Khyber53

If it pans out that way, it would probably be better to ride out the season (again) and take a QB early in the draft rather than pay big for a guy who could conceivably not be allowed to play football again. The allegations against Watson, if true, are terrible and should result in him being banned from the sport. In such a case, the team trading for him would be out the draft picks, the opportunities they would have created AND very likely be sitting on contracted dead money against the cap for years to come. Yeah, let someone else take a chance on that.

In the end, we could have had both looking at how the CAP money worked out. We could have had a second round pick used elsewhere than at WR and the replacement for Robby Anderson on staff and experienced going into 2022. They were just figuring out how to use Samuel in the last half of last season. Having him and CMC out there together this season would have been murder on opposing defenses if Darnold plays well. But, there's no use crying over spilt milk.

What exactly has changed with Watson since his career became a dumpster fire (even if it may be a temporary one)? Nothing except he reported to training camp. The situation hasn't gotten better. The price hasn't come down. We've moved on and rolled our dice. Let's keep moving forward and quit rubber-necking that accident scene.

Let's not let that money burn a hole in our pocket right now. There may be some serious needs coming up and there's always a chance a trade might be available wherein we need a few extra bucks stashed away. And carrying most of it over to next year isn't the worst idea.

I hate to say it, but 7-10 is how I'm seeing it at the moment. Darnold is too big of a question right now and I've got to see major improvement in the defense before I think Snow can handle the job. O-line is still a big question mark. The only honest to goodness improvement I can see over last year and bank on, is that CMC will be back. He can make a huge difference and that gets them two more wins over last season's total. I sure hope I am wrong about this, though.

Repping it since 1979.

Obvious axe to grind. Let's revisit this in week 6. By then we'll know if OP is right or not. You've got to let the dice roll before you see what comes up. Could be a nat 20, could be a 1.

Honestly, with some of the predictions I've heard, we'll be in lockdown again by mid-November. If you're planning on attending a game, you'd better make it early in the season.

Meh, neither one is Brees. The drop off in New Orleans production could be epic.

I've stated this before and been shot down for even mentioning it. I'll say it again, I like the picture Rhule puts out there, I hope he can succeed here, in this league. What we have, though, is a newbie pro head coach with a 5-11 record, an offensive coordinator with a short and spicy resume who couldn't get the team to score in the red zone, a grizzled old DC who fielded a marshmallow defense, a new GM that comes from a team that is currently falling apart because of lack of O-line talent and defensive stalwarts, and a team owner who is more famous for grabbing his trophy wife's ass during a press conference than he is in creating a winning organization. That, my friends, is the un-optimistic look at our Carolina Panthers. Last year we could sit around a talk about potential and bein saddled with leftovers. This year, I just don't think Rhule gets the same benefit of the doubt. He does have a long contract but if he pulls off a similar record, or worse, we could very well be looking for a new coach and probably should be. Still, I want this to all work out here. I don't want another wasted season, I've only got so many seasons left to enjoy. I want to see us in the playoffs this year. I want to see us win this division.

While I think the comic/sci fi fandom has been time travelled to death at this point, I sure did enjoy their rendition of Kang. He'll be back for the next Ant-Man/Wasp movie, but I think they are building up something big, like the next Thanos-level event for him.

Hopefully Darnold will work out really well and this won't be an issue for us at all. If Arnold doesn't work out, we're probably positioned for another high draft pick. I just don't see Watson coming into the situation here, not just for the two reasons above, but also because of fan fallout and the potential for a repeat offender situation. Let some other team roll those dice.

They'll take notice this season!

I hope so! I think that's what this d-line really needs. There's plenty of talent and energy, just need a wily vet to bring them together, show them the tricks of the trade. Or at least, that's how it works in the movies.

I don't think they'll be the new Peppers and Rucker. If they can be 80% of that they'll be outstanding, though.

Whew, they have a stat for everything.

I get you on Shi Smith and I'd like to see an underdog really make it, I always like seeing that. There's just a lot of hands out there and only one ball to catch. On paper it looks great. If we don't move the ball, it's going to look bad for Darnold and Brady. Too many weapons out there for us to not be dangerous.

I think we're trying hard to address LT. I think we've tried in the past and have just had some terrible judgement calls and terrible luck. Right now we have what, like four or five LT candidates going into training camp. Surely one of them will not just win it but cement the position. Right?

Honestly, with the resurgence in our receiving corps, I had lost David Moore in the confusion. Something tells me he is going to be a solid contributor and make his presence known. I'm looking at what we have in WRs: Moore, Anderson, Marshall and this Moore. Then we've picked up Arnold and Tremble at the TE position. Then you add in CMC and his 1,000 yard receiving as a side benefit... Sam Darnold has more weapons moving into this season than any Panthers QB in history. If we can get him decent protection, then I think he's going to have a shot at becoming great here. If not, I'm not sure it would ever happen. Gosh, the potential is just astounding.

Well, best of luck to him. Hopefully his skills are getting better and he can contribute if called upon. Hardest position to play in the world's toughest sport.

I really want him to get out there right now and take over a starting spot. However... you're being much wiser than I am right here. Develop the guy unless he really is a world-beater in training camp.

Jags are gonna Jag.

Even for all the craziness and confusion, it was pretty amazing that we even had NFL games last year. I'm hoping they get full immunization levels on the team and we don't have to see anyone out for COVID.

If he lives up to the promise, he's going to be tearing it up for a decade.

5-11 is 5-11, no matter how you slice it. Of all the coaches hired on new to start the season last year, Rhule and Co. had the worst record. We can wax and polish it all we want, but that 5-11 finish is what is in the record book, there's no asterisk going to be placed on it, there's no makeup test. I don't want us to have another losing season in 2021 and I'm not even predicting one. I am, however, warning that public and ownership opinion on our head coach will most likely change greatly if we pull up last in the NFCSouth or post a losing record again.