Clawless Cats: Panthers Flop in Carolina

Whether you support them or not, the 2007 Carolina Panthers haven't been fun to watch.

The fans in Charlotte are usually roaring this time of the year—but that's not the case this season.

In fact, the Panthers' agonizing play has left many local season-ticket holders doing everything they can to ditch their seats. More casual fans have abandoned the team altogether.

Before their victory over San Francisco at Bank of America Stadium two weeks ago, the Panthers had gone seven games—more than a year—without a home win. They're 5-8 this season—a record that almost reminds Queen City natives of the franchise's 1-15 mark in 2001.

The result?

A stadium that sits a quarter empty on game days, and a fanbase that seems to have more or less lost interest.

As an expansion team that began play in 1995, the Panthers don't have a long enough history to keep attendance high during the tough times. And while the Cardiac Cats played in the Super Bowl as recently as 2003, it's been all downhill since.

The loss of starting quarterback Jake Delhomme was a fatal blow this season. In his stead, the Panthers have gone with David Carr and 44-year-old Vinny Testaverde.

Pro Bowl WR Steve Smith, meanwhile, has only 745 receiving yards, compared to 1,166 last season. Defensive stud Julius Peppers has managed only three sacks and 37 tackles on the year.

The running game has also been weak, with DeShaun Foster and DeAngelo Williams combining for just four touchdowns and 1,249 yards.

For all their indifference, though, Charlotte fans are at least still playing close enough attention to ask the most pressing question:

How long before head coach John Fox gets shown the door?

Panthers Year-by-Year Home Record

YEAR	REC	COMMENT
1996	8-0	Undefeated in first season in Charlotte behind a terrific defense.
1997	2-6	Panthers fans get their first taste of true dissatisfaction.
1998	2-6	Dom Capers' inability to win at home helps spell the end for the coach.
1999	5-3	Last home game: a 45-13 pounding of Jake Delhomme-led Saints.
2000	5-3	George Seifert's second team good at home but 2-6 on road.
2001	0-8	The bottom falls out: official attendance of 21,070 in home finale.
2002	4-4	John Fox Era begins promisingly with back-to-back home wins.
2003	6-2	The Super Bowl season also includes playoff win against Dallas.
2004	3-5	Panthers thud to Earth, don't win a home game until Nov. 21.
2005	5-3	Home record was okay, but this team made a living on the road.
2006	4-4	20-6 loss in home opener to Falcons sets tone for 8-8 season.
2007		Panthers lost home opener for fourth straight season, to Houston.
Totals	44-45	.494 winning percentage

Sources: Charlotte Observer, Panthers.com