Can Dave Canales get people to believe again?
Veterans report to Charlotte for training camp Tuesday for year 30 of Carolina Panthers football.
I can still remember the excitement of year 10 in 2004 as the Panthers were coming off their first Super Bowl appearance.
Fast forward 20 years later and things definitely changed Mox. Discontent, dread and apathy are at all-time highs as the Panthers are coming off arguably their worst and most demoralizing season in franchise history. It wasn’t bad enough that they went 2-15, fired their head coach after Thanksgiving and didn’t even hold a lead in the fourth quarter of a game - they also gave away the No. 1 pick in the 2024 draft. And on top of all that? Bryce Young looked anything but the part while C.J. Stroud helped raise the Texans from the ashes.
When you factor that all in - it’s hard for people to truly buy what they’re selling on South Mint Street.
As year 30 begins, it’s fair to be skeptical and wonder if it’ll ever get turned around. Will this malaise reach the depths of what we’ve seen in Cleveland and Detroit? Nobody knows the answer to that question but it’s a distinct possibility.
It’s also possible that the tandem of Dan Morgan & Dave Canales get things back on track. I have no idea if the roster moves Morgan makes will work. I have no clue if Canales can be the head coach of a football team.
All I know is it seems like they have a shared vision and will work together to building something here.
The world is full of negativity but Canales is built different. The man oozes positivity and if there’s one thing the organization needs more than anything, it’s positive energy.
Russell Okung shared some insight on Canales via X here and here.
None of us know what year 30 will bring. If Canales can simply get people to believe again, then things might just get back on track. Give him a chance and let’s see what he can do.
Baker Mayfield called him an "optimism bully" 😂