What has made this team special this year

[yasuhara2241]

There has been a lot of talk about this dream season and how is it possible that this Panther team can play like they are playing. I would like to see what in your opinion are the top 5 reasons you all think that this team is special this year.

1. Confidence: This team has a confidence not just as individuals but as a team. This team exudes confidence and where as before they thought about winning quarters of the year being 3-1 or hey 2-2 isn't bad, now they fully expect to go out every week and win. I like how I never heard about the quarters of the year this year. All they talked about was the next game is the biggest game.

2. Next Man Up: The depth that Gettleman has brought in and the way Rivera and his staff has developed players has been outstanding. We truly can plug in guys to play no matter the injury. This bodes well for the team and for us as fans lets us say we would prefer the back up which is a great problem to have.

3. Family: There is no separation of offense or defense or special teams. They all celebrate with each other and fight for each other. After Gano kicks a field goal he is not only greeted by the players on the kicking team but by Cam and other players thanking him for a job well done. You see Cam giving fives to offense, defense and special teams players and its not just Cam its many players on the team.

4. Egos don't drive the team: Egos can sometimes make players make selfish plays but with our team they all play within themselves for a common goal. We have tons of players with big egos but have those within our system. Best example for this is Star. Every game he pushes the pocket and gets double teamed. Short has been the biggest recipient and his play has jumped but one of the first players to greet him is Star. Star being drafted first could be upset and want to have the same impact but he does his job bc it gives us the best chance to win.

5. Cam & Luke: Cam has taken this offense and made it his. He has control. He changes things up. He confuses the defense. Now he has added touch and rarely overthrows players. We used to have about 3-4 overthrows in a game. Now he may have one. Luke is in such control of the defense. We can plug anyone in our defense and he will get them in the right spot. It's amazing how he and TD seem to know the play before it happens. We have the 2 most dominant players in the league on offense and defense. Amazing!

#KeepPounding Super Bowl 50 is the year of the Panthers!!

[UKPanther94]

The locker room culture, those guys genuinley enjoy each others company, I love reading stuff about what they get upto off the field, and you hear about it almost every week too. People used to make jokes about the whole "choir boy" mentality, but the fact that the team are upstanding people who are fine pillars of the community makes it so much better, heck, we managed to bring in someone like Finnegan and he's just slotted into the locker room no problems at all

[yasuhara2241]

45 minutes ago, UKPanther94 said:

The locker room culture, those guys genuinley enjoy each others company, I love reading stuff about what they get upto off the field, and you hear about it almost every week too. People used to make jokes about the whole "choir boy" mentality, but the fact that the team are upstanding people who are fine pillars of the community makes it so much better, heck, we managed to bring in someone like Finnegan and he's just slotted into the locker room no problems at all

It's amazing hearing guys who have been in the league comment on the closeness of the team. Guys like Tillman and Allen are just loving this which is nice.

[PandaPancake]

Heard on the radio this morning when Finnegan was signed Luke had him out to dinner that night. 

I learned if I work really hard on my footballing I get a date with Luke. 

[Omega Atrocity]

1. Cam turning into a superhero. He has been truly ridiculous this year, especially since the week 6 Seattle fourth quarter. We're going to look back in a few years and name that the moment he went from really good to elite.

2. Taking advantage of an easy schedule. We as a forum whine about how people complain about our schedule, but it was very easy. However, we took advantage of it. The Saints, Falcons, and Bucs had the same schedule (easier really, they played the 2-4 teams in the NFCN and NFCW). It helped us get the one seed and home field advantage, which was huge.

3. Linebackers took it to another level. Somehow Thomas Davis and Luke Kuechly (already the best duo in the league) went from elite to legendary. Our defense is really built around the least import positional group in football (besides maybe RB), and they are so good they change the game. Seriously go watch that Luke tip at the end of the Seattle game and the TD -6 yard run stop. There aren't many backers in history that can make those plays (especially the Luke one).

4. Secondary, mainly Josh Norman. Norman hasn't gotten a lot of stats recently, but that's because qbs are terrified to throw at him. Even with the injuries and bringing in guys off the street they've been solid to good.

5. The fire. You could feel it in the preseason, fan fest set record attendance, Cam and Josh scuffle at practice, hanging with the champs in the preseason. We got way better as the year went along, and it has a lot to do with this fire imo.

[Zaximus]

The personality, for me.  This team is just fun.  There are a lot of characters and each different.   Everyone on the team, defense and offense, seem to get along and cheer each other on.   You can see them having a ton of fun and showing a ton of heart out there, it makes it feel genuine which you don't always feel with sports now.

[mbarbour21]

1) Team Chemistry- This has got to be a major reason. They play for each other and they are HAVING FUN!!! (Playing football of all things....who knew???)

2) Consistency- Not only in execution, but also due to coaches and players running the same schemes. (Same receivers/OC) I think this has helped a lot. 

3) O-line Play- Cam has always balled out. Yes, he has had issues with mechanics, but terrible O-line play can force you to push mechanics aside. I give credit to Cam, but the improved play up front has helped us make the leap.

4) Short/Star- The pressure in the middle has caused many INTs and poor decisions. Luke has benefited from this, especially in the playoffs.

5) Cam+Offensive Scheme- Of all the things this year, Cam in this scheme, has got to be the most crucial. It's so difficult to stop. You can't afford to hesitate.....but you can't afford not too......how do you stop that???

[RealBitsOfPanther]

Definitely the personality and family feel of this team. You can see that they genuinely like each other and want to see everyone succeed. 

[Newtcase]

1. Confidence.  Seattle, week 6.  It was brewing up for this game.  Once we kicked that door down the confidence exploded.

2. Leadership.  Cam, Stew, Olsen, Kalil, Luke, TD, CJ, Harper, Allen, Peanut.  This team is loaded with high quality people.  These are not the type of guys to put themselves in bad situations.  They're focused on the job at hand and lead the rest of the roster by example.

3. Emergence.  Cam's emergence as THE top threat in the NFL.  WR corps emerging as far more than serviceable.  KK emerging as a dominant DT.  Norman emerging as a top flight corner.  Front office and coaching staff emerging as a model for team building.  And lastly, the fan base, Charlotte emerged as a fan base this year IMO.  I can't remember a more rowdy season at BoA than 2015.

4. Continuity. Mike Shula, and his long term plan to foster an offense tailored to our star QB.  Handing over more responsibility to Cam as he grew in this system.  Sean McDermott and his vision of an aggressive turnover machine.  Ron Rivera's stable guidance and message.  Having our team in a financial position to keep the core talent.

5. Chemistry.  What a bond this team has, they play for each other.  They take a soldier's mentality to the field, don't let the guy next to me down!

[yasuhara2241]

1 hour ago, Newtcase said:

1. Confidence.  Seattle, week 6.  It was brewing up for this game.  Once we kicked that door down the confidence exploded.

2. Leadership.  Cam, Stew, Olsen, Kalil, Luke, TD, CJ, Harper, Allen, Peanut.  This team is loaded with high quality people.  These are not the type of guys to put themselves in bad situations.  They're focused on the job at hand and lead the rest of the roster by example.

3. Emergence.  Cam's emergence as THE top threat in the NFL.  WR corps emerging as far more than serviceable.  KK emerging as a dominant DT.  Norman emerging as a top flight corner.  Front office and coaching staff emerging as a model for team building.  And lastly, the fan base, Charlotte emerged as a fan base this year IMO.  I can't remember a more rowdy season at BoA than 2015.

4. Continuity. Mike Shula, and his long term plan to foster an offense tailored to our star QB.  Handing over more responsibility to Cam as he grew in this system.  Sean McDermott and his vision of an aggressive turnover machine.  Ron Rivera's stable guidance and message.  Having our team in a financial position to keep the core talent.

5. Chemistry.  What a bond this team has, they play for each other.  They take a soldier's mentality to the field, don't let the guy next to me down!

Couldn't agree more. This is such a great time for us to be Panther fans!