Cat Cravings Around the Web

Good morning Cat Crave faithful, and welcome to another edition of one-liners from around the web. The Panthers fall — not that it really matters per se’ — to 0-2 in the preseason, after losing 9 – 3 in a sleeper against the New York Jets. There was some good to be taken from the loss, and there was what would seem to be more regression than progression made in other areas. See GK’s post-game review for the full details.

My quick take on it — I still liked what I saw from the defense as a whole, the running game — once Jonathan Stewart returns — will be fine; the receivers (whether it’s Dwayne Jarrett, Kenny Moore, Brandon LaFell, or any combination of the current wideouts) will find more opportunities once Steve Smith returns and more defensive attention is placed on him, special teams is just awful (punter Jason Baker aside), and the quarterback — Matt Moore — will be fine come the first week of regular season…when of course, the offensive line snaps back to reality and starts giving the Moore (and Jimmy Clausen) better protection.

But enough, I don’t want to steal any of GK’s thunder. I was only able to go by the team-colored dots, dashes, and lines provided by NFL.com’s Game Tracker.

Ever the optimist (usually to a fault), I enjoyed Scott Fowler’s latest optimist v. pessimist piece. While it’s fun to follow his directions and only read the piece as instructed (read the optimist’s view if you’re an optimist or the pessimist’s view if you’re a pessimist), both points of view bring about valid arguments. However on both sides, a supporting argument could be made to validate each point of view.

Bryan Strickland of Panthers.com brought forth more good news, which is still surprising many, as it was about the Panthers’ defensive unit, and how dazzling it was in only it’s second preseason showing.

While I agree with most as to how impressive this young defense has been so far, I am still skeptical (one of the few times) as to how real it truly is. The next game against the Tennessee Titans will be a true test for this team’s run defense, which has been spotty for the first two weeks.

Also from the team’s website — in case you were wondering — the game-by-game jersey color schedule for 2010, or as titled, “Colors of the Panthers Rainbow.”

As I stated earlier, special teams was just…ridiculous. I know I’m not the only one who thought so. Another piece by Scott Fowler, about how some players need to invest in a bottle of glue. At least until they are used to playing at a new position and at the next level.

Now for a good, in-depth piece by Panthers beat writer Darin Gantt. Some of Gantt’s tweet’s towards the end of the game had me chuckling, though it was late enough it could have been the onset of delirium setting in. First line: The Carolina Panthers might not have a quarterback controversy…interesting.

Steve Reed of CarolinaGrowl.com, offered his perspective on the passing game, and how left tackle Jordan Gross hit the nail on the head.

Finally, we’ll revisit Scott Fowler once more. He offers up the four things he didn’t like, and only two things he did like. I find his points hard to argue, as well.