Don Shula rooting for Panthers to match '72 Dolphins' perfect record

Hall of Fame coach Don Shula said he is rooting for theCarolina Panthersto equal his '72Dolphins' perfect record andtold the Charlotte Observer, "That would make me so proud if that happened."

Shula coached Miami to a 17-0 season in 1972,when the NFL regular season was 14 games. His son, Mike Shula, is the Panthers' offensive coordinator.

Describing the difference between father and son, Don Shula told the Observer, "Mike is calm and cool -- not hot-headed like the old man."

Rooting interest aside, Don Shula realizes the Panthers' road to an undefeated season won't be an easy one.

The fact that no team has accomplished the feat in 43 years "just tells you how hard, how difficult it is to do," he said. "There have been a lot of good teams, and only one team has done it."

But the Panthers certainly have the talent in place. Shula had high praise for tight end Greg Olsenand calledhim "exciting to watch" and "[the Panthers'] big-play guy whenever they are struggling." He described quarterback Cam Newton as "the complete package" with Hall of Fame potential.

The Panthers are one of three teams to start the 2015 season 8-0, along with the Cincinnati Bengals and New England Patriots, who have found themselves in this position before.

The 2007 Patriots went 16-0 through the regular season but lost to the New York Giants in Super Bowl XLII and finished 18-1.