Jeremy Shockey saves teammates life

Jeremy Shockey

((ht: wcnc.com))

Who knew? Carolina Panthers tight end Jeremy Shockey made a life-saving move Monday afternoon in the teams lunchroom.

Shockey's teammate Ben Hartsock, also a tight end, was choking on a piece of pork and Shockey came to the rescue. After trying the Heimlich unsuccessfully, Shockey ended up hit Hartsock in the right place on his back, causing the meat to break free from Hartsock's throat.

Read the original story from the National Football Post RIGHT HERE

Much respect to Shockey for doing what he did. Needless to say, Hartsock easily could have died from that and his teammate essentially saved his life. How can you not respect that.

Both players are trying to play it off, but it is a significant deal. We don't know if the two are close or not, but they will now, probably be bonded together forever.

Your TV story from WCNC-TV:

Looks like the Ron Rivera era begins in Carolina on Tuesday

Ron Rivera/Courtesy: boltsfromtheblue.com

((ht: signonsandiego.com))

Well, Jerry Richardson and the Carolina Panthers didn't take long. They let go long time coach John Fox at the end of this season after a 10-year run with a lot of early success and not much the past two years.

Now comes word that it will be Rivera time in Charlotte, if and when next season starts. The Panthers have brought in San Diego defensive coordinator and perennial coaching candidate Ron Rivera for a second job interview. According to the San Diego Tribune newspaper, unless he says something incredibly stupid today, Rivera will be announced as the Panthers new head coach tomorrow.

Your story from Signonsandiego.com is RIGHT HERE

If indeed this move happens in the morning, we wish Rivera a lot of luck. Though it won't be of the Andrew Luck kind. He's gonna need some help. The Panthers were the worst team in the NFL last season. The foundation of the team is gone and they don't really have the money to overhaul it.

We guess, on the good side, he's got a young, high draft pick QB in Jimmy Clausen and some good defensive holdover players. But the NFC South is a "MF" of a conference to play in when you are facing the Bucs, Falcons and Saints...all 10-win teams this season.

Here's Jay Glazer of FOXSports.com saying it will be done.

Fox Out In Carolina

The Carolina Panthers said today that the contracts of head coach John Fox and his staff would not be renewed after this season.

Fox has a 73-70 regular season record in his nine years in Charlotte and a 78-73 record overall.

“I told John today that I appreciate everything he has done for us over the last nine years, but as happens in this business, it is time for both sides to move in different directions,” said Owner/Founder Jerry Richardson. “While we haven’t accomplished all of the goals we set as an organization when we signed him in 2002, we have certainly had our share of high moments – the Super Bowl, two NFC Championship games, and a division title in 2008. We wish John and his family the best going forward.”

Here's that Roman Numeral Classic against the Patriots...
((HT: ESPN2/NFL/Youtube))


Fox ends his Carolina career when the Panthers close the regular season at Atlanta.

“I appreciate the opportunity Mr. Richardson gave me to be a head coach in the National Football League nine years ago and to be a part of this organization,” said Fox. “I have formed many close relationships and I have many great memories. I particularly want to thank the players for their efforts throughout the years. Working with so many great people has been a rewarding experience.”

DEVELOPING: Carolina's Brayton Fined $15K

((HT: FoxSports))

And we thought the NY Jets Sal Alosi was the only sideline hit out of bounds...

This one is worse...

Carolina Panthers defensive end Tyler Brayton was fined $15,000 for hitting Atlanta's Chris Owens out of bounds in last week's game.

And we mean REALLY out of bounds...

The fine was levied back on Friday, but not made public until Sunday. Brayton will not face a possible suspension or any further disciplinary action since the fine is already in play and announced.

Brayton hit Owens in the head after he was forced off the field during a punt return last week.

The evidence is below...

Here's Jay Glazer and FOSG Curt Menefee discussing the Zapruder-like tape...
<a href="http://msn.foxsports.com/video?vid=3875aa2e-5503-4e09-b64f-00d24b45c6ec" target="_new" title="">Glazer's Edge: Another trip</a>

But we prefer this kind of elbow if you're gonna drop one...
Skip to the 2:20 mark...
((HT: Youtube/The Wrestling Zone))

UPDATED: Dwayne Jarrett arrested for DWI...Does he still play for Carolina?

Dwayne Jarrett booking photo/Courtesy: Mecklenburg County Sheriff

((ht: pft))

It appears that Carolina Panthers wide receiver Dwayne Jarrett may not have a long shelf life with the team.

You see he was arrested. For the second time in the past three years...for DWI.

((according to our friends at The Big Lead, that would be 2-DWI's and 1-TD catch in 4 years))

Jarrett was arrested around 2am this morning.

More from the Charlotte Observer RIGHT HERE

We are guessing that even with an injury to star wide receiver Steve Smith, Jarrett is probably not going to be around the Panthers much longer.

To say that he's underachieved, would be a huge understatement and an insult to underachievers. 35 catches in 4 years, not good.

Since he's already on the NFL testing program, we are pretty sure a suspension will not be far behind here. Yeah, sure he does probably need some help, he also needs someone to make him understand that he's wasted what was thought at the time of him being drafted, he might have had a good NFL career.

UPDATE 10/6/10: To answer Brother Phil's headline, Dwayne Jarrett no longer plays for Carolina. Soon after Jarrett's arrest, the Panthers cut Jarrett. Some would say Jarrett had been cut a long time ago, since his playing career had been AWOL for some time now. Actually, if you're a receiver in Carolina - with Matt Moore and Jimmy Clausen at QB - you're AWOL anyway. --Brother J-Dub

Here are what little highlights that can be found of the 24-year old. Thanks YouTube:

Steve Smith has arm issues

Good thing that Carolina Panthers Wide Receiver Steve Smith doesn't play baseball. He wouldn't have much left.

Smith apparently managed to break his arm playing flag football at his Youth Football Camp. He somehow fell and tried to brace his fall with his left forearm, the same one that he had injured last season.

More from WSOC-TV in Charlotte RIGHT HERE

((Steve Smith//Courtesy: Jeff Siner/Charlotte Observer))

He'll miss most of the Panthers training camp, which for a veteran like him, isn't the worst that could happen. The feeling is that he'll be good to go by the time the season starts in September.

We hope that the timeline is right, but the Panthers probably should be concerned. The fact that it was near a similar injury is a bit disconcerting. Playing in the NFL is a bit more jarring and stressful on the bones than flag football. Smith is one of the better players in the league and certainly a leader for the Panthers, we'd hate to see this be the end of his career.

Friday Free Agent Bingo: The Bears Are Busy

After signing running back Chester Taylor away from the Minnesota Vikings to a deal for 4 years and $12.5-million (($7-million guaranteed)), the Bears and Julius Peppers are in the process of finalizing a six-year deal to bring him to Chicago.

It looks like 6 years and $72-million. The Bears and the players association are in the process of going over the fine parts of the contract.

Peppers was looking for at least $12 million a year in the early part of the contract. The agreement could be worth $40 million over the first three years. Peppers and his camp are looking for those first few years to be guaranteed.

More when we know more...

NFL Free Agency Overnight, Chargers Deal Cromartie

The New York Jets have reached an agreement with the San Diego Chargers to acquire cornerback Antonio Cromartie.

The Jets confirmed the deal Thursday night, but didn't release the specifics of what went down- although it is thought a 2011 draft pick is going to San Diego.

Cromartie was an All-Pro in 2007 and will team with Darrelle Revis in the Jets' secondary, making them possibly ((probably)) the best cornerback tandem in the league. Cromartie easily replaces Lito Sheppard, who was released earlier in the day.

Despite 15 interceptions in four seasons, the Chargers were dissatisfied with Cromartie's performance late last season and in the playoffs. General Manager A.J. Smith made it clear he would try to trade him.

Cromartie and Revis in the same secondary...??? The HQ thinks the Jets got a steal and will contend again in the second season of 2010-2011 as everyone heads to JerryWorld for the Roman Numeral Classic.

Continuing our theme, the next story below is the one where the Carolina Panthers eat $12.5-million to waive Jake Delhomme and have Matt Moore as their leading QB candidate for 2010.

FOSG Delano Little was quite puzzled... as was the HQ...
((HT: WBTV/Charlotte))


Carolina also released veteran defensive tackle Damione Lewis... just so you know...

Panthers To Release Delhomme...Let Free Agent Bingo Begin!

The craziness that is set to be football's free agent period is officially...ok...in 9o minutes it will be official (it's 10:30 as I write this), off to the races. And yes, the speculation and a few facts are already out there.

For those of us in the Twitter world, it's been lit up all night. The first big name to go...Jake Delhomme, soon to be Quarterback for the Carolina Panthers. Yes, it was only a few years ago that Jake was leading the Panthers to a berth in the Super Bowl. A bad shoulder injury and 4 years later, he's...at least of this moment...out of work.

The story from Heraldonline.com RIGHT HERE

((Jake Delhomme isn't happy right now//Courtesy: masterprocrastinator.wordpress.com))

Have a good night and enjoy an old Football Follies video...Thanks You Tube

Julius Peppers just wants to be loved...

What exactly does the "Silent Treatment" entail and why is Carolina Panthers Defensive End Julius Peppers whining about it? Peppers, who will be an unrestricted Free Agent in less than a month complained publicly that his team, the Panthers, haven't talked to him so he's going to take his game and go someplace else where they "will make him their friend and love him and hug him and call him George" (quote from a Bugs Bunny cartoon-look it up).

((Don't make me angry//Courtesy: WGEM-TV))

Peppers, a 5-time Pro Bowler, played last year with the "Franchise Tag" applied to him. Don't feel sorry for him though, he made...oh...about $18 mil last season. He said that though he was open to a long term deal last year he's not any more. He says he thought "The future was looking brighter" after last years dismal season for the Panthers. Now he just feels like he's not loved.

Read more from the GastonGazette.com RIGHT HERE

Still more from WBT-AM in Charlotte RIGHT HERE

If you want to listen to the whole interview/sob story then go to WFNZ-AM in Charlotte's website and then click on Podcasts. The link is RIGHT HERE

Obviously, in an uncapped year, Peppers will be able to demand a pretty good price. We just wonder why he felt the need to pop up in an interview and whine about being ignored. Julius, maybe the Panthers were still trying to figure out how they can afford you. Or maybe they've decided that they can get roughly half of a team for what you are going to cost. Who knows. If you don't want to play in their sandbox anymore, that is fine, it's your right, but just do something about it and quit whining.

In the meantime, here is Peppers scoring a touchdown on a really, really bad pass. Thanks, You Tube:

Dante Wesley Auditions For NORAD

You'll see what we mean here in a second...

To say the penalty was "fair catch interference" is putting it lightly...

Those of us at OSG HQ know he'll be getting a phone call Monday from the league office. If Wesley had launched himself two or three inches higher, the Bucs Clifton Smith would have been more seriously injured than he was...

When was the last time someone was lucky just to have a concussion...
((HT: NFL on Fox))

I Know It's Preseason Football But... What A Great Finish

How many football fans out there check out of pre-season games after the 1st quarter, show of hands please..... That's what I thought.

This play by the Giants Tommie Hill might change you mind. With the game tied at 17-17 with :10 left Legar Douzable and Hill make the play to win the game for big blue.

(Thanks ESPN/Youtube.com)



Those of us at the OSG HQ say Douzable and Hill should make the team.