Washington Post: The Panthers might be the most optimistic 2-6 team in league

[teeray]

Pretty cool to have a rather large article in the Washington Post. We are actually getting some pub from newspapers outside our market! It is a two page article but I will highlight a couple interesting tidbits:

http://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/redskins/the-panthers-might-be-the-most-optimistic-2-6-team-in-league-because-of-rookie-cam-newton/2011/11/03/gIQA5pfMjM_story.html

“The biggest thing is Cam has changed our expectations,” Rivera said. “We’ve gotten more than we expected from him at an earlier time. And that’s great. That has helped us to develop the offense a lot faster. As he continues to progress, this system will continue to grow.”

Added Hurney: “He has the ability to raise the level of play of other people around him, and that’s big. We saw that at Auburn and we’re seeing it here. Obviously it’s very hard for a rookie quarterback to step in and do what he’s done. He’s quickly become one of the leaders of our team.”

In fact, tackle Jordan Gross said he’d be shocked if Newton didn’t have a captain’s “C’’ on his jersey next season.

All 22 of Carolina’s projected starters next year are under contract, which means the team could be in good position financially to add key pieces in free agency.

I guess I didn't realize that all of our starters were under contract through next season. That means whatever talent we bring in to our team through the draft and free agency will be adding more talent to an already talented team. Should have pretty good depth next year. Hopefully some more playmakers on defense too!

[4Corners]

[UNCrules2187]

Do they count Shockey as a starter? Isn't he on a one-year deal?

[teeray]

Do they count Shockey as a starter? Isn't he on a one-year deal?

They probably counted Olsen as our tight end although as you point out they are on the field together an awful lot so you could technically call both of them starters

[teeray]

I realize a lot of what is in this article is ad nauseam what nearly every other article the past 2 weeks have been.

But I thought it was pretty cool that it was in the Washington Post, a newspaper outside of our market and one of the most circulated newpapers in the nation

[rayzor]

it's hard to imagine that shockey won't get another deal after this year. the dude has been great. i can't imagine barnidge playing anywhere close to the level shockey is.

[rayzor]

it's going to happen. the lombardi is coming here and should be here multiple times.

[teeray]

Oh and if Grits read this I think this means that in Washington the readers would rather hear about our growing young team than your pooty Redskins. ;)

[Marguide]

Great find! Thanks.

[nctarheel0619]

That idiot NineOhTheRino will be in here in a little while talking about The Falcons and how bad Cam sucks.

[rico6]

NineOhTheRhino.

What an epic username.

[Chaos]

Good find Teeray.

[Kramerica]

Would pie if not on the Huddle Droid app. Great find.

[R0CKnR0LLA]

It's good that we only have a few notable pending free agents but the flip side is that we have the least amount of cap space heading into the offseason. After you factor in the money needed to sign our draft picks and a few minor resigning of our backup guys like Anderson and Shockey you're almost to the cap already. I'm not expecting a major overhaul of the roster or a big infusion of outside talent. We'll have our 6 draft picks but I doubt we land any premier impact players in free agency.