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I listened to Charlotte sports radio a good amount this past week.  I rarely listen to it, so forgive me if I am describing a familiar occurence.  There was hysteria amongst Panthers fans.  Everyone was freaking out, hating all of our offseason moves, and basically giving up on the season…before the preseason has even started.  I don’t like to give too much weight to what a bunch of Gastonians who call in on sports radio think, but this was still very disturbing.  I don’t understand the pessimism.  In fact, this is the most excited I have been for Panthers season in recent memory.  I mean it; I’m even more excited than when we were coming off winning seasons.

The reason for my excitement is the air of change in the organization.  How refreshing will it be to see the first team break the huddle with Matt Moore as its leader?  How exciting will it be to see the new and young faces fighting for a multitude of roster spots?  We are the youngest team in the league.  Guys like Everette Brown, Bradon LaFell, Sherrod Martin, Charles Godfrey, Charles Johnson, Tony Fiammetta, and Dan Connor will be counted on to step up big this year.  The next Steve Smiths and Jon Beasons are on this roster; we just have to find them and let them play.  Sure, there are risks with our predicament.  We could suck this year, but can’t we be excited in early August?  I am excited to see how these guys handle their roles.  I want to see them grow and develop into the future of this franchise.

While all the talk about the young guys is good, it’s not like our cupboard is completely bar.  We still have a bunch of A-list stars.  Jon Beason, Steve Smith, DeAngelo Williams, Jonathan Stewart, Jeff Otah, Jordan Gross, and Chris Gamble form a pretty solid core that a lot of teams envy.  Those guys should keep us in most games (especially with an easy schedule) and should serve as great mentors to the young guys.  So, with the first preseason game right around the corner, what should you look for (if you can stay awake through the entire game)?

Special Teams:  The recent Charlotte Observer article said it all.  Click the pull down tab on the side titled “how the mighty have fallen.”  The Panthers have always have good special teams play in their winning seasons.  They will need it again this year, but there is a lot of uncertainty on the special teams.  Both punt return and kickoff return spots are in play.  Also, keep an eye out on how Jason Baker handles kickoffs.  Losing Rhys Lloyd was huge; we enjoyed a huge advantage when he constantly forced teams to start at their 20.  John Fox’s style of football usually means that we will be in most games.  Therefore, a big return or special teams turnover can be the key that gives us the extra boost to victory in a tight game. 

Jimmy Clausen:  I know it’s firmly Matt Moore’s job (and I’m glad that it is), but we haven’t had a big name QB around here in a while.  We haven’t even drafted a QB in years, let alone a highly-rated one.  It’s only natural to want to see him play, even if it is on second team.  That may be what gets me through the second halves of these preseason games.

D-Line:  Are we executing?  Are we stopping the run and getting some pressure on the QB?  It may be tough to tell in the preseason because most teams normally run some very vanilla plays.

The Charlotte Bobcats got cold feet and didn’t pull the trigger on the Jose Calderon for Boris Diaw and Tyson Chandler deal.  Instead, they sent Chandler and Alexis Ajinca to Dallas, and they received Erick Dampier, Matt Carroll, and Eduardo Najera in return.  We get three blue collar veterans.  Well, Najera is one.  You also know what Carroll is going to give us – outside shooting.  The headliner of the deal, Dampier, may be the weakest link – Shaq used to call him “Ericka.”  This trade, however, isn’t about acquiring blue collar guys.  This deal was all about salary cap implications, and it was likely done to set us future moves.  At least I hope it was, because I do not like our roster as it currently stands.  We have holes at PG and C, and we have two washed-up centers from the Mavs Finals chokejob against the Heat (although the refs had something to do with that). 

I would not be surprised to see the guys we just acquired in this trade (especially Dampier) along with Diaw involved in a future trade.  If the Bobs can’t make anything happen, they can simply cut Dampier and save $13million outright, or they can use that money to sign other players.  The problem is that most of the notable free agents are gone.  So, the Bobs will likely have to pull off another deal.

End of the Ajinca Experiment:  The trade does spell the end of the Alexis Ajinca era in Charlotte.  Talk about a trade done awry.  Ajinca is a first round pick who has a total of 30 made field goals in his two year career.  He’s still young and he can still make something of his career, but it wasn’t going to happen in Charlotte.  Once Larry Brown gives up on you, he’s done with you and there is no turning back.

There is no doubt that Michael Jordan has made his fair share of bad moves when he has been given control over an NBA franchise.  These poor decisions usually come in the form of terrible draft picks.  However, MJ has only been the majority owner of an NBA team for less than five months.  I really like what he is doing with the Charlotte Bobcats now that they are truly his team.  I admit that I am pro-Jordan as owner, but can you think about a poor decision he has made since he has assumed majority ownership of the team?  He has said the right things, and his moves make sense.  Time will tell whether the moves are correct, but they seem to be the right moves given the facts that are currently available.  I think the Tyrus Thomas move could turn out to be a home run.  The kid has a ton of potential and seems willing to be coached by Larry Brown.  If he can only keep his head straight, he could turn out to be a very solid PF for us.  I also love the camps that the Bobs are running for adult season-ticket holders and their children.  It’s a great PR move.  For those who couldn’t get into those events, Bobcats summer camp for kids kicks off at Time Warner Cable Arena next week.

Update:  Scott Fowler has an article in today’s (7/11/2010) Observer about how MJ is getting acquainted to the city.

T-Rex is staying in the QC.

The Bobs ended up not making any moves on draft night.  No trades, not even for a 2nd round pick.  In hindsight, I can’t say I’m upset.  Sure, it’s great to have a little excitement during the draft.  There is nothing like the hope and optimism created on draft night when your team picks up a young player, but the truth is that the Bobcats suck at drafting.  There is no use chronicling all our draft failures, and we have only been around for six years.  I have no problem with us sitting out of something we’re not very good at and focusing on something that we have done well in the past, which is to make trades and improve our roster in ways that don’t involve the draft.  There was no use in being hasty and trading a proven player for an unknown commodity.  As Queen City Hoops said, remember what the Alexis Ajinca trade got us a few years ago:  nothing.

The Bobs didn’t exactly start off free agency with a bang either.  Despite Scott Fowler’s illogical rant (why is this guy always obsessed with overpaying for overrated free agents?), they really didn’t have the cap room to do anything (since Michael Jordan does not want to pay luxury tax).  However, they made their first moves today.  They locked up Tyrus Thomas to a five-year deal and bulked up the far end of the bench by adding Dominic McGuire.  However, it looks like Raymond Felton is gone.  

I like what the Bobs are doing.  There was no way they could justify overpaying for Felton.  I like Felton, but the guy turned down the money when it was offered to him last season and sucked in the playoffs.  Don’t feel bad for Raymond, he got the Knicks, who were forced to overreact and make a splash after losing out on the LeBron sweepstakes, to overpay for him.  The Bobs have a hole to fill at PG, but all indications are that they are not done with their offseason moves.  They didn’t pay Thomas $8 million a year for him to be a backup.  It was pretty clear during the playoffs that Thomas should be starting over Boris Diaw, and that may happen.  Diaw is the one guy the Bobs could likely part with to clear some cap room and acquire help at PG (he is the only guy that we would be willing to give up and that others teams would actually be willing to take). 

I like it when my teams make moves that make sense.  Thomas played great since he arrived in Charlotte.  Larry Brown’s coaching has really improved his game, and it should only get better.  By the end of the season, he was outplaying Diaw.  So, we lock him up and he very well may open the season as the starting PF.  On the other hand, Jameer Nelson schooled Felton, and we let him walk.

I’m not going to get delusional about the Bobs.  A 6 seed in the East is the ceiling for them.  Yet, I don’t buy all the talk around town about how they have not done anything to improve this team.  Keep in mind that half of this team wasn’t even on the roster when last season started.  The Bobs record improved significantly after the Stephen Jackson trade.  The Bobs finished last season with a 44-38 record, but they played better than 44-win basketball after the Jack trade.  For once, we may have some continuity.  Give these guys an offseason and training camp together, and we should be able equal or slightly improve upon last season’s record.

Warning:  this article will be biased.  Steve Smith is my favorite Panthers player, so expect a slanted article.  I’m not too bothered by the injury.  Yes, I would probably be angrier if it were any other player, but it’s not.  On a serious note, it’s not very reassuring that Steve Smith is playing flag football.  By the way, he was playing in an adult flag football league at the Y, and not as part of his summer camp.  However, you have to love the fact that he recruited other Panthers on to his team after his squad dropped its first game.  The guy is so competitive – that’s why he’s my favorite Panther. 

The good news is that the injury is relatively minor.  Broken arms heal.  Smitty has broken his arm and injured himself in countless other ways.  He’ll be back.  Training camp is still a month away, and the regular season is over two months away.  I’m not too worried about Smitty being ready for the season.  The Panthers even decided to not fine him, and all indications are that he will heal without complications.  Plus, I agree with Pat Y that this injury will give the other WRs plenty of reps in training camp, and it will force John Fox to put the young guys out on the field.

If there is one thing we have learned about Larry Brown in his two seasons in Charlotte is that the guy isn’t very subtle.  He says what he is thinking, and everything he says has a purpose.  Unlike the other pro coach in town, John Fox, Brown does not try to hide much.  So far, whenever Brown has mentioned a possible trade involving the Bobs, they usually pull the trigger on a deal soon afterwards.  Well, Brown has hinted that the Bobs may trade into the draft.  Rick Bonnell has reported that the word around the league is that the Bobs are looking to make a move, and he has repeatedly mentioned the possibility of us making a trade.  Ownership is even willing to increase the payroll significantly to improve on the court.  Sounds like something is up.  All of a sudden, Bobcats fans have to tune in Thursday night even if they don’t care about the other 29 teams in the NBA.

The problem with all of these rumors are that they might be true, but the Bobs may still not make much of a splash.  They seem interested in a late first round or second round pick.  That won’t exactly blow anyone’s hair back.  They may not even trade for a pick.  Bonnell reports that the T.J. Ford trade is still a possibility and Jarrett Jack is also on the trading block.  It seems as if Brown may just try to get the kind of backup point guard he covets.  Nothing really major.  Yet, there is still a chance we do something big.  Larry Bird is willing to trade the 10 pick for a point guard.  Oh yeah, CP3 seems to be available too.  I know these are long shots, but for once, we have the risk-taking owner who isn’t afraid to open up his wallet to build a winner.  It’s pretty clear that Michael Jordan will do anything to win a championship.

Thomas Davis tore his right ACL for the second time in less than one year.  This is bad news for the Panthers, but it is terrible news for Davis.  The Panthers will have time to regroup and address this new-found void at outside LB, but this injury will likely have lasting consequences for Davis.  It is going to cost him an awful lot of money in free agency.  He was going to play this season on a one-year tender, and he was going to be a free agent next offseason.  He may have gone from a surefire starting LB who may have been one of the top free agents next season to a guy who very well may be looking for a roster spot somewhere for a mid-level veteran contract. 

I feel terrible for Davis.  Sure, the guy hasn’t been the “stud” you would expect out of a first round draft pick, but you have to love the way he plays.  Plus, it took him a couple of years to officially settle in at LB.  Keep in mind that the Panthers initially didn’t know whether they would play him at safety or LB, and then he eventually had to switch from safety to LB.  By last season, it appeared as if he had finally figured out how to play the NFL LB position and was likely on his way to his first Pro Bowl.  Then, he suffered his first torn ACL through a freak injury, and this one was even worse because Davis wasn’t even playing football.  Instead, he just participating in a menial drill.

There is one thing about this injury that really struck as being interesting – the cover up.  Players go down all the time in practice.  They tweak an ankle, pull a hamstring, etc.  That’s exactly what Davis’ injury appeared to be yesterday.  The Observer Panthers blog even reported that the word on the street was that it wasn’t a serious injury.  The team was hush-hush about this injury for over 24 hours, and then we all of a sudden learn that Davis is likely done for the season.  Some of the explanation for the delay in revealing the injury may be due to the fact that the sought a second opinion from Dr. James Andrews.  Still, it makes me wonder whether Davis rushed to return from last season’s injury, even though his knee may not have been fully healthy.  It Even worse, did the Panthers medical staff botch his rehab and allow him to return too soon?  Neither of these are likely true.  It’s probably just bad luck, but it’s still weird.  Oh by the way, there is likely no way the Panthers could have won, but could you imagine if they tried to prevent Davis from signing his tender after he injured himself on Tuesday?  That would make for some great drama.

The Panthers do have some options at LB, but this injury definitely makes them much thinner at the position.  It appears as if James Anderson had been getting all of the first team snaps opposite of Davis.  The team had been keeping Dan Connor inside as Jon Beason’s backup, but he will now get a look at outside along with Jamar Williams.  That Chris Harris trade is at least looking a lot better now.  Also, don’t forget about the rookie Eric Norwood.  I think the Panthers had planned to start him out at DE, but he may now get a look at OLB.

Thomas Davis tore his right ACL for the second time in less than one year.  This is bad news for the Panthers, but it is terrible news for Davis.  The Panthers will have time to regroup and address this new-found void at outside LB, but this injury will likely have lasting consequences for Davis.  It is going to cost him an awful lot of money in free agency.  He was going to play this season on a one-year tender, and he was going to be a free agent next offseason.  He may have gone from a surefire starting LB who may have been one of the top free agents next season to a guy who very well may be looking for a roster spot somewhere for a mid-level veteran contract. 

I feel terrible for Davis.  Sure, the guy hasn’t been the “stud” you would expect out of a first round draft pick, but you have to love the way he plays.  Plus, it took him a couple of years to officially settle in at LB.  Keep in mind that the Panthers initially didn’t know whether they would play him at safety or LB, and then he eventually had to switch from safety to LB.  By last season, it appeared as if he had finally figured out how to play the NFL LB position and was likely on his way to his first Pro Bowl.  Then, he suffered his first torn ACL through a freak injury, and this one was even worse because Davis wasn’t even playing football.  Instead, he just participating in a menial drill.

There is one thing about this injury that really struck as being interesting – the cover up.  Players go down all the time in practice.  They tweak an ankle, pull a hamstring, etc.  That’s exactly what Davis’ injury appeared to be yesterday.  The Observer Panthers blog even reported that the word on the street was that it wasn’t a serious injury.  The team was hush-hush about this injury for over 24 hours, and then we all of a sudden learn that Davis is likely done for the season.  Some of the explanation for the delay in revealing the injury may be due to the fact that the sought a second opinion from Dr. James Andrews.  Still, it makes me wonder whether Davis rushed to return from last season’s injury, even though his knee may not have been fully healthy.  It Even worse, did the Panthers medical staff botch his rehab and allow him to return too soon?  Neither of these are likely true.  It’s probably just bad luck, but it’s still weird.  Oh by the way, there is likely no way the Panthers could have won, but could you imagine if they tried to prevent Davis from signing his tender after he injured himself on Tuesday?  That would make for some great drama.

The Panthers do have some options at LB, but this injury definitely makes them much thinner at the position.  It appears as if James Anderson had been getting all of the first team snaps opposite of Davis.  The team had been keeping Dan Connor inside as Jon Beason’s backup, but he will now get a look at outside along with Jamar Williams.  That Chris Harris trade is at least looking a lot better now.  Also, don’t forget about the rookie Eric Norwood.  I think the Panthers had planned to start him out at DE, but he may now get a look at OLB.

Thomas Davis tore his right ACL for the second time in less than one year.  This is bad news for the Panthers, but it is terrible news for Davis.  The Panthers will have time to regroup and address this new-found void at outside LB, but this injury will likely have lasting consequences for Davis.  It is going to cost him an awful lot of money in free agency.  He was going to play this season on a one-year tender, and he was going to be a free agent next offseason.  He may have gone from a surefire starting LB who may have been one of the top free agents next season to a guy who very well may be looking for a roster spot somewhere for a mid-level veteran contract. 

I feel terrible for Davis.  Sure, the guy hasn’t been the “stud” you would expect out of a first round draft pick, but you have to love the way he plays.  Plus, it took him a couple of years to officially settle in at LB.  Keep in mind that the Panthers initially didn’t know whether they would play him at safety or LB, and then he eventually had to switch from safety to LB.  By last season, it appeared as if he had finally figured out how to play the NFL LB position and was likely on his way to his first Pro Bowl.  Then, he suffered his first torn ACL through a freak injury, and this one was even worse because Davis wasn’t even playing football.  Instead, he just participating in a menial drill.

There is one thing about this injury that really struck as being interesting – the cover up.  Players go down all the time in practice.  They tweak an ankle, pull a hamstring, etc.  That’s exactly what Davis’ injury appeared to be yesterday.  The Observer Panthers blog even reported that the word on the street was that it wasn’t a serious injury.  The team was hush-hush about this injury for over 24 hours, and then we all of a sudden learn that Davis is likely done for the season.  Some of the explanation for the delay in revealing the injury may be due to the fact that the sought a second opinion from Dr. James Andrews.  Still, it makes me wonder whether Davis rushed to return from last season’s injury, even though his knee may not have been fully healthy.  It Even worse, did the Panthers medical staff botch his rehab and allow him to return too soon?  Neither of these are likely true.  It’s probably just bad luck, but it’s still weird.  Oh by the way, there is likely no way the Panthers could have won, but could you imagine if they tried to prevent Davis from signing his tender after he injured himself on Tuesday?  That would make for some great drama.

The Panthers do have some options at LB, but this injury definitely makes them much thinner at the position.  It appears as if James Anderson had been getting all of the first team snaps opposite of Davis.  The team had been keeping Dan Connor inside as Jon Beason’s backup, but he will now get a look at outside along with Jamar Williams.  That Chris Harris trade is at least looking a lot better now.  Also, don’t forget about the rookie Eric Norwood.  I think the Panthers had planned to start him out at DE, but he may now get a look at OLB.

Thomas Davis tore his right ACL for the second time in less than one year.  This is bad news for the Panthers, but it is terrible news for Davis.  The Panthers will have time to regroup and address this new-found void at outside LB, but this injury will likely have lasting consequences for Davis.  It is going to cost him an awful lot of money in free agency.  He was going to play this season on a one-year tender, and he was going to be a free agent next offseason.  He may have gone from a surefire starting LB who may have been one of the top free agents next season to a guy who very well may be looking for a roster spot somewhere for a mid-level veteran contract. 

I feel terrible for Davis.  Sure, the guy hasn’t been the “stud” you would expect out of a first round draft pick, but you have to love the way he plays.  Plus, it took him a couple of years to officially settle in at LB.  Keep in mind that the Panthers initially didn’t know whether they would play him at safety or LB, and then he eventually had to switch from safety to LB.  By last season, it appeared as if he had finally figured out how to play the NFL LB position and was likely on his way to his first Pro Bowl.  Then, he suffered his first torn ACL through a freak injury, and this one was even worse because Davis wasn’t even playing football.  Instead, he just participating in a menial drill.

There is one thing about this injury that really struck as being interesting – the cover up.  Players go down all the time in practice.  They tweak an ankle, pull a hamstring, etc.  That’s exactly what Davis’ injury appeared to be yesterday.  The Observer Panthers blog even reported that the word on the street was that it wasn’t a serious injury.  The team was hush-hush about this injury for over 24 hours, and then we all of a sudden learn that Davis is likely done for the season.  Some of the explanation for the delay in revealing the injury may be due to the fact that the sought a second opinion from Dr. James Andrews.  Still, it makes me wonder whether Davis rushed to return from last season’s injury, even though his knee may not have been fully healthy.  It Even worse, did the Panthers medical staff botch his rehab and allow him to return too soon?  Neither of these are likely true.  It’s probably just bad luck, but it’s still weird.  Oh by the way, there is likely no way the Panthers could have won, but could you imagine if they tried to prevent Davis from signing his tender after he injured himself on Tuesday?  That would make for some great drama.

The Panthers do have some options at LB, but this injury definitely makes them much thinner at the position.  It appears as if James Anderson had been getting all of the first team snaps opposite of Davis.  The team had been keeping Dan Connor inside as Jon Beason’s backup, but he will now get a look at outside along with Jamar Williams.  That Chris Harris trade is at least looking a lot better now.  Also, don’t forget about the rookie Eric Norwood.  I think the Panthers had planned to start him out at DE, but he may now get a look at OLB.