top dawg

Yes, we all want to keep Curtis Samuel, but some of us are willing to pay him! Apparently, that includes Tim Weaver of USA Today's Panthers Wire. He includes Samuel's catch rate of nearly 80 percent among those with 77 or more catches. He also includes this PFF tweet as more evidence: I mean, some say Samuel is a luxury that we either can't or won't be able to afford. Some have suggested that we're holding him back. I don't know. It certainly seems like Rhule (via Brady) has been more adept at putting Samuel into situations to succeed, and, honestly, Samuel has done his thing very notably. Moreover, Rhule covets versatility, and Samuel is legitimately versatile. And, like Weaver said in so many words, Samuel hasn't nearly reached his ceiling. Some might be understating his value a bit. With all of these rumors floating around about CMC, do we really want to let Samuel get away without much of a fight? He's obviously more special than many were giving him credit for last offseason. And, he may not be able to be as easily replaced as some have intimated due to his versatility. Weaver thinks we should make a way, especially with our new found cap space. "After releasing Kawann Short yesterday, the Panthers have around $20 million in salary cap room for the year. Hopefully a chunk of that is reserved for a Curtis Samuel extension." I'm somewhat on the fence, but I'm willing to dig a little deeper into the pockets as long as he doesn't bust the bank. Sure would be nice to have him for another two or three years to see what he can really become... https://pantherswire.usatoday.com/2021/02/17/panthers-curtis-samuel-forced-missed-tackles-leader/

I think that "love" is meant for first rounders, and "like" for second rounders (maybe even third rounders).

I don't know about click bait. Maybe on Panthers Wire's part. But, either Rodrigue said it or she didn't. Who knows why she didn't mention Lance? There may not be the interest--which he is more raw--or maybe it is deception on someone's part up stream.

You can do it as long as you have them--let's say via trade (which is why Miami and the Jets could do it because they each have 2 first round picks this year)--but you can't go more than three years into the future.

Oh, now we're talking about NFL standards and not in reference to most people on the earth? OK... Bringing up Stafford's earnings in comparison to Watson's bespeaks of disingenuousness. Watson hasn't even had the opportunity to earn big money yet because he's essentially been on his rookie contract. Moreover, Stafford came into the league at a time when the rookie wage scale did not exist. It's eating you up to know that Watson is going to get paid, regardless! Furthermore, I'd bet that after all is said and done, if he stays healthy, Watson will eclipse Stafford's earnings after all is said and done. Deal with it!

He sat out one season. What are you talking about? If you think this is an apples to apples comparison, you are the only one.

The Steelers ultimately let him walk without tagging him, evrn though they had the option of doing so. Also, apples to oranges!

Blah blah blah. Watson is going to end up somewhere else, and he's going to get paid whether you like it or not! $24 mil is not poor by the longest of longshots.

It is true! Show me one former player who ended up playing out his contract, much less a QB. They ALWAYS end up somewhere else after a season at most! The sit-out is part of the process. You should know that!

According to Google, Deshaun Watson's net worth is 24 mil! I mean, I know he wants as much as he can get (like anyone), but that's "F.U. money" too! Pardon my candidness, but as a man who believes in principles, do you think I'd be pressed to work for a lying, white, racist motherfuger if I was a multimillionaire? I don't think so, and I'd make it very hard for the old sumbitch in more ways than one!

Everyone here is considering all possible outcomes. Leveon Bell is an RB. A QB is a totally different animal! And, the fact is is that Leveon Bell ultimately got his wish in some form of fashion, and the Steelers looked real sketchy without him (and still do, really). They tried replacing him and have yet to be successful. RBs are relatively easy to be replaced, but not so much a franchise QB who will ultimately end up playing somewhere else if that's what he's committed to doing.

Well hinsight is always 20/20! I do agree with you about Tepper possibly being a meddler. I don't know it for sure, but I certainly thought it as I read the article. Where I might disagree though is that maybe, just maybe, we'll end up better for it in the long run. And, yes, I know that Jerry Jones is the poster boy for why owners shouldn't meddle, but, Tepper seems to be a lot smarter than Jerry Jones.

Well, you said it for me... probably a little more colorfully at that!

Scot, the retention of Hurney was a reasonable move considering that Tepper was trying to just get his bearings (which he admitted). Scorched earth is not always the best policy, and it obviously isn't Tepper's style. And in regards to praising Hurney, that was obviously just owner-speak, if not outright bullsh¡t! We heard intimations about getting rid of Hurney as the GM months before Tepper actually axed him!

All the owners have F.U. money, but, at the end of the day, they all fold in these situations. It's only a matter of how long. Keeping a disgruntled QB isn't in their best interest. Anyone that doesn't understand this is naive!

It doesn't escape me that there are opportunity costs with trading draft capital, but Rhule seems to get a lot out of middling talent. Fitterer ought to at least be able to acquire some middling talent for a couple of years to hold the fort. Maybe this is a main reason why Tepper is so intent on getting our franchise QB.

I'm too old to be nervous. I'm just waiting for us to shoot our shot.

Take this with a grain of salt, as it is the Lying Season, and smoke...screens are in the air! "Jourdan Rodrigue has been covering the Rams this season for the Athletic but we can assume she’s still as plugged-in for Carolina as any beat reporter. Speaking with Nora Princiotti on The Ringer’s new NFL podcast, Rodrigue said she knows the Panthers “love” Justin Fields and “like” Mac Jones." "I know they love Justin Fields. I know they like Mac Jones." https://pantherswire.usatoday.com/2021/02/17/panthers-love-justin-fields-like-mac-jones/ So, here we go. Take it FWIW!

For all you sarcastic what-a-surprise guys, I'll just say that I don't think that Tepper is playing chicken.

The question is not about what NFL owner wants a franchise QB. The question is: How much is an NFL owner willing to spend on a franchise QB--how much is the owner willing to sacrifice? Is the owner willing to give up what essentially constitutes four or five first round picks (when you take into account that legit stars, CMC and Burns, were first rounders and are still young)? The answer has yet to be determined.

If you believe this article is only about Watson, then I think you've missed the bigger picture. If La Canfora and his colorful language regarding obviously flawed QBs--or basically just below par QBs--is correct, then Tepper simply isn't going to put up with it. I could be wrong, but I think this bodes well for the long-term potential of the franchise and its fans.

Even if you think La Canfora is off his rocker, he really isn't the only one who has these beliefs about Tepper. Others have alluded to it, and have even referenced things Tepper had said. La Canfora has just been the most Candid.

I certainly wouldn't want to give up Burns and/or CMC, but I'd understand it if we were able to land Watson. It may not be a popular notion, but at some point you have to say that it's much easier to replace CMC or Burns than it is to trade for a proven franchise caliber QB like Watson who is just beginning his prime (which has never happened). You've gotta give something to get something, unless someone's just being generous.

"Don't count the Panthers out of the Watson sweepstakes!" We've heard this, or something like it, too many times! Apparently Jason La Canfora has inside sources. He admits we may not land Watson, but we're going to try. "But I can assure you of this much: Carolina is beyond smitten with Watson and owner David Tepper is fairly consumed by the prospect of landing him and no matter what happens with this transcendent young quarterback (and I still believe he is dealt at some point), the Panthers are going to play some role in the process." La Canfora is pretty much emphatically telling us that Tepper is done with B.S. QBs. "Most to the point, I'm told that Tepper is over the idea of a 'game-manager' at the quarterback position..." "...Tepper is done with the caretaker, band-aid, we'll see model of quarterback. He's made it clear to those in the organization, and to his confidants around the NFL, that he wants desperately to upgrade into the penthouse of quarterbacks, believing it to be the most critical element to elevating the team to the heights – both in the standings and financially..." Believe La Canfora, or not! I believe him, and as such I consider this the most honest and inside view that we're going to get about our QB situation! The only way we'll have a sh¡t QB going into this year, is if we just can't do any better, and Deshaun Watson is our main target, because Tepper wants to make it happen! "The owner is consumed with landing a true franchise quarterback, who could transform the fortunes of the team on field and off, and make Panthers games more alluring to fans and sponsors alike." Tepper has his eye on the big picture--on the football and business side! And, he's not going to play around any more! You might want to read the whole thing. https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/nfl-insider-notes-dont-underestimate-david-tepper-and-the-panthers-in-the-deshaun-watson-sweepstakes/

I thought that as well.