Bad Start For Cam As Panthers Fall To Bucs

[nerocrossroad]

5 Turnovers Kill Panthers Against Bucs

The Panthers & The Buccaneers looked to kick of the season in high fashion Sunday in Tampa... little did the Panthers know these weren't the Same Ol' Bucs.
The rushing committee of Lagarette Blount, Rookie Michael Smith, & Maurice Morris rushed for a combined 148 yards and 4 TD. It'll be interesting to see how Coach Daddy decides to use his dynamic rushers this season. Josh Freeman got lucky that his RBs took the load this week because he looked lost on the field... he completed 15 of 27 passes throwing a TD & 2 INT. This is nothing to worry about however as it's just week 1 and i think he can rebound next week. If you thought Freeman's performance was discouraging, Cam Newton's made you cringe... going 16-31 for 356 with 2 TD and a terrible 4 picks. Veteran RB Deangelo Williams kept the Panthers in the game rushing for 153 yards and scoring 3 times. Tampa Bay's Aqib Talib played like a shutdown corner this week picking off not 1 but 2 of Cam Newton's passes. Another impressive player was Rookie LB Lavonte David who totaled 4 tackles and an INT earning him NFC Defensive Player Of The Week. Carolina's Defense showed alot of promise i'll say lead by Rookie LB Luke Kuechly (7 tackles, 3 TFL, Sack, INT) and Veteran LB John Beason ( 4 Tackles) this team has a chance to have a top 10 defense and if we see improvement from the offense we may see the Panthers we have become familiar with. Tampa picks up a nice opening day victory 35-45.

What we learned (Tampa Bay): This team's running backs have something good going.. if they can continue this, they'll be unstoppable on the ground.

What we learned (Carolina): The Panthers committed 5 killer turnovers and that needs to cut down if they want to win football games.


NERO