Carolina Panthers' Current Success Rooted in Last Year's Difficult Decisions

Sometimes, difficult decisions made by an NFL organization can shift the entire paradigm of a franchise. As a result of such moves, the Carolina Panthers are now on the verge of a second Super Bowl appearance if they can overcome the Arizona Cardinals in the NFC Championship Game.

Last year, the Panthers surprised many when they released veteran cornerback Antoine Cason on Dec. 2 after the team signed him to a one-year contract eight months earlier and he started 11 of the first 12 games in the 2014 season.

At the time, Carolina owned a 3-8-1 record. The team struggled through a six-game losing streak and hopes of competing even in the floundering NFC South were fading. After a 31-13 loss to…