NFL.com Season Preview...

[Lilsmitty09]

http://www.nfl.com/kickoff/story/09000d5d81228c2a/article/youth-inexperience-hinder-panthers-hopes

sorry if its a repost...didnt see it here tho...

but boy am i lmao, the best prediction is 8-8, with all the rest t 6-10 and 5-11. how are they "experts". sound like tools to me

[Pox 08]

Most analysts are dicks?

Apparently most believe that Peppers was our entire defense and that losing Delhomme was a huge mistake.

[Seal (SmittyIsOurSavior)]

Just take a look at our schedule. The absolute worse I see us doing is 8-8. And that's if we lose to the Saints twice, the Falcons twice, the Steelers, the Bengals, etc.

We can't go wrong with our schedule.

[Seal (SmittyIsOurSavior)]

Most analysts are dicks?

Apparently most believe that Peppers was our entire defense and that losing Delhomme was a huge mistake.

And this is also true. Fans from other teams have been telling me that we wont be ANYTHING without Jake and Julius.

Considering Jake threw more completions to opposing defenses than he did to our guys, and considering Peps sat out every other down, we can't be that much worse. We can only get better.

[jbland]

Or maybe they all see the panthers in something other that rose colored glasses.

The worse you see us is 8-8? While I hope we have a good season I think we can do much worse than 8-8. Do I think we will. No! But we very well could.

[Seal (SmittyIsOurSavior)]

Look at the schedule. We're facing some teams that have NO chance at beating us. Like an absolute 0% chance.

[jbland]

Look at the schedule. We're facing some teams that have NO chance at beating us. Like an absolute 0% chance.

Kinda like the bills last season? Granted delhomme pretty much lost that game for us, we still lost.

[Seal (SmittyIsOurSavior)]

Kinda like the bills last season? Granted delhomme pretty much lost that game for us, we still lost.

I guess you're right. If 400+ offensive yards to the Bills' 150 yards isn't enough to pull out a win, anything is possible. But then again, I didn't give us any wins against the big teams. We can afford to lose against the Rams as long as we beat the Falcons, Steelers, Saints, etc.

[Peppers90 NC]

most predictions are based on last season, very few will reach and predict a total turnaround.

[unicar15]

Well considering with a team stocked with veterans we were 5-8 at one point in the season I don't think its too unfair.

[eViL jEsTeR]

we will lose to the bengals. and 8-8 is a very fair assessment of how our season will shape up. atlanta will be playing for a playoff spot so the final game won't be a freebie like it was last year to put us at 8-8.

i think i had us at 9-7 this year but moore better step up and "glass-jaw otah" better stay healthy for us to get there.

[EMSMedic79]

I hate this is the season they picked to play the AFC North. Blah.

[twylyght]

Just sent this in to their Moving the Chains show:

Hey guys,

First off, love the show and glad to get my NFL fix during the painful offseason. Also, always glad to get that outside perspective that you guys bring to the table. That being said, I just read the NFL.com listing of the experts opinions on how the team will fare this season, and I am quite shocked at the lack of homework that was done here. Below is the excerpt from

http://www.nfl.com/kickoff/story/09000d5d81228c2a/article/youth-inexperience-hinder-panthers-hopes updated yesterday

Vic Carucci

With inexperienced quarterback Matt Moore as their starter, the Panthers will struggle. Their defense isn't likely to help. Prediction: 5-11, last in NFC South

Pat Kirwan

Panthers will lean heavily on running game and Matt Moore will be adequate. Offense lacks receivers and defense needs a pass rush. Prediction: 6-10, third in NFC South

Specifically, the entries from Vic and Pat screams lack of any true insight after having seen our team perform thus far this preseason. Vic stating that the "defense isn't likely to help"? Pat Kirwan stating that the "defense needs a pass rush"?

Say what you will about the 1st team offense not producing with Steve Smith, Jonathan Stewart and Jeff Otah not being in the lineup. But to say that our defense has not been the absolute strength in the Panthers' showings thusfar in preseason is lunacy. Allow me to throw some numbers your way:

1st preseason game against Ravens

225 total yards of offense for Ravens with 1st D in for about a quarter and a half; drives of 96 and 67 making the bulk of those go in an adequate opener (6 sacks and 5 QB hits and 12 TFL show a decent outing by DL)

2nd preseason game against Jets

112 total yards of offense for Jets with 1st D in for 2 quarters; 22 yards were gained during the 1st 2 quarters with the starters in (5 sacks, 6 QB hits and 13 TFL shows a stellar defensive outing with turnovers having their backs against the wall for much of the game). Jets win with 9 total points on the board

3rd preseason game against Titans

217 total yards of offense for Titans with 1st D in for 3 quarters; 85 yards were gained during the 1st 3 quarters with the starters in (7 sacks, 8 QB hits and 9 TFL shows another great outing). The D continues to live in the opponents' backfield. Titans score a lone TD with 2:28 left in the game with their lone drive of 83 yards

All of thse teams have vaunted running attacks. A listing of 2009's notable RBs and their production against this "suspect" defense:

Le'Ron McClain - 5.3 YDs/carry on 4 runs. 1 was on a busted play for 14 YDs, so the other 3 runs were for 2.3 YDs/carry. Still he was the best outing against this D under Meeks' tutelage

W. McGahee - 0.0 YDs/carry on his lone run. He wasn't given much of a chance to play against our D

LaDanian Tomlinson - 8.7 YDs/carry on 3 runs. 1 was on a busted play for 20 YDs, so the other 2 runs were for 3.0 YDs/carry

Shonn Green - 1.3 YDs/carry

Chris Johnson - 1.3 YDs/carry

Put it all together and it seems like this defensive unit is getting better with each outing.

Additionally, no one seems to have looked at the schedule for the Panthers in addition to the matchups they house. Essentially stating that records of 5-11 and 6-10 means that our only wins will come against TB twice, Rams, Chicago, Cleveland, and Seattle. Meanwhile, we have no chance against NY Giants, SF, Atl, Arizona, and Pittsburgh. All of this without considering that we have yet to see this offensive unit with Steve Smith, Jonathan Stewart and Jeff Otah in the offensive lineup. Also, may I remind you that this is essentially the same offensive lineup that pasted a Giants and Vikings team that had everything to play for at the end of last year with Moore at the helm.

A young team like this under John Fox is going to get better during the year, not worse. So, I am telling you guys now that you should not be surprised with this team makes the playoffs by years end due to defense and a stellar running attack against a weak schedule for this year.

By all means, convince me that I'm wrong. Still a fan, and hoping that you guys will come around before Vic and Pat get egg on their face over this by mid-season.

[Dpantherman]

Kinda like the bills last season? Granted delhomme pretty much lost that game for us, we still lost.

no longer on this team