Archive for June, 2009

Jun29th

A Tale of Two Cities

AUTHOR: John White | IN: Panthers, Rumors | COMMENTS: None Yet

Now that Peppers has signed his franchise tender, further questions or criticism no longer hold any water. Some media analysts have posited that Pep may not be received well in the locker room. Really? He is a superstar. Period. End of story. Last year Steve Smith decked a fellow teammate. Fans and sports analysts can pick apart personalities, question people’s judgement, and theorize all they want, but none of that matters when a game-changer gets back on the field. When a player is catching touchdown passes, or sacking the opposing team’s quarterback, teammates and coaches appreciate that—and a strong organization [...]

Jun24th

CCR 66: Guest – Ross Tucker & The Minter View

AUTHOR: John White | IN: Fanzone/Tailgating, Panthers, Podcast | COMMENTS: 2 Comments

Cat Crave Radio is back!  Episode 66 is served up with the latest news and complete coverage of the Carolina Panthers.
This week, our special guest is Ross Tucker making a third visit with us.  Ross is turning into a regular for a few reasons – the guy knows his stuff and he consistently gives very good, honest, candid answers to our questions.  In this conversation, we cover injuries, John Fox, player accountability and more.  It’s a solid interview and definitely worth the listen.
Mike Minter was also with us for The Minter View.  Mike spoke with us about a few topics [...]

Jun22nd

Carolina Panthers, 2009 Season Preview

AUTHOR: John White | IN: Draft, Free Agency, Panthers, Rumors | COMMENTS: None Yet

Some Negative Comments

Most Carolina fans think of the horrendous playoff game Delhomme last played more often than the season opener he won for Carolina in San Diego. Some call Delhomme’s extension a blessing in disguise, for salary cap room, if nothing else. In time we will sort it out and see if a contract extension for Delhomme was right or wrong. Some worry about Julius Peppers. He will have a solid season in 2009 if he wants to move elsewhere that bad in 2010.

Some Positive Comments

Carolina has become a force as a team, and is [...]

Jun19th

Yours Truly, Your Favorite Loser, Tampa Bay

AUTHOR: John White | IN: Panthers, Rumors | COMMENTS: None Yet

Somebody please, please, please pinch Raheem Morris and Josh Freeman and tell them “they’re not in Kansas anymore.”

Change does not necessarily mean progress. After a 9 and 7 season, Tampa Bay hit the panic button so feverishly that at times I forgot they had a winning record. Tampa is looking to imitate what Atlanta did during last year’s off-season. The Buccaneers only think they stole a page from Atlanta’s playbook. They hired a coach who is unproven for the most part. They released a proven winner in Jeff Garcia and drafted Josh Freeman—an unproven signal-caller with the blessing of [...]

Jun16th

A Piggyback Ride on Austin Penny’s “7 Keys to the Carolina Panthers Success in 2009″

AUTHOR: John White | IN: Draft, Panthers, Rumors, Video | COMMENTS: None Yet

One of our fellow Panther fans, Austin Penny, from www.BleacherReport.com wrote up a nice article detailing what will make or break Carolina in 2009 outlined by 7 key points.  The following is a response to those 7 keys to Carolina’s success in 2009…
7.  Dwayne Jarrett:  If Jarrett is going to pull a “Roddy White,” then this would be the year to do it.  Absolutely.  I think this is an interesting point because I’m more intrigued at the handful of guys who are fighting for Dwayne Jarrett’s job than I am necessarily at what Dwayne Jarrett will or won’t do.  I think [...]

Jun16th

We Interrupt This Blog…

AUTHOR: John White | IN: Fanzone/Tailgating, Panthers, Podcast | COMMENTS: None Yet

…to bring you this special announcement.
Due to a number of issues beyond our control, Cat Crave Radio, the show dedicated to covering your Carolina Panthers, will be forced to take the week off.
We apologize for the inconvenience.  However, we will be back next week with another installment.  In the meantime, feel free to check out our archive of all the past episodes.

Jun15th

And in other news…

AUTHOR: John White | IN: Panthers | COMMENTS: Comments Off

This isn’t real news, but it’s more Peppers news than I’ve seen since rumors of a Pep-New England trade.  Apparently Pep sent a text to a teammate indicating he will be playing for Carolina in the fall. 
Is that news, I dunno?  “Four possible trade teams” via Peppers’s agent was the same news over and over for a month awhile back. 
Dude will be a Panther in 2009, all season.

Jun14th

A Win-Win Situation, Don’t you think?

AUTHOR: John White | IN: Draft, Panthers | COMMENTS: None Yet

In the 2007 draft, I remember when Carolina drafted Dwayne Jarrett in the second round. That move, clearly, was a message from the front office to the team and Keyshawn Johnson. A few days later, Johnson was released.

During and after the 2008 draft, Jarrett certainly must have noticed that he’s received a similar message to what Keyshawn received. 6 words: Mike Goodson, Larry Beavers, Jamall Lee…And to add to the pressure, Ryne Robinson and Jason Carter are returning, and both have probably been sharpening their teeth over the past year by studying and focusing on the cerebral aspects of [...]

Jun14th

The Next Game-Changer in Carolina (?)

AUTHOR: John White | IN: Draft, Free Agency, Panthers, Rumors | COMMENTS: None Yet

There have been a lot of feel-good stories in Carolina this off-season. I admit it, they make me feel very good, at least as far as Running Backs, Wide Receivers, and Return Specialists go…Especially concerning Return Specialists…

Return Specialist and Wide Receivers Ryne Robinson and last year’s pre-season darling in Carolina, Jason Carter are both returning from season-ending injuries.

Rookies, RB/WR Mike Goodson, CB Captain Munnerlyn, WR Larry Beavers, and RB Jamall Lee all appear to be competing for a chance to return kickoffs and punts as well.

And if you watch the highlight reels on every one of [...]

Jun10th

Why the Panthers have a good shot in the Post-Season

AUTHOR: John White | IN: Panthers | COMMENTS: None Yet

The 2009 schedule for the Carolina Panthers is brutal. The consensus, I think among most Carolina fans is that Carolina will go 8 and 8 in 2009, give or take a game or two. For instance, former Panther, Frank Garcia has suggested that he thinks Carolina will go 9 and 7, while his former teammate and co-host Brenston Buckner believes Carolina will go 7 and 9.

Essentially, an average record for Carolina in 2009 probably will not be a disappointment or a shock to any Carolina fan. But don’t for a minute misunderstand my sentiment. I am not at all suggesting [...]