outlaw4

Same guy has other stats as well. After looking at all of them, my biggest takeaway is that stats alone don't tell the whole story, especially when one set contradicts the other. Also, how there's a lot of variables to consider, like how whether the Ravens receivers seemingly getting tons of separation is more on skill or because defenses being more focused on stopping Lamar and Derrick Henry running all over them.

I only have the vaguest idea of what that's like. Years ago, both my kneecaps popped out of their grooves while I was running on a treadmill. The pain was pretty bad at the beginning but it got so bad, I thought I was 100 years old with how excruciating it was to walk anywhere. Thankfully, I only needed special knee braces to pop everything back into place. Saints have kept finding ways to be relevant despite their chronic cap issues. I'll believe it when we start seeing their throwback jerseys again.

Off my memory, this team has generally not been able to run a screen that works to save their life. I still remember Cam got picked off a few times trying to run one. Probably the most consistent YAC concept we've ever had was Smitty's smoke routes; those were borderline cheat codes at times. That's about all I remember for the entire season. Meanwhile, I get envious of watching teams like the Rams and Chiefs. Constant little checkdowns and then it's 10~15 yards with defenders either seemingly out of place or well blocked.

I'll also note how much a relief to see that Canales puts out there some interesting wrinkles with our offense, like with that quads bunch formation. I feel Joe Brady was the last guy that actually tried more modern concepts out there. Otherwise, our history has been chock full of dinosaurs running dinosaur concepts, with last year probably the most egregious.

Thielen is not a surprise. Remember, he's a former Viking and at least historically, they've had some really great receivers in the past and today. If it wasn't for the dropped passes, XL would probably be a lot closer to Coker, I would assume. I have to remind myself that he is still very much a raw player and he's got more catching up to do learning his craft. Coker's an interesting case because I would've said he's not a burner but then he had that big touchdown against the Cowboys. For a rookie, he seems to be dependable on being where he should be which pairs well with the QB that we have. Diontae... well, that's why he's still finding jobs elsewhere. Interesting where Harrison Jr is on that chart. If I'm reading that right, he really struggles with separation. That game where he went 200+ yards against us still haunts me. I admire the man as a player, but I'll also be thrilled the day we don't have to face him anymore.

Almost certain we'll get at least one primetime game. Hopefully MNF since at least in my memory, we tend to excel there while we lay stinkers on Sunday night. Jake beating the Packers in 2005, Double Trouble running over the Bucs in 2008, Cam beating the Patriots in 2013 and beating Andrew Luck in 2015. With the Bucs coming up, here's an instant Cardiac Cats classic finish for those that weren't around at the time. Jake throwing that lollypop to Moose still scares me to this day. Almost like Young's throw to Tremble while getting whacked but on steroids.

It's a bit odd considering he's been rather quiet recently.

Well, this MNF game is awful as expected. But it's the Saints getting utterly destroyed, so I'll allow this.

Apparently, Chargers also tried getting him but Texans had priority. Talent really does give a guy a lot of chances. At some point, he'll run out of them if he doesn't sort himself out.

I'm counting on having Brown, XL, and Wallace being ready to go. Everyone else are likely either gone or should have the expectation of having a reliable fallback option in place. Neither of our current centers are starter-worthy and I can't trust Corbett at this point, so I'm inclined to say that's the priority.

I was wondering who that was running out there among the players. Way I see it, the path between trying to win and trying to tank split off with our game against the Giants. Since then, we've gone head to head with some of the best teams, we've had our QB resurrecting his career to where there's potential for more, our rookie WRs are making plays, Chuba is becoming a big time player and we have some stability with our HC/GM for the time being. Us fans got a nice win for Christmas and a sense of optimism that the worst is behind us. The Giants meanwhile paid their starting QB to go away, fans are flying signs to fire everyone, they are getting utterly embarrassed on the field, and who knows who is making the decisions on draft day. I can't even imagine what all the players on that roster feel right about now, but I guarantee a lot of bridges have been burnt and there's going to be players heading out. Their fans got two lumps of pick-six coal for Christmas and a dread of things to come. I don't know about you but I prefer the football team that doesn't require putting a paper bag over my head anymore.

It was great that Brady was able to step in as our center on short notice... but center overall needs addressing this offseason. Getting worked up about the QB has been a Huddle tradition since I've joined almost 20 years ago. Jake Delhomme is not a franchise QB. Start Chris Weinke. David Carr will push Jake. David Carr crumbles at the slighest sniff of pressure. Matt Moore may be the future. Matt Moore doesn't care about being the starter. Clausen is a limp pickle. Cam can't win close games. Cam can't throw an accurate pass. Cam should've dived on that fumble. Cam should've not gone after that Chargers player and hurt his shoulder. Teddy can't throw past the sticks. Darnold's a dumbass. Mayfield can't throw a pass without it being batted down. In other words, I can't get that worked up nowadays because I've heard most of it before already. I will say BY's getting more of the Jake Delhomme Huddle hot takes now, which I'll take as a positive improvement from where he was before.

Should be the expectation given we make the right moves in the offseason and that our rookie WRs take a step forward themselves. They got plenty of reps this season, and so hopefully they can be more consistent themselves.

Okay, that Bucs-Cowboys game was wild. Like two wrecking balls crashing constantly into one another.

Oh, good. I get to use this again today.

Ultimately, the question for this season regarding Bryce Young was whether we should continue building around him or go in a different direction. Far as I can tell, all signs points to the former. Given how poor the upcoming QB draft class is and all the holes in the roster that are in desperate need of filling, this is the best case scenario for us. Do we want him to take more steps forward next season? Of course, but this is a guy who basically pulled himself out of complete bust territory after the second game of the season to earning the respect of not just his teammates and head coach but even his fellow competitors via his play. When someone is capable of doing something like that, he's earned the right to continue getting the chance to prove he can be more than we think he can be.

Back breaking INT by Purdy.

It's nice to see someone make the most of an opportunity.

It's the Panthers way. We can't make any wins easy on ourselves. But considering how we had so many close games against difficult opponents not go our way and then we fall flat on our faces last week, an actual victory instead of a moral one - especially when we put together a generally positive performance - was very much needed.

Two interceptions in, what, two minutes?

If Dell tore up his knee, that only makes holding onto that TD even more impressive.

Combination of NFL defenses doing a lot more to avoid getting beat deep and Mahomes not having the same weapons he used to have.

Two bad throws by Mahomes. Both guys were wide open.