top dawg

Yeah, it wasn't a pretty showing, but it was largely effective. I think part of that was the fact that we are actually talented, though inconsistent (which might be a bigger problem), but I also believe that Brissett sucking. We'll try again next week though. There is reason to be guardedly optimistic in my opinion.

We did not play our best. The game wasn't necessarily coached well either, but the refs absolutely put the Browns into a position to win. They were dog sh¡t.

Baker's interception was definitely a bad one. He is not without blame. Baker's going to have to play much better than he did.today before I proclaim him as our future. I didn't see anything different than I've always seen from Baker. His consistency is lacking and his decision making is still suspect until it isn't. In my opinion, some Panthers' fans just want a franchise QB so bad, that they've mentally lowered their expectations. I'm not saying Baker can't be a franchise QB, but today's play is not what I'd consider fitting for a franchise-level QB in today's NFL. He simply has to do better. No cap!

Up to this point, I'd agree.

Calm down, guys...

The Panthers are gonna pound the Browns like a drum, and the reverberations of the beating will resonate around the NFL and put the league on notice that the Panthers are legitimate contenders.

Damned good! Thanks.

I mean, I don't know what you're expecting. I have yet to see any owner in NFL history make a grand proclamation that they fuged up by hiring the wrong guy. It's just kinda accepted. There's no need to say it, because everyone already knows it. It also doesn't really serve any practical purpose. Most fans are just happy that a bad HC was fired and are eager to move on. There's no need to waddle in the failures of the past.

They took a flyer on him. And, yes, it's not inconceivable that Hoskins is better than Nixon (he was during the extremely limited times that I saw him). I don't know what else to tell you. Day 3 picks are day 3 picks. Along with UDFAs, they're highly speculative.

Put the check in the win column. People seem to have forgotten what CMC can do. We may not stop Chubb, but we'll slow him down. We already know that Mayfield is motivated, and Brissett won't be able to match him. Our corners are better than theirs, and if Mayfield uses everything at his disposal, they're receivers can't match ours.

True. You want to hit on the early picks for sure, that's why the hit rate is higher, but drafting is an imperfect science, if a science at all. All I'm saying is that at the end of the day, it doesn't matter what round the starters come from, as long as you acquire them.

It's all a crap shoot. That's why it's good to have as many dart throws as you can. Hitting on day 1 and 2 picks is nice, but hitting on any pick, "surprise" or not, is the ultimate goal.

I don't think it has anything to do with whether the picks are "top" picks or not, just saying. Once a player is part of the team, if he excells that's the goal. I can live with misses--I mean, we basically have to--but if it all balances out, I'm good.

Two starters in a draft is a good draft. If TMJ or Shi comes through, it will be a damned good one.

Sorry, I can't "get into" a decidedly contrived exercise in wishful thinking. I think that within the specific context of our team and situation, we'll know a successful season when we see it. As such I'm not putting any conditions on it but to see obvious improvements.

Sounds like a marked downgrade to me, but Southern food is second to none, especially good vinegar-based pork barbecue.

Hell, Baker generally had enough time. Pre-season rankings are a waste of time, especially for us. No one knows...

Somebody needs to give us the goods--a synopsis of course.

Tepper is the long term owner for better or worse. We're better off rooting for his success than some wild fantasy about him selling.

I'm not trying to do mental gymnastics to get enthusiastic about Shenault. Show me, then maybe. I was tabbed as the "WR Extremist", remember? So there's that.

Thanks, Cap.

The only person of note that I can think of is Gilmore, but he wasn't a lock to re-sign with us from the get-go. Anyone else that we traded for was a later day 3 pick (even Gilmore). I'm not gonna be bothered by fives, sixes and sevens. Those guys are generally easy to replace anyway (as are the picks a lot of times by dealing a player that you don't need).

Could be a weakness...Could be a strength. Sometimes you win, sometimes you lose. All you can do is survey the situation and make your move (or not). At this point, the only definitively bad deal that has been made is Darnold.

Can't trade away all the draft picks...

Nice looking couple.