Originally posted by doublej95
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because we can all agree that jamarcus Russel sucks -- and so does Derek Anderson, no way he should be seen in an NFL game, let alone starting,Comment -
Mr Anderson was not drafted in the 1st round so who cares? Derek is not running QBComment -
if you start him soo soon and he looks like shhht. then everyones gona be mad and youll end up drafting another qb next year. only to so the same, sometimes yo need time to aclimateComment -
he needs to sit on the side line and get the thinking part down. he'll get rocked in this league if he doesn't learn how to read a defense.Comment -
baby steps.
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I wouldn't call the Cardinals wolves, but i see what you're saying.Comment -
Probably not the best thing for Newton's long term development, but this should be in no way surprising either. Fortunately for him, the Week 1 matchup vs the Cards is a good place to start. The Cardinals have no defense to speak of (27.1 ppga), and were third last in rushing defense last season (good for Cam). Newton is undergoing trial by fire here, but when you're talking about a team that's coming off a 2-14 season, the pressure is really not that extreme.
Add to that, Newton has the Olsen/Shockey tandem to work with, giving him two extremely reliable options at TE to start building confidence in his passing game, earning a higher completion rate and passing yardage without risking a lot. You won't see a lot of big bombs from him, but he's going to move the ball, one way or another.
I actually like the Panthers +7 in Week 1.Comment -
An illogical post and racist. Steve Young was a running quarterback, was he dumb too?Originally posted by ScorpionComment -
always fade a black qb unless its name is Michael Vick
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What about a mexican quaterback? What does your great wisdom say about our hispanic brethren?Originally posted by daimoshokagealways fade a black qb unless its name is Michael VickComment -
cam is gonna be ok scrambling around. panthers defense is insanely bad.Comment -
Mexican QB fukking SUCK! They will never be an Elite QB.. They are mediocre at best!Originally posted by iLogan
Please see: Sanchez, Mark
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I knew I should of bet on this, he was the under dog in most of the plays i seen. I just had a feeling they were going to put him in, very very rarely these days do you see a number 1 guy. Maybe he would if there was a veteran there, but seriously they have Jimmy Clausen, why not just get Cam the experience now, the season is lost anyways, they probably have told him that, and probably are just going to work on his skills this season. From a very limited play book early on, to a more advanced on once the season progresses.
It helps out a lot, they got two good running backs, if they both are healthy one of the best in the NFL.Comment -
Please see: a shrinkOriginally posted by daimoshokageMexican QB fukking SUCK! They will never be an Elite QB.. They are mediocre at best! Please see: Sanchez, MarkComment -
bet the over for the other team in panther's games, panther's d is terrible.Comment -
First, Cam was done a disservice being taken first overall in the draft. He's not in the top 5 for best rookie QBs right now. That's very very clear. As much of a rare talent he is, he can't throw the damn ball worth a dang. I've seen him make some really nice throws down the field after running for his life a bit, but I've also seen him miss a guy 6 yards away by 3-4 yards. That unexceptable at any level and is a HUGE red flag. I think once Newton moves into a slasher role, he will be a very productive player. He's so gifted at everything you can do in football, except for that one you think you pay a QB to do - and that's throw the damn ball. He's not an NFL QB. Can he be? I liked Jam Russel's accuracy better... I say probably not.Comment -
just went big on Cardinals -7 while it lasts.
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i think if there is one blow it its the cards game this weekend, i think newton is going to be a huge star, but its going to take him a long time adjust esp. since his offense is not very good. Esp. since he completed less then 50 percent during the preseason, his only okay came in the last game, where no starters played.
As long as Kolb doesn't have 4 ints, or they don't allow multiply special teams T.D's this should be a 20 point blow out.
IMO a great pick in a survivor league because you don't have to use a top team, and well this is probably the only sure thing for zona.Comment -
"What Rivera is doing is nearly unprecedented – crazy really – throwing the team into the hands of a quarterback who at this time last year was but a blip on the sports radar. Yet Rivera is betting none of this will faze Newton."
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Originally posted by P.F.Kasooff
Rivera is just doing what he is told by Hurney and Richardson. They want Newton starting so they can get a pop in ticket sales and a little media attention.Comment -
bettors are finally waking up to the Panthers plight with Newton, taking CAR Under 4.5 wins @ -126 pinnacle from -101 in a few daysComment -
dat jus wut happin whend you growded upComment -
Being down on the Panthers is one thing... I understand that. But I'm a little amused at the confidence being shown in the Cards. They suck.Comment -
Panthers are gunna go 2-14 again and draft Luck lol.Comment -
if they were smart,they would sign garrard and let newton learn the system but considering what they have,looks like a long season for newtonComment -
Meh, too late in the game to bring in Garrard. He has a few teams interested, but likely, he won't be signing with anyone until next week (so his contract won't be guarenteed for the season as a veteran). It would definitly be an upgrade, though. Carolina's QB situation is f'n brutal. 8 or 9 in the box ALL year for DeAngelo and Stewart.Comment -
Garrard will be picked up by someone, perhaps even the Panthers,
but this start is written in stone. Cam will start.
and he will get utterly humiliated.Comment -
The Arizona Cardinals have had an entire summer to reinvent themselves.
By simply getting rid of the dumpster fire known as Derek Anderson, and bringing in Kevin Kolb to play behind center, the tone of their season has changed before it even started. Pair Kolb with playing in a division the teams just don’t seem to ever get better, and there are some serious expectations in the desert. Warranted or not, they are there.
But before anything can be achieved, they have to show they can win some games, especially the ones they are supposed to. If they want to be taken seriously, they need to start with beating the Carolina Panthers.
Not beating maybe the worst team in the league could be a sign of things to come. Bad things.
Lets dive into the week one match up.
For the Cardinals, this game will be won on defense.
The Panthers have a rookie quarterback leading them in Week 1, and judging by Cam Newton’s preseason play, it could be a long season in Carolina.
Newton has some mind blowing athletic ability that has the Cardinals wary of his feet. Being able to extend plays and get the defense out of position is where the Cards’ defense will be most vulnerable. Being able to keep Newton in the pocket and staying in the pass rushing lanes will be the key for the front seven.
The reason keeping Newton in the pocket is essential is because when it comes to throwing, he is about as accurate down the field as I am using my left hand. He had less than a 50% completion percentage in the preseason.
It is no secret that Coach Wiz is going to try and make Cam beat them with his arm, which is something few expect to actually happen at this stage in his career.
The Panthers only hope this season of throwing some W’s up on the board will be to have a solid running game and play good defense. They have a tandem of DeAngelo Williams and Jonathan Stewart in the backfield who are looking to bounce back after a rough season last year. This aspect*of the offense, not Cam Newton, is what the focus of the Cardinals' defense will be on.
But stopping is where it can get tricky. The Cardinals were 30th last season in rushing yards allowed per game. This will most likely be an issue this year, but for this game it may not be their undoing. Playing a team who has such an inexperienced quarterback will allow them to stack the box and win the battle up front without having to put as much focus on their downfield coverage. They should be able to mask a lot of their deficiencies up front this Sunday.
Perhaps the best storyline to keep your eyes on this week is how stud safety Adrian Wilson looks on the field. He is going to be playing the role of “Manliest Dude on Earth” by playing with a torn biceps tendon. If he is able to be close to 100%, which is a big if, it will make a huge difference for this defense and hopefully get them back to respectability.
Not letting Cam Newton get loose in the open field is priority number one for the Cardinals on defense.
Joe Robbins/Getty Images
On offense, things are a little bit more up in the air. The only thing anyone knows about the Cardinals offense going into the year is that they do not know anything at all.
There is not a whole lot that can be said about the Kevin Kolb situation that hasn’t been said already. He is the great unknown. Lets just say all eyes are on him. He has more than a little bit of pressure on him, but at least he can’t possibly be worse than Derek Anderson last year.
Lucky for him he has Larry Fitzgerald. Fitz threw up a huge under-the-radar season last year with Derek Anderson last year. If he can rack up 90 catches for almost 1200 yards with Anderson at QB, imagine what he can do with someone competent back there. Teamed with Kolb it is hard to see him not crushing this season and earning every cent of that monumental deal he signed this preseason.
However, seeing as though the Panthers had a solid pass defense last season, Zona might be forced to rush the ball more than they'd like.
The Cards have not had a solid running game since I can remember; this year should be no different. So chuckin’ the ball around may be what we should end up seeing most of the time, especially with Ryan Williams on the shelf for the season.
The biggest potential issue in this game is the Cards' pass blocking. Last season they gave up 50 sacks, which was second in the league. The Panthers bring an elite pass rusher to town in Charles Johnson who may be able to cause some havoc on their weak O-line.
Is Kevin Kolb the answer in Arizona? I dont know. But he sure sounds a lot better than Derek Anderson.
Christian Petersen/Getty Images
But a quick passing game and hopefully some success running the ball can help subside Johnson making too much of a difference. Johnson is definitely the player to pay attention to during this game.
This is an ideal matchup in Week 1 for a team who is in flux like the Cards are. Facing off against a team that wont be putting up a lot of points will give the Cards some time to gel and come together. It should also let them keep their game plan in tact if things get off to a rocky start.
I am assuming the Cardinals will be able to muster some sort of offense in this game. Under Coach Wiz, the Cards have usually played well at home. Playing a rookie quarterback who is making his debut on the road is just about as good of a set up the defense can ask for. Maybe they can make some plays and create some momentum going forward.
Cards 24 Panthers 10
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Is this guy having the best opener stat wise by a rookie QB, ever! Cam is fuking amazing right now.Comment -
People don't know anything about football. They talk about it and analyze it for a week and it never plays out the way they predict.Comment -
i need carolina to win one more game, i have panthers over 4.5 winsOriginally posted by Sunde91Comment -
I have the same bet, I figured when they lost to MN the bet was done, now it has hope.Comment
