top dawg

On Bridgewater, I heard more than a few say that we already knew what he was, and it turns out that they were right. For me, the ball security thing just moved the needle fully into the red. That and his reluctance to throw anyone open down field. All that being said, can anyone say with any surety what Darnold is? I really don't think so. At least we know he's not a pu$$y as it pertains to pushing the ball down field. That's a double-edged sword based upon his play with the Jets (and that may be being generous). Steel sharpens steel though, and we'll find out if we're dealing with tinfoil relatively shortly.

One thing about Bridgewater is that I believe expectations were a little higher because we had all heard about his ball security and decision making. At the end of the day, on that front, we were sold a bill of goods--Teddy flipped the script! Plus, he turned out to be somewhat of an understated blamer (though I could be being petty). With Darnold, we shouldn't have high expectations to be honest. He flashed relatively very little among sucking a lot. Honestly, he's been a near-classic bust so far. The only thing that saves him from having that title more entrenched is the orbit that he was in. He got a mulligan because of it. Now, all we can hope is that he's Cinderfella.

Interesting take. I think that Rhule will tinker with the way he goes about running the show as it's kind of a natural evolvement making the transition from college to the pros, but I don't believe that he'll make wholesale changes. I could be wrong, but I think that Chinn was saying more so that the veteran guys were getting more comfortable with Rhule's modus operandi. One thing about Rhule though is that he seems to have an open mind and an adaptive spirit pertaining to everything but his core football principles. I think we'll be alright. He'll figure it out.

I don't know. I just find it kind of funny funny that Panthers fans' optimisim is essentially and inevitably tied to how bad Darnold sucked as a Jet and who is mostly to blame for that. It can't just be that Darnold has a lot of untouched potential full stop! It's funny in an odd sense, but somewhat ludicrous as well. Our soap opera may not be the best going (*cough* Watson or maybe even Dak), but it's compelling. And, don't throw in the subplot on lake Michigan.

Waiting for camp to start always seems like a long process, but admittedly it was a little shorter for me this summer, as I kept myself busy. Now that I've turned more of my attention back towards the Panthers, the biggest question remains, and that would be Sam Darnold. It's easy to feel good about Darnold when buying into the narrative that he sucked because the Jets sucked and now Rhule and company have freed Darnold from a sentence of 3 years to bust. Everything's gonna be alright, and he's going to lead us to the glory of the Lombardi trophy risen above every head in Panthers' nation. But, then again, there are short articles like this one by our friend, Tim Weaver, who rightfully summon the spirits of skepticism to dance with all those feel-good fairies at the forefront of our minds about the coming 2021 season. "According to Pro Football Focus, Darnold has the lowest passing grade (55.7) from a clean pocket since the 2018 season. Bridgewater ranked No. 32 in that stat last year, while Darnold ranked dead last at No. 39. "Perhaps the most critical area that needs improvement for Carolina’s offense is in the red zone. In 2020, they consistently had trouble getting over the goal line and finished the year No. 28 in red zone scoring percentage. This is another area Darnold has struggled in, though. PFF says Darnold’s passer rating in the red zone (77.6) is also the lowest in the league going back to 2018." These are things we may may or may not have heard before, but they are a reminders to be honest with ourselves that all we have right now is hope. Our season will largely go how Darnold goes. It's kind of "funny" but, we're hoping based upon his orbit around a black hole of suck--the Jets organization for years--that Rhule, Brady and company have enough pull to lead Darnold from a certain path of destruction to a place where he can shine and lead our team to the place where upper echelon teams exist on an annual basis. Yes, a few may ponder whether Darnold wasn't at the center of the suck himself, but I will tell you that I don't believe that he'll be allowed to suck the Panthers franchise down a black hole, because there are already too many forces that will not just sit by and let it happen. Make no mistake, the 2021 season will be the last potential sacrifice that Rhule, and, more importantly, David Tepper will allow. MY advice: keep hope alive, but also keep your expectations down to earth. Don't set your heart on Darnold being the savior, but don't dismiss his potential and the ability for our staff to accentuate his strengths and hopefully minimize his faults. Wait and see, but keep your mind open. At the end of the day, when the balance sheet is reconciled, there's really not enough invested in him--at this point--to raise our hands and thank our lucky stars, or to weep and gnash our teeth. We'll have a better idea of what he is in three months, and we'll have even better answers as to what we really have in a front office some time after that.

I thought it was a good interview. Tucker has a kind of over-the-top shtick which when contrasted with Chinn's laid back style made for some seeming awkward moments, but I think it worked! I think both guys were comfortable with one another, and I believe Chinn is mature beyond his years. I enjoyed it.

Definitely some good food for thought! I'd think that the percentage of snaps played would put things in focus a little more pertaining to these numbers.

Everything depends on Watson's price. What transpires has to work itself out and is to be determined. I do think we'll be in on every deal, until we're not.

I heard so much negativity about Pueblo--not saying that it doesn't have its problems--but I can see where it would be a decent place to live. It's not nearly as expensive as Denver or Colorado Springs, but it's still close enough--especially to Colorado Springs--where you can take advantage of some attractions like Pike's Peak on a normal basis, and it has attractions of its on like the Riverwalk. Lake Pueblo was my favorite! I also enjoyed the Nature and Raptor Center, the zoo (although too many old school cages) and the Rosemont Museum. I even went to the East Side to check it out, and it just seemed like a normal neighborhood to me. Don't get me wrong, I know that there's gang activity, but I've found that if you leave them alone, they'll leave you alone. Lastly, I would say that if you love to ride trails, then Pueblo is a great place to live. My buddy can literally ride out of his yard and never ride on the pavement, but to cross one street. He can ride all the way to Lake Pueblo (without riding in of course, lest he be stopped by the rangers). He lives about a mile from the racetrack. Unfortunately, some within the local community and government are trying to do away with the public access of those lands all around the racetrack.

I haven't been posting lately because I've been preoccupied with living life. But I repped my guys out west and down south. And I added three extra bonus pics. Don't hate my tye dye and blue flame, youngins! I'm a different type of cat! #keeppounding

Our play at LB needs elevation, no doubt, but Carter is solid nonetheless. When he comes in, he may not be spectacular, but he does his job and probably surpasses expectations while doing it.

Personally, I like the term...

Only if he can't be fixed. Otherwise he could play for another 3-5 years.

Sounds like a kid after my own heart!

Looks like a high school logo.

Well, there's a new regime in town now. So, what happened before is of little consequence.

That's fair, but a franchise QB ain't making flower bouquets...

The part at the end where Simms discusses Sam's even-tempered demeanor is, in a way, perhaps the most non-obvious but important aspect of Sam Darnold that needs to change. The kid needs to show some fire sometimes. Hell, he needs to show some emotion! Mr. Nice guy who thus far takes losing as just another day at the office is not gonna cut it. He kinda reminds me of Teddy in that way.

Leaving Pueblo tomorrow, but it's been fun!

Rhule is breaking him down to build him back up. I think it's that simple. I don't think it's some grand proclamation as to the type of QB we like. We already know that everyone, including Rhule, wants a QB who is apt in all circumstances, especially in and from the pocket. That's where a QB's bread and butter is made for the long haul, and it just may be Sam's biggest weakness because of the way he was taught (or not) and what he had to face while a Jet. Rhule will evaluate how Sam is doing--hopefully improving and learning, and concentrate on putting Sam in positions to succeed once he determines Sam's strengths and weaknesses within the context of what we'd like him to do on Sundays.

I can't help it that I know that we picked up Micah Simon or Frankie Luvu, but I'm not exactly obsessing over them.

About 45 or so, and that's it for me.

I doubt the Panthers are "scared" of anything. The moves they've made, particularly regarding QB, with Cam, Teddy, and now Darnold point to trying to improve regardless of what people think. As for Minshew being better than Darnold, I wouldn't bet the farm on it. Darnold has always had a higher ceiling. There are things to like about Minshew, if you disect some of the analytics, but he's still not played to a level high enough to make anyone believe that he isn't anything more than a glorified JAG.

Davis has lived a pretty good life, but he's got to realize that this is a crazy world where security is still necessary when you've acquired the things that he has. Hopefully he has adequate insurance. Even if he doesn't, he can take this as a lesson well-learned. I know people with a hundredth of what he has who believe in legit security.

For me, it's all about expectations. I didn't have high expectations last season. In the end, from what I saw on the field, we exceeded expectations. I thought we'd be crap and look like it. But, we were competitive, but not fully competent, most games. But what can one expect with a Covid-hindered, young and inexperienced team (really from the owner on down)? Yet, we were in games we had no business being in, and maybe would've won more with a traditional season and a QB with more potential. This season, I am setting the mark for 9-8. I think that's fair based upon our talent and sophomore year for this team with even younger players, peppered with vets with potential, including a QB whose career start gets a mulligan for all intents and purposes. If we get to 9-8 while showing growth in areas of weaknesses and still being competitive, I'll be satisfied. Anything more than that, would be great (and would mean that we are ahead of schedule). And I think we can get there based upon the gritty fight of last year's team. We were little brother trying to beat big brother. We got a good lick in, but he predictably beat our ass. This season, we'll at least make it uncomfortable for him--make him think. In 2022, we'll be whipping his ass. So, it's all about expectations.