An uncertain year for Panther fans

[jarhead]

I think this years team is the least predictible team the Panthers have ever fielded.So many questions and very few answers.I know its only preseason(at least I keep telling myself) but it is scary not having scored a TD in 4 games.Our offense is at the bottom of the barrel for every meaningful statistic on offense.My key questions can we pass block?If we can do we have someone who can thow it accuratly? If we get past that hurrdle do we have someone other than an aging banged up Smith that is smart enough to run a route or hang on to the ball.

On defense we all know Beason,Gamble and Marshall but thats about it.Is Ron Meeks so good that he takes this no name defense and executes the way they did in preseason.It certainly is alot to ask of a coach.Could this be some freakish event that we were the top defense in the NFL?

I have read most of the message boards and the opinions on the success of the "youth movement" differ like night and day.

I guess we will all have to wait until Sunday because I dont think anyone knows.

[YourMomsLover]

I'm not worried about the defense in any way. But if our O line blows...the running, and passing game will suffer. So that's the only thing worrying me right now

[PhillyB]

panthers are the most uncertain team in the NFC, really. we have the potential to go as high as 13-3 with this defense and running game... but was could just as easily flop and finish at the bottom of the NFCS.

[panthers55]

Our offense is typically in the top 10 in rushing and around 20-25 in passing. This year will be no different. If the defense is good, and in my mind that is still a big if, we might be able to win games with good field position, good defense and efficient scoring. It isn't the yards but the points we score. And things like turnovers and short fields are the most important factors.

By the bye we will know what we have. If we are 3-3 or better we will have had a great start.

[jarhead]

The term Cardiac Cats is still apropos

[jarhead]

Our offense is typically in the top 10 in rushing and around 20-25 in passing. This year will be no different. If the defense is good, and in my mind that is still a big if, we might be able to win games with good field position, good defense and efficient scoring. It isn't the yards but the points we score. And things like turnovers and short fields are the most important factors.

By the bye we will know what we have. If we are 3-3 or better we will have had a great start.

So are you saying that our change at QB will not change the passing game?Lets hope we have at least less turnovers

[rayzor]

Our offense is typically in the top 10 in rushing and around 20-25 in passing. This year will be no different. If the defense is good, and in my mind that is still a big if, we might be able to win games with good field position, good defense and efficient scoring. It isn't the yards but the points we score. And things like turnovers and short fields are the most important factors.

By the bye we will know what we have. If we are 3-3 or better we will have had a great start.

agreed.

i really don't think the offense can be much worse than it was last year at that point.

the defense is going to shock a lot of people that haven't been paying attention. i think that is the thing that most people nationally have been disregarding. Jimmy Johnson's comments prior to the first preseason game about carolina's defense can't stop anyone wasn't just felt by him. regardless of how well they did in preseason, very few will see this coming.

[CRA]

I'm not worried about the defense in any way. But if our O line blows...the running, and passing game will suffer. So that's the only thing worrying me right now

I'm not as confident in the D as some here are. We basically played the same type team 4 times in the preseason. That isn't really good in terms of testing your D.

What are they gonna do against passing teams that like to spread the ball around and stretch defenses? Those teams also probably place more importance on pass blocking and protecting QBs....and are simply better at it. Now maybe the D will be great regardless but I they haven't been given a chance to answer that question yet.

my take, D ain't as good as most think. O ain't as bad as most think.

[MaineManPanther]

We were 8-8 last year with a tougher schedule, horrid QB and ST play, and a new defensive scheme.

I can see good season happening.

[Lumps]

I think what is most uncertain is special teams. Poor play by them can easily end up in a loss and more importantly have an effect on the momentum of the game. If special teams can play spectacular I have a hard time believing that the offense wont follow.

[boo7382]

panthers are the most uncertain team in the NFC, really. we have the potential to go as high as 13-3 with this defense and running game... but was could just as easily flop and finish at the bottom of the NFCS.

naaa we will at least beat TB in that scenario.

[rayzor]

I'm not as confident in the D as some here are. We basically played the same type team 4 times in the preseason. That isn't really good in terms of testing your D.

What are they gonna do against passing teams that like to spread the ball around and stretch defenses? Those teams also probably place more importance on pass blocking and protecting QBs....and are simply better at it. Now maybe the D will be great regardless but I they haven't been given a chance to answer that question yet.

my take, D ain't as good as most think. O ain't as bad as most think.

after the third preseason game we were on track for 96 sacks by the end of the season. are we going to come anywhere close to that? no way. still, that defense is going to be much better than anyone imagined it would. a top 5 defense by the end of the year? very possible. i can't see it not being a top 10.

i agree about the offense, though it will take a few games to get crap sorted out.

[jarhead]

It would almost be a miracle to play defense the way we did in preseason.I agree that we played 4 teams with simular offensive schemes.We have not been tested against a great qb.though we were pretty good against the pass last year.