Stability

[Mr. Scot]

Being a Panther fan through the 2000s, I got used to going into every offseason with a feeling of "Oh man, what are we gonna do?"

We were always right up against the cap. There were always numerous free agents to sign. It always seemed like there were a bunch of needs to fill. There were always underachievers that needed to go. And more often than not, we were coming off an unsuccessful season.

Basically, we were flying by the seat of our pants, and it felt like we were riding the edge of disaster on an annual basis.

So what's it like this morning?

Our cap situation is decent, and set for some major improvements in the years to come.

We're enjoying the fruits of some solid drafts rather than counting how few guys we have left from them.

We're not worried about when a bunch of awful contracts are going to start forcing us to part ways with players.

Our team is one of the younger overall squads in the league (as well as one of the taller ones).

We have several guys who could be considered cornerstone players on offense and defense, one of whom is the best player in the league at his position.

And now we have our franchise quarterback under contract for the next six years.

Wow.

It actually feels like the team has a plan to follow and a direction to move in rather than just making it up as they go along.

And rather than worrying about how we're going to get over or around various obstacles again, people are excited about the upcoming season, and even the future beyond that.

Stability is not a feeling with which a lot of Panther fans are all that familiar.

 

 

Maybe we should start getting used to it.

[O-Ther]

But if there's no real or imagined crisis to whine about, how's the Huddle gonna Huddle?

This stability sh!t needs to get gone. Half the fun I have in here is laughing at stoopid people flipping the fug out

 

[caatfan]

Get used to it, yes. Take it for granted, no. I'll always remember the bad old days.

[heelinfine]

Great post. I've been a Panthet fan from day one, and you summed up perfectly 

It's like the last 20 yrs thers was no direction for this team. The best we could hope for was to catch lightning in a bottle every now and then. If that didn't happen we were forced to endure another losing season. 

It feels great to have some direction and stability.  Where are all the Gettleman haters now???

[csx]

I thought the mid 2000s were pretty stable and successful.  It was the winningest streak we have had (specifically 2003 - 2008). We went to the playoffs 3 times in 6 years and were  very successful in the first two trips. Not super great but not terrible by any means. I can't think of big player we lost other than cutting Moose.  At least for the middle of the decade I don't remember it being too bad or hectic. We generally expected to be good in that stretch. 

 

Not that I don like our current situation better.

[Khyber53]

Gettleman's plan seems to be working out pretty well. And, let's face it, even with his bargain bin shopping over the last couple of years, we've done fairly well. At least it has been entertaining.

And now we're getting some relief, like paying off some big credit card debts, and I hope we continue on this planned and conservative approach to building a team. He paid Cam well, but didn't overpay, and that leaves money on the table for some of our other keystone players.

I just hope that the extra money doesn't start burning a hole in his pocket and we go after some big fish in free agency next year. If he keeps doing what he's doing now, I think we're looking at long-term competitiveness and championship quality teams.

 

[Mr. Scot]

But if there's no real or imagined crisis to whine about, how's the Huddle gonna Huddle?

This stability sh!t needs to get gone. Half the fun I have in here is laughing at stoopid people flipping the fug out

 

I'm sure that'll still happen.

[Mr. Scot]

Side Note: You know what makes seeing the stability in our own franchise even more enjoyable?

Watching the Saints braintrust run around like a chicken with its head cut off.

(and their fans act like it's brilliance)

[PhillyB]

toot toot bitches jump on the NFCCG train

[X-Clown on 1]

This is exactly why I like and support DG so much.  I actually feel like each year we are improving and have a solid plan.  With Hurney, I always felt like we were just holding on to what we had and hoped it did just as good the following year.  Every time he signed fading players to long term contracts, it just made that feeling worse and worse.  

[t96]

At this point, it's Super Bowl or bust every year. I expect Super Bowl wins. Yes, plural. Reminds me so much of the Bulls team of the late '80s and '90 that kept losing to the Pistons before getting over the hump and winning 6 championships. The Seahawks' run in the NFC is over now, and it's all ours. We have all the pieces to be the best team in the league and the ability to keep those pieces while still improving and adding great players through the draft and UDFAs. 2015-2028 is all ours.

[csx]

Expecting Super Bowls is just setting yourself up for disappointment.  I'd rather get excited when things click than be disappointed and angry when it doesn't.  

 

It takes a lot to go your way to even make it to one.

[Mr. Scot]

Expecting Super Bowls is just setting yourself up for disappointment.  I'd rather get excited when things click than be disappointed and angry when it doesn't.  

 

It takes a lot to go your way to even make it to one.

I can't agree.

If you don't go into every season expecting to compete for a Super Bowl, what are you shooting for?

[dpm0409]

Great post.  I was just thinking about a lot of the same things last night after the announcement of Cams extension.  Sustained success and continuous improvement is something I'd be more than happy getting used to.  Having a long term plan and vision is key, and DG is doin' work.  Love the direction we are headed in.  The best part is, I don't feel like this is false hope, this feels different, feels legit.