Kirwan lists us as a "Tier 4" team

[eViL jEsTeR]

Carolina Panthers: Some pundits think the Panthers have been dismantled and need to be in Tier 5. Others think they are a solid Tier-2 team. Considering they will have an inexperienced quarterback under center and must replace five to seven starters with their own backups, I think they belong right here. But who replaces the backups? The answer is draft picks and rookie free agents. If the injury bug hits, that spells trouble for special teams.

http://www.nfl.com/news/story?id=09000d5d8184857e&template=with-video-with-comments&confirm=true

[Cyberjag]

Trouble for special teams? Would we notice?

[ladypanther]

Trouble for special teams? Would we notice?

:smilielol5:

[monstercat]

Damn, the Panthers signed ST's players right and left this off season, so that should be the least of our worries. They can't go anywhere but up after last year anyway.

[panthers55]

His point is that if we have any injury issues we will be elevating those backup special team players to replace them. What we will be left with are inexperienced players and draft picks. Which will impact our special teams.

[Wither]

Tier 3, maybe. The sheer talent level of players on the team should get a tier 3.

[Dpantherman]

eh

[pantherclaw]

Injuries always affect special teams. Nothing new. Thanks for the update captain K.

[panthers55]

Injuries always affect special teams. Nothing new. Thanks for the update captain K.

Funny how some teams have good special teams whether they have injuries or not. Obviously there is more to it than just injuries or lack of them. We weren't that beset by injuries in 2008 and still sucked on special teams.

[frash.exe]

hey i found some synopsis of Kirwan predicting our 2009 season

Much of the offseason talk surrounded Julius Peppers, and it put a negative light on the whole team. Jake Delhomme is one more year removed from his Tommy John surgery, the offensive line and running game is outstanding, and expectations are low enough that few are counting on them to do well. Whenever that happens, the Panthers play well.

[Lilsmitty09]

he's a tool. he had dallas in tier 1 above the jets who imo are the afc's best. also look at how high the bengals and 49ers are...that makes me lmao

[pantherclaw]

Funny how some teams have good special teams whether they have injuries or not. Obviously there is more to it than just injuries or lack of them. We weren't that beset by injuries in 2008 and still sucked on special teams.

Wasn't making any excuses. Was just stating that we are already well versed in the affects of injuries.

Am looking forward to seeing improvement. Don't see how it can be much worse than we've endured in the past.

[panthers55]

Wasn't making any excuses. Was just stating that we are already well versed in the affects of injuries.

Am looking forward to seeing improvement. Don't see how it can be much worse than we've endured in the past.

Can't argue with that. Our special teams have been awful the past few years. It seemed to my untrained eye that it was a function of poor technique and lack of talent. Pretty much a double whammy.

[joemac]

Kirwan is a Tier 5 NFL analyst.