*Depressing Post* This could be the start of a landslide.

[Snake]

I was flipping between WCNC and WBTV. I THINK it was WCNC that had the better interview. He said that he wanted to do what was best for himself and for the team. It wasn't about money but what was best. To me, and the way his demeanor was, said he isn't coming back.

After you get your ass kicked like that it would cross anyone's mind. Still what the hell did Pep do to help win.

[Jangler]

At least we'll have Double Trouble for at least the next 5 years if I'm not mistaken. That's a positive.

That's called "Sanders Syndrome"

[Cyberjag]

This is a fun thread to read over morning coffee.

We need to keep Gross, and I think we will even if it means losing Peppers. That gives us one of the best YOUNG offensive lines in the league. We have Stewart and Williams. Smitty has another year or two left I'm sure, and Jarrett has shown plenty to convince me that even if Moose can't make it another year we won't be hurting there. Davidson needs to learn to scheme to his strengths on offense and let Jake be a game manager like he was early in his career here.

On defense I don't care if Peppers is here or not. We're very solid in the secondary, and our coaches there have done a great job in the past. I need to see another bad year out of Lucas and Marshall before I believe either is done. Our linebackers are among the best in the league. The line kind of sucks now, with Peppers or without him.

So we have one big hole. Best case is we fix it and go on to win the division again. Worst case is it causes a complete collapse on the defense and the team goes 4-12, in which case Trgovac will almost certainly be fired, we'll have a high draft pick, and PSLs will drop in value. I'll be able to pick up two more seats cheap, we'll fix our DL in the next year, and we'll be back on top and deep in the playoffs in 2010.

This team is young, and there's a lot of football left to be played on our roster. It's more fun to make the second round by winning in the first, but we were there anyway, and aside from 1996, I don't think there's ever been a more exciting time to be a Panthers fan.

Kurb, can I have your Panthers stuff?

[Kurb]

Never said I was leaving them

[Scrumtrilescent]

From what Peppers said, it sounded like he was saying he didn't want to be franchised. Not that he didn't want to be here. And you gotta take how/what players say after a horrible loss with a grain of salt. They are (or should be) pissed, too.

[Zod]

I am actually excited. The team has become pretty stale.

We need things shaken up. We have two of the brightest young stars in the league in Deangelo and Beason.

LETS GET IT!

[hmsmike]

I am actually excited. The team has become pretty stale.

We need things shaken up. We have two of the brightest young stars in the league in Deangelo and Beason.

LETS GET IT!

Pretty perky post from ya!!

Yeah, honestly it's over time to plan for next year and Watch some NASCAR!!!

please refrain from hacking on the NASCAR bit -- it was a joke!!

[Proudiddy]

Keep your head up Kurb! On the brightside, if Pep leaves we will get some serious retribution through picks or players that I'm sure will make up the difference...

I said in one of the many "rage" threads after the game that what made it hard to take was the uncertainty that lies ahead next season. The fact the we have to wait 8 months for any competitive football from our team that has never strung together two consecutive quality seasons is unsettling. I mentioned our inability to stay consistent over a course of several seasons, like the Pats, Steelers, Eagles, etc. Those are the franchises I long to be like.

Yet, now a few days removed from the situation, I'm feeling a lot better. If Pep leaves, we will be generously reimbursed. Jake will be back as the starter (although I trashed him and wanted him gone during the game and immediately after), and I suspect if he can't do it, we will be adding another talented young guy to develop behind him. Foxy will most likely be back and I suspect Turdo won't. For that alone, I'm excited. I'm excited to see who we bring in for next season, both personnel and staff. I can't wait for changes to be made and I know some are coming.

But, it's not that bad. I feel we consistency in key areas to carry us over through any changes - Coach Fox, Smitty, most of the OL, BEASON, Harris, Gamble, and if he comes back better - Jake.

[prowler2k8]

You're still young Kurb. By the time you're 60 or so, the Panthers might win a lombardi.

o my bad! i completely forgot that just "making" it to the playoffs and having a winning season finally is good enough and we should all just stfu!!

:rolleyes5:

Yep, that about sums up Fox's philosophy. Listen to his news conferences, and that's the message you get. :ma:

[Guest]

This is a fun thread to read over morning coffee.

We need to keep Gross, and I think we will even if it means losing Peppers. That gives us one of the best YOUNG offensive lines in the league. We have Stewart and Williams. Smitty has another year or two left I'm sure, and Jarrett has shown plenty to convince me that even if Moose can't make it another year we won't be hurting there. Davidson needs to learn to scheme to his strengths on offense and let Jake be a game manager like he was early in his career here.

On defense I don't care if Peppers is here or not. We're very solid in the secondary, and our coaches there have done a great job in the past. I need to see another bad year out of Lucas and Marshall before I believe either is done. Our linebackers are among the best in the league. The line kind of sucks now, with Peppers or without him.

Seriously? I think Lucas is done as a Panther. Should be anyway. He's slated to make either 6 or 9 million next year (always get those two numbers mixed up lol)...worth it? Hell no. Marshall needs a lot of work, even my small football mind saw that he was lost Saturday night.

[prowler2k8]

With Elway.

That's a hell of a thing to leave out, man.

Good point. Give us a REAL QB (instead of just a "game manager") and we may have a chance to duplicate the Broncos' success you referred to.

[prowler2k8]

Well, the silver lining in that is that we might occasionally see holding calls on opposing offensive linemen again.

...and we might be in a position to finally draft a true, bonafide QB in the first round of 2010.

[Pumpkin Eater]

What a bunch of pussies.

The Panthers didn't even go 4-12 with Carr, Testaverde and Moore at QB. Fox will never do worse than 6-10. Next year they will go 10-6.

[Delhommey]

It's more fun to make the second round by winning in the first, but we were there anyway, and aside from 1996, I don't think there's ever been a more exciting time to be a Panthers fan.

So you're saying another 6 years before we sniff the playoffs?

Even I'm not that down.