Lowered Expectations

[Alan Ford]

This is the first year where we don't have the high expectations of making the playoffs or going to the Superbowl from the fans perspective. As long as I can remember, we have always overhyped the Panthers and set unrealistic expectations at the beginning of the year. This year is different!

I'm glad we don't have all the hype and that our team can just go about the business. At the same time, I think it's ridiculous how quickly people are bashing the team. I guess it's all because of that embarrassing loss against Arizona that still hasn't faded from memories.

But I'm looking forward to the game against the Eagles. I fully expect this team to compete every game and will take it as an opportunity to learn more about this team. We really should just sit back and enjoy the football season and appreciate every game for what it is. Hopefully, the talent level on this Panthers will prevail and they will get better as the season progresses.

[rayzor]

good post. i agree.

[carolinashawn]

as you can see I don't post much (even before all our account we reset) but sometimes I feel I must.

My expetation for this team is high. If everyone plays to there expectation, we have the talent to make the playoffs and anything less than 10 wins would be a complete failure IMHO!

[Wither]

I guess it's all because of that embarrassing loss against Arizona that still hasn't faded from memories.

I'm pretty sure that's exactly why people are so quick to bash. Embarrassing is absolutely correct; it was just an embarrassing loss, and almost allowing Brees to break the yardage record was pretty bad too.

If the Panthers do well, they'll come around quickly. No worries. (Unless they don't do well, I guess!)

[j2sgam]

You're only as good as your last game..And our last game was a clusterfukextraordinaire. I think this year's team is better than last's, 2nd toughest schedule or not. Dont know about less than 10 =failure, but I expect Carolina to handle business. Nobody noticed this team 'til that MondayNight Tampa ass-romping. If, er, when this team finds ways to win, how long will it be into the season until we are 'contenders'? Week 15? Piss on the media tellin us what theyre told to. We know...

[firstdayfan]

I think people have more unrealistic expectations of how the business of football is conducted. It's tough to be able to be a contender each and every year. Not only that but its hard to be really good at every position. Even the Steelers have a weak offensive line and a poor running game. But good coaching (which we have) and star players (which we have) can be all it takes to make a team competitive. I will be happy with a 9-7 season simply because I would like two winning seasons in a row. I think thats the next step for the franchise. Thats it. I would love to see them in the Super Bowl every year and the playoffs every year but its just not realistic. I do think the Panthers can win 9 games and expect them to win one or two more than that, everything else will take care of itself.

[CatMan72]

*DISCLAIMER: THIS IS NOT MEANT TO BE A "DOOM AND GLOOM" RESPONSE JUST AN OBJECTIVE ANALYSIS OF WHAT I'VE SEEN THUS FAR*

I haven't "bashed" the Panthers, but I am concerned based on what I've seen in the pre-season so far.

My concern this year has very little to do with the Arizona game last year, because that was basically one guy that screwed up (although I am concerned about how that game may have affected Jake's confidence).

We have gone 0-4 this preseason, and only one team has ever won the SB after an 0-4 preseason, but more important than the record there are some troubling stats during that 0-4 run:

- Opponents have averaged 4.5 yards per carry against us.

- We are 12/46 on 3rd down conversion attempts while our opponents have been 21/53.

- Jake didn't throw a TD and has a 63.9 completion percentage.

Beyond the stat line, there have been many times when our starting units have looked sloppy, disorganized or just plain flat.

It's important to note that some of our best players have had very limited playing time during that 0-4 run and we've had quite of bit of turnover in the coaching staff, all of which could account for some of the bad stuff we've seen.

I remain "guardedly optimistic" about this year. We haven't played a game that counts yet and there is still time to pull it together, but with the schedule we've got we could very quickly find ourselves in a deep hole while we're trying to pull it together.

The good news is we have talent, and when you have the amount of talent we do there is always hope.

GO PANTHERS!

[Sultan33g]

Isnt there a mad tv sketch called lowered expectations?? halarious!

[GRWatcher]

This is the first year where we don't have the high expectations of making the playoffs or going to the Superbowl from the fans perspective. As long as I can remember, we have always overhyped the Panthers and set unrealistic expectations at the beginning of the year. This year is different!

I'm glad we don't have all the hype and that our team can just go about the business. At the same time, I think it's ridiculous how quickly people are bashing the team. I guess it's all because of that embarrassing loss against Arizona that still hasn't faded from memories.

But I'm looking forward to the game against the Eagles. I fully expect this team to compete every game and will take it as an opportunity to learn more about this team. We really should just sit back and enjoy the football season and appreciate every game for what it is. Hopefully, the talent level on this Panthers will prevail and they will get better as the season progresses.

:conehead: Where were you before John Fox became the coach? There were no expectations back then. 1996 was, like, a fluke but a great year none the less. But nobody thought we'd do it in 1997. Good Lord! You're forgetting that it is professional football. You should feel very lucky that we have as good an owner and team and coach as we do so the Panthers can be part of the talk about contenders each year.

Me, I'll take it one week at a time, thank you. I've also tried to develop the short memory that the team has to have. :sosp: Doesn't always work cause I'm not part of their film study on Mondays. I agree about sitting back and enjoying the season. Only way to stay sane.

:gnorsi:

[Alan Ford]

:conehead: Where were you before John Fox became the coach? There were no expectations back then. 1996 was, like, a fluke but a great year none the less. But nobody thought we'd do it in 1997. Good Lord! You're forgetting that it is professional football. You should feel very lucky that we have as good an owner and team and coach as we do so the Panthers can be part of the talk about contenders each year.

Me, I'll take it one week at a time, thank you. I've also tried to develop the short memory that the team has to have. :sosp: Doesn't always work cause I'm not part of their film study on Mondays. I agree about sitting back and enjoying the season. Only way to stay sane.

:gnorsi:

I disagree with you. I've been a fan since 1996 and I remember having the same high expectations every year except for 2001-2002. And my point is that I can only expect the Panthers to compete and try and put a quality product out there. It is not realistic to expect them to go to the playoffs every year or reach the superbowl. It is very hard to do. Granted, the Steelers and the Patriots have it figured out but I think they got very lucky with the core team they assembled.

[GRWatcher]

So you expected the team to make the playoffs every year???? And yes, it's not realistic. But it took you 14 years to realize that?

I was just excited about their first win playing in Clemson the first year as I am each year we make the playoffs.

And my point is that I can only expect the Panthers to compete and try and put a quality product out there.

Exactly!! Enjoy the football.

[Jackofalltrades]

I expect and do think we will make the playoffs. Fans are fickle and put WAY too much stock into the preseason. There's obviously room for improvement, but I like a lot of what I've seen.

10-6

[rko396]