The Panthers showed they are willing to make tough decisions to improve their team by releasing Dan Morgan and Mike Wahle. Both have been All-Pro in the past, but talented players are only of value if they can actually suit up and play on Sundays. Morgan played in just four games the past two years, with just 59 starts in seven seasons after being a first-round draft choice. Wahle's cap savings will help get free agent tackle Jordan Gross paid a new contract.
The Panthers have gotten stuck in the middle of the NFL pack the past two seasons, which does not get you into the playoffs, nor a high draft pick. Last year, they took it easy on free agency, but this year's needs require a veteran infusion. Specifically, a big running back and a starting wide receiver. The defensive line has lost it's punch with Julius Peppers' downward turn and nobody currently on the roster who looks like they can step up to adequately fill Mike Rucker's starter position. The NFL free agency and trading period begins February 29th.
The Bobcats are a major disappointment this season. Despite signing Jason Richardson as an expensive off-season addition and giving top dollar to Gerald Wallace, they have somehow managed to actually getting worse, not better. They lack a true point guard and an overall defensive intensity. Talent wise they should have a much better record and they are way off the pace in the Eastern Conference playoff hunt where playing just .500 basketball virtually guarantees a postseason berth.
I know NASCAR is finally back, but you know it's a lull after football season when the Westminster Dog Show and the Sports Illustrated swimsuit issue are among the current sports highlights. Last year's NASCAR storylines are the same: Hendrick Motorsports is dominant and Tony Stewart has already punched Kurt Busch. Boogity, Boogity.
College football recruiting rankings are crazy. How can somebody judge if a high school kid from Arizona is better than one from Iowa? Notre Dame always has a top-ranked recruiting class, yet they won just three games last season. By the way, the Irish have the second ranked class in 2008 according to the experts. The topper, was Kevin Hart, a high school senior in Reno who held a press conference at a school assembly to announce he was picking California over Oregon. The truth, neither one recruited him at all as he made the whole thing up. That will probably drop the Bears from having a top-10 class.
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