Behind Enemy Lines: Carolina Panthers
Jan 22, 2016, 7:41 AM | Updated: Jan 23, 2016, 2:51 pm
The stage is set.
The Arizona Cardinals meet the Carolina Panthers Sunday at Bank of America Stadium for the NFC Championship and a trip to Super Bowl 50 in Santa Clara, Calif.
The matchup pits the two best, most consistent teams in the conference. The Cardinals went 13-3 in the regular season and defeated the Green Bay Packers in overtime 26-20 in the Divisional Round. Carolina went 15-1 and ousted the two-time defending NFC champion Seattle Seahawks from the postseason.
It should be a great game.
All week long, we’ll take you to Charlotte to keep you updated on what’s happening with the Carolina Panthers as they prepare to host the Cardinals for all the NFC marbles.
It’s Behind Enemy Lines …
Saturday, January 23
• Jared Allen not happy that Panthers won’t let him play in NFC title game (CBS Sports)
Allen was officially listed as “out” on the Panthers’ final injury report. “Not happy, plain and simple,” Allen said, via the Panthers official website. “Coaches’ decision, and I have to live with it. I respect Coach, so I have to respect his decision.
• Carolina Panthers return the love to English soccer team (Charlotte Observer)
The Panthers sent four of their jerseys to England’s Leicester City Football Club (soccer, not American football) as motivation to “keep pounding”. It’s the same gesture Leicester City made ahead of the Panthers’ playoff game Jan. 17 against the Seattle Seahawks.
• How Thomas Davis, Luke Kuechly became the heart and soul of Panthers defense (Charlotte Observer)
Said safety Roman Harper: “Their personalities are not very similar at all. Thomas is more of a talker. More boisterous. And a more physical guy. Luke is the nicest guy ever, always smiling and waving and trying to get you a drink. T.D. is a nice guy, too – let’s not get it wrong. But he’s not as nice as Luke, because Luke is the nicest guy I’ve ever met in my life.”
• Out of N.F.L. in Early Fall, Now Essential to Carolina Panthers (New York Times)
As he waited for a team, any team, to call him, Robert McClain grew to love the jogging trails around Buford, Ga. He ran daily, always on his own, unless you count Melo, his 6-year-old German shepherd. Melo became a dependable training partner, even as McClain began to wonder what he was training for. Released by the New England Patriots in September, McClain, a seventh-round draft pick out of Connecticut in 2010, tried out for 10 teams during the fall, hoping for another opportunity. Nothing came.
Friday, January 22
• How Cam Newton’s designed runs wreck defenses (ESPN.com – Insider)
During the 2015 season, Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton carried the ball 103 times on designed runs for 414 yards and eight touchdowns (4.02 yards per carry). Those numbers trumped every other quarterback in the league, with Buffalo’s Tyrod Taylor (53 carries, 171 yards, three touchdowns) and Seattle’s Russell Wilson (46 carries, 150 yards) sitting behind Newton on the leaderboard.
• Thomas Davis has message for Panthers: ‘Take advantage of this opportunity’ (ESPN.com)
Carolina Panthers outside linebacker Thomas Davis will talk to his teammates at some point before Sunday’s NFC title game against Arizona.
His message will be simple.
And personal.
“Take advantage of this opportunity because you never know when it is going to come around again,” Davis said.
• Michael Oher doesn’t like ‘The Blind Side,’ but Panthers teammates love movie, and him (ESPN.com)
Oher isn’t a particularly big fan of the movie. He doesn’t like the way he’s depicted early in the film, as a football neophyte. He doesn’t like the impressions people form about him, based on the movie, before they get to know the real him.
• Touchdown! Touchdown! Touchdooooooooooown! (ESPN.com)
While no one was looking, the Panthers have become South America’s team. There are families in Argentina who know Cam Newton only as “El Dinosaurio” or Josh Norman only as “El Bandolero.” In Puerto Rico, there’s a certain Rivera family huddled up by a radio every NFL Sunday. And, in Mexico, there are people who have swapped their Cowboys jerseys for Panteras jerseys — all because of two men who treat ordinary touchdowns like minor miracles.
• Panthers’ Roman Harper: ‘You don’t let people celebrate on you’ (ESPN.com)
Feel like celebrating a first down? Want to show some emotion to fire up your team? Not against the Carolina Panthers, and specifically not if you’re being defended by veteran safety Roman Harper.
• GM Dave Gettleman reveals what makes Panthers so special in exclusive Q&A (FoxSports.com)
A long-time NFL scout and personnel director for the New York Giants, Gettleman was a surprise hire when tapped to replace the fired Marty Hurney following Carolina’s 2012 season. He was the oldest candidate interviewed at age 62. Gettleman didn’t even have an agent trying to pitch him for GM jobs or championing him through media leaks, which made him a relative unknown outside league circles.
• Carolina’s scariest matchup: Secondary vs. Cardinals’ speedy receivers (Charlotte Observer)
Cornerback Josh Norman can hold his own, but what about Robert McClain and Cortland Finnegan? Those two guys weren’t even playing football at Thanksgiving and now they’re starting in the defensive backfield in the NFC Championship Game.
• Panthers DE Jared Allen (foot) at Thursday’s practice, ‘looked pretty good’ (Charlotte Observer)
The Jared Allen Watch entered Day 4 on Thursday, with the veteran Carolina Panthers defensive end returning to the practice field for the first time since getting hurt in the NFC divisional-round victory over Seattle.
• Winter weather could make BofA Stadium field slippery again (Charlotte Observer)
One week after the field turf at Bank of America Stadium was under scrutiny, the same could happen this week when the Arizona Cardinals travel to Charlotte to play the Carolina Panthers.
The field, which was re-sodded during the playoff bye week for a franchise-record third time this season, will be covered by a tarp until at least Saturday afternoon, executive director of stadium operations Scott Paul said.
• Still a Star in the making (Panthers.com)
On the second defensive snap of the Panthers’ playoff opener, defensive tackle Kawann Short got right into doing his thing, bursting through Seattle’s line, putting pressure on the quarterback and forcing a bad pass that resulted in a pick-six.
Thursday, January 21
• Breaking down the NFC Championship Game, Panthers vs. Cardinals (ESPN.com)
Sunday’s NFC Championship Game at Carolina’s Bank of America Stadium sets up to be a classic.
It pits the teams with the two best records — Carolina 16-1, Arizona 14-3 — and the quarterbacks who figure to finish 1-2 in the MVP voting.
• Ron Rivera can’t help but wonder what it’d be like if Panthers were undefeated (ESPN.com)
“It would be interesting to see where we would be if we were undefeated,’’ Rivera said Wednesday as the Panthers prepared for the NFC Championship Game against the Arizona Cardinals. “I just wonder. I can’t help it. It’ll be something I’ll always wonder as a head coach now.”
• Panthers quarterback Cam Newton: ‘I don’t get nervous’ (ESPN.com)
“I don’t get nervous,” Newton said Wednesday. “I’ve been playing football for too long for me to get nervous. I used to dream of being in this type of position.”
• Panthers DE Jared Allen must show he can be effective with fractured foot (ESPN.com)
“I don’t want him thinking he’s going to play no matter what,” coach Ron Rivera said on Wednesday. “I’ve got a group of guys I’ve got to get ready to play with or without him.
“I don’t want to give any false indications either way, because I want these guys focused in on preparing for themselves.”
• Panthers WR Ted Ginn Jr. more interested in Super Bowl than revenge (ESPN.com)
Ginn led all Carolina wide receivers with 44 catches for 739 yards and 10 – yes, 10 – touchdowns. He was a big reason the Panthers led the league in scoring (31.2 points per game).
So why did he succeed here when he didn’t at Arizona?
• Carolina Panthers coach Ron Rivera wants his team used to elements (Charlotte Observer)
While most of Charlotte will try everything to stay inside this week because of the cold, Ron Rivera wants his Carolina Panthers on the field, even if that means in the freezing rain or snow.
Charlotte could see a wintry mix this week and into Sunday’s game against the Cardinals. That won’t drive the Panthers inside, though.
• Panthers QB Cam Newton: NFC Championship ‘just a football game’ (Charlotte Observer)
“It’s just a football game. The only thing that’s changed is probably the media (attention),” Newton said Wednesday. “We could have this game in the parking lot. We could have this game on the practice field. It’s nothing different. … Nothing’s going to change for me.”
• Strickly Panthers: Newton’s winning approach (Panthers.com)
If Newton is nervous, it’s a spare moment before taking on the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday, a moment of reflection where he thinks about the amazing things this Panthers team has accomplished. He then thinks about making sure it doesn’t end before football’s ultimate accomplishment.
• Rivera’s Vision Unfolding (Panthers.com)
When Ron Rivera became the head coach of the Panthers in January of 2011, he knew the team’s decision with the first overall pick in the draft would shape his legacy in Carolina.
• Carolina Panthers Stay Loose With ‘Creedbombing’ (Loudwire.com)
What exactly is “Creedbombing”? According to the Charlotte Observer, some of the players have taken the idea of photobombing and applied it to the delivery of Creed song lyrics at surprise times on the practice field.
Wednesday, January 20
• Tale of the Tape: Cardinals wide receivers vs. Panthers defensive backs (ESPN.com)
The most intriguing matchup of Sunday’s NFC Championship Game has nothing to do with Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton.
What may decide whether the Panthers or Arizona Cardinals advance to Super Bowl 50 will be the battle between the Cardinals’ wide receivers and the Panthers’ defensive backs.
• Get to know TE Ed Dickson, the Panthers’ unsung hero on offense (ESPN.com)
Carolina Panthers offensive coordinator Mike Shula didn’t hesitate when asked about the unsung hero was for the league’s No. 1 scoring offense.
He picked the tight end not named Greg Olsen.
• Panthers shouldn’t be in panic mode over blowing big leads (ESPN.com)
Carolina has allowed four leads of between 17 and 31 points to dwindle to one score or even. The latest was Sunday’s NFC divisional playoff win against Seattle in which Russell Wilson rallied the Seahawks from a 31-0 halftime deficit before falling 31-24.
• Five things to keep an eye on if Panthers’ Jared Allen doesn’t play (ESPN.com)
Carolina Panthers defensive end Jared Allen is doubtful for Sunday’s NFC Championship Game against Arizona with a fractured foot.
What happens if he can’t play? Here are five things to know as the top-seeded Panthers (16-1) attempt to reach the Super Bowl for the first time since the 2003 season:
• Carolina Panthers’ situational superheroes could make a name when theirs is called (Charlotte Observer)
The Carolina Panthers have a Superman, Captain America and Batman in the persons of Cam Newton, Luke Kuechly and Josh Norman.
But not everyone on the 53-man roster has a superhero persona. Some don’t even have nicknames, at least not recognizable by the public.
• Arizona at Carolina: What can fans expect in NFC Championship Game? (Charlotte Observer)
If you go back to their 2013 matchup – a 22-6 Cardinals victory in Arizona – you’ll see a dropped touchdown by Steve Smith. Josh Thomas, Captain Munnerlyn, Robert Lester and Mike Mitchell comprised Carolina’s secondary. Cam Newton chased down Antoine Cason, who has since been with Carolina and is now out of the league, from behind after a fumble recovery.
Suffice to say, this matchup is different than the most recent ones between the top two teams in the NFC. Here’s a look, via a rhetorical Q&A, at what we could see Sunday night in Charlotte when they meet.
• The Carolina Panthers’ Secret Weapon: Waffle House (Wall Street Journal)
The Carolina Panthers couldn’t be feeling luckier right now.
They play with Cam Newton, the league’s likely MVP, on a team that will host the NFC title game on Sunday. Their defense is one of the best in the league, they went 15-1 during the regular season and they’re just one win from a Super Bowl. And they can eat at Waffle House whenever they want.
Tuesday, January 19
• Panthers shouldn’t be in panic mode over blowing big leads (ESPN.com)
One thing stands out when you look at the big leads the Carolina Panthers have blown this season. The quarterbacks.
• Carolina Panthers’ situational superheroes could make a name when theirs is called (Charlotte Observer)
The Carolina Panthers have a Superman, Captain America and Batman in the persons of Cam Newton, Luke Kuechly and Josh Norman.
• The Carolina Panthers’ Secret Weapon: Waffle House (Wall Street Journal)
At times, it seems like the Panthers huddle at Waffle House as often as they do on the field.
This exchange summed up arguably the NFL’s most complete defensive player in a nutshell. He can be playful in a goofy kind of way off the field, but on the field he’s as business-like and straight forward as his first name.
• Jared Allen doubtful for NFC title game with foot fracture (ESPN.com)
Coach Ron Rivera said Monday after Allen underwent an MRI that the injury is not as serious as the one suffered last year by defensive tackle Star Lotulelei, who underwent surgery a few days after fracturing his foot in practice and missed Carolina’s subsequent playoff loss.
• Coordinator defends second-half play selection after Cam Newton said Panthers had ‘tight butts’ (ESPN.com)
Offensive coordinator Mike Shula emphatically said on Monday he didn’t get conservative with his play calling in the second half.
He gave much of the credit to Seattle, which had the NFL’s second-ranked defense during the regular season.
• Ron Rivera bans hoverboards inside Panthers’ facility (ESPN.com)
Carolina Panthers coach Ron Rivera recently banned players from using hoverboards inside Bank of America Stadium after seeing YouTube videos in which the machines caught fire.
He also strongly suggested players not ride hoverboards to and from work, as quarterback Cam Newton is known to do. Rivera doesn’t want any freak accidents as the Panthers (16-1) prepare to face Arizona (14-3) on Sunday in the NFC Championship Game.
• 10 thoughts as the NFC Championship Game approaches for Carolina Panthers (Charlotte Observer)
As Charlotte prepares for the biggest NFL game the city has ever hosted, here are 10 random thoughts about the Arizona game to come at 6:40 p.m. Sunday and the Seattle game that just concluded for the Carolina Panthers.
• Why have Panthers given up big leads? Good opponents with good QBs, Ron Rivera says (Charlotte Observer)
Seattle’s comeback against the Panthers – the fourth against Carolina this season – would worry coach Ron Rivera more if it had happened against a worse team.
The fact that Carolina’s 31-point lead became a 31-24 final score is a product of how good the Seattle offense is and little more, Rivera said Monday after his Panthers advanced to Sunday’s NFC Championship Game at Bank of America Stadium.
• Last year’s Panthers-Cardinals playoff matchup doesn’t mean a thing (Charlotte Observer)
The Carolina Panthers and Arizona Cardinals are meeting in the playoffs for the second year in a row.
That’s where the similarities begin and end.
• Panthers RB status update: Jonathan Stewart’s injury ‘fine,’ Fozzy Whittaker set to return (Charlotte Observer)
The Carolina Panthers got good news about the health of their running backs Monday.
Originally thought to have tweaked his sprained foot, Jonathan Stewart actually hurt his ankle on a play in Sunday’s 31-24 victory over the Seattle Seahawks but should be fine this week.
And backup running back Fozzy Whittaker plans to return to practice Wednesday after missing the past three weeks with a high ankle sprain.
• Arizona a different team this time (Panthers.com)
The Carolina Panthers opened their postseason last year with a home victory over the Arizona Cardinals in a Wild Card Playoff.
The goal now is to avoid this year’s postseason run ending with a home loss to a Cardinals team that’s more dangerous than the one Carolina contained last January.
“You can’t go into a game like this saying, ‘This is what we did to them last year,'” head coach Ron Rivera said. “This is a different quarterback, somebody who I think is a terrific football player.”
