"Bad Ending to a Great Season" - Another Gem by David Newton

[TruthVsComfort]

I cannot help but feel that our guys were deprived of a fair chance in this games by the refs, but here is yet another Gem from David Newton:

 

 

 

Smith set the tone. He predicted after a Week 1 loss to Seattle, which will host San Francisco next weekend in the NFC title game, that the Panthers would face the Seahawks again deep in the playoffs.

Asked if he was disappointed that won't happen, Smith said, "Heartbroken. Not disappointed. Heartbroken."

That was the feeling throughout the locker room. Defensive end Greg Hardy, who was held without a sack after collecting seven in his previous two games, was so upset that he left without talking to reporters.

Safety Mike Mitchell was teary-eyed as he talked about wanting to return next season.

"I haven't played on a team with this type of coaches, these type of teammates, probably since I was a 17-year-old boy," said Mitchell, who signed a one-year deal before this season. "I had a great group of guys and I want to finish this."

Mitchell also felt the 49ers were lucky to escape with the win, pointing to calls that went against the Panthers. He mentioned the unsportsmanlike penalty on him and a pass interference call that set up San Francisco's first touchdown with five seconds left in the first half.

He reminded of calls that weren't made. He mentioned San Francisco having 12 players on the field the play before the 1-yard touchdown pass to tight end Vernon Davis, and a head-butt by Anquan Boldin that Mitchell felt was no different than an infraction Munnerlyn was penalized for earlier.

"I can't wait to play them [again] with a new set of refs in a new game," Mitchell said of the 49ers. "We can beat that team. We can beat any team in this league. It just didn't happen for us today."

It didn't happen because the Panthers sacked quarterback Colin Kaepernick only once after getting to him six times in the first meeting. It didn't happen because Newton was sacked five times and intercepted twice.

It didn't happen because the team that has made seizing the moment its mantra couldn't seize opportunities in the red zone.

"Absolutely," Newton said. "It goes back to this is a terrible ending to a great season."

http://espn.go.com/blog/carolina-panthers/post/_/id/4083/panthers-had-bad-ending-to-a-great-season

 

And it cannot be said enough: Absolutely love Mitchell's passion (and ability) for the game. Sign him.

[Swan]

Mike Mitchell is was a key reason for the defense's success. Brought an intensity here that hadn't been felt in years. We'll keep him. We're hungry for next year, I believe in them.

[Jackofalltrades]

I'm a big Dave Newton fan.

[Qu1million]

I'm with Smitty.....HEARTBROKEN!!!!!!

[OnlyPantherFaninMaine]

I'm 95% sure Mitchell will be in a Panther uniform again next season where he belongs. For a first year guy with this organization he emerged as a leader on defense and plays with a passion and intensity that all 11 starters on defense should play him. Hope he sign him for another few years. 

[El Chingon]

I'm a big Dave Newton fan.

I as well 

[ckad79]

People might slam me for this, but in hindsight, we should have lost to the Falcons. I'm sorry, but for a young inexperienced football team, having the momentum coming off a win is much better than than taking a week off. If your Tom Brady or Payton Manning and you know what level you need to be at in the playoffs, that is one thing. BUT for a young squad and a young QB like Cam, that time off was probably not smart.

 

I know Smitty was hurt and he needed to heal but I think for us, it would have better. It is what it is but we just looked out of it and have historically played bad coming off the bye too.

 

Round two is a lot more intense. So, to jump from round one to two with where we stand as a squad is a bit much IMO.