[sportscurmudgeon]

I was in Seattle for five days working on something for a client and taking in three Mariners' games.

I ought to be done with the client's report real soon - - I'd better be!! - - because I'm off with my long-suffering wife and other family members for 10 days in the National Parks in Utah at the end of next week.

I also have a frelance writing assignment that I'm working on now.

I want to get as much of this done as I can before the NFL season starts for real. I like NFL exhibition games but they're nothing like the real thing and so I'll continue to bust my butt now so I can pay strict attention once the real games start up.

Summary of my opinion of the Carolina game:

The first string offensive layers ought to be ashamed of themselves. Other than the O-line - which played well but not outstandingly - every other part of the offensive unit performed below reasonable expectations.