We're going to shock some people me thinks...

[2jakefansinva]

The optimism is awesome but we are still a team with a new scheme, new QB, and not a full off season...prepare yourself for average. Hope for glimpses of future greatness

nice......this is a pill I believe a few on this board need to swallow.

[HoFBound90]

There are a lot of things that need to fall into place and a few positions we need players to step up at. Also, a rookie qb can be hit or miss (Ryan, Flacco, etc....or the other 100 who have sucked). However, I think if any of these aspects come together we could be a dangerous team.

[rayzor]

If certain things fall into place correctly for us, I can see us bringing the worst-to-first trend back to the South this year.

i'm trying hard to keep my optimism in check, but my mind does think things like that from time to time. once i go to TC, it might be a lot harder to fight.

for me, the biggest thing isn't going to be our offense against the NFCS, but our defense. the run game will be solid once again, but the passing game is going to hold us back. not because it will be ugly like last year, i just think that it will be used a good bit less than other teams. i can see newton being efficient with his passing, but they are going to be limiting his throws.

the defense, though, just like at TC, will be ahead of the offense. this defense in particular will be quite fun to watch. they are going to be doing things that have rarely been seen in the NFCS. mcdermott's creativity and rivera's discipline will be a force to reckon with. add to it the already solid players on defense that we have and the possibility of upgrading at CB as well as the fire these guys have and we could easily become a top 10 defense, in spite playing the supposedly toughest schedule in the league and against 4 of the most prolific offenses in the league, a couple of them twice.

[rayzor]

There are a lot of things that need to fall into place and a few positions we need players to step up at. Also, a rookie qb can be hit or miss (Ryan, Flacco, etc....or the other 100 who have sucked). However, I think if any of these aspects come together we could be a dangerous team.

if you want to know what the secret to being a hit as a rookie QB is, look at 1) the defense of the team and 2) the # of carries.

if the defense is solid and the run game is not just stout, but leaned on and used heavily, the rookie QB has a huge chance at success.

of course it helps if the coaching and system doesn't suck.

[HoFBound90]

if you want to know what the secret to being a hit as a rookie QB is, look at 1) the defense of the team and 2) the # of carries.

if the defense is solid and the run game is not just stout, but leaned on and used heavily, the rookie QB has a huge chance at success.

of course it helps if the coaching and system doesn't suck.

I completely agree. I think if our pass rush is good, combined with our great LB corp and good O-Line and running attack, and also the TEs we now have for Cam's saftey valve, he is in position for a good year. And so are the Panthers.

Yes puncutation on that is awfule, I know, no time to fix while at work.

[ncguy2184]

Whats up with everybody saying pooty now? its kinda gay

[ckad79]

if you want to know what the secret to being a hit as a rookie QB is, look at 1) the defense of the team and 2) the # of carries.

if the defense is solid and the run game is not just stout, but leaned on and used heavily, the rookie QB has a huge chance at success.

of course it helps if the coaching and system doesn't suck.

That's true. It also helps when you have a QB that can quickly learn the new system. I have my doubts about Newton. He has all the talent in the world, but the Gruden interview scared me. Even if he can "get it", your dealing with a guy who is going to struggle to "get it". So, throwing him in the mix this year - with little practice time - well, your just asking to be disappointed.

Going forward, my hope is that Cam get sit back and keep learning, see how fast the pro game progresses by watching Anderson take some snaps. It'll be good for him. I also hope that Clausen shows some promise and we can trade him for a 4th or somehow a 3rd!!! I hate idea that we're stockpiling QB prospects. I hope we can get something for Jimmy.

[rayzor]

That's true. It also helps when you have a QB that can quickly learn the new system. I have my doubts about Newton. He has all the talent in the world, but the Gruden interview scared me. Even if he can "get it", your dealing with a guy who is going to struggle to "get it". So, throwing him in the mix this year - with little practice time - well, your just asking to be disappointed.

Going forward, my hope is that Cam get sit back and keep learning, see how fast the pro game progresses by watching Anderson take some snaps. It'll be good for him. I also hope that Clausen shows some promise and we can trade him for a 4th or somehow a 3rd!!! I hate idea that we're stockpiling QB prospects. I hope we can get something for Jimmy.

there has not been one person who has worked with or is working with newton who has said anything about him being anything close to a slow learner. quite the opposite, actually.

he got a bad and undeserved rep for it by people who never actually bothered to investigate thoroughly.

there has been and is no struggle to "get it".

you can listen to the opinions of whomever you want, but i'm going to value the ones from whom have actually had conversations with people involved rather than those who make a living throwing crap on the wall and getting paid for it. you can't know what he is getting or not getting without first hand knowledge or talking to those with first hand knowledge. you can't get it by just looking at tape and thinking you know what is going on.

disagree that the best thing for cam is to sit back and learn...esp. from anderson or clausen.

the criticisms that have the most validity are all ones that involve being in real game situations with real defenses coming at him. best way to learn how to deal with those situations is by being in the game. learning from the sidelines is nice, but takes to long and it's all theory at at point. hands on is the best way to learn.

[PanthersGuy28]

Whats up with everybody saying pooty now? its kinda gay

this!!!!

:jc:

[dksmith17]

for me, the biggest thing isn't going to be our offense against the NFCS, but our defense. the run game will be solid once again, but the passing game is going to hold us back.

I for one think our offense has upside even this year. We have maybe three of the most dangerous guys in the open field in the NFL in D Will, Smitty + J Stew. Those guys need to be on the attack, not like last year when they were on their heels. So to me it all boils down to the o line. If the o line remains healthy and is as good as they can be these guys can attack. If our run game is clicking who knows what Cam and Olsen/Shockey can bring in play action. Yes we won't ever be an elite offense this year, but we might see enough to make some noise in the win column.

[jherald]

there has not been one person who has worked with or is working with newton who has said anything about him being anything close to a slow learner. quite the opposite, actually.

he got a bad and undeserved rep for it by people who never actually bothered to investigate thoroughly.

there has been and is no struggle to "get it".

you can listen to the opinions of whomever you want, but i'm going to value the ones from whom have actually had conversations with people involved rather than those who make a living throwing crap on the wall and getting paid for it. you can't know what he is getting or not getting without first hand knowledge or talking to those with first hand knowledge. you can't get it by just looking at tape and thinking you know what is going on.

disagree that the best thing for cam is to sit back and learn...esp. from anderson or clausen.

the criticisms that have the most validity are all ones that involve being in real game situations with real defenses coming at him. best way to learn how to deal with those situations is by being in the game. learning from the sidelines is nice, but takes to long and it's all theory at at point. hands on is the best way to learn.

Rayzor... you are a scholar. I enjoy your posts and agree with just about everything that you post.