Calm, cool and collected.. My biggest takeaway from this new Panthers team

[PanthersNC1984]

There is one major difference I noticed from this Rhule Panthers team versus Ron’s. More focus, less emotional, just more poised. Watching this team yesterday felt more.. serene. At times during Rivera’s tenure it would seem at times the team was just chaotic, overly emotional and scatter brained. Constant time outs, always rushing at the line right before the clock hit zero, a lot of looking back and forth from the field to the sideline due to missed signals and mis communication. 
 

But this team just seems to vibe differently. It’s kind of hard to explain. They don’t seem to get too high or too low, just good ole fashion do your job and go home. Just baseline. Yes we lost, but I didn’t really find myself getting infuriated with this loss like I would during a Rivera coached team. This loss felt more like the other team just plain ole played better and deserved to win, with a Rivera loss it felt more frustrating and more self inflicted. 
 

I’ll be honest, despite the loss I don’t find myself infuriated with this loss or calling for heads to roll, it really does seem we played the best we possibly could but the other team just played a tad bit better. 

[LinvilleGorge]

I'm still very optimistic about the future of the Panthers. Going into this season with minimal expectations means that I can almost treat a close loss as a win. We didn't get taken to the woodshed and we competed. Honestly, for this season that's as good as a win in my book.

[Mistuh Jones]

I'm just happy we scored 30 points. That's really all I was looking for in this game but I guess my bar is mad lower than the rest of y'alls 

[Jeremy Igo]

It was nice seeing the offense have time to call plays and make adjustments. 

It was nice seeing wide receivers get open. 

The offense is good enough to win right now. The defense though, not so much. 

By mid season the Panthers may look like a pretty decent team. 

[kungfoodude]

10 minutes ago, Jeremy Igo said:

By mid season the Panthers may look like a pretty decent team. 

I think a lot of that will be predicated upon how healthy we stay. The drop off from our 1's to 2's is pretty severe. Luckily they are young guys, so maybe we finally get a relatively injury free season.

[PanicPete]

Was really impressed with some of those drives given the lack of off season and all new...well...everything. The defense obviously needs work. They didn't seem to make as many mistakes as last year (they also didn't make plays but I think those come with time and confidence). I believe Whitehead took two rough penalties if I remember right? Both times he had support and they were complete bone headed plays....I expect rookies to do that not him

[d-dave]

All things considered, it's not the worst first game of the season we've had.

Man, sometimes, we've look completely outmatched in a home opener.  No energy, just flat and uninspired.

I didn't see that Sunday.  I saw a professional team ready to play.  They were far from perfect, but they were scrappy.  They fought.  There are still lots of things that need to happen to get better, but I actually feel like we will.  I don't expect much this year, but I would like to see us keep pounding, keep getting better, and build a stronger team.