I'm Goin With Carolina In My Mind

[Senor Capper]

In my mind I?m goin? with Carolina
Can?t you see the "O" line
Can?t you just feel the "D" line
I've already hammered the moneyline
Now lets hit Brady from behind
Yes I?m cash'in Carolina one mo time

Ok I'll spare ya'll the rest of the tune.

The "Touts" are all over these Patsies.

Gold Sheet 23-9
PointWise 25-13
Winning Points by 11
Power Sweep 23-13
Phil Steele 20-13

The War Room has 'em covering easily.

Last time ALL of these touts were on the same team (fav), THAT team lost outright.
-------------------------------

At least a few Bookies like the Panthers.....

VEGAS BOOKIES CONTEST POSTSEASON RECORDS

PARIS 7-3 CAR UNDER
PALMS 8-2 NE UNDER
COAST 7-3 NE OVER
FLAMINGO 7-3 CAR UNDER
LV HILTON 7-3 CAR OVER
PARIS 7-3 CAR UNDER
STRATOSPHERE 7-3 NE UNDER
SUNSET STATION 7-3 CAR OVER
IMPERIAL PALACE 7-3 NE UNDER
BALLYS NE OVER

CONSENSUS 6-4 NE OVER
----------------------------------

My final plays of the season....

Carolina + 7 -105
Carolina + 210

Best to all the Panther backers


SC


6-4-0 Post Season
83-63-5 Regular Season

 

[Senor Capper]

THANKS JOE

THANKS JOE

BANKER BANKING ON DOG AND OVER IN SUPER BOWL XXXVIII

All right, already. You don't need to be a computer whiz from the Wharton School of Business to deduce which team America's most prolific sports gambler is taking in next Sunday's Super Bowl. If you've followed Las Vegan Lem Banker's betting tendencies for any period of time, you wouldn't even have to flip a coin to make an accurate stab.

Just for the record, however, Banker's banking on Carolina plus a touchdown To get the job done. Why?

"I'm an animal lover and my wife's new Mercedes is all Panther colors like brown and gold with a little black," Banker explained.

Then Lem, who has won far more Super Bowls over the years than he has lost, went a little deeper. "My numbers dictate what I do and they put the spread at 4.73 points," he said. "The total right now is 38 and my numbers say 40, so i'm going over."

Like many locals, Lem will skip frivolities next weekend as "amateurs" take over the Strip. They'll fork over upwards of $100 per person to attend Super Bowl parties where they can nibble at stadium fare and swill from an open bar while watching the game on widescreen plasma TVs enhanced by surround sound. If the tags for such shindigs are a little pricey for some pocketbooks, a mere $39.95 or so will buy entrance into a lounge, a hot dog and a beer.

"I will be ensconced in my den with my best friend Checkers," Banker announced, referring to his dog. "We will watch the Super Bowl along with some hoops. There are six college and three NBA games next Sunday, which means there will be a lot of decisions on the line. The Super Bowl is only one of them and it may not be my biggest bet. Debbie (his wife) will watch the game in another
room while she's cooking for us, and whatever happens happens."

Banker then threw out his traditional Super Bowl line: "You know, we make a big hullabaloo over this game and there are two billion Chinese who don't give a damn." Reminded that he says the same thing every year, Banker barked, "OK,
let's consider the population explosion and make it 220 billion."

Las Vegas sports stores still have the Super Bowl pointspread at New England minus 6 1/2 or 7, just as it was a week ago when numbers first went up. Traffic has been steady, but not
overwhelming as the countdown to kickoff continues at minus seven and counting.

"We're at New England minus 6 1/2 and the last few days it has all been Pats money," said Eric St. Clair, race and sports director at Rampart Casino in summerlin and The Cannery in North Las Vegas. "The comparison has been about 5 to 1."

"Traffic has been light, but is starting to pick up," said John Kallianis, a Downtown Las Vegas Club oddsmaker and sports book supervisor. "We're getting action at 6 1/2 and 38. It has been mostly New England money, but not a lot of it. We just put up our props and we've seen some interest in those, though most people will study them before betting. I think the number could go to 7 and if it lands on 7 ..."

 

[ELVIS]

gl, sc. will take the points as well. 7


are your chefs watching the game on a big screen with my Raiders? :thefinger



maan join you guys next year in vegas.

:tongue

 

[Senor Capper]

Cris Carter: HOUSTON ? The buzz in Houston centers on Bill Belichick devising something different. People are racking their brains trying to figure out what he could come up with in two weeks of preparation.

If you look at film of New England's win over St. Louis two years ago and also their win over Indianapolis in the AFC title game, you know this much ? New England wants a physical game. The Patriots will try to mug the receivers on the outside. Expect holding, pushing and grabbing. Being physical is the mantra of New England's front seven.

That's fine with the Panthers. Their offensive and defensive lines probably are more physical than the Patriots. New England's offensive line hasn't been terrific; look at the Pats' lack of a dominant running game. The Patriots buy time in the passing game with their scheme, putting Tom Brady in the shotgun and spreading out people, but the Panthers impose their will with their line and running game. And Carolina has probably the best defensive line in football.

Most folks are convinced that John Fox predictably will stick to the basics: grind it out Bill Parcells-style, punt the football, play good defense and special teams, kick field goals and not take chances. But then you wonder ? it's the Super Bowl, he's got to do something different. I think he will. Maybe he'll do some play-action pass early, a heavy dose of faking Stephen Davis and trying to get Steve Smith into man-to-man coverage early in the game. Getting an early advantage could be huge for Carolina.

Big plays on special teams could be pivotal, and I doubt either team will risk much in this area. Failure could prove too costly. The kickers, John Kasay and Adam Vinatieri, negate each other. Carolina has a big advantage in the punting game. Todd Sauerbrun can kick the ball 70 yards at any time.

The opportunity for big plays could come in the form of a long punt return. Troy Brown has been consistent for New England but not as explosive in the last year. Steve Smith will have better opportunities returning punts than he will in man-to-man coverage against Ty Law.

When I made my initial pick right after the conference championship games, I though New England would pull away from Carolina once the Patriots figured out how to stop Davis and forced Jake Delhomme to try and beat them in the air. Upon breaking it down, I really have come to respect Carolina's physical presence. The Panthers should be able to keep the score low and the game tight. New England doesn't make a lot of big plays on offense or take a lot of chances, and the Panthers should be able to pressure Brady and make him uncomfortable.

So scrap my early pick. This game could be closer than any Super Bowl we've seen to this point. How about overtime? Tom Brady is 7-0 in overtime.

Pick: Patriots, 16-13 (OT)

 

[Senor Capper]

Las Vegas Super Bowl Handle


YEAR------WAGERS--------CASINO WIN------HOLD
2003----71,693,032-------5,264,607--------7.3%
2002----71.518.304-------2,331,607--------3.3%
2001----67,661,425--------11,002,626------16.3%
2000----71,046,751--------4,237,978-------5.9%
1999----75,986,520--------2,906,601-------3.8%
1998----77,253,246--------472,033---------0.6%
1997----70,853,211--------2,265,701-------3.2%
1996----70,907.801--------7,126,145-------10.1%
1995----69,591,818--------(396.674)-------(0.6%)
1994----54,483,221--------7,481,541-------13.7%
1993----56,811,050--------7,172,869-------12.6%
1992----50,334,277----------301,280---------0.6%
1991----40,080,409--------3,512,241-------8.8%

 

[Senor Capper]

NEXT.....

NEXT.....

.

 

[Senor Capper]

Super Bowl primer: Cats will upset the Pats

by Vinnie Iyer

You've seen the headline, so you know who I'm picking. So let's waste no time in finding out why I'm not crazy like a certain sly animal in going with John Fox's team in Houston on Sunday. ...

Game of the season

The Patriots have won this big thing before, just two years ago. Bill Belichick can outwit anybody. With another Super Bowl victory and game MVP honors, Tom Brady will put himself among the best championship quarterbacks of all time, including a guy he rooted for growing up in the Bay Area, Joe Montana.

SUPER BOWL AT A GLANCE


Date: Sunday,
Feb. 1
Time: 6:25 p.m. ET
Site: Reliant Stadium, Houston, Texas (capacity: 71,054)
TV: CBS

So how could I possibly like the Panthers? Sometimes, smart passing, brilliant scheming and past successful experience take a back seat to the basic reason for success in football: physically overwhelming an opponent.


Fox has the best front four in the game, much like the Bucs' group was heading into Super Bowl XXXVII vs. the Raiders. Fox's defensive coordinator, Mike Trgovac, doesn't need to call for blitzes much, considering Mike Rucker and Julius Peppers' pass-rush speed flying from the outside and Brentson Buckner and Kris Jenkins' solid drive penetrating from the inside.


That quartet has anchored the Panthers' Super Bowl run, but as it has held down the fort, the back seven has been steadily improving all season. Middle linebacker Dan Morgan is finally healthy. Rookie cornerback Ricky Manning Jr. has emerged as a ballhawk. Safeties Mike Minter and Deon Grant both can cover plenty of ground.


The Panthers' physical style could make Tom Brady hold the ball longer than usual.
Associated Press


Brady excels at getting rid of the ball quickly with his receivers running intermediate routes, so the Pats' offensive linemen don't need to hold up in pass protection for too long. But Carolina will limit the Patriots' wideouts, tight ends and backs to short gains after the catch with some sound tackling.


Because the Panthers will have seven men dropped back often, it will be easier for them to swarm to the pass-catcher. When Brady looks to take a shot farther downfield, they also will have the personnel to provide deep help for their corners.


All that defensive work will set up the Panthers to keep the game close for four quarters, as New England will settle for more field-goal attempts than touchdowns as it bogs down in the red zone without a reliable running game. What will seal the deal for Carolina is the run blocking of its offensive line.


Much has been made of Jake Delhomme's lack of dazzling talent and Belichick's mastery of much more accomplished quarterbacks, namely Peyton Manning in the AFC championship game. Belichick had the perfect plan in place two weeks ago: Pound on Manning and his receivers as much as possible.


Where Tony Dungy and the Colts failed in counteracting Belichick was not getting Edgerrin James more involved in the game early, which would have helped them dictate the game physically on their own terms by pounding the ball often between the tackles. The Rams fell into the same trap in Super Bowl XXXVI, embarrassingly underutilizing Marshall Faulk.


The Panthers won't abandon the run for anyone, and that's part of what makes Fox a terrific coach. Even though Delhomme played well in giving his team a first-half lead over the Eagles in the NFC championship game, Fox was concerned that his team was throwing too much and adjusted.


The result was only four passes by Delhomme in the second half, with the Panthers riding Stephen Davis and DeShaun Foster into the Super Bowl. As good as Carolina's defensive line is, its offensive line is vastly underrated. Left tackle Todd Steussie (former Viking), right guard Kevin Donnalley (former Dolphin) and center Jeff Mitchell (former Raven) are all savvy veterans, and left guard Jeno James and rookie right tackle Jordan Gross just came into their own this season.


This game won't be Belichick vs. Delhomme. It will be a battle in the trenches, and the Panthers have the advantage on both fronts. They will throw rarely and avoid playing into the hands of Romeo Crennel's blitzes and changing coverages. The Patriots' running game will go nowhere, and Brady will be held in check enough that John Kasay becomes the hero that Adam Vinatieri was two Februarys ago. Panthers 17, Patriots 16.



Stats of the season

Championship game record: 1-1 (You win one, you lose one?)
Championship game record vs. the spread: 1-1 (Breaking even is hard to do?)
Season record straight up: 174-92 (A week off and this still hasn't improved)
Season record vs. the spread: 129-136 (As always, I'm a touchdown underdog)

 

[Senor Capper]

Dangerous ground: Panthers can run to glory

by Dennis Dillon


Let's be honest. Most of the folks who say Carolina will win the Super Bowl live in the vicinity of Tobacco Road. And many of them may be blowing whacky tobacky vapor up our backsides.

But then how many of us gave the Panthers much of a chance to beat the Rams -- in St. Louis -- in the divisional playoff round? Or the Eagles -- in Philadelphia -- in the NFC championship game? So let's not dismiss their chances against the Patriots in a neutral environment.

Only 10 of the previous 37 underdogs won a Super Bowl, but that group includes the last two champions -- the Patriots in 2002 and the Buccaneers last year. The Panthers could make it a three-'dog night by following this plan.


Stand their ground. Carolina's M.O. is to control the clock, minimize mistakes and play a low-scoring game. The running game is the backbone of its offense, and coordinator Dan Henning devised a creative blocking scheme in the NFC championship game.


The Panthers came out in what could best be described as an inverted wishbone. Running back Stephen Davis lined up in a customary one-back position, 7 yards behind the line of scrimmage. Tight ends Kris Mangum and Jermaine Wiggins joined Davis in the backfield, each of them a few yards behind the tackle on either side. Their role was to block the linebackers. It caught the Eagles off guard. The surprise formation helped the Panthers rush for 155 yards, including 76 by Davis and 60 by DeShaun Foster.


No matter what scheme Henning concocts for the Super Bowl, the Panthers must continue to run the ball to beat New England. "What they need to do is have positive yards on first down," says Titans defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz. "If they can do that and have the threat of a run game, they have a chance. If New England takes away the run game, it's going to be more difficult for them."


If the Panthers can run the ball successfully, that should open things up for Steve Smith.

The Patriots stymied quarterbacks Steve McNair and Peyton Manning, the NFL's co-MVPs, in back-to-back playoff games so it's hard to imagine Jake Delhomme orchestrating an air force. Look for New England to bring strong safety Rodney Harrison into the box as an eighth run defender and try to force Carolina to win by passing the ball. If the Panthers can run, it could open up passing situations in which wide receiver Steve Smith is matched one-on-one against Ty Law or Tyrone Poole. And if Delhomme capitalizes on one of those opportunities, it could mean a quick six.


Win the front-line battle. The line is the four-wheel drive of the Panthers' defense. Ends Julius Peppers and Mike Rucker and tackles Kris Jenkins and Brentson Buckner are a formidable foursome.


The Patriots' offensive line has had to cope with injuries. Russ Hochstein, a backup guard playing in place of Damien Woody, will go head-to-head against Jenkins, arguably the best defensive tackle in the league.


The Panthers have to get pass-rush pressure from their linemen and minimize the number of times they blitz. New England quarterback Tom Brady will try to beat the rush with short drops and quick passes.


"Brady's not a mobile guy," says Texans offensive coordinator Chris Palmer. "When they got rid of Drew Bledsoe, there was a lot of talk that Brady was more mobile than Bledsoe. That may be the case, but he's not Steve McNair or Donovan McNabb. I think if the front four can put pressure on Brady, that will be a key issue."


That would leave Carolina with seven players to defend the short and intermediate pass routes New England likes to run. The Panthers can't afford to let the Patriots' wide receivers get much separation because they run well after the catch.


A key player for Carolina will be rookie cornerback Ricky Manning, who has stepped up big in the playoffs. He had a key interception in overtime against the Rams and picked off three more passes in the NFC championship game.


Be territorial. The Panthers have three special teams players who could help them win the field-position battle. Punter Todd Sauerbrun has one of the strongest legs in the NFL -- he has boomed a few 70-yarders over the years -- and he finished with the second-best gross punting average (44.6 yards) this season. Except for a one-game meltdown, kicker John Kasay had another solid season. And although Smith didn't rank among the leaders statistically, he's one of the most dangerous punt returners in the game.


"If it would turn into a defensive game with a lot of punts, Carolina probably would have an advantage," says a special teams coach whose team played both the Panthers and the Patriots during the regular season. "Smith is a little more explosive than New England's punt returner (Troy Brown), and Sauerbrun can change field position for them."


One, two three. It's a simple plan, but it could add up to a Super Bowl trophy for Carolina.

 

[Senor Capper]

Panthers @ Patriots -7

Harmon-not yet posted-5-5-0 ---124-122-10

Glazer----Panthers----6-4-0----136-110-10

Prisco----Patriots----8-1-0----135-111-10

Bromberg----Patriots----5-5-0----124- 122-10

Fabiano----Panthers----4-6-0----127-119-10

 

[Senor Capper]

Cat's meow
Panthers have enough to derail the Patriots' dynasty express
Updated: Thursday January 29, 2004 2:07PM





Sunday, 6:25 p.m. (CBS)
Preview | Matchup


OK, fans, the final Pickoff is here. Entering Super Sunday, the tote board reads 168-98 after a 1-1 mark in the conference championship games. The good news is that I picked Carolina to win and thus didn't have to hear all the Eagles fans talk about not getting any respect. The bad news is that Peyton Manning looked more like Rick Manning and New England made me eat my words (and thanks for all the Beantown Bobs who e-mailed to remind me; I'll take ketchup with my crow, please).

So the question is: Who will win Super Bowl XXXVIII? Both teams are capable of hoisting the Lombardi, we all agree on that. The Cats and Pats play it close to the vest on offense and force mistakes on defense, which will make turnovers paramount on Sunday. I know New England picked off almost twice as many passes as Carolina, and I know the Patriots recovered more fumbles than the Panthers. Still, Carolina refuses to go quietly. Not that New England isn't making some noise of its own.

But back to the question at hand: Who will win on Sunday? Well, both of them -- and here's why:



Super Bowl XXXVIII
Carolina vs. New England
How can the Patriots beat the Panthers? I mean, c'mon -- these are the Panthers, champs of the NFC, sons of the South. Nothing this good could has come out of God's country since John Edwards.

What does New England offer? Frostbite.

Carolina will win Sunday on the strength of its running game. The only reason Jamal Lewis didn't top 3,000 yards is because the Ravens didn't play the Patriots this season. Stephen Davis can flat carry the load, and he will do it 35 times Sunday -- inside, outside, over and under the vaunted New England defense.

Ah, but what about Tom Brady, the wunderkind who is being likened to -- gasp! -- Joe Montana when it comes to coming up big in big games. What about him? Once Kris Jenkins, Mike Rucker and Julius Peppers get finished with Brady, he'll beat it back to Beantown with black eyes instead of eye black.

And Bill Belichick? He's been out-Foxed, in case anyone cared to notice. John Fox has become the new face of defense; Belichick is as old as his tired habit of not addressing injuries.

Carolina wins Super Bowl XXXVIII by slapping the chowder from the Pats' D-line, running through lanes wide enough to drive a truck of Sam Adams through and scoring more times than Dolley Madison when the Redcoats came to town.

Carolina 24, Patriots 17

 

[Senor Capper]

Super Bowl XXXVIII Analysis
Posted: Tuesday January 27, 2004 5:11PM; Updated: Tuesday January 27, 2004 5:11PM





Dr. Z takes a position-by-position look at Super Bowl XXXVIII between the Patriots and Panthers.

OFFENSE
Patriots Panthers
David Givens (87)
At 6-0, 212 the Patriots' only big wideout. Really has come on in the postseason, with 12 catches in two games, to lead the club. A threat, short and long. SE

Mushin Muhammad (87)
Another big guy (6-2, 217), he uses his size to muscle defenders downfield. Also a vicious blocker on the edge. The Panthers' leader in yards per catch at 15.5. Will occasionally drop one.
Matt Light (72)
Only a third-year pro but he's emerged as the solid man on what was once a patchwork line that has come together. Did a good job against Indy's Dwight Freeney. LT

Todd Steussie (75)
Old pro who's basically hanging on at this point. Provides veteran leadership -- whatever that means -- but will be replaced by RT Jordan Gross next year.
Russ Hochstein (71)
A career backup until Damien Woody hurt his knee, going into the postseason. Has held up OK so far but never has faced anyone like Kris Jenkins. LG

Jeno James (78)
Road-grader type. Powerful drive blocker who's adept at pulling right to add weight to the lead play. Solid four-year veteran.

Dan Koppen (67)
Fifth-round draft choice did such a remarkable job filling in for Woody in the second game of the regular season that Woody was moved to guard. C

Jeff Mitchell (60)
Solid man in the middle. The glue that holds the front five together. Smart and seasoned. One of the NFL's most underrated centers.
Joe Andruzzi (63)
Teeth-gritter who has developed into a tough drive blocker. Has battled through injuries. Very effective when healthy. RG

Kevin Donnalley (65)
Old pro who's still effective at the point but sometimes gets a little fluttery when too much heat is applied.
Tom Ashworth (68)
Street free agent who was rushed into service in Game No. 4. Had a rough start but gradually smoothed out his game. RT

Jordan Gross (69)
Mobile and athletic first-round draft. More of an LT type and will play there next year. Quick enough to pull and lead.
Christian Fauria (88)
Gets into zones in which Tom Brady will look for him repeatedly, but can drop passes in bunches, too. Decent blocker. TE

Kris Mangum (88)
Figures very little in passing game, but is an unselfish blocker who's most effective in motion, using "wham" technique.

Tom Brady (12)
Raises his game when stakes are highest. Inspirational leader, great in two-minute drill, but too much gut pressure can occasionally force him to spray the ball. QB

Jake Delhomme (17)
Well-liked free-wheeling type who has led six comebacks this year. Had to win the trust of the coaching staff, which had him on the bench, behind Rodney Peete, at the season's start.
Antowain Smith (32)
Powerful banger who gets overlooked in Charlie Weis' offense. Kevin Faulk (33), fairly effective last year, is the forgotten man. RB

Stephen Davis (48)
Wear-'em-down type of runner favored in John Fox's grinding offense. Backup DeShaun Foster (20) provides more flash and dash.

Larry Centers (31)
Cut in October, then re-signed in early December. Sees minimal action. TE Daniel Graham could be key man downfield Sunday, especially if he's covered by an LB. Troy Brown (80) didn't start against Indy but was a very effective third receiver in this spot; speedster Bethel Johnson (81) is the fourth wideout. FB*


*Either team can line up with a fullback, two tight ends or three wide receivers. Brad Hoover (45)
Once was the featured back. Extra blocker and occasional pass catcher now. Ex-Patriot TE Jermaine Wiggins (84) will come in as blocker and minimum-range receiver when Carolina goes two tights and old pro Ricky Proehl (81) will line up in this spot as the third WR
Deion Branch (83)
Steady producer in Weis' gnat attack. Started for Brown two weeks ago. Runs the short routes well and leads the team with a modest 57 catches. FL

Steve Smith (89)
Has lifted his game to near Pro Bowl level, with 88 catches and seven TDs. Has good speed, plus a return man's shiftiness. Fearless over the middle.

0FFENSIVE EDGE: Even 5-5-1
DEFENSE
Patriots Panthers
Willie McGinest (55)
Listed as an LB, he is actually more of a DE who drops. Big-league pass-rusher early in his career, now a heady ballhawk who is great at sniffing out screens. Has had a terrific year. OLB-LE

 

[Senor Capper]

Julius Peppers (90)
Undisciplined rusher and chaser as a rookie, he now plays a controlled game, steering the blocker and trying to read. Had a fine outing against the Rams three weeks ago, hustling all over the field. Al Wallace (96) is an agile pass-rusher who spells both ends.
Bobby Hamilton (91)
Ex-Jet, ex-Seahawk has found a home in Bill Belichick's base defense. McGinest or Mike Vrabel replaces him on the wing on passing downs. Ty Warren (94) occasionally spells him in the regular rotation. LE-LT

Brentson Buckner (99)
Has come on strong in the playoffs. Big, strong, inside-pocket crusher. Can cause damage if too much attention is paid to his running mate, Kris Jenkins. Shane Burton (98) is Buckner's relief.
Ted Washington (72)
Bulky run-stuffer who gets lots of rest. Jarvis Green (97), who erupted in a pass-rushing frenzy against Indy (three sacks), is the reliever. MG-RT

Kris Jenkins (77)
Seldom single-blocked. High-energy 335-pounder with a real burst. The Rams kept two blockers on him, in an inside-outside pincers, the whole game.

Richard Seymour (93)
Near-perfect technically. More effective as a DT, which he plays in the nickel, with Vrabel or McGinest going outside. Will destroy single-blocking. RE

Mike Rucker (93)
Destructive outsideman but look for him to sink inside in the old 46-Bears look against the Pats, covering the LG, Hochstein. This could cause big problems.
Mike Vrabel (50)
Can go weak, too, or man the short zone in the middle to cut off the crossing patterns. Smart, tough, versatile. Playing the best football of his life. SLB

Greg Favors (53)
Replaced Mark Fields, who is battling Hodgkin's disease, in the preseason. Basically a run-stopper. Comes out in the nickel.
Tedy Bruschi (54)
Injured his leg vs. Indy. Active and aggressive. Ball skills and big-play ability have really picked up. Will blitz on occasion. Old-style plugger Ted Johnson (52) will replace him, or sometimes even line up as strongside LB in same package. MLB

Dan Morgan (55)
Only Panthers LB who stays on the field in all packages. Not a classic run-stuffer, but active, with decent ball awareness. Finally starting to come on after suffering hamstring pull and two concussions during the season.
Roman Phifer (95)
Versatile and active. Rams and Jets reject has gotten a second life in the Belichick system. Played a lot of man coverage vs. the TE against the Colts. WLB

Will Witherspoon (54)
Quick and and active, will bounce all over the place making tackles, but will run around blocks, too, and leave gaps in the run defense.
Ty Law (24)
Best corner in football right now. Maybe because he's playing for his big contract; maybe, because, at 29, he has reached a natural peak. Lighter now, which really helps. Terrific break on the ball. LCB

Ricky Manning (24)
Started as the nickelback, then moved into Terry Cousin's starting spot. At one time a target, but after his terrific, game-saving, one-handed interception vs. the Rams and his three picks against Philly, he is not to be messed with.
Rodney Harrison (37)
Most of the time the LS in the left-right setup, but will go strong, too. He and Law have a thing going between them. Coverage skills, to go with his big hitting, make him a legitimate All-Pro. SS

Mike Minter (30)
High-energy, inspirational type. Plays much bigger than his 195 pounds. Great feel for the blitz. Has made many big plays this season. Would get the edge on almost every safety but Harrison.

Eugene Wilson (26)
Drafted in the first round, basically for his tackling ability, he figured as the nickel back until rookie Asante Samuel came on so well. Fit in nicely as a safety. Will lay the big wood on receivers. FS

Deon Grant (27)
Drafted four years ago as a cover guy who shied away from the hitting, he has probably benefitted more than any player from John Fox's aggressive coaching. Is now a well-rounded safety in every phase -- including tackling.
Tyrone Poole (38)
Got off to a surprisingly good start this season after questioning himself in camp. Wearing down a bit now and looks tired at times. RCB

Reggie Howard (23)
Plays hard and reacts well. Tough guy who attended Memphis State as a walk-on, came to the NFL as a free agent and was cut twice before winning a job.
Asante Samuel (22)
Active rookie who can cover downfield and looked too good to be true. For a while. Made some rookie mistakes later on in the year but still was a great find. The Pats seldom use a dime back, choosing instead to rely on LBs. NICKEL/DIME

Terry Cousin (21)
Former starter. Will cover the slot receiver. Dante Wesley (29) will replace Witherspoon in the dime, and Jarod Cooper will come in, and often blitz, when the Panthers go to a three-man line on long-yardage situations.
DEFENSIVE EDGE: Patriots 7-3-2
SPECIAL TEAMS
Patriots Panthers
Adam Vinatieri (4)
No longer is Mr. Automatic. He has missed a few during the regular season. Punter Ken Walter (13) was cut once during the season, but later re-signed. He's got the second-worst gross average (37.7) and ninth-worst net (33.6) in the NFL. K-P

John Kasay (4)
He'd have been among the league's top three in FG percentage but he fell apart against Philly in the Nov. 30 game. Punter Todd Sauerbrun (10) has run up a high average (44.6) but he's wildly inconsistent.
Troy Brown isn't the scintillating punt returner he once was but he's consistent. Kick returning is divided among Faulk, who's unexciting, Bethel Johnson, who's 4.29 speed makes him scary, and a normal fullback, 217-pound Patrick Pass (35) who really slams it in there. RETURNS

Steve Smith, whose 10-yard punt-return average is about the same as Brown's, hasn't done anything in the postseason. He Hate Me/Rod Smart (32) popped one KR all the way in the regular season and has been energetic, if not thrilling, in the playoffs.
Both teams are pretty close on kick returns, the Patriots' 21.1 being slightly worse than Carolina's 20.4, but New England's punt-return unit, allowing a measly 6.3 yards, is second best in the league, while the Panthers' 11.5 ranks sixth from last. COVERAGE



SPECIAL TEAMS EDGE: Even 1-1-1
CAPSULE
The Patriots defense, with two weeks to prepare, forces a couple of early turnovers. Given a short field, Brady registers some quick scores. The Panthers have to play from behind, and Delhomme's last-minute heroics fall short.

FINAL SCORE: PATRIOTS 20, PANTHERS 17

 

[Senor Capper]

SHOW YOU DA MONEY

SHOW YOU DA MONEY

No YIKES on Super Bowl but it's still early



Much earlier in the week Books in Vegas were taking about 5-1 moneygoing towards New England.
Thursday the difference was about 3-1 mostly because the line went to 7, which of course caught mostly Panthers money.
Currently in our houses (11) total, New England was "up" about by 80Gs.


The UNDER got slammed early by the "sharps" and the public followed. But with in the last (2) days the OVER money has come pouring in out of nowhere bringing the differential to about a 4G difference.

You can bet your sweet "bippy" ?? That the publics favorite money will start coming in today through Sunday.
Bring it on !!!!

Best to all

SC

 

[ELVIS]

can we hope for 7-1/2

 

[GM]

HOUSTON ? So that's that. Game over. Watch the Vegas line move.

Funny, I swear I read this somewhere else. Oh, that's right...in my thread, right here in this forum! Right down to the asterisks that I typed in myself for the final four points. I guess you liked it huh? :shrug:

 

[Senor Capper]

Too FUNNY

Too FUNNY

can we hope for 7-1/2 (Not on your like botha):nooo:



GM
I guess you liked it huh?
You serious ??
All these articles here are copied and pasted from another sites. I have not even peek at your post. If ya want I'll try to find where I seen it, wasn't here LOL.
Unless your pulling my leg and now I feel like a dweeb.


Best of luck to you both

SC

 

[Senor Capper]

Jumping on the Patriots bandwagon

Jumping on the Patriots bandwagon

Do I truly believe the Carolina Panthers will win this battle? I'm not sure what to believe. Do I absolutely believe that they will cover? You betcha.



Julius Peppers and his friends on the defensive line will be a lot for the Patriots to handle. (AP)
Watching the Panthers' defense and their ball-control offense can lead to painful heart problems. Call it the Cardiac Control Offense. It ain't pretty, it ain't flashy, but it is effective.

The Panthers now have two years under their belts of playing games that go down to the wire. It's John Fox's modus operandi. Keep it close down the stretch and anything can happen. Whoever makes the last mistake makes the fatal mistake.

Just keep it close, baby ... and keep Adam Vinatieri off the field in big games!

One huge key will be Jake Delhomme. The young, brash Panthers quarterback will see things from New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick and defensive coordinator Romeo Crennel's defense that he hasn't seen before (or at least he'll think he hasn't seen them before).

The quicker he recognizes what sort of defensive concoction the Patriots have cooked up the sooner the Panthers can become viable candidates to pull off an upset.

In the Patriots' last game, they went to a very conservative scheme, keeping a safety back in coverage and jamming the receivers at the line. This time, Delhomme can expect at least eight men in the box and a handful of innovative blitz packages. Duck Jake, duck.

The Panthers have two keys that can win any team a title -- a stifling defense and a tremendous running game. The Panthers need to get Stephen Davis 25 to 30 carries while running their play clock down inside five seconds on every single offensive play. In other words, just play a frustrating game of "keep away."

Patriots quarterback Tom Brady's statistics have been stellar. But he also got lucky a few times in the AFC title game as some of his passes were dropped by Colts defenders.

The Panthers will put pressure on Brady. They will force him into making some bad throws. If the Panthers are going to win they will need to capitalize on those mistakes and turn them into points. Just getting a pick or a fumble isn't good enough. They must result in points.


The front four of Julius Peppers, Mike Rucker, Brentson Buckner and Kris Jenkins match up extremely well with the Patriots' front line. They must dominate this matchup in order to cover up for shaky depth in the secondary, especially if the Patriots spread the field and force the Carolina dime package into action.

If they can get to Brady, this game suddenly shifts toward the Panthers.

So what is going to happen in this game? Delhomme will throw one interception -- probably to Ty Law -- but then settle down by the second quarter. He'll finish the game with about 18 to 20 attempts with 12 completions. Davis and youngster DeShaun Foster will have 35 carries between them and frustrate the Patriots much like New England frustrated the Rams two years ago.

Defensively, Brady will come out of the blocks fast. He'll carve up the Panthers defense for a bit but as the game kicks into second gear, that front four will begin to harass him. They'll bang him and bruise him and suddenly this game will become a good old-fashioned brawl.

I'd rather go to battle with Rucker, Jenkins and Peppers than Russ Hochstein, Matt Light and Dan Koppen. After a bunch of smoke and mirrors by the coaching schemes of both teams, eventually somebody has got to win a fight.

So, in classic Panthers fashion the Carolinas will be rewarded with a heart-wrenching two-point victory ...


I think -- 22-20, Panthers.

 

[Senor Capper]

Glazer: Cats win a street fight


HOUSTON -- There are three things people in New England don't want to hear: Bad things about anybody named Kennedy, winter is going to last until mid-April and Pete Prisco is picking the Patriots to win the Super Bowl.

Well, I can't do anything about the first two, but the last one is going to make the entire six-state region angry.


Tom Brady will try to extend the Patriots' winning streak to an incredible 15 games. (AP)
The Patriots are my Super Bowl pick.

After weeks and weeks of picking against the Patriots, doubting their ability to win games and keep their winning streak alive, that hard head of mine has softened enough to bring me to the realization that they are destined.

It helps they might be playing one of the worst Super Bowl teams of all time in the Carolina Panthers.

Carolina could easily be 5-11 next year playing the style of play they do. As it is, they have won enough close games -- 7-0 in games decided by a touchdown or less in the regular season -- to find their way into a Super Bowl few thought they would make.

The Patriots have won 14 consecutive games to get here, a streak that is mighty impressive in this modern NFL.

Some have suggested this New England team should rank among the best of all-time if they win Sunday against the Panthers. That's a stretch, especially when you dissect the team as a whole.

They are good, very good in fact, just not great.

But will any of that matter come late Sunday night when the Patriots are celebrating another Super Bowl victory, their second in three years, while those damn Red Sox have waited over eight decades to get a World Series title?

The Red Sox may have that special place in the hearts of the New England fans, but the Patriots are closing fast.

The passion in that region is second to none in the NFL. I know. They have made me public enemy No. 1 -- doing so early in the 2003 season when I didn't put them atop the SportsLine.com Power Rankings.

Or was it back in 2001 when I said they had been one of the worst Super Bowl winners ever?

Or when I said Tom Brady was overrated?

Don't fret anymore, Pats fans. I'm on board with your team -- at least this week.

Of course, now all the New England fans will blame me if they lose to the Panthers on Sunday. They will call me "The Mush," the guy who helped end their 14-game winning streak, but even worse, ruin their Super Bowl dreams.

They need not worry. The Patriots will be getting fitted for those rings in the spring, and coach Bill Belichick will stake his claim to a future bust in Canton.

That team concept has finally grabbed hold of me. No longer can I just sit here and say they are a team without stars, a team that won't beat teams with stars. Not after they beat the co-MVP's on successive weekends to get to the Super Bowl.

During the week after the AFC Championship Game, my feeling was that the Panthers might be that charmed team, that they were destined to win a Super Bowl. This was their year, their chance to come from nowhere and grab the big prize, sending writers and fans of other teams scurrying to figure out how.

After further study, and easing up on that hardhead approach to the Patriots, I'm now buying into this New England team being a darn good one, too good for the Panthers.

Are they a great team? Fifteen consecutive victories, if they do win Super Bowl XXXVIII, would be one heck of a feat.

How do I see the game going?

The Panthers, if they are smart, will pound Stephen Davis outside the edges against the New England defense. They will do so until it works. The Patriots excel at taking away great quarterbacks -- see Peyton Manning -- but the thinking is they can be had in the running game.

The Panthers will try and shorten the game, keep the score close going into the fourth quarter. That could work, even as they play field-position football. After three quarters, it will be 7-3 New England, as Brady will hit a big pass down the field to Deion Branch to set up the Patriots' first touchdown.

Carolina will have trouble sustaining drives as Jake Delhomme comes back to Earth with a bad third-down passing day. This fairy-tale season will come to a disappointing end when he throws a fourth-quarter interception that sets up the Patriots for a 14-3 lead. The Panthers get a field goal to cut the deficit to 8 -- finally, a coach plays the percentages right -- but that's where it ends.

Time runs out on the Panthers and the Patriots win 14-6.

Two things will stand out from this game. One is the Patriots offensive line will somehow find a way to block the Panthers' dominant front four. The other is the New England defense will prove too much for Delhomme to handle.

If Belichick can put the clamps on Steve McNair and Manning, what's to think Delhomme should do any better?

Defense will rule on this day, but New England finds a way to score two touchdowns, which will be enough.

Thankfully, we won't have a blowout. We also won't have much offense, which isn't good.

What we will have is talk of a dynasty in New England.

That, of course, is ridiculous in the salary-cap era. But since I'm on board now with this hard-working, overachieving, starless team, one that makes the 1950s generation proud, here's an early hint as to who will be the top-rated team in the first Power Rankings of 2004.

It won't be the Patriots.

See, it just wouldn't be right to be all the way on board. Would it?

So enjoy your Super Bowl victory, Patriots fans. Just one thing, though: If your team doesn't win, don't blame me for picking them.

After all, you told me all year long that I can't pick my nose, your 4-year-old children pick better than me, your grandmothers hate my picks, you bought a house with the money you made going against me and there is no way in hell anybody with my picking sense should have a job.

You've said that Jay Glazer knows football, and I don't. Well, Jay is picking the Panthers.

Go get him, New England. He's your new whipping boy.

 

[Senor Capper]

Almost too close to call


By Troy Aikman


(Fox Sports analyst and former Dallas Cowboys quarterback Troy Aikman offers exclusive insight and analysis during the postseason. Following is his preview of Super Bowl XXXVIII.)

(Jan. 29, 2004) -- When New England went to the Super Bowl two years ago, expectations immediately shot through the roof. This is what normally happens once a team has reached the highest plateau in professional football. No matter how unrealistic, fans and people within the organization expected the Patriots would contend for a world championship every season.

NFL Network & Field Pass

The Panthers now face a similar challenge. Regardless of what happens Sunday, they'll no longer be viewed as an overachieving group no one gave much thought to when the season began. They surprised everyone but beginning next year, the expectation will be that they'll compete for the Super Bowl.

Fortunately for the Patriots, they were able to prove 2001 was no fluke. They went 9-7 last year but bounced back to 14-2 this season and are in the Super Bowl for the second time in three years. Even so, only winning Sunday will meet everyone's lofty expectations.

Speaking of which ...
Getting to the Super Bowl two times in three seasons is no small feat, especially when it has become increasingly more difficult to remain consistent from one year to the next. The salary cap, free agency and a dispersed talent pool in the league have created the competitive balance we've talked about time and time again. It's not surprising to see a team that went 4-12 one year go 12-4 the next and vice versa. Look no further than the Panthers, who were 1-15 just two seasons ago (when the Patriots were celebrating in New Orleans) and are now appearing in the franchise's first-ever Super Bowl.

I've also been very impressed with the manner in which the Patriots achieved success this season. After an embarrassing 31-0 opening-day loss to Buffalo, I'd be willing to bet not many people expected them to be in Houston this week. They also overcame numerous injuries to key players during the early part of the year.

No matter what obstacles surfaced, New England found ways to win. You're always proud when you make it to the Super Bowl, but the Patriots have even more reason to be proud because of how they've done it.

Brady and Delhomme
There are definite similarities between this year's Panthers and the Patriots team that won the Super Bowl in 2001. In my mind, the biggest parallel is what Jake Delhomme is going through -- it's very similar to Tom Brady 's emergence two years ago.

Everyone is saying, "The Patriots have Brady." Well, that wasn't what people were saying two years ago. Some people might want to give New England the edge because of Brady, but Delhomme has had a solid year in his own right.

I believe Delhomme is this season's "2001 Tom Brady" but in order for that to come true, Delhomme has to adjust to this year's success. Brady has been able to do it and play at a high level since taking over the starting job in 2001.

Role reversal

Bill Belichick's smarts and guts give the Patriots a slight edge.
Very few people expected New England to beat St. Louis in Super Bowl XXXVI. This year, the Patriots aren't the unexpected newcomers. Although I don't think there are quite as many naysayers regarding Carolina's chances, a lot of people are giving New England the edge.

You can bet coach Bill Belichick is pounding into his players' heads that no one thought they would beat St. Louis two years ago and using it as a reminder not to underestimate the Panthers. It seems to be working, as the Patriots are saying all the right things. They know you still have to go out and play the game regardless of what things look like on paper.

Having said that, we talked last week about how the Panthers don't have many weaknesses. I said it prior to the Philadelphia game and I'll say it again -- you can't discount the Panthers. They've been proving all season long what happens when you do.

Keys to the game
Super Bowl XXXVIII will boil down to what most games do when you have two evenly matched teams -- turnovers and field position. I expect a low-scoring affair, especially if there aren't many turnovers.

I also don't expect to see many big plays. Both head coaches will have the mentality that they can't give up the big play but instead try to force the offenses into long drives.

The running game will be important, but I think the big difference offensively will be the passing game. Carolina will have some success running the ball, but whichever team is able to throw the ball more effectively and win the third-down battles will win the game.

After the game is over and this year's champion is crowned, you'll see the team that controlled third downs on both sides of the ball and created crucial plays in the passing game emerged as the winner.

But the biggest key of all: The team that makes the fewest mistakes will win.

My prediction
For the past week and a half, I've been asked which team will win. Making a pick is very tough because these teams are so evenly matched. Neither has many holes. Both defenses are obviously tremendous and can dominate a game. (I don't see either defense giving up a lot of big plays.) Neither offense is explosive, but can get the job done and make plays when needed.

Special teams is a toss-up as well. The Panthers have Pro Bowl punter Todd Sauerbrun and John Kasay, who is a heck of a field-goal kicker. The Patriots have Ken Walter, who had a solid year in his own right, and of course, Adam Vinatieri is just phenomenal.

If pressed to make a pick, the only reason I give New England a slight edge would be because of Bill Belichick. That's not intended as a reflection on John Fox in any way. He's a tremendous coach who turned things around in warp speed for Carolina. There's just something scary about giving Belichick an extra week to prepare.

 

[Senor Capper]

ESPN

ESPN

Here are our analyst's picks for Super Bowl XXXVIII:


Chris Berman

Berman
Result:
New England, 27-16
Comment:
In August I picked them to be here, and I can't overlook the fact they haven't lost since September or trailed since Thanksgiving.



John Clayton

Clayton
Result:
New England, 20-17
Comment:
It won't come down to a last-minute field goal from the Patriots. They'll already have the lead.



Greg Garber

Garber
Result:
New England, 17-14
Comment:
Just look at points allowed and points scored. The Patriots average more points scored, but also give up less than the Panthers.



Mike Golic

Golic
Result:
New England, 24-20
Comment:
The Patriots impress me with their team play. Tom Brady is the best "point guard" in the NFL. Their short-passing game works like a running game.



Merril Hoge

Hoge
Result:
Carolina, 23-20
Comment:
The Panthers will win because of the core of both their offense and defense. Their lines will win the matchups.



Tom Jackson

Jackson
Result:
Carolina, 20-17

Comment: The key will be running the ball, and Carolina will do it better.




Ron Jaworski

Jaworski
Result:
New England, 20-17

Comment: In big games, it usually comes down to the quarterback who manages the game better, and Brady gets the edge.




Suzy Kolber

Kolber
Result:
Carolina, 17-14
Comment: Time of possession.






Andrea Kremer

Kremer
Result:
New England, 19-10
Comment:
Both teams have struggled in the red zone, and no kicker withstands the pressure like Adam Vinatieri.



Kenny Mayne

Mayne
Result:
Carolina, 27-24
Comment:
The Panthers have mojo.



Chris Mortensen

Mortensen
Result:
Carolina, 23-20
Comment:
Jake Delhomme will make the big play that nobody expects him to make.



Randy Mueller

Mueller
Result:
New England, 31-13
Comment:
The Patriots defense will take Steve Smith away and with that, Carolina's big-play ability.



Sal Paolantonio

Paolantonio
Result:
New England, 23-17
Comment:
The difference in the game will be the Patriots' secondary.



Len Pasquarelli

Pasquarelli
Result:
New England, 27-17
Comment:
The Patriots' Super Bowl experience wins out.



Dan Patrick

Patrick
Result:
New England, 27-17
Comment:
I picked the Pats at the beginning of the year and I'm sticking with them.



Sean Salisbury

Salisbury
Result:
New England, 24-21
Comment:
These teams are even, except for Bill Belichick and Adam Vinatieri, the best clutch kicker in the game. This game won't be won until the very end.



Mark Schlereth

Schlereth
Result:
New England, 23-20
Comment:
People are drastically underestimating New England's ability to run the football, and defensively the Pats will be able to force a couple turnovers.



Joe Theismann

Theismann
Result:
New England, 24-20
Comment:
New England's offense can adapt to whatever Carolina tries to do.



Trey Wingo

Wingo
Result:
Carolina, 20-17
Comment:
Every time I picked against them this year, they proved me wrong so I'm believing in Carolina and Jake Delhomme.



Steve Young

Young
Result:
New England, 27-17
Comment:
Unlike some Super Bowl participants, I expect both teams to play great football.