Ahhh, Yeah, The Old Chip On The Shoulder, D. Newton Reports

[top dawg]

Oh, believe me, the Panthers are a relatively "quiet" team in terms of talking trash---or even talking period, sometimes---letting most of the talking be done on the field. But, make no mistake, there is a an understated feeling that the team may be being downplayed---perhaps, overlooked by more than a few NFL-types during this off-season.  Dare I say that deep down somewhere that the team is feeling disrespected?  David Newton's report on the close of minicamp perhaps says a lot with a little.

 

Rivera has had something to with that. Instilling work ethic starts at the top and filters down. Rivera learned a long time ago as a player with the 1985 Super Bowl champion Chicago Bears what it takes to be successful. 

Creating good competition at every position has helped. Players fighting to win -- or keep -- a job tend to work harder than ones that feel they are secure. 

That the critics believe the Panthers will take a hard tumble from last season's 12-4 record also is a factor. It has created a chip on shoulders to prove them wrong. 

Rivera seems to relish in Carolina being overlooked as a playoff contender. He had sergeant first class Cedric King, who lost both of his legs in duty, speak to the team before breaking for vacation. 

"He talked about ... that a lot of people have written you off, a lot of people aren't expecting much of you, then think last year was a bolt of lightning and it won't strike twice,'' said Rivera, who has had King speak to the team before. "It was neat to have him give these guys a little parting shot in terms of 'let's go out and defy a lot of people.' '' 

 

 

 

From Cam to Avant's comments regarding the receivers, to Rivera's reflections in regards to the team of Sgt.Cedric King's words and spirit, there is no lack of motivation for this coming season.  

 

Let competition reign, and "unfinished business" be addressed!  This is the culture of our Carolina Panthers.

 

 

[Chief Keek]

Welcome to the Gettleman Era.

 

[stirs]

Gman says, "the other guys put their pants on one leg at a time, just like us", "course I don't stop till they reach my nipples, but yeah guys, one leg at a time."

[Jeremy Igo]

The offense really should not expect respect after having the 28th ranked performance in the league and releasing all of their receivers and having two questionable tackles. Nothing they will say this offeason will change that. Touchdowns will though....

[fieryprophet]

Where's this 28th ranked offense coming from? We were 18th in points. Last I checked they didn't put yards on the scoreboard.

[Jeremy Igo]

It comes from how offenses have been ranked since the inception of the league

Sent from the Carolina Huddle App

[nosuchthingasapanther]

Where's this 28th ranked offense coming from? We were 18th in points. Last I checked they didn't put yards on the scoreboard.

18th in points doesn't exactly sound menacing.

[lola]

Shula.

Sent from my iPhone using CarolinaHuddle

[TheRumGone]

It comes from how offenses have been ranked since the inception of the league

Sent from the Carolina Huddle App

Don't you think you should take everything into consideration? Like points, efficiency, 3rd down, 4th down ect.

We needed more big impact plays for sure but taking all of it into account gives a better picture of our offense last year. We weren't very good but we were not in the top 5 worst offenses

[bleys]

Shula.is my hero.

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wut?

[lola]

wut?

A for effort.

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[fieryprophet]

It comes from how offenses have been ranked since the inception of the league

Sent from the Carolina Huddle App

That's always been considered flawed, however. We're no juggernaut but we were far more efficient than most offenses with more total yardage. And considering our personnel last year I have no idea how we could have been dramatically better.

[Jeremy Igo]

Don't you think you should take everything into consideration? Like points, efficiency, 3rd down, 4th down ect.

 

 

Sure, but then you would need to do the exact same thing for every other team as well. 

 

My hunch is that if you take all the important stats for every team and came up with an overall offensive production ranking, the Panthers would be in the bottom third of the league.

 

With a QB like Cam Newton on the team, that is not acceptable.

[SpeedOFLight]

We had the worst passing offense of all the teams in the playoffs last season. I am liking this new group of receivers that we brought in. Some look at them as "no-names", but I look at them as professionals who are ready to make their mark on the league. I've been reading all of these articles on how they are predicting Carolina to finish last in the divison, ect. All the talking heads don't matter. Only thing that matters it the product on the field. I believe our offense will take some people by surprise. Yeah I am a fan and we have to be hopeful, right? I do believe we have a special group that is gaining chemistry which each other day by day. I can't wait for the season to start. Go Panthers!