Way-Too-Early 2009 Standings Predictions

[Carolina Crazy V2]

That is your opinion and I can respect that. But I also think its small minded to overlook the fact that the panthers had the 10th easiest schedule in the league last year and had very few injuries. That had EVERYTHING to do with why they went 12-4 last year. I think it would be foolish to overlook this brutal schedule. Like it or not the NFCE and AFCE will be very though this year and the fact that we have an aging washed up QB leading this team against them is really scarey. It would also be really foolish to overlook the fact that this team has NEVER had back to back winning seasons. Hopefully that will change but I wouldnt count on it this year. I hope what you predict is correct and that the panthers do go 10-6. But I wouldnt put any money on that if I were you. Unfortunately 7-9 is far more realistic than 10-6 for this season.

How's is 7-9 more FAR more realistic than 10-6? And why do you keep saying WE?

[Gman was right]

How's is 7-9 more FAR more realistic than 10-6? And why do you keep saying WE?

Well if you dont want me to say WE then you should probably tell the panthers not to say YOUR carolina panthers when they are being introduced. OK?

Why is 7-9 more realistic?

1. 2nd hardest schedule in the league. AFCE , NFCS and NFCE will be very tough wether you think they are overrated or not.

2. Washed up has been at QB, medicore defense with our best pass rusher wanting to leave and will probably half ass it this year if he is forced to stay.

3. We're the only team in the division that made no real improvements. If you're not getting better then you're getting worse.

4. Team has never had back to back winning seasons. The only 4 winning seasons we had was when we had easy schedules. That wont be the case this year.

[Carolina Crazy V2]

Well if you dont want me to say WE then you should probably tell the panthers not to say YOUR carolina panthers when they are being introduced. OK?

Why is 7-9 more realistic?

1. 2nd hardest schedule in the league. AFCE , NFCS and NFCE will be very tough wether you think they are overrated or not.

2. Washed up has been at QB, medicore defense with our best pass rusher wanting to leave and will probably half ass it this year if he is forced to stay.

3. We're the only team in the division that made no real improvements. If you're not getting better then you're getting worse.

4. Team has never had back to back winning seasons. The only 4 winning seasons we had was when we had easy schedules. That wont be the case this year.

You said WE a bunch of times again. You're not a true fan so don't say we.

1.We are better than each team in the AFC East pending Tom Brady's return to prominence. In the NFC East, Dallas lost T.O., the Redskins are a whole new team,NY lost Burress and Philly lost the heart of their defense in Dawkins.

2.Jake was better than the majority of QBs last year. Our defense has only gotten better this offseason through the draft...idiot. Why would Peppers half-ass it if he wants to get big-money come 2010?

3.We didn't get better? Everette Brown was considered a top 15 talent. That's an improvement.

4.There's always a first for everything, we've only been around for 13 years.

Final Conclusion=Gman was WRONG

[Gman was right]

You said WE a bunch of times again. You're not a true fan so don't say we.

1.We are better than each team in the AFC East pending Tom Brady's return to prominence. In the NFC East, Dallas lost T.O., the Redskins are a whole new team,NY lost Burress and Philly lost the heart of their defense in Dawkins.

2.Jake was better than the majority of QBs last year. Our defense has only gotten better this offseason through the draft...idiot. Why would Peppers half-ass it if he wants to get big-money come 2010?

3.We didn't get better? Everette Brown was considered a top 15 talent. That's an improvement.

4.There's always a first for everything, we've only been around for 13 years.

Final Conclusion=Gman was WRONG

And exactly what is a "true" fan then kid? Not being objective and predicting we'll go 16-0 every year? Last time I checked we called that a homer. Not a "true" fan.

1. We are not better than the Patriots and the Jets are going to be a force this season. We're probably better than Miami and Buffalo though. The redskins have the best defensive line in football. Their problems last year were the injuries on offense. The Giants are still a great team with or without Burgess (they beat us without him in case you forgot moron) and the eagles are probably the team to beat in the NFC this year. Dawkins was 35 and past his prime. Losing him will not hurt them. Adding two superior tackles in free agency and two of the best play makers in the draft will make them better however. I do agree that Dallas will take a step back though they will still be tough.

2. Jake was better than most of the QBs in the league? If you include the playoffs he threw for 16 Tds and 17 ints. He has always been a slightly above average QB who has now become mediocre. Peppers half assed it in 2007. Didnt stop the panthers from making him a big offer the year after did it? No matter how Peppers plays next year some team is going to give him alot of money. There is still a chance he will hold out too.

3. But he was drafted 43rd correct? Just checking. The rest of the teams in the division had pretty good drafts as well. Plus they made nice moves in free agency.

4. I hope you're right.

[Kurb]

NO need for personal attacks.

[ItsNotGonnaBeAlright]

Well here's my breakdown for what its worth.

1 - vs. Philadelphia Eagles - Win. I simply do not see the Panthers starting this season off with a loss. Especially at home. No. Statement game, in a big way. Philly's good. Carolina will be better, whatever it takes.

2 - at Atlanta Falcons - Win. Still riding high off of the previous week.

3 - at Dallas Cowboys - Win. Pfft. Don't get me started on this overrated, hollow shadow of a formerly great franchise.

4 - Bye - 50/50 - This week could be some trouble, but I like our chances in this one.

5 - vs. Washington Redskins - Loss. Not that I think Washington is great. But Panthers are never consistant after a bye.

6 - at Tampa Bay Buccaneers - Win. Pfft. Don't even get me started on this overrated, hollow shadow of a formerly just overrated team

7 - vs. Buffalo Bills - Win. Buffalo still has a football team. Good for them.

8 - at Arizona Cardinals - Win. Grudge.

9 - at New Orleans Saints - Win - Still trying to find themselves, NOLA is still one good draft class away from being serious contenders. Brees will probably light us up though.

10 - vs. Atlanta Falcons - Loss - Atlanta will be rolling at this point and looking to avenge the early season loss.

11 - vs. Miami Dolphins - Loss - I think the Fish will be scary this year.

12 - at New York Jets. - Win - The Jets on the other hand will not be.

13 - vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers - Win - Let's not go into this again.

14 - at New England Patriots - Loss - Brady will be a three headed monster of doom this year and there nothing the NFCS can do about it.

15 - vs. Minnesota Vikings - Win - Actually I don't know how I feel about this one. I prefer to predict opptomistically.

16 - at New York Giants - Loss - I hear this team will be cursed this year specifically when the Panthers are involved. Don't ask me how, I cannot name my source.........seriously though, the G-men had themselves a nice draft this year. Will be scary.

17 - vs. New Orleans Saints - Win - Everyone breathes easier going into the playoffs as NFCS champs, 2nd overall NFC.

So that would be......11-5.

[Jangler]

homer...

[ItsNotGonnaBeAlright]

homer...

Well yeah. I don't constantly check a Panthers message board because I am unbiased. There are much better writers on here who can do that kind of thing. I'm much better at just being a fan.

[Saint J]

The Saints revamped the defense, fwiw. Whether it works out of not is still a question, but you will not be seeing the same defense as last year.

New Orleans Saints 10-6- The offense looks to be more balanced than last year with Pierre Thomas taking a bigger role in the offense, and Bush will be back healthy to start the season off. There is also a good chance that a big back will be brought in for short yaradage situations. Defense should be improved with what will be a very different secondary with Jabari Greer, Malcolm Jenkins, and Darren Sharper coming in along with a healthy Tracy Porter, and Usama Young moving to safety. The new defensive coordinator is Gregg Williams who's pressure defenses should help out the secondary a lot. This revamped defense should add at least two wins to last year's total if things go well.

Carolina Panthers 9-7- Panthers will be about as good as last year but not better, and without last year's luck. Delhomme will contine to struggle but the two headed monster at RB will more than make up for it on offense along with Steve Smith. The defense will be better with a new coordinator in Meeks but the pass rush could take a hit with a sulking Peppers. Everette Brown looks like a nice pick but it will be hard to see a smallish rookie as he is, making a huge impact. The secondary looked rattled towards the end of the season and hopefully for rival fans that continues. I can see the Panthers being a w or two down from last year.

Atlanta 7-9- Ryan had a great rookie season but the Falcons will not be able to run Turner the same amount to mask him from pressure. When running backs get as many carries as Turner did last year, they tend to decline and become injury prone. Norwood is nothing more than a change of pace guy. The ATL running game will not be as good as in '08 and that will be a huge hit to Ryan and the team this season. Atlanta's defense did an admirable job last year, but they were nothing special and they are sort of old. They can really only go down unless Abraham stays healthy all 16 games and has a monster season. The bottomline is, both the running game and defense will decline, leaving ATL out of the playoff picture.

Tampa Bay 5-11- This is a team in rebuilding mode, they lost the mainstays in their defense in Derrick Brooks and DC Monte Kiffen and that will hurt more than TB fans think. The offense won't really improve until they find a QB, and Freeman may or not be the solution. Even if he is, it will probably take him 2-3years to become a good QB as he is a project player. The only thing keeping TB competitive the past few years has been defense, and that may be gone with the loss of its two biggest leaders.

[mantal]

The Saints revamped the defense, fwiw. Whether it works out of not is still a question, but you will not be seeing the same defense as last year.

New Orleans Saints 10-6- The offense looks be more balanced than last year with Pierre Thomas taking a bigger role in the offense, and Bush will be back healthy to start the season off. There is also a good chance that a big back will be brought in for short yaradage situations. Defense should be improved with what will be a very different secondary with Jabari Greer, Malcolm Jenkins, and Darren Sharper coming in along with a healthy Tracy Porter, and Usama Young moving to safety. The new defensive coordinator is Gregg Williams who's pressure defenses should help out the secondary a lot. This revamped defense should add at least two wins to last year's total if things go well.

Carolina Panthers 9-7- Panthers will be about as good as last year but not better, and without last year's luck. Delhomme will contine to struggle but the two headed monster at RB will more than make up for it on offense along with Steve Smith. The defense will be better with a new coordinator in Meeks but the pass rush could take a hit with a sulking Peppers. Everette Brown looks like a nice pick but it will be hard to see a smallish rookie as he is, making a huge impact. The secondary looked rattled towards the end of the season and hopefully for rival fans that continues. I can see the Panthers being a w or two down from last year.

Atlanta 7-9- Ryan had a great rookie season but the Falcons will not be able to run Turner the same amount to mask him from pressure. When running backs get as many carries as Turner did last year, they tend to decline and become injury prone. Norwood is nothing more than a change of pace guy. The ATL running game will not be as good as in '08 and that will be a huge hit to Ryan and the team this season. Atlanta's defense did an admirable job last year, but they were nothing special and they are sort of old. They can really only go down unless Abraham stays healthy all 16 games and has a monster season. The bottomline is, both the running game and defense will decline, leaving ATL out of the playoff picture.

Tampa Bay 5-10- This is a team in rebuilding mode, they lost the mainstays in their defense in Derrick Brooks and DC Monte Kiffen and that will hurt more than TB fans think. The offense won't really improve until they find a QB, and Freeman may or not be the solution. Even if he is, it will probably take him 2-3years to become a good QB as he is a project player. The only thing keeping TB competitive the past few years has been defense, and that may be gone with the loss of it's two biggest leaders.

Good luck with that homie...

[Carolina Crazy V2]

And exactly what is a "true" fan then kid? Not being objective and predicting we'll go 16-0 every year? Last time I checked we called that a homer. Not a "true" fan.

1. We are not better than the Patriots and the Jets are going to be a force this season. We're probably better than Miami and Buffalo though. The redskins have the best defensive line in football. Their problems last year were the injuries on offense. The Giants are still a great team with or without Burgess (they beat us without him in case you forgot moron) and the eagles are probably the team to beat in the NFC this year. Dawkins was 35 and past his prime. Losing him will not hurt them. Adding two superior tackles in free agency and two of the best play makers in the draft will make them better however. I do agree that Dallas will take a step back though they will still be tough.

2. Jake was better than most of the QBs in the league? If you include the playoffs he threw for 16 Tds and 17 ints. He has always been a slightly above average QB who has now become mediocre. Peppers half assed it in 2007. Didnt stop the panthers from making him a big offer the year after did it? No matter how Peppers plays next year some team is going to give him alot of money. There is still a chance he will hold out too.

3. But he was drafted 43rd correct? Just checking. The rest of the teams in the division had pretty good drafts as well. Plus they made nice moves in free agency.

4. I hope you're right.

1.How are the Jet's a force? A team being lead by an unproven QB is never a lock. The redskins d-line is only average if Haynesworth and Orakpo don't quite live up to the hype. Two SUPERIOR tackles?? Stacy Andrews is not even close to superior! You're the moron, that's like saying Gosder Cherilus should have been rookie of the year. Dawkins was all heart and the LEADER, that counts for a lot, but I can't expect you to understand that. And two of the best playmakers? Maclin, okay but who else....McCoy wasn't a top playmaker.

2.One bad playoff game doesn't effect our REGULAR SEASON record next year. Understand, there IS a difference between regular season and postseason.

3.Players slip, Matt Forte was taken 44th in last year's draft. How'd he do?

4.I am right.

[Carolina Crazy V2]

The Saints revamped the defense, fwiw. Whether it works out of not is still a question, but you will not be seeing the same defense as last year.

New Orleans Saints 10-6- The offense looks be more balanced than last year with Pierre Thomas taking a bigger role in the offense, and Bush will be back healthy to start the season off. There is also a good chance that a big back will be brought in for short yaradage situations. Defense should be improved with what will be a very different secondary with Jabari Greer, Malcolm Jenkins, and Darren Sharper coming in along with a healthy Tracy Porter, and Usama Young moving to safety. The new defensive coordinator is Gregg Williams who's pressure defenses should help out the secondary a lot. This revamped defense should add at least two wins to last year's total if things go well.

Carolina Panthers 9-7- Panthers will be about as good as last year but not better, and without last year's luck. Delhomme will contine to struggle but the two headed monster at RB will more than make up for it on offense along with Steve Smith. The defense will be better with a new coordinator in Meeks but the pass rush could take a hit with a sulking Peppers. Everette Brown looks like a nice pick but it will be hard to see a smallish rookie as he is, making a huge impact. The secondary looked rattled towards the end of the season and hopefully for rival fans that continues. I can see the Panthers being a w or two down from last year.

Atlanta 7-9- Ryan had a great rookie season but the Falcons will not be able to run Turner the same amount to mask him from pressure. When running backs get as many carries as Turner did last year, they tend to decline and become injury prone. Norwood is nothing more than a change of pace guy. The ATL running game will not be as good as in '08 and that will be a huge hit to Ryan and the team this season. Atlanta's defense did an admirable job last year, but they were nothing special and they are sort of old. They can really only go down unless Abraham stays healthy all 16 games and has a monster season. The bottomline is, both the running game and defense will decline, leaving ATL out of the playoff picture.

Tampa Bay 5-11- This is a team in rebuilding mode, they lost the mainstays in their defense in Derrick Brooks and DC Monte Kiffen and that will hurt more than TB fans think. The offense won't really improve until they find a QB, and Freeman may or not be the solution. Even if he is, it will probably take him 2-3years to become a good QB as he is a project player. The only thing keeping TB competitive the past few years has been defense, and that may be gone with the loss of it's two biggest leaders.

I can actually see a 3-way tie between Atlanta, Carolina and New Orleans. It will be a very interesting year. The Bucs will probably trail far behind though.

[Saint J]

Carolina and the Saints are interchangable, I can see Carolina going 10-6 and N.O going 9-7, both going 11-5, etc. I think it will be a two horse race between the Saints and Panthers.

[Carolina Crazy V2]

I just have a feeling the Falcons will be in the mix. They really started rolling last year, a totally different team by year's beginning to end.