Panthers Fans: A Look at the Week Ahead

A week of excitement, curiosity, and the unknown lie ahead of us, Panthers fans, as well as the rest of the NFL. It brings me back to my days in elementary school, when right towards the end of the school year, we’d have what was referred to as “Field Day.” On Field Day — week, actually — we would participate in various outdoor activities, games, etc. For prizes and whatnot.

The NFL’s version of Field Day — week — starts Tuesday. Not so much Monday, though keep it here anyway, as you never know what could come across the wire between now and tomorrow evening.

On Tuesday, at 7 p.m. eastern time, the NFL will release the complete 2010 regular season schedule. NFL Network will do a two-hour special, from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. eastern, on the event. If, like me,  you don’t have NFL Network — damn you, cable company — you will have to make do with any thoughts, writings, or videos posted on the NFL’s website. And of course, I will also give my annual season’s prediction, game-by-game, shortly after the NFL Draft.

Which brings us to Thursday night, April 22, at 7:30 p.m. eastern time. You got it, the NFL Draft, Round One.

We know the Panthers currently don’t own a pick in the first-round, but I recommend you tune in as long as you can anyway, because I have a sneaking suspicion Panthers’ GM Marty Hurney makes a huge move, putting the Panthers somewhere in the mid-to-late — say 15 to 22 — area of the first-round.

All three nights/days of the draft will be televised on ESPN, NFL Network, and Sirius NFL Radio, so there is no reason anyone should miss the draft.

On Friday evening, at 6 p.m. eastern, the NFL Draft will continue with the second- and third-round picks. Unless you have to work Saturday, consider it a three-day weekend / holiday of sorts. Get out the grill, get some ice in the cooler — with your beverage/s of choice — set the TV up outside, and throw around the football.

On Saturday at 10 a.m., eastern, the Draft will roll with rounds four through seven, until the last pick is made.

And to wrap things up, by Sunday morning, you can get my opinion on how the Panthers did in their 16th draft in team history.

Also, stay tuned. Cat Crave will soon have a fan page on Facebook!

Don’t forget to follow Cat Crave on Twitter @THECatCrave.