Every season we are wrong

[CRA]

....,about something.

I have noticed the huddle each season makes an educated assumption that X isn't a concern this upcoming year and our focus should be on worrying about Y.

2010 - we worried about the D and and felt confident after the strong finish with Moore and a record setting RB duo the offense would be solid. In reality we witnessed the worst offense in Panther history while the D played surprisingly well in spite of it.

2011- We were worried about having an offense and felt the D would at least be strong enough to keep us in games. In reality we had one of the most explosive offenses in Panthers history while the D was a laughing stock?

What about 2012? What will blindside us and what will surprise.

My guess.

Blindeside: OL play. I think most feel confident here.....but I think a rookie LG, weak RT if Otah can't go could cause bigger problems than most think. Cam while elusive likes to sit in the pocket a little too long. I also think our RG could get bad quick....

Surprise: I think we could some surprisingly good WR play from guys not named Smitty. Not implying Smitty's wheels fall off but I think we realistically could say, " hey, we could do this without him".

[Razeyfingers]

not far fetch by any means, Im concerned about our line at the moment. You dont just swap out a badass G with a rookie. Those are giants were talking about. I hope they bring the rookie along fast, I have a feeling they are going to be asking that young gun to do all sorts of creative things once he gets his feet wet. They say he runs well for a big man. . . and im not going to jinx the RT thing so Im not saying poo about that.

Safety is still my biggest concern.

[kls11310]

What will blindside us: how easy our division was to win

What will surprise us: how easy it was to win the superbowl

[PhillyB]

silatolu having an outstanding rookie season is essential.

[Frizzy350]

I think what will surprise us is that Cam and Co will only lose 2 games this year (during the regular season) and haters will still claim hes not a winner.

[Keep Pounding]

You hit it the nail on the head. I was so hyped about the Matt Moore in 2010 and what we would be able to do with our running game and how Matt Moore would be a good QB.. Weren't we wrong.

DEF, I thought would struggle without having Peppers on the Dline. But they held their ground considering the DEF was on the like 80% of the damn time.

But like you said 2011 was polar opposite, but Im thinking going into 2012, the DEF will be better and the offense will not miss a beat. I know we have been wrong the last few years, but I really think that we will pull it together this year, Im not saying I'm 100% guaranteeing playoffs, we do have a tough schedule, but I think we have a shot to make it this year, the 1st 5 games will be make or break. But even if we can finish 2-3 or 3-2, and then play good down the stretch, I think the hardest part of our schedule is the 1st quarter.

1st quarter. Bucs, Saints*, Giants and Falcons.

Then second Quarter we have the Seahawks, Cowboys, Bears, and Skins,

3rd Denver, Bucs, PHI and KC

4th- ATL, SD, OAK, and then Saints*

[Jase]

people are going to be surprised I think with how much losing Naanee will hurt.

[CRA]

Mare also is in position to shock....

He might be the most hated Panther at the moment. He has a resume saying he isn't the poo he displayed last year

[KendrickPanther]

I think the biggest concern this year is our rookies. People see rookies and think "yay upgrades". The reality is most rookies take time to become upgrades. I think all of these guys have the potential to cost us games:

Silatolu

Nortman

Kuechly

Adams

Norman

That's 5 rookies with serious potential at playing a "starter" roll. A bad punt, , muffed punt, or blown assignment could cost a game. If they each take turns making their mistakes it could cost several games. The flip side is they could be instant upgrades, the truth hopefully lies in the middle.

The biggest thing we cannot plan for is injuries. They will happen, probably to starters. We just have to hope the team can adjust.

[La Pantera]

I think the surprise will be, that both sides of the ball play well collectively, for once.

[TheRed]

We have fairly substantial question marks at the WR, TE, OL, CB, LB, DL, kicker, and punter positions. Pick one.

[KendrickPanther]

I was looking at some pictures I took at games last year. We would line up Olsen in the slot with 3 receivers and a RB a lot. I'm not sure we need a 4th receiver to step up.

[jtnc]

silatolu having an outstanding rookie season is essential.

If Silatolu doesn't play well, we still have depth at that position.

[MadHatter]

not far fetch by any means, Im concerned about our line at the moment. You dont just swap out a badass G with a rookie. Those are giants were talking about. I hope they bring the rookie along fast, I have a feeling they are going to be asking that young gun to do all sorts of creative things once he gets his feet wet. They say he runs well for a big man. . . and im not going to jinx the RT thing so Im not saying poo about that.

Safety is still my biggest concern.

Wharton has not been a badass G for quite a few years. Now, starting a rookie does have its risks. But, Wharton had not been rated high statistically for several years.