Expectations for next year?

[Captain Morgan]

I'm not expecting a break out season by any means. I will be dissapointed however due to the fact that it's been a while since we've had a relevant season, and I feel the potential is there. At least we aren't Browns fans.

[rayzor]

That's fine, and understandable. However the point I was referring to was their lack of making the playoffs in a very long time.

we have the same number of winning seasons they've had the last 7 years and only one more winning season than them since 2000.

we really are only a little better than them and i honestly don't take any solace in knowing that one of the couple teams we can claim to be better than while the franchise has existed is the browns. 20+ teams in the league can say in bad years, "at least we aren't the panthers".

historically we've been a losing team with very little exception.

[AceBoogie]

I think it really depends on the schedule. We could get screwed into a tough 0-4 start and lose confidence/Rivera or we could start out strong and start 4-0 and build confidence.

[Cyberjag]

We won't have a repeat of the last two seasons. I maintain that we have a lot of talent on the roster, more than most people here think. Even with a hole at DT, our defense is going to be as good or better than it was last year. And with Newton under center, we're always a threat to score.

The question is, how will we start? If we have a winning record early, I think the team will gel and contend for the division, or a wild card spot at the very least. But if we start out in the hole again, then everyone in the locker room will know that Rivera will be gone, and will play like it. And we'll end up with a truly terrible record.

So we should see 9-11 wins, or 3-4.

[Brokenbad]

Very low expectations.

6-10 at best.

[L-TownCat]

I honestly see it as another lame duck season. I don't feel Rivera is head coach material and the new GM now has a season to get a feel for the organization and hand pick his head coach.

How do you go from predicting a 13-3 season to lame duck status? You had us all drinking the kool-aid last summer.

I expected more from you at least.

[Zod]

How do you go from predicting a 13-3 season to lame duck status? You had us all drinking the kool-aid last summer.

I expected more from you at least.

Rivera showed some promise his first year, I thought we would continue to see improvement. Instead he got worse, much worse.

Pretty simple really.

[Navy_football]

Cam and Luke were better at the end of last season, than they were at the beginning.

If they both pick up where they left off, the Panthers will win a lot of games. Cam was one of the best QBs in the league making the offense one of the best. Luke was one of the best MLBs in the league, making the defense a very good unit. We need a fast/early start from both of these guys. And... find a respectable right guard.

[rayzor]

Rivera showed some promise his first year, I thought we would continue to see improvement. Instead he got worse, much worse.

Pretty simple really.

don't forget that we also took a step backward in the OC department...not that we were stellar there to begin with.

[rayzor]

Cam and Luke were better at the end of last season, than they were at the beginning.

If they both pick up where they left off, the Panthers will win a lot of games. Cam was one of the best QBs in the league making the offense one of the best. Luke was one of the best MLBs in the league, making the defense a very good unit. We need a fast/early start from both of these guys. And... find a respectable right guard.

same story pretty much every year.

we are typically better at the end of the season than at the beginning. based on history, until that actually changes and we start off where we left off, there's little reason to believe that we will do that...unless you have blind faith. this team has done nothing to warrant having that faith so far.

[Navy_football]

same story pretty much every year.

we are typically better at the end of the season than at the beginning. based on history, until that actually changes and we start off where we left off, there's little reason to believe that we will do that...unless you have blind faith. this team has done nothing to warrant having that faith so far.

True enough... just hoping these new, young leaders can change the flow. Plus we've added a few veterans in FA this year that could get significant playing time and change the attitude in the locker room.

To blind faith... and wishful thinking...

[L-TownCat]

Rivera showed some promise his first year, I thought we would continue to see improvement. Instead he got worse, much worse.

Pretty simple really.

I'm not requesting that you be a cheer leader or anything (although some pics of some would be appreciated), but I figured you could be a positive voice of reason among all the depressed, negative, and flat out defeated panther fans here. Don't you see anything that could be a glimmer of hope or should we save our sundays for something else?