When do you think the Panthers become an NFC South contender once again?

[panthers55]

Depends on if we play ball next year. If we do and Richardson actually spends like people say he will, then we could be back in a year or two. If there is a lockout and Richardson stays on the cheap, much of our core will be gone and we could become bad for years to follow.

Al of this current crap was caused when Richardson went cheap due to the proposed lockout. If a lockout happens, then we will stay with the current philosophy and we will be hurting. If they sign an agreement and Richardson spends again then we will only have this crappy season to suffer through and a rebuilding one next year as we learn new offenses and defenses.

[Davidson Deac II]

2 years.

This.

But it does depend on who our new coach is.

[rayzor]

next year.

worst to first in the NFCS.

[Mother Grabber]

If you try hard enough, and aren't afraid to dream anything can be possible.

So...I say we lock up the NFCS by next Tuesday at the latest.

[FuzzyPanther]

Depends on who is brought in this offseason to coach and make personnel decisions. If we hit a home run with our selection, it might take a year. If we make a bad hire, it could be 6-7 years.

Bingo.

[jbland]

Next year we will be competative, but we will contend for the south in two years.

[ChinaPanther]

Remember we can go out and buy half a football team if the lockout doesn't happen. I won't be surprised if this team is in the playoffs next year because of that.

[Swarly]

next year.

worst to first in the NFCS.

this. who saw the Buccaneers being successful this year?

completely depends on what happens this off-season. I'm gonna say within a few years we'll be playoff contenders again.

[rayzor]

this. who saw the Buccaneers being successful this year?

completely depends on what happens this off-season. I'm gonna say within a few years we'll be playoff contenders again.

who saw the falcons getting to the playoffs the year after the petrino fiasco (or, as i like to remember it, good times). this year, at the moment, they are in first place not just in the NFCS but in the NFL.

in '05 the saints had a 3-13 record, next year new HC and new QB and they go 10-6 and get to the playoffs. a couple years after that they have rings.

also, don't forget the last time we went 1-15, within a couple years we were in the superbowl.

this team is much more likely to turn into a contender next year than they are to repeat the suck.

[carolinarolls]

good question. I think it depends on two things. The same two things that have kept us from excellence across the last decade are quite possibley the same two things that keep us in the basement.

We need a QB to step up or step into the system.

We need two receivers to come into their own or materialize on the roster.

We get everything we need sooner rather than later and we become relevant sooner rather than later.

[blackcatgrowl]

3-4 yrs

This

Drew Brees will always be a threat. Atlanta's ownership is more committed to winning. TB is resurgent. Jerry Richardson has embroiled himself in the CBA issues. It will be awhile before we are contenders again.

[PanthaSan]

I think it will start this week...

FTReal, next year we make a huge comeback. Run game, Degfense and we will have a more confident QB corps after their experiences this year..

[Brooklyn Bully]

2012 without the lockout

2013 with the lockout

And by contender, I think capable of winning the division, not running away with it. We could be a long time from seeing us being the top dog around here unless we learn how to draft better, sign FAs better, and use the right philosophy. Some of our key guys ain't getting any younger. Have to strike while the iron is hottest.

[carpanfan96]

Depends on a couple of factors imo

1. Does the lockout actually happen

2. Who does the front Office hire as the HC

3. What does Hurney and JR do with all the extra money

If there isn't a lockout, the team hires a good HC and JR opens the pocket a bit then I could see them squeaking out a wildcard next season with a 10-6 record.