Positive Progress

[Mr. Scot]

After the first few games of this year, I wasn't expecting it but we've genuinely seen it this season.

There's reason for hope, there's something to build on, and I didn't believe either of those things existed going into this year. 

We definitely aren't where we would like to be, but the good news is that we also aren't where we thought we'd be.

I'd call that progress.

[Captroop]

Photo finish with a legit title contender. You have to ba happy with the showing if not the outcome. (Honestly, "the better team lost today" is the best outcome we can hope for the rest of the season! I'm here for it!)

And I'd like to remind people that we are missing several of our best players due to injury. If we bring this intensity to next season, and can keep our playmakers healthy (and we put stick'em on XL's hands) we have the makings of a really solid team. 

[Greatman77]

We are competing. It's actually watchable football, unlike Bryce's first 2 games this season. I'll take it.

[PadresPanthersFan]

The good: played competitive football for the 5th week in a row, 2 vs. Superbowl favorites, could have won them all, Bryce is becoming that man, d didn't let saquon break any records

The bad: losing still sucks, saquon still went over 120

 

The ugly: pinero missing another kick, x dropping hot potatoes all over the field, he needs to spend everyday from now until week 1 next year on the jugs machine- hire a catching specialist, find a new football god to pray to, anything

 

But in all, this team fights. This is not the 2023 panthers 

[WarPanthers89]

3 minutes ago, Mr. Scot said:

After the first few games of this year, I wasn't expecting it but we've genuinely seen it this season.

There's reason for hope, there's something to build on, and I didn't believe either of those things existed going into this year. 

We definitely aren't where we would like to be, but the good news is that we also aren't where we thought we'd be.

I'd call that progress.

Agreed. Instead of focusing on Legette and calling him a bust, we should be celebrating how this team has turned its performance around. We are taking some of the best teams in the league to the wire, even though we have a huge talent gap. How many players, including Bryce have we sworn off when they have only had a few games in the league? Be happy this team is finally showing some fight after the last 7 years 

[TD alt]

I ain't crying. Bryce actually looks like a real QB, and others are developing. That's progress fo' sho'.  There appears to be a light at the end of the tunnel.

We should be more competitive next season. 

[Donald LaFell]

2 minutes ago, PadresPanthersFan said:

The good: played competitive football for the 5th week in a row, 2 vs. Superbowl favorites, could have won them all, Bryce is becoming that man, d didn't let saquon break any records

The bad: losing still sucks, saquon still went over 120

 

The ugly: pinero missing another kick, x dropping hot potatoes all over the field, he needs to spend everyday from now until week 1 next year on the jugs machine- hire a catching specialist, find a new football god to pray to, anything

 

But in all, this team fights. This is not the 2023 panthers 

That’s such a positive for next year too. Fox/Rivera teams felt like they underachieved but this team really feels like they are doing all they can to stay in games. I’m excited to see them keep building the team according to Canales’s vision 

[bigjohn]

Exactly. And I'm down on XL at the moment, but not giving up on him. The look of this team is SO different than weeks 1 and 2. If XL has that "dawg" in him, he will work his ass off to improve.  I have to say with the mentality this team has shown, I think we have some guys that will push each other to improve. I wasn't so sure of that earlier in the season honestly.

And I think we have a damn coach in Canales.  Also trusting Morgan a bit too. 

Regardless, I don't feel hopeless anymore.

[rayzor]

With each game I feel better and better about this team.

There's just a couple pieces (and a lot of depth) we need.

Right now....gimme TMac and then nothing but big guys in the trenches in the draft.

 

[OneBadCat]

We’re a good team. Our record doesn’t show it because of the injuries we’ve sustained but Bryce is playing great ball. We just need the pieces around him to turn the corner. 
 

I count the KC and Tampa games as dubs because we outplayed them all game. Same story today, we’re outplaying teams in-spite of a lack of key talent in certain areas. 
 

Dare I say it but I think we’re actually the best team in the NFC South right now. I expect a sweep of the Falcons and a W vs the Buccaneers. 
 

This team with another decent draft and FA, combined with Derrick Browns return will be very very dangerous.

[L-TownCat]

I’m having fun watching deep into the 4th quarter with legit opportunities to win.  Feels like ‘02.

[CmC2k]

Bryce has shown that he has the "it" factor in the 4th. Give him a true number 1 in Tmac or Higgins and we are cooking teams next year. 

[KSpan]

1 minute ago, CmC2k said:

Bryce has shown that he has the "it" factor in the 4th. Give him a true number 1 in Tmac or Higgins and we are cooking teams next year. 

Does he though? Why not have the 'it' factory earlier in the games?

I haven't watched the past several games for various reasons so am just playing devil's advocate. From seeing posts this week it sounded ike the team had zero chance and the defense seemed to do enough to win. Better than getting murdered  though.

[CmC2k]

1 minute ago, KSpan said:

Does he though? Why not have the 'it' factory earlier in the games?

I haven't watched the past several games for various reasons so am just playing devil's advocate. From seeing posts this week it sounded ike the team had zero chance and the defense seemed to do enough to win. Better than getting murdered  though.

We just don't have the talent at WR to be able to make plays all game and the defense needs to improve at stopping the run to allow our offense more possessions but in these 4th quarter situations over the past few weeks Bryce has shown the ability to elevate and make plays in the clutch which is a huge step.