A lot of it was remembering just how good of a running back tandem Stephen Davis and DeShaun Foster were. More of it was how good the defense was. You remember. It was Rucker/Jenkins/Buckner/Peppers on the line. Dan Morgan and Will Witherspoon were prowling behind them. And then there was… well, behind our linebackers was… Neither of us could remember. I remembered Mike Minter, of course. I remembered Deon Grant, and Ricky Manning Jr. only because of the three interceptions he had against Donovan McNabb in the NFC Championship Game and because he beat up a guy in a Denny’s.

Neither of us could remember who the starting corners were. I couldn’t for the life of me remember their names. It was Terry Cousin and Reggie Howard. How could I have forgotten those household names? The Kings of Coverage was their nickname. But seriously, we knew their names when they were here, and I think that Reggie Howard went on later to play for the Jacksonville Jaguars. I could be wrong.

Anyway, the point that I’m trying to make is that that defense was built from the line back. For a number of years, until they were disbanded, our front four was the best in football, and our front seven was top five. Our defensive linemen attacked relentlessly and played smart football. Our secondary’s ability to cover was directly related to the success that the defensive line had. Don’t believe me? Think back to the second half of the Super Bowl. Our defensive line couldn’t touch Brady. Couldn’t sniff him. Our corners paid the price. Their’s did, too, but you understand what I’m saying.

I could take a poll of casual to more rabid NFL fans and I’m certain that the majority of them would be able to identify three, if not four, maybe even five, defensive linemen on the Panthers roster. They would know Luke Kuechly, and they may know Charles Godfrey, and they would probably say “And the Captain Morgan Guy.” At this point in the offseason I have no idea who our starting corners are going to be. I don’t even think our starting safeties are locked in to place.

I can tell you who our starting linemen and linebackers will be. And that’s what makes me think back to that 2003 Carolina Panthers defense. Because of the way it’s built. There is a very real possibility that we could have the best front seven in the National Football League. I think our secondary will benefit from hurried quarterback throws. I see us getting more turnovers, and for the few yards we allowed at the end of the season to decrease even more. 

Everyone’s all in a panic over us being in the NFC South and not taking a cornerback. I can understand it. We face Matt Ryan and Drew Brees twice a year. Logic and reason would state that we need people back in coverage to defend these two great passing attacks. That is logic that I understand and appreciate. Logic I like even more is how can either man throw the ball if they are on their backs, or getting pressured, or getting hit. Do they take a half-second too long making a decision and take a sack, or take half-second less and make a mistake?

It’s worked here before and I think it works again. Keep in mind that the 2002 Carolina Panthers were 7-9. The 2012 Carolina Panthers were 7-9. Could this be a case of history repeating itself? The 2002 Carolina Panthers were a team that was trying learn how to win, the same as the 2012 Carolina Panthers were and are. I can’t shake the feeling that very good things are coming for this franchise.

This game was highlighted by an uncharacteristic first half of solid defense from the Panthers who out-gained the Falcons 356-86 yards through the first two and a half quarters. Much of the inspiration came from the perseverance of Thomas Davis, who talked to the players before and after the game. His comeback from three ACL injuries to the same knee has shown players, especially younger players that you should never give up. His interception in the fourth quarter helped seal the win and was also his first interception since 2009. For this, Coach Rivera gave him one of the game balls, and was nearly in tears when talking about Davis’s effort.

The Panthers had a 16-0 halftime lead which they stretched to 23-0 before the Falcons finally got on the board. Cam Newton seemed nearly unstoppable yet again, as he continues to build on solid performances the last few weeks. The biggest stat of all is that he’s had zero turnovers over the past four weeks. The play of the game was definitely his 72 yard run and score, which was party of his total 116 yards rushing, a new career high. That coupled with his 2 touchdowns and 287 yards passing was just too much for a Falcons team that was looking to work on getting home field advantage in the playoffs. Now they have to go back to the drawing board, and look to prevent another late season and playoff collapse like they are so prone to doing.

Hardy is now listed as questionable for Sunday’s game. Rookie DE Frank Alexander may see more playing time or start this Sunday unless the illness clears up. Since Hardy was probable yesterday then downgraded today, it would appear that whatever it is that he has is hitting him hardest right about now.

In any case, it looks like he won’t play at all unless it’s something that clears up today. He’s going to be weak tomorrow relative to his health in game one against the Bucs where he had 7 tackles. We all know how explosive the Saints’ offense is so the Panthers need everyone they can get.

Kearse is a 2nd-yr backup DT but with the release of Terrell McClain it’s another player familiar with the system that won’t be available from last season.

It’s something to certainly keep an eye on if any other Carolina Panthers show symptoms later today or even until kickoff tomorrow at 1:00 pm Eastern time and their home opener. Kearse isn’t listed below, but Hardy is. Kearse could be in for the worst of his illness on game day.

Here are the others on Carolina’s injury list:

Steve Smith WR Knee Limited Participation in Practice Questionable
Jeff Byers C Knee Full Participation in Practice Probable
Jonathan Stewart RB Ankle Limited Participation in Practice Questionable
Greg Hardy DE Illness Full Participation in Practice Probable
Kenny Onatolu LB Not Injury Related Did Not Participate In Practice Probable
Mike Pollak G Shoulder Did Not Participate In Practice Doubtful

I suspect Smith and Stewart will both play and the “limited participation” is simply to help let them heal a little better. They’re veterans for game day and Jonathan Stewart’s physical style is needed even more than before as the Panthers want to control the football against the high-octane Saints.

As for Hardy and Smith…all we can do is wait until Sunday morning to find out if either one plays. I just hope the bug isn’t spreading.

Definitely check that injury report if you’re a fantasy owner of any Panthers’ player.