I became a Panthers fan, living here in Charlotte. being a Panthers fan is a test of fortitude. we have a good team, but moving to the next level has been a challenge. we a few minutes away from a Super Bowl victory, which has left a bad taste in our mouths. the inconsistency that has followed, no consective winning seasons, two NFC Championship losses, have us all foaming at the corners of our mouthes, waiting and wishing for that ultimate season.
with a solid nucleus, we always seem short a part or two which leaves us reeling. Here is my list of GM mistakes that have tanked us. These are great causes for losing seasons and inconsistency.
Wide Receivers
Mushin Muhammad
we let go a few years ago. Steve Smith came in and stole his shine. Plus Mushin had a habit of shining during a contract year, while the years in between were rather lackluster. you were aging and demanded too high of a price. So we let you go. Great business move, but not so great on the field. which leads us to our next contestant
We then drafted Keary Colbert from USC. he was to fill Muhammads shoes and be another weapon for our very predictable offense. Keary couldn't catch VD. Did he catch 50 balls as a starter for 2 seasons or more.
Speaking of USC wide receivers, we went to the well again with Dwayne Jarrett. Bad route runner, a few injuries = no productivity. Less than two career catches and this is his third seasons. He has hosted more parties than that. I understand why Jake lives and dies with #89, Jarrett can't catch the swine flu in quarantine. Note to Management, lay off the USC wide receivers.
Calcium deficient DaShaun Foster. in '03, he was a beast behind Stephen Davis. he ran hard, broke tackles, a North-South runner. but he stayed hurt. i once went to Burger King and incidentally we met his cousin who worked there. she said he was always hurt because he never drank milk as a child. he would have worked out if he could have remained a good 2nd option at RB, but that year he was alone and got that 1 year extension for good money. it was like watching the tsunami coming towards me, i knew we were in for a rough season.
Jake Delhomme
He has to be the mosted hated QB in the league. or at least on a "decent" team. the way this season has started, i use decent loosely. he is just not accurate. his leadership skills far outweigh his talent. maybe he should have been a marine. he is obviously limited. he doesnt spread the ball and throws hail mary's all the time. not to the end zone at the end of the game like you are accostomed to seeing. he throws passes to Smith like he is a frisbee catching dog. now Steve's supernatural talents allow him to get too many of them. this has elevated Jake well above his mediocrity but its not new. now every team has the handbook to defeat us. key on the run game then allow Jake to hang himself. because between the inaccuracy and dependency he will cause turnovers. and to think a QB, with this many limitations was rewarded with a 5 yr $40 million extension after one of the worst games of his life. something is wrong with that. i have heard that called failing upwards. half of it is guaranteed, so if we cut him, we still pay him. good job, management. at the time when you should already have someone in place being groomed to take his position, you pull this. i am a fan, but i definitely see some dark days ahead.
Steve is a year older and Jake is no better. nor do i see any valuable free agent signings on the horizon. if the panthers don't draft you or get your for cheap, you won't be here
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