Something that has been overlooked that I hope Gettleman notices.

[hepcat]

Dating back as far as 2004 to my memory, the Panthers seem to end the season with an exorbitant number of players on injured reserve.

2004 - 14 players

2005 - 10 players

2006 - 13 players

2007 - 12 players

2008 - 5 players

2009 - 12 players

2010 - 15 players

2011 - 18 players

2012 - 15 players

(source - Carolina Panthers Wikipedia)

Injuries are a part of the game in the NFL, that's a given. But finishing with a double digit number of players on injured reserve 8 out of the past 9 seasons is more than just bad luck. There's something wrong. Is it the training staff? Is it scouting? Is it coaching? Is it the field? Does having a black cat as a mascot mean the team is forever doomed to have bad luck?

Or is this just life in the NFL - a notoriously violent sport where every player has spent time on the injury list. How do other teams stack up against these numbers? I'd appreciate it if someone could dig up some comparative research.

Just judging by the numbers, it seems like the Panthers are one of the most chronically injured teams in the NFL over the past decade. I hope the new GM at least notices this and can try something different than what was done under Marty Hurney.

[rscott94]

Agreed... I hope we take a serious look at the medical staff. Not only is that a large number usually the same people are on the list

[carolina-chuck]

Does having a black cat as a mascot mean the team is forever doomed to have bad luck?

Never thought of that before but thanks you ruined the mascot for me. This gonna hunt me for the rest of my time as a Panthers fan until we win one.

[carpantherfan84]

I noticed that myself. Looking at how far back it goes adds a special sense of urgency though.

[ThunderKatt]

Never thought of that before but thanks you ruined the mascot for me. This gonna hunt me for the rest of my time as a Panthers fan until we win one.

lol

[Razeyfingers]

I bet if you asked Fox and Hurney theyd point you in the direction of the Saints. It was outrageous what they used to do to Delhomme.

[Marguide]

Some of it was just strategy. Remember there were years when we were out of playoff contention fairly early and Hurney's strategy was to IR guys with sometimes minor injuries so he could get a look at some new players.

For that reason, the numbers are a bit deceiving.

[Panths]

find it interesting 2008 and 2005 were our last winning seasons and also had the least amount on IR

[PhillyB]

note that the two years with the lowest rate of IRed players are 2005 and 2008, our best years in that stretch.

which begs the question: did we do well those years because we didn't lose as many guys, or did more guys go to IR that otherwise wouldn't have if we'd been vying for playoff spots?

[Gabeking]

Look at '05 and '08, our only playoff years on the list, also the two most least injured years on it too..

[Munch4455]

I think we actually finish up the season about on par with most teams in the NFL when it comes to IR. I think the true difference, is that it seems as though we have 1 or 2 key players end up on IR EARLY on in the season, as opposed to the inflated IR statistics that you see where people are put on IR for 2 weeks at the end of a season for a sprained ankle just to free up a roster spot.

[Brooklyn Bully]

It's just the NFL. We are not cursed, it's not because of bad this or bad that, it's not a Carolina Only thing. We just don't notice it about any other team because we don't care about other teams.

[Gabeking]

It's just the NFL. We are not cursed, it's not because of bad this or bad that, it's not a Carolina Only thing. We just don't notice it about any other team because we don't care about other teams.

Don't be following yourself, we all know the real reason for this IR nonsense is because JR had a little fun with dr. Andrews wife... *hint hint wink wink* ;)

[Rubi]

It just means we need to find more genetic freaks