Surprise! Panthers back in playoffs

Carolina fans delighted rebuilding didn't mean lost season
By "Bucky Katz"

Playoffs 2113 (Charlotte) - He has spent a long time in the shadow of number three all time USAFL passer Kevin 'Fred' Jones, who taught him the ropes as a rookie.

He has female fans who show up at home games wearing t-shirts with the words 'Hanky' over his last name.

He tells his teammates he don't give a daggone if he gets post-season hardware or not. As long as the Panthers win another cup.

His name is Rhett Pankey and he has gone from being a disappointment to the home fans to being on top of the USAFL this season.

Yes, the Carolina Panthers, the team everyone gave up for a few rebuilding years, are back in the Sundby Cup hunt...at least for now.

The Panthers signed one free agent and acquired four guys off waivers in the off season. No big trades. No draft picks.

Yet they went from 5-9 to 10-4.

'That just shows the kind of character these guys have,' GM 'Trader' Lee Remley said. 'Some of these guys have been together a long time. Others have been here a year or two. It's a good mix that turned out right for us.'

Carolina changed both their offensive and defensive schemes in training camp to match their personnel strengths and minimize the weaknesses.

'I think that helped more than anything I did,' the GM joked to reporters at a post-season press conference.

Most experts around the league would be surprised if the Panthers success continues in the post season. But many here think that the tough division they play in prepares them for anything.

'If you can survive our division, you have a solid club,' the aforementioned quarterback Rhett Pankey said when asked about his team's chances.

The Panthers take their first post season step tonight.

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