In the 247 days since the Carolina Panthers lost Super Bowl 50, they've echoed the line about 247 times: This year has nothing to do with last.

Now, with hope and expectations melting into a shocking 1-4 start, it's clear they weren't wrong.

 

TE Greg Olsen

 

"We told you guys, what happened the year before has nothing to do with this year ... It’s unfortunate we had to learn it by being 1-4, but that’s the way this league goes. You’re not promised anything in this league. No one’s going to roll over because of what you’ve done in the past. You’ve got to earn everything and right now we’re not earning anything."

 

S Kurt Coleman

 

"On defense, we've got to do better. We've got to do better on third down, we've got to better at getting turnovers. Offensively, we can't turn the ball over, and on special teams, we can't have that big blunder, and we can't miss the field goal. Everybody has a piece as to why we're not winning these games."

 

K Graham Gano

 

"We're not playing very well. It's all around. I've got to do a better job kicking the ball. I think you can ask everyone how they feel and they'll say they have something they can improve on."

 

OT Mike Remmers

 

"I don't think we used up our luck. Last year I don't think was luck. It's tough to win in the NFL, it's a game of inches. A few plays here and there and this season's completely different."

 

CB Teddy Williams

 

"Stuff like this happens in the NFL. You can be great one year and come back and have a season like this. But at the end of the day, we're only five games in and you really can circle the wagons and finish stronger than you started ... Last year was a magical season, but you can't hold your head and hang it on that."

 

 

LB Luke Kuechly

 

"We’ve got enough older guys on this team we’re not going to have any problem staying together ... You don’t expect to be in this position, but we’re in this position, and now it’s how we’re going to respond."

 

Head Coach Ron Rivera

 

"It’s still early in the season. We have started the second quarter, but the truth of the matter is we have to start getting things rolling ... We have a short week, so we just have to start getting prepared and move forward. You can’t look behind. There is nothing we can do about it."