Deja Vu

Ever since watching my beloved Panthers get destroyed by Arizona in last year's playoffs, I've been anxiously awaiting their coming redemption in the 2009 season. With week 1 in the books, I'm still waiting.

Carolina was destroyed 38-10 by Philadelphia in a game eerily reminiscent of that playoff debacle. Impressive Carolina opening drive and 7-0 lead? Check. Sudden glut of Jake Delhomme turnovers leading to a big deficit? Check. Early second half Jon Beason interception offering glimmer of hope? Check. Immediate turnover after said interception squashing said hope? Check.

This is two miserable games in a row for Jake, and many of my fellow Panther fans are ready to run him out of town. I've always been a supporter, and to be fair, our O-line was absolutely terrible yesterday, but Delhomme's recent play has me a bit worried. However, nobody's coming to the rescue. Time to turn it around, Panthers - and with upcoming trips to Atlanta and Dallas, time to turn it around fast.

Tired of Madden?

If so, you may want to take a look at this upcoming football game from developer NaturalMotion, Backbreaker. The game contains no canned tackle animations like Madden, instead, every collision is rendered in real-time by the game's Euphoria physics engine, the same engine utilized last year in games like Grand Theft Auto IV and Star Wars: The Force Unleashed. What does that mean in non-tech speak? Every tackle will be unique, every time. I'm interested to see how they pull this one off this fall.

More Backbreaker News & Previews

Pulling For the Trifecta

I've dubbed it "The Trifecta." It's never happened before - all 3 Carolina pro sports teams making the playoffs in the same season. There's an outside chance it could happen this year, and the prospect has me pumped with anticipation. The Carolina Panthers already did their part, smashing through the regular season with a 12-4 record, winning the NFC South division, and heading into the playoffs (unfortunately with very forgettable results). Next on tap, the Carolina Hurricanes, who at present are arguably the hottest team in the entire NHL coming off a 10-1-2 March. After beginning the month as an inconsistent team with fringe playoff hopes, the renaissance of goalie Cam Ward and the reaquisition of forward Erik Cole (who was just traded away to Edmonton last summer) has them sitting smack dab in the middle of the Eastern Conference race as the team that nobody wants to play in the first round. After last season's final week collapse that left the Canes a point out of the playoffs I don't want to assume anything right now, but they look like a pretty sure bet for postseason play this year. Then you've got the Charlotte Bobcats, a bit of a long shot for the NBA playoffs right now but all the more exciting because nobody ever expected them to even be where they are now. With new coach (but Hall-of-Famer) Larry Brown at the helm, the team struggled out of the gate to adjust to his demanding system and style of play. However, a midseason makeover (and an extreme one at that) of the roster has them playing great basketball right now, culminating in a win over the Lakers Tuesday night. A double-overtime heartbreaking loss to defending-champ Boston last night hurt, and it's likely that the early season hole they dug is just a hair too deep for their late surge to overcome, but they're only a game and a half out of the final spot with 7 to go, so anything's possible. At any rate, expectations should be high next year with the current roster coming into training camp rather than learning to play together on the fly. Will the Cats sneak past Chicago or Detroit and into the playoffs? Will the Canes repeat their magical 2006 Stanley Cup run? Will I ever get over that Arizona playoff game? I don't know, but it's sure a great time to be a Carolina sports fan.

Does God Care Who Wins the Super Bowl?

MSNBC's John Walters explores the relationship between faith and sports, focusing in particular on the Super Bowl quarterbacks. For any Christian sports fan, this is worth a read, if for nothing else than to see the way Walters writes about faith. You'd think he had stumbled onto a strange undiscovered tribe. The whole article views religious atheletes as an oddity and isn't quite sure what to make of them. It's an interesting read, and to answer the titular question - I'm reformed, so yes, of course he does.

I'm Famous!

From Sunday's Gaston Gazette: "Dejected Panthers fans watch during the Panthers-Cardinals playoff game Saturday at Bank of America Stadium."

Cardinals 33, Panthers 13

My dad and I had great seats (end zone, front row!) but saw a lousy game. The Panthers decided to play their worst game of the season in the biggest game of the season. Now, it's time for that annual sports fan motto - wait 'till next year. Anyway, here are a few pics I took Saturday night.

Nothing Could Be Finer...

...than to be in Carolina for a Panthers football game - and that's exactly where I'll be Saturday night. I'm hitting the road this afternoon for Charlotte to take in our playoff showdown with Arizona. Enjoy your weekend, and go Panthers!!!

Friday's Featured Film - 1/9/09

New movies are usually released to theaters every Friday, but who’s got 10 bucks these days to drop on a movie that may well be a load of crap? Given those odds, each Friday I offer an alternative on DVD that you can rent at your local video store (or in some cases, avoid at all costs). Some will be new releases, others you may have to hunt for, but all of them are available to light up your small screen should it be a lazy Friday night.

Leatherheads

I’m a fan of George Clooney’s work as an actor (provided that one strikes Batman & Robin from the record). Though I wasn’t a huge fan of the movie, he showed promise as a director with Confessions of a Dangerous Mind several years ago. I haven’t seen his much-acclaimed Good Night and Good Luck, but after watching Leatherheads with my family last week I’m convinced that Clooney’s talent extends to working behind the camera as well as in front of it. The movie was nothing to write home about, but its style, charm, and sense of humor made for an enjoyable evening.

Set in the 1920s, the movie tells the story of the birth of pro football, with Clooney playing Dodge Connelly, star player of the Duluth Bulldogs. With his career nearing an end, the Bulldogs in financial trouble, and the fledgling league close to folding, Dodge sets out to save and legitimize pro football by signing college star and war hero Carter Rutherford (John Krasinski of The Office fame). Rutherford draws crowds and fame to Duluth, as well as the attention of Chicago reporter Lexi Littleton (Renee Zellweger), who is out to prove that Carter’s war heroism is more legend than fact. With the crowds, the press, and unexpected consequences (in the form of actual rules) swirling, Dodge and the Bulldogs chase a championship and a place in the national sports scene.

Clooney gives the movie a great style and wit. My mom described the movie as having a Vaudeville feel that really fit the time period, and I think she’s right. The writing, the pacing, and even the screwball way the football scenes were shot all produce a movie that encapsulates the comedic legacy of that period in time. The cast is very good, with Clooney and Zellweger in particular having a great rapport together. If there's a weak link, it's Krasinski. As an Office fan, that's hard for me to say, and he's not bad - he just doesn't quite hold his own with some of the other heavy-hitters on screen. The movie is light – nothing that you’ll remember a year from now, nothing that will make your all-time Top 10 list, but an enjoyable evening of entertainment. If you’re a fan of any of the movie’s actors, of Clooney’s direction, of football, of 20’s period pieces, check this one out. There’s an angle here that most everyone will enjoy. You probably won’t love it, but I can almost guarantee you won’t hate it, and in today’s cinematic landscape, that’s something. - *** (out of 4)

Leatherheads is rated PG-13 for brief strong language.

The Big Cat

Check out this great article from Charlotte Observer columninst Tom Sorensen on Panthers owner Jerry Richardson, who is currently awaiting a heart transplant. Though the Al Davises and Jerry Joneses of the NFL get all the headlines, Richardson, a quiet, caring, and humble man, is a great example of what an owner should be.

Take That, LenDale White

Bring on the Cards

Arizona it is. The Cardinals advanced to the second round of the NFL playoffs by beating Atlanta 30-24 on Saturday, setting up a date with my Carolina Panthers. This will be Carolina's first home playoff game since a 29-10 drubbing of Dallas in 2003. I attended that game, and I'll be driving down to Charlotte this weekend to cheer the Panthers on again. Arizona will be tough (they jumped out to a 17-3 lead over Carolina in October before the Panthers roared back to win 27-23), but we've got a healthy defense for the first time in a month, "Double Trouble" in the backfield, and I think we'll take care of business Saturday night. Should be an entertaining weekend of football.

The Second Season Begins

Well, the NFL regular season came to an end Sunday, and while some coaches have already had the axe drop on their futures, 12 teams are preparing for their shot at a Super Bowl. With an overpowering, then collapsing, then come-back-and-win-it-at-the-end 33-31 win over New Orleans, the Panthers earned their first NFC South title since 2003 and their first playoff bye since 1996. Now, we wait for our second round opponent - either Minnesota, Arizona, or Atlanta - to come to Charlotte for a Saturday night showdown on January 10th. Anything can happen in the NFL's second season, but the opportunity is there for a return to the Super Bowl for my Panthers, which will hopefully produce a different result from their last trip. Did your team survive for playoff time? Who do you think will be punching a ticket to Tampa? Let me know in the comments.

Monday Night Magnificence

A couple weeks ago, I posted about the fact that my Carolina Panthers were getting no respect despite the best start in franchise history and one of the top records in the NFL. I have a feeling that's about to change. The Panthers shredded the lauded Tampa Bay defense en route to a resounding 38-23 win last night on Monday Night Football. The Bucs had allowed only 1 rushing touchdown all year, but Carolina's tandem of Jonathan Stewart and DeAngelo Williams (or as they're becoming known, "Smash and Dash") gashed them for 300 yards (Williams 185, Stewart 115) and 4 touchdowns. Add in another explosive night from Steve Smith and it was a party atmosphere in Charlotte last night. Our last 3 games are very tough, but Carolina now controls their own destiny for home-field advantage in the playoffs - win out, and we're the NFC's #1 seed. At any rate, I don't think we'll be seeing many more hack job pieces like this one written by SI.com's Adam Duerson last Friday.

Bigger Than the Game

Check out this very cool story from ESPN's "Outside the Lines" about the 1958 University of Buffalo football team - the only squad in school history to be invited to a bowl game - and why the Bulls' players chose to decline their historic invitation.

Right Where We Want to Be

It's been a good season to be a Carolina Panthers fan. Yesterday, the Panthers notched a 31-22 win over Detroit to move to 8-2 on the season, the 3rd-best record in the NFL and tied for the best start in franchise history (with the 2003 NFC Champion squad). Even better? No one seems to have noticed. The national media is abuzz with chatter (deservedly so) about the Titans and the Giants. The airwaves are filled with pundits falling all over the Cowboys now that Tony Romo's back and they've won six whole games (six!). Sports Illustrated's Peter King places the Panthers as the 9th best team in the NFL right now, ranking them behind Tennessee, the Giants, Indianapolis, Pittsburgh, Baltimore, the Jets, New England and Tampa Bay. Seriously?

Why is this good news? Because Carolina's always thrived on flying under the radar. When big things are expected, they tend to flop (see 1997, 2004, and 2006). When people are expecting mediocrity, they become world-beaters. The last six games on the schedule are going to be tough, but this team looks poised to make some noise come January. That's the only attention that really matters anyway.

Anything You Can Do...

Midway through the 3rd quarter yesterday, the Chicago Bears had built a 17-3 lead over Carolina by doing what they do best - a solid running game and suffocating defense. How did the Panthers respond? By doing the same thing - and doing it better. Behind the feisty leadership of QB Jake Delhomme, a breakout performance by rookie RB Jonathan Stewart (pictured), and a defense that went into shutdown mode down the stretch, the Panthers came from behind and beat the Bears 20-17 in their home opener in Charlotte. The Panthers are now 2-0 and getting Steve Smith back from his two-game suspension next week at Minnesota. Sadly, though the game was actually on TV here in Louisville I didn't get to see it since we were out of power, but the highlights paint a nice picture of what could be version 2.0 of the Cardiac Cats.

Return of the Cardiac Cats

If you can pull yourself away from the 24-hour coverage of Tom Brady's knee, check out the highlights from Carolina's riveting 26-24 upset of the San Diego Chargers. The Panthers shocked everybody by going on the road and beating the trendy Super Bowl pick without star receiver Steve Smith, who has been suspended for the first two games of the season for punching CB Ken Lucas. Yesterday, Lucas called on his teammates to dedicate the game to Smith, and Jake Delhomme and company came through in a game eerily reminiscent of the 2003 season-opener against Jacksonville. Bring on Da' Bears!

Take That, Steve Spurrier

For the past couple decades, Steve Spurrier's "Fun and Gun" offense was the epitome of no-holds-barred offensive abandon in football. Today, ESPN ran a story about a new offense that makes Spurrier's look downright boring. They call it the A-11, and the best description I can offer is that it looks like the spread offense on steroids. It uses two quarterbacks on the field at the same time (yes, you read that right), eligible receivers out the wazoo, a ton of motion, and it's making waves at a California high school. Time will tell if this is a gimmick or a genuine offensive innovation, but it's sure interesting to see on the field. Check out the ESPN article for a more detailed description, and check out this video of the A-11 in action.

Christ on Display in Canton

A big thanks to my uncle Chris Cowan for passing along C.J. Mahaney's post on Redskins WR Art Monk's recent induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Monk's induction speech should be an encouragement to every Christian to remember the true measure of a man. An excerpt...

"...even now as a Hall of Famer, the one thing I want to make very clear is that my identity and my security is found in the Lord. And what defines me and my validation comes in having accepted his son Jesus Christ as my personal savior. And what defines me is the Word of God, and it’s the Word of God that will continue to shape and mold me into the person that I know he’s called me to be.

So I’ve learned a long time ago never to put my faith or trust in man, for man will always fail you. Man will always disappoint you. But the Word of God says that Jesus is the same yesterday, today and forever. And He will never fail you.

And that is what I live by and what I stand on. Being included into this fraternity is a pretty humbling experience for me. I always grew up seeing these guys as giants and legends who make significant contributions to the game of football. And it’s pretty hard for me to believe that I’ve now been included as part of them. Growing up I was never voted the most likely to succeed. And there was never anything about me that would have given anyone the impression that I would have played in the NFL, let alone to be standing here.

There’s a scripture that I think about almost every day and I’ve come to personalize it to my life. It says: “Lord, who am I that you are mindful of me?” [Psalm 8:4]. And the Apostle Paul says, “Think of what you were when you were called. Not many were wise by human standards. Not many were influential. Not many were born of noble birth” [1 Corinthians 1:26]. And when I look at my life and how I grew up, I certainly had none of those qualities or benefits.

But I understand and I know that I’m here not by, in, and of my own strength—but it’s by the grace and the power of God upon my life, who I know gave me favor along the way, and who provided opportunity and room for me to use my gifts.

So I am very grateful to receive this honor, and I can stand here before you and say, “Hey, look at me, look at what I did.” But if I’m going to boast, I’m going to boast today in the Lord, for it’s because of him that I’m here and I give him thanks and glory and honor for all that he has done for me."

Be sure to check C.J.'s post, and the full transcript of Monk's speech.

HT: C.J. Mahaney

Repentance and Forgiveness: NFL Style

If you're a football fan, chances are you've seen the ugly headlines out of the Panthers' training camp from over the weekend. Star WR Steve Smith has been suspended two games for punching CB Ken Lucas during Friday's practice. Many people will certainly form an instant opinion that Smith is an example of al that's wrong with pro sports. That would be a shame, since Smith has followed his bad example Friday with a truly great one today.

Smith has always had temper issues. In 2002, he was suspended for a game after a similar incident with teammate Anthony Bright. In 2003, he cost the team a game against the Houston Texans when his 15-yard penalty for kicking an opponent negated a first down and ended what was shaping up to be a game-winning drive. However, since then, something has happened to Smith. He professed faith in Christ. He didn't become an instant golden boy, but he has grown tremendously. His temper has been kept largely in check over the last 5 years. Last year against Atlanta, it was Smith who kept his cool while baiting DeAngelo Hall's temper into 67 yards of penalties on Carolina's game-winning drive. Ever wonder why you don't see anymore of the entertaining touchdown celebrations Smith became famous for in 2005? As Smith says, it's because he needed to be "more about God and less about me."

So, as a fan and as a brother in Christ, watching Friday's events hurt. However, my admiration for Smith went up a hundredfold today with his first public comments about the incident. What he did is something almost unheard of in our modern culture - he accepted full responsibility for his actions and expressed humble repentance. Here's an excerpt...

"I will not put myself in position where I have to defend myself or state my side of the story. There's only one side, which is a lack of judgment on my part. I have no excuse...I'm going to take this opportunity to let God break me, humble me, and continually let me move forward in being the person I can truly be - and that's a God-fearing man, no matter what people may think or what they may say. It's an opportunity for me to stand tall and take my punishment, but take it with God on my side and not me standing up trying to be something that I'm not. I'm a fallen man. I'm a man who made a mistake. I intend to mend the bridges I have burned and help rebuild a bridge if I need to all by myself, but not do it in a spiteful way. But to do it with the labor and the sound mind that God gives me, which is to do what I'm supposed to do. I'm not going to get into who's right, who's wrong. I'm completely wrong. (It was) an asinine decision."

Of course, repentance is defined by actions, not just words - but the way that Smith has taken responsibility gives me great encouragement about his future. He's a work in progress, sure, but so are you and I - being ever more closely conformed to the image of Christ. Pray for Steve Smith this week, that God would grow him in grace and truth, removing the sinful remains of the old man. Also, take a look at Lucas' response - itself a lesson in Christian forgiveness.