I just want everyone to remember one thing from 2013...

[iamhubby1]

Last year of shopping at Costco. From here on out, we shop at the mall.

Gettin' it together with the Gman.

But cereally, get me a starting LT, and I don't care what you kids do to the Offense. Double dip at WR, hellz, triple dip the mfer. WR and CB the whole draft, I don't care. Just get me my starting LT.

[Happy Panther]

It's a lot easier for a wr to jump out of nowhere than any position on defense imo. But that's not something you rely on

Is that true? I would have guessed some other position

[Kuech the Sneak]

I get what you are saying. Star Kawaan and Klein were all perfect draft choices and it is obvious both gettleman and rivera have a nose for defense and hogmollies.

At the same time we picked up Kugbila and Barner who are pretty much question marks.

I'm not yet convinced that we can assume our staff has a keen eye for offense but also no reason to think they don't. If Gettleman gets 3 offensive players in the draft of the caliber of Start Kawaan and Klein I will buy him season tickets on the 50 yard line...

They said a little while ago that they're viewing Kug and barner as 2014 draft picks coming into this year. Last year was almost like a redshirt for them

[TheRumGone]

Is that true? I would have guessed some other position

That's just my opinion. Could definitely argue the other way

[mr beauxjangles]

Valid and worthwhile observation, OP.

[iamhubby1]

yep. offense is a much bigger project than the defense was last year.

Here's my take. Get me a starting LT, and another WR on a par or better than Cotchery. And I'll show you a team that can compete.

We are in the unique position of having a good enough team, that if we let the kids play to get a proper evaluation, it may not hurt us a badly as it may appear.

We have to find out what we have in guys like White, Lester, McNutt, King, and Underwood. Hellz, I'll even add Pilares to the mix. Use the excuse of having no money to get these kids some playing time. Let's find out if they can help us, or do we need to upgrade them?

Best case. The kids prove the faith the staff had in them was warranted. And we have a pretty good year.

Or...the kids struggle, we struggle, and the playoffs are a struggle.

Point being. We are 1 year away from freedom. Cap going up, hurndog contracts nearing an end, and we have a football guy running the show. We may have to struggle a bit this year. But going forward, Gman appears to gots this.

[Happy Panther]

They said a little while ago that they're viewing Kug and barner as 2014 draft picks coming into this year. Last year was almost like a redshirt for them

fair enough. If Kug can get some real time on the O Line it would be huge

[LUUUUUKE]

At many points during the 2013 season, the Panthers defense had as many as 5 rookies on the field at a single time. All players Dave Gettleman brought to the Panthers. Those players are, if you can't remember:

DT - Star Lotulelei

DT - Kawaan Short

LB - AJ Klein

CB - Melvin White

S - Robert Lester

Next year we might see something similar on offense. In his first year as GM, Gettleman brought in players that immediately impacted the defense. As bad as I thought he handled the Steve Smith situation, the man has a keen eye for talent. Gettleman will get players that will make an impact immediately. I fully expect the Panthers to be a playoff contender again next season, despite all the change.

Great point, I just wish he would have let Smitty go out on his terms. I guess that's the business side of it though. Not to beat a dead horse, just saying that it would have gone a long way for our (the fans') sentiments.

[Zod]

As good as our defensive coaching staff is, our offensive coaching staff is the opposite.

Don't expect the same result.

Sent from the Carolina Huddle App

[hepcat]

As good as our defensive coaching staff is, our offensive coaching staff is the opposite.

Don't expect the same result.

Sent from the Carolina Huddle App

 

I think you hit on a point that explains why people were so upset about cutting Steve Smith.  For over a decade, Steve Smith delivered what should be considered a Hall of Fame performance for the Panthers despite sub-par coaching and talent around him.  He was a shining beacon of hope on an otherwise mediocre offense.  Age caught up to him and it was time to go, but the question remains...can Carolina find another guy that excels despite limitations from the coaching staff?

[Snake]

I still worry about the Oline. It was patch work last year and even worse this year.

[caatfan]

Last year of shopping at Costco. From here on out, we shop at the mall.

 

Make that Walmart or K-Mart. Costco has good stuff.

 

If the OL can be improved anywhere near as much as the DL was last season, it won't take genius play calling to move the ball.

[L-TownCat]

5 rookies!! #2 Defense!

2 of which weren't even drafted! Gettleman was able to fill a void with HIS players.

Perhaps he does that on offense?

The only flip side to this argument that I see is the defensive coaching we have far outweighs the offense. Even with better players I'm afraid of what we may gain in talent is hindered by a lack of coaching.

[The Huddler]

The only flip side to this argument that I see is the defensive coaching we have far outweighs the offense. Even with better players I'm afraid of what we may gain in talent is hindered by a lack of coaching.

ya definitely have a point!

 

We are a defensive team, with defensive coaching, with a defensive mindset. 

 

 

that said, 

I believe the overall gameplan (offense, deffense, ST) was focused on our strengths. Our strength was our defense for a variety of reasons. We simply did not have the personnel to be racking up serious stats. Our defense's best friend was our offense because we sustained drives, ate clock, and was relatively efficient. People like to believe that the only way to have a good offense is to blow up the score board. I cant speak for the plan next season, but last year we won football games because of this defensive, conservative formula.

 

I can already see us improving on our consistency to sustain drives. What did Lafell do? he dropped the damn ball. What does Cotcheray have? great hands, and just as powerful of a blocker as Lafell if not better. 

 

Chud had GREAT stats when he didn't do full retard with the read-option. But where was he at the end of the game when it mattered? Shula has showed up and has won us games. Chud put our Defense in many bad situations whether it was at the end of the game, or if he simply had our defense on the field too long. 

 

 

 

poo I'm rambling

 

My main point is, Gettleman COULD be concentrating on bringing in his own guys that have a role in fitting in the system that we do. More consistancy