I don't see why we can't make the playoffs this year.

[Highlandfire]

Solid Defense, Great OL, Great Running game and I feel we will have solid play at QB.

I just don't buy into the gloom and doom.

[St.Jimmy]

This is the first year I've felt better about our offense going into a season. I just don't see how we're going to stop the run when our starting DT's are Tank Tyler and Louis Leonard.

[cookinbrak]

I only question our defense. A lot of guys that weren't good enough to start with us last year are now starters.

[Floppin]

I don't buy the "weren't good enough to start with us last year" argument that everyone likes to throw out there. You do realize who our coach is? Mr. "he gives us the best chance to win" Fox. Fox has repeatedly and without fail started an aging vet over the talented youngster. You really want to tell me that Matt Moore wasn't a better option than Jake for pretty much all of last season. Ohh right, he wasn't good enough to start then so he's obviously not now.

[cookinbrak]

Using that logic, I guess we cut/trade Steve Smith so Lafell can start?

[steve0255]

It would appear on the surface that Moore is not the guy - at least that's the signal the Panthers have cureently sent. With Moore being a restricted free agent and with little to no playing time under his belt, the Panthers could have signed him to a long term deal in the neighborhood of 4-6 million. Instead, they sign him to a 1-year deal worth about 3.2 million, draft not 1 but 2 QB's whose combined salary will be less than what it will take to sign Moore to an extension now and they have a lame duck coach.

All of this happened after they sent Delhomme packing. The Panthers are clearly not committed to Moore at this time and IMO, not only his play but his future contract demands will warrant him being benched sooner than later.

If the Panthers have no intention of commiting to Moore, which it is apparent at this time they do not, then look for Pike/Clausen to get maximum playing time to determine who the face of the franchise will be in 2011 and beyond.

[The Don]

yeah, Fox would've started Dan Morgan over Jon Beason if he would've been healthy. And the only reason Beason saw playing time at MLB was because Morgan was injured... which is why James Anderson and Dan Connor got a chance to play last season... then Fox realized that these two guys have learned enough now that they can be starters. It's not always "start an aging vet" over a younger player... sometimes he actually evaluates his players... and sometimes he's wrong, it happens. He's only human...

And IMO, John Fox is one of the best coaches in the league right now, I don't care what anyone says. There's only two or three coaches in the league right now that I'd want instead of him... one's retired, one just got a new job in Washington, and the other will never leave New England. Well... I would definitely consider Lezlie Frazier... but other than that...

[The Don]

It would appear on the surface that Moore is not the guy - at least that's the signal the Panthers have cureently sent. With Moore being a restricted free agent and with little to no playing time under his belt, the Panthers could have signed him to a long term deal in the neighborhood of 4-6 million. Instead, they sign him to a 1-year deal worth about 3.2 million, draft not 1 but 2 QB's whose combined salary will be less than what it will take to sign Moore to an extension now and they have a lame duck coach.

All of this happened after they sent Delhomme packing. The Panthers are clearly not committed to Moore at this time and IMO, not only his play but his future contract demands will warrant him being benched sooner than later.

If the Panthers have no intention of commiting to Moore, which it is apparent at this time they do not, then look for Pike/Clausen to get maximum playing time to determine who the face of the franchise will be in 2011 and beyond.

or... Moore gets to start until he screws up, which I don't think he will. If he doesn't have a stellar year, which I don't think he will (It'll be an O.K. year for him), he'll get traded after the year ends, Clausen gets the nod next season. I think Clausen will get a good majority of the snaps in preseason behind Moore. Pike and Cantwell might get most of the snaps in the fourth preseason game.

And Fox will get an extension at the end of the year. I can already see it happening.

[Ohio]

If the Panthers have no intention of commiting to Moore, which it is apparent at this time they do not, then look for Pike/Clausen to get maximum playing time to determine who the face of the franchise will be in 2011 and beyond.

So did the Green Bay Packers have any intention of committing to Aaron Rodgers when they drafted Brian Brohm in the 2nd round and Matt Flynn in the 7th round?

And IMO, John Fox is one of the best coaches in the league right now, I don't care what anyone says. There's only two or three coaches in the league right now that I'd want instead of him... one's retired, one just got a new job in Washington, and the other will never leave New England. Well... I would definitely consider Lezlie Frazier... but other than that...

How about Mike Tomlin? 3 consecutive winning seasons, something Fox has never done.

[Ricky Spanish]

I only question our defense. A lot of guys that weren't good enough to start with us last year are now starters.

yes but a lot of guys who are starting now were either younger (Brown, Johnson) or not even on the team yet (Leonard and Tyler). even when they got a chance to start they ended up injured.

I have confidence that the new guys will step up. if they don't we'll just draft someone who will.

[Kyle82]

Predictions by fans and the media mean nothing....SI picked the Bears to win the Super Bowl and New Orleans to finish 24th about this time last year...we'll know more about the qb position in the preseason.

[The Faceless]

Of course, we could always trade a 5th round pick for a 3-4 DE who doesn't fit the scheme if the run D looks like poo in the preseason.

[Floppin]

Using that logic, I guess we cut/trade Steve Smith so Lafell can start?

yeah, Fox would've started Dan Morgan over Jon Beason if he would've been healthy. And the only reason Beason saw playing time at MLB was because Morgan was injured... which is why James Anderson and Dan Connor got a chance to play last season... then Fox realized that these two guys have learned enough now that they can be starters. It's not always "start an aging vet" over a younger player... sometimes he actually evaluates his players... and sometimes he's wrong, it happens. He's only human...

I think you were taking my statement a little far. I obviously didn't mean this for every player on the team. If you take every statement so literal I'm willing to bet you walk around in life thoroughly confused all the time. I was simply stating that giving the option, John Fox, has and will always start a vet over a young talent, even if the talent is out preforming the vet in practice.

Foster over Deangelo

Delhomme over Moore

Harris over Godfrey/Martin

the list goes on, its been a constant with him.

I do agree that Fox is one of the best coaches in the league, but this is a fault he has, he is imminently loyal to his veterans.

[Lumps]

I agree floppin. Finally someone upstairs is forcing him to open up his traditional mind with some young talent. He is in his last year so I doubt all these new guys were his idea. Fox may not like it but he might have to actually coach a team and actually coach QB skills instead of intangibles. I think he'll do fine.

I am not a Fox hater, I think he is great but no coach is perfect.