One thing I have noticed is how players LOVE playing for the Panthers.  Julius Peppers became greedy, but besides him we have usually been able to resign players if we want them.  The atmosphere here is grand (and the "athlete friendly" ladies are aplenty in Charlotte), but it really boils down to the management.  We have done an excellent job in taking care of our players.

                                                   One of the "athlete friendly" ladies I presume

Jerry Richardson and Marty Hurney promote a great environment and a fair one at that.  Interesting, since some took aim at JR and carved him to be a villain (look how quickly that ended!).  We have had a few bumps in the road (Rae Rae.... why man?), but generally we have had a team full of happy players (Steve Smith is always happy.. he just shares it a different way at times haha).  We have a family friendly atmosphere, yet that intense tough grit attitude at the same time- a reflection of our Owner.  JR is the opposite of the Al Davis's, the Snyder's, the Jerry Jones's, he is not all about flash and little on substance.  The man seems to have deep rooted morals and displays them with his team.  Our players have fun, but they are no-nonsense when it comes to game day.  Almost all of our players are overachievers and play at 100%, if they do not than they go the way of Peppers, Jarrett, Marshall.  

                                                 Yes, that is indeed a Cuban cigar... dipped in arsenic 

If we were able to keep Smitty around, after going from the West Coast to a city like Charlotte, than we are doing something VERY right.  

Many "small-market" teams are not like this.  I also partially attribute it to our successful drafting.  Players play alongside their fellow draftees for the entire rookie contract and it promotes a sense of unity.

*Note: this was just some random thoughts I had that did not pertain to the 1st overall pick

PS: I hate Michael Silver, to me you are as crazy as this guy:

                                                           why not..

                                                 I just really like this painting