Let's Gather Ourselves

[Smithers]

Okay, so we have been hit with some injuries to a couple of key guys. A lot of people are worried about depth problems on both sides of the ball. We have not put on a good show during the preseason. Time to worry? Absolutely not!!!

Let us remember 2003. The infamous Carolina season. Remember that we did not exactly have studs at every position, and also had to deal with injuries. Terry Cousin and Reggie Howard started at CB for us, until Manning replaced Cousin. These two guys were not exactly solid DB's. Also remember that Morgan missed a lot of time that season, as he did every season. The D still performed well with a backup in there. Granted our D line was much better, but our current LB and DB core is better than the 03 squad.

Also, Dan Connor is a solid backup. He has played hard so far this preseason and looks good. Two different players on our squad commented that Connor hit them harder than either has ever been hit. In addition, Beason has not looked his greatest this preseason, as he has had trouble fighting through some blocks. Watch the replays of the big running plays and watch Beason get swallowed up if you do not believe me. Beason is still an all pro, but the drop off is not going to kill us. And he may not even miss a lot of time.

I still believe that Hurney is going to make a move for a DT, so lets not dwell to much on that. And please stop putting so much weight on preseason games. We are not using all our packages and stunts and are definitely not digging deep in the playbook. remember, both teams we have played so far we will meet again, so why give up too much in a preseason game (like the Dolphins did).

Detroit won all 5 preseason games last season, how did that turn out for them? Stop worrying. If we get trampled in week 1 by Philly, then we can worry, and rightfully so. Right now the team needs us fans to throw our support behind them and take everything in stride.

GO PANTHERS!!!

[Saint J]

Time to worry? Absolutely not!!!

If the Panthers are holding on to Beason's MRI results for a reason then you should be worrying.

[Kyle82]

Very well said.....and I agree about the Philly game; If the Panthers look like they did these last two preseason games against the Eagles then its going to be time to hit the panic button and dig in for a very long year.

[Sam Mills Fan]

I agree that people are freaking out a *bit* too much (although there is plenty to freak out about), but comparing this team to 2003 is ridiculous. 2003 had a dominant defense with one of the best d-lines in the game with a Peppers that still cared and Kris Jenkins playing like a man possessed instead of um Nick Hayden, a Jake Delhomme that was six years younger playing in his prime, three great options at receiver with Moose six years younger....do I really need to go on?

[Kettle]

i MAY start worrying after next weeks game. probably not though. yes the starters will likely play 3 quarters, but we still won't see anywhere close to the full playbook.

[Smithers]

I agree that people are freaking out a *bit* too much (although there is plenty to freak out about), but comparing this team to 2003 is ridiculous. 2003 had a dominant defense with one of the best d-lines in the game with a Peppers that still cared and Kris Jenkins playing like a man possessed instead of um Nick Hayden, a Jake Delhomme that was six years younger playing in his prime, three great options at receiver with Moose six years younger....do I really need to go on?

I never said this team is better...I was merely referring to the defensive playmakers. I did acknowledge that the 03 D line was much better. but our current DB and LB are better than the 03 team. I never compared offenses, for good reason.