Ok here is why people don't respect the panthers

[kungfoodude]

I think a lot of the reason we aren't terribly high in the power rankings/polls has to do with the fact that most of the teams that jumped ahead of us, on paper, appeared to have improved overall. However, we made little to no additions and a few key subtractions(mainly depth and Kemo, of course).

Jake was bound to get backlash from that horrific performance and when he added that big extension that was just adding fuel to the fire. Raging Bull is correct in that it's overall a multifaceted issue, however I don't see why anyone is particularly enraged by our general lack of respect. Frankly, we haven't earned any yet this season and all of our respect that we built up over the course of that 12-4 '08 season vanished in that playoff loss.

Plus it's really hard for me to disagree with the majority of the pundits, after all, IMO it would be a wildly successful season at 9 wins.

[X-Clown]

I think the reason people bemoan the national media for not picking us for success does not just deal with the fact that they aren't pumping us up, but more for the fact that a lot of the writers don't do their homework. It's hard to believe that some national guys who are paid to cover the league don't know (or take the time to research) that we are the defending NFC South champions (and not the Falcons). And it's not just the idea of the win-loss record, it comes to the same point when they discuss our players that are not named Jake Delhomme.

Sporting News left Deangelo Williams out of their top 100 players in the league list but did put Willie Parker and Michael Vick on it. Really? In another one of their articles earlier this offseason on ranking receviers they had Lee Evans, among others, ahead of Steve Smith. Both of those come off as unresearched ignorance rather than a validated opinion.

[CatMan72]

People don't respect the Panthers because:

1. Most people don't know where Charlotte is and couldn't point to it on a map.

2. The Panthers haven't been around long enough to have a "legacy".

3. In the past, the national sports media has been burned when they've picked the Panthers to go all the way (SI Cover).

4. They are not in the NFC EAST (NFC EAST = respect no matter what).

5. The Panthers don't make big, flashy headlines. When most people around the country hear about the Panthers it's usually bad news.

[Mr. Scot]

I think the reason people bemoan the national media for not picking us for success does not just deal with the fact that they aren't pumping us up, but more for the fact that a lot of the writers don't do their homework. It's hard to believe that some national guys who are paid to cover the league don't know (or take the time to research) that we are the defending NFC South champions (and not the Falcons). And it's not just the idea of the win-loss record, it comes to the same point when they discuss our players that are not named Jake Delhomme.

Sporting News left Deangelo Williams out of their top 100 players in the league list but did put Willie Parker and Michael Vick on it. Really? In another one of their articles earlier this offseason on ranking receviers they had Lee Evans, among others, ahead of Steve Smith. Both of those come off as unresearched ignorance rather than a validated opinion.

Pretty much.

[X-Clown]

Pretty much.

That's what I get for not reading the whole thread instead of the OP. You made some of the same points that I did in your post.

[Snake]

I really dont care about the respect thing. I think it matters to the players cause it fires them up. Really the truth is no one respects any team in the NFC South cause all of us are low market areas.

[FLpanfan]

4. They are not in the NFC EAST (NFC EAST = respect no matter what).

Ok, I have an idea!

What if we trade divisions with the cowboys! Then all of the NFC East teams will actually be, you know, in the East.

[Mr. Scot]

That's what I get for not reading the whole thread instead of the OP. You made some of the same points that I did in your post.

Not a problem. I'm not arrogant enough to believe I'm the only one who understands how it works.

[Sam Mills Fan]

Another reason that I think the Panthers aren't getting any respect nationally is because the national press has been burned by the Panthers so many times before. Coming off the Super Bowl appearance, the Panthers were everywhere in the preseason. Lots of people were picking us to win it all. And then we went 7-9. BUT....we finished strongly and were trendy picks again going into 2005. We lost to Seattle BUT we came close to a Super Bowl and if only we had had some running backs we would have won it all that year. So the Panthers were the trendy pick heading into 2006, especially with the addition of Keyshawn. And then...the bottom dropped out. After three straight years of preseason hype, the Panthers couldn't make it to a Super Bowl once. Three years of preseason hype as the supposedly best team in the league and all we had to show for it was a 7-9, 11-5, and 8-8 record.

So until we show CONSISTENCY like others have said, the national outlets aren't going to fall for the Panther fool's gold again.

[KatsAzz]

I think the problem is that the fans have this delusion that we are one of the overall elite franchises in the league like the cowboys, steelers, packers, redskins, patriots....etc etc. No one is disrespecting the panthers. There are about 20 other teams in the NFL that ESPN never talks about either and I guarantee none of those fan bases whine as much about respect like our fans do. We havent been around long enough or done anything consistently to be considered elite. When or if that happens then people will talk about this team consistently as one of the elite. We havent even had back to back winning seasons yet. What do you expect? People are talking about the Falcons now because they went 11-5 under a rookie HC and QB. John Fox has been here 7 years and the team is still inconsistent and Jake is a 34 has been who was never more than average to begin with. Thats also why people never talk about the panthers as being elite. They've never had a franchise QB.

Have you ever considered that so called fans like you Gayman,are one reason the Panthers get little consideration as an elite franchise. If Gayblades like you,posing as fans,continually knock and critize their own team,how in heavens name do you expect the media to react positively.

Gayman you would be better off chosing another sport to watch,because it is for certain you don't fit in as a Panther fan.

[dimbee]

Not a problem. I'm not arrogant enough to believe I'm the only one who understands how it works.

Says the Voice of Reason

[Pimpdaddy]

fogetaboutit.... the panthers always have a chance to step up. We have the talent to be awesome... screw the pundits.

[Easyt65]

Respect? Who cares about worrying about and demanding respect. You focus on the job, you concentrate on doing the job, winning the game week in and week out, and nothing else...the respect will come. If you NOTICE no one is talking about you 1) you probably aren't worth talking about, 2) you're not focused on the next game.

When we went to the SB, and around that time, we didn't get any respect, we kicked tail, and we were one of the hottest teams players wanted to come play for, to the point of willing to take pay cuts to do it. Press releases and ESPN highlight reels weren't the reason! The Panthers took care of business!

Teams that BITE, like Detroit and now the Raiders, pray for a win.

Carolina is in the 2nd tier right now, praying for consistency/a back-to-back winning season.

Teams at the top, like te Pats, expect to make it to the playoffs every year, and there are no egos on the team - it is abvout TEAM. You were dead-on about the higher standards, though, too. THAT comes from leadership. Richardson called out JP to BE the Leader on this football tean, and he crumbled like a wet paper towel! He wanted no part of being a leader, he just wanted to play, and when he was asked to lead he couldn't get out of town fast enough (which failed, too). That is why, IMO, he may be remembered as a very talented player/DE but won't be remembered for much else.

Can anyone tell me who the face of the Panthers are, or more importantly, the vocal leaders are that rally this team and set the standard?

JP is out. Delhomme has been knocked out of that role, partially, due to the Cards game fiasco. Beason has the ability to become the DOMINANT voice, but seems he hasn't 'seized the undisputed crown'.

Offense: Smith? He took a hit when he hit Lucas last season. Jake - talked about. Deangelo? Could be!

Main point, Carolina needs strong leaders to step up, lead by example, and get everyone united and focused on winning the next game instead of worrying about getting respect from anyone!

...besides, like that SB year, I thoroughly enjoyed sneaking into town and smashing teams in the mouth, taking 'me down before they knew what hit them!

[RazzleDazzle]

Who does not respect the Panthers? What are we the fuging lions now?