Pause here to consider the possibility the panthers are better than you think

[PhillyB]

I'm more depressed about the Panthers than I've been since 2010, and last night was the first time in his career I've actually questioned Cam, who I realized I have an emotional attachment to, so this isn't a slathering positivity thread like the sort that invariably pops up after existentially bruising losses. However, consider the following:

• Cam is rusty. He threw a lot of dimes between the numbers, especially on those crossing routes he's struggled with in the past, and on the misses deep there were a lot of miscues in addition to overthrows. That tells me timing is off, and that's rust.

• The offensive line is terrible. I was at the game last night and found myself specifically watching the pocket every snap. On virtually every incompletion Cam had a defender barreling straight at him. At least one wide-open touchdown was stymied by a free rusher. No one in the league could get a rhythm behind that line - it's '07 Raiders level of historically awful.

• The defense is elite. No dropoff from Thomas Davis and that DL is a bunch of animals.

So unless you're hoping to lose out and dump Ron and Norv - which I would count as a long-term victory, as he's clearly worn out his welcome - the season could easily be turned around. A few line adjustments (posters have suggested switching Moton and Williams) giving Cam time to settle into a rhythm could produce offensive competency, Cam's returned confidence, and a couple of schedule-evening wins against weaker teams.

It happened in 2013 - if it happens in 2019 that's exactly how.

[LinvilleGorge]

We may improve, but right now no we aren't. You are what your record says you are. We're 0-2.

[Ornias]

Ron would coach the 85 bears to 8-8. The problem is not primarily the players, other than Cam. Cam has been killed over the years. 

[Bartin]

3 minutes ago, PhillyB said:

DL is a bunch of animals

I'm going to seriously have to disagree with this part. We barely got any pressure on Jameis until one drive at the end of the game against a Bucs OL that got destroyed in week 1.

[PhillyB]

Just now, LinvilleGorge said:

We may improve, but right now no we aren't. You are what your record says you are. We're 0-2.

to that point, we lost those games by a combined four points. ron is ass in close games, but one or two less stupid plays or better calls refs and we're plucky 2-0

[Mr. Scot]

To be brutally honest, it wouldn't exactly be all that difficult for them to be better than I think they are right now.

[PhillyB]

I'm trying to justify buying those flights to London. None of you ruin this for me

[Cary Kollins]

poo man I was there too should have hit you up.

[PhillyB]

4 minutes ago, Bartin said:

I'm going to seriously have to disagree with this part. We barely got any pressure on Jameis until one drive at the end of the game against a Bucs OL that got destroyed in week 1.

jameis played very well last night, particularly in navigating the pocket, which got mangled repeatedly from the inside.

[Khyber53]

I'm generally a dyed in the wool optimist, even in the worst seasons, but they are going to have to show me something amazing to believe. 

What did I see that was amazing last night? A geriatric Greg Olsen posting over 100 yards receiving. Curtis Samuels looking like the guy we hoped he would be. Brian Burns authoring the first of many sacks in his career. A defense getting that rarest of scores, a safety when we desperately needed it. A QB throwing for over 300 yards.

And I saw an inexplicable loss.

Forget showing me something amazing, let me ask for something really, really difficult. Show me a win.

[thefuzz]

2 minutes ago, PhillyB said:

to that point, we lost those games by a combined four points. ron is ass in close games, but one or two less stupid plays or better calls refs and we're plucky 2-0

If you coach every game to be a 1 score affair, you better be damned good in 1 score games.

Ron Rivera is not.

 

[PhillyB]

2 minutes ago, Cary Kollins said:

poo man I was there too should have hit you up.

ah damn. it was a last minute thing, @OneBadCat hooked me up with tickets like a bro 

[AceBoogie]

I hope you’re right Philly. Like I said Cam threw what was probably the game winning touchdown to Samuel, but fell short because the offensive line got dominated. 

[LinvilleGorge]

4 minutes ago, PhillyB said:

to that point, we lost those games by a combined four points. ron is ass in close games, but one or two less stupid plays or better calls refs and we're plucky 2-0

Ifs and buts. Only the losers make excuses. 

Close games are generally the norm in the NFL. Only five teams in the entire NFL had average scoring margins in excess of a one possession game (8 points) last season