Nfl.com Writer Mentions Our Future

[beastson]

I like the Panthers, and I like what coach Ron Rivera has done. There's certainly a chance they'll replace him, but if they do, they run the risk of interrupting the progress they've made, as the new guy will likely want to install his own systems and schemes.

The Panthers have some good, young players on defense, like Luke Kuechly and Greg Hardy, but most importantly, they have Cam Newton at quarterback. Newton gives them a chance to win every week, and that's all you can ask for out of a signal-caller. He's undoubtedly the centerpiece of this team, and the biggest reason to feel optimistic about Carolina's future.

What worries me is that the Panthers are likely to run into cap trouble, and they're carrying three pricey running backs (Jonathan Stewart, DeAngelo Williamsand Mike Tolbert) they don't need. They'll have to make some tough moves to correct that, and it'll also make it tricky to give Newton more receiver help. Veteran Steve Smith is having a pretty good year (66 catches for 1,056 yards), but he'll be 34 next season, and when it comes to receivers and longevity, you never know. (Smith might play another three years, or he might not be able to run a lick in 2013.) Brandon LaFell is a solid No. 2 or 3 receiver, but he's not a No. 1. Still, the Panthers have Newton, and that can make up for a lot.

http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap1000000113764/article/panthers-browns-buccaneers-among-teams-set-to-rise-in-2013

[SCP]

Baaahhhh! Damn this team and the future of it perplex me.

[Salvo]

The Bucs are the rise?

HA!

[nctarheel0619]

Brandon LaFell is a solid 2 or 3? How about he's a solid 3. 2 is too much for him.

[top dawg]

He sounds like he pretty much knows the team, except for that Steve Smith "might not be able to run a lick" thing. What person in Panther Land (indeed, the nation) would put money on that?

[Herbert The Love Bug]

Glad I'm not the only person that understands the importance of keeping Ron Rivera around for another year. It's not rocket science

[Herbert The Love Bug]

LaFell will never be good enough to be a number 2

[Frizzy350]

Lafell is already a good number 2. Too many of you think absurdly unrealistically like most teams run around with White/Jones or Fitz/Bolden-esq duos at receiver.

[Jackofalltrades]

Lafell is already a good number 2. Too many of you think absurdly unrealistically like most teams run around with White/Jones or Fitz/Bolden-esq duos at receiver.

This.

[PhillyB]

lafell has put up nice numbers this year. he's progressing well.

[Chimera]

LaFell is a solid possession receiver. He and Olsen can be awesome in the short passing game. We need another deep threat to make it work, though. Coughgettiscough.

[Marguide]

Lafell is already a good number 2. Too many of you think absurdly unrealistically like most teams run around with White/Jones or Fitz/Bolden-esq duos at receiver.

This.

Yeah, why in the world would we ever want to have a top notch receiving corps? Let's just settle for okay.

Many people, myself included, think bringing in a top notch WR should be a priority this offseason. That would drop LaFell to #3, a role in which he would likely flourish. Then in a couple years when Smith retires, the new guy is #1 and LaFell moves to #2.

[TheGreatestOfAllTimeCam]

Draft mostly offense please

[Panthro]

Olsen is #2