2010 Panthers
Sep
22
Written by:
9/22/2010 11:32 PM
After the first two performances that left a lot to be desired at the Giants and in the home opener against Tampa, there is one big two-part question I would love to get an answer from Mr. Richardson regarding: Was it more important for YOU to hold rank with your fellow owners than going out and signing free agents and would you do it the same way again? Some of the very passionate Panther fans I have spoken to this season feel like the organization has betrayed them. Fans looked at how this team has been aggressive in past off-seasons in addressing most of the holes in the team and thought this past off season was a major change in philosophy. There were no veteran free agents brought in and this team went with a major youth movement, something no one here really understood. Fans here expect Mr. Richardson to do what he has done in the past and allow the front office fill in the holes, not create larger ones. There is no veteran backup QB on this team, the #2 receiver position is still in flux ( TJ Houshmandzadeh was released by Seattle before signing with Baltimore) just to name a couple of issues. Trading away Chris Harris and allowing Peppers and Kemo to walk away were some major telling moves by the front office. While some of these holes were addressed thru the draft, there were some proven players out in the free agent market that apparently were never considered.
Looking at some different studies, the average fan spends roughly $22 inside Bank of America Stadium on game day. This money is used on various items, from drinks, food to caps. The announced attendance for Sunday’s home opener was a sell out of 72,577, but several members in the press box estimated actual fans in attendance to be closer to 55,000. That roughly works out to 17,577 people that no-showed a sold out game or if you are a front office person, potentially $386,694 in lost revenue. We all know that preseason games are rarely attended in full, and the schedule this season lacks the major draw of a Pittsburgh, Green Bay, New England or Dallas this season. The two best games remaining on the schedule are between the Bears with Julius Peppers return and the defending Super Bowl Champs Saints. Providing attendance remains comparable, there is the potential for almost $ 4 million in revenue with fans no showing this season. That is a lot of money to leave on the table for an organization, and really the only way fans here can make a statement. While this may not be the way many fans would like to do things, with PSL’s, this may be one of the few ways to make a real statement. If anyone else has a better idea, let me know.
OTHER WEEKEND THOUGHTS
- So the Jets come from behind and defeat the Patriots, but lose Revis for most likely two weeks with a hamstring issue. On top of that, Braylon Edwards gets a DUI in Manhattan Monday night. This is the one step forward, two steps back for the Jets. Rex Ryan addressed the team and told them they have to quit embarrassing the organization.
- The Tar Heels fall to 0-2 with another 30-24 defeat, this time to Georgia Tech. While I cannot question the effort the team is demonstrating, I do wonder when they will get over the hump and gain a victory.
- UNC Football player Kendric Burney has been suspended six games and Deunta Williams four games for receiving improper benefits. Ten other players remain in limbo while the NCAA decides their fate. As much as I would like to defend my guys, they are the ones that have to be held accountable. Live and learn is something this team should maybe adopt as their motto for the 2010 season.
- Happy Birthday today to my grandma Vivian today. She is 84 and the best grandma in the world !!!