If I didn't love the Panthers so much, I'd kick 'em to the curb

[top dawg]

You know, I am just a fan. I've been to a few games, and have certainly bought my share of gear and other paraphernalia, but between what's happened the last three or four seasons with the way things went down on the sidelines---thereby, on the field---and in the FO, If I weren't a tried and true Panthers fan, and a native North Carolinian, I'd have given up on this team; especially after gleaning what little bits of information regarding the team culture and how it's affected from a business perspective from these two opinion pieces that have recently been posted on the Huddle:

"Richardson will tow NFL company line"

"King Julius wouldn't wear the crown"

I Know that the two opinion pieces are just that---opinions---that are meant to give some insight or more of perspective as to what is going on in the heads of our FO (mainly J. Rich), but to me they have pretty much shown me that there is something that is just wrong about the way that business is being handled from a fan relations perspective.

Doesn't the FO realize that there are thousands of fans who are wondering just what the hell is going on with this Pep situation? Even if you are still making up your minds, why don't you just say so? Why the silence? Even if you have made up your mind---one way or another---why not just say that you are still making some determinations regarding Pep's status with the organization?

And then you have the Delhomme-Moore thing going on. Nobody has really admitted to it, but there is a Smitty situation going on (by virtue of his being frustrated with a lack of another threat at WR and/or effective pass-play calling from the sidelines).

Like seeing Jake basically throwing our championship season away, after throwing our championship season away (and yes I am talking about the last 17 games because Moore was put in way too late), this whole wondering and guessing as to when and what moves should be made, and are going to be made, is getting to the point of ridiculous.

If Richardson's (and by extension Fox's) loyalties are more concerned with their images, and trying to force square pegs into round holes---which haplessly leads the team (and fans) squirming and wavering as to what the hell is really going on with integral situations that will probably have a profound effect upon the team's success---then perhaps both should consider retiring from their positions.

It's no wonder why the Richardson boys quit.

Perhaps I'm a tad bit frustrated.

[5158Poundin]

Everyone has their moments where you forget the sun rises again every 24 hours.

I remember darker days in 2001 and that snaps me back. I have to tell myself it could always be worse. We could be like the Lions or the Raiders or have their leadership.

I am a glass half full mentality but it gets hard sometimes. Offseason sucks. Watching the situation kept so close to the vest is frustrating but I hope the front office is working furiously behind the scenes to resolve all the burning questions.

Patience is not something that comes well to fans. I know. It makes it hard this time of year cause we're just looking for a tiny bit of news showing some progress....anticipation...anticipation - it's making me wait.

[scpanther22]

I think the FO and Fox Knows were long past due for something big.The team has the talent no excuses.

But Giving Peppers that huge deal under the tag then to turn around and let him walk the next year for nothing plus the Jake deal..has rubbed fans the wrong way and made us look stuipd as a fan base..

But I can tell you what will happen.Fox next year will have his suspected winning season and all of this will go away.People will love him and want a extension for him even with out back to back winning seasons.

[CatMan72]

You know, I am just a fan. I've been to a few games, and have certainly bought my share of gear and other paraphernalia, but between what's happened the last three or four seasons with the way things went down on the sidelines---thereby, on the field---and in the FO, If I weren't a tried and true Panthers fan, and a native North Carolinian, I'd have given up on this team; especially after gleaning what little bits of information regarding the team culture and how it's affected from a business perspective from these two opinion pieces that have recently been posted on the Huddle:

"Richardson will tow NFL company line"

"King Julius wouldn't wear the crown"

I Know that the two opinion pieces are just that---opinions---that are meant to give some insight or more of perspective as to what is going on in the heads of our FO (mainly J. Rich), but to me they have pretty much shown me that there is something that is just wrong about the way that business is being handled from a fan relations perspective.

Doesn't the FO realize that there are thousands of fans who are wondering just what the hell is going on with this Pep situation? Even if you are still making up your minds, why don't you just say so? Why the silence? Even if you have made up your mind---one way or another---why not just say that you are still making some determinations regarding Pep's status with the organization?

And then you have the Delhomme-Moore thing going on. Nobody has really admitted to it, but there is a Smitty situation going on (by virtue of his being frustrated with a lack of another threat at WR and/or effective pass-play calling from the sidelines).

Like seeing Jake basically throwing our championship season away, after throwing our championship season away (and yes I am talking about the last 17 games because Moore was put in way too late), this whole wondering and guessing as to when and what moves should be made, and are going to be made, is getting to the point of ridiculous.

If Richardson's (and by extension Fox's) loyalties are more concerned with their images, and trying to force square pegs into round holes---which haplessly leads the team (and fans) squirming and wavering as to what the hell is really going on with integral situations that will probably have a profound effect upon the team's success---then perhaps both should consider retiring from their positions.

It's no wonder why the Richardson boys quit.

Perhaps I'm a tad bit frustrated.

Deep breath buddy, it's easy to get caught up in this if you believe everything the press tells you. This is how the press works, when they don't have a story they make up one. It's easy to site "league sources" when for all we know it's the parking lot attendant at BOA staduim, or more likely a fictional source.

The Panthers are not the only team in the NFL with an owner and HC who insist players do things their way, what about the Patriots, Giants and Colts? As far as the silence, the Panthers don't discuss contract issues with the media and never have and I think this is smart, because the media can take that information and frame it, or twist it any way they want. The Panthers have ABSOLUTELY NOTHING to gain by discussing the Peppers situation with the media. Talking in public about situations like this is quicksand, the more you speak the deeper you sink. Be patient and have trust in our FO, when the time is right you will know everything you need to know.

We put the tag on Peppers last year, hoping to keep him around for one more year while we worked on a long-term deal... unfortunatley, it didn't work out that way and we're not going to pay him 21 million, that absurd and as great as he is (or can be) he's not worth that kind of money.

[Jaxel]

Im sorry, good thing you weren't a Saints fan, cause you definitely wouldn't have been able to make it to this Super Bowl Victory after all 30 years of awfulness they went through.

Come on man, the Panthers have a been a good franchise this last decade. 3 Playoffs trips, a Superbowl trip, 2 NFC Championship trips, 7th or 8th most wins in the league during the last 8 year span. Things are going to be okay, I promise you. You can hear the media or whatever, but I promise you, Richardson and the front office know far well and away much more of what they are doing than you and I and the media.

[thefuzz]

You are not alone.

I am a little perplexed about where this team is heading under Fox and Hurney. It's painfully obvious that we now have a lame duck coaching situation, and that is never good.

Hurney and Fox have leveraged our future to try to win now, and it will cripple this team in the long run.

It's sad, but true.

[rayzor]

has anyone mentioned that we have a wimpy fan base?

[Jaxel]

Where did this criple crap come from, we have plenty of young talent. O boohoo we don't have a QB supposably... lets just see if we are singing a different tune next year.

[Fiz]

im so glad i had my formative years during 1997-2001.

[Fiz]

know what the greatest play i'd ever seen was prior to 2003? a 2 yard scramble by Steve Beurlein.

[R0CKnR0LLA]

[PhillyB]

has anyone mentioned that we have a wimpy fan base?

gmanwasright hasn't seen this thread yet

[Delhommey]

The return of the Emo Panther Fans!

[Sultan33g]

gman can annoy people sometimes but does have a point...... damn I mean be glad ure not a freakin raiders fan.