Today's Ron Rivera presser

[Woodie]

8 hours ago, Cary Kollins said:

 

that's why I can't stomach to watch it.

 

Would be easier if Denver was just the better team instead of Carolina shooting themselves in the foot for four quarters.

This is what's killing me.  in 2003, I knew we weren't the best team, and the only reason we were there was because we got on a roll.  But this time, I knew without a doubt that we were the best team in the game, as well as the entire NFL.  So this one is much harder to accept.  Simply put, we should not have lost.  Heck, even with their defense playing about as well as they possibly can, we had the opportunities to win but made too many self-inflicted mistakes.  I could even handle it if they had been controlling us all game, but they weren't.  They made some big plays, but we were able to move the ball on them, we would then make some boneheaded mistake.  

It wouldn't be as bad except for the fact that most of those mistakes were out of character.  We had some problems early in the season with drops, but the one guy we could always count on to catch any ball that came his way was Cotchery.  Yet, he had some horrible drops that just killed us (even though that replay was bogus). It's still unbelievable to me how we lost that game.  To be beaten by a better team is one thing, but to beat yourselves is a tough pill to swallow.

[Mother Grabber]

5 hours ago, Growl said:

Y'all are doing better than I am. Usually by this point I am getting anxious for next season.. Now im dreading it. Honestly the thought of football makes me queezy in the same way a woman may have a lasting sickness towards a particular food item after getting pregnant. 

 

The draft and stuff is still a bit enticing , and it's not that I don'ttthink the Panthers will have a great team... Its just the thought of having to emotionally get back up again makes me nauseous.

I know man, I can't handle another 17 win season. I'd rather go back to 8-8, like we were under foxy.

[KB_fan]

5 hours ago, Mother Grabber said:

I know man, I can't handle another 17 win season. I'd rather go back to 8-8, like we were under foxy.

I'll admit that this past season was rather all-consuming and exhausting.  It kind of took on a life of its own and took over my non-football life!

But it was thrilling.  I don't want to see us go back to mediocrity.  Let's become the team accustomed to excellence, always being a contender in this window we have with Cam & Luke in their prime (and great complementary stars in Greg, TD, Josh, KK, etc....).

I agree with some that a repeat of a 15-1 season is pretty unlikely.  I won't try to make a prediction until after free agency & the draft and until seeing our schedule..., but I don't think there's any reason to shoot for or expect anything less than a very strong season.  (12-4, 13-3...). We're not losing many of the pieces that got us to the super bowl.  I think we should aim now for Houston.

[Nomad82]

14 hours ago, stankowalski said:

The tough part about next year will be managing expectations.  If you think we're going to go on another 15-1 run you may consider adjusting that.  It's really early to tell right now but I'm guessing we'll win 11 or 12 next year, while winning the NFC South again.  

..and I'm fine with that. This team thrives off being the underdog anyway.

[Handsome Steve]

17 hours ago, Handsome Steve said:

 

9 hours ago, Mother Grabber said:

I know man, I can't handle another 17 win season. I'd rather go back to 8-8, like we were under foxy.

don't think people want to go back to mediocrity, but after going through that season with the SB gifted to us practically, I think a lot of people are just scared of next season. I know I am. I want a winning season and play off run and IF we go to Houston, then so be it, but I just don't see us going back for a couple of years.