PonyExpress

I thought this absurd myth was laid to rest in SB 38 when they were man-handled by the Pats. Then I thought it was put to rest the next year when they went 7-9. Then I thought it was put to rest when Jenkins was out for the 2nd straight year. And yet these no-nothing announcers persist in hyping this nauseatingly overrated unit. I'll take Peppers and trade the rest in for a dozen boston cream donuts and keg of beer. Spare me more about the Carolina D-line.

Murphys95

I'm with you a little. I think the Panthers themselves, being perennial NFC favorites, have been slightly overhyped. But it's their defense that's done it for them. In fact, last season they had the 4th ranked rushing defense in the league. Not to mention they stuffed the Pats pretty darn easily last year too (held NE to under 40 yards rushing that game).

Ichiro

I don't know. Watching them tonight I thought they were solid (althought against a suspect O-line) across the board. Peppers always seems to have the production even though I think sometimes he's all hype. Everytime Jenkins is healthy he's a one-man wrecking machine. Mike Rucker is underrated and killed Matt Light in last year's game.

I always want to downgrade them , but I think it just comes down to the Pats having unbelievable blocking in Superbowl 38 and throughout the playoffs in 03. Light, Hochstein, Ashworth and Graham were all particuraly impressive during that run. All we heard the week before the superbowl was how great their DL was. Then we didn't allow any sacks and Brady passed for 300+ yards. Our opinion of the Panther's D-line probably will never change from that first impression.

PonyExpress

I guess when your first impression was the Super Bowl, and you watched Hochstein and Ashworth pancake those pretenders play after play, you get a bit prejudiced. What an absolute snotglobbering domination that was.

scott99

Yeah, we crushed those pansies by 3 points. I think it was a case of the O-Line really playing incredibly well and over their heads. I believe we didn't give up a sack in any of the 3 playoff games, pretty awesome.

primetime

Jenkins was great but I doubt he'll ever be the same now that's he's been hurt. Peppers is amazing though.

The loss of Witherspoon will hurt the defense, but Gamble is going to be a shutdown corner. A healthy Deshaun Foster will help their offense, Delhomme is a heck of a QB, and Steve Smith makes him even better. Their team will do very well this year.

PonyExpress

The offense ran up 481 yards and held the ball for 40 minutes. If the victory was only by 3 points, I blame the Vinitraitor, who gave 9 points away on shoddy kicking (1 short FG blocked, another missed, and a half-assed kickoff before halftime).

Richter

Not to mention the two injuries at safety. Those went a long way towards making that a close game.

And yes, their defensive line is greatly overhyped.

Aqua4Ever04

You do know that Steve Smith missed basically that entire season right? They also started 1-8 to finish 7-9 which is a pretty nice end to a season I might add. That Carolina front 4 is close to the top of the league if not the best.

zippo59

Yeah but they still had Muhsin Muhammad who led the league in receptions so it's not like they had no one at WR after Smith went down.

__________________
"What Tom Brady just did gives me goose bumps."-John Madden after final drive in SB 36


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