At (8-2) the Panthers control their own fate and have done exactly what they set out to do. They've improved their running game, including a team record 264 yards rushing versus Detroit. The defense and special teams are greatly improved from last season. They take care of business, beating the teams they are supposed to beat like the combined (2-18) Raiders and Lions. Of course, it gets tougher the rest of the way with four of the remaining six games on the road. Each opponent is .500 or better and they have another game with each team in the division.
I asked ESPN's Mel Kiper which was more likely...(0-10) Detroit going winless for the entire season or (10-0) Tennessee staying undefeated. Kiper says he thinks the Titans will trip up somewhere along the way with the Jets, Steelers and Colts all capable. The Lions could actually go oh-for-the-season, but in an interesting note they could kill two streaks at one time when they host the Titans on Thanksgiving. Even in their worst seasons (and this would pretty well qualify), Detroit seems to play their best game at home on Turkey Day.
Why do I think we haven't heard the end of the Butch Davis to the University of Tennessee coaching rumors. Not that he would necessarily take it, but call it the Nick Saban Rule. No doesn't always mean "no" from coaches who are being swayed by major programs waving around $3 million contracts. Davis has been given everything he asked for, including a pay raise by UNC, but SEC teams now think they have to buy a conference title like Alabama is in position for by out-spending each other.
It was a no-brainer that UNCC's board would approve the go-ahead to pursue a football program. Now, there's just the sticky little job of raising $45 million in a down economy to make it a reality. Hopefully there are enough die-hards and wealthy alums that can make it happen. An eventual on-campus stadium needs to be part of it though to really make it feel like their team. I used to do play-by-play for the 49ers basketball team when they played at what is now Cricket Arena, and it felt more like doing a minor league pro team than a college team in that atmosphere.
Former Atlanta Falcons star Michael Vick is due to be released from prison in eight months. His debts outweigh his assets by over four million dollars, so Vick's agent is already talking about the quarterbacks return to the NFL. Sounds right up the alley of Oakland and Dallas, so we'll see what team might be willing to take the PR beating of hiring a convicted dog killer. It could happen and commissioner Roger Goodell will have an interesting decision to make on reinstatement.
You wrote:
"Former Atlanta Falcons' star Michael Vick is due to be released from prison in eight months. ...so we'll see what team might be willing to take the PR beating of hiring a convicted dog killer."
Jim, perhaps some team with a "Cats" name or mascot might be able to capitalize on Vick's penchant for killing pets of the canine persuasion.
Sorry, I couldn't resist making a "catty" comment about Vick!
Posted by: John Bailey | November 19, 2008 at 09:11 AM