top dawg

Well, damn.

You're the one that used the word "dramatic." I have been here going on 20 years or so, and anyone that knows me would say that I'm more direct than dramatic. People generally use those types of terms when they don't like what someone is saying in order to circumvent the focal point of the discussion. I stand by what I said, whether it applies to you or not. As for "childish", I believe that the whole notion of tanking is an immature, unrealistic, and unproductive discussion. That's what I think; others may disagree, so it is what it is. The team is trying to win every single game, point blank and period! Once the games are played and draft order is established, then we can all discuss, debate and argue about adult things based in reality. It would be nice if everyone did it in a mature and forthright manner (speaking of childish), but we already know that that's never going to happen.

You're the one that said "...the last thing this team needs is 'fans' telling other 'fans' to go root for another team if you don’t agree with what’s best for the long term future of this franchise." What fans tell other "fans" isn't affecting this team one iota, right? If that's the case, then whose statement is the "dramatic" one? Most players appreciate fan support. Desiring that they lose is not what they consider as support, pure and simple. I can't say it any clearer than that. So, if you're willing to support the opposite of what the players are trying to achieve--what the franchise is trying to achieve--every day, then don't get all upset when someone calls you on it. You should expect it. If that hurts feelings, well, it is what it is.

The team is going to play to win, period. Put on your gear, and go tell any player on the roster that you hope that they lose because it's "what's best for the long term future of the franchise" and see how they react.

I wouldn't bet my life on it. We may lose precious draft position.

I'd add, that if you don't want us to make the playoffs, that you're rooting for us to lose. I will never do that in any situation, much less when we can still make the dance.

No one has said it expressly, but more than a few have said that any wins at this point are useless, and that the Cowboys will likely face the NFCS champ. I'm simply connecting the dots.

I doubt it. Wilks had everything to coach for Sunday, and he blew it.

Or either just how old you are...

If you're going to run a 4-3, then you need big, strong DEs that can play on the line and be consistent in run support. Burns really ain't that dude, but yet he still does enough to look good on the stat line because of his natural speed and athleticism. He'd likely benefit in a 3-4, but if the plan is to keep him in a 4-3, then you must put a more traditional pass rushing DE on the other side. For a DC who knows what he's doing, maybe he could maximize each player's strengths by having them switch sides depending on the strategy of the opposition. Burns isn't a bad player at all, he's actually a good problem to have (and, yes, we chose to keep him which is a problem), but you have to use him effectively to allow his ability to shine.

Imagine the teams as two boxers, with Tomlin in the Steelers corner and Wilks in our corner. First, the Steelers came to fight, and, secondly, Tomlin was methodically giving out directions after every round. On our side, we got manhandled while Wilks didn't say a damned thing but, "Keep doing what you're doing, kid." No mention of counterpunches, not a damned thing. Wilks was akin to a spectator in the stands among a decidely hostile crowd. It's like he threw in the towel after the first quarter, but the damned thing was black and gold.

A skinny McAdoo...?

You don't really sound apathetic though. Apathy and fanaticism don't really make sense intellectually. Your response suggests that you're more stoic than apathetic. The last few years under Rhule (and by extension Tepper) and now Wilks have cultivated stoicism for me as a Panthers fan.

To be fair, Wilks can only work with what he has. That being said, he's lost games that he shouldn't have, and I have a hard time believing he'll be able to hang with the best coaches of the league because he's just too conservative and dogmatic in his offensive approach. Talent will likely only take you so far; you must be able to make adjustments---offensively and defensively---when your game plan isn't working, and I personally think that you must think outside the box when warranted, or at least play to the situation at hand.

I will NEVER EVER root for another team to beat the Panthers. It's anathema to me. I could easily label rooting for another team to beat my team as "pathetic." Ask the players and coaches what they feel about so-called "fans" rooting for the other team. You already know how they feel about it. They'd probably call it pathetic...

We had a chance to get one of the best young QBs in the draft, but passed on him. It had set up so pretty...

You make your own "great draft picks." The NFL is full of great players, and they just didn't come within the first day, much less the first five picks of the draft. The obsession with this is interesting.

Well, Rhule...

Which is why he has to go, and he will eventually. We may all be a couple of years (or three) closer to a dirt nap, but I don't see Wilks getting us up into that top echelon of teams. And I certainly don't see McAdoo doing it. I'm kinda skeptical as to whether Fitt can do it, but I'm nowhere near totally soured on him. I know some of you have soured on Tepper, but I don't think that it's productive, and I'm not going to waste useless energy wishing that we had another owner. I hope that he figures it out or just gets lucky. I think that he means well, and I reject the notion that he's akin to Jerry Jones or Dan Schneider.

I don't find it either sad or funny, it just is what it is, and, as for me, I'm going to roll with the punches like I've always done as a Panthers fan. One day it will get better, I hope...

Blah blah blah. Who among us will actually root for the Cowboys or anyone else if we make the playoffs? Well... If you do, you may as well go root for them now. If you continually feel the need to root for the Panthers to tank, then maybe it's time to reassess things and go root for another team period. If we somehow end up in the playoffs, I'm watching and cheering for the Panthers regardless of the outcome. Even if we get beat down, I'll still be a Panthers fan and will continue to be a Panthers fan.

Que será, será! "I will never forgive Tepper..."

Because our coaches don't know how to play situational football, much less adapt. I would've liked to see Tae Hayes come into the game as well to relieve Taylor. Unbeknownst to me, he was waived earlier in the month.

Well, honestly, he didn't do them any favors today either. It wasn't a well-coached game.