Pessimistic expectations for Thursday night

[CRA]

I just want the offense to come out sharp and move the ball...they don't need to score s ton or at all but I just want them to look good and play with some passion. They showed neither passion nor execution at fan fest.

And the defense just needs to keep playing with intensity and good things will happen.

It's just one practice game so my expectations are very simple.

if they don't look sharp I still don't think it is a concern. Life is just easy on a defense when Smitty ain't out there. Load up on the run and defend against fairly average WRs. Moore could have a hard time getting stuff going considering the recieving options. Considering it is preseason I doubt the are going to lean on Williams to get the ball rolling for everyone.

[Mother Grabber]

As long as the term "vanilla" isn't thrown around so much this preseason as excuses

Weren't we vanilla through game 8 last year?

[MadHatter]

I think it will be much like last night's game.....defenses play well, offenses look mehh

[CatMan72]

I don't think it's worthwile to form expectations about the first preseason game or draw conclusions on the results given that the starters will only play for 1 or 2 series. I'd like to see our starters come out and move the ball well against them, but we're not an explosive offense (especially without Smitty) so I won't get too concerned if we go 3 and out in both series.

I'm much more interested to see if our 1st string defense (in the limited amount of playing time they'll have) can generate any pressure. To me, that is our biggest potential achillies heel this year.

We know we'll be able to run the ball which should open things up in the passing game and we have a QB that can take advantage of those opportunities now, so we should be okay on offense. The real question in my mind is whether or not we can generate enough pressure on defense to get off the field and allow our offense to control the clock and wear the opposing defense down.

I think there are folks who feel like we're going to be the greatest show on turf now that we have Matt Moore at QB and guys like LaFell and Edwards at WR. We're still going to be a run-first offense and that style of play doesn't show well in a 12 play series like Fan Fest or in a few series during the preseason. The 3rd preseason game, where our starters play at least 1/2 the game is the most telling. In 2008 we crushed the Skins and we were a playoff team, in 2009 we struggled against the Ravens and we were an 8-8 team.

[Humble Pie]

I'm just excited to see everyone in game time situations. I think the offenses will be more productive as we both like to run the ball. Neither of the teams last night ran much and I think that affected how they played, if at least a little.

The QBs and WRs are going to be exciting to watch though.

[Davidson Deac II]

I am looking forward to seeing the new guys for the first time. Other than that, don't really care how it goes.

[Cats-eat-birds]

I am so pumped. I am the lone Panther fan in my office. (I live in b-more) and nobody takes me seriously, even though the Panthers have owned the Ravens. I just want to see my guys out there on the field. I will be at the game wearing my blue jersey with pride.

Go Panthers!

[CharlotteBeer.com]

Why have any expectations? the offense isnt doing any scheming for the raven defense (that comes in the third game against skins) and our defense will look good against a raven offense that isn't scheming either. Silly thread.

You are a couple years late for that game.

[Peppers90 NC]

Weren't we vanilla through game 8 last year?

The term vanilla was overused last preseason as a reason why we sucked, but in actuality, we sucked. Not because of lack of scheming but lack of aggression and motivation.

I differ on your opinion tho. I thought the Dallas game, from a defensive standpoint, we brought the chocolate.

[STIFFPAWED]

I haven't been on here in months and it's good to see the negativity hasn't changed much.

[panthers55]

The term vanilla was overused last preseason as a reason why we sucked, but in actuality, we sucked. Not because of lack of scheming but lack of aggression and motivation.

I differ on your opinion tho. I thought the Dallas game, from a defensive standpoint, we brought the chocolate.

Actually we struggled early due to learning a new scheme and several injuries at DT. Aggression comes when you are familiar enough with a scheme that you react instead of think and then react. The increased aggression this year is a function of being in the same system for a second year.

[CatMan72]

I am excited to see how Clausen looks in a live game situation.

[dimbee]

I didn't even think of adding missed PAT