Gamewatch 5: Panthers at Bucs "The Journey Begins"

Someone cue up the dramatic NFL films music because I'm about to get you guys pumped up.

Week 1, this is where our journey to New Orleans begins. This game is the start of what is without a doubt, the most exciting and anticipated season that I can ever remember in the 18 years of Carolina Panthers football. Never before have we had such hope in our franchise, the players on our roster and our coaches. From the depths of the 2010 season to the highs of last, we know that our team is headed in the right direction. Our journey starts in Tampa and will end with us holding up the Lombardi trophy in New Orleans. We have the vision, leadership, talent and more importantly the belief that we will be on top of the mountain at the end of the season. We will be Super Bowl Champions.

OK, take a deep breath and now on to the meetup details for week one.

The Opponent: This is the second year in a row that we open up on the road and at 4:25. This year we take on our divisional rivals, Tampa Bay. The Bucs are sporting a new coach and a slew of high priced free agent pick ups this season. Not to mention two first round picks that will be starting week one. These are not last years Bucs who gave up on their coach and rolled over to die. They will be ready to play.

The Panthers: We currently have a 14-9 all time record vs the Bucs and we look to improve on that mark in the opener. If Cam comes out guns blazing, the defense is on the field and healthy, special teams show up and do their job, there is no reason to think we don't open the season with a W.

The Meetup: Since this is the season opener we are going to kick it off with a bang. Draft will be open at 12 and I highly encourage everybody to come as early as they can. You'll be able to keep up with all of the 1pm games and of course follow all of your fantasy players. We will of course save tables for the club but with it being a 4:25 kick off there are going to be a lot of people here for the 1pm games and I want to make sure everybody has a seat. We also have a few goodies to get you excited and here early. We will have a limited amount of gift bags just for members of the club. Those bags will have all kinds of goodies in them, compliments of our friends at Miller Lite. To be fair the bags will be given away on a first come, first serve basis. The people who RSPV for the meetup will have first dibs on them. The Miller Lite Girls will be here again doing a promotion from 1pm-4pm. We also will be giving away a very large and very awesome prize that I am not allowed to reveal yet. But I promise you this, you are going to really want it when you see what it is. Draft will also have some great Sunday specials throughout the season. Wings will only be $5, $2.50 pints of Miller Lite, $5 Bomb Shots and $5 22oz Mash House drafts. Parking will not be an issue on Sundays, the deck behind Draft is free on Sundays as is the lot on the corner of West and Johnson.

The Skinny: We own the Bucs, Panthers open with a W, 4:25 kickoff but get here as early as possible, lots of free stuff, great specials and free parking.

Keep Pounding!

Chris