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Lessons from "The Art of War"

Seltzer

By Seltzer,
in Carolina Panthers

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Seltzer Veteran

Seltzer

Posted
Posted

“One mark of a great soldier is that he fight on his own terms or fights not at all.” 
― Sun Tzu

Cam Newton is out to prove he is worth the $100M investment and can lead the Panthers to the Promised Land.  Josh Norman is out to make a name for himself outside the Carolinas and be respected as an elite Defensive Back in the NFL.  Both men got into an altercation today on their own terms.  There were no winners or losers per se, but both men gained respect in my eyes.

Why?  This season should have significant expectations.  The Panthers should win a 3rd straight NFC South Division Championship.  But beyond that, anything less than the NFC Championship would be a disappointment.  I want our offense and defense led by men who want to be the best and are willing to put themselves on the line mentally and physically to make it happen.  The season screams out expectations.  The Carolinas are behind the Panthers.  The team has the talent in place.  The time, quite frankly, is now.

“The supreme art of war is to subdue the enemy without fighting.” 
― Sun Tzu, The Art of War

Therein lies the challenge once real football starts.  We need a Panthers team that can physically and mentally dominate opponents without fighting and drawing penalties detrimental to the team.  I don't think anyone needs to apologize for today.  Every great Panthers team has had to endure a physical Training Camp.  I, like many of you who have attended training camp over the years, have been concerned how the new CBA has dictated practice transpire and therefore how Rivera has conducted training camp.  We need a Panthers team ready to come out of the gate ready to dominate.  The schedule dictates it.  I feel like Rivera knows it too- him lighting into lackluster effort today shows that.

I work a totally white- collar job but I still like physical sports, although basketball is my game now.  I have almost come to blows with my uncle and father-in-law, both men I love dearly, during a game.  Why? Because I want to win at everything in life.  It doesn't mean being an a-hole or being antagonistic, but it surely doesn't mean backing down from a challenge either.

I have been a Panthers fan since the team came when I was in middle school, and I have been a PSL owner for the last 10 years.  I have been wrong before and will be wrong again, but my expectations for this team are higher going into the season for any season since 2006.  Will I be disappointed?  Maybe, but I hope we look back on today and say this was a pivotal moment in how the Panthers hoisted their first Lombardi trophy for the 2015 Season.

 

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