Martin

In many ways this is one of the bigger games this year. If the offense can look good again, maybe, just maybe, we have something to look forward to for next year. Was last week an outlier or not?

Hopefully Fitt is replaced and all history is out the window, makes for a much cleaner negotiation, e.g. this is what we’ll offer you or we’ll trade you.

This is the way

Did Tepper interfere with Rhule? I thought Rhule ran his own kingdom? As for Frank, he definitely stepped in to try to salvage that poo show. Tepper is too involved in the operations, personnel etc. but it seems like he leaves the coaches alone unless it is going really bad.

Who do some people think Ben J is not a leader? Is that the word out there? Have I missed something? We know he’s a spectacular play caller, so that one checks the box for sure.

The take that he should take less just to show he really wants the job is hilarious and delusional. There is no single argument against Ben in there outside him asking for a market based salary. Garbage sums it up well.

Think this is a very poor and at best very naive take on Ben Johnson. Nobody will take a job for less than their market value just because. Asking for what he thinks he will get doesn’t mean you’re not passionate about it. Also, saying Ben would accept half from other teams is just something he made up, he has no idea. He seems really bothered by the $15 million, and there is very little substance in his argument. This shouldn’t move the needle in any direction on how you feel about Ben as a potential HC.

Not sure I agree with the 5 HCs in 3 years thing, even though it is correct in theory (or 6 coaches with all 3 interim coaches accounted for). Tepper didn’t make any changes initially in year 1, but it was time for Ron to go. I think I’ve read that he let Ron go early to give him a head start for other openings. He held on to Rhule for too long, I don’t know who can argue against letting him go. He wanted Ben, but had to settle for Frank as Ben said no to all teams (not just Panthers). I also don’t know how you can argue against letting Frank go, he was an absolute disaster. So Tepper has hired 2 HCs in 5 years, both bad hires I might add, but it’s not like he’s churning through new hires every year.

I don’t doubt he understands he has been part of the issues in the past, the question is what he will do next?

Agree, neither of them have held back on criticism. Sure their sources could’ve lied to them, but it is far from a puff piece

I wouldn’t be surprised if it plays out this way, but I also wouldn’t be shocked if we hire a real GM this time. I think Tepper knows that is the right thing to do, but will he be able to put his ego aside and actually do it? That’s the question and probability is probably not that high. But…

Not so sure about this. It depends on what the future org would look like under a new GM. But we’ll see.

If Bryce finish strong and we have the 33rd pick, it makes us a lot more attractive to prospective GMs and HCs. The one thing that would take the wind out of the sails completely is if we keep Fitt.

Agree with this one, I’d love the 33rd pick if we can get it.

I agree with Hill, McCaffrey and Lamar being the clear top 3. Their teams are depending on them and they could be dropped in on any team and would immediately raise the level of play on those teams. And that is what the MVP should be about.

I naively thought Burns would turn in to a game wrecker in a 3-4, I was soooooo wrong. I think they just went for the best DC, and his system happens to be a 3-4. There was obviously not a single second spent on what systems the new coaches would bring meant to the roster, painfully clear in Franks case.

I actually think the Deshaun debacle was a contributing factor to teams hesitating going through a long negotiation again.

These people are very few. Most people were just acknowledging the fact that Bryce looked really bad. He struggled to get zip in his passes, couldn’t feel the pressure, could read the defense etc. His surroundings were really bad but so was he. But anytime any criticism was mentioned the “you’re a hater” army came running in full force, “didn't you see that one elite throw he did (that most backups in the league can also do)?” It’s not anti Bryce, it is the reality of what he’s shown most of the season. I hope he becomes a world beater, but he’s looked awful for most of the year. Hopefully he can build on the last game, and that my friend, would be really exciting.

I would think there is at most two people who fit this description. The rest of us are just healthy skeptics who wish Bryce can prove us wrong.

Agree with this, really fun game today. Now we need to see it again, until he can string a few together I’m not sold, but hopefully he can.

Tremble was a big difference maker today, looked really good. He runs hard after the catch.

The most fun I’ve had watching a game this year. Great second half by Bryce, a few spectacular catches by Chark, Tremble looking great etc. Hopefully it will carry over to next week to make sure it wasn’t a one off.

I do like the B+ for Caleb W at 16 lol. Sometimes the grading in these is hilarious

No offense, but pulling the “he will be gone by our pick” already in December is hilarious.

This from Dianna Rossini of the Atlethic is potential great news: “In Carolina, owner David Tepper has taken hit after hit around the league for meddling and creating a culture of fear, but a league source said Tepper has been self-reflective, blaming himself for almost all the mistakes made this season. The source said, “He’s incredibly accountable and ready to make it right. He’s rejuvenated.” For a man worth billions of dollars who is paying two coaches who aren’t even working, that should be a positive sign to Panthers fans. A league source said Tepper has his eye on Detroit Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson, who was his first choice last hiring cycle. Johnson is a native of western North Carolina and a former UNC walk-on quarterback but turned down a chance to continue conversations about the Panthers job last year because he didn’t feel ready to take over as a head coach. Now, the source said, Johnson is ready and is expected to have options.”