The greater good

[pantherpain]

There are still Panther fan's who question those of us that would like to see the Panthers lose out the remainder of their games.

If you've ever played chess, poker, spades or any game where you sacrifice something for the greater good then you understand.... a meaningless win in a lost season, or a chance to get a franchise QB for the next 15 years.

I don't think anyone wants the Panthers to lose just because they've turned their back on the team or are fair-weather fans. It's for the greater good of the team.... and in that sense we are pulling for the Panthers to win.

And for those who say it's a moral win or something to build on for next year ...no it's not. Fox will be gone players will be gone things are going to change.... the building will start next year. And at this point players are playing for job's here or elsewhere in the NFL, thats why they don't quit.

And lastly, do you think JR is a quitter or fair-weather fan because he sacrificed for the greater good. Because thats just what he did, he new this season was lost before it began. He sacrificed for his team and the NFL for years to come.... why can't you.

And for the record I don't approve of the way he's done thing's, like raise ticket prices and lack of communication, but I do hope he takes advantage of the situation and builds a winning team.... in other words doesn't go cheap.

[Ccat]

I've just accepted that whatever is going to happen is going to happen. I'm still going to be watching/listening to the games and rooting for our players. If they win, they win and at least I can celebrate something. If they lose, I won't be upset either at this point because of the greater good. Nothing I do is going to change the outcome so it doesn't really matter who roots for what.

[panther4life]

people who claim your not a real fan rooting for us to lose are just wrong. I'm not gonna speculate their reasons for going on here and ranting about it or prentending to be better fans.

[Kevin Greene]

The needs of the many outweight the needs of the few., or one.

[KatsAzz]

The ideal sceniro is for us to play good the remaining 3 games but lose them by a close margin.Just saying.

[panther4life]

Its really simple. You can act like your a better fan cuz you never root for us to lose. good for you cheeseballs who feel this way, pat yourself on the back.

Then you have the rest of us who know we will be lifelong panther fans so rooting for us to win a meaningless game in a meaningless season does nothing for us. On the flipside, knowing that a meaningless win this year could cost us many meaningful wins in the future are sucking it up, enduring the losses and and looking on the brightside for futures sake.

[Panths]

Good luck arguing against a world of instant gratification, what have you down for me lately mentalities. I still cheer, and get excited every game (just now I cheer at first downs like I used to for touchdowns) and a little piece of me still wants to win but when we inevitably lose I'm relieved because I know it's better for the long run. I can say I want to lose to Cardinals tomorrow until I'm blue in the face but come game time I'm still hoping we win; I can't cut that off once we're in the thick of it. At least our fate is usually determined by half time and I can rest easy.

[Anybodyhome]

"...a chance to get a franchise QB for the next 15 years."

Oh, so the plan was just to draft Clausen as a stop-gap; someone to fill the void until the next draft? Or was Clausen never mentioned or even considered to be "the franchise QB for the next 15 years?"

I thought that was why he was drafted to begin with, silly me.

[Kevin Greene]

"...a chance to get a franchise QB for the next 15 years."

Oh, so the plan was just to draft Clausen as a stop-gap; someone to fill the void until the next draft? Or was Clausen never mentioned or even considered to be "the franchise QB for the next 15 years?"

I thought that was why he was drafted to begin with, silly me.

In Panther land no one ever imagined going 1-15 and having the 1st pick overall.

Plans change.

[Chaos]

And lastly, do you think JR is a quitter or fair-weather fan because he sacrificed for the greater good. Because thats just what he did, he new this season was lost before it began. He sacrificed for his team and the NFL for years to come.... why can't you.

And for the record I don't approve of the way he's done thing's, like raise ticket prices and lack of communication, but I do hope he takes advantage of the situation and builds a winning team.... in other words doesn't go cheap.

My concern is about JR's "business" decisions during the offseason to lean out the payroll and cut overpriced veterans to prepare for the CBA and potential lockout. Could it be more than temporary?

I like to believe the guy about doing whatever it takes to put a winning product on the field, but he has demonstrated his shrewd nature towards the business side of football.

I can't help but think of the airline industry, as it struggled post-9/11, and to help with financial recovery, there were tons of cut-backs, no more free drinks or baggage. Now, if the economy improves, and the company surpasses its struggles, does it remove the extra costs from the burden of the customer, or does it realize that extra revenue is being generated, and why give that up when your customer base (PSL owners) are invested and can't do much about it unless willing to accept large losses.

If a successful football team is priority one, then I don't worry that the checks will be written for the right players and coaches.

If a successful business is priority one, well then...fug.

[Jangler]

We are not rebuilding, we are just repositioning our junk.

[cookinbrak]

We are not rebuilding, we are just repositioning our junk.

I do that 15-20 times a day. No, it doesn't itch.

[Cyberjag]

I hope that any player who even looks like he might be sandbagging is on another team next season.

[FuzzyPanther]

Well, I remember this very issue being brought up to Thomas Davis on a sports radio program this year, and he stated that anyone who pulled for the Panthers to lose a game or games was not a fan.

So, who is wrong here? Guy who wants 1st overall pick, who is a fan and buys tix, watches games, buys cool jerseys and sweatshirts and knit caps, etc... OR Thomas Davis, who earns a roster spot, plays ball, wears the silver helmet, practices, trains, studies, and competes at the highest level of his profession.

I'm not saying a "1st pick fan" is off-base, and I get why he or she wants the team that I pull for, Carolina, to lose... but, I can't get past the idea that he's pulling for the Arizona Cardinals to win on Sunday. If I'm pulling for the Cards tomorrow, then I consider myself a Cards fan, right?

Suppose I'm a Cardinals fan this weekend, Steelers next Thursday, and Falcons the week after, and things go well for me:

If Luck = Peyton Manning does that make it justified, and I'm a true fan?

If Luck = Ryan Leaf does that mean I'm not a true fan?

My "fandom" is much simpler when I do what feels right to me. What feels right is wanting to watch the Panthers play at a high level and win the football game that they are competing in at the time. Draft picks are a shaky business, and you just never know what you're going to get.