Working to stay positive. Why I’m still hopeful on the panthers season.

[carolinascats]

Having Benjamin was certainly a significant loss for the Panthers, but in the big scheme of things I believe the team can get it where it wants this season.  Below are some reasons to try and stay positive for what can still be a good season ahead.

1)      Carolina is still a defensive football team: Dave’s comments from the end of the season state our philosophy clearly, “I’ve told you guys this before, I believe defense wins championships. Offense scores points; defense wins championships.”  This defense will carry Carolina and I believe we will still find ways to score.  I think this defense is poised to have a great year, so the offense doesn’t have to be flashy despite what we as all fans might want.

2)      If a star was going to go down, KB is possibly the best one: I know this will be controversial as KB going down is big, but based on how the Panthers want to win games I rank him lower on mission critical personnel.  In a list of players I would hate to lose, I rank KB behind: Cam, Olsen, Luke, TD, Jstew, Norman, CJ, Star and KK.  Sure he was flashier and got more attention due to the nature of these positions, but the guys listed above I think are really more critical to how we operate as a team.

3)      An improved o-line provides better passing opportunities and allows us to more effectively run the ball: The o-line looks much improved.  I believe our interior has a chance to be very good, and Daryl Williams I think will emerge to take the RT spot.  Pairing Williams and Turner will give that line a terrific right side hopefully for years to come.  Running behind them, especially when they have Norwell pull in behind from LG, would be something some of us fans could possibly even do.  Even Oher I think will have a solid year.  This team demeanor seems to fit him and he seems comfortable to be back with his original line coach.  The improved line will provide Cam more time to pass the ball which will give routes more time to develop.  Combined with Ginn and Brown to stretch the field, and of course Olsen doing his thing, this can still be an effective passing game.

4)      WR group is stronger than last year:  While it hurts to lose your star WR, this core is in a much better position compared to if this had happened last year.  Brown is a year better and I think will make himself known to the national media through this play this season.  Ginn is back and will be there to help stretch the field and bring speed to the attack.  Cotchery is there to maintain his role as a primary possession WR and serve as mentor to the group.  Bersin and Boykin look to be solid players this season.  When I watch Bersin now, he seems to have a confidence about what he is doing that makes him look like he belongs on the field.  I’m not expecting him to have a breakout year by NFL standards, but I think we will be a solid contributor.  Finally Funchess will need to step up faster than anticipated, but I think he can.  While I don’t expect him to have Benjamin numbers, we can still come in to be a big bodied player that can create mismatches depending on where they line him up.  Overall this group has lost a 1,000 yard receiver, but all together I think this WR group as a unit will put up better yardage numbers than last year’s group with KB.    

5)      Cam:  We have paid Cam to be the franchise QB and now he can step up and prove that he can take that next step.  Improved line play and being able to run the ball means that he doesn’t have to do it all.  Cam just needs to play within the offense and lead drives that put points on the board.  Cam seems to have worked on his deep passing, so hopefully we will see a few more long passes this season going over the top of the defense.  Consistency is key for Cam, and I think this could be the year he shows us that’s what he can do. 

6)      Once again, the defense:  We can still focus on the offense as fans, but once again the D is what will allow this team to make a run.  I think the back end is better and the LBs are stronger than ever.  Thompson can be that “x” factor that really allows this defense to be scary in the league.  People are worried about the line, but I think they will step up.  They finished last season strong, and only got better considering: Addison has added some size while maintaining speed, Ealy is in year number two and DEs just take time to develop, and Alexander is back with something to prove in a contract year.  I think they will step up across from CJ and have a solid year.  Finally, I think this could be the year KK breaks out at DT and really puts himself on the radar across the league.  All the pieces are there for a strong unit showing this season.

Well that’s pretty much it.  Again losing Benjamin sucks as fans, but this team can still make a run.  I mean last year we survived: Cam ankle surgery, Cam broken ribs, Rivera’s house caught on fire, Cam getting an accident and smiling as they took him away in an ambulance, and of course, Byron Bell.  Safe to say we can make it through this.  As Panther fans we know they will #keeppounding

 

PS- for Hill fans, it might be good for both that KB and Hill can work on recovery together.  They can keep each other engaged, and each gives the other someone to lean on day to day as they work back.  

[Mr. Scot]

Kudos for a good effort at optimism.

[davos]

Nice post......but......

Peeps need to cool it with the optimistic, theraputic, "putting things in perspective" threads.   It's like half the front page.  We should have a general "Post encouraging words in light of KB's Injury" thread.   

[Shufdog]

Nice post......but......

Peeps need to cool it with the optimistic, theraputic, "putting things in perspective" threads.   It's like half the front page.  We should have a general "Post encouraging words in light of KB's Injury" thread.   

It's better than the sky is falling, the season is over conversations that were going on yesterday!

 

Very nice post OP!

[Mr. Scot]

It's better than the sky is falling, the season is over conversations that were going on yesterday!

 

Very nice post OP!

Those aren't still going on?

[KillerKat]

People wouldn't freak out that much if we had a OC worth a damn that didn't need elite talent at all positions to cover his suckiness.

[!stUp]

Bravo for the optimism. I want to see the comments hear in late Dec. when we pull the NFC South trifecta. 

[Shufdog]

Those aren't still going on?

Lol!! Yeah, they're still going on, but it's nothing like yesterday!

[top dawg]

Nice post......but......

Peeps need to cool it with the optimistic, theraputic, "putting things in perspective" threads.   It's like half the front page.  We should have a general "Post encouraging words in light of KB's Injury" thread.   

Kind of like this?

http://www.carolinahuddle.com/boards/topic/117315-keep-pounding-share-your-best-gifs-and-messages-to-kb-and-the-team/

[Steves89]

Thanks for this. Sure this sucks, but I think people forget how roughed up Cam was all year last year and how much of a difference him being healthy will be. Also, I think people forget that Tolbert was a non-factor last year due to injury. Now we have him back. As most people seem to think we will stick with a more power-run game, a healthy Tolbert will go a long way in making that successful. Couple that with an improved o-line and we could have anther playoff birth in the cards.

Then again, we have shula.

[dpm0409]

Agree with almost everything OP said.  KB injury blows, but I'm still ready for some Panther football and know we are good enough with our D to make a playoff run.