Aaron Rodgers can't close out games.

[Cat'sGrowl]

At least that's what they said about him a few years ago. The Packers lost close game, after close game, after close game, so on and so on and so on. People resorted to making stupid and ill-informed comments like "he isn't the leader Brett Favre was herp derp" and all this other nonsense that had no root in any sort of logic whatsoever.

Why do I say this? Well. For starters, I say that as an intro to this article, from CatScratchReader which I stumbled upon a couple of months ago, and felt like now was a great time to share it with the Huddle.

Just three years ago there was a team who looked very much like our beloved Carolina Panthers. Their head coach was entering his third year, they were starting a young quarterback, and despite an immense amount of offensive success their defense let them down as they finished 6-10 on the year.

Following this season the Green Bay Packers spent their 9th overall pick in the 2009 NFL draft on Nose Tackle B.J. Raji and a less than two years later the Packers were raising the Lombardi trophy.

That 6-10 season definitely stung their fan base, but there was little concern overall because the Packers knew they were secure at their most important position. Aaron Rodgers finished the season throwing for 28 touchdowns and just 13 interceptions. For all intents are purposes he had 'arrived'. There was a tangible sense that that franchise's setbacks would only be temporary, and after the jump we'll continue to look at the similarities between these two organizations.

Star-divide

Cam Newton will not duplicate Aaron Rodgers' 2008 season, but he shouldn't be able to

Rodgers had the opportunity to sit for three years and learn every facet of the Packers' offense before being handed the keys. Green Bay masterfully did everything they could to ensure his success, and when he finally had his chance he completed almost 64% of his passes and only threw 13 picks.

On the other end of the spectrum we have Cam Newton, a rookie QB being asked to not only take the keys to the car, but do all the body work on it too. Newton is establishing the Carolina Panthers' offensive identity, one that is build on a vertical passing game and utilizing his own athletic ability to keep opposing defenses off balance. I don't believe he'll be able to reach the same TD/INT ratio as Rodgers (he's on pace for 20/20) but that doesn't mean he's not a franchise QB. Make no mistake- Cameron Jerrell Newton is our franchise quarterback, Marty Hurney, Ron Rivera and the scouting department were absolutely right about him.

Finding our Greg Jennings

In 2008 the receivers for Green Bay featured the 33 year old Donald Driver, and the 25 year old Greg Jennings, who came to the Packers in the 2006 draft. Both receivers amassed over 1,000 yard receiving and were vital in ensuring future success of the passing game. Donald Driver is still going strong at 36 now, and we could potentially expect the same from Steve Smith who is playing agelessly right now, but what do we do across from him?

I'm not 100% sure Brandon LaFell could be 'the guy'. I say this because in the case of the Packers they were already transitioning from Driver being the #1 receiver to Jennings being the #1. LaFell's abilities as an amazing blocker and possession WR are invaluable, but they don't scream future #1 WR. However, there are options for the Panthers. It just so happens we have a good crop of wide receivers set to hit free agency in 2012, headlined by Dwayne Bowe. The 27 year old Bowe could be just what the doctor ordered for the Panthers. A tall, athletic, deep threat who will get all the passes you need. If the Panthers managed to land Bowe I truly believe the process could begin in transitioning him into the #1 receiver role.

We're already a step ahead at tight end

The Packers drafted Jermichael Finley in the 3rd round of the 2008 draft and he wasn't really able to contribute his first year. The Panthers spent a 3rd round pick to bring in Greg Olsen giving them an edge in terms of his ability out of the gate.

We have better running backs

This one goes without saying really. DeAngelo Williams and Jonathan Stewart > Ryan Grant and Brandon Jackson.

We already have our pass rush

In the 2009 draft the Packers used two 1st round picks to select B.J. Raji and Clay Matthews, this could have been the best 1st round any team has ever had getting two defensive cornerstones in one round. However, the Panthers are already a step ahead because there doesn't seem to be a plan to move to a 3-4 and the Panthers already have their pass rush set in Charles Johnson and Greg Hardy.

So, what am I getting at here? I'm basically saying we're a lot closer than anyone may think. Sure, living on the moral victories is getting a little old, but just like the 2008 Packers we have a QB to build around, and just missing those last few pieces of the puzzle. We need to look at the cornerbacks again, find a WR and of course revamp the defensive tackles but when it's all said and done the future is so bright we need shades

http://www.derp/2011/10/3/2465763/where-have-i-seen-the-2011-carolina-panthers-before

We have our future. We will make a serious run next year.

Shut up about The Golden Calf of Bristol. Shut up about the stupidity and ignorance of other fanbases. Let them wallow in their ignorant bliss, let them have their fun while they can-we know what road they are going down. Let them do it-acting like you do no care and contributing to 47 page thread about on the Huddle doesn't show how little you care-it just shows how easily you get your panties in a wad. There shouldn't be five threads about The Golden Calf of Bristol on the front page of the Huddle. There doesn't need to be a new thread every week about "YAWMG duz Cam suk compared to other young QB A or rookie QB B?-the medias is talking about them!"

Shut up about it.

I'm sick of hearing about it. We know that our time is coming shortly-we will have the last laugh. Let's be happy with it, our time at the top of the mountain is rapidly approaching, our time in the valley is running out, and soon we will be king of the hill. Listen to what they in their ignorance say, relish it, and when we are at the top, you can throw it in their face and just laugh as their teams suck and the rest of their fanbases weep and wallow in the shame of their worthless teams.

:cam:

[Jangler]

[Cat'sGrowl]

What are you pieing for Teeray? You're one of the worst offenders because you keep feeding the trolls that perpetuate this crap.

[Jackofalltrades]

Link?

[teeray]

Unfortunately a very small minority on the site have so much invested in the failure of Cam Newton that they can't appreciate the direction we are heading as a franchise or the promise of this young QB.

I like watching The Golden Calf of Bristol play though. He is exciting and unorthodox but that is part of what makes him so compelling.

But in the end I don't really give a poo about the Broncos, The Golden Calf of Bristol, Andy Dalton, or any other QB. I am only interested in the Carolina Panthers and the direction of this franchise and I get very pumped when I see where this thing may be headed.

[Cat'sGrowl]

Link?

Added to the OP.

[Jackofalltrades]

an inferior site?

Ugh, knew it wasn't a reputable source.

[KillerKat]

really guys, it's a lot better to just put those fine young males on ignore.

[teeray]

What are you pieing for Teeray? You're one of the worst offenders because you keep feeding the trolls that perpetuate this crap.

In all honesty if it weren't for some of those threads you are so upset about this place would only have NFL Blitz rosters, caption this pic, and who we almost drafted threads.

It may be pooty and annoying but it drives conversation.

[Cat'sGrowl]

an inferior site?

Ugh, knew it wasn't a reputable source.

You're right, I forgot that Aaron Rodgers didn't throw for 28 touchdowns and 13 interceptions that year. I forgot that Greg Jennings wasn't 25 years old. I forgot that the Panthers don't have Greg Olsen. I forgot that the Packers didn't draft Clay Matthews. I forgot that the Packers didn't pick ninth that year. I forgot we should only read articles from espn insider.

Stupid Post Of The Week Nominee.

[Jackofalltrades]

You get butt hurt too easily.

[kenny817]

I like watching The Golden Calf of Bristol play though. He is exciting and unorthodox but that is part of what makes him so compelling.

But in the end I don't really give a poo about the Broncos, The Golden Calf of Bristol, Andy Dalton, or any other QB. I am only interested in the Carolina Panthers and the direction of this franchise and I get very pumped when I see where this thing may be headed.

this^

I live in Dallas and no one wants to listen when I talk about my Panthers...just Cowboys Cowboys Cowboys...blah

[Cat'sGrowl]

In all honesty if it weren't for some of those threads you are so upset about this place would only have NFL Blitz rosters, caption this pic, and who we almost drafted threads.

It may be pooty and annoying but it drives conversation.

There are four The Golden Calf of Bristol topics in the first quarter of the first page, all driven by people complaining about how tired they are of hearing about The Golden Calf of Bristol, each one so stupidly similar that you cannot begin to tell them apart.

I had hoped this thread would begin to focus on the similarities between the Panthers and '08 Packers and would create for good discussion.

Did you know one of those teams that really good Packers offense lost to that year was us?

That was the game where Julius rocked Aaron Rodgers on a scramble.

It was the game where Steve had one of the catches of the decade, catching the ball over his head, bringing it in to take us deep in Green Bay territory to help win us the game.

Yes, we were one of those teams that the Packers barely lost to, which contributes to the similarities.

Did you know DeAngelo had four rushing touchdowns that game? That that was the last time that happened in NFL history-a RB running for that many TD's in a single game?

So many things worthy of discussion other than the same stupid arguments that plague the Huddle.

In other news-I'm a freakin Panthers historian.

[Cat'sGrowl]

You get butt hurt too easily.

link?

Derp.