I try to stay as objective as possible when it comes to writing my blog about sports. But, like any other sports fan, I have my favorite teams. I back the Pittsburgh teams (Penguins & Pirates). I also back Chicago's Southside teams (White Sox & BlackHawks) but not the Cubs or Bulls. But, most of all, I do NOT back the Bears or the Steelers. Why? Because I'm a die-hard Charlotte sports fan and I bleed Black and Blue!!!
I moved from Syracuse, NY to Charlotte, NC in 1995. That was the same year The Carolina Panthers played their inaugural season. In Syracuse, all we had was the Syracuse University teams to root for. So, moving to Charlotte gave me the chance to love PROFESSIONAL sports. Not only did The Charlotte Hornets exist with Mugsy, L.J. and Zo', but I just got a brand new football team as well! Needless to say, I was overwhelmed with joy that pro sports were so close to me. (And that the closest professional football team to me was no longer the Buffalo Bills!) I sincerely felt like this Carolina Panthers team was created just for my arrival to the Queen City of Charlotte.
But I soon realized what kind of fanbase was here.
As much as I hate it, there are fair-weather fans all over the Carolinas. When the team is doing good, they are "lifelong, die-hard fans". When they have a bad season, these fans somehow transform into Cowboys, Steelers and Redskins fans real quick! I hate it. If the Panthers, God forbid, lose a game here or there, these so-called fans will jump off the bandwagon fast! I hate it, but I say good riddance! The REAL Panthers fans don't need to carry the dead-weight and we aren't begging anyone to love what we know is the best team in the NFL. Love us or leave us, period! But, with all of that said, I have to say to any TRUE Panthers fan: BEWARE!
This 2016 season holds a lot of expectations for The Carolina Panthers. But! I say to any real Panthers fan: You have to be realistic! Last season, the injury plagued Panthers squad improbably went 15-1 during the regular season and made an appearance in Super Bowl 50. They did so without their star wide-receiver, without a solid secondary, and a makeshift offensive line. Under the leadership of veterans Ryan Kalil and Thomas Davis along with young leaders like Luke Kuechly and "Superman" Cam Newton, they overcame long odds and went to the Super Bowl. However, as much as I hate to say it, the 2015 Panthers were probably the WORST team in modern NFL history to reach the Super Bowl.
The Panthers are back to play this season with pretty much the same group of players, if not an improved, more talented squad. But, now every team and fan knows how good the Panthers really are. Last year, even with a perfect record through 14 games, I think that a lot of teams doubted how good we were, like our wins were a fluke.
If you're a real fan, you will remember that half of our victories were a lot closer than they should have been. There were a lot of games where we only played one solid quarter. There were a few 2nd half comebacks that we almost lost as well. But the team persevered and, ultimately, we won those close games.
Bottomline: You can't expect the same results this season! Sure, I think the Panthers are a Super Bowl caliber team, especially considering last seasons' roster wasn't nearly as talented as this year's. However, in the NFL, wins are hard to come by. If we let teams come back on us or play sloppy for 45 minutes, the chances for a Panthers victory are now slim to none. I expect to lose a few games we shouldn't lose. I also expect to DOMINATE a few teams that are favored to win against us. But, love it or leave it, that is the rollercoaster-like team I am accustomed to love here in Carolina; there's a reason we are nicknamed "The Cardiac Cats".
The Carolina Panthers are back in action August 11th, 2016. They will play up in Baltimore against the Ravens in the 1st preseason game for both franchises. I can't wait to see how this team compares to the Super Bowl team of last year. But I do not expect the Cinderella season of 2015. My expectations are more realistic. I expect an elite team that will, through ups and downs, win the franchise's 1st Super Bowl. Black and Blue!!!
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