2017: The Year that Is…and Might Be: Part 1
What will 2017 bring? Let’s look at the players around the state.
2016 ends. 2017 Begins. So what will the next year look like in the world of sports round the state? Let’s take a glance around and see what could be.
- Carolina Panthers
The 2017 Carolina Panthers will get off to a better start by drafting Leonard Fournette of LSU in the first round of the NFL Draft. In the second round they draft Solomon Thomas of Stanford to bulk the defensive line. The Panthers spend the later rounds drafting depth and acquire one tackle of note in free agency.
The NFC North jumps onto the schedule with no scarier teams than the Packers and healthy Vikings. The Patriots, Bills, Jets, and Dolphins also appear. A Panthers loss to the Bucs secures them the fourth place schedule so that the 49ers and Eagles come on the schedule.
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The Panthers seize the weaker schedule to go 10-6 and make the playoffs. Wild Card weekend sends the Panthers to Atlanta where they finally get vengeance on the Falcons. The season ends in Green Bay where the cold finally stops the run but leaves the Panthers hungry for 2018. Fournette wins Rookie of the Year.
- Charlotte Hornets
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The Charlotte Hornets continue to walk the tight rope in the Eastern Conference. Kemba Walker makes his first All-Star Game. The Hornets hold on to the fourth seed in the playoffs and gain a home playoff series for the first time in forever. They proceed to beat the Wizards in six games. They fall in the next round to the Cleveland Cavs and their firepower.
The Hornets draft Melo Trimble to add some playmaking to the second unit and take some of the burden off of Nicolas Batum. The Hornets miraculously survive injury trouble and start the 2017 season as the third team in the East behind Cavs and Celtics.
So that is part one of predictions, keep your eyes open for part two.