Sunday, September 6, 2009

Panthers fan rips team in e-mail

I wrote this column in Sunday's Charlotte Observer about the Panthers' 0-4 preseason, and specifically how their poor performance in exhibitions had made one longtime Panther fan already sell his two tickets for the season opener Sept.13 vs. Philadelphia.

That column has stirred up quite a hornet's nest of comments. Given that, I thought I would reprint John Rohner's e-mail in full here -- I only used excerpts of it in the paper due to space concerns. You can decide after reading it yourself whether you consider Rohner (whom I also talked to by phone for some more details used in the column):

1) an impassioned fan who has a very good perspective on the 2009 Panthers since he has held PSLs since 1997 and seen a whole lot of good and bad Carolina football, or;

2) a traitorous fan who is putting too much stock in preseason and bailing out way too early.

Here's the full text of Rohner's e-mail -- originally sent to The Observer's executive sports editor Gary Schwab -- which Rohner gave me permission to make public:

"I read your paper on-line daily and appreciate your staff writers' honesty in reporting on the Panthers. Yet, as a 14 year season ticket holder, I see a team that has very little heart or pride.

"If only they could show a little of the determination Mr.Richardson has shown over the past several months! For the last several years my wife and I have driven to almost every home game (8 hours round trip) and each one of those years we had hope of seeing a team that would give their all, which they generally did.

"We have been more than "fair weather fans" but what we have seen in this pre-season is an embarrassment - these young men and coaches should be ashamed of themselves. Yes, it's "only pre-season", but if you can't show you can play the game in practice, what are we to expect in a "real game"?

"I made a promise to myself before the season this year; to never again boo my team when things are not going as hoped - I feel the only way I can keep that promise is to stay home. I have sold my tickets for the first home game and will see if the Panthers have somehow received their own heart transplant so we may return and support our team."

John Rohner
Myrtle Beach, SC

58 comments:

Anonymous said...

Please allow me to wipe your tears!!! What a crybaby. "I sold my tickes to the first game". I guess next year the coaches will play the starters more or put hurt players in the game so you don't get your feelings hurt again. Fans like you are the ones that leave in the third quarter if the team is down by 10. You Suck! Sell all your tickets because the real fans don't want you there!

Anonymous said...

Panthers are going great this year, you stay home and watch them on your couch and come out when the Panthers are 5-0!

Anonymous said...

Rohner is absolutely right. There's no reason to pay for a substandard product, and let's face it: that's exactly what the 2009-2010 Panthers are right now.

They could be more, but first they have to figure out tricky things like tackling, blocking, and holding onto the ball.

Anonymous said...

I don't get it. What was so special about that email? So the Panthers have a poor showing during pre-season...guess we should just fire everyone and cancel the season. Its clear that the injury bug hit the Panthers strong early on - would it have been worth risking further injuries to maybe get 1 or 2 pre-season wins?

Anonymous said...

Injuries seem to affect EVERY team in the NFL.

Players seem to come and go on EVERY team in the NFL.

There are changes in the coaches/coordinators on EVERY team in the NFL.

Offensive and defensive schemes change regularly across EVERY team in the NFL.

Yet, through all the places I have lived and worked, those things seem to be MAJOR issues with THIS team.

While yo may have a couple of mid-level stars on this team...

One wants out and has said as much publicly...

One is young so is still in his first contract, which tells me to wait and watch how this plays out...

And one doesn't have a QB capable of getting him the ball without some insane play to make the catch...

These players should see management bringing in a top flight QB (no...Jake has been lousy for YEARS and Smith has made him look even mediocre) not to mention top flight receivers to improve his abaility to get the ball!

They should see a serious effort to bring in a top flight D Lineman to free up Pepers to roam and make plays and have his moments in the sun, but protect him when he wants to take plays off (think Baltimore Ravens)...or GET RID OF HIM FOR DRAFT PICKS!

We'll see how the D-Williams situation plays out, but something tells me it won't turn out well from a contract perspective once D-Will realizes how valuable he really is!

I do not see a progression towards shoring up solid veterans, making them happy with playmakers around them, and replacing those players who cannot do the job, not to mention the lousy handling of contract situations and in all honesty...future draft picks.

So yes, vote with your wallet. Being a "Fan" does not mean being a mindless, blind, fool!

Anonymous said...

This buy bought his tickets in 1997. That suggests a fairweather fan. Get the opinion of someone who bought PSL before 1996 or in 2002 (if they paid full price) if you want a football fan. Fairweather fans look at their own team and don't look around the league at what's happening with other teams. Rohner is not wrong with all his assessments, specifically mortgaging the future for the present and paying too much for one guy, but remember that F&H take orders, too.

Anonymous said...

I think he should have reserved judgement until at least 2nd game of the season. I don't mind the team losing all four games because in the past it seemed like we put too much stock into the preseason. New England has often come up on the short end of the stick during the preseason and then proceeded to run away with everything during the regular season. I'm not saying we're New England but give it some time.

Anonymous said...

Boo hoo. Pick Fowler up and take him home with you. 12-4 was less than a year ago. The Panthers are fine. Quit your crying and take the preseason like a man. Several hundred times teams have had losing preseasons and gone on to playoff berths.

704Champ said...

I think I'll reserve judgment until after the Philadelphia game.

Tarheel Soldier said...

All you wimps out there who only see the bad things about the Panthers are more than welcome to go root for any of the other 31 teams out there.

Fox and Hurney have given us a competitive and compelling team year after year. They have built a very strong fan base and are two of the best NFL managers in the NFL. Believe it. Anytime anyone in the know talks about the Panthers the one thing they always say is, "The Carolina Panthers are a class act organization." This is a team you can be proud of, both on the field and off the field.

Rohner, do us a favor. Sell your PSL and let a real fan buy it. We don't need your wine and cheese, wimpy @ss around here anyway.

And while I'm at it. You, Mr. Fowler, are just as bad as Rohner. Why do you feel compelled to spread panic around Charlotte just because they stunk in preseason. Weren't you the one talking about not getting too crazy over the preseason a couple of weeks ago? C'mon, man!

Anonymous said...

I am so sick of fickle fans. He shouldn't have said how long he was a fan, so what! that means he was fan win they won two games, and i know they will win more than that this year. makes me think he is a liar. Anyway no one but the Panthers really knows what this team can do. Have Smitty, Williams, Stewart Goodson been on the field on the same time, No. Beason and Davis, no. lions went 4-0 last year and then won 0 reg. season game. Pre-season is an evaluation of talent. THis guy is ignorant.

Anonymous said...

Maybe fans will stop putting so much emphasis on the pre-season when the NFL stops charging us the full price for our tickets to the games. Call it what it is...a glorified scrimage aimed at making a quick buck by the NFL and the owners.

Anonymous said...

Maybe Mr. Rohner an now GET A LIFE!!

As they say in the stock market, don't fall in love with it........it may not love you back.

No sympathy here. If the Panthers have broken your spirit and heart, it's because you feel married to them. The feeling is NOT mutual.

All they want is your $$.

Anonymous said...

Thank you Mr. Rohner. Maybe a real fan was able to buy your tickets. Now, please sell your PSL's so that a real fan will always be able to go to the games in your place, permanently! 0-4 in the preseason, and you write off the home opener? Who boycotts the home opener after the preseason? Someone who is obviously not a real fan. Every team in the NFL is stil undefeated right now, whether they went 4-0 or 0-4 in August. True Panther fans since day one have seen a miracle 2nd year, an awful Seifert era that brought us the nightmares of 1-15, (I will personally never be able to get the rainy and cold images of that final game against New England out of my head) and the John Fox years since 2002 that have given us anything from 7-9 to 3 playoff births. And those playoff births include a first round bye, 2 NFC Championship Games, and 1 Super Bowl. Look around the league, talk to fans from so many other teams who are starving for a winning season (the Lions, Raiders, etc. would love 7-9), and you will see how lucky we have been. Can you imagine telling a Lions fan how disgusted you are with the 0-4 preseason, and how you are boycotting the first game! What a joke! (Great point by the previous poster, the Lions were 4-0 in the preseason last year. Boy, that really made a difference.) We just came off the best regular season in Panther's history, with an undefeated home record, and the #2 seed (we were Maake Kemoeatu away from the #1 seed with that Giants game of course). Was the Arizona playoff game atrocious? Of course it was. It was the worse loss in Panther history. Has the preseason looked like Arizona continued? Yes, of course it has been painful to watch. But you know what? When you are a fan, you stick with your team. You fight along beside them every week. September 13th is an opportunity to get the bad taste out of all of our mouths. If the Panthers let us down again, then we will all take it from there, but real fans will stand behind their team, no matter how dysfunctional they become, and whether they end up 12-4 or 4-12. With all of that said, 0-4 in the preseason is irrelevant!!! So, all that matters right now is September 13th, and our Panthers focusing on starting 1-0 (and of course, you will not be there.) Thank you again Mr. Rohner for not going so we can hopefully have a real fan there to fight with us. Now, please find it in your heart to sell those PSL's. Stay in Myrtle Beach the rest of the season, and instead build sandcastles or something on Sundays. The real Panther fans who live and die together with the team, win or lose every Sunday, will appreciate having one of our own join us in the 500 Sections!

Anonymous said...

People get so worked up over football.... I am a huge NFL fan and a huge panthers fan. But at the end of the day, it is just a game. Of course, I haven't paid an obscene amount of money for a PSL and season tickets so I don't have a whole lot of money invested. The way I look at it - it's like anything else you go to see --- it's your choice. I have no desire to see a professional basketball game; therefore, I don't buy tickets. I don't necessarily pass judgment on the Panthers coaches because they are a heckuva lot better than I would ever be. If some of you "fans" feel you would be so great at coaching, why don't you go find a coaching job with an NFL team? Just remember there are many more important things going on in this world than just the Panthers win-loss record at the end of the season.

CatManDude said...

For all of you weenies who hate the Panthers for not winning any of the 4 practice games, please send me any jerseys, bobbleheads, penants, or anything else you may be considering throwing out in a malconcieved tantrum. Do it before Sept 13!

Anonymous said...

Scott you are so full of bull. The Panther's fans will be supportive unlike you.....I hope you can get a job in Dallas to cover your favorite team.

Anonymous said...

I read these posts from so-called Panther's fans from time to time and after reading this latest one about Rohner I just had to respond. (I usually try not to read too many of them because they just plain aggravate me.) The Panther's have to have the stupidest fans out there. They whine, complain and bellyache all the freakin' time. Someone posted that all they want is your money and was condoning what Rohner did. I would bet that Jerry himself would tell you stupid fans to just keep your money or tell you what else to do with it if he were to speak his mind but he's too much of a gentleman for that. Oh, Fox you should have done this and Hurney you should have done that. You people make me sick. Rohner has to be one of those fans that leave in the fourth quarter when things are going well, so he can start making his way back to Myrtle Beach. The Panther's are in good shape to have another great season, too bad you won't be there to see if get started.

Unknown said...

I feel like being a committed fan for as long as he was he knows BS when he sees it. I feel like this, just because this is where you are from does not mean you have to support or be part of the fan base "just because". A team should work hard to earn its fans respect to build an even bigger fan base. I am from up north and have never been a Patriots fan growing up because I felt they sucked, I didn't feel like they deserved my respect as a fan and that didnt' change just because they won some Super Bowls (eventually). I moved to NC and was truly rooting for the Panthers but I'll be honest as much as I want to call this man a cry baby I can't because he's absolutely right. Somethings wrong and it either needs to be fixed and make your season tickets worth the money or lose fans.

Bill Belichick said...

Please allow me to introduce myself,
Im a man of wealth and taste.
Ive been around for a long, long year,
Stole many a mans soul and faith.

Keep the hate alive, my evil friends.

Anonymous said...

Some of you HOMERS just do not get it. With the PSL system this team DOES NOT have to put a competitive product on the field because they will get their money no matter what. For all you so called 'real fans" get a freaking life because you are all nothing but a bunch of LOSERS who use football to make up for the obvious inadequacies in your life. I just love how unless you swear undying loyalty you are not a "real fan" B.S.

Anonymous said...

Injuries has nothing to do with it,they sucked at the end of last year and nothing was done to fix it in the offseason.Beason,Davis,Kemo,or whoever.They just don't play Panther Ball anymore.Used to when you watched a Panthers game,you knew somebody on the other team was gonna get knocked out.No aggression,no tenacity,i for one, hate it .That's why everybody is so pissed off.Once you get a tast of that type of football, you hold on to it.Example;Steelers,Ravens;whether you like them or not,you gotta like the way they play defense.

Anonymous said...

These fans drive me crazy too... if I had the financial means I would be at EVERY game. That's if we were 16-0 or 0-16. I love this team and have for quite some time. I can't believe just how weak so many of these people are. But no, go ahead and sell your tickets... as will all the other PSL holders that are just the same way. Then the ticket prices will plummet online where I can go to some games on a cheaper rate. I don't care if this team doesn't win a game the whole season, I'll be right there waiting on draft night getting ready for the next season.

"FAN" is a simple concept. There's not many ways you can misunderstand it.

Gayle said...

You belly ache about a team being 0-4 in PRE-season, obviously forgetting that it IS preseason, that it doesn't count, and that this is when the team is testing ITSELF, and the new players to see how well they work with the rest of the team.

You forget, obviously, that at least one team, a team that has WON several SuperBowls (something the Panthers have yet to do, no thanks to critics), regularly would lose all or almost all the preseason games. Which team? The San Francisco 49ers. I felt this way when I was in Charlotte, I STILL feel t his way.

I think I'll just watch the Panthers games I can from the West Coast, and NOT read the commentary in the paper anymore. Far too irritating. Probably to the team too, come to think of it.

Anonymous said...

Ok, people. If the Panthers starters played well and the backups came in and blew all 4 preseason games, I wouldn't have a problem with that. However, our starters played like crap during the practice games. For $18-20 mil, I expect Peppers to show up, and actually record some stats. Hurries, pressures, sacks, tackles, pass deflec, etc. I expect the pros to be able to tackle and hang onto the football. None of that needs game planning for. You also can't just flick a switch and have things fixed. Everyone talks about 12-4 last season. Well when was the last time the Panthers had back to back winning seasons? And the quote about returning 21 of 22 starters, means zippo, since that was the case 2 years ago, and look where we ended up. I've been with the Panthers since day one, and will stick with them through the good and the bad times. However, I don't have blind optimism, like some of you. Some of you need to open your eyes, and realize this team has some major holes, major problems, and because of Peppers most of those things can't be fixed right now. We have some great linebackers, why not blitz them, and help out your secondary. Use the preseason to try these things out. But nothing, just same old vanilla def even w a new coordinator. Put the Panthers down for 8-8 and find a way to unload Peppers, to get back our #1 we gave up last year.

Unknown said...

A lot of you are going to look real stupid when the Panthers go 6-10 this season and you all are left wondering "what happened".

Simply put, this team is no where near the top of the NFC, nevertheless the NFL. Last year our great running game hid our anemic defensive problems. This year, our defense is much worse, our running game is not as strong because of line play and our special teams continues to be dead last in the league (almost made NFL history in horrid play last season).

South Carolina Regulators said...

Professionals always warm up prior to a performance. I went to see a symphony orchestra once. Before the show started there was the worst sounds I've ever heard coming from the orchestra. Horns sounded like their pipes were being cleaned. Strings sounded squeaky and nobody was together. I'm telling you it sounded like a bunch of kindergarten students just making noise. I got up yelling and screaming at the top of my voice "THIS IS TERRIBLE. WHAT A LOUSY PERFORMANCE". Then as the security guards were throwing me out the doors, the show started and I heard the most beautiful music I've ever heard. I'm telling you it was like the Angels singing from Heaven. I remember feeling so proud of myself for having corrected the poor playing just in time for the show to start.

Adrienne said...

Rohner, do what's right for you. If you feel selling your tickets are what's right, so be it. But the bottom line is, how is that going to change anything? The only thing changing is that you'll be watching the game from your couch instead of the stadium, but ultimately, the franchise couldn't care less because the tickets are still sold.

As for the rest, well, I'm not so sure that the players are 100% at fault, though I certainly see some lame attempts on the field. Look at the coaching staff - particularly Fox. He continues to cling to Jake as a QB and I'm sorry, he's just not all that! He may be a super nice guy but he's inconsistent with performance, slouchey in the pocket and can't hustle worth a darn. What's worse is that we don't have a good backup for him either.

As far as all of you claiming "find a real fan"... Oh please! YOU find a real fan. How many Monday night games are we hosting here in Charlotte this year? Anyone? NOT ONE!!! Our only Monday night game is against Dallas IN Dallas. Do you know why? Because our stadium is 1/2 empty by the 3rd quarter typically. The NFL doesn't want to show that on TV when the cameras pan to the stands. So, you be sure and let me know when you find some real finds that stay in their seats right down to the final 2 minutes when we're loosing 20 to nothing. Phillie fans do it; Green Bay fans do it... why don't we have that kind of fan base? Our stadium empties out in the 3rd quarter even when we're winning.

As for me, I'll continue to watch them from home because I like to watch the game and hear what is being said by the refs. I like good food, good beer and NOT going broke to have it. The food/beverage prices at the stadium are completely out of line, but they have a bit of a monopoly on it, so the prices are going to be outrageous. Nonetheless, I'll continue to support the team, regardless of the season. I'll praise them when they're doing well and I'll criticize them when they suck. They waived Leman and McMahan who showed promise in the preseason and we don't really have a decent defensive line, and it goes without saying that they kept Jake....so I'll probably be criticizing, but I remain a fan.

Anonymous said...

Yup, I'm spendin' all my time and hard earned money at the dogfights...

Ralph Cortes said...

I think that the disillusion and frustration rises from the core of a team that should indeed look better.

Perhaps, the lack of heart and motivation generates from the fact that nothing really changes the "status quo" of the team during the preseason. There i really nothing at stake here, only for those who are determined to end up in the last 53.

From experience, I know that you can't count this team out. Their performance has always been hard to predict. They shine when they are expected to be at the bottom, and then become mediocre at the top of their game.

So, having said that, the regular season looks to be a roller coaster for Carolina particularly, this year when our schedule is so brutal.

Just be a supportive fan and not a critical "fanatic". I might not look like the best of teams the majority of the time, but at least we have a team and they can be pretty darn good at times.

Enjoy the ride and chill. They don't call them the "Cardiac Cats" for nothing.

Anonymous said...

This team will continue to slide until Jake Delhomme is removed and replaced. If it takes a 5-11 season to rid us of John Fox and his boy Jake then I am ready.

Gayle said...

Well, anon, I'm on the West Coast, about 100 miles or so from Candlestick Park where the Niners play. When I was in Charlotte, I saw two games live, sitting way up in the nosebleed section, armed with a pair of binoculars (some had small portable TVs with them so they could see more than "ants" down on the field. Though the games were enjoyable enough, I prefer watching them on TV, at home, in the comfort of my living room, close to restroom with no long lines (for women that's torture!), near a very reasonably priced pizza from Sam's and unlimited drinks (store brands), and actually being able to see what was going on. To dull the roar from the commentators, I could turn my TV on mute... to dull the slower games, I could channel surf with the best of them. But, I could see the Panthers every single week of the season and pre-season. ON TV. Here, I can only see a few of the games, the ones on ESPN and on Monday or Sunday night on NBC or ?. I miss seeing them.

Watching the Niners just ain't the same. And Scott whines about the Panthers?????????? He should see this bunch not play.. during the season. AND preseason (most of it).

Gayle
near Sacramento, CA, missing the Panthers on TV and just ... THERE. (PS.. I saw the team born, the stadium being built, etc. )

CHillyDoggy said...

I hope they win and when you show up at the next home game, the fans in your section run you out of that stadium!

Anonymous said...

If the Panthers are not going to show any heart, then they're not going to get any heart from me. I WILL go and boo them. I will sneak signs into the stadium that read "jerry, either fire Fox and Hurney or unplug your pacemaker." I will boo jake the fake. I will boo Peppers when he coasts. I will boo Jordan Gross when DE's go right around him. I will boo the Panthers until they play with heart. I will PUKE in the aisle on purpose ( I can self induce vomit at will ) and on the carpeted hall ways in the club sections. I will urinate all over the toilet seats and the floor around it, and all over the toilet paper and butt caskets. I will treat the Panthers and the organization with the same self-deprecating behavior that they are treating us fans with that product they call football that plays with no heart. I will do it with extreme prejudice. This team better come out against Philly with a sense of urgency and purpose. They don't have to win, because I don't expect them to win, but they better play with heart.

John Donaldson said...

I normally really appreciate Scott's articles and comments. This one however would have been better written if we start the season 0-4, not for going 0-4 in the preseason. We're still the same team that went 12-4 last year. Lighten up and jump on them when they deserve it.

Anonymous said...

First of all preseason is preseason. The record in preseason means nothing (ex. Lions last year 4-0 in preseason and 0-16 in the season) and second of all the Panthers will be fine. You'll eat your words Rohner after the Panthers make the playoffs!

Unknown said...

Gee Scott, what if we didn't like the way you wrote your notes for articles and decided to sell our observer subscriptions? Does that amount to the same thing? I hate even answering to this email because it gives merit that you even wrote it. Please you and Mr. Rohner sell your PSL's so true fans can buy them. They haven't even played the first real game and you are giving up on them. I don't see why you write articles about them if you are not a fan. Maybe the observer should think about that as well.

Anonymous said...

first of all...we (the Rohner's) bought our PSLs the first year we moved to the Carolinas. It had nothing to do with their winning season that year. A friend told us about the PSLs and what was available and we jumped as we are both avid NFL fans. Yes we drive 4 hours to every home game and 4 hours home. That, in itself, should be proof that we are die-hard panther fans. We have made the trip during winning seasons and losing ones. I'm sorry that most of you feel we are fair weather fans as we are not. We just aren't convinced that this panther team is giving us 100%! We hope we are wrong.
MRS. ROHNER
Myrtle Beach SC

Anonymous said...

this is just a ploy

Anonymous said...

4 hours every sunday going and leaving, hell naww

Anonymous said...

I think everyone should stay away until Joke Fumbleloome is gone.

GM said...

What the hell is so special about this email? It's one guys opinion. Big deal.

Brian said...

a "real fan" would NEVER boo his own team off the field. so, if this "fan" says that he won't go because he doesn't want to boo...stay home. strike one.

a "real fan" would NEVER sell his tickets, especially to a season opener. if dude was a "real fan" he would guard those tickets with his life and show up, win or lose. you ALWAYS support your team, good times and bad. strike two.

a "real fan", who is knowledgeable, would take the preseason (especially one so riff with injuries) with a grain of freaking salt. it's preseason, guy, quit crying and pull yourself back together. stop trying to justify to yourself why it's okay to be a fair weather fan, which is what you are, not a "real fan". strike three.

Anonymous said...

It's not about the losses during preseason, it's about the way we played. We played poorly. No, we played ghastly. That is a cause of concern.

CharlieMV said...

Jake looks like he cuts his own hair.

TheCatman said...

As I have said before, Money dictates our level of fans in our stadium. We as a whole have never learned how to help the team or how to live vicariously through a few of the players to get more enjoyment. We've sold our tickets to opposing fans for years. For an example look at the traveling fan who came fearlessly into our stadium wearing their team colors, they wave their towels in unison and enjoy whether we beat them or not. If a fan comes to the game & not stay at home he/she knows their team could play poorly that day. A true fan understands that a loss is temporary and that we cheer for players that give up body and limb for their team. And we choose favorite players that exemplify that level of heart. All the players don't have the same level but I choose to say something to those others to pump them up to the level they need to play at, like a coach would. Then see if they respond. Its a 'game' and its played by others, not us. I'll be here 10 seasons from now and I know that there will be good seasons and bad, different players and coaches. The book starts new every year, pour a cup of your favorite flavor and realize the lows and the climax's. If you don't like the book at all stay home or root for the best team every year, then its easy.

Anonymous said...

Everybody quit cryin and settle down. We werent the only team that didn't win a preseason game. Arizona didnt win a preseason game and they were in the superbowl. Wait until about week 3 and then u can cry and complain.

Anonymous said...

What I hate are all of the stupid contest and commercials inside the stadium during timeouts and even between plays. I have made a point of not shopping at Teeters, Bojangles, etc. I can watch commercials at home on the bigscreen.

Clint said...

give it a rest guys the season hasn't even started yet. I understand your concern because we did put forth a subpar effort in the preseason but come on, selling your tickets for the first game? are you kidding me? That just seems rash to me considering that our starters haven't even really played together that much. It's a 16 game season we haven't even played a game yet but people want to already throw the season away. Stop panicking, let the boys play, and lets cheer hard for em. This freaking out stuff just lets other fans see how many bandwagon fans we got. BELIEVE IN NOW!

Clint said...

everybody read what catman said. the man knows what he is talking about.

Dean said...

I'll be happy to buy them if you didn't already sell them! Watching us loose in the PRESEASON without are starters playing a full game will not keep me from going to see my team play. Maybe I'm a stupid fan (I hope not) but I'm looking forward to the season and will be at the 1st game.

Anonymous said...

I am not a Jake hater like so many out there. But I would truely love to see the panthers Give one of the two backup QB's there walking papers and sign Jeff Garcia to push and back up Jake. If Jake does get hurt I think we would be in very safe hands with him behind center. I mean I keep hearing about how Jake focuses in on Smitty.. Well I can think of no better solution then to bring in a west coast QB that is use to checking down to recievers underneath. To taking what the defense gives. After doing that for awhile seems to be that there would be a few more times a game that Steve might get free for one of those long completions because the defense starts to cheat up. When you break it down all the west coast offense does is use the short passing game as we use the run game. So let me see.. We now have 2 (I think maybe 3) very good runners.. We have a short passing game and we run the defense all over the field. Short passes and runs lead to long drives.. which keeps our defense off the field and rested were some team like the giants can't run all over our D line. SO using all that here is what I am asking Foxy and Marty to do/ SIGN GARCIA.

Anonymous said...

Hey Rohner, I'l be more than happy to buy those tix from ya!

BellyChuck said...

RE: Anonymous said...first of all...we (the Rohner's) bought our PSLs the first year we moved to the Carolinas. It had nothing to do with their winning season that year. A friend told us about the PSLs and what was available and we jumped as we are both avid NFL fans. Yes we drive 4 hours to every home game and 4 hours home. That, in itself, should be proof that we are die-hard panther fans. We have made the trip during winning seasons and losing ones. I'm sorry that most of you feel we are fair weather fans as we are not. We just aren't convinced that this panther team is giving us 100%! We hope we are wrong.
MRS. ROHNER
Myrtle Beach SC


Thank you Mrs. Rohner. That was very nice, but could please pass the Fuckin' Potatoes!

Anonymous said...

Fox will not sign another quarterback that has skills. He is afraid to start Moore with the first team because he would make Jake look worse than Jake makes himself look. I keep thinking that there is some kind of connection with Jake and Mr. Richardson and Bojangles. We saw in the playoffs that Fox will not take Jake out even after 6 turnovers. Would a reporter ask Fox how many turnovers Jake would have to make to be pulled or will he be pulled only if he is injured and can't walk or talk or open his eyes. Moore played good a couple of years ago without any help. My tickets are listed on stubhub for Sunday. I may not go back until Jake can't walk, talk or open his eyes.

Anonymous said...

It is truly a shame that a team that you "supposedly" support has a 12-4 season. Then is unceremoniously dismissed from the NFL playoffs, largely on the back of a horrific showing by the franchise quarterback, and you jump ship from a mediocre preseason showing.
Let's put this into perspective, the 12-4 was the best record for this franchise since the 2nd year in existence, also a 12-4 year. So for 4 lousy preseason games you are ready to hang them up because they didn't show their full hand because they were talent scouting. They were executing the vanilla version of the newly installed Meeks defense. Wow, I have never put so much stock into something that doesn't count. So you must have been on suicide watch after you took your PSATs and failed them, that is if you even bothered. Panther fans if this is your perspective please save us all posts to read. SUPPORT ANOTHER TEAM!!! I'm sure the New York teams or Philly could use some fair weather fans such as yourself. Do me a favor just don't jump back on the band wagon when we are sitting 1 or 2 in the NFC again this year at the end of the season.

Regards,

NFLSuperPro

Anonymous said...

concerning the fan in the stands...

apparently everyone kissed and made up today
so where's all the follow-up coverage???
gee no controversy so we'll just let it die
great journalism
HAH!

DAY 2
STILL NO REPLY

D said...

real fans buying his tickets...I agree and i am sure many of you do now ...LOL

Jerry Richardson may want to sell his tickets now