Prediction:The 2009 Carolina Panthers will have a losing record and Fox will be fired

[Sam Mills Fan]

Haven't seen anyone state the obvious yet, so here goes:

- We have the second hardest schedule in the league next year. No more playing the AFC and NFC West like we've been able to do the past two seasons to make our teams look better than they are with their final win total for the season. Brutal games all over the place. At New England with Tom Brady, at the Giants, at the Cowboys, at the NFC Champs, home games against the Eagles/Vikings/Dolphins (playoff teams all), a game against the Skins (a team we historically struggle playing against), AND our division games. We were 12-5 this season, but only 4-5 against teams that ended with winning records. And that was with the supposed "greatest Panther team of all-time".

- Our quarterback is only going to get worse as the years go by. He's 34. You might not realize it, but that's going to make him younger than only the starting QBs for the Jets, Bucs, Titans, and Cards. And there's a chance that Favre, Garcia, and Collins will all be retiring this offseason. Think about that. Jake Delhomme could be the second oldest starting QB in the NFL next season. He had 16 touchdowns to 17 interceptions on the season. That isn't exactly great. He was at his worst late in the season too. He threw eight picks in the final five games of the season. Oh and did I mention his six fumbles?

His defenders will point out his 4th quarter comebacks, but I think it's obvious that most of those comebacks wouldn't have happened without Smith on the team. He's an aging quarterback that doesn't have much left.

- I think we're having more turnover amongst the assistant coaches than we've ever had. New defensive line coach, new linebackers coach, new QB coach...and we might not be done yet. Not good for continuity.

- We're losing our franchise defensive player. I'm not a big Peppers fan, but replacing 14 sacks is going to be hard to do, especially when your other ends are Brayton and Johnson.

- To top it all off, we don't even have a first-round pick right now. Hopefully that will change with a Peppers trade, but who knows if Hurney will even be able to trade him. Hurney was the genius that got us into the mess of having half of our Pro Bowlers having their contracts expire in the same offseason, so who knows what this mental giant will do with the Peppers situation.

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This rosy prediction has been brought to you by SMF!

[Randyfloyd]

I would say that history alone will prove your theory. NFC South teams don't make back-to-back playoff runs do they?

And with our offense that's sad if it turns out to be the case.

[Fiz]

i think that is a completely reasonable prediction

[Section 505]

A losing record may be a bit harsh, so I predict 8-8. This is based on the FACT that the Panthes have NEVER had back-to-back winning seasons in their history. Look it up.

[Panthro]

Never underestimate what a solid run game can do.

[beastson]

I respect your honest opinion

It will be a extremely tough 2009

[Sam Mills Fan]

Never underestimate what a solid run game can do.

I didn't even mention the fact that Gross might not be back. If and when Hangartner leaves, he'll be a bigger loss than people realize too.

[monstercat]

Good grief...this board is full of drama queens. The Panthers just went 12-4 and have one of the best running games in the league.

Quit acting like a bunch of damn babies already.

[TheJza]

I'll reserve judgment until AFTER the free agency period, and the draft. The latter, by the way, has been quite strong the last few years.

[Cuttinedge]

Never underestimate what a solid run game can do.

Very true ..This is what I predict will happen ALOT we'll have a 10 or 12 play drive that take 5 or 6 mins off the clock then it will stall and Kasay will kick a 25 yard FG then with Trgo's:dita: great defensive play calling in a 1:27 we'll be down 7-3:mad: but hopefully he's been holding back the last couple years, gonna show what he can really do this time:D

Fox...." No $hit we're really all in this time"

[ckad79]

A solid run game changes things... I agree BUT nobody knows if DeAngelio & Stewart will come out dominating next year like they did during the second half of this season.

I agree with others --- let's see what comes of the Peppers issue, free agency, the draft, etc, before we start suggestion what will happen next year.

I know that looking at our past, you can't help but things will fall apart. We don't have a great history of repreating sucess but at the same time, I think this organization has to be more demanding. If Fox was told to make the playoffs this year or loose this job, then the standards have to be raised next season. We can't keep expecting so little of this team --- year in and year out.

[goodlay]

A losing record may be a bit harsh, so I predict 8-8. This is based on the FACT that the Panthes have NEVER had back-to-back winning seasons in their history. Look it up.

So? History also said that every time we were in the playoffs we at least made it to the conference title game. How'd that work out this year?

[StepandFetch]

great... Firefox logos again....

[panthers1789]

The only way we have a losing record is if D-Will or Smitty get injured.

As much as people like to bash Delhomme he always finds a way to win games.