Big Pappa

Panthers Practice

I went down to the Panthers practice saturday. It was Panthers Fan Fest as they called it. Future Hall of Famer Jake Delhomme only played one series and never threw the ball. I did get a picture of him looking at me. He threw me his Jersey and said here you go kid. Then the security guard said "sir you can't stand here". So I left and went to the hospital to see my new nephew Eli. Below are some pictures from the practice. The first picture shows Jake looking at me. The second two are of the panther statue outside the stadium.

***Some parts of this story were exaggerated***

USA Rebounds!

After a dismal showing in the World Cup this summer, the United States soccer community was left somewhat embarrassed by the teams showing and by the coaching. American soccer fans were given something to cheer about a few days ago. The MLS (Major League Soccer) which is Americas version of professional soccer, played Chelsea. Chelsea is from the English Premiership League. The Premiership is in my humble opinion the greatest soccer league in the world. Chelsea is the reigning Premiership champions and somewhat reminiscent of the Yankees, due to the fact that they have spent a ridiculous amount of money in the past 4 years to scoop up all the great soccer players in the world. Chelsea has spent big since Roman Abramovich took over four seasons ago, shelling out about $750 million to build a roster of international stars that now includes Andriy Shevchenko, Michael Ballack, Didier Drogba, Joe Cole, John Terry, Frank Lampard, Hernan Crespo and Michael Essien. I am not a Chelsea fan. I am a Arsenal fan. So it was a great thrill to see the mighty Chelsea fall in defeat to the MLS all-star team by a score of 1-0. The best part was to hear the excuses. See excuses mean you got to them. Excuses mean they are embarrassed. Well done MLS all-stars.

World Cup Woes

The United States was eliminated from the World Cup today. They did not play very well these last 3 games. I was very disappointed in Landon Donovan. He did not show up at all this time around. It was hard to watch. They were prepared, they are in the best shape of their lives and they are the best team we have put out there and they came up short. They lacked intensity. They lacked desire. It was sad to see Claudio Reyna the team captain go out this way in last world cup game. I watched him play since he was 16 years old and he has has always led his team well by execution on and off the field. He has the heart of a lion and that is how you will be remembered. Claudio Reyna you made us proud, and we are proud of the way you have represented this country. Go England! Go Ghana beat Brazil.

World Cup

It's that time again. The World Cup kicks off this Friday. It's hard to believe that it has already been 4 years since the last one. I love the idea of the World Cup. It is like the Olympics but it matters. :-) It is 32 countries fighting to be crowned the best in the world.

I have started a World Cup Fantasy league that is played on-line. It is part of the Espn Soccernet. I have set up a league and want you to join me. Don't feel intimidated by not knowing the players. There is a button you can click on that will pick a team for you. It will be fun and it will build interest in the world cup. So if you want to join please do so quickly because the World Cup starts friday. Just email me and I will send you the link to join.

Panthers 2006 Schedule

PRESEASON
Saturday August 12 BUFFALO BILLS 7:30pm
Saturday August 19 Carolina @ Jacksonville Jaguars 7:30pm
Thursday August 24 MIAMI DOLPHINS 8:00pm
Thursday August 31 Carolina @ Pittsburgh Steelers 7:30pm

REGULAR SEASON
Sunday Sept 10 ATLANTA FALCONS 1:00pm
Sunday Sept 17 @ Minnesota Vikings 1:00pm
Sunday Sept 24 @ Tampa Bay Buccaneers 1:00pm
Sunday Oct 1 NEW ORLEANS SAINTS 1:00pm
Sunday Oct 8 CLEVELAND BROWNS 1:00pm
Sunday Oct 15 @ Baltimore Ravens 1:00pm
Sunday Oct 22 @ Cincinnati Bengals 1:00pm
Sunday Oct 29 DALLAS COWBOYS 8:15pm
Sunday Nov 5 BYE
Monday Nov 13 TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS 8:30pm
Sunday Nov 19 ST. LOUIS RAMS 1:00pm
Sunday Nov 26 @ Washington Redskins 1:00pm
Monday Dec 4 @ Philadelphia Eagles 8:30pm
Sunday Dec 10 NEW YORK GIANTS 1:00pm
Sunday Dec 17 PITTSBURGH STEELERS 1:00pm
Sunday Dec 24 @ Atlanta Falcons 1:00pm
Sunday Dec 31 @ New Orleans Saints 1:00pm

Steam Rolled!

The Panthers were beaten in every facet of the game tonight. My most favorite player in the entire universe Jake Delhomme had a bad game. It broke my heart to see them go down that way. It's not that they lost, its that they lost that way. For those of you that pray. Pray for Nick Goings he took a hit to the head that knocked him silly. He left with a concussion. Pray that there is no damage. Sometimes head injuries can be quite serious a few days later, so please pray for him.

One Step Away

At the beginning of the NFL season, I made some rather bold statements. Such as the Panthers were going to the Super Bowl and that we would all dance in the streets of Detroit. Well here we are now just one game away from returning to the Super Bowl. It has been a crazy season. I have learned a lot about myself this season. The first thing is that I care way to much about the Panthers. I have managed to let that go for the most part. I am still a very passionate Panthers fan. I have just let go of the anger and disappointment that would follow a loss. So today I am going to cheer for my Panthers passionately and win or loose I will take it for what it is, A Game. One that I enjoy immensely but none the less a game. With that said, Go Panthers! Crush those sons of bitches.:-) Below is where they will be playing tonight at 6:30pm. Below that is a picture of Steve Smith sword fighting in Tampa Bay. Enjoy the game. I know I will.

Seattle Here We Come

The Panthers beat the Bears. Jake Delhomme threw for 320 yards 3 touchdowns with a passer rating of 120.00. For those of you not aware that is pretty damn good. Steve Smith caught 12 passes for 218 yards and 2 TD's. Steve Smith is the man.

Are You Ready For Some Football

Below is where the Bears call home. Today Soldier Field will be quieted by the mighty Jake and the Cardiac Cats. Charge the field boys. Play your hearts out. Leave it all on the field. Crush those Bear cubs.

Panthers Win!

The Panthers crushed the New York Giants 23-0. The first time a home team was shut out since 1980. Next stop the Chicago Bears. This is going to be a great re-match.