The Pewter Plank » Detroit lions

Panthers should keep Thomas Davis

Joe Soriano — Mon, 20 Feb 2012 15:05:22 +0000

One of the most intriguing storylines in the NFC South centers on Carolina Panthers linebacker Thomas Davis, who is coming off of his third ACL tear. Davis is still under contract, and many Panthers fans are wondering whether or not he should be cut with the surplus of players at the position. If he can stay healthy, then there is no doubt that he will be one of the best linebackers in the game and is a proven leader on defense. Thomas Davis has the ability to excel as a run-stuffer and is an able pass defender. However, his health is a huge question mark at this point, but there are indications that things are getting better for Davis on the health front.

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Pirate Radio: Week 1

Josh Hill — Mon, 12 Sep 2011 08:00:13 +0000

Note: The name of the radio show is currently under construction. Feel free to give a follow on Twitter, give a like on Facebook or email The Pewter Plank with your suggestions. Your feedback is always appreciated.

The Pewter Plank is proud to introduce a new feature to bring you closer to the action. It’s called Pirate Radio, which is a weekly audio show recapping the previous days game and taking a look ahead to next week’s matchup. Each Monday morning after a Buccaneers game, look to Pewter Plank whenever you wake up for your morning coffee and get your dose of Bucs news to add to the wake up process and make it a little more pleasant.

In the first edition, we recap the Bucs painful 27-20 loss to the Detroit Lions and take a brief look ahead to the Minnesota Vikings and a Week 2 game Tampa must win. Click the box below to play the show on the site or click the link to download it to your laptop or computer for mobile consumption. As always, we appreciate your feedback.

Monday Morning Coffee

Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs. Detroit Lions Could Replace Patriots-Colts as Rivalry of the Next Decade

Patrik Nohe — Wed, 10 Aug 2011 22:00:28 +0000

Is Bucs-Lions the next great NFL rivalry?

Our friend Zac Snyder from SideLion Report and I have collaborated on a piece looking for the next great NFL rivalry. Check his out here.

For the last decade the Indianapolis Colts and New England Patriots have provided the NFL with the best rivalry of the decade. Say what you want about Ravens-Steelers, Packers-Bears or Cowboys-Eagles, but no rivalry (especially between inter-divisional teams) has been more heated, with bigger implications over the last decade. Once members of the AFC East, these former divisional foes still typically square off twice a season, once during the regular season and once in the playoffs. The teams have met 14 times in the last decade with the Patriots winning eight and the Colts taking six.

The reason Pats-Colts was the best rivalry of the last decade is simple, they were both elite. Both teams carry over pre-realignment divisional animosities, feature elite quarterbacks, are perennial Superbowl contenders and win their division almost every single year. These teams are the best of the best, and when they get together the football is spectacular.

But in the NFL, things change quickly and despite ten years of impressive match-ups, it’s likely the mantle will be passed in the upcoming decade. Tom Brady and Peyton Manning are both likely on their last pro contracts, and while both the Pats and Colts still rank amongst the NFL’s best, they are far from the NFL’s youngest teams. Just as the pinnacle of civilization flits between societies throughout history (Greece to Rome, then on to Europe, etc…) so to do the league’s best rivalries…

In the upcoming years, two young dynamic teams with great quarterbacks and winning MO’s will replace the Pats and Colts as the bearers of the NFL’s most hotly contested rivalry. And right now, no two young teams look more promising to take that distinction than the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Detroit Lions. Two former divisional rivals with exciting young signal-callers and very solid foundations.

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