ESPN the Magazine's Ultimate Standings: Panther Fans' Opinions Wanted

by LittleKing on Mar 6, 2009 10:08 PM EST

I was contacted by EPSN the Magazine and was asked to pose a question to our CSR readers. Every year they post their ultimate team rankings where all teams from the NBA, NFL, NHL, and MLB are ranked together. After the disappointing 2007 season Carolina was ranked #78 out of 122 teams. If you are not familiar with their Ultimate Rankings you cans see the previous results at ESPN's website and view their ranking methodology. I've summarized the Panthers rankings below:

Year	RNK	BNG	FRL	OWN	AFF	STD	PLA	CCH	TTR	Prev Season Standing
2008	78	42	93	53	80	86	102	83	68	2007: 7-9
2007	37	21	60	29	80	68	63	33	48	2006: 8-8
2006	8	7	18	8	19	20	11	13	25	2005: 11-5
2005	12	47	24	6	17	17	5	2	19	2004: 7-9
2004	42	112	67	23	31	40	32	21	44	2003: 11-5
2003	99	115	112	54	62	68	101	54	68	2002: 7-9

They indicated that with their latest rankings the Panthers had a pretty sizable jump up the board in the Overall category and while they were not able to give me the exact ranking (yes I did ask) they indicated it was around 35 spots. That would move the Panthers to the mid to lower 40's in overall ranking. They also indicated both Player and Ownership moved upwards as well, but stadium experience, affordability, and fan relations still lagged.

Now back to the question, basically they are looking for fans reactions to the new rankings and why we think they jumped so significantly. Here is why they proposed to me:

We're just trying to get the true fan's perspective about the team in general and the specifics of the stadium as well as some lesser known factoids regarding the Panthers experience that are cool/funny and or interesting - and might be able to help explain and provide some color for these results.

They said some of the comments might be "published" along with the online results. When I asked about the print version they said it all depends on space. So feel free to post your thought and you could be selected. They will be stopping by later to read what everyone posted.

Of course we'll post a link to their Ultimate Standing when released.

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Is there a link to something telling us what the abbreviations in the table mean?

I blog the Carolina Panthers at www.catscratchreader.com

by Jaxon on Mar 7, 2009 1:59 PM EST reply actions

Wow. That's really interesting.

Our rank is as unstable as the stock market. I can’t believe we’re a playoff team and yet we’re still ranked at number 78. Perhaps the fans are mad that the staff decided to paint the endzone black?

Yeah that has to be it.

"Once again the trowsers of evil are yanked down by the mocking hands of justice!"-Revshawn

by Revshawn on Mar 7, 2009 8:18 PM EST reply actions

Do think I explain it very well

the latest ranking in the chart is not after this last season it would have been after the previous season the one where Delhomme was hurt. Which would probably explain the lower ranking.

I recently asked for clarification on when the poll was conducted and will post an update if they let me know.

by LittleKing on Mar 7, 2009 8:31 PM EST up reply actions