New Orleans Saints defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo isn't a stat guy, according to the Times-Picayune.

That means Spagnuolo doesn't put much emphasis in the fact that the Saints have given up 2,793 yards to opposing offenses, a staggering and league-worst 465.5 yards per game. It means Spagnuolo doesn't think too much about being one of only four NFL teams that allow opponents more than 30 points per game.

"Stats don't measure heart," he said. "That's an awesome statement and I wish I would've thought of it.Trust me, I'm not a stat guy, I never have been, both ways."

Spagnuolo stated that the defense has shown signs of improvement over the last two weeks and used Malcolm Jenkins' amazing chase down of Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Vincent Jackson as an example.

Read More »11

I’m sure Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton was joking during his postgame press conference when he rather condescendingly welcomed a suggestion box in the locker room that the media could help him find ways to win.

“I’m going to leave this room and I’m going to bring in a suggestion box,” said Newton to a reporter who asked what had to be done before the Panthers could start exploding on offense and pasting 35 points per game on the scoreboard. “And I want your suggestions to be in that suggestion box. Because I sure don’t know. I really don’t."

“I wish I could tell you, but the only thing I control, sweetheart, is myself.”

I’m sure the suggestion box hasn’t been installed yet, but I’m a sucker for those mini pencils that are only good for keeping score on the golf course and filling out comment cards. So I’m going to fill out a comment card on Newton’s passing in the red zone, particularly inside the 10-yard line.

Read More »36

It was rough enough that the Carolina Panthers were busy Monday firing general manager Marty Hurney. The day was made much worse when the team was forced to place starting cornerback Chris Gamble on injured reserve.

Gamble injured his shoulder during Week 4’s game in Atlanta, according to the Charlotte Observer, and hasn’t been completely healthy since. The move ends Gamble’s season and devastates Carolina’s secondary.

Since the 2004 season, Gamble has been a rock in the Panthers defensive backfield. His 27 career interceptions were the most on the team over the past eight seasons, but it was the feeling of security on one side of the secondary that made Gamble’s presence special.

As bad as it could get on one side—Captain Munnerlyn gave up four touchdowns and 607 yards passing while in coverage in 2011, and opposing quarterbacks enjoyed a 126.9 passer rating throwing toward his side of the field—the Panthers were always set and safe on Gamble's side of the secondary.

Read More »7

The Carolina Panthers fired general manager Marty Hurney, the team announced Monday.

The dismissal came after a Week 7 loss to the Dallas Cowboys and a 1-5 start to the 2012 season, a season that began with high hopes for an improving Carolina franchise.

"This was an extremely difficult decision," team owner Jerry Richardson said in a statement (via panthers.com). "Marty made every effort to bring success to the Panthers and took the team to a Super Bowl and two NFC championship games. Unfortunately, we have not enjoyed the success we hoped for in recent years. I have the greatest respect and admiration for Marty and will always appreciate the way he tirelessly served the organization."

Hurney has been the general manager since 2002, but he has had a rough string of losing since the beginning of the 2010 season. Hurney's record of 9-29 since 2010 couldn't be overlooked.

Read More »2

The Carolina Panthers have $89.211 million tied up in three running backs and barely used the triple threat in Sunday’s 19-14 loss to the Dallas Cowboys.

Jonathan Stewart (six-year, $37.811 million contract) led the way with 10 carries for 35 yards. He also caught three passes for 11 yards.

Mike Tolbert (four-year, $8.4 million contract) rushed the ball three times for nine yards and scored a touchdown. DeAngelo Williams (five-year, $43 million contract) had four yards on two carries.

In a game where the Panthers weren’t terribly behind and in a situation where they had to throw all the time, there’s no reason why these three running backs should be an afterthought. Without Tolbert last year, Williams and Stewart combined with quarterback Cam Newton to pound opposing teams and finish with 2,408 yards rushing, the third-best of any NFL team.

Read More »32

Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Vincent Jackson set a new franchise record by gaining 216 yards on seven catches. Quarterback Josh Freeman threw for a career-high 420 yards and notched consecutive 300-plus yard passing games for the first time in his career.

But a powerful New Orleans Saints offense and a penalty on the final play of the game that negated an apparent game-tying touchdown kept Tampa Bay from overtime and a chance to win the game.

With 1:50 left in the game and down by a touchdown, Freeman and the Buccaneers took over on the New Orleans 41-yard line. Nine plays later Tampa Bay was on the Saints 9-yard line with 0:05 left and needed a touchdown to play on.

Freeman was flushed left out of the pocket and found Mike Williams in the back of the end zone. But a flag was thrown—and incontrovertible film evidence later showed true—that Williams was pushed out of bounds and came back in to catch the touchdown pass.

Read More »10

The New Orleans Saints went through three distinct levels of play Sunday in Tampa. It went from bad to fantastic to mediocre. But in true Saints fashion, the offense put enough points on the board to stave off defeat.

Drew Brees threw an interception on the team’s first drive that was returned by Ronde Barber to the New Orleans 13-yard line. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers scored on their first play from scrimmage.

The Saints went three-and-out on their next drive and Tampa Bay scored another touchdown.

Just more than nine minutes into the game and the Saints were down, on the road, by two touchdowns.

Read More »36

Last season’s NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year, Cam Newton, hasn’t enjoyed similar success in his sophomore season. He’s on pace to produce well below his 2011 output and has had his leadership and motivational skills questioned by the media and by fellow teammates.

Through five games, Newton is on pace to finish about 10 percent lower in passing yards, almost 40 percent lower in touchdown passes and see a slight drop in completion percentage as well.

So, what’s going on with Newton this season, and better yet, how does he fix his problems and re-establish himself as an elite quarterback?

First and foremost, Newton has to get right in the head. He’s an athlete with as much physical talent as anyone in the league, maybe even more. But the way he approaches a game from a mental standpoint leaves much to be desired.

Read More »45