Panthers Representing So. Fla. Sports

It hasn't been a good year for sports in this area. Scratch that. It's been an abominable year for South Florida sports. Let's recap:

1. The Dolphins go 1-15, despite expectations of reaching .500.

2. The Heat have the worst record in the NBA, and they were supposed to be a championship contender!

3. The Marlins finish with a losing record and trade both Dontrelle Willis and Miguel Cabrera.

4. The Hurricanes were blown out in their last game at the Orange Bowl.

5. The Gators, heavy favorites, lose a secondary bowl game to Michigan.

And now, thanks to the Panthers, we have something to root for. "It was an awesome game to play in," Panthers center Stephen Weiss [of a playoff-type game in front of a sellout crowd]. "There was a lot of emotion. It's nice to come out with two points."

Pull yourselves out of that lugubrious slumber and discover that "audacity to hope" again. Say it with me. Goooooooo Panthers!