Kuechly on the state of the Panthers

[Joe Bear]

56 minutes ago, shaqattaq said:

Not gonna lie... my expectations start at winning season. I would love to win the division again, maybe win a playoff game, but 9 wins is all I ask. 

I've often wondered this of other fans: would you prefer 9-8, no playoffs, 8-10 seed in NFC, or 8-9, NFC South title, playoffs, 4-seed in NFC? Does an above-.500 record make a season better than a losing record but playoffs?

Basically do you prefer 2007 Browns to 2014 Panthers?

[SmokinwithWilly]

25 minutes ago, Joe Bear said:

I've often wondered this of other fans: would you prefer 9-8, no playoffs, 8-10 seed in NFC, or 8-9, NFC South title, playoffs, 4-seed in NFC? Does an above-.500 record make a season better than a losing record but playoffs?

Basically do you prefer 2007 Browns to 2014 Panthers?

I prefer 9-8. Reason being, winning season shows overall improvement and is the 1st step to establishing a winning culture.

Backing into the playoffs with a losing record doesn't show you earned anything. It's the product of a weak division. If playoffs were based off records, most likely you're not going because another team(s) have a better record. 

Chances are too, the next season, you're going to have a tougher schedule and a couple of those bounces that went your way are going to go the other direction and it's another losing season and no playoffs. 

There have been 5 teams to get into the playoffs with a losing record. The 2014 and 2025 Panthers are 2 of those teams. Losing record trip 3 isn't exactly something I would be proud of doing. We have 9 playoff appearances so far, 2 of them simply because we won a shitty division. Another one would mean 30% of our appearances are only because we were the least stinky turd. That's a stat I'd want to flush. 

Edited 2 hours ago by SmokinwithWilly

[Donald LaFell]

15 hours ago, HeelsPanthersCanes said:

Lost all credibility 4 seconds in with "the stability we have with Dave Canales".

GTFOH.

We aren’t in danger of being in the basement anymore and if we keep drafting well we could get to the playoffs after a while. I don’t mind if we get a new QB and coach eventually but we are “stable” and I’m grateful for it. 

[HeelsPanthersCanes]

42 minutes ago, Donald LaFell said:

We aren’t in danger of being in the basement anymore and if we keep drafting well we could get to the playoffs after a while. I don’t mind if we get a new QB and coach eventually but we are “stable” and I’m grateful for it. 

This team as currently constructed with regards to roster and staff could easily finish with a top 5 pick next year.  

We currently have the 4th longest odds to win the Superbowl, tied with Tennessee, who was dreadful this year in every way.

This past season was "fun" with all the ups and downs, but there was nothing about the season that convinced me Bryce Young, Dave Canales or Dan Morgan are on the right path for long-term organizational success. 

[Joe Bear]

1 hour ago, SmokinwithWilly said:

I prefer 9-8. Reason being, winning season shows overall improvement and is the 1st step to establishing a winning culture.

Backing into the playoffs with a losing record doesn't show you earned anything. It's the product of a weak division. If playoffs were based off records, most likely you're not going because another team(s) have a better record. 

Chances are too, the next season, you're going to have a tougher schedule and a couple of those bounces that went your way are going to go the other direction and it's another losing season and no playoffs. 

There have been 5 teams to get into the playoffs with a losing record. The 2014 and 2025 Panthers are 2 of those teams. Losing record trip 3 isn't exactly something I would be proud of doing. We have 9 playoff appearances so far, 2 of them simply because we won a shitty division. Another one would mean 30% of our appearances are only because we were the least stinky turd. That's a stat I'd want to flush. 

Some good points, but I disagree. To me, the goal is to win the division and make the playoffs. If that's made easier some years than others, so be it -- but I enjoy the discussion on either side.