Let the Controversy begin...

[ncbobcat]

It seems every year that the Panthers have high expectations from media/fans and return 20 or 21 of their 22 starters (many of whom end up on IR that season) they seem to fall flat ont their face. It happened in 2004 and again this year. With that said, here is what I can come up with that PROVES the Panthers will have too much instability to be possibly have a playoff-type year in 2010:

1) Fox and his staff to stay intact--OFFERED to stay, though no one really knows and staying means lame-duck status

2) Smitty coming off an injury and Moose too old as a legit #2--depth

3) QB drama; whomever starts will have questions

4) The Peppers saga PART II

5) DT--a lot of bodies, but legit, future starters?

6) No first round pick to upgrade talent

7) Health of returning starters from season-ending surgeries

8) DeAngelo possibly being shopped

9)2009 record

Did I miss something or did I draw enough uncertainty so that we have that much adored underdog/flying under the radar status for 2010?

[Kyle82]

Gonna be an interesting offseason as usual....lots of questions and very little answers but at least we are not the Lions or Browns and suck every year...we have had several bright years in our brief history and if it plays out like it always has then 2010 will be a playoff year for the Panthers.

[ncbobcat]

Yeah, my point was mainly that the 2009 Panthers had little questions coming in and what happened? One, big, resounding THUD, that's what. I figure the more questions the team has the better chance people will not expect much out of the team. Please, add to the list!

[pantherholic]

Assuming the QB position (either with Moore proving as no joke or with a solid FA signing) and the #2 receiver are both solidified, I expect next year to be a great year. With Fox staying and no contract extension in place, he will view it just like a player in a contract year and will gameplan for either a huge contract extension or a huge offer from another team. He will treat the '10 season like he does every year after we're eliminated from the playoffs or have to win out to have a shot at the playoffs - he will actually play to win games instead of not to lose. That's why we always finish strong in the non-playoff years - because we have nothing to lose and/or everything to gain the last 2-3 games.

This team is capable year in and year out, as evidenced when Fox plays to win instead of not to lose. Fox will view the entire '10 campaign like having to win out to make the playoffs. If he limps in to another 7-9, 8-8, 9-7 year, there will be no extension and his marketability will be damaged.