Let's take a step back and look at ourselves in the mirror as a fanbase

[Ricky Spanish]

This isn't me calling anyone out in particular, it's more just some self reflection that I think probably applies to quite a few fans of this franchise, I will admit to being one of the most guilty of this:

• I like the Panthers
• I don't like Matt Rhule 

The problem I, and it seems many, are running into is that Point 1 is almost fueling the rage and feelings dedicated to Point 2.

As a fan of this team, we should want to see the team succeed, but Rhule has sucked so bad, I want to see him fail as an individual. Unfortunately if Rhule fails, the team fails, and watching the team fail makes me angry. Thus the cycle perpetuates itself. 

Therein lies the conundrum that is being a fan of this franchise at the moment. The past two years as a Panther fan have not been fun. It would be one thing if the rest of the team looked competent minus the QB's but overall the team ended up looking worse in year 2 than they did in year 1. That falls on Rhule's Shoulders.

So here we are going into year 3, and we as a fanbase are unhappy. We as a team are trending down, and Matt Rhule is still at the helm. However, this offseason is different than last offseason and there have definitely been some objectively good changes that have been made going into year 3:

• Legitimate OL upgrade in FA with players we aren't scratching our heads over
• Brought in All-Pros in the Special Teams in Hekker and Andre Roberts
• Drafted an OT with our first pick at #6 overall, and he's a local kid
• Drafted a QB with upside to try and develop in the 3rd round
• Legitimate assistant coaches with track records of success at their positions (Wilks, Campen, McAdoo)
• Coaches added to the staff with NFL Experience, something we severely lacked the first two years of the Rhule Regime
• We made a legitimately good trade for Baker Mayfield. Say what you want about him as a QB, with the state of our current team, that was the best deal we could have made. There is a 0% chance the team improves with Sam starting under center next year.

Of course there are some not good things as well:

• We lost our best Corner and pass rusher and really didn't do anything to replace either. We are banking a crop of young unproven players stepping up and breaking out in CJ Henderson, Horn, and Gross-Matos. 
• Rhule and Tepper simped hard for Sexual Predator Deshaun Watson and failed at acquiring him in the process. Just made the team and themselves look desperate and foolish. This left a really bad taste in my, and many other fan's mouths.
• This will be the third year in a row that Matt Rhule tries to unfug the QB situation that he himself created. 

The third point I think is a big sticking point for a lot of the fanbase. He has already failed at identifying even mediocre talent at the position, and it seems like he has gotten carte blanche to do it for a third year in a row. It's like watching Star Wars Episodes 1 and 2 and knowing that 3 will be just as big of a pile of poo as the others. 

BUT, and I can't believe I'm saying this, it is a new year, and it is very possible that we COULD be surprised with a halfway decent third installment, much like the prequels did with Revenge of the Sith. Was it the best Star Wars movie ever made? God no. But it was a significant improvement over the previous two. 

I guess what I'm saying is I am a Panther Fan first and foremost, and I don't want to lose sight of that, regardless of who the coach is. I'm going to root for Matt Rhule to succeed, because his success means the team succeeds, and that's all any of us really care about. 

Objectively speaking, our team looks improved from last year. I honestly don't think I wanted to believe it because I don't like Matt Rhule and don't think he's a good head coach. But, there is a chance he surprises us and we actually contend for a playoff spot because the moves made this offseason have made the team better, on paper at least. 

So I ask that we all take a step back, take a breath, and look at the roster top to bottom compared to last year. 

Look at the Offense the Defense and the STs. We are a better team than 2021 even with Matt Rhule as a coach.

So until we are out of the playoff race, I'm willing to put my hatred of Matt Rhule aside and pull for this team to succeed even if it's being coached by a guy I think is incompetent. Let's hope 2022 is our Revenge of the Sith, and not the Rise of Skywalker.

[Big Sexy]

Well said. You described me to a tee.

[Tr3ach]

Exactly.  I'm not sold on Rhuld but I dont hate him either.  I think it all comes down to how he learns from the experience he gains, but even worst case I feel like it should be looked like when the team brings in a player you dont like.  You may not like them but if they are on the panthers then I dont understand why you wouldnt want them to be great.  I want every player on the roster and every coach on the staff to be great and in my opinion coaches just like players can improve, but regardless in the end I just want to win and I will never cheer for them to lose entirely because i want someone to lose their job.

[GOAT]

how you guys have time to write these kinda posts up

[KSpan]

It goes beyond Rhule though. Rhule is a symptom of Tepper's incompetence and, arguably, arrogance. From the nonsense with Rivera and Hurney to being so fixated on Watson, Tepper has dug himself quite a hole and Rhule, no matter what the outcome this season, is only a part of that hole.

[frankw]

I've been falling back a bit on my Rhule mud slinging but recent events are bringing it back. He is responsible for the duo of Sam Darnold and Robbie Anderson the two highly paid players who are top tier at their position only in their own minds. Rhule is back on the shitlist for the time being.

[Aussie Tank]

If we stay healthy we will make some noise. Still need a couple more pieces on D though 

[Jon Snow]

Preach to me at the end of the season.  Then I'll listen. 

[DamnItJake!]

Do u expect me to read that!! My short version without reading on the Panther Fan base is mixed.. Twitter is more positive.. Huddle is pretty damn negative:

but Personally I am hoping:

McAdoo can turn this offense around with his QB of choice.. McCaffery can stay healthy.. Offensive line gels and becomes a force.. Horn stays healthy and elevates the defense!! And we win games!!

[Jackie Lee]

6 minutes ago, frankw said:

I've been falling back a bit on my Rhule mud slinging but recent events are bringing it back. He is responsible for the duo of Sam Darnold and Robbie Anderson the two highly paid players who are top tier at their position only in their own minds. Rhule is back on the shitlist for the time being.

Also it's the offseason and it's easy for the trades and draft picks and everything to gloss over the owner/coach BS. As soon as the live game action begins Rhule is going to go immediately back into his shitty ways and we'll be bitching about the main problem all over again. Too late for him to change or grow, he seemed like the same impatient spazz he's always been during that draft confidential video

[panthers55]

I see a change in Rhule this year over last. He is more in his lane letting other guys do what they do best.  Hopefully he stays that way. 

[Waldo]

I have been in this for the long haul for a long time. I don’t need to rationalize it or pump it up, it can do that for itself or not. The owner is an issue and the head coach is an issue. Doing in year 3 what they should have in year one in a bunch of spots does not wipe away the fact we almost traded for Watson, have another reject QB under center again and much of the coaching is improved but still subpar.  

It stinks but we are in a rough spot as fans. The owner needs a lot more experience and that is if that even matters because sometimes it doesn’t. Either way there will be football on Sundays and life rolls on. Hope and pray or cruse and yell. It won't really matter on the field, that is all just what we each find interesting in this thing.

Edited July 9, 2022 by Waldo

[Adb6368]

I to like the panthers. 

I will root for the panthers to win this year

if the panthers win this year, I will like Matt Rhule

if the panthers lose this year, I will deal with consequences at that point

i will understand that there is no changing our head coach now, and will understand that although I don’t agree, the entire league currently has the same record and at this time last year the bengals were no better than us 

[Luciu5]

2 hours ago, Ricky Spanish said:

I guess what I'm saying is I am a Panther Fan first and foremost, and I don't want to lose sight of that, regardless of who the coach is. I'm going to root for Matt Rhule to succeed, because his success means the team succeeds, and that's all any of us really care about.

I've never really understood rooting for "your" team to lose, which I see a lot here on the Huddle. If you are a fan, you support the team and root for the team to win. I understand "losing to win", but that's not our job as fans; not our place as fans.

Personally, when I watch a game, I want to watch the team win. Everytime. I've never turned on the TV and watched a Panther's game hoping for a loss. It's just a weird mentality as a fan that I can't comprehend. Who cares who the coach/gm/owner/qb/towel boy is? I'm not a Matt Rhule fan or Cam Newton fan or David Tepper fan. I'm a Panthers fan and I want the Panthers to succeed, everyday. Every time they step on the field. Nobody else matters and nothing else matters but wins.

The fact is, if I root for the team to win or if I root for the team to lose, does not change reality. If the coach sucks, the team will lose, and he will be replaced. I don't need to be a poo fan to make that happen. I'll always support my teams and I always cheer for wins. Everything else will take care of itself.