Will the Panthers or won't they contend for a playoff spot

[CRA]

4 hours ago, SteveSmithTD89 said:

I refuse to believe that teams led by Baker Mayfield/Todd Bowles Desmond Ritter/Arthur Smith and Derek Carr/Dennis Allen are going to win more games than us. 

If Bryce Young is even 80% of what we think he can be and the team avoids major injuries I think 10 wins is the floor. 

In this division with those above mentioned teams 10-7 might just run away with the division. 

Who’s our best playmaker on offense? 

Think the answer to that puts a certain ceiling on how good this team can be with a rookie QB

[ladypanther]

11 minutes ago, CRA said:

Who’s our best playmaker on offense? 

Think the answer to that puts a certain ceiling on how good this team can be with a rookie QB

Maybe we have several playmakers, hard to pick a best.  That might be even better for a rookie QB.  Not pressured to force it to anyone...has options.  You need a 1st down?  You can look for 2 or 3 guys...not just 1.

[SteveSmithTD89]

8 hours ago, CRA said:

Who’s our best playmaker on offense? 

Think the answer to that puts a certain ceiling on how good this team can be with a rookie QB

Honestly? Miles Sanders probably.

Much like 2015 there isn't going to be "a guy" at least not initially. Outside of Greg Olsen were guys like Ted Ginn Jr and Philly Brown more accomplished than DJ Chark? They certainly weren't more accomplished than a guy like Adam Thielen. 

While I don't think we have any single player who is even remotely close to the individual talent of Olsen (was a top 2 TE in the league at the time and I'd argue he wasn't 2) I think as a whole the playmakers are better than 2015. 

The offensive coaching staff SURE AS poo is. 

The great equalizer and the engine that made that offense go was Cam and his athleticism. While not even close to comparable athletically, if Bryce can be 80% of what we hope he is there is no reason he cant have a similar impact as a facilitator and distributer. 

I'm not saying he'll be MVP and 15-1 good as a rookie. 

But 10 wins? In this division?

I stand by what I said. 

[shaqattaq]

On 7/6/2023 at 12:40 PM, ladypanther said:

Maybe we have several playmakers, hard to pick a best.  That might be even better for a rookie QB.  Not pressured to force it to anyone...has options.  You need a 1st down?  You can look for 2 or 3 guys...not just 1.

I have to confess that I'm kind of a ladypather fanboy. IMO, nearly everything you post is intelligent, optimistic and well said. 

[ladypanther]

3 hours ago, shaqattaq said:

I have to confess that I'm kind of a ladypather fanboy. IMO, nearly everything you post is intelligent, optimistic and well said. 

You are so kind.  Thank you very much.

[ladypanther]

https://bleacherreport.com/articles/10081731-6-nfl-players-and-teams-that-will-defy-expectations-in-2023

6 NFL Players and Teams That Will Defy Expectations in 2023

 

The Carolina Panthers Will Win the NFC South
1 OF 6

The Carolina Panthers don't have much in the way of expectations in 2023.

They have a new head coach in Frank Reich and will likely be starting a rookie quarterback in Bryce Young.

Carolina was 29th in the NFL in total offense last year and 22nd in total defense. Even in an NFC South that is among the league's weaker divisions, not many are picking the Panthers to be a factor in the division this season.

However, Cody Benjamin of CBS Sports believes the Reich/Young pairing could be one that pays immediate dividends:

"(Reich) and Young are sort of a package deal here. While the QB would've been a worthwhile top pick even without Reich taking over the staff, the fact they're working together makes Carolina all the more intriguing. Though he managed just a single playoff victory as the Colts' head man from 2018 into 2022, Reich is as even-keeled as they come, making him an ideal mentor for the new signal-caller. He should have an ascending Panthers roster competitive right out of the gate."

It's not just about Reich and Young, either. Miles Sanders was a 1,000-yard running back with the Eagles last year. Adam Thielen and D.J. Chark may not be the most imposing wide receiver duo, but both have 1,000-yard seasons on their professional resume.

In edge-rusher Brian Burns, linebacker Frankie Luvu, cornerback Jaycee Horn and safety Jeremy Chinn, the Panthers have talent on defense.

They may not have the most talented roster in the NFC South, but they aren't that far off—and Reich may well be the division's best coach.

He's going to lead the Panthers to an NFC South title in his first season.

[Gerry Green]

10 minutes ago, ladypanther said:

https://bleacherreport.com/articles/10081731-6-nfl-players-and-teams-that-will-defy-expectations-in-2023

6 NFL Players and Teams That Will Defy Expectations in 2023

 

The Carolina Panthers Will Win the NFC South
1 OF 6

The Carolina Panthers don't have much in the way of expectations in 2023.

They have a new head coach in Frank Reich and will likely be starting a rookie quarterback in Bryce Young.

Carolina was 29th in the NFL in total offense last year and 22nd in total defense. Even in an NFC South that is among the league's weaker divisions, not many are picking the Panthers to be a factor in the division this season.

However, Cody Benjamin of CBS Sports believes the Reich/Young pairing could be one that pays immediate dividends:

"(Reich) and Young are sort of a package deal here. While the QB would've been a worthwhile top pick even without Reich taking over the staff, the fact they're working together makes Carolina all the more intriguing. Though he managed just a single playoff victory as the Colts' head man from 2018 into 2022, Reich is as even-keeled as they come, making him an ideal mentor for the new signal-caller. He should have an ascending Panthers roster competitive right out of the gate."

It's not just about Reich and Young, either. Miles Sanders was a 1,000-yard running back with the Eagles last year. Adam Thielen and D.J. Chark may not be the most imposing wide receiver duo, but both have 1,000-yard seasons on their professional resume.

In edge-rusher Brian Burns, linebacker Frankie Luvu, cornerback Jaycee Horn and safety Jeremy Chinn, the Panthers have talent on defense.

They may not have the most talented roster in the NFC South, but they aren't that far off—and Reich may well be the division's best coach.

He's going to lead the Panthers to an NFC South title in his first season.

 

Now there's a guy who seems to know of what he speaks. I like him.

[KatsAzz]

10 hours ago, ladypanther said:

https://bleacherreport.com/articles/10081731-6-nfl-players-and-teams-that-will-defy-expectations-in-2023

6 NFL Players and Teams That Will Defy Expectations in 2023

 

The Carolina Panthers Will Win the NFC South
1 OF 6

The Carolina Panthers don't have much in the way of expectations in 2023.

They have a new head coach in Frank Reich and will likely be starting a rookie quarterback in Bryce Young.

Carolina was 29th in the NFL in total offense last year and 22nd in total defense. Even in an NFC South that is among the league's weaker divisions, not many are picking the Panthers to be a factor in the division this season.

However, Cody Benjamin of CBS Sports believes the Reich/Young pairing could be one that pays immediate dividends:

"(Reich) and Young are sort of a package deal here. While the QB would've been a worthwhile top pick even without Reich taking over the staff, the fact they're working together makes Carolina all the more intriguing. Though he managed just a single playoff victory as the Colts' head man from 2018 into 2022, Reich is as even-keeled as they come, making him an ideal mentor for the new signal-caller. He should have an ascending Panthers roster competitive right out of the gate."

It's not just about Reich and Young, either. Miles Sanders was a 1,000-yard running back with the Eagles last year. Adam Thielen and D.J. Chark may not be the most imposing wide receiver duo, but both have 1,000-yard seasons on their professional resume.

In edge-rusher Brian Burns, linebacker Frankie Luvu, cornerback Jaycee Horn and safety Jeremy Chinn, the Panthers have talent on defense.

They may not have the most talented roster in the NFC South, but they aren't that far off—and Reich may well be the division's best coach.

He's going to lead the Panthers to an NFC South title in his first season.

Good article. The writer makes a lot of valid points.

[Sean Payton's Vicodin]

The division will still be bad so I'm expecting a repeat of last year (Panthers "in playoff contention" until the final weeks). I think the Panthers will have the best defense in the division but the offense is gonna struggle.

Edited July 8, 2023 by Sean Payton's Vicodin

[rayzor]

On 7/6/2023 at 12:26 PM, CRA said:

Who’s our best playmaker on offense? 

Think the answer to that puts a certain ceiling on how good this team can be with a rookie QB

Or best playmaker will be the guy who makes things happen, the QB. And what he's going to do is elevate the ability of everyone around him. Good QBs make everyone around them better.

Young is a good QB and I feel completely confident and comfortable saying that even now.

[rayzor]

11 hours ago, ladypanther said:

https://bleacherreport.com/articles/10081731-6-nfl-players-and-teams-that-will-defy-expectations-in-2023

6 NFL Players and Teams That Will Defy Expectations in 2023

 

The Carolina Panthers Will Win the NFC South
1 OF 6

The Carolina Panthers don't have much in the way of expectations in 2023.

They have a new head coach in Frank Reich and will likely be starting a rookie quarterback in Bryce Young.

Carolina was 29th in the NFL in total offense last year and 22nd in total defense. Even in an NFC South that is among the league's weaker divisions, not many are picking the Panthers to be a factor in the division this season.

However, Cody Benjamin of CBS Sports believes the Reich/Young pairing could be one that pays immediate dividends:

"(Reich) and Young are sort of a package deal here. While the QB would've been a worthwhile top pick even without Reich taking over the staff, the fact they're working together makes Carolina all the more intriguing. Though he managed just a single playoff victory as the Colts' head man from 2018 into 2022, Reich is as even-keeled as they come, making him an ideal mentor for the new signal-caller. He should have an ascending Panthers roster competitive right out of the gate."

It's not just about Reich and Young, either. Miles Sanders was a 1,000-yard running back with the Eagles last year. Adam Thielen and D.J. Chark may not be the most imposing wide receiver duo, but both have 1,000-yard seasons on their professional resume.

In edge-rusher Brian Burns, linebacker Frankie Luvu, cornerback Jaycee Horn and safety Jeremy Chinn, the Panthers have talent on defense.

They may not have the most talented roster in the NFC South, but they aren't that far off—and Reich may well be the division's best coach.

He's going to lead the Panthers to an NFC South title in his first season.

Exactly the same thing I've been seeing.

We had the absolute best situation for any rookie QB to land just based on coaching and we've made sure he has the appropriate weapons needed to make his job easy and we've already got the most important factor needed for a rookie QB...a stout OL with chemistry.

And we also have a QB that mentally is far beyond where even the best rookie QBs typically are as far as comprehension of the game and playbook and he's already taken ownership of the team.

And you take all of that and plop him into a weak division where the slightly above average Derek Carr is the defacto best vet QB but pair that with blah coaching and an overall pretty meh team and they might be good for a couple more wins but I trust our D to shut him down and I trust our coaching staff to out coach every other coaching staff in the division.

And there's not a defense in this division that makes me fear for Young's life.

We'll own this division starting year 1 with Reich and Young.