How much have we improved from 2012?

[Seltzer]

I have learned you never know exactly what to expect come Week 1...

 

I honestly believed the 2001 Panthers were going to be a good team, especially after Smitty returned the opening kickoff back on his first NFL touch, and you see how that turned out.

 

The first half of the 2003 opening was an absolute disaster until Delhomme came in- that still is one of the greatest 2nd Half comebacks of all time.

 

In 2005, we lost to a Saints team in Week 1 at home that ended up 3-13 and we made the NFC Championship Game.

 

We were projected to win the SB by SI in 2006 and got demolished by Vick & Dunn at home in the Season Opener

 

We were 9 point underdogs to San Diego in 2008 (when they were a chiche SB favorite) and won on a last second Delhomme pass (and I was there sitting in the endzone- still one of my best sports memories)

 

We were actually winning at halftime of the 2010 Opener before the 2nd Half went all to hell- which was a foretelling of the rest of the season

 

Cam looked like crap during his rookie preseason in 2011 before lighting the world on fire against AZ.  We should have won that game had it not been for the ridiculously bad ST play, especially the one that allowed Patrick Peterson to score the punt return TD.

 

I was expecting a big win to start against TB last year before our running game got totally blown-up by Gerald McCoy.  Both TB's lines dominated us in the loss.

 

So, who really knows.  I am very optimistic about the defense this year, but I am afraid our offense is going to have a major regression to start the season.  I hope I am wrong.  I do believe the game will be close.  I think Cam is going to have to make some big throws that he didn't last year against the Seahawks.

 

[thefuzz]

I honestly feel like we're a solid o-line away from Super Bowl contenders. If we draft RT and RG 1 and 2 next year we may just be there.

 

Who replaces Gross?

 

We need long term help for the O line, and WR no. 1 position.

 

Gross and Smith have been leaned on heavily for too many years at premium positions.

[Seltzer]

I would be perfectly happy if they went O line in the first 2 rounds, just like they did on defense this year.  I am nowhere as concerned about the WR and DB groups as I am the O Line and complete lack of depth.

 

Rivera & McDermitt will coach up the DB's, especially with the stout front 7.  Josh Norman can be a legitimately good starter I think

 

Prohl has gotten this WR group to look legit, even if the national narrative is to continue to poo on them.

 

The O Line is still a major question mark even with signing Wharton.  Byron Bell is a great effort guy, but him playing average is a major accomplishment.  Silatolu is inconsistent at best, and Gross is still good but not dominant.  Garry Williams is a major question mark, too.  Kalil is the only above average player on the O Line right now (maybe Gross).

 

That being said, Cam's mobility and good play calling can mask some of that deficiency.  I just can't see this group being a dominant run-blocking unit, no matter how much Shula wants it to be.

[Navy_football]

The Panthers are much better due to the fact that they aren't so young in every position. The value of veteran leadership and experience can't by quantified.

 

Though the team is better, that might not translate into more wins. The schedule looks pretty tough right now. But, I would expect this team to pull out a few of those one TD or less games, or 1 yard-to-clinch/win games, or defense holds one more possession games.

[Jmac]

We are a better team in some aspects but we are still not a balanced team.We can never seen to get our ducks in a row.This year the D looks stout and the O is a big question mark. I look forward to the day when this team is clicking on all cylinders.

[Guest Spider Monkey]

In the words of Rodney Carrington; a lot, lot, lot, lot, lot.

[Icege]

QB +

Cam improved upon his record breaking rookie season and is finally beginning to get help on the offensive side of the ball. Derek Anderson elected to stay and after a shaky start to the preseason DA was able to have a strong finish. Jimmy Clausen is gone. This alone is a good thing as it now makes a roster spot available for somebody that could actually contribute.

 

RB +

Contracts aside, the team's backfield contains Deangelo Williams, Jonathan Stewart, Mike Tolbert, and now Kenjon Barner.

 

WR ++

Gone are the likes of Naanee, Ajirotutu, and Murphy. Now we have the likes of Domenik Hixon, Ted Ginn Jr, and continually improving LaFell, and suddenly a wild Armanti appears?

 

TE

Same as last season, though I am wondering how Brandon Williams turns out.

 

OL ++

Kalil is back, Wharton is back, Hangartner is gone, and Byers is back on the bench.

 

ST +++

Ted. Ginn. Jr.

 

DL ++

Trade in Ron Edwards and Andre Neblett for Star Lotululei and Kawann Short while retaining Dwan Edwards? Oh, did you say that Sione Fua is gone and Colin Cole is on board instead? That's nice. Thomas Keiser for Wes Horton? I can live with that just fine.

 

LB ++

Good bye Anderson, welcome back Beason. Oh, hai Blackburn and Klein.

 

DB +++

Charles Godfrey is back at his home at FS. Nakamura is gone and the safety position gets filled up with Quinton Mikell and Mike Mitchell in his place. Chris Gamble was cut and retired, but Josh Norman is looked great in preseason and the coaches seem to be high on Josh Thomas. Captain Munnerlyn and DJ Moore are great depth at CB.