Jump to content

  • Welcome!

    Register and log in easily with Twitter or Google accounts!

    Or simply create a new Huddle account. 

    Members receive fewer ads , access our dark theme, and the ability to join the discussion!

     

Newton fuels Panthers' optimism

mav1234

By mav1234,
in Carolina Panthers

Recommended Posts

mav1234 Grand Master

mav1234

Posted
Posted

http://espn.go.com/nfl/trainingcamp12/story/_/id/8217416/nfl-cam-newton-fuels-carolina-panthers-optimism

SPARTANBURG, S.C. -- In July, every team is undefeated. Every team is optimistic. Every team is bullish on the upcoming season, on draft picks panning out, on players progressing from Year 1 to Year 2 and beyond, on schemes and schedules and game plans.

In July, dreams haven't been dashed by the realities of an arduous season. Injuries. Losses. Mistakes. Blown opportunities.

It is part of the beauty of the game, this July exuberance. Sometimes it is real. Sometimes it is manufactured. In the case of the Carolina Panthers, there is no pretense. Their optimism is real and unfiltered, and no one will apologize for it. The team went 6-10 last season and hasn't sniffed the playoffs since it last won the NFC South in 2008, yet to a man, everyone affiliated with the team contends that it can make the postseason.

The reason is simple: Cam Newton.

One man can't lead a franchise on his own, but one man can infuse a team with hope, swagger and belief that finally, after 2-14 and 6-10, with a coaching change in between, this thing is heading in the right direction. A break here, a made play there, and 6-10 can turn into 10-6, and if the New York Giants can make the playoffs with a 9-7 record and do what they did last season, why can't the Newton-led Panthers?

He is that talented.

Not a bad article, though the author closes thinking we have another year until the playoffs.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
panthers55 Grand Master

panthers55

Posted
Posted

I don't know if we are a year away from the playoffs or not. Lets be honest, who thought we would go to the Superbowl in 2003 after finishing 7-9 in 2002, losing Del Rio and picking up a castoff in Stephan Davis and a nobody in Jake Delhomme. Once the season starts and a team gets on a roll, anything can happen. Look at San Fran last year.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Archived

This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.

Go to topic listing

  • PMH4OWPW7JD2TDGWZKTOYL2T3E.jpg

  • Topics

  • Posts

    • Sup
      a tip of the cap to the Special Juan

      By Sup · Posted

      I used to think Juan was a Zod alt. Agree he's a great poster.
    • frankw
      2026 Charlotte Hornets

      By frankw · Posted

      Hawks said nah we good and sent him to the shadow realm aka the Wizards. Cold blooded. I mean they're 2-2 in a series with a young up and coming Knicks team largely through 34 year old CJ McCollum. Even if they ultimately lose the series at least they are there and have something to build on. I think Hornets fans are just beaten down and lack the objectivity to assess the situation. They think we are going to get so much worse if and when we finally change gears. Worse how? We've already been a lottery team for years now. We've already been looking to win our first playoff series in about a quarter century. We already can't get past the play in and in failing to do so we have completely embarrassed ourselves twice looking like we don't even belong. Honestly there is absolutely no excuse for a team like the Magic to be more competitive and successful than us in the playoffs. Absolutely disgusting. But that's just me. I was fuging lit when we got the Hornets back in Charlotte but that is old old news. It's time for these boys to get into a playoff series. Enough is enough. If they can't do it for 2026-27 then they need to make wholesale changes regardless.
    • outlaw4
      That's it. How do you feel about this draft class.

      By outlaw4 · Posted

      Not one single pick that is asking me why we drafted a guy in the first place. It was a guy we needed and/or a guy that had certain traits making them stand out. Best of all, I feel everyone we drafted are capable of stepping onto the field this year and have a meaningful role (even Kuwatch on special teams). Obviously, nothing is guaranteed but I'm not seeing any huge flags on guys because they're risky projects or massive overreaches.
×
×
  • Create New...