Hey all, gutted Panthers fan here.
I am not sure whether I am in the minority as a Carolina fan, but I am disappointed in Cam for the presser. I saw Luke Kuechly sit there and calmly give thoughtful answers after an excruciating loss, so why can't the face of our franchise? Though I love Carolina, Cam's reaction made me almost glad he lost, as a front runner who can't be gracious in defeat does not deserve to win. I strongly feel people should walk it like they talk it - if Cam wants to dance, but was then to be gracious in defeat, and we still saw the "megawatt smile", at least he would be consistent. I don't like it when someone feels like the rules of decency and professionalism don't apply to them because "they want to win so bad". As if anyone ever wanted to lose!
I really feel for our defense. The first Denver TD was a strip sack, and the last was from the fumble near our own goal line. Also, one of the FGs was set up by that dumb special teams play that ended in FG range already, so I feel as though our defense is responsible for 6 points at most. If the offense and special teams just take care of the football, maybe we scrape out a 10-6 or 13-10 type victory. Full credit to Denver's D though - they played awesome, against a better offense than our D had to handle.
Us Panther fans wanted this one bad - after a 15-1 season, and beating incredible teams like Seattle and Arizona, the narrative seemed to naturally end in a championship. But to end with that kind of defeat, especially our leader not having the class to accept defeat gracefully, stings all the more. Most of all I feel for the likes of Kuechly - though he will get more chances, I hope, TD - who played with a bloody broken arm!, Josh Norman, who despite being a hothead, had the class to show respect to Manning on his way off the field, and the other defensive guys. I feel for Rivera too, who really built that D. I love all of our team, and wish good things for all of them, but to me the D played like champions without reward.
Well, good luck next year, Seattle fans. I suspect Carolina will have the post-SB loss deflation, coupled with a harder schedule, that will make the 2016 season less fun for the Panthers faithful. With Carson Palmer a year closer to hanging them up, I can see another Seahawks NFC West title and possible HFA in your new future.
All the best folks!