Carolina Panthers

#2,255
#2,255
I'm furious about two things. The Cotchery blown call. Still don't get how that's not a catch. That, and Fozzy's total wimp-out on the last play of the half. What a coward. He saw it coming.
 
#2,262
#2,262
Ball game. Turnovers hurt, Denvers d won that game, PM better thank them. Great year though, just wish it could have ended with a sb win!
 
#2,265
#2,265
Good season, bitterly disappointing finish. Congrats to Peyton.

Hope the Panthers can make it back soon. Feel like this will make them hungrier. As always, Keep Pounding! Enjoyed discussing this season with you folks, see you next year!
 
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#2,268
#2,268
losing sucks. especially the way we did. this is the type of game we played 3 years ago. looked nothing like the panthers we've seen all season. and very disappointed in Cam' post game. he's going to get fried by the media all off season.
 
#2,269
#2,269
Nothing to be ashamed of, Denver D was much better than expected. Newton still needs to work on his passing game some. Still overthrowing some throws he should be making.
 
#2,270
#2,270
thats just it...he hadn 't been doing that all year. he had made improvements in the passing game and accuracy.

they just shrunk in the big game. the inability to find a way to get first downs was our achilles heel. we got no rhythm on offense, and even when we made a play or two we found a way to go backwards with a penalty or turnover.

really disappointing way to end what was otherwise a fantastic season. it's the being out of character that bothers me. you spend 18 weeks building an identity for this season, and in one game, you revert back to 18 months ago?

that's what's so frustrating for me. the only recipe that existed for Denver to win, and we served it up.
 
#2,271
#2,271
A disappointing finish to the most excellent and exciting year of Panthers football. Congratulations are in order to both Denver and Peyton Manning. With either a Panthers' or a Broncos' win, it was going to be bittersweet.

Here are my top 10 thoughts on the game and related material:

1. While I do not think it is the reason the Panthers lost, that early blown call with the Cotchery catch led to a series of event from which it was hard to recover.

2. Speaking of that Cotchery catch, the NFL really needs to modify its written rules over the offseason to finally clearly define what is a catch. The game refs seemed to think a "catch" is made with the hands, while the CBS guys and their official commentator seemed to think a "catch" is simply establishing control of the ball, which Cotchery clearly did. Regardless, this is a mess, and the NFL needs its refs to have a more unified understanding of what does and does not constitute a "catch."

3. I figured Denver would have to win the turnover battle to have a shot, and I was right.

4. Denver's defense is one of the best I've ever seen. It rivals some of those great Ravens' defenses from the early '00s.

5. Lost in the shuffle and especially due to Denver's defensive performance (which was obviously more difficult having to go against Carolina's offense) was the nearly equally great performance by Carolina's defense. Vonn Miller won Game MVP, and rightfully so, but he actually wasn't even the best defensive player on the field last night, statistically. That would have been Carolina's Ealy, with his three sacks, one forced fumble, one fumble recovery, and one interception. Probably the greatest defensive stats of a player in the Super Bowl in some time.

6. Watching the game, it felt as if Denver completely dominated the action, and, to be fair, Denver certainly did set the tone and the pace. However, a look at the statistics reveals a game that was actually much closer than it appeared. In fact, if you were to just look at the stats (with no score reference) you may be inclined to think that the Panthers won. The defensive performances were pretty much a draw, and the Panthers' offense outperformed Denver's statistically (not that that's saying anything). So, given that the game was in reality very even, what made the difference? That would be my 7th and 8th points.

7. Special teams helped Denver greatly, whether it was field position, a missed Carolina FG, or that wacky botched punt coverage. (About that punt coverage, I don't think I've ever seen anything so wacky on a punt. It's almost like all the Panthers' coverage guys thought he couldn't possibly have not fair-catched, so they didn't even bother to tackle him).

8. But here's the biggest difference: where the turnovers occurred. The biggest difference in that game was not necessarily the Denver defense or even the turnover margin - it was where the turnovers occurred on the field. Both teams had their share of turnovers, yet Denver's primarily occurred in spots where it did not hurt them as much, while Carolina's often occurred deep in their own territory. When Denver forced a Carolina turnover, its offense usually didn't really even have to drive the ball much for at least three points, and, of course, the recovery of the fumble in the endzone early on is self-explanatory.

9. Cam Newton is a young guy, and I'm not going to rip him too much, but he really needs to make a commitment to get his act together during the offseason. The idea that a franchise QB would go before the media minutes after a Super Bowl loss with a damn hoodie on and sulk is just ridiculous.

10. The Panthers had plenty of opportunities, and, despite Denver's great D, I saw wide open Carolina receivers all night. The problem was not getting open; the problem was that Cam overthrew too much and, when he finally didn't overthrow (or underthrow for that matter), his receivers often dropped the ball. You can't win like that, especially against a team that good against the run.

Well, now to the silly season and a year of waiting. I am confident moving forward, because I think this team will have ample opportunities to make it back to this stage in the coming years. I anticipate us making SB runs for at least the next couple of seasons. It's possible the team can be even better next year, with Benjamin returning and with some smart free agency deals. We'll see.
 
#2,272
#2,272
The game can be broken down very simply. The Broncos defense got in Cam's head early, and his offensive line just couldn't stop them. The Panthers had the ball down just 6 points with like 3 minutes to go, so it wasn't over until the end. The Carolina defense played way too well to lose the game. I don't even really blame our offensive line. I just think so much credit should be given to that defensive front.
 
#2,273
#2,273
Panthro said:
The game can be broken down very simply. The Broncos defense got in Cam's head early, and his offensive line just couldn't stop them. The Panthers had the ball down just 6 points with like 3 minutes to go, so it wasn't over until the end. The Carolina defense played way too well to lose the game. I don't even really blame our offensive line. I just think so much credit should be given to that defensive front.
Click to expand...

Agreed. Ealy was unbelievable, I think this game is the turning point in his career, as he finally lived up to what was expected of him out of Mizzou.

As far as immediate needs to again challenge for the Super Bowl, team needs to me are as follows:

DE (Johnson and Allen are most likely gone. Delaire and Addison are situational rushers at best. Need to address this position via high draft pick or bigger name free agent)

RT (Williams was drafted to play here, but if he is not the solution, a guy needs to be drafted. Remmers has been serviceable, but showed that on the biggest stage, he cannot block elite DEs)

CB (Norman will be tagged if he can't come to a contract agreement, and even with Bene back, this unit was patchworked together or has age (Tillman, Finnegan, McClain). Think they need to address this via mid round draft and try to find a steal like Bene was (5th round selection).

RB (Stewart is rumored to be gone after this season due to salary, so they need an EDB if that is the case. Even if he isn't, I think this position needs an injection of speed. This one can be addressed via draft as well, I would think. If Stewart leaves, Henry will most likely be there at 31, but I'm not so sure you take a chance on a guy who carried the ball that much in high school and college)

WR (Not as concerned with this position after the season these receivers had, which will only get better after the return of Benjamin and I think Funchess makes a huge impact next season. Wouldn't hurt to pick a WR though, if one is BPA in the draft.)
 
#2,274
#2,274
no you can't discount Denver's D. i agree.

but even still, we did things in that game we havent' done in almost 2 years. some of that due to defense, yes....sadly, i think it was also the stage being too big for some of our offensive players. drops, over throws, dumb dumb penalties, fumbles, and yes a couple of questionable calls not going our way........

man. it just sucks.
 
#2,275
#2,275
Cam held court for the media today. Good stuff. The magic and chemistry of this season will be hard, if not impossible, to recreate but the sky is the limit for this team. Most of the core is young, they should be better next season from a talent standpoint. We're finally getting some cap room to go after some needs in free agency. If Kony Ealy can play like that consistently......look out!
 
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