Becoming a Panther Fan

[KJDaniel31]

I live in Texas, and virtually everyone is a Cowboys fan. Me and all my buddies love football, NFL and college, but the NFL is pretty much an addiction. It was kinda of interesting that me and several buddies were starting to enjoy following SMU due to their history, the amazing location of the campus, and the direction they are taking. Me and one other buddy came up with the idea that, as hardcore NFL fans (we have super competitive fantasy leagues, and 5 of us work together, most of us played in college or coached at a high level-I have one I coached in the NFL right now), it would be fun to choose to be a fan of a team that you just enjoy, rather than just the first team your parents showed you. So we came up with a competition.

We came up with a list of what are widely considered to be the worst teams in the NFL right now (using a local sports writer to decide on the teams allowed). The main criteria was looking forward, who had the fewest necessary pieces to win a Super Bowl: Franchise QB most of all, good coaching, dedicated front office, overall talent. Originally, the Panthers didnt make the list due to them most likely getting Andrew Luck, but were added when he pulled out. So, among our group of friends, if you had always wanted to really be a fan of one of the teams that made the list, you could join in. 8 of us wanted in, and we came up with a list of 9 teams to choose from....everyone put the team they wanted 1st, 2nd and 3rd. Everyone except 2 got their first pick, (tie breaker was the winner or Auburn/Oregon) and I tied with one guy as wanting the Panthers most (he choose Oregon), everyone else got their 2nd. The teams were: Carolina, Buffalo, Cleveland, Jacksonville, Miami, Oakland, Arizona, Washington...and Cincinnati, but they werent chosen. You were not only choosing a team but a city/location you would enjoy traveling to.

Rules were this: We each pay $100 a year ($800 total), and the first team to win a Super Bowl wins the pot, then it starts over. Given that it could be 10-15 years before this happens, the pot could be really nice one day. On top of just that, you had to want to be a serious fan of this franchise....attending HOME games, training camps, all the like. We started a website with a blog for each of us to post our comments on roster moves, coaching hires, draft classes, game comments, ETC. Funny thing is 2 other groups have taken the same list and done their own group. Of course, we each knew quite a bit about that team since we already liked them some, but each of us are wanting to know as much as possible about our franchise. I liked several of the past players (Jake, Biakabatuka, Peppers) and several current (Clausen in college, Gamble, Smitty, D. Williams) and I'm pumped that I got the team I wanted. So I joined on here and its been pretty cool to see who you guys like and dont like, who yall want to bring in and who you want to get rid of. The GM/Owner are actually who I knew the least about, so that's been very interesting to learn.

So, I liked the Panthers since their first year, but pretty much became a fan last month. I've never been to NC, so I'm pumped to come to a game this year. My bro-inlaw went to UNC and said he loves it. I'd love to come for a couple of days and check out training camp or something like that as well.

So, I guess this was an intro thread, but I thought some of you may find the competition interesting. You could discuss the competition or it would be cool to learn how some of you became Panthers fans. Needless to say I want to win a Super Bowl BAD, not just to win the pot but bragging rights are invaluable among our group. Curious for your thoughts...

[CatMan72]

Welcome aboard, there's plenty of room on the bandwagon right now... LOL

[CAVSS]

That competition was a pretty cool idea. I wish you luc....uh, good fortune.

[KJDaniel31]

Welcome aboard, there's plenty of room on the bandwagon right now... LOL

Truth is, I really liked the talent we have. I love how our first round picks always seem to be at worst solid, and even though we have fallen the past couple of years, we are drafting the right kind of guys to build a winner. I've always been a realistic fan, and I really think that our schedule next year will be brutal and the playoffs are all but impossible. I think we have one more rebuilding year, then in 2012 we will be much like the Falcons or KC this year, with quick turnarounds. I'm on the fence about our coaching hires, so I'm gonna give em a chance before forming an opinion.

[SOJA]

Welcome aboard, there's plenty of room on the bandwagon right now... LOL

this times two

as with a lot of teams our fanbase particularly the huddle is pretty divided concerning our GM Marty Hurney, my 2 cents is that he makes some bad decisions (see Armanti Edwards trade so far) but makes some great ones, like flipping a first rounder for two pro bowl players Jon Beason and Ryan Kalil

I know we are all homers but there is a ton of young talent on this team, and I think this team is consistent qb play, and veteran depth away from being a playoff team

[D34Williams]

I'm in Texas too. I have an overwhelming hate for the Cowboys and Steelers fans here. It's awful. I've yet to meet another Panther fan where I live. Stay strong.

[CatMan72]

Truth is, I really liked the talent we have. I love how our first round picks always seem to be at worst solid, and even though we have fallen the past couple of years, we are drafting the right kind of guys to build a winner. I've always been a realistic fan, and I really think that our schedule next year will be brutal and the playoffs are all but impossible. I think we have one more rebuilding year, then in 2012 we will be much like the Falcons or KC this year, with quick turnarounds. I'm on the fence about our coaching hires, so I'm gonna give em a chance before forming an opinion.

Agree, we have allot of good young players in place already - need a QB to bring it all together.

[KJDaniel31]

I'm in Texas too. I have an overwhelming hate for the Cowboys and Steelers fans here. It's awful. I've yet to meet another Panther fan where I live. Stay strong.

I'm in Coppell, just north of Dallas...where are you?

[Fright]

What part of TX? I'm in Dallas.

I've been a fan since we drafted Peppers. I played DE in high school and wanted to follow a player out of college in my position and it happened to be Pep. I'm a fan for life now. I've seen them play in NC vs the Saints (in the rain) and at Minni, both losses lol. I hate the cowboys (mostly their fans) too, but I think that's common among Panther fans.

Edit: Just read you're in Coppell. I live in North Dallas, just North East of Carrollton (by like 2-3 blocks), so not that far from you.

[MHS831]

we will pick up some picks and some free agents. Should be good, QB is the only ? I think our coaching staff is quietly becoming very good. We shall see. We had a lot of rookies and injuries last season; next season, they will not be rookies and they will have healed.

[D34Williams]

I'm in Coppell, just north of Dallas...where are you?

What part of TX? I'm in Dallas.

I've been a fan since we drafted Peppers. I played DE in high school and wanted to follow a player out of college in my position and it happened to be Pep. I'm a fan for life now. I've seen them play in NC vs the Saints (in the rain) and at Minni, both losses lol. I hate the cowboys (mostly their fans) too, but I think that's common among Panther fans.

Edit: Just read you're in Coppell. I live in North Dallas, just North East of Carrollton (by like 2-3 blocks), so not that far from you.

Amarillo. If you don't know where it is, it's about 120 miles north of Texas Tech in Lubbock. Where I-40 and I-27 intersect.

[Jangler]

So...you became a Panther fan to win a bet?

[KJDaniel31]

Amarillo. If you don't know where it is, it's about 120 miles north of Texas Tech in Lubbock. Where I-40 and I-27 intersect.

Nice...I've already met a couple of Panthers fans....one at my church who moved from NC, and another kinda fringe fan. I've heard the golf courses and beaches there are awesome....should make for an amazing vacation....NFL game, beach and some golf?

[malik]

this is probably the only acceptable way to choose a team outside of ur state. Welcome aboard.