stewart-Haas Racing. In a matter of months, Stewart-Haas Racing, formerly known as Haas CNC Racing, has transformed itself from a struggling operation, into a masterpiece two-car operation piloted by drivers Tony Stewart and Ryan Newman.

MEET THE MAKER OF THE OPERATION:

Gene Haas earned a Bachelor of Science at California State University Northridge in 1975. In 1978, Haas opened Pro-turn Engineering, a small machine shop that employed two workers.

In 1980, Haas noticed that it took one of his employees a long time to manually position an indexer. Haas thought building his own indexer with a stepper motor drive would make his shop more efficient. He built one for himself and a few more for other machine shops. In March 1983, he displayed his indexer at WESTEC (an industry expo). After seeing the positive reaction of attendees, he decided to form Haas Automation to mass produce them. His first commercial product, the HBI-5C (Haas Brothers Indexer), sold well because it was programmable and inexpensive. In 1986, Haas and a partner were awarded a U.S. Patent for their invention. Pro-turn Engineering took off from there.

In 2001 Gene Haas became an associate sponsor for Hendrick Motorsports. His interest in the sport of NASCAR broadened and Haas began seeking advice from the NASCAR community on the best way to start a Sprint Cup team.

THE TEAM AND ITS FIRST FEW YEARS

In 2003, Haas and Hendrick partnered up and launched a Sprint Cup team. Jack Sprague was hired to race the car, and NetZero was introduced as the primary sponsor. The car fielded the number “zero” to incorporate the sponsor.

In the 2003 Daytona 500, the NetZero Pontiac posted a 14th place finish but fell off the map after that. John Andretti was brought in mid-way through the 2003 season. Jason Leffler and Ward Burton also ran with the team in 2003, but Haas-CNC Racing never posted a top ten finish in 2003.

In 2006, Haas fielded a second car out of the shop, making its debut in the 2006 Coca-Cola 600 as the No. 70 Yellow Transportation car with Johnny Sauter as its driver.

The next few seasons the 2-car operation enjoyed moderate success in some events, posting various top 10 finishes. The teams also went through several different drivers, car numbers, and sponsors, as well as switching to Chevrolet's after Pontiac left the sport.

OWNERSHIP MERGER

In 2008 NASCAR driver Tony Stewart announced his purchase into the Haas Racing Co. and it would become Stewart-Haas Racing. The teams 2 car operation would be housed in a race shop in Kannapolis N.C.

Sponsors Office Depot, Old Spice, and Army came on board. The team’s first car, then the No. 66 car, changed over to No. 39, and U.S. Army became the primary sponsor for the 2009 season. After the ownership merger announcement, it was announced that Ryan Newman would be the driver of the No. 39 Chevrolet.

The team’s second car, the No. 0 Chevrolet, would change over to the No. 14 Old Spice Office Depot Chevy and be raced by Stewart, as he takes his first venture into the world of driver-ownership.

It was also announced that Burger King came on board as an associate sponsor, and the ownership merger was complete.

BATTLING THE ODDS

Since the early to mid '90s, driver/car owners have never had too much success in the sport of NASCAR, although many have tried.

The best results came from the late Alan Kulwicki who won the Winston Cup Championship in 1992 as an owner/driver, and is considered by most as the only true success of the owner/driver operation.

It is believed that the lack of success from driver/owners was the primary reason that seven-time Winston Cup Champion Dale Earnhardt never left his driving duties at Richard Childress Racing to drive his own car in the series, which became competitive with driver Steve Parks behind the wheel.

Coming into 2008, the last driver owner/driver to win at the Sprint Cup level was Ricky Rudd in Martinsville Sept. 1998. Looking at the history of the sport, it was clear that Tony Stewart was looking at an uphill battle.

BECOMING A SUPER TEAM

NASCAR racing like most other sports has “dynasties” in the form of certain teams that constantly get the best of the best working for them creating what is called a super team. Super teams dominate events on a regular basis, and become the Goliath while others merely dream of even consistently competing against the super team.

In Sprint Cup Racing the super teams are viewed by most as Hendrick Motorsports, Roush Racing, Richard Childress Racing, Penske Racing, and Joe Gibbs Racing. These super teams make up almost half of the field on any given race day. Going into Dover Sunday, super teams accounted for all but three wins in 2008 and 2009. That’s 46 of 49 races.

Yet in just 14 races in 2009, Stewart-Haas Racing and its two car operation have exploded onto the scene as one of the best operations in the sport. Together Tony Stewart and Ryan Newman have combined for a total of 12 top 5’s, 18 top 10’s, and sit in first and fourth in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Points Standings. Add to that a win in the Sprint Cup All-Star Challenge and this past weekends Pocono 500, and it’s safe to say that Stewart-Haas Racing and its two-headed monster will be a regular among Championship contenders for many years to come.

Even if you are not a fan of either Stewart or Newman, it’s hard not to respect the accomplishments this organization has achieved in such little time. Just think, a few more weeks under their belt, and the big red “S” will be even more visible to the rest of the racing world.

NASCAR: How Designing Two Divisions Could Work In Sprint Cup

David Scercy — Fri, 05 Jun 2009 13:25:52 -0400

One of the saddest things about NASCAR races compared to other big league sports is when you see a team load up on a Friday afternoon after pouring their heart and muscle into a race, only to miss the field by one-hundreds of a second.

Sadly, this happens every single week in NASCAR, especially the Sprint Cup Division. Something about it doesn’t seem right. While Jack Roush takes up five spots in the sport, sometimes a single car operation is left out to dry.

In the sport we have grown to love, we have learned to respect the car owners, teams, and overall technology it takes to compete at this level of racing. In a fair sense, we as fans, pretty much know the 10 or so teams that will have a chance to win a race any given Sunday, no matter what track the sport is racing at.

Take this into consideration, a new format for the Sprint Cup Division. Of course this isn’t the first time this subject has been debated. But this is the debut of my new concept, and how I believe it could work in the Sprint Cup Series, and work well for everybody.

My concept involves splitting the overall series into two divisions. Each series will have a maximum of 34 teams, allowing up to 64 full-time entries into the sport, every week.

On race days there will be three races. Race “heat” No. 1 will be division one, a 200-mile race. The top 15 will advance to meet up in the “Finale.”

Race heat No. 2 will be the second division, a 200-mile race also where the top 15 make the finale to square off against the top 15 of Division 1.

The finale race will be a 100-mile race and the winner of the finale will be declared the overall winner of that given Sunday.

Every week, whoever shows up at the track will not load up without racing.

This format will allow fans to experience three sprint races, as opposed to one long race.

There will be more room for sponsors; more races can carry the sponsors, with three winning drivers and teams every week. For the heat races, the winners would get bonus’ on points, and pit selection into the finale.

It is time for NASCAR to explore the many ways to allow owners a chance to compete in this sport. The new format will in my own personal opinion realistically improve the Sprint Cup Series.

Don’t get me wrong, I am an old school NASCAR guy and love the days of Tim Richmond, Ernie Irvan, Davey Allison, Harry Gant, and of course Dale Earnhardt.

But there is not much argument that the sport is vastly different today than it was even 10 years ago. And there is always room for improvement, even if the France family doesn’t think so.

Panthers Wrap Up Week Two of Summer School

David Scercy — Thu, 04 Jun 2009 18:36:16 -0400

The Carolina Panthers finished off their second week of OTAs Thursday afternoon and prepare for week three of OTAs on Monday morning.

Some key notes during the sessions first two weeks:

Linebacker Thomas Davis missed a fourth consecutive day of practice due to some “personal reasons.” James Anderson has filled his role during practice.
RB Jonathan Stewart, WR Ryne Robinson, and WR Kevin McMahan were in uniform, but did not take part in team drills.
TE Dante Rosario should have no problems being ready for training camp after undergoing back surgery last month. No setbacks were reported.
The Panthers' offensive line worked hard at some new things Thursday and remains optimistic that they won’t be complacent in 2009. “There’s always something to get better on; there’s always something to improve,” said center Ryan Kalil.

The offensive line returns all five starters in 2009, the first time in team history the team returned the entire starting unit.

With an average age of only 27 years, the group understands their potential to continue to grow, but also know it takes work to maximize that potential.
With Julius Peppers skipping summer school, DE Charles Johnson worked primarily with the first team during the OTAs.
Rookie RB Mike Goodson has turned some heads during the OTAs with his speed and agility. Goodson is primarily being used as the team’s kickoff return specialist. On punt returns, WR Larry Beavers, WR Jason Chery, and WR Kenneth Moore have all been featured.

What's Your Potential? A Message to the Carolina Panthers' Defense

David Scercy — Thu, 04 Jun 2009 16:32:47 -0400

The Carolina Panthers are fresh off an outstanding season, and the sky is the limit for a team that returns all but one starter on either side of the ball.

Their 12-4 record in 2008 sent a message to the rest of the league, and they will not be able to creep up on anyone in 2009.

The Panthers rushing offense should be one of the best in the NFL, with one of the most dominating offensive lines back in full force, with DeAngelo Williams carrying the load, and with Jonathan Stewart in the backfield as well.

In 2008 the rushing attack was one of the top three in the NFL, and that shouldn’t change in 2009.

Also on the offensive side of the ball is one of the games best receivers, Steve Smith, who will make plays when the opposing defense sends eight in the box to stop Carolina’s rushing attack.

The offense seems like it is on the verge of being one of the best in the NFC. So when breaking down the Panthers, it isn’t hard to figure out that they’re main weaknesses are on the defensive side of the ball.

In 2008, Ken Lucas struggled to cover anybody. He was torched so many times late in the season, it was a wonder he never lost his starting position at DB to Richard Marshall.

Lucas is the only starter from 2008 that didn’t remain with the team. In return, the Panthers used their second pick in the second round on Sherrod Martin, a DB from Troy University.

So the bad apple that ruined the bunch is gone, and the Panthers defense should be pretty good, right? Well, I’m not so sure.

The defensive line—and yes that’s including Julius Peppers—was man-handled during the last four weeks of the season, and again in the divisional round playoff loss to Arizona.

Who could ever forget the “Battle for Home-Field” game against the New York Giants—the Panthers offense rolled up and down the field all night long, but the defense was completely humiliated by New York’s rushing attack.

Then came the Arizona game. The Cardinals came into the Divisional Round game with one receiving weapon on offense, Larry Fitzgerald. Anquan Boldin was sidelined with an injury and it didn’t seem to matter, Fitzgerald was wide open the entire night.

He torched the Panthers single-handedly to the tune of 8 receptions and 166 yards.

Fitzgerald converted on third down five times. It was hard for Panther fans to watch. They knew the ball was going to Fitzgerald—they knew the Panthers knew it, but still no one could stop him.

Going into the 2009 season, there is little doubt what coach Fox’s strategy should be on offense: Run the ball on first and second down and make the opposing defense stop the run.

That wasn’t the case with the Arizona game. DeAngelo Williams, a 1,500 yard 20 TD back, touched the ball six times in seven possessions in the first half against Arizona, allowing Delhomme to throw the ball all over the field like he was Drew Brees. Big mistake.

You can afford to venture away from your offensive game plan, if your defense can stop the opposing team. But I question all Panther fans: Is Carolina’s defense good enough to allow the offense to gamble and take risks?

The hiring of new defensive coordinator Ron Meeks will provide a little spark to the defense. But if the players on defense don’t play up to their potential, then what good does it do to add new schemes to your defensive playbook?

At the end of the day, the players have to play, and play well enough to win.

So here’s a message to all the players who make up the defense of the Carolina Panthers:

Not to put any more pressure on you or anything, but it would really help Carolina’s chances if you make a play or two during a game, especially in December and January. The disappearing act gets old after a while.

Carolina-Atlanta: The Rivalry the NFL Wants Might Finally Happen

David Scercy — Thu, 04 Jun 2009 11:03:14 -0400

When the Carolina Panthers entered the league in 1995, it was clear that the NFL wanted the Atlanta vs. Carolina series to become a fierce rivalry. The NFL scheduled Carolina’s first-ever regular season game in Atlanta Sept. 3, 1995 and it started off great, the Falcons won the game in OT, 23-20.

One year later, the Falcons opened up Carolina’s new stadium in Charlotte, getting hammered by the Panthers, who were on their way to their only NFC West Division Title, and an appearance in the NFC Championship Game.

In 2002, the NFL re-aligned the divisions and the Falcons and Panthers were both moved to the newly formed NFC South, joining the New Orleans Saints and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

The biggest problem with the Carolina-Atlanta rivalry, also known as the I-85 rivalry, is for the most part when Atlanta was successful Carolina was mediocre, and when the Panthers peaked, it seemed like the Falcons had their mediocre years.

The last few years, as Carolina continued to excel and consistently fight for division titles, a new rivalry emerged with Tampa Bay. It happened almost by accident, as the Bucs players taunted the Panthers through the media in 2003 and 2004, and continued as fights broke out on the field and games were constantly won or lost in the fourth quarter. The I-85 rivalry took a back seat.

There were however some very good games in the Falcon-Panther series, which included Michael Vick and his ability to constantly make SportsCenter on ESPN everytime he played Carolina. It seemed as if no matter how good Carolina’s defense was, they never could contain Vick.

As a matter of fact, Marty Hurney openly admitted that Michael Vick was the sole reason the team decided to draft LB Thomas Davis. The Panthers felt as they needed an exceptional athlete to “spy” Vick and it was reported that the Panthers told Davis that he had one job on this team: To contain Michael Vick.

Although Carolina has enjoyed more success than Atlanta since entering the league in 1995, Atlanta has had the upper edge in the series head-to-head. Atlanta leads the series 17-11.

In the second meeting between the two teams in 2008 the Falcons crushed the Panthers in Atlanta 45-28. The Panthers used the embarrassing loss to propel them to a 3-1 finish to the 2008 season, clinching their second NFC South Championship.

Most sportswriters and analysts are predicting the Falcons and Panthers as the two favorites to fight it out for the NFC South in 2009. The emergence of Matt Ryan and Michael Turner on offense for Atlanta intensifies the I-85 rivalry.

Turner and Panthers RB DeAngelo Williams have their own competition going, as they will be two of the top RBs chosen in most fantasy drafts.

Coaches John Fox and Mike Smith are regarded as two of the best in the NFL. Both are well-respected and compliment each other with how well they are both able to get their players to perform at the maximum of their abilities.

Going into the 2009 NFL season, the feeling is that the I-85 rivalry should have no problem getting renewed. I expect both teams to perform well throughout the regular season, and how great would it be for both teams to make the playoffs and meet up in the NFC Championship game? The best part about that scenario is knowing that Vick won’t be there to completely humiliate the Panthers.

History of Carolina Panthers Coaching: The Past, Present, and Future

David Scercy — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 15:30:06 -0400

NFL head coaches are generally judged by many people on a lot of standards and methods. The media sometimes plays a prominent role in how a head coach is viewed by fans. But one thing is always clear, especially in the NFL, a coach’s job security is really based on the performance of his team on the field.

If a coach is winning, most of the time they are safe. An organization has its own expectations on how a team finishes, and whether or not a team has met its expectations. Fans generally decide their own opinion on where a team should finish themselves. This is where the stress level of being a head coach becomes dangerous, because they also have their opinion on how a team should perform every week.

The Carolina Panthers have had three head coaches throughout its 14 year history: Dom Capers, George Seifert, and John Fox. Capers was viewed widely as a playbook genius, especially on defense. Capers is one of the “nice guy” coaches who allowed his personality to spill over into many of his players.

Any organization would love to have Capers involved, but it was always a question mark whether Capers could consistently be the man in charge. During Carolina’s second season in 1996-97, Capers led Carolina to a 12-4 record, division title, 8-0 record at home, and the team's first ever playoff victory against Dallas.

Advancing to the NFC Championship game in their second season in existence, the Panthers and their fans felt as if they had the head coach they needed for many years. But as we all know from being sports fans, no matter how quickly you can hike to the top, it's always faster to the bottom when you’re falling down the mountain.

A 7-9 record in 1997 showed signs of the team unraveling under Capers. In most cases, a 7-9 record for an expansion team in its third year would be pretty good, but after the ’96 season's success, the expectations became enormous, and the pressure to continue to back that up mounted, as Capers never seemed to get it under control.

In 1998, the Carolina Panthers fell apart, finishing 4-12, and ultimately Capers’ reign at Carolina came to an abrupt end. Capers finished off his four-year career as head coach of Carolina with an overall record of 31-35, including one postseason visit.

George Seifert came into Carolina in 1999 with the highest winning percentage of all-time in the NFL as a head coach, mounting up an impressive 98-30 overall record during his eight year run as head coach in San Francisco, including winning two Super Bowls.

The message was clear from Panther nation: This team and its fans felt as if they belonged and deserved to be in the playoffs every season. Seifert was viewed by many as a mysterious man who hid his eyes behind his sunglasses even on rainy days. He allowed his assistants to be extremely involved in how the team was run, something a lot of head coaches in the league today don’t do.

During his first year as Carolina’s head coach, Carolina made a big push for the playoffs, just missing out on the last spot by a three-way tiebreaker, the Green Bay Packers got the last playoff spot in the NFC in 1999.

Although Carolina only improved by one win during Seifert’s first season with the Panthers (finishing 8-8), most of the Panthers fans felt as though they finished on a strong note by making a run for the playoffs. Fans became extremely optimistic entering the 2000 season.

In Seifert’s second season with Carolina, the Panthers shined some weeks, and disappointed in others. But they were for the most part competitive. They finished 2000 with a 7-9 record. Wholesale changes were made during the 2001 offseason to the makeup of the team, but Seifert remained in charge.

Carolina started a rookie at QB. The Heisman winner Chris Weinke was now the man under center.

Seifert is an alum and former assistant to the University of Utah, and those connections are what many believe brought a little known wide receiver out of Utah to Carolina via the third round of the NFL Draft. Steve Smith was Seifert’s new project, and probably the best thing Seifert ever did for the organization.

With all the hype behind the 2001 Panthers, the results were stunning to the entire NFL, as the Panthers fell to an overall record of 1-15. Carolina wasn’t even mediocre anymore, they were terrible. Seifert finished off a three year career as Carolina’s head coach with an overall record of 16-32 with the team, and zero postseason visits.

John Fox was hired as Carolina’s third head coach in 2002. Fox’s roots in football were all defense. Fox was a defensive back for San Diego St. University during his playing days. When his playing career ended, John Fox bounced around college football, mainly taking jobs as defensive back coach.

In 1986, Fox was given his first opportunity to be a defensive coordinator at the University of Pittsburgh. Fox excelled as defensive coordinator, and in 1997 he found himself running an NFL defense as the coordinator of the New York Giants.

During his four-year career as coordinator in NY, Fox developed a reputation as one of the best defensive minded men in the sport. The Carolina head coaching vacancy was the perfect opportunity for Fox to start his head coaching career, and in 2002 he accepted the job as head coach of Carolina. His first order of business was to completely rebuild Carolina’s defense from top to bottom.

In place was some potential. MLB Dan Morgan and DT Kris Jenkins were entering their second season with the team and brought loads of potential. The Panthers held the No. 2 spot in the 2002 NFL Draft and used it to select DE Julius Peppers.

The 2002 Carolina Panthers became a defensive monster, finishing the 2002 season as the No. 2 overall best defense in the NFL. Carolina followed up a ridiculous 1-15 season with a 7-9 record and it all seemed to be falling back into place.

At the start of the 2003 season, many fans and insiders were unsure of what to expect.

For the most part, everyone knew that Carolina would have a great defense, but overall, no one really knew where this team was. Fox addressed the offense by bringing in running back Steven Davis from Washington, and starting wide receiver Steve Smith opposite of Muhsin Muhammad. The Panthers also used their early first round draft pick on Jordan Gross, a mauling OT from Utah.

In the first game of the 2003 season in Charlotte, the Panthers found themselves down 17-0 at halftime to the Jacksonville Jaguars. Fox pulled the plug on QB Rodney Peete and gave journeyman Jake Delhomme a chance to bring the team back. Delhomme and the Panthers responded by recording an enormous comeback, which included a fourth down TD pass from Delhomme to Ricky Proehl with less than a minute left to win the game.

Carolina rode the momentum wave all the way to an NFC South Divisional Championship, and into the Super Bowl where they faced NFL juggernauts, the New England Patriots. The result was not as fun as the season for Fox and the Panthers, and Carolina left the Super Bowl with a last minute three point loss to N.E.

After the disappointing loss in the Super Bowl, Carolina nation felt good about how quickly the team rose up to the brink of the top again.

Coach Fox and the Panthers missed the postseason in 2004, finishing off 7-9, but returned again in ’05 and advanced to the NFC Championship game in Seattle.

The following two seasons the Panthers hung around the .500 mark, and it seemed the missing piece was the dominant running game the team had during the 2003 Super Bowl run. The Panthers parted ways with feature back DeShaun Foster, and decided to make third year RB DeAngelo Williams as the premier back.

They also used two first round draft picks on another RB in Jonathan Stewart out of Oregon, and OT Jeff Otah out of Pitt. It was an ingenious move by Fox, and the two running backs helped propel Carolina to a 12-4 season in 2008.

Coach John Fox has mounted a 68-52 record with the Panthers, including a 5-3 postseason record.

John Fox exemplifies everything great about the Carolina Panthers organization. He is consistent, handles himself as well as anyone in the league, and is one of the most respected head coaches in the NFL today.

Fox is also one of the many reasons the Carolina Panthers will enter the 2009 season with high expectations, and in my opinion, the team to beat in the NFC South.

It is comforting for Carolina Panther fans to know that they have a man of Fox’s caliber guiding this team.

The Safety Valve: Meet Carolina Safeties Godfrey and Harris

David Scercy — Mon, 01 Jun 2009 17:15:52 -0400

One of the biggest parts of NFL defenses that get overlooked during team breakdowns is the free safety and the strong safety. These players are very important in terms of being the last line of defense when a play is developing.

Most of the time when a defense has a great game you will hear about the D-Line, linebackers, and DB’s. But when you break down game film after a game, a lot of sacks that happen in the NFL is determined by where a safety ends up on the field, and how well a safety plays the routs and the wideouts.

That’s why it is so critical for an NFL team to have two guys at the safety positions that possess the skills and knowledge to work together with the rest of the defense in making sure the play doesn’t get beyond them. The Carolina Panthers have two very aggressive safeties in the backfield for the defense, Chris Harris (SS) and Charles Godfrey (FS).

Chris Harris was born on Aug. 6, 1982 in Little Rock Arkansas. Chris has a twin brother, and two older sisters. He also has a young daughter. Harris played for J.A. Fair H.S. in Little Rock. He later attended Louisiana-Monroe College and started all 45 games he played.

During Harris’ college career he recorded 352 tackles, 14 int, 5 fumbles forced, and 1 sack. He earned 2004 All-Conference honors and his body of work in college got enough exposure he was drafted by the Chicago Bears in the sixth round of the 2005 NFL Draft (181^st overall).

Harris gained a reputation in Chicago as a ball hawk who loved to force turnovers and deliver hard hits. He was an impact for a team that reached Super Bowl XLI, losing to Champion Indianapolis Colts in 2007.

In 8/3/07, Chicago traded Harris to Carolina for a 2008 fifth round draft pick. Harris was immediately plugged into the starting role as strong safety. His first season with Carolina he led the NFL with eight forced fumbles, he also recorded 102 tackles, three fumble recoveries, and one interception. In 2008 Harris recorded 70 tackles and an interception. Chris Harris’ defensive play in the 2009 season could be a major key in how far the Panthers can go as a defense.

Charles Godfrey was born on Nov. 11, 1985 in Baytown, Texas. He attended Robert E. Lee H.S. Charles has an older brother who played QB at Kansas St. In H.S. Godfrey received 5A All-State Honorable Mention. The attention Godfrey received earned him a scholarship to play for the Hawkeyes of Iowa.

Godfrey started at CB his junior and senior seasons at Iowa. His senior season he achieved Honorable Mention All-American by Pro Football Weekly, second team All-Big Ten honors, and the Coaches Appreciation Award for Defense. Charles played 47 games in college, starting 28. He recorded a total of 193 tackles, seven interceptions, two forced fumbles, and three fumble recoveries.

Godfrey’s college career was plenty enough for the Carolina Panthers to select him with their third round pick in the 2008 NFL Draft (67^th overall) and make them their immediate starter at free safety. Godfrey started all 16 games for the Panthers in 2008, recording 61 tackles, one sack, and one interception.

In 2009 expect Charles Godfrey to improve tremendously as his rookie season has now come and gone. Now with a little experience under his belt, Godfrey will be more polished with his reads and should react better to the ball.

Together Chris Harris and Charles Godfrey will be looking to stop any receiver, tight end, or running back who breaks through the linebacking core with the ball. A lot of the success in 2009 for the Panthers defense relies on how well Harris and Godfrey play in the backfield.

UNC Coach Williams: “A Man With An Answer”

David Scercy — Mon, 01 Jun 2009 15:17:15 -0400

When the University of North Carolina men’s basketball team rolled into San Antonio for the 2008 Final Four, many still questioned whether or not Coach Williams could win the big one with his own players. They rolled out with a train wreck of a defeat at the hands of eventual champion Kansas. The loss was embarrassing and humiliating for the entire program. They trailed the entire game (most of the way by double digits), and the Tar Heels, who were picked by many to win the tournament, were left devastated by the loss, and questioned what the future held for the team.

The following two months the team went through a little turmoil. Three of its stars, Ty Lawson, Wayne Ellington, and Danny Green put their name into the hat for the NBA Draft, although none would hire agents. Lawson was arrested and charged with a DUI, and Coach Williams still had that question lingering over his head. It appeared to be unraveling right before Williams’ eyes.

Then it all started to come together. All three of the UNC stars decided to come back for one more run. Three freshmen coming in, Tyler Zeller, Larry Drew, and Ed Davis were McDonald’s All-Americans. All of a sudden the Tar Heels were beginning to show signs of being capable of one more tournament run, and the possibility of answering the question for Coach Williams was becoming a reality.

When the season began UNC was a unanimous No.1 in the pre-season polls. They had quite possibly the best point guard in the nation in Ty Lawson, the returning Naismith winner Tyler Hansbrough, and a star-studded cast loaded with juniors and seniors throughout the starting line-up. They did have Coach Williams however, and the lingering question of "can he get it done?"

The team opened up with dominance in the Maui Invitational. The tournament included a 102-87 win over top 10 ranked Notre Dame. Later they traveled to Detroit where they completely took apart the Michigan State Spartans in their own backyard. The 98-63 final started the talk of this team going undefeated.

The start of the season wasn’t all cookies and cream however. Senior forward Marcus Ginyard became sidelined with a foot injury, and it didn't seem to get any better. Tyler Hansbrough missed four games due to a stress reaction in his shin. Freshman center Tyler Zeller suffered a broken wrist and was looking to be gone for the season.

The start of the ACC season showed that the team troubles were beginning to show on the court. The once-invincible Tar Heels started out 0-2 in ACC play, including a humiliating 85-78 loss to Boston College in Chapel Hill. The question once again started to show its ugly head.

The team fought through it though, sweeping arch rival Duke, winning the ACC regular season crown, and fighting their way back to No.1 seed status going into the NCAA tournament. Then came the toe. Quite possibly the most valuable player on the team, Ty Lawson, had a banged up toe that would not get better. So the question re-surfaced.

The Tar Heels got healthy, they got confident, they got coached. The UNC Tar Heels rolled through the tournament like a commuter train rolling through the sticks. Finishing with an 89-72 National Championship victory over Michigan State in Detroit, redemption was served, and the question got answered.

We sometimes buy into ideas that people give us concerning whether or not coaches can get a certain job done. The critics speak loudly and clearly as they unravel every minor detail when breaking down a coach. There are times when a coach will let his team do the talking on the court, and Coach Williams and the 2008-09 University of North Carolina Tar Heels let their voices echo off mountains, and in that same moment nothing but silence is heard coming from the critics.

Meet The New Tar Heels: 2009-10 Projected Roster

David Scercy — Mon, 01 Jun 2009 14:42:41 -0400

2008-09 was truly a year to remember with North Carolina men’s basketball. And just in case you can not take a break from it, allow me to introduce the incoming class for the Tar Heels, a class that is considered by many to be one of the best in the nation.

The incoming class features four McDonald’s All-American’s. It also features another four-star recruit who was rated just outside the cutoff to be a McDonald’s All-American.

John Henson: PF, Tampa, FL

Henson is rated sixth in the ESPNU Top 100. At 6’10” 195 lbs. Henson runs the floor very well for a big man. He will fit the mold nicely in the Roy Williams style of play. If Henson attacks the glass and boards a missed shot, he is very capable of going coast to coast and throwing down a monstrous dunk.

Dexter Strickland: G, Rahway, NJ

Strickland can play both point and the No. 2 positions on the floor, which will help Coach Williams, as he has only one PG on the roster, Larry Drew, if Lawson does happen to go pro.

Strickland is in many people’s eyes, a future Wayne Ellington. He can fight through screens and catch and shoot, as well as drive the lane and create his own shot. Strickland is rated No. 27 in the ESPNU Top 100.

David and Travis Wear: F, Santa Ana, CA

These twin brothers not only mirror themselves in image, they also mirror themselves on the hard court. At 6’9 225 lbs. the twins can play both forward positions.

These brothers have a decent outside shot, as well as the ability to pass the ball well, making them even tougher to defend. They have a very high basketball IQ, and will fit in nicely to the Carolina system. The Wear twins are rated No. 36, and 37 on the ESPNU Top 100.

Leslie McDonald: SG, Memphis, TN

McDonald is probably the wild-card in the class. He is a shooter. At 6’5 200 lbs., McDonald can shoot over defenders fairly easily. He has a reputation of being a great defender, and also penetrates to the basket very well. McDonald is rated No. 32 on the ESPNU Top 100.

There is very little doubt that the incoming class for UNC has a load of potential and talent.

Can they come together and challenge for the ACC? It’s hard to say, but the entire Carolina Nation can not only be excited about it’s past and present, it can also be excited about the future.

2009 Projected Line-Up:

Starters—PG: Larry Drew, SG: Dexter Strickland, SF: Marcus Ginyard, PF: Deon Thompson, C: Ed Davis.

Reserves—PF: John Henson, F: Tyler Zeller, G: Leslie McDonald, F: Travis Wear, F: David Wear, G/F: Will Graves, G: Justin Watts, G: Marc Campbell.

North Carolina Basketball 2009 Player Profile: John Henson

David Scercy — Mon, 01 Jun 2009 14:30:36 -0400

John Henson has been rated the No. 3 high school senior on the ESPNU Top 100, and is a McDonald’s All-American.

Of all the in-coming freshmen coming to Chapel Hill next season, Henson probably fits Roy Williams' style the most. Henson is 6’10” 200 lbs, but will likely play small forward the majority of minutes.

He can crash the boards on the defensive glass then go coast to coast with the ball finishing the play.

Henson was born in Greensboro NC, on Dec. 28, 1990. Henson moved around most of his life and was reported to have lived in North Carolina, Tennessee, New Jersey, and Texas.

Henson has family that lives near the Chapel Hill area, which may have been a factor in his decision to be a Tar Heel.

His father Matt Henson has said that his son has always liked North Carolina, and says that when John was 8-years-old, he told his father: “someday I am going to play for North Carolina.”

Henson’s short list of schools included UNC, Texas, and UCLA. He also received scholarship offers from Memphis, Texas A&M, Baylor, Southern Cal, Arizona, as well as others.

Round Rock H.S. basketball coach Curtis Knight said: “Henson has always been interested in the Tar Heels. And Coach Williams had a big impact on him in the way he came across with his concern and interest. Plus, John really likes their up-tempo style of play, since he loves to run the court.”

It is reported that Henson’s doctors believe that his growth spurt isn’t over yet, and that he could reach seven feet tall before he is done.

Henson has a 7’4” wing-span. Although he is 6’10”, Henson will likely need to put on some weight to compete on the blocks at the college level.

UNC has a reputation for working out kids in the weight room and maximizing their strength.

Another part of Henson’s game that makes him almost impossible to defend is his ability to shoot accurately with his left hand, as well as his right.

He has been known to step out of the high school 3-point line and drain jumpers regularly, but prefers to drive hard to the basket and finish around the rim.

Henson averaged 17.6 PPG, 2.4 assists, 6.1 blocks, and 12.2 rebounds/game his senior year in high school.

Wi th the return of Thompson, Davis, and Zeller, Henson adds to an already impressive front court for the Tar Heels. And wi th the rest of the freshmen coming in, UNC should be a contender for the ACC again in 09-10.

What the Word “Justice” Means to Tyler Hansbrough

David Scercy — Mon, 01 Jun 2009 14:23:09 -0400

The argument could be made that in some ways Tyler Hansbrough is the New York Yankees, Dallas Cowboys, or the Jeff Gordon of College Basketball.

You either love him, or you hate him. For four years, Hansbrough played every game at the University of North Carolina like it was his last. His determination and hustle should pay big rewards at the next level, but will it?

The difference between NCAA basketball and the NBA is huge. A lot of fans have always wondered why. Sometimes I wonder why.

There is a wide variety of opinions when the subject comes up about Hansbrough in the NBA. Some think the game is too fast for him, he’s not big enough to play center, and he’s not athletic enough to play forward.

While those arguments are fair in every way, who can argue against Hansbrough being one of the greatest college basketball players to ever play the game? He played with a chip on his shoulder every night. He knew what was coming, and he never backed down. He gave new meaning to the term “hack-a-Shaq” at the college level.

In every way, Hansbrough was great for college basketball. But what will become of his professional career? Will he even be a factor in the NBA? Personally, I’m not sure anybody really knows.

But the sad thing is, some wonder if we will ever even find out. On many NBA mock draft boards, Hansbrough is not in the first round. We all know what usually happens to players picked in the second round. There are no guaranteed contracts. Usually they are sent to the NBA Developmental League. As if Hansbrough’s four years on one of the best college basketball teams ever wasn’t enough development.

During his freshman year, Hansbrough averaged nearly 19 points per game and 8 rebounds. In the summer months leading to the 2006 NBA draft, some experts believed he was a lottery pick if he came out. Hansbrough never even debated it.

Now we are all left wondering if his commitment to his college, his team, and the entire Tar Heel experience have cost him millions of dollars. Although his numbers went up every year, his pro stock went down every year. Somehow, someway, justice is lost here. Just two years ago this guy won every Player of the Year award college basketball had to offer.

Now the question comes up: Do the kids really benefit from staying in school fulfilling and their scholarship, or do they lose out on opportunities if they decide not to bail to the next level?

And I hate to write it, but the answer is obvious. When you decide to stay, you take a risk…a big risk. Being drafted in the first round of the NBA draft, you are guaranteed a three-year contract worth a minimum of six figures. That means if you are picked No. 31, instead of No. 30, the player taken ahead of you by one spot is set for probably a decade or so.

We praise Hansbrough for his energy, commitment, and work ethic involved in being one of the best ever to play the college game. Most of us, not all of us, are happy he got his ring and was a major part of why another banner will go up in the Dean Dome. But we all know deep down inside that the commitment Hansbrough displayed is on the border of costing him a lot of green. That’s the nature of the game.

That being said, when the 30th pick is here in the 2009 NBA draft and Hansbrough’s name has yet to be called, hopefully it will be time for some justice….

"With the 30^th pick in the 2009 NBA Draft, the Cleveland Cavaliers select……"

Give college basketball some justice, Cleveland.

Carolina Panthers: 2009 Success May Depend on the Beef Up Front, Again

David Scercy — Mon, 01 Jun 2009 13:34:15 -0400

In 2008, the Carolina Panthers dismantled franchise rushing records, dominating opponents with running backs DeAngelo Williams and Jonathan Stewart. Their ability to run the ball carried them to a 12-4 regular season record, tied for best in franchise history. Although Williams and Stewart enjoyed most of the accolades, the real key to success lies within the offensive line.

Up front starters Jordan Gross, Travelle Wharton, Ryan Kalil, Keydrick Vincent, and Jeff Otah all return as the O-Line in 2009, the first time in team history that the starting O-Line unit all returned the following season.

The starting five were a big part in the rushing numbers put up in 2008. DeAngelo Williams and Jonathan Stewart combined to run for a total 2,351 yards, 5.0 yds per carry, and had 28 rushing TDs. They were also the driving force behind a 299 yard rushing effort against Tampa Bay on Monday Night Football, a win that propelled them to the NFC South Divisional championship in 2008.

The return of the five is the number one reason I chose Carolina to win the NFC South division in 2009. I expect defenses to creep up on the line and get a taste of Williams and Stewart bursting through running for big gains in ’09.

Williams goes into the fantasy season picked as high as second best RB on some mock drafts, third or fourth on most behind Adrian Peterson, Stephen Jackson, and Brandon Jacobs.

Coming into the 2009 off-season Jordan Gross was the only question mark, as he was an unrestricted free agent. The Panthers quickly resolved that by signing Gross to an extension. The deal is worth a reported 60 million dollars and will pay him a record 30.5 million in the first three seasons.

Carolina was so high on OT Jeff Otah coming out of Pitt, they traded their 2009 first round draft pick to Philadelphia to move up and draft Otah in the 2008 draft at No. 19. The trade brought much scrutiny in the Charlotte area, as fans voiced their opinions on local sports radio networks, and sounded off at their displeasure of the team giving away first round draft picks.

But the move is now looked at as an ingenious move throughout the Panther community, as Otah played brilliantly his rookie season in the NFL and is expected to become a Pro Bowl-caliber OT.

Carolina did however lose some OL depth via free agency in 2009, losing Jeremy Bridges, Geoff Hangartner, and Frank Omiyale to free agency. They answered the bell by drafting OT Duke Robinson out of Oklahoma. Duke is listed at 6’5” 329lbs and provides much needed depth for the Panthers on the offensive line.

The Panthers also signed a number of college free agent offensive linemen including Gerald Cadogan (Penn St.), Patrick Brown (Central Florida), C.J. Davis (Pitt), Keith Gray (UConn), and Gary Williams (Kentucky).

The Panthers signed Cadogan to a three year deal, making Cadogan the only college free agent lineman to land a guaranteed contract so far. Carolina also signed FA lineman Justin Geisinger from the Washington Redskins.

The Panther front will once again anchor the offense and rushing attack in 2009. I project Williams to approach the 1600 yard mark, with 15 TDs. I also predict Stewart to run for close to 1,000 yards and 10s TD in 2009. If this unit can stay healthy for the 2009 season, the rest of the NFC South could be in a lot of trouble as these maulers grind their way down field, play after play.

2009 Draft Player Bio: Corvey Irvin

David Scercy — Mon, 01 Jun 2009 07:42:47 -0400

With the 92nd pick in the 2009 NFL Draft (Round 3) the Carolina Panthers selected Corvey Irvin, DT from the University of Georgia. At 6’3” 302 lbs, Irvin has the size to plug up the Panthers middle and cause chaos along the line of scrimmage. Irvin is projected to be a reserve behind starting DTs Damione Lewis and Maake Kemoeatu.

Irvin was born May 3rd, 1985 and raised in Augusta Ga. Irvin played football for Laney H.S. As a senior, Corvey had some big games, but wasn’t quite dominant enough to get the national recognition needed to get offers from major Div. 1 schools. His best scholarship offers came from schools such as South Carolina State and Fort Valley State. Irvin turned down the offers and decided to enroll into Georgia Military College.

Corvey played two seasons with GMC, and played well enough to place No. 32 on Rivals.com top 100 List of junior college transfers. That was enough to land a scholarship offer from the University of Georgia, an offer he did pass up.

Irvin played sparingly his first season with Georgia in 2007. He appeared in 12 games and recorded 12 tackles, with 7 recorded QB hurries.

Corvey had a great offseason in 2008 leading up to his senior season, but once again began the season on the outside looking in. It was at this point that Georgia’s best defensive lineman Jeff Owens was lost for the season early in the year. Corvey responded to the challenge with a great senior season filling in as the starter at DT. He was named defensive captain. In 2008, Irvin started 11 games, recording 34 tackles, 3.0 sacks, and 24 QB hurries.

Corvey graduated in Dec. '08 with a degree in Child and Family Development. He accepted an invitation to the 2009 Under Armour Senior Bowl, where he dramatically improved his NFL stock. At the NFL Combine, Irvin ran a 4.99-40 yd.dash and had 24 reps with the 225lb. bench press.

Irvin has an incredible upside with great potential in the NFL. His character and personality are traits that allow him to stand out in the crowd, and probably improved his draft stock as well.

It’s still unknown whether Irvin will become a star at the next level however Panther fans should have a lot of fun watching Corvey develop not only as a player, but as a teammate and a member of the Carolina Panther family.

Jimmie Johnson Conquers The Monster Mile at Dover

David Scercy — Sun, 31 May 2009 20:17:31 -0400

The Autism Speaks 400 at Dover International Raceway had a little bit of everything all mixed into one race, including a great finish. But one thing is clear: the dominant car won this race.

The green flag flew under sunny skies and great weather. Pole-sitter David Reutimann paced the field to the green and led until lap 3 when Juan-Pablo Montoya passed him for the top spot.

Reutimann didn’t hang back too long and by lap 6 he is leading again. Reed Sorenson ran strong early, taking his Target Dodge to the point and leading some laps.

NASCAR threw the caution at lap 31 so teams could inspect tire wear. The competition yellow provided teams the opportunity to make well needed adjustments on the cars.

On Lap 44 Tony Raines blew a tire, spreading debris on the track causing the second caution of the afternoon. Greg Biffle and Jimmie Johnson are clearly two of the fastest cars at this point.

Johnson led a pretty uneventful green flag run until the third caution waved for debris on Lap 117. Carl Edwards has join Johnson and Biffle as the quicker of the cars, and takes his turn at the top spot.

On Lap 164, Juan-Pablo Montoya, who was having a good day, blows a tire and scatters debris on the track causing another caution.

On Lap 231, second place runner Denny Hamlin blows a right front tire, sending him into the safer barrier causing the fifth caution of the day. Jimmie Johnson continues to dominate the race up to this point.

Lap 276 another debris caution flies. As the leaders pit Matt Kenseth and the “killer bees” get Matt onto the track first and Kenseth takes the green as the leader.

Matt enjoys the lead a whole four green flag laps before the Lowe's Chevy blows by him re-assuming the top spot.

On Lap 286 Robby Gordon and Paul Menard tangle coming out of turn 2 and crash into the inside wall on the back stretch.

Johnson leads the majority of the laps until lap 363 when another caution for debris flies. On the pit exchange some teams, including Greg Biffle, elect to take two tires only.

Johnson decides on four tires, and has a bad pit stop, putting him deep in the field. Biffle’s team gets Greg out first and he leads the field to the green flag.

On Lap 370 David Stremme, who was having a great day running in the top 10 at the time, hit the wall in turn 4 after contact with Mark Martin. Also spinning in the crash was David Reutimann. Tony Stewart and Ryan Newman have worked their way up to second and fourth, respectively, at this point behind Greg Biffle.

Jimmie Johnson is slowly working his way back to the front after the bad pit stop suffered earlier. The caution was a huge break for Johnson.

The final green flag flew on lap 373 setting up a frantic 27 lap to the checkers. By lap 380, Johnson had moved his way into third place behind Greg Biffle and Tony Stewart.

On lap 391, Stewart darted low underneath Biffle and took the top spot. One lap later Jimmie Johnson takes over second place. The final eight laps were classic as Tony Stewart and Jimmie Johnson battle for the win.

On lap 398, Johnson makes the pass, and never looks back. It is Johnson’s fourth win at Dover, and his second victory in the 2009 season.

Rounding out the top 10 included 2:Tony Stewart, 3:Greg Biffle, 4:Matt Kenseth, 5:Kurt Busch, 6:Kasey Kahne, 7:Carl Edwards, 8:Ryan Newman, 9:Casey Mears, 10:Mark Martin.

Prediction: Autism Speaks 400 at Dover, Winners and Losers

David Scercy — Sun, 31 May 2009 00:13:46 -0400

The Monster Mile endures a long reputation for ruining a good day when you least expect it.

How many times as a fan have you watched your favorite driver cruising around in good shape at Dover, only to see him walking into the back of an ambulance two minutes later?

Races at Dover have a history of revealing the unexpected.

I believe the 2009 Autism Speaks 400 Sunday will be no exception. We're going to see hard crashes, one or two long green flag runs, then a couple more hard crashes right before a wild ending is set-up. At least that's my opinion.

So who do I think will be the victor at Dover? Good things come to those who wait. First I will reveal other predictions before revealing who I think wins this race.

PREDICTION No. 1: The leader at half-way, as well as the laps led leader, will not win this race. I expect Kyle Busch, Greg Biffle, and Ryan Newman to run up front early. Probably all three leading a good bit of the early laps, but none winning the race.

PREDICTION No. 2: Dale Earnhardt Jr. will run in the 20s most of the day. Probably finishing between 15-24. I expect to see him receive a "lucky dog" some time during the race.

DARK-HORSES: Since dark-horses are defined as "drivers who may contend for a win that normally don't," can I really use David Reutimann right now? I don't think so.

Here are my three dark-horses to watch: 1. Brian Vickers...this team is going to win a race real soon. 2. Sam Hornish Jr...one of the most improved teams in the garage area. 3. A.J. Allmendinger...this kid is pretty racey. Although I expect good things from this group, none will win at Dover.

KYLE RUNS WELL BUT WILL HIT THE WALL: It's not easy racing in the Sprint Cup Series with your foot in your mouth, and this week Kyle Busch will be doing just that. He is due for a good wreck.

THE CONTENDERS: These guys will run well all day and get a good finish....but not win!!!! Matt Kenseth, Denny Hamlin, and Kevin Harvick.

THE PRETENDERS: Teams that will basically just run around the track all day. Elliott Sadler, Casey Mears, Jamie McMurray.

HARD CHARGERS: These guys will race well through the field...but not win. Jeff Gordon, Tony Stewart, Carl Edwards, and Mark Martin.

CLOSE BUT NO CIGAR: I am predicting that Kurt Busch will finish second at Dover. Has this team come a long way the last two seasons?

AND THE WINNER OF THE AUTISM SPEAKS 400 WILL BE: Jimmie Johnson will be around the front all day long and will pull away at the end to get back on track!!!!

My Top 10 Greatest Panther Games Ever

David Scercy — Thu, 28 May 2009 00:52:22 -0400

My first slide show I will list and explain my top 10 Carolina Panther games ever. This team has a brief history that up to this point has been an amazing roller coaster ride. All my heart and soul is poured into this team 365 days a year. In some of these games listed I had minor heart attacks, but the Panthers revived me using their "in house" defibrillator system they carry with them every season. To be a Panther fan, it is a must to have regular blood pressure checks. Live on "Cardiac Cats"!!!!!!

Begin Slideshow

Meet A Beast: Jon Beason Bio

David Scercy — Wed, 27 May 2009 22:29:47 -0400

For the past two seasons, opponents of the Carolina Panthers have had lots of trouble game planning against the monster of a middle linebacker Carolina has. It comes as no surprise that Jon Beason was a product of the University of Miami.

The Hurricanes have produced many great linebackers throughout the years, including Ray Lewis, Dan Morgan, Jonathan Vilma, Jessie Armstead, and Darrin Smith, to name a few.

Jon Beason is entering his third season in the NFL. In 2009 he led the NFL in solo tackles with 110 and was third in the league in total tackles with 138. He also recorded three interceptions and a fumble recovery in 2008.

Beason was born on Jan. 14, 1985 in Miramar, Fla. The High School he attended was Chaminade Madonna College Preparatory School. There he played football as a fullback, strong safety, and linebacker. As a fullback he rushed for 811 yards and 12 touchdowns as a senior. He also recorded 75 tackles and five interceptions. He was also the starting power forward for the basketball team and ran track.

Beason was a highly recruited football player out of high school at three different positions: FB, DB, and LB. After an intense recruiting battle involving FSU, Florida, Tennessee, LSU, and Georgia, he decided to play at the University of Miami. In is freshman season, Beason played the first two games at full back before ending the season with a shoulder injury. Beason received a medical red-shirt.

In 2004 Beason appeared in all of Miami’s games. He played mostly middle linebacker early in the season, but the last four games started at outside linebacker. He totaled 29 tackles and a sack as a redshirt freshman.

2005 showed a lot of promise for Beason, as he started the entire season at weak-side linebacker. He finished the season with 64 tackles, 44 solo. His biggest game came in the season opener against FSU, where he registered 11 tackles.

Beason’s junior season was stellar, as he continued to progress into a star. He recorded 75 total tackles (52 solo), a sack, a forced fumble, and an interception. As a result the Carolina Panthers drafted Beason with the 25th pick in the first round of the 2007 NFL draft.

In his rookie season, Beason was an immediate-impact player. He became the voice of the Panthers defense and the leader when Carolina’s defensive team captain Mike Minter retired. Beason finished the rookie season with 140 tackles.

In 2008 Beason continued his strong play and leadership. He was a driving factor in the team’s success and a big factor in its 12-4 record. Beason made the Pro Bowl in 2008 and looks to continue growing as the team’s premier defensive leader. Carolina Panther fans can take comfort knowing that the middle of the field will be covered as long as No. 52 is on the field.