Mr. Scot

A few specific results: - 49% think the Panthers will win 9 games, nearly 20% think they can win 10 or more - a solid 64% say the Panthers make the playoffs; close to 60% say the do so by winning the NFC South - 55% have high confidence in head coach Frank Reich, while an additional 38% are "somewhat confident" - grading GM Scott Fitterer, near 50% give him an A for the offseason while another 45% give him a B - 93% say the choice of Bryce Young was the right call, though 56% admit to being "somewhat concerned" about his durability - as far as other concerns, the cornerback position worries 60% of respondents, while another 21% think our pass rush will be the biggest issue - no surprise, but a whopping 97% want the Panthers playing surface to be grass - and finally, a solid 70% of poll takers firmly believe the team can win a Super Bowl within the next 5 years ... Lots more to see in the survey if you're a subscriber. But needless to say, after the changes made this offseason, fans feel pretty good about where the team is headed. And I'm on board

...or "fanthusiasm" to coin a phrase, seems...high.

Semi-related question...

The fact that this is a stat...

Kinda surprised to see them let McShay go. I know he never really became the heir apparent to Mel Kiper that they wanted him to be, but I still see this as unexpected.

A few years ago it would have been a no-brainer. Not so sure about that these days...

Wait...Is that allowed? (I'd agree)

Not sure I do either...

Honestly, that's the first real indication I've seen that we had any interest in him.

Who let you in?

Saw that. Still haven't found any indication of context. Our pal John Ellis' response...

Fixed

I get the mindset, but this isn't the same "club" as year's past.

Correct, though I'd add the extra part for us is we have smart players like Theilen, Sanders and others who can also understand coverages, adjustments and such from their standpoint. Couple that with coaches who have a clue what they're doing and we've got the possibility of watching an honest to goodness modern NFL offense in Carolina for the first time in forever.

Pretty much Being optimistic and being realistic aren't mutually exclusive. I recognize he's still a rookie and he'll certainly have growing pains. That doesn't mean I can't be happy about what we know to be his positive traits, though.

Correct. Understanding that the progressions for a certain route tree might change against Cover 2 is a lot different from "on this play, run here." (that's over simplified of course, but the point is valid) They're talking about his understanding of the concepts, though. Pads or no pads doesn't necessarily affect that.

Josh Klein has been hammering them mercilessly

With a full two seasons and offseasons of work theough five games this past season, I'd be willing to bet there's a sh-tload of stories yet to be told. Most of them probably never will be, but as a Panthers history buff I'm up for as many as we can get.

Meanwhile...

This time last year I probably barely gave a sh-t because my expectations were so low. Now...

Lord have mercy

What's next is a whole lot of waiting

Game planning isn't as necessary at the college level because as often as not, you're going to have one team that just has a real edge in talent over the other. By the second half, all you have to do is just keep doing what you're already doing. I'd say that's a big reason why The Meatball just didn't get it

I say...not gonna happen, and probably shouldn't.