Are some of us missing something?

[top dawg]

We have all said or alluded to it before. And, not to play the "no respect" card... :nopity:...but this year it seems like the same old sports analysts (and even some of our own) are really undervaluing the Panthers chances at realistically being in the hunt this year. Yes, we have a tougher schedule, blah blah blah, but we have 20 of 22 starters returning (plus a plethora of new kids on the block with a lot of upside), with another year under their belt and a bad taste in their mouth the way last season ended. Sure! Our schedule is one of the toughest (if not the toughest) in the NFL, but we are a tough team.

Like Mick Mixon was alluding to on the radio yesterday: if (which may be a big if) we can stop the run, then we are going to be hell to deal with. According to him, that's probably the biggest question mark that is looming before this season according to him. And I tend to agree, though I am relying on his knowledge of our secondary.

I have heard more than one pundit reminding listeners that the Panthers have never had back-to-back winning seasons. I am thinking that they are being irrational---giving too much weight to that fact, and not objectively looking at what we achieved last year, and how that's going to play itself on the field this year. 20 of 22 returning starters with a new defensive philosophy that is geared toward getting pressure to the QB, and apparently the talent to make that happen. A veteran QB, the most explosive receiver in the game, and arguably the most explosive runner in the game, as well as a talented supporting cast, including a seasoned O-line. I don't get it. This really does seem like a legitimate case of no respect.

It may be wishful thinking, but I am really thinking that the Panthers are gonna kick some ass for being slighted.

[Skew]

Welcome to football season.

[bleys]

they have a job, they write what people want to hear... the big markets want to hear their team is great, and doesn't matter otherwise..

Truth is, our team does have question marks... as you can tell, it's everywhere on this board, not just big time media.

There are trends to look at and that plays a part.

We have a new DC (and defensive coaching staff)..

if we are decimated at the oline, we will struggle for sure. same goes for dline.. if we aren't healthy, that is going to hurt us a lot...

along with that though are the good things which you have pointed out... they should be applauded as well. But it's not like there is no reason we can't do bad this year.

[Chaos]

they have a job, they write what people want to hear... the big markets want to hear their team is great, and doesn't matter otherwise..

Truth is, our team does have question marks... as you can tell, it's everywhere on this board, not just big time media.

There are trends to look at and that plays a part.

We have a new DC (and defensive coaching staff)..

if we are decimated at the oline, we will struggle for sure. same goes for dline.. if we aren't healthy, that is going to hurt us a lot...

along with that though are the good things which you have pointed out... they should be applauded as well. But it's not like there is no reason we can't do bad this year.

This can be said of every team. Doubters will doubt regardless.

[weyco2000]

I have seen us finishing anywhere from first to third. It's all gonna come down to third down stops on defense and power run game.

[ItsNotGonnaBeAlright]

The Panthers' could win five consecutive SuperBowls and provide the entire starting line up for the NFC Pro Bowl team and then return all starters the next season and still would have no chance in hell of being picked to win it all next year.

If the Panthers are ever a heavy media favorite to become the SB champs, go ahead and make your peace with whatever you think death holds in store for you because the end of the world will be right around the corner.

[bleys]

This can be said of every team. Doubters will doubt regardless.

you're right, but it's a huge concern more so for us this year... =)

[firstdayfan]

One thing that is a lot different about this year than all the other years following winning seasons is that we haven't lost the type of players that we normally do following a winning season. We have kept the team in tact for the most part giving us the ability to truly build off what we accomplished last year. For example, after the Super Bowl year we lost these starters, Jeno James, Reggie Howard, Deon Grant, Greg Favors, and Jermaine Wiggins (who wasn't a starter but played quite a lot). The result was a losing season. After the 2005 season when we lost to Seattle we lost Will Witherspoon, Marlon McCree, Tutan Reyes, Ricky Manning Jr, and special teams ace Kemp Rasmussen, agian the result was a losing season. This offseason we have only lost one starter and that was Lucas, the rest were quality backups but the starters are still in tact. I'm not saying we are going to the Super Bowl or that we will win 11 or more games but I feel like this team is better off than any of those in the past. I'm with ya man, excited doesn't even begin to describe it!!!

[weyco2000]

Well said 1st day fan.

[AKPantherFan]

The way this team turned it up last season (during the regular season) when they had too to end out on top and finish strong is something I have not seen since 2003.

Our defense was slipping, but i think that has more to do with Turgos scheme than our talent.

I have said before, I will say it again;

you cant have a top 5 WR, RB, DE, LB'R, OL, K'R and not end up in the playoffs.

We have the talent. I dont think that there are more than 2 other teams that can claim that much talent on one team.

NE can but I cant think of another with that much top 3 to 5 talent in those skill positions

[Jangler]

One game at a time and by mid November all the media will be saying "I had the Panthers all along."

[Kevin Greene]

One game at a time and by mid November all the media will be saying "I had the Panthers all along."

Rep

[pantherj]

Well I was at Teeter the other night and I was reading Lindy's NFL magazine while I was in line and they had us losing to the Eagles in the NFCCG. Most of the other magazines also had us winning the NFC South. The Panthers are well respected by the media imo, but they don't get much national coverage.

[beastson]

Our schedule is not tough IMO, if you judging teams based off records last year, then yea

But those teams changed significantly