Student and Panthers fan Juwan McKenzie is confident the team will improve next season

By Terrence Hinds, Staff Writer

Published in print Jan.21, 2015

As a Panthers win in the final moments of their Wild Card contest seemed at hand, it was interesting to see Carolina fans come out of the woodworks. Nearly quiet all season as the team struggled, I sought to talk to some of these Panthers fans the first week back at school. Yet, I found this task extremely difficult.

Finding fans who donned their blue and black proudly around campus was tough to find. With the Carolina season coming to a close in Seattle the weekend before, I had trouble finding Carolina fans who perhaps returned to the wood works. Still, proud of their team after their defeat, I found a couple of Panthers’ supporters to find out how they felt about their season.

1. What’s your take on how the Panthers competed in Seattle?

Juwan Mckenzie: The Panthers definitely came to play against Seattle. They played pretty decent for most of the game, but they seemed to be a little bit out-matched by the difference in personnel.

Jaquan: It was the typical Carolina game. We needed our defense to cover our mistakes on offense, but unfortunately we ran into the better team.

2. How do you feel about the season overall?

JM: The season as a whole was much expected. With the overhaul of wide-outs, Greg Hardy not touching the field except in Week 1, with practically a new secondary and offensive line it was going to be an interesting season. We made the playoffs, which was nice to see. But, with the playoffs, now we go from picking at possibly the 9th pick to about 25th, which is a HUGE difference in the NFL Draft.

J: Winning the division was the only bright spot for me along with winning a playoff game. But I am not blind to the fact that the NFC south was sub par or that we played an offensively inept Arizona team in the wild card game. Overall, I give it a C+.

3. What areas do you feel Carolina needs to improve the most during the off-season?

JM: LEFT TACKLE! Do not resign Byron Bell! Cam Newton was safer in his pickup truck than with Bell covering his blindside. Carolina needs to sure up the left tackle position and add depth to the offensive line. Also, they must have a complement to Kelvin Benjamin, hopefully an established wide-out. Also, a safety would also increase Carolina’s chances. Lastly, the Panthers need more speed on the field! Yes, that means kick and punt returners as well. Brenton Bersin was a nice story at first, but we got to find something real back deep on special teams.

J: We need to strengthen our depth in the secondary. I would love a Cornerback to be taken in the first round. We need to bring in some younger talent in at RB and another piece to go alongside the young K. Benjamin.

4. What’s your take on Cam Newton?

JM: Cam Newton is our leader on the offensive side of the ball. Athletically, I have not seen many QBs like him. He has the shiftiness of a young Michael Vick, the size of Ben Roethlisberger and the arm strength of Joe Flacco. But the one thing he is missing is the decision making of the elite quarterbacks (Manning, Brady, Rodgers). Cam has to study his film better, learn to slide, when to throw the ball away or take the sack or even hit a check down. But, I think Cam has the drive to work on his game. So, I could possibly see the Panthers making a run really within the next five years with Cam Newton leading the charge. Because he has a young team around him and the coaching staff seems to be here for the long haul, Cam will be here for a while.

J: He needs to be more consistent with his accuracy and ability to read defenses. That’s the only thing holding him back from taking his stardom to levels that he wants to reach. If he improves in these areas, then he will win at least two rings. He is just too big and talented.

5. What are your expectations for next season?

JM:  Carolina will win the NFC South for a third straight year with a record of 10-6 or 11-5. With roughly about 30 million in cap space, with resigning a few key players, I think they will make some noise in the off-season and the regular season.

J: My expectations are the same every year. Super Bowl. If former quarterback Jake Delhomme can lead us to a Super Bowl appearance, then anything is possible.