Dave’s Football Blog

Packer RB Tony Fisher isn’t making anyone say “Ahman Who?” yet, but he’s holding his own with 51 yards on 13 carries. Brett Favre just underthrew Donald Driver, though, and that resulted in a takeaway for the Bengals.

Midway through the third, Cincinnati is leading Green Bay, 14-7.

Fred Smoot must be looking for the nearest boat out of town.

Just about every ball thrown Steve Smith’s way today has resulted in a Smith catch or a Smoot penalty. That includes one 69-yard bomb that led to Carolina’s second TD of the day. Smith also caught Carolina’s third TD on an easy slant that Smoot played in a soft zone. In 30 minutes, Smith has 7 catches for 153 yards and a TD.

I can see to some extent why John Fox challenged the call to try and get Smith the second TD, but when you have first and goal at the 1, just let Stephen Davis do his thing.

On the other hand, with so many things going right for the Panthers today, Fox could afford to waste the challenge. Carolina’s is outgaining Minnesota’s, 287-76. Carolina’s held the ball 17:31 and is 3-for-3 in the red zone. Minnesota’s given up 4 sacks; Carolina hasn’t given up any. The worst thing to happen to the Panthers today was John Kasay missing a 55-yard field goal, and that was offset by Paul Edinger missing a much closer one for the Vikes.

Oh, yeah, and Daunte Culpepper is out with a strained knee and looks like he will not return.

The only thing that Minnesota can hang their hats on now is that they came back from a 17-point deficit last week against Green Bay and won. On the other hand, Carolina actually has a defense, Culpepper was playing in that, and it was a home game. The Vikings have lost 23 of their last 26 road games outdoors.

Time to take in more of the atmosphere, I think…

Daunte Culpepper has been carted off to the trainer’s room with a sprained right knee. His return is doubtful. Brad Johnson looks like he’s going to be the guy today.

Has anyone else noticed that DeShaun Foster has a knack for falling forward? Good quality for a running back.

Fox just showed a VERY interesting stat.

New York Giants: 124 total yards on offense.
Washington Redskins: 5 total yards.

Yeah, I’d say the Giants are inspired today. They’re up early on the Skins, 6-0.

The Vikings can’t catch a break with the zebras today — lots of holding penalties on both sides of the ball for them so far. Part of the credit for that should go to the Panthers blitz, which has been steady so far.

However, in spite of the penalties, the Vikings are driving and finding a way to make Carolina miss some tackles. As the quarter ended, Daunte Culpepper took the ball and scrambled down to the Carolina 16-yard line. However, he was just helped off the sideline with an apparent knee injury. That’s probably the last thing Mike Tice wanted to see today.

Brad Johnson is in at QB. More on this in a minute, as I work through this order of Buffalo Shrimp…

Trainers are working on Stephen Davis’ surgically repaired right knee on the Panthers’ sideline. DeShaun Foster is now the primary back…

Stephen Davis only had a few runs, but this Vikings’ D is making him look good early. DeShaun Foster also looked solid in early play, as did Steve Smith, who is winning the battle against Fred Smoot early.

Less than five minutes in, Carolina’s taken an early 7-0 lead on Minnesota.

Meanwhile, my waitress Nicole, who’s wearing a name tag that says “Sara” — I’ve been told that’s not a regular thing here — revealed that she has a huge crush on Tiki and Ronde Barber…

There’s are two families of four sitting together at a table across from me. Four daughters are at the table. All of them look younger than 9 years old.

I’m sure there’s a reason to bring four 8-and-under girls to Hooters, yes?

In honor of the Carolina Panthers’ opponent today, I have decided that it’s time to do some very valuable research…
Can you believe I’ve taken nearly 34 trips around the sun and never set foot in a Hooters? I’ve seen them everywhere. Once I even saw Reggie Miller through the window of a Hooters in Indianapolis, having a spirited conversation with what appeared to be his financial team. Yet after all this time, I have never partaken in their wings or their (ahem) service. That changes today.

It’s time to find out if Hooters’ wings are as good as everyone says they are, or if it’s really just all about the breasts. Are they really (ahem) equipped to handle lots of fans for a Sunday afternoon of pro football? Time to find out…

There are a handful of interesting storylines out there today. The Washington Redskins go to New York to face a Giants team looking to play inspired ball after the death of owner Wellington Mara. The Philadelphia Eagles will try to keep their breath in the thin air of Denver today. New England linebacker Tedy Bruschi will return to action tonight, a mere eight months after a mild stroke threatened his career. The New Orleans Saints play their first game in Louisiana this season, and I’m highly intrigued by how they will be greeted by fans after a week of speculation that Tom Benson was going to move the team, no matter what.

Since this blog focuses on the Carolina Panthers, though, today’s Carolina-Minnesota game will be at the top of my radar. Minnesota rebounded well in the second half last Sunday against the Packers. Can they do that again on the road against a team that’s winning ugly?

And I do mean ugly. Medicine is required even for the Panthers’ wins, especially the win two weeks ago against the Lions in Detroit, where it seemed like the best thing that happened to the Panthers was Jake Delhomme catching a blow to the head. Just a reminder: Jake’s thrown 7 of his 8 interceptions to his right, usually on out routes. Even money says Fred Smoot lines up on that side today.

In addition, Panthers’ DE Julius Peppers will be playing with a cast on his hand, and linebacker Dan Morgan will attempt to play with a bum shoulder. We’ll see how effective they are today. We’ll also see how effective Stephen Davis is against a rushing defense that’s giving up 142 yards per game, good for 30th in the NFL. If Davis struggles today, then John Fox will be crazy not to try someone else in there. DeShaun Foster is listed as questionable with knee problems, but he’s expected to play, and Nick Goings (nudge, nudge, wink, wink, Coach Fox) is still available.

I’m sure Vikings fan and frequent blog commenter Peter will chime in with a few remarks of his own today. In the meantime, I’m going to saddle up and find a suitable watering hole for today’s game…