We are a CPU vs CPU GM league utilizing EA Sports Madden 2008. We have a very low turnover rate, and the most active group of GM's around.
"It's hard to keep up with everything in this league. We're spitting out weeks every other day and still seeing lots of Team News, four weekly articles, and a radio show, and still plenty of banter in the forums. This is the best league out there, hands down, everyone else just wishes they could match this level of awesome!" - GridIron GM
Welcome to the first edition of the Roaring Gazette. We are getting even more up close and personal on the Panthers this year as they look to rebound from a 3-13 season. GM Edwards has called a press conference to open up the season....
"This is the first press conference and i will not be fielding questions. I have something to say and I am going to say it and be done with it. If you would have told me that we were going to have a dismal season last year, I would have laughed in your face. No one saw it coming, not even the players for this franchise. There were a lot of games where if there were no mental mistakes we could have easily just as won. There were about 6 games where we lost by 7 points or less. That just goes to show that we lacked mental toughness last year to finish games. We hope to change that this season.
With that being said, last season is set and done. It is finished and we are looking on to this 2011 season where we again have an opportunity to establish prominence and get back into our groove. As soon as the superbowl was played, we started looking at this team and what were the strong points and what were the weak points. I believe I can honestly say that we have addressed each of our weaknesses in some form or fashion, with some being bigger addresses than others. we had one departure on our defense and that was LB Thomas Davis. Let me address the rumors now, I wanted TD to stay here in Carolina. There were some mis communication which resulted in Davis heading to the 49ers. I still wish him the best with the 49ers and I hated to lose him as that put a damper on our plans and we had to refocus to make up for that departure.
As far as offense is concerned, Our leading receiver Dewayne Jarrett also departed via free agency. Jarrett is a great athlete and we felt that he should have the opportunity to flourish elsewhere because he did not fit in as well in our system. We are a run first team and he is a playmaking receiver, that will thrive in a pass more offense. We made this known with Jarrett and he was content with heading to another team. With those two key departures, we also had our Kicker John Kasay to retire. The last person that was left from the original Panther team, Kasay kicked his way into our record books and will forever be known as one of the best kickers in the game. With that being said, all of the correct steps have been taken to get us back into competing for the top ranks among the NFC this upcoming season.
We have brought in players to contribute big time and we are still in the process of bringing in players to help make this organization better. We are a young team and are going to continue to depend on our younger players because they are the future. We are making efforts, we just have to continue making them.
The Roaring Gazette "Moore taking on lead(ership) role
Almost every day, Monday through Thursday, since the Panthers' offseason strength and conditioning program began on March 15, a maroon Ford F-150 pick-up truck with an Oregon State license plate frame has been the first vehicle parked along the sidewalk leading to the entrance of Bank of America Stadium.
That car belongs to quarterback Matt Moore, and his early arrival is just one way he has set an example since becoming Carolina's starting quarterback. He has eagerly embraced the heightened leadership role he has undertaken.
"It's something that I like, and being a quarterback it comes with the position," Moore said. "The whole leadership thing is being here, getting your work in, being accountable and working with guys and moving in a positive direction. Those are the things I've been trying to do."
After starting the last three games of his rookie season in 2007 and the final five games in 2009 and leading the Panthers to a 6-2 record in those eight starts, Moore is directing the offense for an entire campaign
"For a young guy thrown into the situation he was last year, he showed a lot of poise. He never let the pressure get to him," said quarterbacks coach Rip Scherer.
"He has a good feel for things - a sense of timing, a sense of anticipation. He's athletic enough to maneuver, get himself out of trouble and keep plays alive. At the same time, he has enough arm strength and poise in the pocket to stand in there and make the down the field throws. He does a lot of things very well. He has become much more of a student of the game and has jumped into trying to grow from a mental standpoint, which I think experience will only help him in that regard."
The offense revolves around the quarterback, who is the communication center. From calling the play in the huddle to making audibles at the line of scrimmage, the signal caller is constantly communicating with the other 10 players on the field whether it is with his voice, hands or eyes. Improving communication is one area that Moore has worked extremely hard at this offseason, not just with his offensive teammates but with the defensive players, too, because how the offense plays can also affect the defense.
"That's a barrier I wanted to knock down quickly. Talking to guys, asking questions, talking in meetings, working things out," Moore said. "The offseason conditioning is great for something like that because you intermingle with those guys and there is a lot of chatter and competition, which has been good. Those guys see me working and I see those guys working, and it builds a good foundation."
The one group that Moore has worked with the most time is the receiving corps. Timing is an essential element to any successful pass play - the way quarterback reads the defense, the way the receiver runs the route. Moore has spent time in meetings and on the practice field perfecting these nuances with his wide receivers. Even at the Panthers three-day post-draft minicamp, Moore ran up to his receivers after a pass attempt or on the sideline and discussed why a play did or did not work.
"There are certain routes and certain situations where guys need to know things. Maybe they have a little more time. Emphasize that they can sell the top of the route a little more. Let them know that I am working this side first and then coming back to them," Moore said. "Then we also talk a lot about ball placement on routes, where to expect the ball. 'Get your head around quick. The ball is going to be coming at you.' Doing things like that that, just trying to make it better."
Moore's ascension to being a team leader has been a natural progression. It is not like he is a free agent or rookie who joined the team this offseason. He has been building rapport with his teammates for the last three seasons. He threw his first touchdown pass to wide receiver Steve Smith in 2007. Wide receiver Dwayne Jarrett, center Ryan Kalil, tight end Dante Rosario and he are all from the same rookie class.
"I think last year was an example of that," Moore said. "Guys saw me play. I'm not some stranger. I've been here. There is some credibility to what I say with these guys. We've formed those relationships already. There's no kind of awkward moment anymore. We've laid the foundation here the past couple of years. It's good. Everybody's pretty secure, and we're ready to move forward and get things going."
Moore was able to get his first win of the season last week against the Bengals and was his best outing of the season. If he expects for this success to be long lived, he will have to compliment the run game and not make many mistakes
Here we are once again, to kick off the the 2010-2011 season of the Gridiron Football League. As all 32 teams dip into the free agency pool, make trades, and draft players, this is where it all starts to come together. Training Camp. It is not mandatory, yet it is. If you really want to contribute, you will be there. That was no different in the training camp of your cardiac catz. The Carolina Panthers were in a abundance in Spartanburg, SC and they had a great mini camp.
QB Matt Moore has finally been given the opportunity to start and he seems to be taking it all in stride. He stepped forward as a leader on offense and commanded the huddle for the Panthers.
"He has really stepped up and became the leader a Quarterback is suppose to be. He already had us behind him because of his play at the end of last season, so we are excited about the opportunities we have this season."-Steve Smith
#10 Wideout Golden Tate was all over the field snagging passes and trying to earn the #2 spot opposite of Steve Smith.
"If you like Steve Smith, how does it feel to have two of them on the field? This guy out of Notre Dame seems to be just like him. He will go up and compete for the ball in the air, no matter who it is he is up against. This guy has heart. He has all the intangibles to be a great, productive wideout in the GFL." QB Matt Moore
Now that disgruntled DE Julius Peppers is gone, its time for second year DE Everette Brown to take his spot. The Panthers traded their first round pick in the recent draft to acquire him and it looks as though it could pay dvidends.
"This guy reminds you a lot of Dwight Freeney. He is small for his position, but this kid knows how to get to the Quarterback. We all know that for him to become a premier end in the GFL, he will have to get better at his run defense." MLB Jon Beason
OLB Eric Norwood has shown up on defense and has expressed why he should start at LB opposite Thomas Davis. Here shown wearing another jersey because he ripped his original one earlier in the day.
"I like this kid. No doubt about it. He had other linebackers targeting with that 2nd round pick, but I am glad he fell to us. He reminded me a lot of Jon Beason when he came in. A young, energetic, scrappy athlete who knows how to take coaching. If he stays this way, there is no doubt in my mind that he will be here a long time."
-Defensive Coordinator Ron Meeks
Rookie CB Scotty McGee is getting reps in where he can. Although he is a young cat, there is a position battle between him and Captain Munnerlyn for that nickle spot.
The Panthers main focus was getting players of need that can contribute early and they did just that....
2.16 OLB Eric Norwood (University of South Carolina)
6'1" 242 LBS
The Panthers felt it was a great pickup looking at the other linebackers on the board. The Panthers needed another starting caliber OLB and they found one in Eric Norwood. He has enough intelligence to come in and start and only time will tell.
3.14 DE/OLB Thaddeus Gibson (Ohio State)
In order for this defense to fluncuate, they must get pressure on opposing QB's. This was a step in that direction, Gibson was drafted in hopes of moving to RDE and provide pass rushing that the cardiac cats so desperately need. He is too slow to play LB(77 Spd) but he is strong enough(79 STR) quick enough (85 AGI 80 ACC) to put his hand in the dirt and wreak havoc at end
3.25 WR Golden Tate (Notre Dame)
The Panthers needed to get Steve Smith some help and they did more than that. They picked up Steve Smith look alike. They drafted WR Tate from Notre Dame and even though he is undersized, like Smith, he can go up and get it like Smith. He has the athletic ability to do good here in the NFL and with the Panthers, he will just have to let Steve be his mentor.
#22 Carolina Panthers
