You know it's over when the hair goes into the bun.

1/10/2015 11:21:48 PM

I'm looking around and people are actually upset about this. Like this was never gonna be an outcome. To me this was the only outcome. Until next year

1/10/2015 11:39:21 PM

it was a fun run and certainly better than the #10 pick or whatever

although if you make that deal the #10 + firing shula vs this + not firing shula maybe my opinion changes

1/10/2015 11:41:05 PM

^^ If you watched the game we clearly had a chance to win, so it's upsetting that we didn't have a chance to see what we could do if we didn't have so many mistakes. But overall I think we had a successful season considering our offseason and cap situation. I'm optimistic going forward.

[Edited on January 10, 2015 at 11:42 PM. Reason : ]

1/10/2015 11:41:56 PM

Quote :

"I'm looking around and people are actually upset about this. Like this was never gonna be an outcome. To me this was the only outcome. Until next year"

you're right. but in the moment, it's easy to get caught up in the game and be pissed off about the result. of course we were big underdogs and winning this game was a huge long shot.

1/10/2015 11:46:01 PM

^^yep, overall a successful season. I feel like off-season choices are gonna try my patience again, but it's plain to see they have some major components (and options) in place. Nothing left to do but reload.

[Edited on January 10, 2015 at 11:49 PM. Reason : Glad I'm not making some of the upcoming personnel choices]

1/10/2015 11:47:56 PM

Yall calling this a successful season ? We won mostly by default. We were 12-4 last year

1/10/2015 11:51:26 PM

This was a rebuilding year and we still made the playoffs and won a game.

1/3 of our starters were rookies and we were still a dangerous team at the end of the year.

Nobody is going to argue that we were garbage for a good portion of the season, but we found some players that clicked and gave us hope for the future.

1/10/2015 11:57:17 PM

this was a team that was picked to lose 5 more games than it did last year...and we did. but, thanks to the shittiness that is the NFC South, we still managed to win the division and a home playoff game. to me that's a success. still, it suck we had a chance in this game and couldn't capitalize, but it's a successful season overall. hopefully next year we'll pull off the threepeat and be a real contender for the NFC

1/10/2015 11:59:57 PM

Yeah...if you say before the season starts that we'll win the division and win a home playoff game most of us would take that.

1/11/2015 12:05:00 AM

I guess we just look at it different. We did most of that shit on default. We were a below 500 team in the worst division in football history and we won in the Very last game of the season. We had 2 months were we didn't win a game. Our winning streak was against garbage competition. Our first playoff game was against a team that was on their fourth string QB. AND THAT GAME WAS STILL CLOSE. we had a lucky season. I'm glad cam didn't get balled up in that accident. Luck

[Edited on January 11, 2015 at 12:11 AM. Reason : Hh]

1/11/2015 12:10:47 AM

I don't think we are too far from being a contender.

Obvoulsy Bersin has got to go. Sub par receiver and terrible return man. Benjamin looks like he will be great and Philly Brown could be a pretty good deep threat, but we need an upgrade from Cotchery and Bersin.

Byron Bell has to go. The rest of our line has rounded into shape and our two rookie guards give me hope for the future, but Bell is horrible.

In the secondary we need an upgrade from Harper. He makes some plays and around the redzone (where he doesn't have to cover much ground) he can be ok but he's too slow and old to be effective.

If Hardy is found not guilty we should look to see if we can resign him, if not then at least losing his cap hit should be helpful.

I love Williams as a player and a person, but if this is the year we can finally cut him without major penalty we should do it.



Draft needs: LT, WR, S

1/11/2015 12:14:22 AM

Yeah, it wasn't a pretty season. But, Newton misses two games with injuries. Greg Hardy is suspended all season. DeAnegelo, Stewart, and Tolbert fight injuries all year. Things really did not go as planned. And still managed to win the division - even if it was with a 7-8-1 record. I think it was roller coaster season that ended on a pretty high note with some positive momentum to carry into 2015.

1/11/2015 12:15:52 AM

Yea! Go Hawks!

1/11/2015 1:13:53 AM

Just shut up Steven.

1/11/2015 6:19:17 AM

As good as the Panthers' defense was last year and the 2nd half of this season...watching the game last night just shows that Seattle's defense is better. Chancellor > Sherman and ET3. I'd take Carolina's front 7 against Seattle's all day, but their secondary is just so damn good.

Gotta cheer for the Packers to win it all now I guess.

1/11/2015 8:26:30 AM

any insiders feel like post for us? the first point is obviously controversial given our fanbase (people either love or hate Cam) - so it'll be interesting to see if locking up Cam for the long haul is a priority with front office:
http://insider.espn.go.com/nfl/story/_/id/12112261/offseason-fixes-carolina-panthers-nfl

1/11/2015 9:19:29 AM

Yeah, that secondary is just ridiculously stacked, we only really got the passing game going after Maxwell went down. Panthers will be fine though, our front 7 is equally stacked and the secondary has a bright future. This should be the worst team we have for the foreseeable future barring catastrophe. Other than Hardy who is gone regardless, our list of free agents this year are all spare parts, no one who will demand a big contract from anyone. No more rebuilding this offseason, just upgrading.

1/11/2015 9:20:50 AM

How good do Panthers fans really think Cam is?

[no troll]He's an above average QB...definitely not great or maybe even really good. He's got a rocket of an arm, but is an inconsistent passer. Can you not admit that he misses on too many throws (even when not rushed, for those who think it's all on the O-line)? He's a beast of a runner...but there's no way that holds up over the years (he was already dinged up this year). And he's not the best decision maker[/no troll].

It's tough finding really good QBs to lead the franchise, so I understand the appeal to be all-in on Cam. But at what price? If I were a Panthers fan, I'd be hesitant to give this guy a fuck-ton of money.

1/11/2015 10:22:08 AM

I think he's shown consistent improvement as a passer and that this year should be looked at as an anomaly in his overall progression. Numbers wise, he definitely regressed this year, but he played hurt most of the year behind a shaky (to be kind) offensive line. Combined with more pressure to make plays for a suddenly porous defense and it got ugly at times. Elite QBs have to deal with turmoil at WR all the time, so I'm not giving him much of a break on that, but a full off season of practicing with these dudes will do wonders.

1/11/2015 10:34:05 AM

^^that's a pretty fair assessment. he's not perfect and is an inconsistent passer. i don't think the most ardent newton supporters (myself included) could argue that. but, you kinda have to pay him market value. whatever that may be. above average QBs are pretty hard to come by. that's why when you have a QB like dalton, flacco, or whoever, you lock them up. because the alternative is either going with an average veteran for cheaper (carson palmer, for example) or a rookie QB. and unless you have an impact rookie like wilson, luck, newton (when they're under rookie contract, I mean) then you really can't expect to win and make the playoffs with a QB on their rookie contract. that's why seattle's so dangerous right now. wilson is being paid a 3rd round rookie contract and have a loaded defense and stud running back. the talent in seattle is gonna have to drop some when he gets his huge contract.

basically, he's an above average QB and you have to pay him because who else are you gonna get that can do what he's doing for much cheaper? it's a risk i don't wanna have to take

[Edited on January 11, 2015 at 10:37 AM. Reason : arrow]

1/11/2015 10:37:36 AM

Seattle's pretty much already made their bed for the future. They are keeping that stud secondary intact while Russ will have to deal with an average offensive line and WR corp for the rest of his career.

1/11/2015 10:41:39 AM

Quote :

"For the first time since the current regime took over, the Carolina Panthers will not enter the offseason in a huge bind with the salary cap. This group has done an outstanding job of putting a competitive product on the field while getting its once-messy books in order, making it to the divisional round of the playoffs for the second consecutive season. Of course, there is definitely room to improve this roster, as the Panthers benefited from a very weak NFC South in making the postseason and an injury-depleted Arizona Cardinals in winning their wild-card game. Following their loss to the Seattle Seahawks, what are their top offseason priorities? Let's take a look: 1. Lock up Cam Newton to a long-term contract extension. This one is pretty cut and dried, but still qualifies as the No. 1 priority for the franchise this offseason. Newton's contract will be up after his fifth season in the league, and the Panthers can't let their franchise quarterback leave town. Newton was criticized this season, particularly early in the year, for seemingly not making much of a step forward in his fourth season. However, he and the Panthers improved throughout the year. He bounced back from a back injury he sustained in a frightening car accident, and from what I saw of him on tape, I thought this was his best season as a pro. He improved as a pocket passer, and he's still one of the most impressive physical specimens in the league and an outstanding runner from the quarterback position. He's a unique talent, and the face of the franchise. 2. Get Newton a deep threat. Kelvin Benjamin did some great things in his rookie season, but overall, this group of wide receivers lacks speed. There really isn't much talent to speak of outside of Benjamin, so adding two players here should be a priority. In particular, the Panthers should get a speedy vertical threat to pair opposite Benjamin, who is a bigger target. 3. Get Newton a left tackle. This is asking a lot, of course, as good NFL left tackles don't grow on trees. While this line improved significantly as the season went along and players like Trai Turner, Andrew Norwell and Mike Remmers stepped up, the Panthers' pass protection wasn't great, and finding a true successor to Jordan Gross would go a long way toward solving this problem. Byron Bell is miscast at left tackle and would be better on the right side, at guard or as the Panthers' sixth offensive lineman. Additionally, his contract is up, and the team might not want to pay too much for him given his production to this point. The Panthers might want to turn to the draft to find an answer here, possibly in the first round. 4. Add a difference-maker in the secondary. Josh Norman came on strong in 2014, and the Panthers don't have any prominent free agents in their makeshift secondary. This group looked like it was thrown together with outcast cover men, but overall it played pretty well. Bene Benwikere was promising as a rookie, but counting on Roman Harper, Thomas DeCoud and Antoine Cason for a repeat performance in 2015 might be too optimistic. Getting a safety early in the draft should be a priority. 5. Find a pass-rusher to replace Greg Hardy. We don't yet know how Hardy's legal situation will be resolved, and what it'll mean for his playing status in the NFL; regardless, chances are good he won't be with the Panthers in 2015. How will Carolina address its pass rush? It used a second-round pick on Kony Ealy in the 2014 draft, and he's Hardy's likely successor, but the Panthers could use one more high-end talent here. They rely on their front seven as the foundation of their team."

1/11/2015 11:22:18 AM

most of that is spot-on, except the secondary part. the author obviously didn't notice decoud relegated to special teams, and cason isn't even on the team anymore

1/11/2015 11:25:08 AM

I think we need a slot receiver more than a deep threat to be honest, assuming Philly can stay healthy. Two of the biggest plays in last night's game were Cotchery and Tolbert dropping perfect passes on 3rd down to end drives. A guy who can get open underneath and run after the catch would be ideal.

[Edited on January 11, 2015 at 11:31 AM. Reason : :]

1/11/2015 11:30:55 AM

mcdermott is supposed to interview with the jets tomorrow.

1/12/2015 11:15:39 AM

http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/eye-on-football/24956552/-year-old-writes-letter-to-all-32-nfl-teams-only-panthers-respond

1/12/2015 1:48:32 PM

^that's awesome. and i also have to LOL at jerry richardson writing the note. he always looks so pissed off, the crotchety old man sitting down and writing a letter back to a 12 year old is funny to me

1/12/2015 1:52:49 PM

Quote :

""We would make you proud by the classy way we represent you."

That's how you win over a 12 year old, Jerry. "Class."

Quote :

"The letter also came with a package containing a replica Panthers helmet signed by star linebacker Luke Kuechly. For what it's worth, Pope said, "If this is the only team that responds to me, I'm a Carolina Panthers fan.""

Kid's a hard sell.

[Edited on January 12, 2015 at 1:54 PM. Reason : .]

1/12/2015 1:53:54 PM

"Son, I appreciate your interest in the Carolina Panthers. I strongly encourage you to adopt us as your team. But, remember, you may be a Panthers fan now, but first and foremost we honor the NFL Shield. For without the Shield, we are nothing. Go NFL!"

1/12/2015 2:02:34 PM

Quote :

"5. Find a pass-rusher to replace Greg Hardy. We don't yet know how Hardy's legal situation will be resolved, and what it'll mean for his playing status in the NFL; regardless, chances are good he won't be with the Panthers in 2015. How will Carolina address its pass rush? It used a second-round pick on Kony Ealy in the 2014 draft, and he's Hardy's likely successor, but the Panthers could use one more high-end talent here. They rely on their front seven as the foundation of their team.""

Last thing I remember reading said that the organization believed his side of the story and planned to stick with him. Is this no longer the case?

1/12/2015 2:07:30 PM

^all the media folks i see on twitter think it's really, really unlikely we keep hardy. but i'm not sure if that's speculation or based on #sources

1/12/2015 2:19:32 PM

speculation

They're filling in the blanks based on how Big Cat has treated troubled players in the past.

1/12/2015 2:25:51 PM

I think the D proved they could still be a really strong front 7 without Hardy this year. Which makes me wonder, even the Panthers wanna bring him back, would that money be better spent elsewhere at a more immediate need?

1/12/2015 2:31:40 PM

Hardy is gone and the money will be better spent elsewhere. We figure to roll into free agency with ~$15m in cap and probably free up another $10m or so by cuts and restructures. By not devoting a huge chunk of that to Hardy, we can actually go after some top free agents to upgrade the offense.

[Edited on January 12, 2015 at 4:07 PM. Reason : :]

1/12/2015 4:07:36 PM

Isn't Cobb a free agent?

I'd love to sign him if we've got some money to play with

1/12/2015 4:10:55 PM

^Yes
http://www.spotrac.com/nfl/free-agents/

Expected to be the best FA class ever in the NFL

1/12/2015 4:19:27 PM

[Edited on January 12, 2015 at 4:20 PM. Reason : ^what he said]

1/12/2015 4:20:29 PM

Green Bay will re-sign him

1/12/2015 5:08:14 PM

Matt Moore made $5.5 mil this year? God damn

1/12/2015 5:11:22 PM

Riverboat Ron > the Fox

1/12/2015 5:41:31 PM

Gettleman is building Rivera a pretty stacked roster to work with the next few years. The bar for him should be raised to NFC Championship game or bust, especially if Cam plays more efficiently going forward. The Saints are $20M over the cap and full of holes, the Falcons have no non-QB/WR talent, and Tampa is in perpetual rebuilding mode. This is really the best shot the Panthers are gonna get to go on a multi-year run.

1/12/2015 5:58:00 PM

whoa there, pump the brakes.

We just won our first playoff game in years against a weak, injured Arizona with their third string QB and now it's NFCC or bust?

-------------------

also, apparently Hardy said he'd be willing to play for free to stay here

http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2015/01/12/greg-hardy-tells-teammate-hed-come-back-for-free/

of course the media still says he's gone anyway, but I don't think we'd turn him down if we got the right price (depending on how his courts stuff goes). the dude is a beast, and 100% healthy.

take it for what it's worth, obviously he's not going to play for free but I could see him taking a lower paying deal for dicking us over this season.



[Edited on January 12, 2015 at 6:19 PM. Reason : .]

1/12/2015 6:16:38 PM

A stacked roster? NFC championship game ?


Dafaq!?

1/12/2015 6:21:29 PM

Yeah but this was his 4th season, and so far he's been a .500 coach which should only be good enough for the Cincinnati Bengals. Having to deal with Hurney's shitpile buys him a lot of slack, but that excuse is quickly becoming a thing of the past. I don't know, do you guys want to root for a perpetually below average team? I don't.

[Edited on January 12, 2015 at 6:34 PM. Reason : :]

1/12/2015 6:32:31 PM

This will be the first offseason when we're not in Hurney's salary cap hell. I'd like to see us draft a stud safety in one of the first 2 rounds, then load up on offense for most of the rest of the draft. Maybe draft a speed receiver and a 2nd tight end and sign a good free agent left tackle. Hardy or no Hardy, I'm pretty happy with our defensive line (assuming Star comes back just fine) and linebackers and corners. TD can't play forever but we've never really had a problem drafting good linebackers.

[Edited on January 12, 2015 at 6:54 PM. Reason : TOOT TOOT]

1/12/2015 6:54:18 PM

AT SEATTLE ... cam newton 23-36 246 yards 6.8 ypa 2 touchdowns 2 interceptions. Aaron Rodgers so far 16-28 142 yards 5.1 ypa 1 touchdown 2 interceptions, but yeah that's why the panthers lost cause of cam not the entire team. It's a team game. We would have beaten either of these jokers today

1/18/2015 6:28:44 PM

http://www.si.com/nfl/2015/01/20/2014-nfl-draft-redo-derek-carr-odell-beckham-jr-jadeveon-clowney

SI article doing a redraft of the 2014 draft & they put 4 Panthers in the first round (Benjamin, Benwikere, Ealy & Boston)

1/20/2015 10:42:31 PM

#Kony2015

1/20/2015 10:46:05 PM

even tho I am not a Mel Kiper fan, any insiders feel like post for us? probably alot of parity with the si article above, but would be interesting to see. If we're srsly thinking about division and playoffs again next year - we can't have any sophmore regression from our surprising 2nd half rookies

http://insider.espn.go.com/nfl/draft2015/story/_/id/12206188/nfl-mel-kiper-regrading-2014-nfl-draft#NFC E

1/24/2015 10:20:47 AM