What do you think allowed us to finally start winning towards the end of last season?

[iamhubby1]

Yeah what this man said.

 

Sure, we faced weaker competition... but jesus, damn near all of our losses were fuging mind-numbing.  Right off the top of my head we should have won:

 

1st Atlanta game- God I would've loved to sweep those arrogant fugers.  Cam's fumble/Nakamura's... well whatever the hell it was he was trying to do.  Looked like the dude tried to jump and only managed a half-inch before falling backwards.  And of course the two worst plays of the game happen in succession during the closing moments of the game (seemed to be a developing theme for us all season long).

 

Seahawks game- Wtf was up with that game-winning wide open TD pass into the dirt Cam?  Like seriously?  You have to make those 11 times out of 10 and twice on Sunday dude.

 

Chicago game- Bleh... equally as bad as the first ATL game.  Smitty trips on a route, so in typical Panther's fashion that results in a pick-6.  Yaaaay, go Panthers!  At least your terrible luck is consistent.  Not to mention the slant... slant... slant... slant......... slant............ slant... walk off FG to lose the game.

 

Dallas game- Ref screwjob... 4 back-to-back bad calls at the end lol, though to be fair if we played like we should have this game shouldn't have even been close.  Either way, we got hosed.

 

2nd Tampa Bay game- Only damn game I went to all season.  I knew better than to get my fuging hopes up with an 11 point lead with just a few minutes left to go... but I fuged up and got a slimmer of hope anyways.  We beat the bastards thoroughly ALL game then they drop 11 points in like 3 minutes to force OT and do something they weren't able to do all game... MARCH DOWN THE fuging FIELD AND SCORE.  And just like that OT was over.  Goddamn that was one hell of a ride home back.

 

We really didn't have any business losing that Chiefs game, but that was actually a normal loss at least when compared to the others seeing as the remaining two were blowout losses.  Haha, the only 'normal' loss all season came to the worst fuging team in the league.  Even if Brady Quinn did look like the most accurate quarterback in NFL history out there.

 

If we weren't the most unlucky mother fugers in the league last season (0-13 on coin tosses... lol.  0-15 if you count preseason) then we would have won the majority of those I just listed.  And that was even when our offense was still in limp dick mode.  If only Chud hadn't been a fuging moron to start the season and called a normal game we probably would've been goddamn 14-2 last year.

.

.

.

.

.

.

Live in the past much? jk

 

 

My hope is that this team uses that adversity for good. They learned how little the difference is between winning and losing. And what it actually takes to earn a victory in this league. I have heard multiple players mention the culture they have cultivated now. Precisely because they know what it takes, they all are working that much harder.

 

I still say it all comes down to momentum. As it usually does. We had momentum at the end of the year. If we can build upon it, we are going to be scary.

 

 

 

 

 

[KendrickPanther]

Remember in that Seahawks game when Jonathan Stewart ran for a first down, fumbled it, then recovered behind the line to gain? He was out of bounds and we didn't challenge the call. If the ball is recovered out of bounds it's returned to the spot of the fumble. We would have kept possession... That sort of ridiculous poo happened all season.

[iamhubby1]

Remember in that Seahawks game when Jonathan Stewart ran for a first down, fumbled it, then recovered behind the line to gain? He was out of bounds and we didn't challenge the call. If the ball is recovered out of bounds it's returned to the spot of the fumble. We would have kept possession... That sort of ridiculous poo happened all season.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

I am truly sorry for this. But, I have to tell you you are incorrect. They spot that ball where it went out of bounds. Technically, You cannot recover a ball when it is out of bounds.

 

But yeah. How can so many of those type plays happen to us? Ii is truly mind-badgering.

 

If we can win half those type games this year. It is gonna be a fun time in the ol' town. Shouldn't the laws of Murphy start working in our favor soon?

 

[beastson]

It's disheartening to see when we have nothing to play for that's important, we balled out 2 years in a row

 

This 3rd year is final for Rivera

[iamhubby1]

It's disheartening to see when we have nothing to play for that's important, we balled out 2 years in a row

 

This 3rd year is final for Rivera

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

Here's my take. We started slowly in Rivera's first year. Then kinda started getting it together. Chud thought he could outthink everybody and screwed up the momentum we had started to build. Then we started putting things back together.

 

If we can improve upon the momentum we started building last year. Rivera will be here for a long time. Which is the scenario I see happening.

 

My question to the doubters. What if the future has already started? If we go say 10-6 this year. Rivera will have been 16-8 over his last 24 games. Seems like a fine record to me.

 

[Udogg]

Thanks to dvr, I recorded all the panther games last year.  I don't think it was a read option problem, it was an execution/play construction problem.  

 

Looking at the first game at Tampa, there were 0 underneath routes... some digs and comebacks..but no drags, shallow crosses ..nothing.  Everything was 10 yards at least down the field.  The only thing short were the screens passes. The next 6 games were similar, contributing to the horrible play were some really bad overthrows and some really bad drops at inopportune moments.  Our guard play the first 7 games was so bad it's not funny.  Cam's ability to break arm tackles and extend plays masked how bad they were.  Don't even let me get started about running inside the tackles....my god. 

 

Around game 7 things got a little better with smitty running drags around the 5-7 yard mark.. and a lot more slants.  Still an insane number of deep routes but I suppose that's what our offense is built off.  Running backs were being kept in to block, but seemed like it wasn't needed as much.  Gross started giving up tons of speed rushes to the outside, but I don't know if that was more of a helping Silatolu who should have had a speed pass light installed onto his helmet in passing plays.  Bell started playing really well imo around this time however.

 

Coming into game 9 or 10, the backs were releasing consistently,  Lots more underneath stuff, poor Murphy was running fly routes like no tomorrow though.  He must be in shape.  Olsen who was open the entire season started being the 2nd option rather than option number 4.  Most of the season up to that point it was 1st was SS, then it was Lafell, tuck and run, then Olsen.

 

Last part of the season it was checkdown, checkdown, 15 yards, 15 yards, checkdown.  Cam started looking real comfortable.  Wasn't forcing at all, and Gross and Silatolu starting clicking on the left side.  Hangartner and Williams also started trapping pretty good, but stunts killed them.  Tolbert was a monster both catching, short yardage runs and lead blocking.  It's crazy how underutilized he was looking back at it. 

 

In my opinion if we get moderately consistent play at the RG position, use tolbert more, and if Silatolu gets better we are fine offensively.  I don't think our DT play was as bad as everyone thinks it was, however if we have someone who commands double teams on the interior, its going to be ugly for whomever we play.  CJ was getting doubled and Hardy was getting chipped or vice versa.  I think the reason Dwan had such a good year was because of this.  Star on the interior means Dwan will be just as disruptive if not more, and either CJ or Hardy won't be doubled.  

 

Also as far as the LB's go.  Looking at the games, as of game 9 , Kuechly was in almost every tackle not 20 yards down the field.  Once he recognized the play, its dead.  However Thomas Davis always stepped his game on on the big plays.  He was a "playmaker" in every sense of the word. I am so happy he is back and healthy.  Anderson was solid, I expected to see him as the weakest link, but he wasn't that bad at all.  Not spectacular but really really solid.  If Beason recovers and plays better than Anderson it's going to be scary.

 

 

[BelgianPantherFan]

You mention some great things Udogg. I agree with most of it, but not on the part where you think we are fine offensively. For me, we really need an extra OL.

 

[section543]

All true:

Cam grew up a little- 1st half I thought OL were letting him get hit sometimes

Seemed like players were playing harder. I think our players have been playing flat for too long

Teams were weaker

We had nothing to lose after being eliminated

[rayzor]

Offensive playcalling, consistent pass rush, and Kuechly settling in.

this and cam settling in and a weaker part of the schedule. we should have had two other wins, but it was important that we take it easy on the chiefs and give the bucs plenty of opportunity to come back.

[The NFL Shield At Midfield]

this and cam settling in and a weaker part of the schedule. we should have had two other wins, but it was important that we take it easy on the chiefs and give the bucs plenty of opportunity to come back.

 

we were agonizingly close to 10 wins.  it drives me crazy.

[Harris Aballah]

Personell mismanagement limited defensive and offensive sets. Hurney left and young bucks like Hardy and barnridge got reps far more often then when he was around. The oline went thru dramatic changes, and even saw more reps from Pilares. Mismanagement is my opinion on our late success.

[rayzor]

we were agonizingly close to 10 wins. it drives me crazy.

you should be used to it.

[jtm]

We started running a less gimmicky offense and Kuechly transformed from Clark Kent to Superman. Simple as that...,

[MHS831]

Because we were irrelevant. Rivera needs to put up or shut up this year. How this team goes will depend mostly on him and how his OC and DC perform. Need solid game plans.

Yes. The season needs to be broken down like this:

Rivera needs to be 3-1 or better during the first quarter to feel that his job is safe; 2-2 and red flags start flying.

Seattle (good team, but we get them at home)

At Buffalo (New QB early on)

NY Giants (Good team, notorious late bloomers)

At Arizona (Another team adjusting to a new QB)

The second quarter is tough, so if RR goes 2-2 in the first quarter, 2-2 again is not a good thing. However, 2-2 would be OK following 3-1.

At Vikings (Stuffing the run will be huge)

Rams (At home, this is a game we must win)

At Bucs (Until the Bucs turn the corner, we have to win this one)

Falcons (At home, we have to win this battle for the division)

The third quarter is full of up-and coming teams and one established team. Tough. 2-2 would be ideal.

At Niners (The Panthers have an uphill road winning this game in SF)

Patriots (At home, the Panthers have another tough one--if we are not winning, the stands will have more Pats fans than Panther fans.)

At Dolphins (Miami has been looking good on paper, but Jeff Ireland is their GM)

Bucs (I do not see us making the playoffs without sweeping Tampa Bay)

A decent showing would have this team at 7-5 going into the last quarter. 6-6 would not bode well for Rivera. Somehow, the Panthers will have to win 3 of 4, with a game at New Orleans and at Atlanta.

At Saints (We need this game to make the playoffs. It is winnable if our offensive line has come together by then)

Jets (A must win, and we should win it)

Saints (Gotta spank that arse in our house)

At Falcons (we match up well, but this one will be tough)

So, winning 10 games is going to be incredibly difficult.

We have to win 3 of the 4 games during each of the first two quarters. I think we have to be 6-2 at the break to have a shot at the playoffs.

In the second half, we have to play the Saints twice, Patriots, 49ers, Falcons in Atlanta, and upstart Dolphins in Miami. The Bucs (swept us last year) and Jets are the games we have to win. Winning 4 games will be brutal.

Good news: If Cam plays well, this team can be special. I think We are ready to make a run. Maybe a WR away, but almost there.