27 replies to this topic

[chris999]

To be honest, at the end of the season, I was sure that this team would make the playoffs for the 2012 season. That was even before what happened to the Saints. I think we are going to win the Division.

The team had no idea how good Cam was going to be. That is why they made the mistake of paying Deangelo too much. They thought that we would have to rely on the rushing offense to help. Chud had no idea that Cam was as talented as he really is. So now that Chud knows that the offense is capable of anything, he is going to open the playbook wide open.

We are going to draft defense heavy this year. Last year was kind of an awkward and bad draft(outside of Cam). This year, Rivera has had a chance to play his new team for a year, and also has a chance to work out his draft prospects(no lockout) and evaluate the talent we need for HIS OWN defense. Remember, Rivera has always had a bad ass defense. Beason is back. We have already upgraded at FS. I think that Nakamura should be able to beat Sherrod Martin for the spot. Ron Edwards is back to help the D line.

The O-line may be improved with Otah's return. Tolbert seems to give Chud even more creative ideas, hopefully they are planning not to run Cam in the endzone so much. (I dont want Cam to get him hurt. At least let tolbert lead him, and take most of the punishment.) Gettis has potential of making an impact. We know that Smitty is fired up. I also think that they may take a WR in an early round if they think he is the BPA.

Dont forget improvement in Special Teams.

The coaching has had a chance to evaluate the team last season, and this year, they dont have to deal with all of the lockout BS. It is hard to deny that this team will not be improved this year. We are going to the playoffs, I guarantee it.

[CatofWar]

iloveu

[Montsta]

Minus a new qb the niners were in the same boat.

And if Patrick Willis got injured halfway through game 1, Navarro Bowman in game 2, and their best Dlineman in training camp, they would have went 4-12 or worse behind the stud that is Alex Smith.

[CatofWar]

And if Patrick Willis got injured halfway through game 1, Navarro Bowman in game 2, and their best Dlineman in training camp, they would have went 4-12 or worse behind the stud that is Alex Smith.

lol.

[Lumps]

You mean we will be better than 6-10 or 2-14?

fuging good, I expect it. We better inprove at a faster acceleration than better teams we will sure as hell need it. Still exitment about improving from those kinds of records reminds me of the guys that weren't concerned about wins and just liked to 'watch the new guys grow'....lol.

We better fuging go to the post season this year or I will have a fuging meltdown.

[KendrickPanther]

There were times last year when Cam hit open receivers but it was a great catch, not a great throw. If Cam can improve his mechanics like I know he will he can hit those guys in stride for bigger gains. Cam had very few "bonehead" moments that we knew were coming with Jake. So I expect fewer picks but still maybe 10 a season. I think it all comes down the offensive line this year. There is going to be tons of turnover. Whoever gets the job needs to play well to keep Cam alive.

Notice I didn't mention the defense. I don't think it matters much to be honest. As bad as we were on defense last year it was lack of execution on final drives that cost us several wins. If Cam can lead more game winning drives we could be 9-7 and then 10-6 and then who knows...

[KendrickPanther]

The one thing I would not do is expect our 1st and 2nd round picks to come in and lead us to a Superbowl. If they are good enough to start that's about all you can hope for. Go look at the 2007 draft. Many of them are out of the league, some of them are DEAD. These fans that criticize Marty take it for granted we haven't had a true "bust" in a long time. (1st round)

[PhillyB]

awesome article. i think a full offseason and participation in workout programs, OTAs and camp is going to be absolutely huge for guys like McClain and Gettis who have shown flashes but have been unable to produce.

give Gettis some reps with Cam, McClain a few more pounds of muscle, Cam some continuity with an offensive line and a second year working with the same receivers and we should be looking good.

[JungleCat]

I think the Panthers will be better than 6 and 10. The Giants were 9 and 7 and won the Super Bowl.

[bleys]

Last year was kind of an awkward and bad draft(outside of Cam).

I don't know how that could be deteremined so far.. the DTs have potential and Hogan looks like he has some real ability at CB... if they pan out, great draft.

[KendrickPanther]

Yeah you can't call a draft bad after 1 season. Those two DTs are 3rd round picks. Charles Johnson took years to break out as a 3rd round pick.

[Argus Plexus]

The Panthers should be NFC South Champs, at the very least a Wildcard barring loss of a certain someone(s). They could be Conference Champs if they wanted it bad enough. Win the Super Bowl? Only God knows for now, we couldn't even begin to predict that yet.

[mercules20]

Take into account that neither mcclain or fua had an offseason to work with coaches last year they should be MUCH better this year as far as technique goes.