FanHouse

Dolphins Trade Josh McCown to Panthers

The Miami Dolphins have traded quarterback Josh McCown to the Carolina Panthers, Fox Sports is reporting.

There is no word on what compensation the Dolphins got for McCown, but it couldn't have been much, considering that they were probably going to release him before tomorrow's mandatory roster cut-down.

The Dolphins gave McCown a $2.5 million signing bonus this year, but when they acquired Chad Pennington they no longer had need for the veteran as a backup. In Carolina he'll serve as a backup to Jake Delhomme; a backup to Delhomme became a more pressing need for Carolina when Matt Moore was hurt.

The move apparently means that John Beck's job is safe in Miami.

Steelers Rookies Need Stick-Um

The Panthers didn't play their starters, and Ben Roethlisberger was wearing a baseball cap after two drives, but that doesn't mean there wasn't plenty to analyze from the Steelers-Panthers game.

• Rashard Mendenhall did fumble again, on a somewhat fluky punch out on a spin move. It's obviously a concern, but it is encouraging to put the mechanical running of the first few weeks behind him. Mendenhall is now running with conviction. He still needs to lower his pad level, but he showed some of the burst that will make him a nice compliment to Willie Parker--if he can fix the fumbling.

• Limas Sweed is more of a concern. He made an outstanding near catch on a bomb from Byron Leftwich--he outjumped a cornerback man-on-man and hung onto the ball, but unfortunately hit butt landed out of bounds before his foot landed in bounds. But late in the second quarter he dropped one of the easiest gimmies a wide receiver will ever get--a short pass with plenty of room to run. He later dropped a tougher slant that was thrown slightly behind him. By my count, that's now five drops for Sweed.

Panthers Whip Redskins 47-3; Jason Taylor Leaves With Knee Injury

Nothing good came from the Redskins trip south to Charlotte to face the Carolina Panthers. Not only did they get spanked 47-3 ... but they saw Jason Taylor leave with a knee injury.

In the second quarter, Taylor had his leg bend awkwardly and he screamed in pain. Coach Jim Zorn said that X-rays showed no serious damage and an MRI is scheduled tomorrow.

The feeling right now is that it is a sprain ... but it could cause Taylor to miss time.

That was just the injury to the insult of the Redskins play on the field. The Panthers outscored Washington 31-0 in that second quarter alone. Carolina scored TDs on five straight possessions at one point and finished with 228 rushing yards. Rookie Jonathan Stewart ran for 100 yards while starter D'Angelo Williams gained 101.

Let's not look at the other side of the ball. Jason Campbell led the Skins offense on eight series. Five ended in three-and-outs ... he threw for just 39 yards ... he was sacked four times ... and he had one of his patented Jason Campbell fumbles. The offensive line looked like garbage and nothing seemed to work.

(I just wanted to note that offensive line coach Joe Bugel worked this game -- just a day after burying his 35-yr old daughter. His daughter, Holly, died after a long battle with bone cancer this week.)

Ken Lucas Talks About Steve Smith Punching His Lights Out, Just Glad He Wasn't Killed


Twelve days ago, Steve Smith punched Ken Lucas in the face. The Panthers subsequently suspended Smith for two games and Lucas got a broken nose -- not to mention the emotional scars -- for his troubles.

Smith eventually apologized, Lucas accepted, and Karma even made an unexpected appearance. And now, almost two weeks after Smith went all "Westbrook", Lucas is finally ready to talk how he was able to forgive the guy who rearranged his face.

The Charlotte Observer's Tom Sorensen spoke with Lucas prior to yesterday's practice and got right to the point:

Muhsin Muhammad: 'Chicago Is Where Receivers Go to Die'

Looks like all Muhsin Muhammad did was say what everyone else is thinking. Only everyone else says it, too. The Bears QBs suck. Wow, that's quite an original thought, Moose. No one else is/has been saying that for the past fifteen years or so. Thanks for the revelation.

The statement would have a lot more credibility if it came from Bernard Berrian. You know, the guy that no one thought would be more than a speedy stretch-the-field slot receiver and instead became a very highly paid WR1 for the Minnesota Vikings in the off-season. Did he "go to die" in Chicago?

On the flip-side, you have Moose. He made more noise on the sidelines and in the locker room bitching than he did on the field producing. He lost his ability to gain separation and drops were routine. I suppose those two items fall squarely on the shoulders of Rex Grossman, Brian Griese, and Kyle Orton as well?

In response, the Bears weren't taking the bait ... though it seems like they wanted to:
Asked how Muhammad was as a teammate, Orton snapped, ''No comment.''

Steve Smith Fought Karma and Karma Won


It should come as no tremendous surprise that Steve Smith's life, after punching teammate Ken Lucas squarely in the middle of the face when he was not expecting it, has not gone back to normal just quite yet.

He is being hounded by the media, questioned by fans, has been suspended two games and now, is dealing with a concussion (via that charming, brilliant and humble Mister Mittens) that he suffered in Saturday night's preseason game.
Smith took a helmet-to-helmet shot from a Colts defender on a 19-yard reception from Matt Moore, Smith's only reception of the game. Coach John Fox said Smith, who is suspended for the Panthers' first two regular-season games, was day-to-day with the injury.
It really shouldn't be shocking though -- and if you think about it, if Smith gets off with a two game suspension and a mild concussion for knocking a teammate in the face, well, that's pretty light, actually.

In terms of being ready for the season, he's got time (because of the suspension) so again, probably not a big deal. What is interesting though, is how he suffered this: a helmet-to-helmet on a 19 yard catch in a preseason game. That screams that we normal people aren't the only ones outraged by his violence on a teammate.

Panthers Defense Looked Alive Against Colts; Still Waiting to See Delhomme

There are many questions entering the 2008 Carolina Panthers season. The Panthers first preseason game against the Indianapolis Colts gave some answers.

The main question is how QB Jake Delhomme looks after Tommy John surgery. Well, we don't know. Delhomme played just two series ... which is commonplace for a quarterback this early in the preseason. However, both series began off Colts turnovers deep in their own end.

Delhomme threw just one pass -- a fade route to Muhsin Muhammad that fell incomplete. Other than that, he turned around and handed the ball off the DeAngelo Williams five times ... with two of them ending in touchdowns. And that was all for Jake.

Maybe we can get a better look against Philadelphia this week.

We got a great look at the Carolina defense that set up those two early TD drives.

FanHouse NFL Season Preview: Carolina Panthers - No One Feels Comfortable

Training camps are underway, the NFL season is a month off, and to get you ready for 2008, FanHouse previews all 32 teams, "heat index" style. We'll rate each club in 10 categories on a scale of 1 to 10, high score wins.

Quarterback: Jake Delhomme is coming off Tommy John surgery so no one knows what to expect. At the end of 2006, some fans wanted someone new at quarterback. Before he was injured in 2007, he was off to a white-hot start. How he recovers will go a long way to a successful Panthers season. Matt Moore filled in nicely late last season and may be the team's future. Brett Basanez isn't ready for prime time. No more Vinny or Mr. Mittens. Heat Index: 5

Running backs: The Panthers have been looking for a Stephen Davis type back and may have found one in rookie Jonathan Stewart. He's the kind of bull coach John Fox likes to center his offense around. DeAngelo Williams will be more efficient as a change-of-pace back. Brad Hoover is back again as an effective fullback. Nick Goings is always around to back up anybody. Heat Index: 5

Value Check on 'Troublemaker' Star Wideouts



They don't exactly look like the type of guys you want on your fantasy football team this year, right? Well, it's time you look past the wild eyes and hold steady, even after both Brandon Marshall and Steve Smith have tempted you to give them a big bump down your cheat sheets.

Smith has already been cast out for his first two games after a fight with teammate Ken Lucas. Now it's been announced that a three-game ban is the verdict for Marshall, but he could get his suspension trimmed to two games if he agrees to undergo counseling. Marshall, who's been arrested three times in his brief NFL career (but not convicted on any charges), has been allowed to practice with the team, and he's wasting no time in showcasing his skill at training camp.

And nevermind that he's missed most of the team's offseason workouts after he somehow put his arm through a television set (McDonald's was spared another lawsuit there ... damn lying greasy wrappers).

Ken Lucas Forgives Steve Smith ... and May Have Saved Panthers Season

Both Ken Lucas and Steve Smith were back in Panthers camp but not before some closed door meetings. In one meeting, Smith apologized to Lucas for the fight that broke his nose ... and Lucas accepted.
"I go to Bible study, just like he does, every week," said Lucas. "For me not to be able to forgive him, then I'd just be wasting my time going to Bible study."

Lucas said he knew it could tear up the team if he took any other approach.

"We could pretty much throw the season away," he said.

"I have to admit it's tough as a human," said Lucas. "But it's bigger than me and Steve."

This may seem like nothing huge, but it may very well be. There have been rumblings in Charlotte that several Panthers defensive players aren't too thrilled with Smith and there was a divide in the locker room. There are some people thinking Smith could be traded, though I seriously doubt that now.

For the most part, it seems that this has been squashed. Smith agrees with the suspension and will undergo counselling. Lucas will have surgery to fix his nose and will miss a few weeks of practice.

It still remains to be seen if Carolina has been patched up a bit or if the team will stay broken.
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