Not some knee jerk reax to another Panther blow out. But the Big Cat has already drawn local comparisons to George Shinn and I wonder if he isn’t on a short road to becoming the Carolinas very own Art Modell.

Like Modell did, Richardson loves being an NFL owner, but operates a notch below the mega-wealthy, elite owners. After some initial success on the field, about 10 years into his tenure Modell began to balk at the economics of the league, alienating players and fans along the way. However, Modell was never on the verge of letting three Pro Bowl players — Peppers, Delhomme, and DeAngelo Williams — walk away without any compensation in return.

Now Richardson’s deep involvement with the NFL labor situation adds another confusing wrinkle to the franchise’s immediate future. Carolina is on the fast track to the top pick in the next NFL draft. Right now the consensus No. 1 pick is Stanford QB Andrew Luck. When QB Matthew Stafford went first overall to the Lions his contract was for six years and $72m. with $41m. guaranteed. Given everything we know about Richardson and the labor situation there is about a .2 percent chance that the Panthers could sign Luck — yet Luck has a golden chance to be the franchise QB the Panthers so sorely need.

The various conflicts and subplots — who replaces John Fox, does Marty Hurney retain a hammer-lock on personnel, will any name free agent ever sign with Carolina — all ad up to very weak franchise for years to come. Weakness means declining value, especially if fans perceive that the Big Cat has given up on improving the team. Clearly that is the fan base’s read on this season. Should that carry over into the off-season — watch out Jerry, you are about to test bottom.