Basically, a win is a win says ESPN's David Newton (I like this guy)

[top dawg]

David Newton responds to Twitter cynics who point out the records of our beaten opposition, and counters with total margin of victory of the Panthers over those opponents:

 

But in a league where the difference between the best and worst teams are a handful of players and plays on any given Sunday, in a league where 27.1 percent of the games have come down to a fourth-quarter comeback victory, one must consider just how convincing the Panthers have handled these opponents. 

As in outscoring them by a combined 134-38. 

 

 

Newton also pointed out that the Chiefs and Saints, who of course people hold in higher esteem have had it "easy" as well if using the logic of cynics. He also referenced Ron Rivera's thinking on the matter, which is really the thinking that I believe is a sign of a knowledgeable and mature NFL fan:

 

“Will we be tested down the line? Absolutely,'' Rivera said. "Every week’s a test. In this league when you win a football game, it’s a big deal. No matter when, where, how -- a win is a win is a win.” 

 

 

______________________

 

On an off note: A word about David Newton

 

Newton seems to like the Panthers. Some still continue to believe that to provide decent coverage on a team that one has to be "impartial"  about the organization, like Darin Gantt who admitted that he didn't care whether the Panthers won or lost. I didn't think that was the case then, and still don't think it's the case now.  As you can see, Gantt has taken his veiled "hate" for the organization rear its ugly head on more than one occasion since he's been gone. Granted, David Newton is not the beat reporter, but our ESPN guy, he still has shown that you can cover the team without being snarky in the process.  Newton is the Anti-Gantt.  
 

[Jackofalltrades]

I like Newton a lot, he seems fair but not overly jaded or biased.

 

He's right, you're lucky to get a win in the NFL. Panther fans should know that as well as anyone. For a long time we've watched the team crumble when facing the bottom teams in the league. Over the last three weeks we've taken them to the woodshed.

[teeray]

The best thing ESPN has done in a long time. I know I say that every time, but I love the fact that every team has a guy.

[micnificent28]

What happened to pat?

[the butch]

Newton has been putting out some solid articles.  I love that ESPN has dedicated writers for each team now.  We get about 5-6 new articles a week it feels like.  I like his writing style, and his ability to not be snarky when responding to criticism, e.g., this article.  Bonus:  he shares the same surname as our beloved Cam.  As for Pat, he is the writer for the Bucs.

[mav1234]

I think Pat still covers the NFCSouth

 

edit: I was wrong, Yas is now the Bucs reporter.

[mav1234]

we were a big part of putting a nail in the Giants' season, we crushed the Rams when they were looking to go over .500 and contend for a wild card spot with an incredibly hot QB, and we smashed the Bucs at a level they really hadn't had happen yet.

 

I think that it's easy to dismiss our wins given the records of our opponents but it is as much what is happening in those wins as the fact they are wins at all...

[CharlottePanther]

Saints barely beat the Bucs by 2. We destroyed them by 18 in Tampa Bay. /haters

[MHS831]

The best thing for us and the worst thing for the Saints is WHEN we play each other--late in the season.  The Panther offense is developing at a fast rate, and the Saints defense is being weighed, measured, and figured out.   

 

I think we will win 5 divisional games.

[Your GFs favorite huddler]

Bottom line it's the NFL and they're all professionals....you earn wins every week

[Delhommey]

I know correlation does not equal causation, but I have yet to see a valuable poster complain about Gantt's snark.

[Hircine]

Which is true. At the end of the day it's all about the W's

[Icege]

Gantt was bipolar it seemed.