Khyber53

I'm going to cheer for any scenario that puts the Panthers back into competitive shape, playoffs shape and long-term viability. If Bryce proves to be that road, then I'll happily ride along it and admit how wrong I was. And right now, we're seeing some green shoots that could grow into something pretty cool. Would love to see that happen. If not, well, we're back at the start of a road we've been down before many times before. And it's gonna suck for a little while at least.

Just to say what you've written here seems to be making more and more sense with each passing week. And yeah, he's going to have some regression games. Or maybe not. I'm sure a lot more interested in finding out each week than I was a month ago. Honestly, though, what a young, struggling QB needs more than anything (except a solid O-line) is a defense that can get the other team off the field. Want to contend immediately? Go heavy defense in the draft and free agency. Pass on the Sanders family, forget about another new WR. Grab that DE, LB or another stud DT... whichever one is the best for when we pick around #7 or 8.

Has the ball on every offensive snap. Calls line protection schemes and adjustments. Often squares up against the biggest man on defense. On running plays is often tasked with making second level hits. Sometimes wears a bear costume and buys ads in the local paper declaring this will be a playoff year. Sorry, kinda missing Ryan Kalil there.

Can't argue with you much on this. I've been banging the drum for years now that we need to take a center in the draft, and I have said grab the best one available, first or second rounds. I know, they say you never take them in the first, but the best O-lines in the league generally have a guy they grabbed there or the second. I'm not sold that we can't do better at center than we have now, although things have been better. And yeah, I see about two more years for Moton after this one and Icky will be looking for money. Icky still needs to improve, though. He's getting better with good guard help and experience, but he's still not in the top half of the LTs starting in the league.

Back in my 20s, I lived in a flat over a Hallmark store in downtown West Jefferson for about five years. It was some of the best times of my life. The only difficulty was that right outside my bedroom window was the town's massive fire siren. It was good that I was the local newspaper editor and had to go out and cover house fires and whatnot, because when that siren fired up, it would just about blow me out of my bed and into the next room. Deafened, I might as well get dressed, grab a camera and follow the fire trucks as they'd roll out.

Yeah, I spent a lot of time living in Ashe County, in the Fleetwood area... 20 minutes from West Jefferson, 20 minutes from Boone... unless it snowed and then you had an hour and a half each way. And I did ski reports for radio stations back then, so yeah, I had to go in to work on those mornings. Moved to Greensboro and 25 years later, I really miss the snow. I loved how it looked, how quiet it made the world sound, that wonderful fresh smell in the air. I know, though, that it's just nostalgia and it would be rough as heck on me now. Still, maybe once the kids are all off to college the Mrs. and I can go back to the mountains.

Yeah, and he both deserves it and has the ability to be worth it. Offensive linemen can still be functional and good well into their 30s.

While I agree with you, there was a lot that was beyond the stats in that game. He was much more decisive in his target selection, worked the pocket better and seemed to actually be dictating the pace of the game to a very good Chiefs defense. And when it came to the second half and we're considerably behind the reigning back to back world champs who were 8-1 going into the game, he didn't fold and did some of his best work of the day. Something has clicked for Bryce, not sure how far it goes, but I'm here for it.

They have all sorts of deals, yanno. Four year, three year, two year...

Good and we should again. We got at least one thing right over the years.

You pay the man and show that we keep our promises to good players. It will go a long way toward building confidence in free agent pick ups. And don't eff around with the O-line. It is finally working. Let it cement and build around that.

Everyone fell in love with Brian Burns that first time he got a sack for us and dropped into the Spider-man pose, myself included. Then as the seasons went by, almost all of us realized that Brian was understrength and could be handled if you could get a square hit on him right off the mark, or could re-direct him around the QB. He was fast and bendy but that was about it. Truthfully, he would have been an excellent situational pass rusher but he really didn't have the oomph to be an Edge1 or full-time Edge2. But that Spider-man pose... that made him a lot of fans, including the GMs office at NYG. Good luck to him, but we shoulda sent him to the Rams a year earlier.

Just needing some guys who can tackle... Not sure why we're adding more mid to lower DBs.

I'm standing by what I've said.

Wide receivers, even the great ones (and they are rare) can get real expensive, real quick and are involved in say 40-70% of a team's plays, based on that team's particular style of offense. An edge rusher, DT or LB can very often be involved in 100% of the plays on defense. It's a much better, more cost effective pick to grab one of those defenders (who are easier to evaluate and plug into a system) than to spin out yet another pick on a wide receiver. We're fair to middling, maybe even good with receivers right now. And ignoring a need in a draft might just be the dumbest way to work a draft. Really, just think about what you said.

Sorry, we've got to build the defense. Best edge rusher in the draft or if there's a Luke Kuechly clone MLB out there.

Rookie receiver. Never know what you have in a receiver until their third season. I like the kid, though. He competes out there. We've needed that for some time now. Give him time and he'll be something really special.

Those multiple field goals are because we're a young team still figuring it out. The red zone is the toughest puzzle in the game. I've got a bit more hope than I had before for this bunch. Kinda nice feeling that way. It has been a minute or two since we've had reason for optimism.

You're absolutely right. I've been kinda questioning his "feel good about yourselves" approach, but I'm beginning to see some sunlight here.

It was a helluva effort. Good work across the board. That wasn't the NY Giants and a QB about to get fired -- that was the back to back world champs and probably the best QB of the last decade out there. Bryce played up to the hopes, the team is showing overall improvement, our receiving corps has improved immensely, Chuba is reliable and we've got some good folks in spots on defense. And we have a great kicker and punter duo. Just can't seem to get upset about this loss, taking away a lot of good vibes from it. Now all of you who bet against the spread...

And it was coming off of a bye week. Perhaps he should vacation a bit in Germany in the off season, something certainly seemed to help him there. No, really... He showed maturation and the possibility that he's turning a corner. That wasn't the NY Giants out there, but the back to back Super Bowl champions with the #3 defense in the league, with them coming off of a prime time loss. And that was a 9-1 team we just played literally down to the last second. Bryce played so well that maybe, maybe he wins over some nay-sayers. It's still early, though, but what a nice breath of fresh air that was. You can win quite a few games if that is your normal performance. It is obvious that we are still on the learning curve, though. But that was one helluva test he just took. Some of these QBs coming out of college just don't have a lot of games under their belts, especially in top end programs. They are perhaps just a year to two years behind center in games that matter before they move up. It can take them some time to hit their stride. We can still be cautious about our future and still celebrate a great game by the kid, though, and we should. He earned the laurels today, or had before they were snatched away at the last second.

Rodgers never respected what he had in Green Bay and started believing that he was the Chosen One. And did not have people in his orbit reminding him that he was mortal. He forced a coaching change there. He shook up the whole roster. He then moved to New York and promised a second coming appearance for the Jets that would lead them to the promised land. And he's been just a disappointment. It's time for him to R-E-T-I-R-E.

I hope someone gives him a HC job. Good for him, good for us, good for the league.

10 carries, 62 yards. 1 TD. 2 receptions, 12 yards.

Our "strengths" don't actually move the needle on the dials they are judged against. This is a JV squad taking on the local college team. But hey, I'm still hoping our little guys learn a lot and have some fun moments.