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Gil Brandt: Five best offseasons of 2017

TheSpecialJuan

By TheSpecialJuan,
in Carolina Panthers

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TheSpecialJuan Grand Master

TheSpecialJuan

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3) Carolina Panthers

The Panthers finished at the bottom of the NFC South with a 6-10 record -- but they also lost six games by three points or fewer, meaning there wasn't that much separating them from contention. Cam Newton's cast of pass catchers was lacking in 2016, but the Panthers' first two draft picks (the ultra-versatile Christian McCaffrey and the sure-handed Curtis Samuel) both project as matchup nightmares who can provide some serious juice to this aerial attack. I'm not worried about Newton's surgically-repaired shoulder, but I am extremely high on McCaffrey and Samuel, and I'm confident the rookies will help Carolina's QB return to his MVP form after a down season.

I liked what Carolina did in bringing back defensive end Julius Peppers and cornerback Captain Munnerlyn. They might be late in their careers, but I think it made sense in terms of fit and locker-room impact. Peppers is only one year removed from a 10.5-sack season, while Munnerlyn can provide guidance to the youngsters in the secondary. This defense plays pretty well, and adding pass rusher Daeshon Hall in the third round will only help. Locking up Kawann Short was huge. Adding veteran Matt Kalil and rookie Taylor Moton will boost the offensive line. Ultimately, McCaffrey and Samuel are the keys, and I think they have Newton and the Panthers primed for a turnaround.

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Nails Newbie

Nails

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18 minutes ago, KillerKat said:

Just imagine if DG did his job last season. We'd be a power house.

We definitely wouldn't have Daeshon Hall.  We probably wouldn't have Short after this year.  VERY unlikely McCaffrey is a Panther.  And, maybe, the Falcons wouldn't have been able to blow a 25 point lead.  It was worth it.

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Hoenheim Grand Master

Hoenheim

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6 minutes ago, Nails said:

We definitely wouldn't have Daeshon Hall.  We probably wouldn't have Short after this year.  VERY unlikely McCaffrey is a Panther.  And, maybe, the Falcons wouldn't have been able to blow a 25 point lead.  It was worth it.

Yup gotta think of the butterfly affect essentially. You can change one small thing and that could totally change a bunch of different outcomes of the future. 

Maybe keeping norman would have let us win a few more games, but if we had the same injuries occur our record probably still would have been mediocre. Our 2016 draft would have been totally different and 2017 draft also. 

The one thing you can say is its highly unlikely we get McCaffrey if we kept norman . So alot is hinging on how well our 2nd year CBs do, if Butler has any impact this season, and if McCaffrey/Samuel can electrify the offense. If all these things work and we have a deep playoff run, losing norman was worth it . If we spirial into mediocrity again for the 2ndstrait season? The conspiracy theroists will be everywhere haha. That and a bunch of coaches should be fired if we miss the playoffs 2 strait years after going to a super bowl 

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Hoenheim Grand Master

Hoenheim

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1 minute ago, TheSpecialJuan said:

I recall multiple media people criticizing the Panthers for their offseason, prior to the draft.

They killed DG for spending so much on Matt Kalil

that'll still be a pretty valid criticism if Kalil is as bad as his most recent years with the Vikings. There's a hell of alot riding on him , Oher's health, and Moton's potential to effectively play on either side. 

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Saca312 Experienced

Saca312

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4 minutes ago, TheSpecialJuan said:

I recall multiple media people criticizing the Panthers for their offseason, prior to the draft.

They killed DG for spending so much on Matt Kalil

Actually, once the details came out, it's a VERY team-friendly deal that won't cost us much to cut the rope after 2 years. Not as bad of a contract like everyone originally assumed.

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TheSpecialJuan Grand Master

TheSpecialJuan

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2 minutes ago, Hoenheim said:

that'll still be a pretty valid criticism if Kalil is as bad as his most recent years with the Vikings. There's a hell of alot riding on him , Oher's health, and Moton's potential to effectively play on either side. 

indeed. Gman gambled and won big with Oher a few years ago. He's gambling once again and needs Kalil to, at the very least, stay healthy.

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