{"id":15308,"date":"2011-10-21T13:30:38","date_gmt":"2011-10-21T17:30:38","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.yurasko.net\/wfy\/?p=15308"},"modified":"2011-10-21T13:30:38","modified_gmt":"2011-10-21T17:30:38","slug":"redskins-vs-panthers-qa-and-prediction-with-kyle-thompson","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/yurasko.net\/wfy\/2011\/10\/redskins-vs-panthers-qa-and-prediction-with-kyle-thompson\/","title":{"rendered":"Redskins vs. Panthers Q&A and prediction with Kyle Thompson"},"content":{"rendered":"

This week the Washington Redskins travel to Charlotte (I’ve never been there, but the airport was nice enough) to take on the Carolina Panthers. I turn to Charlottean Kyle Thompson<\/strong>, a veteran of the Old School and Binghamton native, for some discussion about the Panthers. <\/p>\n

WFY: You arrived in Charlotte around the same time as the Carolina Panthers, how do they fit in the sports scene there? How has it changed over their first 15 years? What about the rest of rest of the Carolinas?<\/strong><\/p>\n

KJT: <\/strong>They are the dominant force in the Charlotte “sports scene.” I use quotes because I look very negatively on the sports culture in Charlotte. Most of the accomplishments in the sporting world which locals take credit for are some other area’s accomplishments, such as the basketball success of the Triangle universities (NC State, Duke and UNC Chapel Hill). I don\u2019t really think it\u2019s changed whatsoever over the last 15 years. It may have actually gotten worse with the poor support the NBA Bobcats and my Charlotte 49ers receive. Of course that could be largely related to their recent struggles on the court; however, I think it\u2019s clear Charlotte lacks the robust population of die-hards that cities in the Northeast and Midwest have. As for the rest of the Carolinas, frankly they frighten me and I try to avoid frequenting them. Word has it though that the Panthers receive top NFL billing in both states.<\/p>\n

WFY: Do the Panthers regularly sell out home games at Bank of America Stadium? How is the gameday experience there?<\/strong><\/p>\n

KJT: <\/strong>Only when they are winning -par for most NFL franchises; however, despite the poor start Cam Newton has injected a level of excitement that has far exceeded the W\/L record. The gameday experience at Bank of America Stadium is rather sterile. Jerry Richardson leans to the conservative side. There is little tolerance for fan misconduct and a broad definition of that. Take your shirt off? Visit from the stadium police. On the bright side, one of the former members of the Charlotte 49er dance squad is a TopCat and she is stunning.<\/p>\n

WFY: I believe the Washington Redskins were quite popular in parts of the Carolinas for generations, do you see any of that where you are?<\/strong><\/p>\n

KJT: <\/strong>There is definitely some people still loyal to the Redskins. It has dropped substantially over the years (lack of TV appearances will do that) though. I\u2019m guessing if you polled most football fans over 40 they\u2019d refer to them as their 2nd favorite team. <\/p>\n

WFY: What is the reaction of the Panthers fanbase to founder and owner Jerry Richardson being one of the hardliners in the recent labor situation?<\/strong><\/p>\n

KJT: <\/strong>Early on there was definite animosity. Last year the Panthers did little\/nothing in Free Agency, suffered on the field and Richardson was denounced as being cheap and only preparing for a labor disagreement. The rhetoric improved somewhat when reports leaked that as the sessions went on, players involved in negotiations viewed him favorably. He did go on a spending spree this offseason with some eyebrow-raising moves like the Thomas Davis extension, but was savvy in that GM Ron Hurney negotiated safety valves e.g. Davis is owed a $8M roster bonus next year (I doubt he\u2019s back).
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\nWFY: How is Jake Delhomme remembered in Charlotte? Did his sudden fall overshadow him taking the Panthers to a Super Bowl? Will his Bojangles chicken mobile commercial ever be surpassed?
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