C3 Video Podcast: Did Cam Get Lucky Being Ranked Higher in the Top 100?

Live Tuesday (7/1/14) at 10 PM EST

The C3 Crew brings on Drafttek.com's Rick McGlothlin aka ColtsDrafter and +Jake Arthur, Editor/Indianapolis Colts Beat Writer for @IndySportsRep, to tackle the question. Let the fan debate continue as we anticipate this upcoming season.  The guys will also discuss the Colts and Panthers 2014 outlook in relation to the two young quarterbacks, Andrew Luck and Cam Newton.  

Cam Newton or Andrew Luck? Your Call Panther Nation! Vote

So it seems as though Panther Nation is sensitive to the topic of Cam vs Luck.  I posed the question on Facebook “Would you trade Cam for Luck?”  375 responses later (and counting) I realized that this is not your ordinary Panther topic.  Why does this question resonate?  I can’t speak for all of Panther Nation but I can speak for myself and I can share some of the posts.  Let me know if you agree and then vote for who you think is better, Andrew Luck or Super Cam. 

Then tune in to this website at 10:00 EST on Tuesday July 1 and watch us discuss the results and this topic with two Colts Fans.  One of which is my fellow DraftTek Analyst, Rick McGlothlin.  This is going to be good. 

First, here are some posts from Facebook: 

Was it Luck that Cam Newton Ranked Ahead of Andrew "Caveman" Luck in the NFL Top 100?

Wednesday night, NFL Network continued its Top 100 Players of 2014 and, in a somewhat shocking reveal ranked Cam Newton at #24.  Although I was a little surprised, I wasn’t disappointed.  It’s nice to see Cam get some credit for his growth as a player and contribution to Carolina’s divisional

Journey of Jerricho Cotchery

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Plenty of questions have been brewing around what the Carolina Panthers were/are going to do at wide receiver. Letting the likes of Steve Smith, Brandon Lafell, Ted Ginn, and Domenik Hixson leave for other teams. Those 4 were the top 4 receivers for Cam Newton last year. So who is Cam going to target this year out wide? Signing Tiquan Underwood and Jason Avant is a good start, and first round pick Kelvin Benjamin is expected to evolve as the go-to-guy.

NFL's "Sorriest Receivers" Comment Should Light Fire Under Cam Newton

@TheRule8618 @FSUPros @Panthers got it on bro pic.twitter.com/66GeBBHJ17
— Kelvin Benjamin (@KBREDZONE) February 25, 2014

When the Charlotte Observer's Jonathan Jones wrote of the Carolina Panthers 'Hey, you're projected the sorriest receivers in the NFL,' quarterback Cam Newton came out swinging.

C3 Video Podcast: Panthers and NFL are International

LIVE AT 10 PM 6/24

CarolinaCatChronicles.com crew talks NFL and Panthers football with British sports writer and Panther fan, Dan Rawlinson.  C3 crew wants to know how the Carolina Panthers have found their way into the UK sports world and the possibility of the NFL expanding there in the future.  We'll also talk Panther camp news and Robert Lester's potential purchase of a pet alligator.  Be sure to tweet us using the hashtag #C3 with any questions and will try to work it in.

Missing Value In Either Draft, Real or Fantasy, Will Cost You. Has It Cost the Panthers?

The rapidly approaching Fantasy Football Draft prompted me to think about how the real Draft compares to the Fantasy Draft.  There was also some good discussion around this on Twitter this past week.     

@PanthersDrafter @aidendrakesdad @clyde1784 @Cat_Chronicles I'd have to go with Hardy,as far as value 4 a 6th rnd but Clyde has good points.
— steven danner (@sdanner52) June 6, 2014

The Growth of the NFL in the UK

In the midst of the World Cup and wake of U.S. exciting last moment win against Ghana, the States have been abuzz with talk of the rise of futbol in America.  As we attempt to adopt futbol others around the world are adopting football.  Here's a take from C³ contributor Daniel Rawlinson, a UK sports commentator and, most importantly, a Carolina Panthers fan. Give him a warm welcome by checking out his story, leaving a comment, and following him on Twitter @DanRawly

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Recently I have been questioned as to why I follow American Football, and in particular what drew me into being a Carolina Panthers fan. Quite simply I love the NFL for all the same reasons any avid follower of the sport will. It’s brutality in the tackles. It’s speed. The athleticism of the players. The technique required to provide the endless entertainment. In short, much of the same reasons the British public follow ‘soccer’.

Carolina Panthers Anxiously Anticipate Mini Camp Beginning Today

We’re not the only ones excited about Carolina’s mini-camp which begins this morning.  As I started to write this it was the night before and I ran across a couple of tweets from Panther players about camp.  Some of those Panther rookies were showing that night before the first day of school excitement.

Story Lines Converge as Ron Rivera Interviews with Former Boss, Marty Hurney’s Radio Debut

Ron Rivera broke the proverbial champagne bottle over the bow of former Panther GM Marty Hurney’s radio debut of “Hurney & Gardner” on ESPN 730 today.  This was an interesting, but appropriate, opening to Hurney’s return to journalism, given he was the guy who hired Rivera as Panthers head coach.  The interview consisted of a friendly exchange between the two former colleagues on four basic topics: Panthers mini-camp, Rivera’s growth as a coach, the offense and defense, and the 2014 schedule.

I want to say that this was just the run-of-the mill interview between a head coach and a new local radio show.  It may have been standard for Ron Rivera, but it wasn’t run-of-mill.  There were many storylines going into this interview that appealed to me as a fan. 

David Gettis Gets Opportunity With Tampa Bay Buccaneers

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The Tampa Bay Buccaneers invited former Carolina Panther David Gettis to training camp tryouts this week. Gettis was a favorite of mine during his intermittent time in Carolina.  The rookie standout, faced continual injury problems, ending his Panther career returning from a torn ACL and hampered by hamstring injuries.  Gettis was quickly forgotten by most fans and written off entirely by the new Gettleman regime, even after a strong 2013 preseason.

Facing Criticism, Do the Panthers Receivers Even Believe in Themselves?

The national media scoffs, the local media vexes, and the fan base is nervously hopeful.  Faith in the unknown, it’s arduous enough for the most pious of fans, let alone the inherently cynical media It’s not easy. It’s not logical—but it can be powerful!

Backyard Baller: ECU's Justin Hardy

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Panther Nation give a warm welcome for C3's newest contributor, Gerin Honeycutt, a journalism major from East Carolina University.  Most important, however, this up and coming sports journalist is one of us, a die hard Panther fan!  Give it up for the newest member of the Crew and leave a comment for his first story! 

Don’t beat yourself up Panther fans, your next great wide receiver could be right under your nose. Well, 250 miles east under your nose at East Carolina University. Greenville, North Carolina is where NFL recruiters have discovered what two years ago would have been considered a “diamond in the rough.” Enter current ECU Wide Receiver/Punt Returner Justin Hardy. After a jaw dropping sixty-four reception, 658 yard, six touchdown and Conference USA All-Freshman team campaign, Hardy has done nothing but amass two seasons of inspired offensive production—202   receptions and 2,389 yards, averaging over a first down every time he catches the ball and let’s not forget those nineteen touchdowns. Consistent play like this has elevated the 6’1 190 lb Hardy off the list of NFL possible gems and onto a lot of NFL recruiter’s top wide receiver’s board for the 2015 draft.

Gano and the Golden Foot

This video of Graham Gano is impressive. What I like the most is his reaction after he makes the kick, he points at the camera as if to say "you know I'm the man." He has a laugh after that, but I think the point is made. Gano has been money since joining the Panthers. He is 33/38 on field goals since joining the team 22 games ago. His confidence is soaring and he must feel he can make anything. Judging by this footage, it looks like he can. 

C3 Podcast: Kaepernick, Contracts, and the Carolina Panthers

The Crew will be joined by Bleacher Report's +Peter Panacy to talk about SF's big contract and the impact it will have for future quarterbacks, specifically Cam Newton.  I'm sure we'll have something to say about the draft and potentially the Panthers seeking revenge for that loss in Bank of America. 



Check the video podcast below.

Hacking Sports Video Games - One Hilarious Hobby

I have to say....someone or someoneS have a wonderful sense of humor out there and they have given me a renewed, more optimistic outlook as to the future of the Human race.

What these sports-computer-psychos have done is hack into the NBA basketball sim and the Madden game to really screw with the system, and the results will leave you in tears - of laughter. Seriously.

Blast from the Past: My 2012 first-round "wish"

When I wrote for catcrave.com over on the Fansided network, my then-editor asked all the writers to do a piece on who the Panthers should take with their #9 overall pick.

Since we're currently in "wait and see" mode in the offseason, I thought I'd reprint it and share it with our loyal readers here at CarolinaCatChronicles:

Kaepernick's Record Setting Deal Means Even Bigger Bucks for Cam Newton

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Things are getting hot outside, and Carolina is feeling the heat. Yesterday, San Francisco 49er quarterback, Colin Kaepernick, inked a scorching hot deal worth 123 million over 6 years.  The steamiest part was the guaranteed money—61 million, the highest ever in NFL history. 

Panther Nation Division Hate Week

#C3  Crew hosts "Hate week," a time where #PantherNation  unleashes that fan fury on our divisional rivals....and oh those Patriots.  Join us at 10pm as we let it fly against Meg Ryan and those New Orleans Skanks....oh and you know our defensive line goin to Lovie some McClown

Deep Divisions Panthers Host Saints in Primetime Matchup

In last week's +Cat Chronicles episode, we broke down the division schedule in context of the 2014 season. Here's a look at the bit on the season opener vs +New Orleans Saints . Take a peek to see what to look for in this divisional rivalry and prime time match-up! !

Madden '15 Cover: Cam Newton Challenges Richard Sherman

Panther fans, Cam has launched an unprecedented Cam-paign for the Madden cover.  Ace Boogie challenged Richard Sherman to a mano-a-mano game of Madden on the console of his choosing. He even

By the Sabermetrics: Cam Newton a Below-Average Passer?

Just got an interesting Tweet from Pro Football Focus. Since it's the catalyst for this piece, I'll link to it here:

Click the "here:" part to open it in a new window and compare to read along with me here. Also, each individual page has a direct link you can click on to open a new page and look there. However, most of the stats have two pages so if you want to compare Cam to the entire field of QBs, click on the link above, underlined, where I indicated and it will take you to the main page of the PFW piece.

The subject? QB efficiency by down and distance....and the numbers for Cam are not good.

Deep Divisions: Panthers Season Opener vs Tampa Bay Buccaneers

In last week's +Cat Chronicles episode, we broke down the division schedule in context of the 2014 season. Here's a look at the bit on the season opener vs the +Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Take a peek to see what to look for in this divisional rivalry and season opener!

Who Does PantherNation Hate the Most? Vote Now!

What I say to my haters pic.twitter.com/qt3nKQiA22
— Darth Vader (@DepressedDarth) May 31, 2014

Twitter has turned out to be a good source for inspiration.  Sometimes it inspires me to have a good day or to do additional research,
 but today my musing turned to hatred.  Some PantherFans recently engaged in a Twitter war with our “Friends” down I-85 South. 

Early Fantasy Trends: Do Not Reach for a QB

So I was drinking a Vitamin water while playing a game of Drawing with Friends on my Blackberry when I realized how important staying trendy was to me and my swag.  In the rapidly changing world of pre-draft fantasy football, recognizing and working with these trends can always give you a leg up, so here are a few I have noticed so far. Chiefly, draft running backs and wide receivers early and often, and be patient with quarterbacks and tight ends. My numbers are based on a standard scoring ESPN 12 person snake draft.

Should I Feel Guilty for Voting Against Cam in the Madden Cover Challenge?

After quickly surveying PantherNation, it looks as most would say yes.  Panther fans have largely thrown their weight behind Cam winning the Madden cover challenge. It’s well known that Cam wants to make the Madden cover.  He plays regularly against teammates and fans, and he has even openly called on fans to support his cover shot bid.  So knowing Cam’s desire to win, and seeing PantherNation’s overwhelming support, should I feel guilty that I voted against my favorite player?  Should I feel bad that I plan to continually vote against Cam?