DWILL's ENCORE...

[the butch]

Everyone has us in the right direction but so much of that depends on consistency, and that consistency falls on Williams to do what he did last year, except more of it.

Stewart will need to make strides in the offseason and we HAVE to address the defensive side of the ball. We have all the ingredients it would seem, but smoetimes there's those things you just can't account for.

So, will we have a drop off or an improvement? I don't want to be scratchin' my head thinking we have the things we need, why aren't we winning.

Also, to put in perspective. We won a fair amount of games by extremely close margins, these differences make a 10-6 season to a 12-4 season, just saying.

I predict a similar season next year, 12-4, but a better team that got unlucky at the end. Just don't want any stupid "x" factor to bite us in the ass.

Guess i'm just worried.

[thefuzz]

I would assume, and you know how those things go, that we will not have nearly the same success as this past year.

There are a few things that factor into this.

1. No first rounder

2. No Peppers

3. No hot seat

And most of all, and the main reason I was so disgusted with this years early bow out.............Injuries

We did not lose any "major" players to injury all season, next will not be the same way.

To win it all you have to be good, lucky, and healthy. We were all of those heading into the buzzsaw that was the AZ cardinals.

[SCP]

We did lose Otah, Kalil, Kemo, and Lewis for a few games each. I consider those major, but I am a big believer in the fact that games are won at the line of scrimmage.

Anyway, every team faces the fact that an injury could kill their chances. So I don't focus on that.

No first round pick could be addressedin a Peppers sign & trade.

Free agency could shore up our defense. If Fox and Hurney do to our D-Line what they did to our O-Line last off season, we could be a force to be reckoned with.

[Brooklyn Bully]

We will not go 12-4 but have a great shot at winning the division. I'm thinking only one team out of the South will make the Playoffs next season. We have a lot of tweaking to do and I hope we tweak correctly. I think D-Lo's numbers will sag a bit, but only because teams will spend their offseason planning for him better. This hopefully meams Davidson brings new looks for everyone to throw these "preparers" off.

[thefuzz]

We did lose Otah, Kalil, Kemo, and Lewis for a few games each. I consider those major, but I am a big believer in the fact that games are won at the line of scrimmage.

Anyway, every team faces the fact that an injury could kill their chances. So I don't focus on that.

No first round pick could be addressedin a Peppers sign & trade.

Free agency could shore up our defense. If Fox and Hurney do to our D-Line what they did to our O-Line last off season, we could be a force to be reckoned with.

I hear ya chief, but I am talking real injuries that IR someone or they never get back to form all season. They are a huge part of the game, and you rarely get through the season as injury free as we were last year.

I will wait on the Pep trade to happen before I bank a first on him.

FA could help us out, but we will, I think, not be in much of a position to make any big splashes.

[joemac]

We still will have probably the most ferocious running game in the NFL next year, plus Steve Smith. If they make some strides on the defensive side of the ball, I dont see why we cant have a huge season next year. Yes, our schedule is going to be difficult, but all those teams that have to play the Panthers look at the week and are scared....

[MadHatter]

We will not go 12-4 but have a great shot at winning the division. I'm thinking only one team out of the South will make the Playoffs next season. We have a lot of tweaking to do and I hope we tweak correctly. I think D-Lo's numbers will sag a bit, but only because teams will spend their offseason planning for him better. This hopefully meams Davidson brings new looks for everyone to throw these "preparers" off.

Everyone was saying that only one team would make it from the South this season. If not for a last game meltdown by the Bucs (losing to the lowly Raiders) the NFC South would have had 3 teams in the playoffs.

[Brooklyn Bully]

Everyone was saying that only one team would make it from the South this season. If not for a last game meltdown by the Bucs (losing to the lowly Raiders) the NFC South would have had 3 teams in the playoffs.

I know, but we disagree on the "tough schedule" argument. I think we'll all hover around 9-7, 10-6, while the West and North will have "easier" schedules, thus giving them a better chance for a better record. For example, Arizona played the NFC East and AFC East this year. They finished 9-7. On paper our 12-4 sure looked a LOT better, huh? Well yeah, they went to the Super Bowl after kicking Atlanta's ass, our ass, then beating the Iggles. ANYTHING is obviously possible, I just have this gut feeling we'll need to with the division next year.

[Kyle82]

DWill is just hitting his stride and I don't even think we have even seen JStews greatness yet. The running game should be just as good if not better next season.

[grateflday]

I would assume, and you know how those things go, that we will not have nearly the same success as this past year.

There are a few things that factor into this.

1. No first rounder

2. No Peppers

3. No hot seat

And most of all, and the main reason I was so disgusted with this years early bow out.............Injuries

We did not lose any "major" players to injury all season, next will not be the same way.

To win it all you have to be good, lucky, and healthy. We were all of those heading into the buzzsaw that was the AZ cardinals.

Regarding the 3 factors:

#1. I understand why people keep saying the Panthers dont have a first rounder - but they actually do/did. Otah is this years first round pick.

Now with the Peppers situation they Panther could possibly get back into the first round this year.

#2. The impact of losing Peppers, time will tell. It is very possible the loss wont have as much of a negative effect as people think.

#3. I think Fox is still on the hot seat in a way. The trend of good season followed by bad is what he will be judged on next season. If the Panthers follow up this year with a 7-9; 8-8; or worse with all the name coaches out there that will be getting back into the game in 2010 - Fox has to lead the Panthers to another winning season and playoff appearance next year. Otherwise I can see the Panther organization going after one of those name coaches (ie Cowher, Holgrem, Shottenheimer, Gruden, etc.)

Next season should fun.

[SCP]

Gawd DANG I can't WAIT to go to Spartanburg for training camp!!!!

How many days?

[SCpanther]

Assuming the O-line stays intact and we don't suffer any major injuries, I don't see any reason why D. Williams won't replicate this past season's success. Stewart will be better too. The coaches need to add some plays where they are on the field at the same time. They could make it to where defenses never know which one is getting the ball. I know, I know...that's a little too creative for Fox.

[thefuzz]

Regarding the 3 factors:

#1. I understand why people keep saying the Panthers dont have a first rounder - but they actually do/did. Otah is this years first round pick.

Now with the Peppers situation they Panther could possibly get back into the first round this year.

#2. The impact of losing Peppers, time will tell. It is very possible the loss wont have as much of a negative effect as people think.

#3. I think Fox is still on the hot seat in a way. The trend of good season followed by bad is what he will be judged on next season. If the Panthers follow up this year with a 7-9; 8-8; or worse with all the name coaches out there that will be getting back into the game in 2010 - Fox has to lead the Panthers to another winning season and playoff appearance next year. Otherwise I can see the Panther organization going after one of those name coaches (ie Cowher, Holgrem, Shottenheimer, Gruden, etc.)

Next season should fun.

We are talking about getting better, and I am talking about no first rounder to use on D to get better. I understand what you mean, and I still like the pick, but the deal is we can't get a top 30 player to help us out next year. I am also not counting on the first that everyone thinks that we are getting, until we get it.

You do not lose pro bowl d linemen and not feel a difference, trust me, we will suffer some problems trying to replace one of the top DE in the league.

[mantal]

We are talking about getting better, and I am talking about no first rounder to use on D to get better. I understand what you mean, and I still like the pick, but the deal is we can't get a top 30 player to help us out next year. I am also not counting on the first that everyone thinks that we are getting, until we get it.

You do not lose pro bowl d linemen and not feel a difference, trust me, we will suffer some problems trying to replace one of the top DE in the league.

Thanks, I've been waiting on that and expect it to escalate exponentially in the next couple of months. Although you did qualify it, you're still pissed that we don't have a first rounder this year. Last year, I predicted this very thing and everybody burned me for it. Nope...

Although not even I predicted a Peppers flush...