Here's what REALLY scares me

[PanthersATL]

No matter how the season ends, this is going to be a special year. The team has come together with a singular, Borg-like mentality to Get. It. Done.

No doubt about it, the 2015 Panthers epitomize the word "TEAM".

Here's what scares me, based on what we've seen other NFL teams go through after they've had a special season - is that individual players will suddenly get some sort of ego stroke and break themselves off of Team Think and put themselves ahead of the ultimate goal to repeat year after year after year to build that formidable dynasty.

We lose one player to free agency. Another to contract demands. Someone else decides to get angry about the Franchise tag and not show up to training camp. Fights break out in the locker room, captured by media. Fans get split into supporting one side vs the other.  

I get that there will be player turnover as the years go on, but what does RR, DG, JR and others need to do to keep that team dynamic solid?

 

[Mol3m4n]

[ickmule]

That won't happen here. The culture that Gman and Rivera have been working on wont allow that. 

[Chaos]

What's with all the irrational fear around this place?  I get that we are in uncharted waters with our record, but let's embrace it. 

The culture is changing right in front of our eyes, don't worry about that other noise. 

[Newtcase]

What makes New England, Green Bay, and Indy (when Peyton was there) so special year after year......their QB!  Make no mistake about that.  The longevity of that success is that of Brady, Rodgers and Manning.  I think we have a pretty special cat here that will keep us contenders for many moons.  With our 3rd division crown in a row squarely lined up, this train has already left the station.

[Kakarot]

As long as we have both Cam and Luke here, we'll be fine. We're going to lose some players, might come across a player or two with an ego, and we'll have to deal with a disgruntled player or two but as long as players like Cam, Luke, and TD are here we'll be fine. 

[ickmule]

I know I can be negative during games, which is just me releasing the stress of the bad moments during a game,  but I have to admit that it's amazing what Cam and Luke do for this team. Both make everyone around them better. 

[PanthersBigD]

We've got franchise and transitional tags, plenty of cap space and an owner willing to spend. We've taken care of players that take care of us i.e. Olsen, Davis, etc. We've got a WR1 that we'll get back next season, an emerging bookend for him in Funchess. We've got a great line made of young players locked up for several years. Even with the lowest selection in each round, we've got a proven GM and Scouting dept that can find long term talent. Dude, I'm sleeping like a baby after this season. It's only up from here. 

[Mother Grabber]

first Gettleburger is going to leave, now all the players are going to leave. man, we're fooked!

[chknwing]

there are only 2 players I see that happening with. One, Josh Norman because of the spot light. And 2, Jared Allen, he hasnt been here long.  Hes already spoke like that when KK got a sack that should have been his.

[CatofWar]

Thought this was about the IRS. 

[CoastalCat]

54 minutes ago, PanthersATL said:

No matter how the season ends, this is going to be a special year. The team has come together with a singular, Borg-like mentality to Get. It. Done.

No doubt about it, the 2015 Panthers epitomize the word "TEAM".

Here's what scares me, based on what we've seen other NFL teams go through after they've had a special season - is that individual players will suddenly get some sort of ego stroke and break themselves off of Team Think and put themselves ahead of the ultimate goal to repeat year after year after year to build that formidable dynasty.

We lose one player to free agency. Another to contract demands. Someone else decides to get angry about the Franchise tag and not show up to training camp. Fights break out in the locker room, captured by media. Fans get split into supporting one side vs the other.  

I get that there will be player turnover as the years go on, but what does RR, DG, JR and others need to do to keep that team dynamic solid?

 

I think that one of the main themes of our current administration has been that, outside of our main core, everyone is replaceable. Look at our receivers and our secondary now compared to the 12-4 2013 season. 

Seattle made the mistake of paying almost everyone, particularly the secondary, after their superb owl win. 

I was reluctant at first, but am beginning to appreciate the "find talent, and don't pay too much for anyone" mentality, even if it means that Norman is likely gone next year. 

[PhillyB]

regression to the mean is just part of football. i imagine sitting on a fresh lombardi would make it much easier to bear for a year or two.

[MadHatter]

This thread actually made me wish I were reading another PU thread.