The Carolina Panthers cut MLB Dan Morgan and OG Mike Wahle yesterday in an effort to clear up some cap space.
Morgan's departure saves the Panthers about $2 million, while releasing Wahle will save around $4 million.
Cutting Morgan makes sense both on the field and in the salary cap. There was always a slim chance Carolina could move Morgan to the outside and keep Jon Beason in the middle, but this felt like the right time for the player and organization to part ways.
I did expect an offensive lineman to be cut, but was surprised it was Wahle. He's been one of the most reliable and consistent linemen, but with Carolina looking to make a splash in free agency and the draft, this was a cost-cutting move.
How could the offensive line look next season? There are a bunch of different scenarios, and most revolve around whether or not the Panthers draft or sign an offensive tackle.
With the roster now, my best guess to the starting offensive line right now would be (from left tackle to right tackle): Travelle Wharton, Justin Hartwig, Ryan Kalil, Jeremy Bridges, Jordan Gross.
Keep in mind, though, that both Wharton and Gross need to be resigned, and general manager Marty Hurney suggested there may be more moves along the offensive line.
I'd expect Carolina to sign a tackle or draft one in the first round, with the intent of playing him on the left side. Then they'd resign Gross to play right tackle. I think Ryan Kalil will be the opening-day center, and I'd expect either Wharton or Bridges - perhaps both - to be gone next season.
Monday, February 11, 2008
Friday, February 8, 2008
Oh Snap!
Attention coaches, parents and athletes in Iredell County.
We've added a new feature to our Around Iredell Web site, a user-submitted photo system called Snap!
You can access it from www.aroundiredell.com/sports, or simply click the link below.
http://aisnap.mycapture.com/mycapture/photos/index.aspx
You can submit a variety of sports photos - signings, banquets and shots from the game. We already have some really good photos of South Iredell softball games, and one of South running back Anthony Thwaites' signing his letter of intent.
We've added a new feature to our Around Iredell Web site, a user-submitted photo system called Snap!
You can access it from www.aroundiredell.com/sports, or simply click the link below.
http://aisnap.mycapture.com/mycapture/photos/index.aspx
You can submit a variety of sports photos - signings, banquets and shots from the game. We already have some really good photos of South Iredell softball games, and one of South running back Anthony Thwaites' signing his letter of intent.
Monday, February 4, 2008
I knew the Giants had a real shot to win when ...
So the New York Giants are world champions, and Eli Manning is the Super Bowl MVP (did I really just type that?).
They deserve it, though. They weathered through some bad losses - like 41-17 to Minnesota - played hard throughout games and, most importantly, got hot late in the season when it matters most.
I was at work on the desk at the R&L, but watched the game through the magic of TiVo today.
Here's the first point in my mind when I really thought the Giants had a very good chance to win. It's kind of out there, so bear with me.
On New England's first play of the game, Tom Brady faked a hand-off to Laurence Maroney, then faked an end around. He kept the ball with the intent of throwing a screen pass back to Maroney. He was hit hard, and the pass fluttered incomplete.
Seriously, that's the play New England drew up to start the game? That's either really, really arrogant or really, really stupid. Or both.
Let me explain.
For that play to work properly, there are a couple of things that needed to be in place. First, the Patriots needed to have already established a running game up the middle. Secondly, New England needed to show the ability to run a reverse or end around with its dangerously fast receivers. And the Giants would have needed to overpursue tackles throughout the game. All those things happen and it's the perfect play.
That's why it made no sense to call that on the first play of the game. New York was playing its gaps, and didn't bite on either play-action because nothing was established. It was an easy blitz to the quarterback, an easy incompletion.
New England's coaching staff and players were off the entire game, and that first call sort of set the tone for the rest of the night.
They deserve it, though. They weathered through some bad losses - like 41-17 to Minnesota - played hard throughout games and, most importantly, got hot late in the season when it matters most.
I was at work on the desk at the R&L, but watched the game through the magic of TiVo today.
Here's the first point in my mind when I really thought the Giants had a very good chance to win. It's kind of out there, so bear with me.
On New England's first play of the game, Tom Brady faked a hand-off to Laurence Maroney, then faked an end around. He kept the ball with the intent of throwing a screen pass back to Maroney. He was hit hard, and the pass fluttered incomplete.
Seriously, that's the play New England drew up to start the game? That's either really, really arrogant or really, really stupid. Or both.
Let me explain.
For that play to work properly, there are a couple of things that needed to be in place. First, the Patriots needed to have already established a running game up the middle. Secondly, New England needed to show the ability to run a reverse or end around with its dangerously fast receivers. And the Giants would have needed to overpursue tackles throughout the game. All those things happen and it's the perfect play.
That's why it made no sense to call that on the first play of the game. New York was playing its gaps, and didn't bite on either play-action because nothing was established. It was an easy blitz to the quarterback, an easy incompletion.
New England's coaching staff and players were off the entire game, and that first call sort of set the tone for the rest of the night.
Thursday, January 31, 2008
This week's videos
We have three videos up on aroundiredell.com/sports this week.
For the weekly installment of The Sports Show, click here.
We also continued our weekly installment of player profiles, this time from North Iredell. Here are the links to North Iredell girls player Kandace Hoots and boys player Marlon "Poppy" Staton.
We'll be at South Iredell next week.
For the weekly installment of The Sports Show, click here.
We also continued our weekly installment of player profiles, this time from North Iredell. Here are the links to North Iredell girls player Kandace Hoots and boys player Marlon "Poppy" Staton.
We'll be at South Iredell next week.
Tuesday, January 29, 2008
A little self promotion
Readers - you can click here to see a video story on free throw shooting in Iredell County. Our Web producer, Jess Norman, and I went to different high schools to talk to players about their free throw form.
We'll do more video stories in the future. Make sure you give the video time to load.
I'm going to start posting a weekly link to The Sports Show as well.
We'll do more video stories in the future. Make sure you give the video time to load.
I'm going to start posting a weekly link to The Sports Show as well.
Monday, January 21, 2008
It's down to two
Depending on which conference you look at, my Super Bowl predictions were either outstanding or abysmal.
Way back in September on this blog, I projected New England to make the Super Bowl after beating San Diego in the AFC Championship game. Perfect.
The NFC was a different story. I had New Orleans beating St. Louis. The same St. Louis team that will have the No. 2 pick in next year's NFL draft. I know the Rams were without Orlando Pace for the entire season, and Steven Jackson was banged up, but that's still an embarrassing pick.
Who do you like in the Super Bowl? It has to be the Patriots, right?
Way back in September on this blog, I projected New England to make the Super Bowl after beating San Diego in the AFC Championship game. Perfect.
The NFC was a different story. I had New Orleans beating St. Louis. The same St. Louis team that will have the No. 2 pick in next year's NFL draft. I know the Rams were without Orlando Pace for the entire season, and Steven Jackson was banged up, but that's still an embarrassing pick.
Who do you like in the Super Bowl? It has to be the Patriots, right?
Sunday, January 13, 2008
My All-Underrated team
Here at the R&L, we do our all county teams in every varsity sport. For basketball specifically, there's also the Holiday Classic all tournament team, selected by the coaches.
What I'd like to do is present my completely unofficial "All-Underrated team," two five-player teams compromised of good, solid basketball players that perhaps aren't as well-known as say: Keyrra Gillespie, Kasey Haynes, Paul Larsen, Santana Morrison, Tyrece Scott or Quan Rucker.
Again, this is completely my opinion and is based off what I have observed this season from the games I've seen and conversations throughout the year with coaches.
BOYS
A.J. Barringer (South Iredell): Barringer is young, but has developed nicely this season. He has a great jump shot, is a hard worker and is clutch at the free throw line. He's come off the bench to hit some big shots for the Vikings, and his 17 points were the lone bright spot in a 99-55 loss to Cherryville.
Spencer Cook (Lake Norman): First of all, it must be noted that Cook looks a bit like Kurt Rambis with his goggles. Not the clean-shaven Rambis as a coach, but this Rambis in his playing days. He plays like him too, which is a good thing. Cook's very valuable to Lake Norman in coming off the bench to spell starters Nathan Bowers and Paul Larsen. He has a very good understanding of post play, and likes to bang inside for the rebounds.
Chris Patterson (Mooresville): Patterson has only played basketball for a few years, but he has earned a starting spot for the Blue Devils as a junior. Despite his clumsy-looking shot, Patterson is one of the deadliest outside shooters in the county. But he also isn't afraid to take it to the hoop, and has emerged as a legitimate scoring option this season.
Ryan Sharpe (North Iredell): His scoring fluctuates between four and 12 points a game, but Sharpe is a rebounding machine. A lanky post player, he uses his freakishly long arms to control rebounds most players couldn't get. He also gets good position underneath and knows how to box out.
Jordan Daywalt (Statesville): Daywalt may play harder than any other girl in the county. She does a great job playing back in Statesville's full-court press, and is usually the first one to hit the floor going after a loose ball. She also consistently pulls down tough rebounds against bigger opponents.
Shakira McLaughlin (Mooresville): It's almost cheating to put McLaughlin on an underrated list because she's so talented. But she's underrated because not too many people know about the freshman guard on the southern end of the county. McLaughlin is a big reason why the Blue Devils have played much better basketball this season, and there have been multiple games where she's recorded double-digit points and at least five assists, rebounds and steals.
Caroline Moffett (Lake Norman): Moffett doesn't score a ton of points, but she more than makes up for it with smart play and great defense. She's one of the best in the county when it comes to using both her left and right hand properly, and she's a fearless one-on-one perimeter defender.
Elizabeth Walden (West Iredell): Granted, I've only seen West Iredell play twice, but Walden stood out both times. West's post players fill up the stat sheet, but Walden plays a big role in getting them the ball and hitting open jumpers when the posts are double-teamed.
JoBeth Wright (Lake Norman): Wright would start for any other team in the county, but is typically a reserve on the incredibly deep Lake Norman squad. Wright, a post, does everything well. She has good range, but also rebounds well and plays tough defense. She's also an emotional player, and carried the Wildcats back into the game when they trailed Statesville in the Holiday Classic finals.
What I'd like to do is present my completely unofficial "All-Underrated team," two five-player teams compromised of good, solid basketball players that perhaps aren't as well-known as say: Keyrra Gillespie, Kasey Haynes, Paul Larsen, Santana Morrison, Tyrece Scott or Quan Rucker.
Again, this is completely my opinion and is based off what I have observed this season from the games I've seen and conversations throughout the year with coaches.
BOYS
A.J. Barringer (South Iredell): Barringer is young, but has developed nicely this season. He has a great jump shot, is a hard worker and is clutch at the free throw line. He's come off the bench to hit some big shots for the Vikings, and his 17 points were the lone bright spot in a 99-55 loss to Cherryville.
Spencer Cook (Lake Norman): First of all, it must be noted that Cook looks a bit like Kurt Rambis with his goggles. Not the clean-shaven Rambis as a coach, but this Rambis in his playing days. He plays like him too, which is a good thing. Cook's very valuable to Lake Norman in coming off the bench to spell starters Nathan Bowers and Paul Larsen. He has a very good understanding of post play, and likes to bang inside for the rebounds.
Chris Patterson (Mooresville): Patterson has only played basketball for a few years, but he has earned a starting spot for the Blue Devils as a junior. Despite his clumsy-looking shot, Patterson is one of the deadliest outside shooters in the county. But he also isn't afraid to take it to the hoop, and has emerged as a legitimate scoring option this season.
Ryan Sharpe (North Iredell): His scoring fluctuates between four and 12 points a game, but Sharpe is a rebounding machine. A lanky post player, he uses his freakishly long arms to control rebounds most players couldn't get. He also gets good position underneath and knows how to box out.
Adrian Sloan (Statesville): Sloan has improved more than any player I've seen this season. He's an unselfish, big forward with decent range and can make teams pay when they play a 3-2 zone to stop Statesville's shooters.
GIRLSJordan Daywalt (Statesville): Daywalt may play harder than any other girl in the county. She does a great job playing back in Statesville's full-court press, and is usually the first one to hit the floor going after a loose ball. She also consistently pulls down tough rebounds against bigger opponents.
Shakira McLaughlin (Mooresville): It's almost cheating to put McLaughlin on an underrated list because she's so talented. But she's underrated because not too many people know about the freshman guard on the southern end of the county. McLaughlin is a big reason why the Blue Devils have played much better basketball this season, and there have been multiple games where she's recorded double-digit points and at least five assists, rebounds and steals.
Caroline Moffett (Lake Norman): Moffett doesn't score a ton of points, but she more than makes up for it with smart play and great defense. She's one of the best in the county when it comes to using both her left and right hand properly, and she's a fearless one-on-one perimeter defender.
Elizabeth Walden (West Iredell): Granted, I've only seen West Iredell play twice, but Walden stood out both times. West's post players fill up the stat sheet, but Walden plays a big role in getting them the ball and hitting open jumpers when the posts are double-teamed.
JoBeth Wright (Lake Norman): Wright would start for any other team in the county, but is typically a reserve on the incredibly deep Lake Norman squad. Wright, a post, does everything well. She has good range, but also rebounds well and plays tough defense. She's also an emotional player, and carried the Wildcats back into the game when they trailed Statesville in the Holiday Classic finals.
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