something to feel good about in the offseason..."could be something special brewing in Carolina"

[countryboi]

In the NFL draft, talent is often evenly spread outside of the top few picks.
 

For example, Tet McMillan could’ve gone at No. 8 or the mid first and Walker was projected as high as No. 4 but ended up going No. 15.
 

Since top-tier talent can still be available later, it’s almost always better to make the playoffs than to chase a slightly higher draft pick.

[Stuart Smith]

2 hours ago, PadresPanthersFan said:

We had our close losses last year to playoff teams. Ill take winning any day. Fug a couple draft spots. Gimme a couple more wins and a playoff berth all day

There were two games that could have been wins for the Panthers. The Tampa Bay and Kansas City game could have been 2 more wins. That would have been 7-9 for the year. I do not think 8-9 wins is unreasonable at all. I am more concerned about the progression of the defense than Bryce. 

[panthers55]

2 hours ago, tukafan21 said:

Unless a miracle happens and we're legit SB contenders, I want to just miss the playoffs due to some close losses, not win the division to lose in the first round.

We finally have all of our picks again next year, I'd rather be picking 5-7 spots higher in each round, while at the same time, then having a 2nd or 3rd place schedule next year instead of a 1st place one.

I just can't see any scenario where we are true contenders this year, but we should find out if Bryce can be our QB of the future.  If he isn't, then we're not making the playoffs anyways and will have a high pick to replace him.  If he is, it means 2026 is the real opening of our SB window once we add some more defensive pieces, so I'd rather go into that season picking earlier and have an easier schedule.

And yes, I know people will say think like "you need to win to gain confidence and experience, blah blah blah"

But just missing out on the playoffs because you lost couple close games is certainly a way to make a team hungry going into the offseason and keep them motivated to be better.

I've said it before and still think it holds true, we need to look at the Lions and hope to repeat their path.

Our last few years were their early 2020s when they sucked.  This year can be our version of their 2022 when they missed the playoffs in week 17.  Then our 2026 can be their 2023 when they made a run to the NFC Championship game (and really should have won it).  Which then puts us in line to be one of the best teams in the league going into 2027, as they were last year.

Loser mentality. Glad no football players think tanking is a win and instead compete to win every week. Only fans think like that.

[tukafan21]

36 minutes ago, panthers55 said:

Loser mentality. Glad no football players think tanking is a win and instead compete to win every week. Only fans think like that.

And only the fans who can't see anything other than black or white think like this.

Did I one time mention tanking or trying to lose on purpose?  

No, I explicitly said the opposite, that we show great growth and just lose some close games.  I'm not asking them to lose or even try to lose, nothing of the sort.  

Do you want to feel good about some wins or playoff appearances or do you want to win a Super Bowl?

Because while I'm sick of losing and not making the playoffs, I'm more sick of never having won a SB and I don't care about  anything other than that right now.  

For me, as a fan, I'm going to root for them every week, but I can objectively step back and know we're not contending this year, if we make the playoffs it's squeaking in and then losing the first game.  So I'm able to objectively look at it and know it's in our best interests to be better this year, win a few more games, but still just miss out on the playoffs and hope we finish in 3rd place because the Bucs and Falcons made the playoffs.

If you can't OBJECTIVELY see how that sets us up to have a better 2026 season when we actually might be good enough to contend, then that's a you problem, sorry.

[csx]

7 minutes ago, tukafan21 said:

And only the fans who can't see anything other than black or white think like this.

Did I one time mention tanking or trying to lose on purpose?  

No, I explicitly said the opposite, that we show great growth and just lose some close games.  I'm not asking them to lose or even try to lose, nothing of the sort.  

Do you want to feel good about some wins or playoff appearances or do you want to win a Super Bowl?

Because while I'm sick of losing and not making the playoffs, I'm more sick of never having won a SB and I don't care about  anything other than that right now.  

For me, as a fan, I'm going to root for them every week, but I can objectively step back and know we're not contending this year, if we make the playoffs it's squeaking in and then losing the first game.  So I'm able to objectively look at it and know it's in our best interests to be better this year, win a few more games, but still just miss out on the playoffs and hope we finish in 3rd place because the Bucs and Falcons made the playoffs.

If you can't OBJECTIVELY see how that sets us up to have a better 2026 season when we actually might be good enough to contend, then that's a you problem, sorry.

You want to jump from losing team to Super Bowl winner? You aren't living in reality 

[WUnderhill]

7 minutes ago, tukafan21 said:

And only the fans who can't see anything other than black or white think like this.

Did I one time mention tanking or trying to lose on purpose?  

No, I explicitly said the opposite, that we show great growth and just lose some close games.  I'm not asking them to lose or even try to lose, nothing of the sort.  

Do you want to feel good about some wins or playoff appearances or do you want to win a Super Bowl?

Because while I'm sick of losing and not making the playoffs, I'm more sick of never having won a SB and I don't care about  anything other than that right now.  

For me, as a fan, I'm going to root for them every week, but I can objectively step back and know we're not contending this year, if we make the playoffs it's squeaking in and then losing the first game.  So I'm able to objectively look at it and know it's in our best interests to be better this year, win a few more games, but still just miss out on the playoffs and hope we finish in 3rd place because the Bucs and Falcons made the playoffs.

If you can't OBJECTIVELY see how that sets us up to have a better 2026 season when we actually might be good enough to contend, then that's a you problem, sorry.

Bet those Eli Manning led Giants teams aren’t sad they barely squeaked into the playoffs.

It’s more than a little pre mature to declare this team has no shot. 

[TheSpecialJuan]

Dumb 

[tukafan21]

1 hour ago, csx said:

You want to jump from losing team to Super Bowl winner? You aren't living in reality 

The Bengals went from 4-11-1 in 2020 to the SB in 2021.

The Lions just missed the 2022 playoffs and then had what, a 20 point lead at halftime of the NFC Championship in 2023 and then a 1 seed in 2024.

I’m literally living in today’s NFL reality.

If Bryce is the guy, then we’re not all that far off right now.  We have the OL, we have the RBs, and we have the WRs.  We need a season for all our young weapons and Bryce to get to know each other and another offseason of building the defense up and I think we have real potential.

This is a year for building, next year is a year for contending.

Now, if Bryce isn’t the guy, we’re gonna suck and be drafting a new QB next year anyways.

 

Edited 19 hours ago by tukafan21

[CarolinaLivin]

2 hours ago, tukafan21 said:

No, I explicitly said the opposite, that we show great growth and just lose some close games.  I'm not asking them to lose or even try to lose, nothing of the sort.  

 

[BEASTfromdaEAST]

Panthers fans will never seize to amaze me....Dude in one breath talk about trading down in the draft from TOP 10 pick then in another say they want to lose so we can have a better draft pick?????

hahahahaahaha so ridiculous

[DaveThePanther2008]

Couple of IFs.

The first IF is pretty easy.  If we continue to play offensively like we did the end of the season I believe we are going to stay in games as far as points are concerned.

The second IF is the key to the season.  Our defense is going to be key this season. We brought is some really good defensive players through free agency.  If Evero's defense comes around and plays the way we are designed to I believe we'll be on the upper hand on the scoreboard.

If both IFs go in our favor I look for a 9-8 to 11-6 record.  If either of the two don't pan out we could be looking at 6-11 to 8-9 mark. 

[HaricotVert]

Self described anti-Bryce dude wants us to fail to take a major step forward

 

 

Yeah that lines up.

Edited 11 hours ago by HaricotVert

[Gapanthersfan]

8 hours ago, panthers55 said:

Loser mentality. Glad no football players think tanking is a win and instead compete to win every week. Only fans think like that.

Winning culture trumps ALL. 

 

Here’s my way to long take: 

Last season this team started out breaking the sports books and being the lead pipe lock of the week. They finished by being a tough out for both SB teams. 

I don’t think they’ll pick up right where they left off, but for the first time in years they’re on the legitimate upswing. Honest to God NFL talent has been infused. 

Offense is already going to be good for 2-3 more 3rd down conversions (I don’t think anyone will argue that) a game over last year so I’ll go (very optimistically) 5-6 more points better than last year’s team. ADDED: A legit backup RB and a money WR who catches everything, along with 2 promising rooks. No significant losses (sorry Miles). KEYS: Can Dave bob and weave play calling if things aren’t working? Does protection continue to hold for Bryce. Did this team pick up dudes who know how to find the end zone or will the struggle of 3rd and goal continue. 

Defense. If they can force even 2 (hopefully 3) more stops a game on third down (not asking a lot, hopefully more), that’s good for -4 (optimistic) points for opposing teams.  ADDED: legit run stuffers. Legit (appearing) edge guys. LOST: Clowney. Question: With legit 3-4 talent can Evero finally show what we have been VERY patiently waiting on? To me, EVERYTHING on defense hinges on Evero. Everything. Every position group was upgraded (still not good enough, but certainly improved). 

Losing Brown early and Luvu… completely and utterly devastated the run defense. Luvu put up one of the best seasons at LB this team has ever seen. His under appreciation by some fans was criminal. He alone was our 3 down stop machine. Brown was pretty much it up front. Those 2 held RBs in check long enough for safety help to arrive. 

Coaching: Halftime adjustments and no prevent defense. In a nutshell, that’s pretty much it. No cutesy offense to show off WRs/Bryce when it’s not working. Use your sledgehammers, Dave. 

There is finally veteran leadership and legit NFL talent. It’s going in the right direction (I couldn’t have been more wrong last offseason) to build a winning culture, but teams have to learn how to win, especially the games where nothing is going right (this team has NEVER been able to do that). They will still lose more close games than they win, and that alone is where it all hinges. 

 

 

[LinvilleGorge]

45 minutes ago, Gapanthersfan said:

Winning culture trumps ALL. 

 

Here’s my way to long take: 

Last season this team started out breaking the sports books and being the lead pipe lock of the week. They finished by being a tough out for both SB teams. 

I don’t think they’ll pick up right where they left off, but for the first time in years they’re on the legitimate upswing. Honest to God NFL talent has been infused. 

Offense is already going to be good for 2-3 more 3rd down conversions (I don’t think anyone will argue that) a game over last year so I’ll go (very optimistically) 5-6 more points better than last year’s team. ADDED: A legit backup RB and a money WR who catches everything, along with 2 promising rooks. No significant losses (sorry Miles). KEYS: Can Dave bob and weave play calling if things aren’t working? Does protection continue to hold for Bryce. Did this team pick up dudes who know how to find the end zone or will the struggle of 3rd and goal continue. 

Defense. If they can force even 2 (hopefully 3) more stops a game on third down (not asking a lot, hopefully more), that’s good for -4 (optimistic) points for opposing teams.  ADDED: legit run stuffers. Legit (appearing) edge guys. LOST: Clowney. Question: With legit 3-4 talent can Evero finally show what we have been VERY patiently waiting on? To me, EVERYTHING on defense hinges on Evero. Everything. Every position group was upgraded (still not good enough, but certainly improved). 

Losing Brown early and Luvu… completely and utterly devastated the run defense. Luvu put up one of the best seasons at LB this team has ever seen. His under appreciation by some fans was criminal. He alone was our 3 down stop machine. Brown was pretty much it up front. Those 2 held RBs in check long enough for safety help to arrive. 

Coaching: Halftime adjustments and no prevent defense. In a nutshell, that’s pretty much it. No cutesy offense to show off WRs/Bryce when it’s not working. Use your sledgehammers, Dave. 

There is finally veteran leadership and legit NFL talent. It’s going in the right direction (I couldn’t have been more wrong last offseason) to build a winning culture, but teams have to learn how to win, especially the games where nothing is going right (this team has NEVER been able to do that). They will still lose more close games than they win, and that alone is where it all hinges. 

 

 

I've been hearing all about this "winning culture" for years while watching us piss away top shelf draft position with meaningless late season wins when we're already eliminated from the playoffs but being assured this is building "winning culture" just to inevitably suck again next year.

With that said, I'll always take a playoff berth. Just make the dance and you have a chance to make some noise. But spare me the "winning culture" bullshit.