Carolina Blue
Posted January 25, 2006, 10:42 AM ET

The "12th man" lived up to the hype - but, unfortunately, the Panthers did not.

The city of Seattle and the rabid Seahawk fans have taken great pride in being the "12th man" at beautiful Qwest Field. And while the crowd on Sunday was great, it seemed as if the Seahawks had at least "15 men" on the field while the Panthers floundered on both sides of the ball.

Make no mistake about the outcome on Sunday; Seattle was better than Carolina in every phase of the game...offense, defense, coaching...you name it. The best team in the NFC is Seattle.

For the Panthers, it was somewhat a fitting end to a very bizarre season. There were times this season that Carolina looked like the best team in the NFC and then there were times when they looked as inept as an expansion team.

So how do you define the 2005 Panthers' season?

There were ups and downs, but the team really lacked a consistency that you find in championship-caliber teams. The only player that was seemingly "great" all year was Steve Smith.

When Jake Delhomme and the offensive line played well, the Panthers looked like Super Bowl locks. Unfortunately, it didn't happen every week...and it was really lacking in Seattle.

Can you call this a "great" season in Carolina?

"No."

It was a really good year that left Panther fans wanting more and also leaving the fans wondering "what if...?"

"What if" the Panthers had come to play at home in pivotal games late in the year against Tampa Bay and Dallas? Those two losses were killers....because they prevented the team from winning the NFC South and securing at least one home playoff game.

Instead, the boys were a wild card contestant, and had to go traveling all over this great country for the right to go to Super Bowl XL in Serbia, err...Detroit.

How important is home field advantage in the playoffs?...If you don't know the answer to that question, you haven't been paying attention to the playoffs...even though the Pittsburgh Steelers proved it can be done by winning three straight on the road.

The Panthers head into the offseason with some serious issues and questions. The team badly needs to upgrade its offensive skill positions.

Resigning DeShawn Foster will be a big decision...the team needs another WR to compliment Steve Smith and another solid TE could be helpful, too.

Defensively, many key players are signed, but Will Witherspoon is a big target for Hurney/Fox. If the Panthers lose Spoon, then they better hope Thomas Davis is ready to step in and contribute right away.

The Panthers must also have a productive '06 Draft. Last year's Draft is shaping up as a major bust and disappointment. It probably isn't safe to judge it after just one year, but there was very little production from anybody that was selected last April...and that includes Thomas Davis.

Another item that the team must improve on is playing well at home. The team was a very average 5-3 at the stadium this year, and that won't cut it if you plan on playing in Super Bowls.

After traveling the past three weeks to Giants Stadium, Soldier Field and Qwest...it is apparent that the Panthers are way behind the NFL curve when it comes to a home field advantage. It is one thing to play and win on the road, it is another to dominate at home. If you plan on being successful in the NFL, you've got to do both....and it seems winning at home is the easier task...but not for Carolina. That trend needs to change ASAP.

Hopefully, the Richardsons were taking a good look around in Seattle...that's how you expect a home crowd to react. Before Sunday, I thought Kansas City was the best home crowd that I had experienced in the NFL...the Chiefs are now a close second to the Seahawks.

Seattle was as close to a "Southern Fried Football"™ crowd as I have seen or heard. The fans and the team were terrific. Perhaps, one day, we can see that kind of atmosphere in Carolina.

There is a reason that Seattle was 10-0 at home and now finds themselves headed to the frozen tundra of Detroit. They are really good and they have an "automatic, built-in advantage" with their crowd and stadium.

The Panthers can feel good about the year...the only problem is that the players, coaches and fans were expecting to feel "Super".

Maybe next year.