Hardy's ironic situation

[Supercowboy1986]

he leaves Carolina (7-8-1) to join the Cowboys (12-4) with everyone (me included) thinking the Cowboys were SB contenders. Then his former team goes 15-1 and are 2 weeks away from the super bowl.

Funny how things works out right ?

I have been surprised up till this point there hasn't been any reports of hardy "losing it."

This is not a romo injury or Murray traded thread so do not turn it into one. I give mods my blessing to ban those who try to.

 

[perrykemp]

Forgettings Hardy's personal feelings on the situation for a moment, it's a testament to the front office and coaching staff of the Panthers that they've gone 15-1 and rolled through the playoffs so far missing their #1 defensive talent off of their roster from last season in Hardy AND their #1 offensive player ( Benjamin) besides Cam Newton on offense.

I am shocked how much that team has squeezed productivity from NFL rejects like Ted Ginn, Roman Harper, Jerricho Cotchery, etc.

 

[DeaconMoss]

On paper, I just don't see how the Panthers are that good. When I watch them, its crazy how well they play. Their Defense is legit that's for sure. Cam is having a great season. I never thought he had it in him to be this good. Olsen is a monster.

 

[robjay04]

he leaves Carolina (7-8-1) to join the Cowboys (12-4) with everyone (me included) thinking the Cowboys were SB contenders. Then his former team goes 15-1 and are 2 weeks away from the super bowl.

Funny how things works out right ?

I have been surprised up till this point there hasn't been any reports of hardy "losing it."

This is not a romo injury or Murray traded thread so do not turn it into one. I give mods my blessing to ban those who try to.

Well I am sure Hardy was the most high profile but I am certain that is not the only FA Carolina lost last offseason. This kind of stuff happens all the time....I doubt Hardy would trade away his 10 million though.

DeAngelo Williams spent his whole career on that team, a long career at that. He had a decent season this year on a decent team but I bet he is kicking himself as well.

 

[DeaconMoss]

he leaves Carolina (7-8-1) to join the Cowboys (12-4) with everyone (me included) thinking the Cowboys were SB contenders. Then his former team goes 15-1 and are 2 weeks away from the super bowl.

Funny how things works out right ?

I have been surprised up till this point there hasn't been any reports of hardy "losing it."

This is not a romo injury or Murray traded thread so do not turn it into one. I give mods my blessing to ban those who try to.

Ealy + Allen > Hardy

And a lot less headache

 

[perrykemp]

On paper, I just don't see how the Panthers are that good. When I watch them, its crazy how well they play

Agree with this 100%. "On paper" they look like a slightly above average team.

The reality on the field is they play every bit like the 15-1 team that they are.

 

[tyke1doe]

It's called addition by subtraction.
I think there are a lot of things we - the general public - don't know.
I think there's more to this "team chemistry" concept than we'd like to admit.

Be that as it may, football is filled with irony.
DeAngelo Williams plays his guts out for the Panthers and goes to a team more familiar with the Super Bowl (Steelers) than Carolina and, lo and behold, he'll be sitting on his couch watching the Super Bowl while his ex-team is playing.

DeMarcus Ware is on a team trying to win a Super Bowl for its quarterback (Romo) and finally gets there with another team trying to give its quarterback (Peyton) one last hoorah.

Thomas Davis begs the Panthers not to cut him because he wants to play for a Super Bowl team and then gets injured and may not play in the very Super Bowl he stayed around to get to.

 

[jterrell]

A year ago Ware left and we went on our best run in a decade while the SB contender he went to flamed out quickly after a great regular season.

Ultimately it is a year to year league.

If Cam was out as long as Tony this year Carolina wouldn't have been in the playoffs much less Super Bowl.
People can crow about defense all they want but the final 4 QBs were:
Palmer, Cam, Brady and Manning.

 

[Supercowboy1986]

Don't forget about Thomas Davis Sr. He should get come back player of the year IMO. He had 3 acl injuries/surgeries on THE SAME KNEE! The man is insane and he has been making plays all year. I would really hate to see him miss the super bowl with the arm injury he received last night.

 

[jterrell]

On paper, I just don't see how the Panthers are that good. When I watch them, its crazy how well they play. Their Defense is legit that's for sure. Cam is having a great season. I never thought he had it in him to be this good. Olsen is a monster.

Huh?
What would like to see on paper....

Cam at QB, long-time start at RB, Pro Bowler at TE.
DL that is loaded with high R1 picks.
Best CB in football at the moment.
Best LB corps in football WHEN they are healthy.

That team was the one team who just flat outclassed us this year. It was never close.

10 Pro Bowlers and none of them rewarded for namesake only.

That is a loaded roster that build through the draft and grew up together with a 1 overall at QB who has grown into a stud.

 

[Oh_Canada]

They play as a team and the defense has playmakers at all levels, but they didn't have Hardy a year ago and started off horrendously. They just came together and yes Ealy's development along with Allen as a Hardy replacement eventually made up for the loss. Newton playing like the number one overall certainly helps as well.

 

[jazzcat22]

NFC South compared to NFC East.
Going off memory here. And all this means nothing. But it is the off season.

Few years back or so, Saints ruled the NFCS pretty much, Falcons and Panthers would give them a challenge now and then. People would say Panthers are getting there, a few players away....sound familiar...and then people would say, Falcons finally have a team, only to falter.
2014 the NFCS is in shambles, looked like a 6-10 team was going to win the division. Then Panthers tie with Bengals, and win last 4 games to win it at 7-8-1 without Hardy.

This year they take off like a wildfire and never looked back, with basically the same team.

NFCE this year looked like a 6-10 or 7-10 team was going to win it. Then Commanders win by default because giants and Eagles weren't that good, and Dallas had no Tony, no Dez, RB game took a while to get it figured out. Defense in flux as usual.
We could have run away with this division. But none of that matters at this point.

But it does give something to look forward to next season IMO. As it shows, anything can happen, and any team can turn it around.
However, I am still blaming Rowdy....he shows up as the team mascot in 1996, and we haven't been to the NFCC game since, let alone only winning 2 playoff games...

 

[LandryFan]

he leaves Carolina (7-8-1) to join the Cowboys (12-4) with everyone (me included) thinking the Cowboys were SB contenders. Then his former team goes 15-1 and are 2 weeks away from the super bowl.

Funny how things works out right ?

I have been surprised up till this point there hasn't been any reports of hardy "losing it."

This is not a romo injury or Murray traded thread so do not turn it into one. I give mods my blessing to ban those who try to.

I understand your point, but Hardy didn't "leave" Carolina, he was a UFA and the Panthers chose not to make him an offer. He had no choice in the matter.

 

[Supercowboy1986]

All roads lead back to rowdy

NFC South compared to NFC East.
Going off memory here. And all this means nothing. But it is the off season.

Few years back or so, Saints ruled the NFCS pretty much, Falcons and Panthers would give them a challenge now and then. People would say Panthers are getting there, a few players away....sound familiar...and then people would say, Falcons finally have a team, only to falter.
2014 the NFCS is in shambles, looked like a 6-10 team was going to win the division. Then Panthers tie with Bengals, and win last 4 games to win it at 7-8-1 without Hardy.

This year they take off like a wildfire and never looked back, with basically the same team.

NFCE this year looked like a 6-10 or 7-10 team was going to win it. Then Commanders win by default because giants and Eagles weren't that good, and Dallas had no Tony, no Dez, RB game took a while to get it figured out. Defense in flux as usual.
We could have run away with this division. But none of that matters at this point.

But it does give something to look forward to next season IMO. As it shows, anything can happen, and any team can turn it around.
However, I am still blaming Rowdy....he shows up as the team mascot in 1996, and we haven't been to the NFCC game since, let alone only winning 2 playoff games...

 

[LittleBoyBlue]

Ealy + Allen > Hardy

And a lot less headache

I'm happy for Jared

 

[Supercowboy1986]

I understand your point, but Hardy didn't "leave" Carolina, he was a UFA and the Panthers chose not to make him an offer. He had no choice in the matter.

Fair enough, I guess I should of wrote "despite for whatever reason hardy left Carolina.."

 

[jazzcat22]

They play as a team and the defense has playmakers at all levels, but they didn't have Hardy a year ago and started off horrendously. They just came together and yes Ealy's development along with Allen as a Hardy replacement eventually made up for the loss. Newton playing like the number one overall certainly helps as well.

I never really thought that Newton would be boom or bust type QB. I thought he could be very very good, franchise QB, or just ok, not a bust, not horrible, but just ok. And thought we need a good 3 to 5 years to find out. And needed a team around him. But that helps any QB.
I like him as a QB, can't deny how he is playing. He looks very good.
I don't like his cocky attitude. Some say he is having fun, but to me, for a QB. Make the play, go back to the huddle, get the next play set. Celebrate later, after a win.
However, congrats to him. Hope it's a good game.
At least it's not NE, GB, Pittsburgh or Seattle in it...

 

[erod]

One team went through successful rehab, while the other when on a heroin bender in Vegas.

It makes perfect sense.

 

[JoeBoBBY]

On paper, I just don't see how the Panthers are that good. When I watch them, its crazy how well they play. Their Defense is legit that's for sure. Cam is having a great season. I never thought he had it in him to be this good. Olsen is a monster.

I am thinking this is a solid team, that built up some momentum, with Cam playing at a high level. But it reminds me of the Super Bowl Shuffle Bears year. They are on autopilot. Nothing is going to stop them. Not even the second coming of the Orange Crush and Manning...

 

[cowboyschmps3]

I'm happy for Jared

Yes they did what we didn't, they went too Jared.