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Oh how far we can fall...

Bronn

By Bronn,
in Carolina Panthers

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Bronn Contributor

Bronn

Posted
Posted

I will preface this topic with the statement that it is pretty much just the rantings of a disappointed, dejected fan. You can agree with me or disagree, 100%, somewhere in between, or none. But, it won't really change my feelings on the subject.

The 2016/2017 Panthers were supposed to be special. We were just coming off one of the best seasons in NFL history. We got a piece of the offense back, and didn't change much else on that side of the ball. We let go of a star CB but did more than enough, supposedly, to fill the void there on one of the best defenses in the league. Our QB is top 3. Our MLB is arguably the best in the league.

Then Denver happens. We lose a close game on the leg of a kicker. In the process, it appears that our star QB gets banged up more than what is considered normal. The league does next to nothing to fix it.

Week 2 rolls around, and we get a little bit of a glimpse of what our team should be. But, the focus of the game quickly turns to controversy involving our QB and a bench warming QB from the other team.

Weeks 3-6 have pretty much been a nightmare. The offensive play calling and the defensive execution have been pretty much absent. We're letting the play clock expire because we can't get the plays in. We're forcing runs and passes that aren't there. Our defensive line isn't getting any pressure and our secondary couldn't cover a cardboard box. We're not firing on any cylinders, and the overall morale of the team just seems to have been sucked into a black hole.

Gone are the days of letting players play to their strengths and be themselves. Here are the days of forcing them to fit into molds that they don't fit in.

We have tons of cap space, and nothing to show for it.

We have elite players on both sides of the ball and nothing to show for it.

As a franchise-long Panthers fan, I have seen my share of ups and downs. I remember what 1-15 feels like. To be honest, I already feel like this season, at least so far, has been way worse than that season.

If you'll think back to that season, the Panthers had an electrifying player that they refused to let be himself. He was relegated to the return game and spot receiver duty. That man was a rookie, yes, but spent the whole season basically not even getting a chance. He would later become the greatest Panther of all time in my book, and a lock for the Hall of Fame.

This season, the rumors are already starting to swirl that we are bottling up another one of our players.

I can't say I blame the Panthers, because I want to protect Cam too. But telling Cam not to be Cam is pretty much telling Cam not to win. We shouldn't take the fact that the league isn't going to protect Cam as a sign that we need to hurt ourselves.

Alas, I digress.

The bottom line is that we're not standing up for our players against the league, and that is causing us to be steamrolled by both the league and ourselves. We're having stupid penalties called against us (hell, one could argue that the whole "taunting" rule was put into place because of Cam Newton,) the same penalties (going low on the QB) not being called against opponents, etc. etc. etc. We also didn't do poo in the offseason, apparently hoping that nobody else would try to get better either. All of this is becoming more and more evident as the season goes on and, honestly, I don't know that I can watch us do it much more. It is nauseating to me, and just pretty damned pathetic.

I know a few things that needs to change, but I don't know how to solve all our woes.

We need to start with firing Mike Shula. Hopefully that will scare the poo out of Sean McDermott and make him actually adjust and figure something out on defense.

We also need to do something about Gettleman. We all love the godfather persona, but you don't just sit idly by and watch the structure you built burn to the ground.

I don't want to accept "well, there's always next year." Nobody is promised another day. I always want to win now.

I really don't think I can tune in again this season. Life is too short. If the Panthers aren't going to give a poo then why should I?

That said, maybe the bye week will help soften my mood.

 

But honestly, if we don't make some kind of moves before the next game to show me that we're at least trying, then I give up this year.

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The Lobo Grand Master

The Lobo

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Well said. Except for the giving up part. I'm going to keep cheering. I hate talking about the refs, but if anyone says they are fair to us, you need eye surgery. You are spot on with our team not defending cam. They should be screaming at the league to protect him like the do Brees. I do think that his has caused a little rift with the players. 

We need to let cam be cam. Let him dance, let him run, let him not speak to the media if he doesn't want too (I know he has to but if he wants to be short let him. 

Go Panthers

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Mr. Scot Grand Master

Mr. Scot

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Just now, Bronn said:

I actually think Ron can be good... but he has to drop the hammer somewhere... stop being afraid...

If the Ron Rivera we met in the introductory presser were in charge, I'd agree. But that guy left the building a long time ago.

What we've got instead as a guy who lost his nerve after some early adversity and only briefly got it back. Now it's gone again.

I hate it because Rivera is easily the nicest guy we've ever had in this role. He's one of those guys you want so very badly to succeed. But it's not happening.

He's tied himself to guys like Shula and he'll sink with them before cutting them loose.

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Bronn Contributor

Bronn

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2 minutes ago, iBBB said:

Sadly, Shula does just enough to squeeze by, imo

Offense 2016:

Offense2016.PNG

Defense 2016, on the other hand:

Defense2016.PNG

 

We could be #1 offense in every category if all our stats come in junk time when we're having to play from behind...

It doesn't excuse the slow play calling or bad play calls over and over and over...
 

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X-Clown on 1 Experienced

X-Clown on 1

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1 hour ago, Bronn said:

If you'll think back to that season, the Panthers had an electrifying player that they refused to let be himself. He was relegated to the return game and spot receiver duty. That man was a rookie, yes, but spent the whole season basically not even getting a chance. He would later become the greatest Panther of all time in my book, and a lock for the Hall of Fame.

Clearly, you're talking about He Hate Me.

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