Will the Panthers or won't they contend for a playoff spot

[Diehardpanth02]

On 6/30/2023 at 3:23 AM, Pejorative Miscreant said:

That group had Olsen and a waning Cotchery but not much else.  While this team doesn't have a talent like Olsen, we do have several sturdy and capable pieces.  Also, I think the Oline is probably much better than the group back then. 

That coupled with a more innovative coaching staff leads me to believe this Panther group will surprise a lot of people this year.    I think if Young will have some normal growing pains as a rookie but he will impress.  Probably drinking some homerade, but I think we will be in a position to win the division this year.

The real thing we are looking over is just how good that defense was. Paired with an almost unstoppable run-game we were a very hard team to beat. We controlled the clock and you really had to beat us upfront to win against our defense. This sport has 3 phases, and while we may be close or maybe slightly better offensively, can we say the same for defense and special teams?

That defense was one of the best of the last few decades in the entire league.

 

 

Edited July 5, 2023 by Diehardpanth02

[ladypanther]

10 minutes ago, Diehardpanth02 said:

and while we may be close or maybe slightly better offensively, can we say the same for defense

Working on it!

[CRA]

2 hours ago, shaqattaq said:

Yeah, but 2015 had once-in-a-decade QB play from Cam. He WAS the offense. I would be shocked (and elated) if Bryce even comes close to that production as a rookie. But I agree that our offense as a whole is certainly better than 2015.

Cam Newton was the league MVP.  No way our offense this year is going to compare to 2015 overall.  Cam alone makes that a no contest.  

Now, if we exclude QB and talk about what is around the QB? 

Young will have a better OL than Cam did in 2015. 

But as weak as the skills position has always been deemed on that 2015 squad, I’d still give it an edge over this group going on.  2015 backfield was clearly better overall. Receiving group gets the slight edge in 2015 because that was Greg Olsen on his prime surrounded by decent role players.  Ginn Jr could take the top off as good as anyone in the league. He just might not catch it but it was coverage altering. 

[PNW_PantherMan]

Somebody from the division has to make it.  I don't see Tampa or Atlanta challenging for it with Baker Mayfield and Desmond Ridder at QB.  And as much as people talk up Derek Carr, the guy only won 6 games last year with the Raiders.  I don't see how New Orleans is an upgrade as far as supporting cast, and Dennis Allen is a terrible coach.

This will be our division to win or lose even with Bryce making some rookie mistakes.

[shaqattaq]

2 hours ago, CRA said:

Cam Newton was the league MVP.  No way our offense this year is going to compare to 2015 overall.  Cam alone makes that a no contest.  

Now, if we exclude QB and talk about what is around the QB? 

Young will have a better OL than Cam did in 2015. 

But as weak as the skills position has always been deemed on that 2015 squad, I’d still give it an edge over this group going on.  2015 backfield was clearly better overall. Receiving group gets the slight edge in 2015 because that was Greg Olsen on his prime surrounded by decent role players.  Ginn Jr could take the top off as good as anyone in the league. He just might not catch it but it was coverage altering. 

I agree about the o-line, as I stated way back on page 2, Stew was really good that year, but Sanders is coming off a probowl year and has better hands than Stew IMO, so I'm giving that a wash. I wasn't counting TE's in the receiving corps, but even with Greg the Great, I'll give this year an edge.

[shaqattaq]

3 hours ago, Jmac said:

Let me ask the Magic 8 ball.....

[CRA]

Just now, shaqattaq said:

I agree about the o-line, as I stated way back on page 2, Stew was really good that year, but Sanders is coming off a probowl year and has better hands than Stew IMO, so I'm giving that a wash. I wasn't counting TE's in the receiving corps, but even with Greg the Great, I'll give this year an edge.

Stewart was a better overall RB IMO than Sanders when healthy.   But let's call it a push between those 2.  2015 backfield gets the edge because it also featured All Pro/Pro Bowl Mike Tolbert too.  Who was super solid at everything from pass pro, receiving outlet to grinding out the tough yards.  Tolbert > Hubbard. 

Greg was in his prime in 2015.  Olsen + Ginn Jr IMO is going to give that 2015 unit the edge for me.  Olsen is a better receiving option than anyone we got this year.  And while flawed, Ginn Jr could influence coverage unlike anyone we have right now.  Unique NFL speed.  

[shaqattaq]

2 minutes ago, CRA said:

Stewart was a better overall RB IMO than Sanders when healthy.   But let's call it a push between those 2.  2015 backfield gets the edge because it also featured All Pro/Pro Bowl Mike Tolbert too.  Who was super solid at everything from pass pro, receiving outlet to grinding out the tough yards.  Tolbert > Hubbard. 

Greg was in his prime in 2015.  Olsen + Ginn Jr IMO is going to give that 2015 unit the edge for me.  Olsen is a better receiving option than anyone we got this year.  And while flawed, Ginn Jr could influence coverage unlike anyone we have right now.  Unique NFL speed.  

You may be right, too soon to be sure. Let's hope both position groups prove you wrong.

[CRA]

2 minutes ago, shaqattaq said:

You may be right, too soon to be sure. Let's hope both position groups prove you wrong.

I think it is a good enough group for Young to learn and grow.  Which is all that really matters for me.  I'd still like to add another RB w/ hands though.   I think the emphasis will be on Young getting the ball out quick.   Sanders gets banged up, I think we should already have a sure handed RB that is equally good in pass pro on the roster.  Not a big fan of what is behind Sanders right now  

[WarHeel]

10 hours ago, shaqattaq said:

Yeah, but 2015 had once-in-a-decade QB play from Cam. He WAS the offense. I would be shocked (and elated) if Bryce even comes close to that production as a rookie. But I agree that our offense as a whole is certainly better than 2015.

Cam also had a stellar defense.

[mccjeff]

On 7/1/2023 at 7:43 PM, PootieNunu said:

I hate to bust your bubble, but there arent any .500 NFL teams anymore. 

What is 8-8-1?

edit to say never mind. I see my quick witted question was already asked 4 or 5 times starting 3 pages ago.

Edited July 6, 2023 by mccjeff

[SteveSmithTD89]

I refuse to believe that teams led by Baker Mayfield/Todd Bowles Desmond Ritter/Arthur Smith and Derek Carr/Dennis Allen are going to win more games than us. 

If Bryce Young is even 80% of what we think he can be and the team avoids major injuries I think 10 wins is the floor. 

In this division with those above mentioned teams 10-7 might just run away with the division. 

[WhoKnows]

2 hours ago, SteveSmithTD89 said:

I refuse to believe that teams led by Baker Mayfield/Todd Bowles Desmond Ritter/Arthur Smith and Derek Carr/Dennis Allen are going to win more games than us. 

If Bryce Young is even 80% of what we think he can be and the team avoids major injuries I think 10 wins is the floor. 

In this division with those above mentioned teams 10-7 might just run away with the division. 

10-7 would likely have starters resting week 18. If we go 10-7, that is likely 5-1 in division and a 2+ game lead the last week. I agree that 10-7 would have the division sealed up early.

[Basbear]

On 6/30/2023 at 2:00 AM, BULLETPRQQF said:

 

 

Does anyone remember the WR/TE core we had in the superbowl? Take another look. we will be ok. I'm calling Panthers in playoffs. Too dynamic of a coaching staff/young skilled players to not make it.

Cam should won 2 mvps AND gotten the superbowl MVp too...