A great big Thank You goes out to James Dator, El Jefe at Cat Scratch Reader, for sitting down in an undisclosed location to provide some insight on the Panthers for the upcoming contest at Soldier Field against our Beloved.
1- Obviously the first topic: Cam Newton. Discuss.
James: He's everything we could have wanted and more. Honestly, we thought it would be a good 2-3 year wait before Newton would reach his potential, and he hasn't reached it yet but nobody could have predicted he'd catch on to the NFL game this quickly. Already he's looking off the safety, spreading the football to multiple receivers, adjusting protection on the line of scrimmage, selling play fakes... it's remarkable because he's doing so many things his scouting report said he was terrible at.
Newton is still a rookie and he makes some bone-headed plays here or there, but overall we're ecstatic.
2- The Bears are not known for having the most popular management committee (President Ted Phillips, GM Jerry Angelo, and even HC Lovie Smith at times)... Can you tell us what the fans perspective is of Panthers owner Jerry Richardson, President Danny Morrison, and GM Marty Hurney? How do they work together, and how is the HC involved in the operation?
In terms of football ops it's all Marty Hurney. Richardson is a very hands-off owner when it comes to football decisions, he'd rather defer to the knowledge of those who he hired rather than make decisions himself. As for Hurney, he is very collaborative with his head coach (with the exception of John Fox's lame duck year). From what I know the head coach let's Hurney know what he needs, Hurney then works with the scouts and coach to find those players. Ron Rivera wanted a franchise QB, Hurney got him one. Knowledgeable fans recognize his successes in the draft. As it stands he has the highest percentage of 1st rounds picks to make pro-bowls in the NFL, but his propensity to wheel and deal draft picks can annoy us at times.
As for Danny Morrison, he's very behind the scenes. It's all just business operations and solvency. He's only been in Carolina for two years, but given his hands on approach to the HC search he seems good.
That being said, seeing as many fans stay in the stands knee-deep in water last week was heartwarming. It seems Rivera's plan for the Panthers might get realized.
James: Apart from Cam Newton this question begins and ends with sophomore DE Greg Hardy. Once thought to be #1 overall pick material he experienced a free fall on draft day due to injury concerns and questions about his desire. Since being in Carolina we've found neither to be true... the guy is an absolute wrecking ball from the edge and has a rare combination of speed and power we haven't seen since Julius Peppers was drafted. Thus far he has two sacks, one forced fumble and a safety in three games... it seems that Hardy and Charles Johnson will be long time bookends for Carolina.
5- What will be the key match-ups for the Panthers this weekend? What needs to happen for them to be able to go into Soldier Field and whip the Bears?
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