12-22-2023, 01:14 PM -
Panthers Fanz all -- Greetings and Salutations
2023 has been a real test for the team and for the fans as well. From an early ebullient start where everyone had high hopes for a possible berth in the playoffs, to our current state where trials, tribulations, and turmoil have slowly beaten this team into submission, the Panthers have continued to put a good face on things while trotting out onto the field to play every week. So far, those efforts have been largely for naught. With three games left to play, the Panthers entered week 16 looking ahead to Sunday at B of A where they would pull on pads and lace up cleats to face off against the GB Packers. With Jacksonville and the Bucs to follow, the 'Pack' may be our last real opportunity to pull out another win.
I predicted Green Bay to win this game some time back and there is still a very good chance that will happen. But GB has fallen on tough times too. If we can continue to play solid Defense and ST, win the TO battle, and win 3rd down, we have a chance to win this one. I am hoping that we can play inspired football and win.
The Panthers have done a yeoman's job on Defense this year. ST has held up as well. The Offense has been, in a word, "offensive". Showing a little 'heart' last week, it gives me some hope for this game.
I'm not certain what has happened with all of the injuries this year. Unlike anything I've seen previously. Sometimes I think we have more 'starters' on IR than we do on the active roster.
Brian Burns has been a huge disappointment. For a guy 'demanding' to be paid as a 'Top 5' OLB -- well, I just don't see it. As a matter of fact, I am not certain we shouldn't entertain the option of a trade. Can't tie up that much in a guy who is WAY underperforming. Honestly, our Defense has been solid "in spite of" Burns rather than "because of".
Sure hope we can retain Brown and Luvu. Also hope JayCee Horn stays healthy. We WILL need them next year.
Fingers crossed for Austin Corbett. Waiting for the return of Brady Christensen as well. Hayden Hurst REALLY concerns me....only positive wishes for him and for all of the injured Panthers.
Chuba Hubbard has been one of a very few bright spots this year. Powerful and quick.
Adam Thielen has been proving that "old man" is just a name. We have a couple of really good other guys too. DJ Chark and Jonathon Mingo add value, and along with Tommy Tremble and Smith-Marsette could provide a lot of what we need next year.
Our little 'smurf' QB has been pretty dismal. Still, he has shown to be "slippery" and capable on the move. That's not a lot to be happy about, but it's a start. Now, if he can just learn to get rid of the ball a little earlier and in FRONT of the receivers instead of behind them...?? I have hope for this week if he can stay the course. If not, we're liable to get buried.
The coaches are a bit of a quandary to me. Brown seems to be the real question mark. Sure hope we can keep Evero. He will be a sought after commodity for a HC position (probably). Our ST Coordinator, Chris Tabor (Interim HC..), is a rock star. Must find a way to hold on to him.
That brings me to HC Tabor. I'm not certain what I expected, but this is more..... Tabor has a certain "je ne sais quoi". It's hard to put into words, but he has it. Against the Falcons we saw two real indications of what a HC should be. He called time out before the quarter ended to preserve the direction of attack. A wasted call.?? Not hardly.!! It allowed Hekker to punt WITH the wind instead of against the wind when field position was SO important. AND then.... as LP called it at the time, a strictly "time management" decision. Told Hubbard NOT to score with about two plus minutes to go. Clocked the ball three times with all of the associated time run off the clock. One snap, one kick, with one second left. Walk-off win. THAT shows a man who KNOWS how to approach situational football.
So this week we could be facing a stern test. Or maybe not...?? I am surprised GB has sort of faded the last couple of weeks. Maybe it portends good things for the Panthers. OTOH, too much brashness is bad. I'm not convinced we win this game. Still, I'm hopeful.....
Maybe this game will be a Christmas present for Panthers fans.
2023 has been a real test for the team and for the fans as well. From an early ebullient start where everyone had high hopes for a possible berth in the playoffs, to our current state where trials, tribulations, and turmoil have slowly beaten this team into submission, the Panthers have continued to put a good face on things while trotting out onto the field to play every week. So far, those efforts have been largely for naught. With three games left to play, the Panthers entered week 16 looking ahead to Sunday at B of A where they would pull on pads and lace up cleats to face off against the GB Packers. With Jacksonville and the Bucs to follow, the 'Pack' may be our last real opportunity to pull out another win.
I predicted Green Bay to win this game some time back and there is still a very good chance that will happen. But GB has fallen on tough times too. If we can continue to play solid Defense and ST, win the TO battle, and win 3rd down, we have a chance to win this one. I am hoping that we can play inspired football and win.
The Panthers have done a yeoman's job on Defense this year. ST has held up as well. The Offense has been, in a word, "offensive". Showing a little 'heart' last week, it gives me some hope for this game.
I'm not certain what has happened with all of the injuries this year. Unlike anything I've seen previously. Sometimes I think we have more 'starters' on IR than we do on the active roster.
Brian Burns has been a huge disappointment. For a guy 'demanding' to be paid as a 'Top 5' OLB -- well, I just don't see it. As a matter of fact, I am not certain we shouldn't entertain the option of a trade. Can't tie up that much in a guy who is WAY underperforming. Honestly, our Defense has been solid "in spite of" Burns rather than "because of".
Sure hope we can retain Brown and Luvu. Also hope JayCee Horn stays healthy. We WILL need them next year.
Fingers crossed for Austin Corbett. Waiting for the return of Brady Christensen as well. Hayden Hurst REALLY concerns me....only positive wishes for him and for all of the injured Panthers.
Chuba Hubbard has been one of a very few bright spots this year. Powerful and quick.
Adam Thielen has been proving that "old man" is just a name. We have a couple of really good other guys too. DJ Chark and Jonathon Mingo add value, and along with Tommy Tremble and Smith-Marsette could provide a lot of what we need next year.
Our little 'smurf' QB has been pretty dismal. Still, he has shown to be "slippery" and capable on the move. That's not a lot to be happy about, but it's a start. Now, if he can just learn to get rid of the ball a little earlier and in FRONT of the receivers instead of behind them...?? I have hope for this week if he can stay the course. If not, we're liable to get buried.
The coaches are a bit of a quandary to me. Brown seems to be the real question mark. Sure hope we can keep Evero. He will be a sought after commodity for a HC position (probably). Our ST Coordinator, Chris Tabor (Interim HC..), is a rock star. Must find a way to hold on to him.
That brings me to HC Tabor. I'm not certain what I expected, but this is more..... Tabor has a certain "je ne sais quoi". It's hard to put into words, but he has it. Against the Falcons we saw two real indications of what a HC should be. He called time out before the quarter ended to preserve the direction of attack. A wasted call.?? Not hardly.!! It allowed Hekker to punt WITH the wind instead of against the wind when field position was SO important. AND then.... as LP called it at the time, a strictly "time management" decision. Told Hubbard NOT to score with about two plus minutes to go. Clocked the ball three times with all of the associated time run off the clock. One snap, one kick, with one second left. Walk-off win. THAT shows a man who KNOWS how to approach situational football.
So this week we could be facing a stern test. Or maybe not...?? I am surprised GB has sort of faded the last couple of weeks. Maybe it portends good things for the Panthers. OTOH, too much brashness is bad. I'm not convinced we win this game. Still, I'm hopeful.....
Maybe this game will be a Christmas present for Panthers fans.
This post was last modified: 12-22-2023, 11:47 PM by Hobbit99.
"A Reasoned Response From A Reasonable Mind"