The measure of success

[Mr. Scot]

We've seen a fair share of people suggesting that some on board are "okay with losing" or "satisfied with mediocrity" when it comes to the Panthers.

To be perfectly frank, that's probably the single most ignorant argument used on this board :frown2:

Nobody on here is happy with having a losing team. People just disagree on the best method for building a winner. Suggesting that people who don't think like you do are happy with losing honestly does nothing but make you look really stupid.

But with that in mind, here's a question.

What kind of record would it take this season for you to be satisfied that the new staff knows what they're doing?

Bear in mind that we're coming off a 2-14 season, have some holes on the roster and there are some who consider both the draft and free agency pools to be overall somewhat lackluster this offseason. Thus, there's no guarantee that the players we pick up will be superstars (or in the case of the draftees, even immediate starters).

So what's a reasonable goal for improvement?

(and don't give me "Super Bowl or bust" or "every year should be a Super Bowl" cliches; keep it realistic)

[Stroupe-a-loop]

If we could be competitive in a majority of the games, I would take that as a start. Too many of the games last year felt hopeless no matter how badly the other team played. Look at the Bears, Bengals, and Seahawks games. They played terribly and we couldn't take advantage of anything. The defense was fine a majority of the year, but the offense was so bad that it was draining. I'll take mistakes, miscues, and blunders, but I need to see some flashes of identity and competence. It was there for the 49ers game and then left just as quickly.

[bleys]

We've seen a fair share of people suggesting that some on board are "okay with losing" or "satisfied with mediocrity" when it comes to the Panthers.

To be perfectly frank, that's probably the single most ignorant argument used on this board :frown2:

Nobody on here is happy with having a losing team. People just disagree on the best method for building a winner. Suggesting that people who don't think like you do are happy with losing honestly does nothing but make you look really stupid.

But with that in mind, here's a question.

What kind of record would it take this season for you to be satisfied that the new staff knows what they're doing?

Bear in mind that we're coming off a 2-14 season, have some holes on the roster and there are some who consider both the draft and free agency pools to be overall somewhat lackluster this offseason. Thus, there's no guarantee that the players we pick up will be superstars (or in the case of the draftees, even immediate starters).

So what's a reasonable goal for improvement?

(and don't give me "Super Bowl or bust" or "every year should be a Super Bowl" cliches; keep it realistic)

that is only rhetoric used by the ignorant to rile up the crowd.. it's a shtick, nothing more.

based on the SAME EXACT players & conditions as last year, and we pulled off 6 wins, I can't imagine there is much to compain about.

Until we get a QB who can produce on the field (and I don't foresee a rookie doing this), then we may have to wait a year or 2..

all comes down to can we find a temporary vet until a rookie QB is ready to step up or if we can't, how long until that rookie can produce...

[Mr. Scot]

that is only rhetoric used by the ignorant to rile up the crowd.. it's a shtick, nothing more.

I used to have one of those, but I switched to a Gillette :sosp:

[Floppin]

I expect the defense to be one of the top 5 in the league. However, for this to be accomplished, over an entire season, the offense at least has be play somewhat competently, in other words, not like last year.

I would consider success for this team, for this year to be a top 5 defense and a middle of the pack offense, and somewhere around 7-9 to 9-7 record. The offense will be messy, a newly installed system, with young players and a stunted practice schedule, if the CBA isn't worked out in time, will all contribute to an overall sloppy offense, more than likely. Conversely, sloppiness does not necessarily have to coincide with overall ineptitude. I want to see the offense work, and to show glimpses that, given time and seasoning, that it will work with the personnel that we have on the team.

[Bj-Monster23]

http://www.nfl.com/news/story/09000d5d81f66d43/article/esiason-if-bengals-draft-gabbert-young-qb-will-lack-support?module=HP_headlines

Could mean trades are on the way. Especially if Arizona wants to take gabbert.

[CRA]

I think they should hover around .500.

If a organization wants to win and has good coaching....you can be competitive in today's NFL. Doesn't take years to build up to that.

[Lout]

I think our defense did admirably for being on the field as much as they were last season.. with a decent offense last year, our defense would have been top 5 easily. That being said, I think our biggest loss on defense is Richard Marshall.. and can only improve at DT.. so I think a top 10 defense next season is not out of the question. I know Rivera is employing a different defense and the guy's will need to learn but, I feel there will not be much of a drop off.

If we start Jimmy Clausen or an rookie QB next season, I believe we will be picking in the top 5 again.. If we start a vet, then I see us having an 7-9 season. We can get back to running the football because our passing game will be respectable again, thus not allowing defenders to stack the box.

[jarhead]

I only see 3 to 4 wins at best unless we can step it up on offense based on our schedule.

[Millions]

2010-2011 Tampa Bay like season basically show promise for the future.

[OchoNueve]

6-10 or worse = disappointing season, we probably decided to stick with Clausen

7-9 or 8-8 = satisfactory and we are heading in the right direction - Matt Moore or Free Agent QB probably starting

9-7 or 10-6 = exceeds expectations and our defense is probably top 3 in the league with Matt Moore or Free Agent starting

11-5 or better = we took a gamble on Cam Newton and it worked

[TheRealDeal]

6-10 or worse = disappointing season, we probably decided to stick with Clausen

7-9 or 8-8 = satisfactory and we are heading in the right direction - Matt Moore or Free Agent QB probably starting

9-7 or 10-6 = exceeds expectations and our defense is probably top 3 in the league with Matt Moore or Free Agent starting

11-5 or better = we took a gamble on Cam Newton and it worked

Cam Newton is the only one to get us to 11 wins?

Awesome

[jarhead]

Cam Newton is the only one to get us to 11 wins?

Awesome

Next year? Hell why does he need football if he can turn poop into ice cream

[TheRealDeal]

As I've said all along, with the right draft (defense) and retaining the right players, we should be in contention for a playoff spot with a dominating defense and an average to above average offense.