Thoughts and questions from a "newer" fan

[Ranger12]

Hey guys, I am a lifelong Dolphins fan, but the Panthers have become my #2 team the last few years. As an Auburn fan, naturally I was excited when they drafted Cam. I subscribe to NFL Sunday Ticket just so I can see the Dolphins and Panthers every week.

 

I have some thoughts and questions for some of you longer diehard Carolina fans. First, who calls the plays for the team? It just seems to be horrible this year. Many of those 3rd and short calls have left me scratching my head. Cam is not very mobile right now, so the calls that have him keeping the ball also baffle me. It seems like somebody wants him to get hurt more.

 

That brings me to Cam. As an Auburn fan, naturally I love the guy and want to see him succeed in the NFL. However, I have to question if he can be successful again while at Carolina. The OL can't protect their already banged up QB and his body language seems to not be as positive as it once was. As a disabled vet, I know how being hurt and not being as active as you once were can steal that joy from him. His accuracy just seems to be way off this year, and is eating the ball more in situations where it seems he could have gotten rid of it. Does he and the Panthers need to make a change or does the Panthers need to do a better job of helping their QB? Which leads me to my next though/question.

 

Front office; how would you grade it? It seems that after such a great season last year, they decided to butcher the team. How can you let all of those great receivers go? I understand salary concerns would have forced to let one or two go, but not all the WRs for crying out loud. I even understood the age concerns with Stever Smith, but the Panthers could not have kept Ginn and LaFell? That left Olsen, a TE, as the biggest receiving threat to start the year. Fortunately Benjamin has stepped up as a rookie, but connection between he and Cam seems to have dwindled the last few games.

The difference between this defense from last year and this year; what the heck happened? The situation with Hardy was unforseen and can't be blamed on anybody but Hardy. Could we have kept Mueterlin or was what he was asking for too rich for the Panthers? Was those two players so impactful that it led to the defense to make such a 180 turn from last year.

 

...and as I type this Cam just had his longest run of the season and Benjamin just makes an awesome TD catch! GO PANTHERS! KEEP POUNDING!

[Happy Panther]

That's a lot of questions.

 

Cam looks a little off right now. Dunno why. Probably a combination of things. I think he thrives on winning.

 

Front office didn't have the funds to keep anyone or really sign anyone. Ginn and Lafell and Munnerlyn all got good money. We can argue whether we should have gone after an OT FA but I think we probably did. Gettleman really doesn't get a grade yet. 

 

I think Hardy is a huge part of the defense letdown but our secondary is poor. 

 

Miami is my 9th favorite team.