8/24 NFLX Mia @ CAROL -4.5 (36) 8p FOX

[jimmyd]

Miami Dolphins - QB Rotation: Daunte Culpepper (first half), Joey Harrington, Cleo Lemon, Brock Berlin.

The starters are expected to play the first half, and Saban said they might also complete the first series in the third quarter Thursday.

Secondary thin. Eddie Jackson is back at practice after missing the past week with an abdominal injury. The Dolphins are still waiting for cornerbacks Michael Lehan (knee) and Travis Daniels (ankle) to return to practice. Both missed practice Monday and are not expected to play against Carolina. With so many injuries, rookie safety Jason Allen found himself on the cornerback. "We had him at corner because we don't have any corners," said Nick Saban. Jason Allen split time between safety and cornerback during team drills and looked good playing both.

More speed on offense: No. 3 receiver, rookie Derek Hagan, who has the size (6-2) and speed to pose problems in the slot, is making a very strong push for the job, which will be determined in preseason games. WR Kelly Campbell remains a candidate for the No. 3 job because of his speed. Safety Travares Tillman said Miami's offense has been tougher to defend in camp than last year not only because of Daunte Culpepper, but because "Campbell stretches the field a lot."

Carolina Panthers - QB Rotation: Jake Delhomme (1st-3rd Qs), Chris Weinke, Stephan LeFlors, rookie Brett Basanez.

The starters are expected to play a preseason high of three quarters.

The offense will be tweaked to take advantage of the speed of RB DeShaun Foster and rookie RB DeAngelo Williams and that won't be unveiled until the regular season. Williams and DeShaun Foster haven't looked overly impressive, but the offensive line hasn't played all that well, and the Panthers aren't going to show new wrinkles in the preseason. Foster will open the year as the featured back, but Williams will get considerable time.

All-pro wide receiver Steve Smith is back. Smith sat out 17 days (counting off days) and missed 24 practices while he rehabilitated. Smith hasn't been involved in contact drills though.

 

[jimmyd]

DOLPHINS

Stability on line in jeopardy from age

The defensive line, which averages nearly 33 years of age, is expected to remain the team's strength. But the aging players are causing Miami to rethink.
The epicenter of the Dolphins franchise is feeling convulsions now, if not an outright violent quake.
The defensive line that comprises some of the team's most respected leaders, that was arguably Miami's greatest strength last season and is expected to be that again this year, in short the roster's most stable unit, is being shaken.
There is talk that considerable experience might be evolving into old age. Some players are concerned about their futures in Miami while others are being offered up in trade. New players are trying to adjust to an unfamiliar system.
Oh, and on national television tonight, the Miami defensive line that fancies itself one of the best in the league will probably be compared to its Carolina counterpart that has a similar opinion of itself.
''I know we won't be matched up against them, but we don't want them to show us up in any way,'' defensive end David Bowens said. ``That's just the way the competition is in the league. That's the amount of pride we have in our unit.''

JUST A NUMBER
Of all the events threatening the foundation of Miami's defense, the age issue is at the forefront.
Keith Traylor will be 37 in two weeks, Jeff Zgonina is 36, Dan Wilkinson is 33 and Kevin Carter will be 33 next month. Jason Taylor will be 32 next week, Vonnie Holliday is 30 and Bowens is 29.
That's an average age of about 33 years. In defensive lineman years, that is a mature bunch.
''We were old last year, weren't we? And we finished second in the league in sacks,'' Taylor said with a twinge of testiness. ``I thought we did a pretty darn good job.''
Indeed, this defensive line, with some help from blitzing linebackers and others, tied a team record with 49 sacks a season ago.
''We do have some 15- and 14-year veterans on the squad, but those guys can still play,'' Holliday said. 'We watch film on teams and defenses around the league and guys that are playing, younger guys, and they're not better than Keith Traylor, they're not better than `Big Daddy' Wilkinson.
``These guys still can play, these guys can move. Kevin Carter is another 12-year vet that can play. These guys have the intangibles, and there's a reason that they've been around for as long as they have. And these are guys that can play even longer.''
Dolphins coach Nick Saban doesn't dispute his defensive linemen are advanced in years. But he says they are still productive.
''I think that guys that are typically power guys probably don't lose that,'' Saban said. ``I think you lose speed before quickness. I think you can keep quickness and you can keep power and I think those two things are probably more important at those positions because they are short area positions. How many times does a guy have to run a 40-yard dash?
``Basically, he can be a pretty effective player if he can still burst and play fast in a 10- or 15-yard box. I think that is why those guys can play longer.''

`A LOT BETTER'
Though pundits wonder aloud whether the group is aging, privately, Miami's linemen are planning to undertake another year in the NFL by playing better this season.
''I think we're a lot better this year,'' Carter said. ``I look at film of last year and it's amazing how much better we are, especially in the 3-4 [alignment].''
If that improvement materializes, it may have everything to do with the linemen's comfort level with Saban's defense. Some players felt somewhat out of position last season.
''A lot of guys had never played in this system that we played in last year,'' Taylor said. ``I know it was all French to me. Vonnie Holliday played at 275, and played at [defensive tackle] or played a [end next to a pass rushing linebacker] in a 3-4. The guy was almost playing out of position. I'm playing linebacker for the first time in nine years, since college, and we still did a lot of good things.''
For Bowens, the next good thing would be to break the team sack record.
''I want about 55 [team] sacks this year,'' he said. ``We had 10 easy opportunities where we missed sacks last year so it's not a bad number to shoot for. Individually I want to be first or second on the team in sacks.
``I'm setting my goal at 10 sacks this year. I missed three last year which would have put me at nine so that also is something I think I can reach.''

POSSIBLE BREAKUP
The Dolphins have been reaching out to other teams about trading for one of Miami's defensive linemen. Manny Wright is on the trade block and there's a possibility Zgonina or Kevin Vickerson may join him.
The Dolphins also are pleased with youngsters Matt Roth and Fred Evans, and the addition of Wilkinson has created something of a talent glut.
That's left Saban and general manager Randy Mueller looking for ways to balance the number of linemen they can keep on a 53-man roster.

 

[jimmyd]

Panthers set countdown to cutdown
Roster questions will clear up more tonight
The big decisions, for the most part, have been made for weeks. The little ones, however, could come down to tonight.
When the Carolina Panthers host the Miami Dolphins at Bank of America Stadium, the coaching staff and front office will use the third preseason game as one final audition as they get ready to make the first series of roster cuts. The Panthers must trim their roster to 75 players Tuesday and to 53 on Sept. 2.
Training camp settled the competition for the starting spots and the starters will get their most extensive playing time (into the third quarter) of the preseason tonight. Numerous players still on the fence will be trying to make one last good impression.
Here's a position-by-position look at how the roster is shaping up:
QUARTERBACKS
LOCKS: Jake Delhomme, Chris Weinke.
ON THE BUBBLE: Stefan LeFors, Brett Basanez.
ANALYSIS: The only competition here is for the No. 3 job and LeFors and Basanez have been about equal. The edge goes to LeFors because the Panthers have a year and a fourth-round pick invested in him. Basanez could be practice squad material.
RUNNING BACKS
LOCKS: DeShaun Foster, DeAngelo Williams, Brad Hoover, Nick Goings.
ON THE BUBBLE: Eric Shelton, Alex Haynes, Jamal Robertson, Casey Cramer.
ANALYSIS: The third running back spot could be the biggest decision remaining. Shelton hasn't shown a lot in the preseason, but he still has potential. Haynes doesn't have much potential, but he has produced. Robertson's value has decreased because Williams can return kickoffs.
The coaching staff is high on Cramer, but it's tough to justify keeping three fullbacks.
WIDE RECEIVERS
LOCKS: Steve Smith, Keyshawn Johnson, Keary Colbert, Drew Carter.
ON THE BUBBLE: Karl Hankton, Efrem Hill.
ANALYSIS: Hankton probably stays, solely for special teams purposes and that means the team would have to carry six receivers for Hill to stick around. Hill had a great training camp, but struggled in the first two exhibitions. The coaches would like him to handle punt returns, but he needs to be more consistent in that area.
TIGHT ENDS
LOCKS: Kris Mangum, Michael Gaines.
ON THE BUBBLE: Mike Seidman, Jeff King.
ANALYSIS: Once viewed as the complete package, Seidman never has played up to his potential. King has shown some promise, but the Panthers have to decide if Seidman is ready to produce.
OFFENSIVE LINE
LOCKS: Jordan Gross, Evan Mathis, Justin Hartwig, Mike Wahle, Travelle Wharton, Geoff Hangartner.
ON THE BUBBLE: Todd Fordham, Rashad Butler, Scott Peters, Will Montgomery, Dave Kadela, Qasim Mitchell, Chad Beasley.
ANALYSIS: Butler, a third-round pick, probably makes the roster and will spend the year trying to bulk up. Fordham probably stays because of experience and versatility. Kadela knows the offense and Beasley has quietly had a nice camp.
DEFENSIVE LINE
LOCKS: Julius Peppers, Mike Rucker, Al Wallace, Kris Jenkins, Maake Kemoeatu, Damione Lewis, Jordan Carstens.
ON THE BUBBLE: Kindal Moorehead, Atiyyah Ellison, Tony Brown, Jovan Haye, Stanley McClover.
ANALYSIS: The Panthers likely will keep nine linemen and versatility will be a big factor. Moorehead and Brown have the ability to play inside or outside. Haye and McClover appear to be in a dead heat for the No. 4 end job.
LINEBACKERS
LOCKS: Dan Morgan, Thomas Davis, Na'il Diggs, Adam Seward, Chris Draft.
ON THE BUBBLE: James Anderson, Keith Adams, Vinny Ciurciu.
ANALYSIS: Anderson, a third-round pick, is likely to stay and play a big role on special teams. Adams and Ciurciu could fall victims to numbers at one of the team's deepest positions.
DEFENSIVE BACKS
LOCKS: Chris Gamble, Ken Lucas, Richard Marshall, Mike Minter, Shaun Williams, Colin Branch.
ON THE BUBBLE: Reggie Howard, Nate Salley, Kevin McCadam, Jarrett Bush.
ANALYSIS: Howard probably stays because of his experience and Salley likely sticks because he could be an eventual starter at safety. Bush might be a surprise because he's had a strong preseason. McAdam, a free agent pickup from Atlanta, has been hurt most of the preseason and might not last.
SPECIALISTS
LOCKS: Kicker John Kasay, punter Jason Baker, long snapper Jason Kyle.
ANALYSIS: Kasay, Baker and Kyle are as secure as anyone on the roster.

 

[jimmyd]

Dolphins at Panthers | What to watch
Hey, we know the Carolina Panthers' matchup with Miami tonight is an exhibition, but it is the most significant of an insignificant bunch, because the starters are expected to play a preseason high of three quarters. You'll see a lot of the first team, but there are more specific things to watch for as well.
1. THE BATTLE FOR STRONG SAFETY
Free-agent signee Shaun Williams has spent considerable time at No.1, but Colin Branch, who had the spot last year before tearing up a knee, has been making solid progress, and neither player has a lock on the job.
2. THE OFFENSIVE LINE
When all the kinks are worked out, this is expected to be one of the best groups in team history. But there's still considerable kinking going on, as two new starters work to become compatible with the holdovers.
Keep an eye on how they work together tonight.
3. RB ERIC SHELTON
The Panthers were hoping Shelton would become the big-back answer to their short-yardage issues, but Shelton's location in the rotation in the first two games and lack of work suggests they might already be looking elsewhere.
Maybe toward Alex Haynes, who is only 5-foot-10 but lowers his center of gravity with a sturdy 223 pounds.
4. DAUNTE CULPEPPER
Culpepper, the Dolphins' new quarterback, returns to where it all went wrong for him a year ago.
Culpepper, then with Minnesota, played the Panthers here on Oct. 30.
He collided with Carolina's Chris Gamble and tore three knee ligaments, missing the rest of the season. The knee is healthy again, but his memories of this place can't be.
5. CHECK OUT DOM
That would be Dom Capers, the first head coach the Panthers ever had. Capers, fired as Houston's coach after last season, has always been a solid defensive strategist. He landed in Miami, where he's running the Dolphins' defense.
• Scouting report: Training camp went so well for Carolina, a chic Super Bowl pick, that Fox cut camp a couple of days short. The Panthers' first-team defense has scored two touchdowns and allowed only a field goal this preseason. Two matchups to watch: the mighty Carolina defensive line against the Dolphins offensive line, and the Carolina receivers -- even without Steve Smith, who is day-to-day with strained left hamstring -- against the Dolphins' secondary.

 

[jimmyd]

Miami Dolphins at Carolina Panthers
Panthers starters to play three quarters
Carolina head coach John Fox plans to use his starters for most of the game Thursday.
"Next week [against Miami], it will be roughly the first three quarters," Fox told Panthers.com before Carolina’s game on Aug. 19 .
Dolphins coach Nick Saban was initially hesitant to reveal how long his starters would play, but told the South Florida Sun-Sentinel on Tuesday they would play into the third quarter.
Panthers without Steve Smith
Panthers wide receiver Steve Smith will not be among the Panthers starters seeing plenty of action against Miami.
Smith injured his left hamstring on the first day of training camp (July 29) and the injury has kept him out of the team’s first two preseason games.
Reports out of Charlotte on Wednesday indicate he is also experiencing problems with an ingrown toenail. Smith led the NFL in receiving yards last year with 1,563.
Rookie cornerback impresses Carolina
Richard Mashall , a rookie cornerback with the Panthers, is having a fine training camp and could be on the verge of securing a major role with the team.
The 2006 second-round pick has emerged as a candidate to play in the Panthers` nickel defensive package, in which the team uses three cornerbacks instead of two for passing situations.
For much of training camp, Reggie Howard was the third cornerback in this scheme (behind Chris Gamble and Ken Lucas but lately Marshall has been seen a lot of time in the role.
Marshall is expected to get plenty of playing time against the Dolphins and could pass Howard on the Panthers` depth chart with a strong performance.
"He`s a good football player and he`s going to help us out," Panthers safety Mike Minter a 10-year veteran and leader of the secondary, told the Charlotte Observer.
Dolphins secondary hurting
Dolphins starting cornerback Travis Daniels (ankle) and reserve defensive backs Norman LeJeune and Michael Lehan (knee) missed practice on Tuesday and are not expected to be healthy enough to play against Carolina on Thursday.
Cornerback Eddie Jackson who missed one preseason game already with injury, did practice on Tuesday, but in a reduced role. His status for the Panthers game is still unknown.
Harrington doesn’t miss Detroit
While many Dolphins regulars will see significant playing time on Thursday, quarterback Daunte Culpepper could come out earlier than his fellow starters since he’s recovering from a major knee injury.
Joey Harrington will handle the QB duties once Culpepper exits. After four tough years in Detroit Harrington is happy to be in Miami and doesn’t mind being a backup.
"I don’t know if I would call it relief, but there is definitely a weight that’s been lifted off my shoulders," he told miamidolphins.com.

 

[jimmyd]

NFL Preseason Preview - Miami (1-1) at Carolina (2-0)​

(Sports Network) - Daunte Culpepper will return to the scene of his harrowing 2005 injury on Thursday night, when the Miami Dolphins quarterback leads his team into battle against the Carolina Panthers in the third preseason game for each team. It was last Oct. 30th that Culpepper, then with the Minnesota Vikings, sustained a major injury to his right knee, tearing three ligaments following a hit from cornerback Chris Gamble in the first quarter of an eventual 38-13 road loss to the Panthers. Culpepper was dealt to the Dolphins in the offseason, and has spent the 2006 preseason trying to shake off the rust of that injury in the interests of being ready for Miami's regular season opener on Sept. 7th.
Culpepper has played in each of Miami's first two preseason games, appearing briefly in the Fins' opener before seeing extended time in last Saturday's 13-10 win at Tampa Bay. Culpepper looked sharp against the Bucs, completing 7- of-9 passes for 86 yards before yielding to backups Joey Harrington (8-of-15, 81 yards) and Cleo Lemon (3-of-7, 29 yards). The UCF product also withstood his first major contact since the 2005 injury, absorbing a pair of sacks in the game and bearing no ill health effects. Culpepper and his fellow starters are expected to play the entire first half against the Panthers. In the second half, the most notable battles will be at running back and in the secondary, where the depth chart has yet to be solidified and several players are perceived to be fighting for jobs. On the injury front, wide receiver Kelly Campbell (leg) and cornerbacks Eddie Jackson (abdomen), Travis Daniels (ankle) and Michael Lehan (knee) are all considered questionable.
The Panthers will be looking to round out the home portion of their preseason schedule by maintaining their positive preseason momentum, after John Fox's club downed Buffalo (14-13) and Jacksonville (17-10) in its first two summer tune-ups. Among the major storylines for Carolina will be at running back, where incumbent starter DeShaun Foster, rookie DeAngelo Williams, and second- year-pro Eric Shelton are all battling for playing time. None of the three played particularly well in last week's win over the Jaguars, as Foster (4 carries, 10 yards), Williams (4 carries, 7 yards), and Eric Shelton (2 carries, 6 yards) combined for just 23 yards on 10 rush attempts. Thursday could also mark the first appearance of the 2006 preseason for Pro Bowl wideout Steve Smith, who has missed time in training camp with a hamstring injury. Smith is considered questionable, and tight end Kris Mangum (foot) is among the other Carolina notables with uncertain status for Thursday.
The Dolphins and Panthers will be meeting in the preseason for the first time, though the franchises do possess some regular season history together. Miami owns a 3-0 lead in the regular season series, including a 27-24 victory at Dolphins Stadium last season.

 

[jimmyd]

Miami at Carolina Preview

The Miami Dolphins (1-1) and their fans are expecting major production in the 2006 season. With a new general in quarterback Daunte Culpepper, a revamped secondary and Head Coach Nick Saban’s ‘desire with fire’ mentality, the Fins are taking a very different direction in team development and execution from following years.
As the NFL preseason rolls into Week 3, the Carolina Panthers (2-0) have plans of their own to become the dominant team in the NFC this year. Losing to the Seattle Seahawks in the Conference Championship last year (34-14), Carolina continues its belief in ‘D’ first then let everything else fall in line.
When Thursday night transpires onto the field of Bank of America Stadium, the Dolphins and Panthers will crash helmets, looking to gel all of the elements that turn a good team into a Super Bowl champion.
As time ticks down until the regular season, so does the chances for rookies and vets. Without a concrete starting position, players must prove their value before the nerve racking date of Sept. 2, which is when teams cut down to the 53-player maximum roster.
Culpepper can expect to see increased action, as he warms up with his new wide receivers Chris Chambers, Randy McMichael and company. Again, don’t expect this starting group to go further then a few minutes into the second quarter.
Instead, focus on QB Joey Harrington, as he continues to get regular playing time ahead of Cleo Lemon and Brock Berlin. Harrington has totaled 180 yards through the air with one TD and no interceptions in the preseason.
Carolina will be lead early on by QB Jake Delhomme, who was 10-for-18 with 129 yards last week. Signal callers Chris Weinke and Stefan LeFors have seen split time so far this season and this trend will most likely continue, barring any major injuries or changes in plans.
Wide out Steve Smith looks to be coming around after sitting last game against Jacksonville with a strained left hamstring, but no worries need apply as newly acquired Keyshawn Johnson has demonstrated that the receiving game won’t just rely on superstar Smith.
Defensively, the Dolphins front seven has remained fully intact heading into this season. The major change comes from the secondary, were a ‘clean-house’ approach has been in full effect. New additions include cornerbacks Will Allen, Andre’ Goodman, plus safety rookie Jason Allen. All are new ingredients in a recipe against the pass.
Arguably one of the best defensive units in the league, Carolina head coach John Fox will look to weed out the bottom end of the food chain on ‘D’. With nightmares still lingering from the loss to Seattle in postseason play last year, expect some fine tuning on the other side of the ball.
Only giving up 23-points in two weeks of preseason play, the Panthers continue to give key players such as defensive end Julius Peppers and middle linebacker Dan Morgan limited playing time.
Watch for the Panthers’ secondary to be under the watchful eye of the coaching staff, as newly acquired safety Shaun Williams has a lot to prove coming into this season. Injury plagued throughout his career with the New York Giants, Williams will also have to gain respect and a teamwork ethic from his secondary mates.
Miami and Carolina are both 1-1 against the spread in the preaseason. The Panthers have seen the 'under' go 2-0, while the Dolphins 'over/under' mark stands at 1-1 through two tilts.

 

[SoonerBS]

I don't like either one really. So, I'll probably lay a half unit on the points.

 

[jimmyd]

Leaning more to the UNDER her Sooner.

 

[jimmyd]

DOLPHINS NOTEBOOK
Competition is tight for roster spots
BY SARAH ROTHSCHILD
The Dolphins play the Carolina Panthers on Thursday night and though the results don't count, the performance of players at several positions will be analyzed, scrutinized and dissected.
With two preseason games complete, competition remains tight at offensive line, defensive line, starting fullback, backup wide receiver, backup running back and throughout the secondary.
After coach Nick Saban talked about the ''good'' and ''healthy'' competition on both lines, he was less pleased with the depth at cornerback and backup running back. Sammy Morris and Travis Minor who played sparingly last season are vying to be Ronnie Brown's primary backup, but Saban said the team could look elsewhere for that role.
''I don't think that's a position where we're totally settled on making an evaluation or feeling we have the kind of quality depth we need,'' Saban said.
Last season Morris started two games and rushed for 58 yards on 16 attempts, and Minor had five carries for 17 yards. Through two preseason games, Minor has seven carries for 38 yards and Morris nine rushes for 28 yards. Morris is listed as second string and Minor third on the depth chart. ''We want people that can run behind the pass, show toughness, have some elusiveness, be a decent receiver,'' Saban said. ``We've had several guys that have had an opportunity to do that, some have done a little better than others.''
The battle for playing time at cornerback continues with Travis Daniels (ankle) and Michael Lehan (knee) yet to return to practice. With the addition of first-round draft pick Jason Allen, safety Travares Tillman has been asked frequently about the possibility of the rookie taking his job.
''[Saban] brought me in here when he came here, so I think I'm one of his guys,'' Tillman said. ``He's going to give me a chance, and I don't think he's the type of coach to just give jobs away without them being earned first.''
Tillman said he has been helping Allen, who he said is working very hard, but also admitted Allen's presence has kept him on his toes.
Saban said he doesn't want his players getting caught up in titles and added that he doesn't plan to announce starters for the Dolphins' season opener Sept. 7 at Pittsburgh.
PLAYING TIME
The starters are expected to play the first half, and Saban said they might also complete the first series in the third quarter Thursday.
Saban left open the possibility that wide receiver Kelly Campbell, who has been slowed by a leg injury believed to be a quadriceps strain, and cornerback Eddie Jackson (abdominal) might play Thursday. Both are day-to-day, but for a second straight practice worked in red limited contact jerseys.
With Jackson's availability yet to be determined, Saban said Allen again might split time at safety and corner.
TOUGH RETURN
When Daunte Culpepper plays against Carolina, it will mark his return to Bank of America Stadium, where he tore three ligaments in his right knee Oct. 30. He sustained the injury on the final play of the first quarter after running for 18 yards.
Saban isn't worried about how playing in Carolina could affect Culpepper.
''I do think him getting banged around a little bit last week probably is beneficial to him,'' Saban said. ``Certainly if that's something that is psychologically affecting him that would be something we need to manage.''
THIS AND THAT
The transition on the field for defensive tackle Dan Wilkinson has been seamless, but fellow lineman Vonnie Holliday and linebacker Channing Crowder said the adjustment in the locker room has been a bit slower.
''That's kind of a little touch-and-go because he is a little intimidating,'' Holliday said. ``Channing Crowder, the first time, the first day [Wilkinson] was in, tried to make a side comment and the way he looked at Channing, I think the guys kind of backed off.''
Crowder said he compared Wilkinson to Miami rapper Rick Ross.

 

[jimmyd]

August 20, 2006
Observations following Panthers Exhibition No. 2
After a day of planes, trains and automobiles, it’s time for a little blogging.
Actually, there were no trains involved, but plenty of planes and automobiles. After flying from Jacksonville to Charlotte and, then, driving back to Spartanburg, it’s time for some observations on Saturday night’s preseason victory against Jacksonville and Monday’s end of training camp:
One of the biggest priorities of the offseason was to beef up the running game. So far, it hasn’t paid off. DeShaun Foster and DeAngelo Williams haven’t done anything spectacular. But both of those guys can run. What they need is better blocking. Besides, it’s the preseason, which, for the most part, means absolutely nothing.
While the preseason isn’t a fair gauge on running backs, it is important for the offensive line. That’s a unit that’s trying to build chemistry and continuity with two new starters. So far, the line hasn’t looked all that good, and Jake Delhomme felt way too much pressure Saturday night. The line suddenly is the biggest concern and there are only two exhibition games left to get things cleaned up.
Speaking of the offensive line, there’s another potential problem. What if Jordan Gross or Travelle Wharton goes down with a long-term injury. The emergency plan is to move guard Mike Wahle outside and start Geoff Hangartner at guard. That doesn’t say much for backup tackles Rashad Butler, a rookie who essentially will get a red-shirt season as he tries to bulk up, and Todd Fordham, a veteran, who is at the end of the line. Why not just watch the waiver wire for a legitimate backup tackle?
He’s yet to play a preseason down and there’s been speculation that Steve Smith’s numbers will drop from last season. I disagree. Smith’s always been a competitor, and with the possibility of a contract extension looming, he’s going to step up even more than last year when he was the best receiver in the league.
Safety Colin Branch was brought along slowly early in camp as he recovered from a major knee injury. He’s been practicing more the past 10 days and played well against the Jaguars. Don’t be surprised if he soon moves ahead of veteran Shaun Williams at free safety.
Rookie Richard Marshall worked as the nickel back ahead of veteran Reggie Howard on Saturday night. You have to wonder if that’s a sign that Marshall’s picking things up quickly or if the Miami Dolphins were right when they parted ways with Howard.
Perhaps the best thing about the preseason games so far is that the Panthers haven’t had a significant injury.

 

[tru]

Lines From Pinny

opened Carolina -3.5 -107 36.5 under -105
4:30 pm Carolina -4.5 -108 36 over -115

Sports Insights is showing 54% on Carolina, and right now theres a full point move from opening to current line. line has had alot of movement since its monday opening. line moved to -4.5 20 minutes after it opened monday, from there it jumped to -5.5 2 hours later. alot of early money came in hard for carolina. wednesday at 11 am it moved from -5.5 to -5, then down to -4.5 all in about 20 minutes. total is showin 59% on tha under, an it has dropped a half point, but juice is on tha over now -115. we will see how this game plays out, but some big moves sofar in this game. from -3.5 to -5.5, now back to -4.5. jus from tha 11 am move it seems that might have been a sharp player layin some cream on this, but who knows.

 

[JumpOnBoard]

this is a complete tossup...I venture to guess Saban will come close to matching Fox's starter plan here...that makes the under a risky propisition, IMO...

Like Den, I'm taking a SMALL flier on the pts...