What are some key things that need to happen for the Panthers to return to the playoffs next year?

[hepcat]

Obviously the draft has yet to happen and there should be more FA's signed and players cut that are on the team now.  What are some specific things that still need to happen for the Panthers to repeat the success of 2013?

 

I'm going to say the biggest thing is health. If they can get Cam Newton back at 100% after his ankle surgery, the offense should be at least as good as last year.  Jonathan Stewart needs to put up a good season or retire.  Does Deangelo Williams still have anything left in the tank at 31?  The defense stayed healthy last year...can they stay healthy again?

 

Secondly and I think this is obvious - Panthers need to add another playmaker or two at the receiver position.  Cotchery and Underwood are not going to win you games.  They are the "play not to lose" and "control the clock" type receivers.  As we saw last season, especially in the loss to New Orleans on the road and the playoff game against the 49ers, if the Panthers get down by more than one TD, they don't have the firepower to come back.  The defense won't hold every team to 10 points.

 

Lastly, and this is the thing I have the most faith in, the young players need to continue to develop.  The Panthers had 5 rookies playing on the defense at any given time last season.  If those players, along with other young and developing players on the O-Line and at WR can make a step up, the transition from losing key veterans to FA and retirement may not be as big a deal as some think.

 

tl;dr - stay healthy, get more playmakers on offense, young players need to step up.  What do you think still needs to happen for the Panthers to be a playoff team next year?

 

 

[Donald LaFell]

We need serious help on the O-line and an even stronger defense.

[Khaki Lackey]

I think we need to win more games than the other teams in our division.

[CarolinaCoolin]

A solid oline and running game and a top 5 defense

[Cary Kollins]

Barring catostrophic injuries, we should be favorites to make the playoffs.

 

 

The defense is going to be better next season.  Cam is going to be 100% for the first time in his career.  The WRs will be better than last season.

 

 

The biggest question mark will be replacing Gross.  If we get that figured out, no reason we can't have a record better than 12-4.

[OneBadCat]

We need new WR's to emerge and be playmakers. Have to stay healthy and Kawaan Short needs to take the leap and make our front 7 even stronger.

 

 

Oh and it would help a lot to have Stewart healthy so he run behind Amini and Kugbila.

[AceBoogie]

Barring catostrophic injuries, we should be favorites to make the playoffs.

The defense is going to be better next season. Cam is going to be 100% for the first time in his career. The WRs will be better than last season.

The biggest question mark will be replacing Gross. If we get that figured out, no reason we can't have a record better than 12-4.

What evidence do you have to support that our WRs will be better, because they aren't right now and no rookie (outside of Watkins, and Evans) is going to change that.

[PhillyB]

fix that fuging line and we'll make a run

[Guild]

fix that fuging line and we'll make a run

 

Literally that's all.  Get an OL that can block.

[Peppers90 NC]

Healthy Cam, minimal drop off on the defense, someone emerge as a playmaker on offense and the offensive line needs to improve in every facet.  Good luck on your side always helps.

[Cpt slay a ho]

Biggest thing is to not have guys regress..........that means you ron, don't go back to derp town just cause you got an extension.

 

 

o line needs to be fixed asap or we won't make the playoffs simple as that, wr is not as big of an worry as o line

 

 

don't go full retard in the draft..........

[SpeedOFLight]

I have faith in our defense to by highly ranked this year. The true question is the offense. We need to be able to put up some points. I remember entering the playoffs and of all the playoff teams, we had the worse. We truly need to focus on this offense. We definitely need to be able to run the ball and not just rely on Cam scrambling for first downs all the time which made our run game look more impressive. I have faith in D. Williams and crew to get the job done. We just need to have a balance attack. I am all for leading in T.O.P. but we need points. Touchdowns to be exact. I have faith in our crew. I believe we are about to have back to back winning seasons for the first time in franchise history.

[HoFBound59]

What evidence do you have to support that our WRs will be better, because they aren't right now and no rookie (outside of Watkins, and Evans) is going to change that.

 

Our wr's last year were not that good. Good god. People need to let this go. We are rebuilding the wr core this year, and despite dropping all of last years wr's we are currently only a step or two back from last years. If we add another cheap vet/draft a 1st  round wr/ or one of the unproven guys emerge...we wil be better.

 

Let's not forget our top guy in Olsen is still here as well.

[8 0 5]

Yep it all comes down to the OL.

Fix that, add another receiving threat or two, and keep playing with that swag and aggressiveness we had last season.