Worst to first next year guys...

[MadHatter]

This.

Somehow 90% of this board has short term memory loss and has completely forgotten the abortion that was last season. I love the optimism, but the optimists now were the first ones cliff diving when things started going sour not even six months ago.

Have you forgotten?

I think a lot of people remember the 12-4 season two years ago.

Add a couple of pieces on defense....DT, maybe CB, agressive scheme.

Stay healthy on the OLine and at RB.

Get servicable results from a QB.

And, this team is every bit as good as the 2009 team that had the #2 seed in the playoffs.

Will it happen that quickly...not likely. But, it is very much in the realm of possibility.

[DaveThePanther2008]

I believe with our new defensive scheme and the talent the Rivera and McDermott have all we need to do is add 7 pts per game on offense and we will be in the playoffs.

Our defense was good for the amount of time they were on the field. We have speed and quickness which will be a huge asset for the blitzing type of scheme we will run.

Give me a TD more a game and we will rock.. Watch and See

[OchoNueve]

Davis stays healthy

Otah stays healthy

Run game returns to 08/09 form

A busload of defensive tackles, GOOD defensive tackles arrive

Some kind of consistent QB steps in

Worst to first is certainly possible.

Oh yeah, All the UFAs come back and we hit at least half of our draft picks especially the 1st one.

I bet halfway through typing this you said to yourself... "way to many things need to go right"

[SorthNarolina]

It's possble, hardy and brown need to step up too. Lol.

[SeaMonster]

Someone was posting the odds at 30,000 to 1 yesterday. Can not remember which betting site but I would place a little money with those odds. A very little.

[hepcat]

How can you write us off as even possible division winners while saying we can be competitive?

Look at '03, The Cardiac Cats weren't world beaters, they weren't amazing, they were simply competitive. Competitive enough to keep the score close in a lot of those games so they had a chance to make one final drive at the end of those games in order to win them. Not looking for a direct comparison of the two era teams, just saying, sometimes all it takes is a team being competitive and a little luck, for a good or even great season to happen.

Little luck goes a long way. If the Packers lose Week 17 to the Bears this past year...they don't even make the playoffs...and that game was close. The Bears had nothing to play for except to knock out the Packers and played all their starters the entire game. They knew if the Packers got in they were dangerous.

As for the Panthers...I know the new coaching staff brings a lot of optimism, and it should. But cmon now, let's not get ahead of ourselves. First place in the NFC South next year is OUT of the question...Drew Brees, Matt Ryan, and Josh Freeman...all better than anything the Panthers could possibly have. Finding a good QB is fickle business. Sometimes you luck out and get a guy who can string it together like Delhomme, and sometimes you draft a guy high in the draft and he turns out to be awful. We'll see I guess.

[DaveThePanther2008]

Little luck goes a long way. If the Packers lose Week 17 to the Bears this past year...they don't even make the playoffs...and that game was close. The Bears had nothing to play for except to knock out the Packers and played all their starters the entire game. They knew if the Packers got in they were dangerous.

As for the Panthers...I know the new coaching staff brings a lot of optimism, and it should. But cmon now, let's not get ahead of ourselves. First place in the NFC South next year is OUT of the question...Drew Brees, Matt Ryan, and Josh Freeman...all better than anything the Panthers could possibly have. Finding a good QB is fickle business. Sometimes you luck out and get a guy who can string it together like Delhomme, and sometimes you draft a guy high in the draft and he turns out to be awful. We'll see I guess.

It sounds like you aren't taking into consideration that our defense is going to be awesome. The youth, talent and speed of this defense is going to cause some major Havoc throughout the league. Just wait and see. I might be wrong but I don't think so. (which is why Fairley will be our #1)

Add 7 points on offense and our new Defense. We are going to win alot of game.

Call it optimism or whatever.

Our defense as good as it was last season (considering the amount of time on the field) and we were a bend don't break team. This team has the talent to bring the heat.. And I think they will and from every angle.

[Pox 08]

Little luck goes a long way. If the Packers lose Week 17 to the Bears this past year...they don't even make the playoffs...and that game was close. The Bears had nothing to play for except to knock out the Packers and played all their starters the entire game. They knew if the Packers got in they were dangerous.

As for the Panthers...I know the new coaching staff brings a lot of optimism, and it should. But cmon now, let's not get ahead of ourselves. First place in the NFC South next year is OUT of the question...Drew Brees, Matt Ryan, and Josh Freeman...all better than anything the Panthers could possibly have. Finding a good QB is fickle business. Sometimes you luck out and get a guy who can string it together like Delhomme, and sometimes you draft a guy high in the draft and he turns out to be awful. We'll see I guess.

Why is it out of the question though? Matt Ryan looked horrible in the playoff game and the Falcons play calling was atrocious... In that game, I swear they had Davidson/Fox calling the shots for them. It's not known if they can bounce back next season in order to even have a winning record.

The Saints, with Brees, have already had a 7-9 season under their current regime. It's not out of the realm of possibility to think they could tank.

Bucs... They are one season removed from being 3-13. Their wins this past season are littered with that of horrible teams, while they struggled to do anything against halfway decent teams. They could very well struggle next season.

As you said, luck plays a big role in things. If the Panthers can just be competitive, anything can happen, if a little luck is on their side also.

[hepcat]

I'm expecting a 7-9 year. Even with the #2 Defense in '02, Panthers anemic offense couldn't win more than 7 games. Get some decent QB play and I think we're there without much change anywhere else on the squad, because like you said, the D is already pretty solid.

[SorthNarolina]

Im not going to temper my enthuisiasm I just can't do it. DT and QB wise we were epically turrible. If those get to just mediocre we can beast.