Mr. Scot

I've read a lot of BTS stuff from NFL front offices, and what I've seen doesn't reflect this kind of thinking. The reason they picked up Darnold's fifth was the same reason they traded for him, because they believed he could be the guy. When they pick up Young's option it'll be for the same reason. Fans rationalize stuff like this because they can't imagine team decision makers not seeing players differently than how they see them. But they do. Hell, we spend entire offseasons complaining because teams being back guys like Ian Thomas.

I share your opinion, but there's pretty much no indication the team does.

I expect them to take the "build around him" approach.

Graziano, Fowler and Person all basically see the fifth year option as a no brainer. That doesn't exactly scream "looking for an upgrade".

Not about what I think. Can you find any sources suggesting the team wants to bring competition for Bryce? (I haven't seen any, just the opposite) That situation could change but right now, I'd be surprised.

Not if the team doesn't see it that way.

Most, if not all of them. It isn't "coddling" either. It's standard practice. When a team names a starter, he's the guy. Like I said previously, the Bucs aren't going to go into next year telling Baker Mayfield he has to win the starting role again. He keeps it by default. That's how NFL teams operate. Our feelings don't matter.

How many teams with established starters ever bring in competition? Do you see the Bucs telling Mayfield "you were the starter last year but this year you have to win the job again"? If the team believes Bryce can be the guy (and just about all indications right now are that they do) they're not gonna put money and resources into another quarterback. They'll direct those toward shoring up somewhere else. You don't believe Bryce should be the guy. I don't believe Bryce should be the guy. Hell, a solid percentage of this board doesn't believe Bryce should be the guy. But the only people whose opinions matter appear to think differently.

Reich gave Evero leeway to pick most of his defensive position coaches, but Wash didn't have any history with Evero. His connection to the 23 Panthers was via Dom Capers who'd worked with him in a senior assistant role when Wash was the jags Defensive Coordinator. By coincidence, Wash actually has a little more history with Dave Canales. He was Seattle's DL Coach for two of the years Canales was coaching receivers. A couple of the guys Evero brought in have since been fired. I'm still surprised Evero wasn't after last season, but after hearing that his contract end this year, I feel it's a lot more likely that he and the Panthers part ways next year. It's just a matter of whose decision it is (quite possibly mutual).

I've tweaked a back muscle turning over in bed. (wish I was joking)

They believe Bryce is "ascending" per reports. We'll find out if they're right or not.

I don't doubt that they'll upgrade the backup spot. I'd be extremely shocked if that didn't happen. I'd be equally shocked if that player doesn't come in understanding that he won't be competing for the starting job.

The Legette of this season just isn't producing. He's definitely got the physical ability, but there are a lot of plays where he looks like he's either screwing up or just half-assing it. Yes that's fixable, but they gotta know why it's happening and he has to be willing to make the effort to fix it.

I was never sure how much of that story to believe. Rhule had final say on roster decisions, so he could have overruled a decision if he wanted to.

Because I don't think they plan on bringing anybody in except for a role that's understood to be a backup. I get that fans want competition for Bryce, but there's no indication the team does.

I listened. He framed it in the contwxt of hall of fame type conversations and having to stop people (saying "whoa") from going too far in praising a player. But at no point did Person suggest the Panthers should extend Bryce. He only pointed out that extension talks would be the next step in the natural progression, but even conditioned that on Bryce continuing to perform well.

I don't think he can because we have a ready made backup option. DL Coach Todd Wash was on staff with Canales back in Seattle. He's got 30 years of coaching experience including five as defensive coordinator in Jacksonville. He could also have Morgan get in touch with some of his old colleagues (Leslie Frazier among them). And of course there's likely Pete Carroll...

He may not actually be under contract next season. I'd have to look him up, but info on coaching contracts is not easy to find.

I was under the impression that the tItans had released him but when I look him up, he's on injured reserve with them. Yeah, I could see him getting another chance somewhere. Guys with big arms usually do.

Both, I think. We looked at him both before and after the trade up. And hey, how many guys can say they get to do draft evals with their wives?

Or when you hire your cousin to be your agent...

I'd vote for the "Can you provide evidence that your package wasn't delivered" award. Best picture of an empty front porch wins

Yeah...can't agree. Fields just isn't an NFL quarterback.

I'd rather not go to San Francisco...at all And on that front, yeah it's sh-t. Same thing happened with automotion. That's somewhat levelled out so hopefully this will too. I'd say the best path is for people at some point to come to understand the limitations of it, i.e. realize that Commander Data is a fictional character. Mind you, depending on the reasoning and understanding of corporate types has always been a strategy fraught with risk