Dragoon11

Yeah, we'll see how that pans out over 17. lol

Because Cam was in a league of his own. AR nowhere near what Cam was.

Yeah, before Carolina got a team I was a Cowboys fan. Look at Dallas in the 90's when they built their dynasty. Troy Aikman started his first season and they went 1-15 I think. Aikman played his first NFL preseason game on August 26, 1989 against the Denver Broncos. His NFL debut started with a 28–0 loss to the New Orleans Saints. The following week, Aikman threw his first touchdown pass, a 65-yard completion to Michael Irvin, but the Atlanta Falcons intercepted two passes and won. In a game against the Phoenix Cardinals, he threw for 379 yards to set an NFL rookie record. Aikman finished 1989 with a 0–11 record as a starter, completing 155 of 293 passes for 1,749 yards, 9 touchdowns, and 18 interceptions. Pretty rough first year as a rookie, right? But, we know what happened each year after. I know we live in a world of instant gratification, but sometimes we need to be realistic. So, everyone just take a collective sigh and lets see how the season plays out. Hopefully we will start seeing optimistic improvements as the season progresses.

No it's not, not even close. Who does he throw to? What receiver on this team has ANY talent?

Wow... no pride on the defensive side. And Burns wants Watt money. That's freaking hilarious!

Yep... offense can't do crap. Finally defense loses intensity and all crumbles. Oh the growing pains!!

Little bitch? Jeez dude... when did you last win a heisman and play in the NFL?

God we need receivers. Bryce put one right on the money but no help

Would also help if we had play making WR's. Someone needs to stand out. Panthers need a new Smitty!! Point blank!

#79 getting walked all over tonight

Nonetheless he's the best route runner on the team. Who's better?

He's the only receiver that knows how to run routes and get separation. Or receiving core has ZERO dogs!

Done the tackler

Just shut the run game down and force our rookie QB to beat you with his arm... easy recipe to beat the Panthers.

We are a team of softies. Underachievers! Show me someone that wants to stand out! It does not appear to be on this team and it's been their issue since 2015.

Yeah, I'm not giving up on Young. I did see a few good things from him today. The biggest issue is PLAYMAKERS at WR. We have not had a true playmaker since Smitty. Guys need to start emerging. I'm hoping Mingo becomes that dog! That's what Bryce, this team needs.

Yep, Reich out coached. The Pitts catch confirmed it!

There are legit arguments to both sides of this, but also other variables we are missing here. What kind of leadership and presence does Burns bring to the locker room? Is he respected, team Captain material? Does he make players around him better? I think we know the answer to that. Burns works very hard, is a true professional and student of the game. He also tends to STAY on the field (don't want to jinx, so I just say that). I don't see this guy being selfish and slacking after he gets paid in that kind of way. His stats have gotten better every season. He is growing the way you hope a player grows. Remember, Burns was a bit undersized when he entered the league, and the expectations were that he grows into the game... well he is meeting that expectation and then some. I see Brian Burns as a guy that aspires to be (at the end of his career) one of the best DE's in the game and in Panthers history. The rest of how he is measured will speak for itself. None of us have a crystal ball, we just have to judge a person by the content of his character, and YES, by his performance. I do not see a downside to paying this guy. Does not mean he has to get TJ Watt money, just find a middle ground... no reason a reasonable deal cannot be made here.

Remind me of who their starting QB is in week 1? Oh, well... would be a safe bet that would be their plan no matter what our roster looks like.

There are legit arguments to both sides of this, but also other variables we are missing here. What kind of leadership and presence does Burns bring to the locker room? Is he respected, team Captain material? Does he make players around him better? I think we know the answer to that. Burns works very hard, is a true professional and student of the game. He also tends to STAY on the field (don't want to jinx, so I just say that). I don't see this guy being selfish and slacking after he gets paid in that kind of way. His stats have gotten better every season. He is growing the way you hope a player grows. Remember, Burns was a bit undersized when he entered the league, and the expectations were that he grows into the game... well he is meeting that expectation and then some. I see Brian Burns as a guy that aspires to be (at the end of his career) one of the best DE's in the game and in Panthers history. The rest of how he is measured will speak for itself. None of us have a crystal ball, we just have to judge a person by the content of his character, and YES, by his performance. I do not see a downside to paying this guy. Does not mean he has to get TJ Watt money, just find a middle ground... no reason a reasonable deal cannot be made here.

Exactly! New coaching staff, new first round QB... all new everything. What we have to hope for is SEEING these guys buying in and showing by the end of the season the Panthers are going to be a force to be reckoned with next year. I remember interviews after games with the players during the Rhule area... these guys were NOT buying what he was selling. We will see buy week 6 or 7 IMO if this team likes this system and the locker room is gelling. That's where it really is! And if BY turns out to be what we hope, even if there are some growing pains, which most likely will be, this team will be a threat to the whole league. May take a year or two. That's fine as long as we see that "it factor" the whole team needs. I remember when we had our first playoff game with Cam. Was against the 49er's AT home. We were not ready that year, niners whipped us, but you could see where the team was heading.

I agree... people need to take a deep breath. If we finish 7-10 this year but Bryce starts showing us that something we've been looking for during the season, particularly later in the season. If he gels with receivers, checks out of plays correctly, reads zones correctly, shifts protection... etc. The Panthers could shock the world and Bryce Young could turn out to be the first first round draft pick in his rookie year to take his team to the Superbowl. I mean, we can dream, but why don't we be a little more realistic and pragmatic? What I want to see is a QB that improves as the season progresses. At the end of the the year you just know... YES, this is our QB!! What was Cams record his rookie year? And he and Young are two totally different types of QB's.

Look... you can talk hypotheticals based on those kinds of " well if in 2022". None of that means anything. We have ZERO idea what this defense will look like or achieve. We all know that a crappy offense that turns the ball over a lot or that cannot sustain drives will make a defense look worse than it truly is. I HATE trying to figure out how a coach will do based on what he did with last team. Ultimately, it's about whether or not our guys gel with what they are trying to achieve You guys will give yourself migraines making comparisons like you are. None of that matters now its all about how OUR roster responds... all there is to it. It's wait and see!!!

I tend to agree with you. I understand what the other guy is saying, but here's the deal... coaching matters!! Rule and company were abysmal. It's a part of Panthers history I wish we could erase. But, I think with the coaches we have now, you are going to see a vastly different, yet efficient defense. It may take a few games for everyone to gel, but with this coaching staff I feel a different vibe. Of course, we've gotten our hopes up before just to get them crushed. So, lets just watch the preseason, see what the energy of the team is. The best thing about preseason is that by the 2nd or 3rd game you can tell if the players are buying into the program. We'll soon find out.

And if this guy could find a motor similar to Warren Sapp, sky is the limit. Now, I'm not saying he could be Warren Sapp, I'm just saying if he can find some inspiration on the way the best DT's approached the game he could have a great future in the NFL with hard work and determination. We'll wait and see, but all signs says he has the drive and motivation. And yeah, he was UNDRAFTED!!!