Scott Fowler
Most Recently Answered Questions
Questions 36 - 55 of 4745 (Page 3 of 238)Submitted by Superman 89 from charlotte, nc
Q:I seem to remember quite a few years back we played Minnesota on the road in the season opener. Minnesota was a huge favorite as they had been to their conference championship the year before. We beat them, and thought we were going to the superbowl. Does it sound familiar? Can you tell your readers what happened that year?
A: 1-15. A cautionary tale, for sure. Carolina's QB at the time -- Chris Weinke. (And also a cautionary tale for Baltimore and Joe Flacco and Atlanta and Ryan -- two other rookie QBs who won their first games in Week 1).
Submitted by johnhurley from charlottenc
Q:Scott, Just wanted you to know that Marion and I are still in San Diego enjoying all the weather as all the hot air was sucked out of San Diego yesterday at 7:18 east coast time. We are enjoying the gravy of the trip now on baseball tour. This trip racks up there with St Louis and the playoff games in 06. By the way its real quiet here also and no Super Bowl talk like we experienced first two days trip. See you soon I hope John Hurley and Marion Ratliff.
A: John and Marion: Congrats on seeing some history! Nice to hear from you again.
Submitted by Ben from Atlanta GA
Q:Hi Scott - Great to have you back and writing about the Panthers! Am I the only one who thinks it looked like Fox shelved the gameplan with about 11 minutes to go when he started up the "short run up the middle" stuff that he and Henning were so famous for?
A: I don't think that ever really left the game plan, it's just that the Panthers are actually opening a few holes up now, and the short runs occasionally turn into longer runs. Who knows if that'll work against the Bears, though, who have a stronger front 7 on D than S.D.
Submitted by Steve Mort from Rural Hall
Q:I was thinking about how Rosario's emergance is similar to Steve Smith 6 years ago. Both played on special teams as rookies. Both are super athletic. I am not saying Carolina has found the 2nd comming of their greatest player, but I think Rosario may be a star, and that this year could very possibly be a comming out party for him.
A: Well, yeah, let's not get carried away. But if Rosario turns into Antonio Gates, this will be the game that started it.
Submitted by Alex from Charlotte, NC
Q:I know you guys caught the Rosario Dawson blunder by Fox, but did any of you see Eric Shelton's picture in place of LJ Shelton's in the starting lineups.I DID!
A: Alex: Yes, that got pointed out a time or 3.
Submitted by Karl R. from Charlotte
Q:Hey Scott, I'm a newcomer to your forum and I enjoy your comments on sports. Do you think that the Panthers will continue to use the tandem backfield of Williams and Stewart throughout the year like they did against the Chargers? It was effective in that game. Are those two guys' egos under control to work together? I've heard that they both are willing to share the load. Also, I thought the O-line played well against a good Chargers defense.
A: Karl: Thanks for joining the conversation! I'd say "Boo-yao" to you or something, but then I found out that just means "No" in Chinese. So I'll just say hello, and welcome. As for the Panthers' backfield, absolutely. Both guys' egos are plenty under control and John Fox loves to have 2 good backs, he's never been an advocate of a one-back system. You're right about the O-line too -- it was excellent vs. San Diego.
Submitted by jack from charlotte
Q:scott, i am going to be out of town this weekend in rehoboth beach delaware...do you know if fox will be broadcasting the game up there?
A: Jack: I don't know, but it's only being broadcast to 25 percent of the nation, so your odds aren't great. You better do an Internet search for sports bars up there with the NFL satellite package, just in case.
Submitted by John from Charlotte
Q:Hey Scott-- Is it just me, or does Jake seem to be throwing the ball harder this year than in any year past? Some of his balls, like the one to Rosario in the end zone, have been rifle shots. If so, it's a pretty good endorsement for Tommy John surgery.
A: John: I think there's a little more mustard there, yes. The final ball to Rosario was like a rising fastball -- did you notice how all the pictures show Rosario practically catching it by the ball's point? Now if Delhomme's shoulder just holds up... as well as the rest of his body... the Panthers will undoubtedly be better than 2007 (although you'll have to forgive me, but I'm not ready to pencil them into the playoffs just yet).
Submitted by Ken from Matthews
Q:I love the Panthers; I had enough confidence in them that I picked them straight up in my pool. That said, with all the accolades the coaching staff received for that game, who gets credit for that brillant call on the one-foot line? You spend the entrie off-season + next year's draft on the run and you call a pass from one foot out? How much confidence is that? It could have meant the game.
A: Ken: Agreed. That was a lousy call. Run it. Send a message. Believe in what you're supposed to be all about. I'm sure the Panthers' O-line didn't like it. As for who called it, Jeff Davidson and John Fox generally collaborate on all goal-line calls like that.
Submitted by Wayne D from Anderson, SC
Q:Many years ago, I used to be a Vikings fan for reasons I won't go into. Then came the Panthers came along, and I've been a Panther fan since day 1 of their existence, with the Vikings being a distant 2nd interest at best (almost a non-interest since Dennis Green got involved). Anyway, I watched the Vikings against the Packers last night and as I was trying to 'cheer' for the Vikings, I realized more than ever how fortunate Panther fans are to have Delhomme to guide their team. I can't imagine how discouraging it must be for Viking fans to have to hope for production from Tarvaris Jackson, who must be the worst starting QB in the league. I'm perplexed how Childress ever got interested in Jackson, and certainly why he insists on sticking with him now. Hail Delhomme!!!! Aren't Panther fans lucky to have him?!!!!
A: Wayne: Indeed they are.
Submitted by Josh from Lenoir, NC
Q:Scott, I usually ask Panthers questions but I gotta get your opinion on this. Was the hit on Tom Brady a dirty hit? My understanding is that you a cannot hit a QB below the knees Bernard Pollard was on the ground lunging for Brady so there was no way he was gonna get Brady above the knees.
A: Josh: The NFL considers it not to be a dirty hit and told KC coach Herm Edwards that Pollard wouldn't be fined for it. I'd say it was borderline, much like the hits that the Patriots secondary has put on people for years.
Submitted by Tim from Durham
Q:Hey Scott, Who is going to be the first to write a story on the GOOD THINGS D. Jarrett is doing now? There were an awful lot of bad things written about the kid, but if you compare the backstory of how tough his adjustment was his first year at USC to last year w/ the Panthers, the story is the same, as is the great play that followed. His catches Sunday were excellent, especially the poorly thrown ball by Jake that he batted to himself, tucked in and ran. How about some GOOD PUBLICITY to encourage this kid to keep on this great track?
A: Tim: There actually was a pretty positive story about Jarrett in the paper last Sunday (Sept.7), written by Tom Sorensen. I'm sure there will be more if he continues to be a significant part of the offense.
Submitted by Shane Dunaway from Andersen AFB, Guam ... formerly Seymour Johnson AFB, N.C.
Q:Scott, first, thanks for answering my many questions I've submitted in the past. This time I actually have a serious question not related to football. I've been active-duty military for three and a half years in the field of Public Affairs (consisting of journalism, community relations and media relations), but my ultimate career goal is to become a writer for the Charlotte Observer. I'm a great military journalist, and I've amassed quite a portfolio of hard news stories, sports stories, features and even a few commentaries. How hard would it be to get a job working for the Observer?
A: Shane: I am honored you would consider journalism, which I believe is a noble occupation. To be truthful, though, it is an industry that is trying to reinvent itself and struggling to do so. The advent of the Internet has cut into circulation. Newspapers for the most part -- including The Observer -- are trying to streamline their operations and cut costs (and people) right now. There's not much hiring going on throughout the industry. That doesn't mean there is not any, though. Jim Walser, who is a fine man, would be the one to submit any resumes and clippings of previous stories to: his e-mail is JWalser@CharlotteObserver.com.
Submitted by Ron from Charlotte,nc
Q:Scott, wanted to tell you about another oops they did on the coverage of the Panther game. When they showed the O-line for the Chargers, for the lineman Shelton, they had the picture of Eric Shelton not LJ Shelton.
A: Ron: Thanks for pointing this out. So Eric Shelton finally surfaced somewhere!
Submitted by Jake from Durham, NC
Q:Hey Scott, did you say the Panthers would go 6-10 this year? If so, what reasons did you have for making this perdiction? After Carolina's big victory in San Diego, do you want to ammend this prognostication? Beating San Diego, in San Diego is not the makings of a 6-10 football team.
A: Jake, no, I said 8-8 in my preseason prediction column that was published just before the season. Tom Sorensen, our other columnist, said 11-5.
Submitted by Matt from Charlotte, NC
Q:Scott--I know that NFL rules require the scoring team to kick an extra point after a touchdown, even when time has expired. But, why wouldn't the Panthers just take a knee on the PAT, rather than attempt the kick? I believe that a blocked PAT can be returned from 2 points (definitely in college, and I think that's also the case in the NFL). So given that, and with a one point lead, why even attempt the PAT? Thanks, Matt
A: Matt: I've gotten this question several times today, understandably. This is one place where college rules differ from the pro rules. In the pros, a blocked extra point can't be returned for two points the other way. Nor can a two-point conversion attempt. Once the defensive team possesses the ball, it's just blown dead -- the defense can NEVER score on such a play. So there was no risk in the Panthers kicking the extra point and there might be a tiny upside if the playoff tiebreaker gets way down into "total points scored." That's why they did it. As for NFL rules requiring the scoring team to kick the extra point after a TD, you are correct in terms of regulation, but not in OT -- that's why any game that goes into OT is never won by more than six points.
Submitted by Isaiah from raleigh, nc
Q:Scott, can you find the official rule book quote on this???, info I used below is from article on espn this week that's a BS call here is the rule on QB being over the line .... For example, in the NFL it's an illegal forward pass if the quarterback's front leg is on the line of scrimmage at release, .... clearly rivers was over the line!!! per link: http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/page2/story?page=easterbrook/080902 Ref said "by rule the QB was at the 40" which by rule means it is illegal forward pass as by rule you must be behind not on the line of scrimmage. Baldinger the announcer is 100% wrong when he says it is where the ball is. That was a huge call! and if espn was right, the ref and announcers were totally wrong. But nfl rule book can't be found by me online.
A: Isaiah: Actually, Baldinger just repeating what the officiating crew told John Fox on this. They said because Rivers' right foot had not yet crossed entirely over the 40, the throw was legal. Fox still sounded to me Monday like he doesn't really buy it, but that was the way the call was interpreted. Chargers scored on next play, of course, so Panthers would be howling about this a lot more had they lost.
Submitted by Joshua T from Tinker AFB, OK
Q:Did anyone else notice the UPS leaderboard at the conclusion of the game? Apparently the Panthers leading receiver today was actress Rosario Dawson. I guess if he has a couple more games/catches like he had today, Rosario won't be such a victim of mistaken identity much longer...
A: Joshua: Yes, a few others noticed. I've had a good chuckle out of that -- Fox Sports doesn't find it quite so funny, I think. Certainly the defensive coordinators know Rosario's true name now. More on this on my "Scott Says" online blog. Can't do hyperlinks on this Q-and-A, but paste this in and you should get it: scottfowlerobs.blogspot.com.
Submitted by Jesse Miller from Charlotte, NC
Q:Scott - Good to see you're back from China. I know you were watching the Panthers beat San Diego. Please tell me you noticed Fox's coverage at the end of the game where they posted the leaders of the game and the receving leader was "Rosario Dawson." Jeez, I know that the 2nd year tight end looked great but comparing him to an attractive up and coming actress is comical! Great game out of the Panthers though. Dante surely looked confident after he came down with the ball. He carried that ball like a loaf of bread! In your opinion, are we seeing a changing of the guard at tight end between King and Rosario?
A: Jesse: Thanks for pointing out the "Rosario Dawson" thing -- funny! Several others noticed it, too. More on this at my "Scott Says" online blog, which is scottfowlerobs.blogspot.com. As for King and Rosario, I think what we're seeing is a more serious defining of roles: King as the "blocking" TE, Rosario as the "move TE," which also means the pass-catching TE. He's used almost as an H-back, and is taking some snaps away from Hoover, not just King. King and Rosario played about the same # of snaps Sunday, John Fox said Monday.
Submitted by Steve from Charleston, SC
Q:Scott, I've noticed that when Steve Smith is the primary receiver (when Muhammad is absent), Jake Delhomme tends to look at him and him alone, but when Moose is the guy (with Smith out), Delhomme tends to spread the ball better. Just look at Colbert--with Muhammad in '04, he had about as many yards as he had with Smith in '05-07 combined. Today, Rosario and the others all got looks, the ball was spread around, and the Panthers didn't look so one dimensional. Do you think that continues if Moose misses a game with Smith in there?
A: A good observation. I think part of this is that Smith has such speed and elusiveness that he simply looks more "open" than Moose -- or just about anyone else -- does. Jake did do a nice job spreading it around, as he did in Super Bowl year of 2003 (when both Moose and Smith had very good years). Smith is his security blanket, but No.17 will get it to the open guy when he's at his best, which he was on that final drive Sunday. With Hackett and Rosario in the rotation now -- 2 guys who can really get open with their athleticism -- I don't think the reliance with Smith will be as one-dimensional these days (as compared to Colbert and Carter, who seemed to be well-covered about 90 percent of their time here).
