Not Scared of the Panthers
 

Two of Three wins- Deadskins, and the Bucks. They beat an average Arizona team- average

Not impressed. We could beat them by 21+

Re: Not Scared of the Panthers
 

... or they could beat us by 21. I hope our players aren't taking them as lightly.

Re: Not Scared of the Panthers
 

If we play our game they stand no chance. That 1960's run the ball clock control/field position/defense strategy doesn't work, especially if they get behind and Delhomme has to start slinging it. We can come from behind, they can't. In any game, if we start playing sloppy football we lose no matter who it is. They lost their fullback so that is not going to bode well.

Re: Not Scared of the Panthers
 

Their defense is very good. I would be worried about them as they always play tough. I'd also bet the under.

Re: Not Scared of the Panthers
 

I was worried about Miami, and the Falcons. If we play hard I think we can beat them by 21. Their defense is not that good this year.

Tampa, and Redskins offense are terrible!

Re: Not Scared of the Panthers
 

Let's hope the Saints get an early lead, like they have in most of the games this year.
That would, hopefully, put Carolina into a pass-happy mode. Then Jake can make a few completions to Sharper.

Re: Not Scared of the Panthers
 

Something tells me that these guys will give us a fight until the end. They always play us hard. The key this time is to stack the box, stop the run game, and make sorry ass Jake beat us through the air.

Remember, we lead the NFL in interceptions and Jake leads the NFL in throwing them.

Re: Not Scared of the Panthers
 

I agree. I do believe we have the tools to blow practically anyone out but divisional games are always a little tougher....even if the other team has a less than mediocre record. In this case we'll have to see which Delhomme shows up

Re: Not Scared of the Panthers
 

These are always great tight fought game. The Panthers can bite at anytime. This is the NFL.

Re: Not Scared of the Panthers
 

I hope our players and coaches don't have this attitude. There was a lot of talk last week about how bad we would beat the Falcons, and the game was really tight. I said it last week and I'll say it again, teams always get up for rivalry games.

The Saints definitely have the talent to win, but I hope we don't read our press clippings...

Re: Not Scared of the Panthers
 

I look for the defense to step it up a notch after Monday night. Force Jake to throw in the 2nd half and we take 2 more picks to the house.

Re: Not Scared of the Panthers
 

good point.
This
Is
Tha
National
Football
League.

Great teams take care of business, and I'd like to clobber the Panthers.
Joe Theismann of all people predicted about 15 yrs. ago that the Saints &
Panthers would get really tired of each other someday, and the games
would become a good rivalry. I am sick of the Panthers. Sick of Steve Smith. And I want to kick their ***.

Re: Not Scared of the Panthers
 

I was really worried about the Falcons. The clowns have a VERY solid all-around team and VERY sound coaching. That game in Atlanta is going to be tough.

The Panthers? Not at all. I tell you, if the Saints intercept a ball early in the 1st quarter, it is all over. I actually see multiple INTs happening this Sunday.

Re: Not Scared of the Panthers
 

not from me, i said the game would be close

Re: Not Scared of the Panthers
 

Agree, on both your points!

Re: Not Scared of the Panthers
 

I don't think it's fear, but respect. A good analogy I will give you, is one time I saw this HUGE guy, get his butt kicked by a guy that was less than half his size. Before the fight the big guy was talking lots of trash, about how small his opponent was, only to be taken to the hospital, after he got his jaw broken. My point is, that if you are going to get it on, just get it on. Save the smack talk for after the fight. It's much sweeter! :)

Re: Not Scared of the Panthers
 

We shouldn't be scared of anyone in the NFL, but we would be stupid to take teams lightly. Concern should be called for in light of the fact that there seems to be a rebirth of a Panther running game and a get tough attitude on D.

The Saints could very well be, yet again, playing from behind if we turn the ball over and allow them to break out a running game (Turner's 150+ yds still bothers the hell out of me.) to keep our O off the field.

I biggest opponent on the upcoming schedule is 'over confidence' and believing we are better than we really are. One game at a time is how its done, not looking past ANYONE on the schedule!

Re: Not Scared of the Panthers
 

Don't know if I would go that far. You just described how the Steelers and Giants have won the last two superbowls.

Re: Not Scared of the Panthers
 

Look, I am not saying to take them lightly. Is it possible we get our asses handed to us- yes. Is it likely- no. My point is simple- I was worried about the Miami and Falcons games. I am not worried about this one. I think we are a much better team. Yeah we have to play hard. I apologize for making the assumption that people understood that without me saying it. My point is I think we will dominate this game. We are home- our defense did not tackle or play great Monday night. I think GDUB will have them ready to go. I think they expect more of themselves, and will come out with an attitude. I believe we will dominate this game. Doesn't mean I am right- it is just what I think.

I am sticking to it!

Re: Not Scared of the Panthers
 

Carolina is not going to go down easy. They are 3-4 and are looking to get back to 4-4 and have a shot at the second 1/2 of the season. This will no doubt be a playoff game to them.


Anybody expecting a blow out is a bit deranged.

http://bossip.files.wordpress.com/20...nian-woman.jpg

Re: Not Scared of the Panthers
 

Both the Dolphins and Falcons are better teams than the Panthers. Can they win? Sure, this is the NFL. Will they win? Not without bunches of Saints' turnovers and unusual mistakes.

Even with 4 turnovers the past 2 weeks the Saints still managed to win. And by at least 8 points. That's amazing. So I guess the Panthers need to pray for 8 turnovers by the Saints to keep this game close.

Re: Not Scared of the Panthers
 

Actually, that is not correct.
Both the Steelers and Giants had to move the ball in the air to win their respective games.
Plus the Steelers would've lost had not been for that improbable Harrison TD and some "subjective" calls by the referees.

Re: Not Scared of the Panthers
 

Is this right ??? The Saints last beat the Kiity Cats in 2001. With Brooks as the QB....

Re: Not Scared of the Panthers
 

I dunno about the last time we beat them but I'll say this, as far as their record of beating us at home goes, you can flip it over and say we are due for a win against them in the dome. They may have had some recent sucess, and will be fired up for this game but in the end I don't think its gonna be enough. This is a game we should win and will win if we don't make stupid mistakes.

Re: Not Scared of the Panthers
 

I agree with Foreverfan here. I am disappointed that the Saints have let Carolina and Jake rule the Dome. I am calling this a close game with the Saints winning. These last two games could have gone either way. We need to be perfect at home to win the division this year and hope Atlanta drops another along the way.

Re: Not Scared of the Panthers
 

Well both our starting DT's are out now- so that doesn't help, but if we stop their run, and get up early by 10-14 points, I think it will be a blowout.

That said, we are coming off a short week, and are banged up...

Injuries might be the only thing to prevent a blow out

Re: Not Scared of the Panthers
 

If there was ever a game we lose so far, this is it.

1. Short week after physical division game.
2. Our #1 and #2 DT are out
3. Facing a team that will definitely notice #2.
4. Facing a team built to take advantage of #2.
5. Our most disciplined run-stopping OLB is also out.
6. We have an over-hyped, albeit adequate, backup LT facing Julius Peppers.
7. We're facing a team that has nothing but confidence versus us.

I can see numerous runs bouncing outside as our defense cheats a bit inside to compensate for our DT's.

I can see Steve Smith and play action burning us as we cheat up to stop the run.

I can see Peppers going off on Bushrod. This is where we'll miss Heath Evans' chipping and pass blocking help.

Don't get me wrong though. I think we "should" win this game and probably will, but I wouldn't be the least bit surprised if they kicked our ass either.

We'll need to play error free, and get out to an early lead. Of couse, thats the same thing I said against Miami and we ended up kicking their ass after being down three scores, so whadda I know?

Saints 27
Panthers 17

Re: Not Scared of the Panthers
 

Danno, you're looking like a genius. I would also like to express a healthy, "I told you so" to those predicting easy
blowout. Carolina just has too much history of kicking our ass.

How bout that Tracy Porter? Steve Smith didnt show up till it was too late. This was a great character win. I am so happy to beat the Panthers, even if their coach showed zero confidence in Delhomme.

Re: Not Scared of the Panthers
 

First, I'll be happy to admit that I was wrong. I will simply say this though: I am not scared of the Panthers. Let me explain- we should have blown them out yesterday. Injuries have played a big part in how we are getting run on. It started against the Falcons, and continued this week. No one is going to convince me that losing three of your starting 7 up front does not result in that type of outing against the run. The thing is we still won. If Drew does not fumble, and we play better run d on the first drive - that game might have been 30-10.

Now the simple fact is this- no matter what you could have done better- I get that we didn't, and the game was close. If a bad call, missed FG, or an improbable TD happen, and you lose- well at the end of the year the only thing that counts is wins and losses. So for me to say well if this would have Happened it would have been a larger victory, is really of no value. I am happy being wrong, because I care only if we win by 1 point each week.

That said, we are heads and shoulders above the Panthers- and if anything- yesterday reaffirms that for me. Any week you can lose though, so...

8-0 BABY- WHODAT!