Mr. Scot

Nice post script to the game... Meanwhile, dad somewhere: "That drunk shirtless guy is carrying my daughter"

I've never understood why Cole Spencer keeps getting promoted when people say our draft evaluations are a problem. You never know what goes on behind the scenes but...

Joe Person's comments on Morgan's future (Link) As the Carolina Panthers’ simultaneous searches for a head coach and general manager move into the next phases, it’s looking more and more likely that assistant general manager Dan Morgan has a good chance of sticking with the organization in a high-ranking role. Morgan, the former Panthers linebacker who returned to Carolina in 2021 as Scott Fitterer’s assistant, could succeed Fitterer, his best friend and former colleague. Morgan is among the candidates who interviewed a second time for the GM job, according to a league source with knowledge of the process. In addition, the 45-year-old Morgan and two other members of the personnel department have been a part of the Panthers’ head coach interviews, league sources told The Athletic. The fact owner David Tepper has included Morgan in the process — along with vice president of player personnel Adrian Wilson and director of player personnel Cole Spencer — would seem to suggest Tepper is considering keeping at least some members of the front office during the transition. Morgan is one of three known GM candidates to receive a second interview. The others were Philadelphia Eagles assistant general manager Alec Halaby and New York Giants assistant general manager Brandon Brown, according to a league source. Some in league circles believe Tepper could be looking to pair Morgan with an executive with a salary cap and contracts background such as Halaby or Kansas City Chiefs vice president of football operations Brandt Tilis, who interviewed with the Panthers this year and in 2021 before Fitterer was hired. Morgan, the Panthers’ first-round pick in 2001, had more than a decade of personnel experience when he followed Fitterer to Charlotte three years ago. The two worked together in Seattle before Morgan joined former Panthers assistant GM Brandon Beane as the Buffalo Bills director of player personnel in 2020. That Morgan is getting strong consideration from Tepper (and presumably the consulting firm Sportsology) is interesting given Morgan’s close association with Fitterer. The Panthers had a 14-37 record in Fitterer’s three seasons, a .275 winning percentage that was the NFL’s lowest over that span. Fitterer is well liked around the league and viewed as a consensus builder. Fitterer made several shrewd acquisitions as GM, most notably linebacker Frankie Luvu. But he also picked up Sam Darnold’s fifth-year option before the former New York Jets quarterback ever played a down for the Panthers and passed on the Los Angeles Rams’ offer of two future first-round picks and a Day 2 selection for edge rusher Brian Burns in 2022. Morgan has close ties to two of the Panthers’ head coach candidates. He was in Seattle when Dallas Cowboys defensive coordinator Dan Quinn and Tampa Bay Buccaneers offensive coordinator Dave Canales were on Pete Carroll’s coaching staff.

Speculation the Eagles could replace Brian Johnson too...

Couple of notes from Joe Person in The Athletic (link) Dan Morgan's status As the Carolina Panthers’ simultaneous searches for a head coach and general manager move into the next phases, it’s looking more and more likely that assistant general manager Dan Morgan has a good chance of sticking with the organization in a high-ranking role. Who's doing the interviews In addition, the 45-year-old Morgan and two other members of the personnel department have been a part of the Panthers’ head coach interviews, league sources told The Athletic. The fact owner David Tepper has included Morgan in the process — along with vice president of player personnel Adrian Wilson and director of player personnel Cole Spencer — would seem to suggest Tepper is considering keeping at least some members of the front office during the transition. Morgan's connections Morgan has close ties to two of the Panthers’ head coach candidates. He was in Seattle when Dallas Cowboys defensive coordinator Dan Quinn and Tampa Bay Buccaneers offensive coordinator Dave Canales were on Pete Carroll’s coaching staff. Brian Johnson out The Panthers appear to have quietly moved on from Eagles offensive coordinator Brian Johnson, whom they had previously requested to interview. The Panthers have announced their completed interviews on their website or social media platforms, which they had done with 11 of the 12 known candidates — everybody but Johnson. And with the Panthers now starting second interviews, Johnson apparently won’t get a first one. (A league source confirmed Johnson is no longer expected to interview with Carolina.)

Person believes Morgan is likely to stick around in some capacity, even if it isn't in the GM role... Where Dan Morgan fits in the Panthers searches Excerpts: As the Carolina Panthers’ simultaneous searches for a head coach and general manager move into the next phases, it’s looking more and more likely that assistant general manager Dan Morgan has a good chance of sticking with the organization in a high-ranking role. Morgan, the former Panthers linebacker who returned to Carolina in 2021 as Scott Fitterer’s assistant, could succeed Fitterer, his best friend and former colleague. Morgan is among the candidates who interviewed a second time for the GM job, according to a league source with knowledge of the process. In addition, the 45-year-old Morgan and two other members of the personnel department have been a part of the Panthers’ head coach interviews, league sources told The Athletic. The fact owner David Tepper has included Morgan in the process — along with vice president of player personnel Adrian Wilson and director of player personnel Cole Spencer — would seem to suggest Tepper is considering keeping at least some members of the front office during the transition. Morgan is one of three known GM candidates to receive a second interview. The others were Philadelphia Eagles assistant general manager Alec Halaby and New York Giants assistant general manager Brandon Brown, according to a league source. Some in league circles believe Tepper could be looking to pair Morgan with an executive with a salary cap and contracts background such as Halaby or Kansas City Chiefs vice president of football operations Brandt Tilis, who interviewed with the Panthers this year and in 2021 before Fitterer was hired. Morgan, the Panthers’ first-round pick in 2001, had more than a decade of personnel experience when he followed Fitterer to Charlotte three years ago. The two worked together in Seattle before Morgan joined former Panthers assistant GM Brandon Beane as the Buffalo Bills director of player personnel in 2020. That Morgan is getting strong consideration from Tepper (and presumably the consulting firm Sportsology) is interesting given Morgan’s close association with Fitterer. The Panthers had a 14-37 record in Fitterer’s three seasons, a .275 winning percentage that was the NFL’s lowest over that span. Fitterer is well liked around the league and viewed as a consensus builder. Fitterer made several shrewd acquisitions as GM, most notably linebacker Frankie Luvu. But he also picked up Sam Darnold’s fifth-year option before the former New York Jets quarterback ever played a down for the Panthers and passed on the Los Angeles Rams’ offer of two future first-round picks and a Day 2 selection for edge rusher Brian Burns in 2022. Morgan has close ties to two of the Panthers’ head coach candidates. He was in Seattle when Dallas Cowboys defensive coordinator Dan Quinn and Tampa Bay Buccaneers offensive coordinator Dave Canales were on Pete Carroll’s coaching staff.

Albert Breer on Brian Callahan... Brian Callahan is in high demand, and anyone who’s been around the Bengals offensive coordinator knows why. So I’d say it’s not surprising at all that he’s gotten through the first round of interviews in Tennessee, Carolina and Atlanta, in the first year he’s been seen as a candidate for, more or less, every job. Now, obviously, there’s a lot of talent in his unit. With that established, he’s coached Joe Burrow (who swears by him), been able to balance touches-egos in a loaded skill group with Ja’Marr Chase, Tee Higgins and Tyler Boyd, overseen the complete, on-the-fly overhaul of an offensive line and, this year, managed a major quarterback injury in keeping his group competitive with a backup who was starting for the first time. Add to that his pedigree (his dad is Browns line coach Bill Callahan), the fact that he came up coaching and having to earn the respect of quarterbacks such as Peyton Manning and Matthew Stafford, and you’ll understand why a lot of Callahan’s colleagues would approve of him landing one of these jobs. Including his current boss. “He’s as ready for this as anyone can be,” Bengals coach Zac Taylor texted Sunday. “He’s made an enormous impact on our team, and I’ve learned a ton from him because of the experience he brought to our team from other places he’s been and the success he’s had over his career. Whoever hires him won’t regret it, and we will have big shoes to fill.”

Will try this week... Combo of busy / not feeling well has been affecting me for a bit.

It's possible

FYI: Been reported three NFL teams are talking to Chip Kelly about an OC job. Don't think we're one.

Yeah. Theoretically, this structure elevates somebody like Suleiman to a status nearly equal to that of the personnel chief, both reporting to the owner. Not a big fan of that idea.

His background is all in scouting, and mostly in the pro personnel area

A bit of positive (quite possibly wishful) thinking... Given their history, why would anybody really want to coach the Lions? Dan Campbell did. Heck, part of the reason he got the job was because during the interview process he demonstrated to their leadership just how badly he wanted it. A little while back someone asked him why. His answer was that he wanted the challenge. He'd long thought that winning in Detroit would be something that few could accomplish, so being the guy who did would be something special. You have to figure that at least once in their time together, he's mentioned that story to Ben Johnson. Maybe that, plus a desire to return to his hometown team, can make a difference. ... Not something I'd bet on of course, but we can certainly hope

Last two playoff games have been absolutely phenomenal. Hope this one lives up to that standard.

There'll be a window

Purely guessing: The Falcons make their decision this week...

Repeating what many of us will be saying over and over until the news hits... "Please just don't screw it up"

I think Johnson is still the prize. Wouldn't want to lose our on the best option just because we're impatient.

Theoretically, one guy handles personnel, the other general team administration, cap, etc. That's been the 49ers model, with Peters being in charge of personnel and Lynch essentially everything else. It's not a bad model as long as you have a true personnel guy handling the roster.

Dave Canales will be available.

Ben Johnson, ladies and gentlemen...

Not sure how many remember, but this would be something of a "back to the future" thing for us. Jerry Richardson preferred a power split setup rather than a single GM. And right up till Marty Hurney, that's what we had.