Optimism and triumph

[TheMostInterestingMan]

So I’ve not been able to this joint as often as usually due to a family situation that has taken my attention. My brother had a serious heart scare. Thankfully he’s doing much better now. 
 

With that said, I’ve got to own up to my misguided hopes. I was never one that believed Darnold was the answer. But I did believe he could be salvaged and be good enough. I felt he was very talented with a good arm and was mishandled on NY. I still do feel that way. And for the first few games of the season he looked damn good. But once the offensive line collapsed and he started feeling pressure he became the Sam Darnold mistake machine. And I admit, my optimism for him was wrong. I owe @LinvilleGorge, @Waldo... a few other I can’t think of their Huddle names right now this admission. I was quick to defend Darnold to the negative criticisms. They were right and I was wrong. I still think Darnold is a good dude with a lot of talent and I think he plays hard... but mentally he just doesn’t have it.

For what it’s worth. I’m still glad we traded for Darnold rather than trading three 1sts for Watson. I still feel the Darnold trade makes more sense, even now. Even without the sex scandal, trading away that much of your future almost always ends in bad places. 
 

But now to the positives. Cam is back. I never wanted us to cut Cam for Teddy. I always wanted us to let him play out his final year and see if he could rebound. But I did understand moving on when we did. Cams body was shot and he had lost his deep ball ability. But just like a comic book, Superman now returns and is our only hope for this season. And damn it feels good.

It feels really silly to admit this, but I slightly teared up after Cam scored and started yelling “I’m baaaaack!” 
 

It feels silly because I’m a 31 year old man watching other grown men playing games and getting emotional about it. But it was more than just about the Panthers. It was about the uncertainty of my brothers health at that time. It was about the worry of my mother’s mental fortitude if we lose him. It was about my 3 year old niece, his daughter and what it would mean for her and the rest of us going forward. 
 

Cams TD was more to me last week than just a TD in the NFL on a Sunday. It was a triumph for Cam. He figuratively rose from the ashes and overcame against the odds. It sounds corny feeling such inspiration from it, but I genuinely did. And my brother appears to be okay moving forward as well. 
 

I was wrong to feel such optimism about Sam. I still like him and I still understand the trade, but the doubters were right. He isn’t the answer. And Cam isn’t the long term answer. But he’s given me a little hope that the season isn’t over. And he’s given me a little inspiration outside of football. 
 

We aren’t anybody’s favorite. But we never really have been. Let’s give the league hell for the rest of this season and keep mother fugging pounding. 

[LinvilleGorge]

Glad your brother is doing better!

You don't have to apologize about your optimism. Even when I'm pessimistic about a move trust and believe I'll be happy if I'm wrong. I'd rather be wrong and it work out in the Panthers' favor than right and watching the Panthers struggle. I prefer my crow served with a side of Lombardi Trophy.

[Waldo]

Good to hear your brother is on the mend sir!

LG already said it all. I am so happy about the Sam incident being shelved through the rest of the season so we can soak up what is going down in Panther town. This last weekend was such a turn from the week before that I still don't have the words to express my optimism of the new direction, it's very hard for me to not be pessimistic even if I am optimistic about it.

I am right there with you on the Sam trade being better than a Watson trade, or even the Lance trade the 49ers made (he was my #1 wish from the offseason). 

I'm a pessimist, sometimes I do need to STFU and let others have their space. I wish I was wrong about Sam and he could mentally do what his body can physically do, I just couldn't believe that. Hell, I was a raging ass when we traded for him, no excusing that sir. 

Do you, have fun and if you need to throw some poo at me it's cool with me. I know I need it sometimes. 

[onmyown]

any true Panther fan was optimistic about the Darnold experiment 

should’ve pulled the plug and signed cam after the Giants loss tho 

[NAS]

Always, Never...  you sure like to deal in absolutes

[Khaki Lackey]

7 minutes ago, NAS said:

Always, Never...  you sure like to deal in absolutes

He's a sith lord. I KNEW it.

[Louie]

I also thought that Darnold could be salvaged. I was wrong. I don't think he has the quick decision making required by an NFL QB. I didn't like them releasing Cam, but I sort of understood based on his health the two years prior. But, I'm glad he's back and was ecstatic watching him play last week. I haven't felt that good watching an NFL game, since he left. He's Back!!!! I hope Cam balls out and can give us a couple more years to find a good prospect. Who knows what can happen if we get in!  I'm glad your brother is doing better! Keep pounding!

[TF330]

I knew darnold would never be great but I did think he could be a game manager and with our defense I was optimistic he could get us somewhere special just by staying out of our way. I was wrong about that and he couldn't help himself, led the league in interceptions and blew his opportunity. Oh well he had his shot

 

 

[NAS]

Darnold is psychologically damaged, it was Rhule’s ego that misled him to believe he could salvage him

[TheCasillas]

7 minutes ago, NAS said:

Darnold is psychologically damaged, it was Rhule’s ego that misled him to believe he could salvage him

Believing that a kid can turn it around is not an ego move. Mentorship and people development should never be considered egostistical. Rhule (like many others) thought he could coach Darnold to be better. They looked at the Jets situation and hoped that it was poor management and lack of player development. Sam is just too far gone.

[firefox1234]

Every fan is optimistic. I hated the Cam pick but was I still watched all his highlights and wished to be wrong. I did the same with Darnold(with the few highlights out there)and had similar hope but it is what it is……

[Basbear]

In my small group on trusted posters, you are there. Its a rare deal to be able to dis-agree and still maintain respect. 

[OneBadCat]

To be honest though Sam didn’t even look that great the first 3 games. I think a lot of it had to do with CMC, coddled play calling, and him being very comfortable with the plays scripted throughout camp.

Once the adjustments and roster adversity came in he couldn’t handle it anymore.

[kungfoodude]

At the end of the day(from the Darnold Doubt contingent) all of us wanted to be proven wrong because it makes the Panthers better. If he works out, we get a massive steal. But, the signs were obvious and, unfortunately, they proved to be what they appeared. 

It is what it is. I am elated to see Cam back and although I doubt he is our long term answer, it sure is nice to have him back in the building and back on the team. I think for the real Panthers fans, it was something we needed to see some closure with him. 

Even if last game was the peak, that was somehow enough for me.