What They're Saying About the Panthers: Tuesday, Oct. 6

A look at Carolina Panthers coverage around the web

David Newton of ESPN.com on why the Panthers won’t apologize for their 4-0 start:

“A big reason we’ve had one of the easier schedules is because we’ve beaten all of them,” Olsen said.

Olsen reminded that Carolina’s opponents would be 8-8 if they had all beaten the Panthers.

Will Brinson at CBSSports.com makes a case for the NFC South as the best division in football:

As far as the top end goes, there isn’t a better one-two punch in the NFL right now. TheSeahawks and Cardinals would be a viable candidate, but they’ve got the same number of wins combined as each of Carolina/Atlanta.

There’s also the adjusted reality of the situation. We take too long to realize what’s happening when it’s happening in sports — the Panthers and Falcons are good. It’s time to realize it. Maybe not “win the Super Bowl” good, but certainly “make the playoffs” good.

Scott Davis of Business Insider breaks down what kind of payday Josh Norman might be in for:

As John Clayton noted, Byron Maxwell was given a six-year, $63 million contract from the Eagles this past offseason, and he’s hardly the first top cornerback to make big money. The Jets gave Darrelle Revis a five-year, $70 million deal this past offseason. Richard Sherman got a four-year, $56 million extension in 2014, and Patrick Peterson got a five-year, $70 million extension last season, too.

Norman, who was named NFC Defensive Player of the Month for September, is currently making $1.5 million this season.

If he keeps up this current pace, Norman could be looking at a huge payday this offseason.

Jonathan Jones of the Charlotte Observer highlights the Panthers bye week woes under Ron Rivera:

With Rivera as coach, since 2011, the Panthers are 0-5 after having the previous week off (including a playoff loss). Carolina has been outscored 125-46 in games coming off a bye.

Now they get one of the earliest byes in the NFL after rolling to a 4-0 start, their best in 12 years.

“Yes and no,” Rivera said when asked if the bye was coming at a good time. “With us playing well right now, you’d like to keep that going. We’ve got a lot to correct and get better at, but on the inverse it does come at a good time because we get a chance to slow some guys down, get some guys back on the field.”

Panthers.com shares what Ed Dickson’s wild touchdown sounded like on Spanish radio:

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VagusNC

Love the Spanish radio call!
Dylan Bauer

Can’t wait for Seattle, their offense is looking stagnant this year. Still not sold on Norman, he looks good. Definitely above average. Two picks on a heavily pressured rookie QB don’t make me think he’s top teir. And, he still makes too many mistakes in my opinion. He gave up some first downs. Shut down corners are shut down corners, they erase the reciver they are on and Norman is more like a 75-80% shutdown and less against decent QB play or with weak pressure up front. Not convinced he isn’t a system player. Not saying he isn’t, just saying I’m not YET convinced.
Keoni Pleasants

Screw the pundits, Greg Olsen was right, if the Panthers were the ones beaten then we wouldn’t be hearing this mess. Now all of a sudden we are lucky due to schedule. Regardless if it’s a second tier QB or not, any team can win on any given Sunday. The Rams, the NFL’s apparent bottom feeder, beat Arizona and Seattle. The Raiders beat the Ravens that were a perennial playoff contender before the season began. Carolina is playing at somewhere close to 60% of our starters. I’m not saying we are going to go undefeated or 14-2 or anything crazy like that. It’s just not out of this world to see an 11-5 or 10-6 season.