Carolina Panthers Vs Tampa Bay Buccaneers

I am a little surprised that the Panthers are 3-0 so far this season.  This week they face the Tampa Bay Bucs at Raymond James Stadium.  The game will air on FOX at 1:00 PM ET.

Their 3-0 record will be put to the test against the Bucs who are looking to end their 10-game home losing streak.

I’ve been hard on QB Cam Newton ever since he signed with the Panthers.  Remember it was Nolan Nawrocki of Pro Football Weekly who wrote of Newton, "Very disingenuous—has a fake smile, comes off as very scripted and has a selfish, me-first makeup.  Always knows where the cameras are and plays to them. Has an enormous ego with a sense of entitlement that continually invites trouble and makes him believe he is above the law—does not command respect from teammates and will always struggle to win a locker room…Lacks accountability, focus and trustworthiness—is not punctual, seeks shortcuts and sets a bad example. Immature and has had issues with authority. Not dependable."

Last Sunday against the Saints he finally decided to be smart by going to Greg Olsen, his best wide receiver now that Kelvin Benjamin is out for the season with a knee injury.

I will say that I’m looking forward to seeing the Panthers’ newest addition, Jared Allen, acquired recently from the Chicago Bears.  He’s the NFL’s active leader in sacks.  If Carolina keeps winning and Allen works out as they hope he will, they could very well be eyeing a third straight Division Title.  Let’s hope for the best.

Despite my compliment Newton still has an obnoxious sense of self-importance.  I offer as proof the whiny press conference Cam did where he claimed Head Referee Ed Hochuli didn’t throw a penalty flag for what Newton said was a late hit early in the fourth quarter by Tyeler Davison after releasing the ball.  Available film doesn’t show the “hit” but does show the conversation that followed.  Newton claims Hochuli said, “Cam, you’re not old enough to get that call.”  Hochuli vehemently denies Newton’s assertion and insists he told him he didn’t get the call because he was running out of the pocket.  Even the announcers noted “there was no late hit there.”

Further proof of his immaturity lies in his tweet taking a dig at the refs:

Look at those 26-year-old legs go! More highlights: http://t.co/UkYoPCfzug pic.twitter.com/z6r4QqgMym

— Carolina Panthers (@Panthers) September 27, 2015

Now you have to wonder if the refs will retaliate for Cam trying to throw Hochuli under the bus.  Cam would do well to keep his damned pie hole shut.

GO PANTHERS!

And because no football post would be complete without pom-poms, take a gander at this week’s lovely Top Cat.