This Is A Big Year For Rivera (Playoffs Or Bust)

[KendrickPanther]

We need to see what happens with injuries first. The one thing about the Carolina Panthers right now is all the backups are young and inexperienced. The only position we can afford an injury is RB. I hope for the playoffs, I expect 9-7 or better. If things don't work out it's not an indictment on Rivera. Hurney has built this team in a very awkward way. I would put our first 22 against anyone but after that there's not much to work with.

[Udogg]

Some of you people really are bitter at the world...

No one is saying they don't have expectations for the team to improve. Your tittle stated that this is a playoff or bust season for Rivera. Almost everyone said it's not because he has only been on the job 1 frickin year with no real offseason and his first head coaching job. The whining and bitching about how much you paid and your expectations for how much you paid is a personal problem. Doesn't make you anymore of a fan than anyone else. Just means you have more disposable income. Using that line of thought no one who doesn't pay money shouldn't have any expectations for the team. What about the people out of state? What if you just lost your job? At least your OP had the excuse of beers. Whats the excuse for this one?

[KendrickPanther]

Actually paying for the product gives you a certain level of expectation.

My level of expectation is effort. I shelled out $200 for a single seat for the playoffs in 2008 and I was let down. The only time I felt that way last season was vs. the Titans. Hopefully we get to the point were that never happens.

[Argus Plexus]

He's not gone if we don't hit playoffs. However he will be on the hot seat to perform in 2013 if 2012 turns out to be a bust.

[Stroupe-a-loop]

Some of you people really are bitter at the world...

I was about 14 beers deep last night when I wrote that.

I do expect a lot of improvement this year, and I will be disappointed if they don't make the playoffs in spite of what is going to be a tough division.

I pay a lot of money to watch the Panthers, and 4 seasons in a row without the playoffs is an unacceptable return on investment.

What I find ironic/ sad is that some people who so willingly will bash other people on this forum have probably never paid one cent to actually go see the team live. But yet by God you must be an expert on both the financial and personnel aspects of the team.

Actually paying for the product gives you a certain level of expectation. Obviously, the Panthers are more to me than a business investment, but anyone shelling out money expects a return on investment,

It is easy to knock someone when you have nothing personally invested in it. And I'm sorry, but I don't equate your "feelings" and "expertise" as the same as my hard earned money. True fans of the team are willing to pay to support it, and have a right to voice what they want to see out of the team.

The rest of the "fans" can sit and spit venom from their mother's basement. I guarantee you Jerry Richardson cares a hell of a lot more about what I think about the team versus some dildo being an internet tough guy sponging off his parents.

I also find it ironic/sad that some guy would accuse everyone who disagrees with him of being freeloading losers who have never paid for a ticket.

That said, I'll see how the season goes before I attach expectations. If we get hit with injuries like we did last year, we definitely aren't making the playoffs this year. It's like any team that's not the Patriots or Packers or some other elite team: we need good health and good luck to get in right now.

[carolina-chuck]

I think he has another season to try making the playoffs. By his third year, Cam will also has three seasons of experience, and Rivera will have three draft classes to build on,especially on the defensive side of the ball. By then if he can't make the playoffs, there's no excuses, especially when you have one of the most exciting QB on your team and then yah you can call him a bust.

I also think that we better see a major improvement on the defense this season, bc JR hired him as a defensive minded coach. If our defense turns out like last year, I wouldn't know what to say. People can give all the credits to Rivera for the offense and how Cam turned out, but I give more to Chud and Shula. They both did their part. Rivera and Mcdermottt needs to show what the D can do this year or he may be riding on the hot seat going into the 13' season.

[cotblock]

Some of you people really are bitter at the world...

I was about 14 beers deep last night when I wrote that.

<SNIP>

It is easy to knock someone when you have nothing personally invested in it. And I'm sorry, but I don't equate your "feelings" and "expertise" as the same as my hard earned money. True fans of the team are willing to pay to support it, and have a right to voice what they want to see out of the team.

The rest of the "fans" can sit and spit venom from their mother's basement. I guarantee you Jerry Richardson cares a hell of a lot more about what I think about the team versus some dildo being an internet tough guy sponging off his parents.

Yeah, um getting drunk and making a post is one thing. Getting all hyper-sanctimonious about everyone criticizing your beer-produced nonsense is quite another. And then you follow it up with a classic logic fallacy. Good job. Have a cookie.