Carolina Panthers: What a long, strange trip

The Kansas City Chiefs organization has lost one of their own. The tragedy that took place yesterday is not often experienced by teams of any sport or on any level. This season has been  strange and now it has become tragic as well. I wish to offer my sincerest condolences to the Belcher and Perkins families, as well as the entire Kansas City Chiefs organization.

Dec 2, 2012; Kansas City, MO, USA; Kansas City Chiefs head coach Romeo Crennel talks to the media after the game against the Carolina Panthers at Arrowhead Stadium. Kansas City won the game 27-21. Mandatory Credit: John Rieger-US PRESSWIRE

Kansas City has been, I dare say, even more of a disappointment this year than Carolina. With only 1 win coming into this game, the team has performed well below what was expected. So I was thinking the Panthers would have a real advantage in this game even though they were working off a short week.Carolina was able to establish a good offensive rhythm against the Eagles and should have been able to carry over that success against the Chiefs. Kansas City, I thought, had nothing to play for so they would likely mail it in. Well inexplicably the Chiefs grievously experienced some real adversity. Like any family this Chiefs team got together, looked to each other for support and found a motivating factor for this game. Considering the events that have taken place in the last 24 hours, this Chiefs team played very well, They went 3 for 3 on 4th down. They scored on their first possession of the game (first time they have done that since 2010) and on the very last play of the 1st half. Then came out to start the 2nd half with a 17 play scoring drive. The Chiefs showed up to play and Brady Quinn looked like a NFL starting quarterback (19/23 201 2 TD). I was impressed with his poise and leadership out on the field today, I think Kansas City has found their starting quarterback and Matt Cassel has seen his last days as a Chief. That’s right Brady Quinn!!??

Coach Romeo Crennel must be given credit for the job he did preparing this team to come out and play to the level they did today. I can’t fathom the horror he must have felt being witness to such a morbid event. I have a newfound respect for Coach Crennel and the Chiefs. That team deserved to win the game. They overcame a mortifying act to play a game. I know the game was a temporary escape from having to deal with the tragedy, but kudos to them for coming out and playing their best game of the year. They used the event to unite as a team and an organization.

This season has been a long strange trip. The Panthers have been victims of the cruelty of lady luck and even in the midst of an organizational tragedy in Kansas City, Carolina comes out on the short end of the stick. Congratulations to the Chiefs, and my prayers go out to the teammates and families touched by these tragic events.

God Bless!
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