The Self-Destruction of the Carolina Panthers

[goasu984Life]

So, I'm watching the Panthers and the Vikings, and the defense has really stepped up today, but the offense is just horrible. Too many penalties, too many mistakes. What in the blue hell was Chris Gamble thinking with the pass back on the punt return that led to the game-tying touchdown? This is NOT a Super Bowl team, not yet.

[goasu984Life]

Panthers lose in overtime. The defense played well for a time, but the Gamble play just took the wind right out of their sails. They better get better in a hurry. Tampa next week. They could be looking at 0-3, and 0-2 in the division.

[unknown-swac]

Everyone hyped them up to be superbowl contenders this year...I dont know what has happened to the team. They still have the athletes but the chemistry is just not there. However, do remember that the Steelers were 11-5 last year when making it to the Superbowl...

[GeauxColonels]

Panthers lose in overtime. The defense played well for a time, but the Gamble play just took the wind right out of their sails. They better get better in a hurry. Tampa next week. They could be looking at 0-3, and 0-2 in the division.
Looking at how Tampa has been playing...only scoring 3 points in the first 2 weeks, I would give Carolina the early edge in this game.

[goasu984Life]

The Panthers are so inconsistent. If that offense doesn't do any better than they have the first two weeks, it could be a 3-0 game in Tampa next week. Ugly. Just ugly.

[HiHiYikas]

I've been arguing with my brother for several seasons now that Jake Delhomme is - at best - a very slightly above average quarterback who has benefited from spectacular receivers that make him appear better than he really is. I'm not bothered in the least by this point, since a lot of the "great QB" teams in the NFL peter out in the playoffs every year (or fall short). Steve Smith's absence is proving my point.

When Smith comes back, things ought to change. He and Keyshawn on the same field ought to jump start the offense a bit. And I thought DeAngelo Williams was a bright spot on an otherwise lousy day for Carolina fans. Peppers looked good, too.

It's a little early to call it a self-destruction yet.

[ASU Kep]

I'm from Atlanta. :hurray: :hurray: :hurray: :thumbsup:

Way to go, Panthers!!! :p

[AppGuy04]

I think the Panthers should tank the season and draft Brady Quinn, JK!

[goasu984Life]

It's a little early to call it a self-destruction yet.

They can get better. They really can't get any worse. My point was that they really self destructed yesterday. In the opener, they made a lot of mistakes. They are really killing themselves. I don't know if they would have beaten Atlanta two weeks ago, but they surely would have been more competitive. The Vikings game was a joke.

[bison95]

Could be worse, you could be a Packer Fan, like me:bawling: :bawling: :bawling: :bawling: :bawling: :bawling:

[goasu984Life]

Or a Titans fan like me. Kerry Collins sucks out loud.

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[SuperJon]

Carolina needs Steve Smith, bad. He opens up the running game like no other player in the league.

[goasu984Life]

If the success of your football team is contingent on one player, and that player is not your quarterback, then you have problems. Obviously, the Panthers have problems.

[HiHiYikas]

If the success of your football team is contingent on one player, and that player is not your quarterback, then you have problems. Obviously, the Panthers have problems.
I have to disagree strongly with that one, at least until Vick, Manning, McNabb, and Culpepper get rings. I'll take a so-so QB that fits into an outstanding offense over an all-everything QB anyday. New England turned that configuration into an NFL dynasty.

Either way, the Panthers don't depend solely on Steve Smith for success. He is their single best offensive player, though. Take him away, and the Panthers lose a couple of points a game. If he's in against Atlanta, it's still a loss because those couple of points don't make up for Atlanta's outstanding defensive day and Carolina's poor one. If he's in against Minnesota, those couple of points probably put us over the top for the win.

[Baldy]

It could be worse. You could be a Tampa fan.
Carolina is a good team, but they would be much better if Steve Smith was out there. If your best player isn't on the field, it makes a difference. Just think if Peppers was out...your defense wouldn't be nearly as good.

Tampa just plain old blows. The Falcons were without Abraham, and Kerney only played sparingly, but absolutely dominated the Bucs. As of now...I know the season has just started, Atlanta, Chicago, and maybe Seattle are the teams to beat in the NFC. Detroit, Tampa, and Washington are just God awful.