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Steven Smiff

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Before you all bring out the clubs and chains to bash me, I want to tell you all where I am coming from. I have been following the Carolina huddle for a few years now and have finally decided to post for the first time. I have been an avid football fan for more than 25 years, with my orginial diehard team being the Dolphins. With that being said, anyone with past football knowledge knows the type of flustration I have delt with over that time period (Marino = no ring)(Jimmy Johnson = Tard), etc. I became intrigued in the Panthers in 2003 after Delhomme replaced Peete in the opener and led them to a win. I followed the team all year and all the way to the superbowl. This was the first time I felt a "spark" for pro football since Marino retired in '99. I have been a diehard panther fan since then. I go to 3 or 4 home games a year and watch every other game on t.v. in some form of the other. My sister even went to the superbowl in Houston in 2004, as many of my family also strongly support the Panthers. I know a lot of you will accuse me of being a bandwagon jumper after some sucess by the team, but that is not the case. This is because the Dolphins were my obsession until 1999, and I waited for 5 years to find a "new" team to follow. You have to admit, going 1 and 15 does not arouse a lot of optimism.

Anyway, I felt the this team left a golden opportunity on the field last year as they could have easily made and possibly won the superbowl.But that has already been beaten to death so I will now focus on the present. With the talent this team has, a repeat of last years accomplishments should not be out of the question, but after 3 pre-seasons games, I thoroughly think this team is in trouble. Can't stop the run, can't stop the pass, questionable play calling....I think based on the schedule....the Panthers may win 8 games, but I hope I'm wrong. This team so much reminds me of the 80's and early 90's Dolphins when ALL they had was Marino. If you don't have a complete team (including coaching), you will not succeed.

So now you all can bash me, thats ok, because I will keep coming here, mainly because, even though most posters make opinions or want to whine, I have found that this website is the most imformative.

Good Luck this season.

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