I want your honest opinion...

[pantherclaw]

Nobody (with an select few) expected the Panthers to even be IN the the last three games. All of them we very easily should have won, which made the hurt of the loss, that much worse.

So the point I'm trying to get to here is.....shouldn't there be some praise (obviously not a lot, cause of our record), for the team even playing better than most have been expecting?

This isn't a thread to support any of the coaches.

In fact, I'd also like to take the time to call out the veterans that obviously haven't stepped up to help the rest of the team.

Starting on offense, Steve Smith, and our COMPLETE backfield.

Gross...cause even with the uphill climb the line has with all the moves that has happened, that they are ultimately responsible for the rest of the offensive play.

Defense.

Davis and Anderson.

While the defense has been playing better than most will give credit for, there is no reason they can't give advice to our offense, especially Cam Newton.

Back to the subject that I originally made this post about.

This team has been in games, and should have won them, that most didn't even give us a chance for.

The defense played well enough to win these games.

While so many want to blame Chud, and I do understand why, but it's still down to the players to execute these game plans, and these game plans were good enough to win us games, if weren't for some costly mistakes..

So why so many blame the coaches at this point? We all know Rivera is coaching for his career with the Panthers.

Why do so many want to blow this team up? There is talent here, and ya just can't cut them, without it costing us. The dreams of being able to trade them away are just that...wet dreams.

There is talent on this team, and I can't think of any high paid starter that I'd want to get ride of, besides D. Williams, and I'd only do that for a 2nd round pick. Most will say that is asking to much, but the player is still effective (and would be obvious to most of you if it weren't for our offensive line problems).

but just getting rid of him, for the sake to get rid of him, is silly. Piss and moan about his contract all you want, but it's Richardson's money, and he's happy paying Williams that money, regardless what you think.

Beason, I could see trading, but trading him at this point, would be VERY difficult, cause no team will want to give up anything for a linebacker whom hasn't finished his last two seasons.

Bitch about his contract, but he's worth it, cause when healthy, (which has been more often than not), he's one of the best in the league.

So, lets talk.

I'm curious what your opinions are.

Not your opinion of me, cause that doesn't bother me.

Keeping the Panther Pride, in Galveston, Texas.

[davos]

the best things come from nowhere

[Marguide]

I'll play.

Yes, we performed perhaps better than expected, especially against Atlanta and the Bears, but that is only off the significantly lowered expectations we had after watching earlier games.

Starting the year, many of us expected to be able to go head to head with the league's best. When we saw how unprepared and unresponsive we were against Tampa, and then getting blown out by the Giants, it was like being slapped in the face.

Many do not understand why this team only seems to really buckle down and get serious when we've already dug a hole so deep we can't get out of it.

We may not have the talent to go to the Super Bowl, but we have enough to beat any team on any given Sunday. Yet we find ourselves at 1-6. All the above plus the poor game day management tells me we do not have the staff to get the most out of the talent we do have.

[pantherclaw]

I'll play.

Yes, we performed perhaps better than expected, especially against Atlanta and the Bears, but that is only off the significantly lowered expectations we had after watching earlier games.

Starting the year, many of us expected to be able to go head to head with the league's best. When we saw how unprepared and unresponsive we were against Tampa, and then getting blown out by the Giants, it was like being slapped in the face.

Many do not understand why this team only seems to really buckle down and get serious when we've already dug a hole so deep we can't get out of it.

We may not have the talent to go to the Super Bowl, but we have enough to beat any team on any given Sunday. Yet we find ourselves at 1-6. All the above plus the poor game day management tells me we do not have the staff to get the most out of the talent we do have.

So, a losing season (last season) makes you think we should be among elite? I'm curious to know why.

This team hasn't known winning on a regular basis for a long time, so it takes major change, and time, to change that.

Anybody expecting a 2nd year headcoach to be a damn good game day manager (there is only 16 games per season, unless you get to the playoffs), is expecting a minor miracle.

[TonyN]

Great post. It actually took me about 10 seconds to read...I'm not that busy, I'm at work...LOL...

Anyway, Panthers loses have come to teams with a combined record of 29-15.

The remaining schedule is much more favorable with opponents at 30-36.

The two biggests tests, Atlanta and Denver are both at home.

I believe this team is close. I don't see it quitting.

It is a long shot, but I give them a chance at going 8-8...

They gotta get better in the Red Zone and they gotta get better on third down...

If they can, and the defense continues to improve, the Panthers can win.

[Marguide]

So, a losing season (last season) makes you think we should be among elite? I'm curious to know why.

This team hasn't known winning on a regular basis for a long time, so it takes major change, and time, to change that.

Anybody expecting a 2nd year headcoach to be a damn good game day manager (there is only 16 games per season, unless you get to the playoffs), is expecting a minor miracle.

The reasons coming into the year to expect improvement:

1) Getting key players back from injury

2) What seemed to be a very solid draft

3) We had an innovative OC that had us headed in the right direction

4) The HC was widely considered as a guy who could turn around our defense quickly

5) Our phenom rookie QB had a full offseason to prepare

What we actually got was an OC that took us away from what we did well, a HC unprepared and coaching scared, and a 2nd year QB struggling with performance, largely as a result of the mistaken scheme of the OC.

And yes, I do expect a 2nd year HC to be a good game day manager. Every HC should be able to manage the game. It is not a learn on the job position.

[pantherclaw]

Great post. It actually took me about 10 seconds to read...I'm not that busy, I'm at work...LOL...

Anyway, Panthers loses have come to teams with a combined record of 29-15.

The remaining schedule is much more favorable with opponents at 30-36.

The two biggests tests, Atlanta and Denver are both at home.

I believe this team is close. I don't see it quitting.

It is a long shot, but I give them a chance at going 8-8...

They gotta get better in the Red Zone and they gotta get better on third down...

If they can, and the defense continues to improve, the Panthers can win.

I laughed at several statements you made. Unlike some other losers in this thread, trying to be cute.

And I also applaud you for having an opinion. Most people seem to be scared shitless to have one.

[Udogg]

Nobody (with an select few) expected the Panthers to even be IN the the last three games.

All of them we very easily should have won,

You know why I think coaching is 1 of our many problems?

If it took us 7 weeks to get back to last years offense.. that's bad.

[pantherclaw]

The reasons coming into the year to expect improvement:

1) Getting key players back from injury

2) What seemed to be a very solid draft

3) We had an innovative OC that had us headed in the right direction

4) The HC was widely considered as a guy who could turn around our defense quickly

5) Our phenom rookie QB had a full offseason to prepare

What we actually got was an OC that took us away from what we did well, a HC unprepared and coaching scared, and a 2nd year QB struggling with performance, largely as a result of the mistaken scheme of the OC.

And yes, I do expect a 2nd year HC to be a good game day manager. Every HC should be able to manage the game. It is not a learn on the job position.

All the points ya numbers, I agree with.

But they are not a reason for overly high expectations.

You haven't made a single point, to backup over rated expectations.

Try again.

[pantherclaw]

You know why I think coaching is 1 of our many problems?

If it took us 7 weeks to get back to last years offense.. that's bad.

This statement, tells me, that you have no idea how important health among the oline, is so very important.

[Marguide]

All the points ya numbers, I agree with.

But they are not a reason for overly high expectations.

You haven't made a single point, to backup over rated expectations.

Try again.

You see, there are these things called opinions. Everybody has them and they often are not alike. If you need to have a winner and loser in this discussion you probably should just talk to yourself.

[pantherclaw]

No winner or loser. Surprised you responded that way, honestly.

Guess you ain't use to an actual discussion.

[Udogg]

This statement, tells me, that you have no idea how important health among the oline, is so very important.

We didn't even run it the 1st game of the year?

[Udogg]

No winner or loser. Surprised you responded that way, honestly.

Guess you ain't use to an actual discussion.

OMG your so.....