Raleigh PF

I have concerns for both Sam and Jameis. For Jameis, he loses the script...often...resulting in bad plays at the worst times. I don't care for Sean Payton at all, but think he'll have a better influence on Jameis than anyone the Bucs had. Having said that, sometimes he's just not wrapped too tight. It's bound to pop up sooner or later. For Sam, I just don't trust him. I don't see the fire in his belly or the overwhelming desire to win. I see a guy who can be comfortable doing what he's doing and hoping for the best. He's not an alpha and at the QB position, that's not a great thing. I'm hope I'm wrong, but am expecting to be underwhelmed.

On the flip side, who would want to trade for Shaq Thompson and that contract? He's a fairly league-average linebacker making better than league-average money. Besides, it would put Carolina on the hook for nearly $19M in dead cap money.

Don't we have other linemen that have experience at center?

Seems extreme to make a trade for a player just because you don't want to change the name on the back of the uni.

Quite honestly, unless Fletcher was just horrible, I'm trading JJ. Hate to see him go, but he is 35. Might not be a better time to make the change.

The conspiracy would be around the decision not to draft Fields. That move seemed at least somewhat questionable at the time. This could explain the thinking.

Take this primarily as humor, but conspiracy theories have at least a modicum of truth sprinkled in. I don't believe any of this, but offer this for a thought exercise. - The Panthers have long been identified as a team with interest in Deshaun Watson. This was tempered a bit when they traded for Darnold, yet those rumors persist. - The Texans are going to have to make a decision very soon regarding Watson's status. He hasn't taken any meaningful snaps and it's clear the Texans have no immediate plans to play him. Sounds like they plan to trade him instead. - PFT is reporting increased trade chatter and is calling out the Panthers as the best fit. https://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/ "It’s hard to imagine a team giving the Texans what they’ve wanted for Watson — three first-round picks and more. So either the Texans are taking what they can get (if a trade happens) or the Texans will accept a package tied to the number of games Watson plays over the next two or three seasons. Between Miami and Carolina, the Panthers make more sense. Owner David Tepper has made no secret of his desire for a franchise quarterback. Sam Darnold could still become one. Watson already is. And Tepper, who once kept a set of brass balls in his office, seems willing to roll the dice, despite the lingering uncertainty surrounding Watson." So *maybe* the Panthers didn't select Fields because they (1) put all their chips on Darnold and/or (2) felt they still had a shot at Watson. If they trade for Watson now, it would likely be at the lowest price the Texans would accept. I would expect the trade to hinge on several contingencies. I don't think there is any way Watson slides by without some vacation time provided by the NFL office, which means the team may have to get by with Walker/Grier for a few games waiting for the suspension to end and/or the court cases to be resolved (provided Darnold is included in the trade). So yeah, maybe the Panthers do trade for Watson. Maybe long-term it works out, but there's going to be a lot of turbulence in the meantime and you can likely kiss playoff chances for 2021 goodbye.

Sign me up for Moton-Daley-Paradis-Brown-Christensen. It might not happen Week 1, but I'd be willing to bet it's the lineup by Week 8 (if healthy).

I don't think the best version of the OLine was out there last night. Of course, we're fans, so what do we know, but I would prefer the line to be, from left to right: Moton-Daley/Miller-Paradis-Brown-Christensen I think this will likely BE the line within a few weeks. Elflein and Erving should be depth pieces, not starters. The other issue is continuity. Lotsa new faces on the line and not having time together is going to cost them early. Whoever is out there, I would expect to get better, but I think the first few weeks are going to be rough.

Encouraged. He seemed to settle in as the game went along. Other teams better come after the Panthers early in the season, 'cause once they get some stick time together, this is going to be a tough out for every team in the second half of the season.

I don't think it matters what Darnold does. Huddle will implode either way.

I also think he won't show enough to convince us either way. I'll go 5/8 for 60 yards and no touchdowns. We'll get a chance to evaluate the Panthers new kicker tonight.

He's not. The Panthers picked up his 5th year option. They have him until at least the end of next year.

For those worried about the impact of Robbie's contract on DJ, this from Joe Person (The Athletic) this morning: "Scott Fitterer, who replaced Hurney in January, said extending Anderson allows him to “stagger” the contracts in the receiving room. The Panthers picked up DJ Moore’s fifth-year option for 2022, but hope to get a long-term deal done before then, while second-round pick Terrace Marshall Jr. is at the front end of his four-year, rookie contract."

What is clear is the Panthers are giving Darnold every possible opportunity to succeed. The Panthers have a really good stable of WRs (when was the last time they could say that?) and continuity in knowing they'll likely be together for the next couple of years. Regarding the contract, it just bumps up his salary this year to 12.5 and then adds two years and $25 to that. Of the 37.5M, 20 is guaranteed. I saw nothing about a signing bonus, so it's likely there would be NO hit to the cap if Robby doesn't work out and is released at the end of next year. I don't see a downside.

No chance he would be in those seats.

Priority should be at FB and maybe TE. Maybe look through the fodder for OLine and corner, but I doubt there will be anyone out there that is much better than what the Panthers already have. FB will be an option if there's a decent one out there to be had. As many TEs as are on the roster, I have yet to see one that I would classify as a competent blocker. Tremble and Arnold are good pass catchers, but I haven't seen them blow up any blocks. I about laughed when an announcer said that Ian Thomas was the blocking tight end. Really? The need is real.

True, hard to judge much on preseason, but it does seem like issues that arise during the preseason tend to carry over into the regular season. Stuff like, not getting good push off the line. Redzone issues, penalties, etc.

All decent OLines have continuity. The Panthers don't have that. I think they'll be okay most of the time, no matter who is in there, but in short yardage situations when the Panthers just need that extra yard or too, I have no faith at all. Put the rookies on the right and Moton, Daley on the left. They claim those spots until they get injured or someone better comes along (thanks Starship Troopers). Continuity is the key. Getting lots of snaps as a unit should be imperative and that should start with the last game of the preseason.

Does Joe Brady know how to call any other type of pass play than a sideline pass? If so, I haven't seen it.

And hope Christensen can nail down RT.

Considering the demand for OT's, the price to be paid is going to be significant.

Miami gave up a 7th? Fitterer robbed them blind.

I get the guy is 32 and was out most of last year with a back injury, but...IF he is somewhat healthy, wouldn't he be worth a flyer? Yup, we just signed our RT to a long-term deal, but if Moton can handle LT, it'd be nice to have a solid piece at RT (provided health).

Question - is the team good enough that the Panthers should be willing to burn a 1st rounder next year for a competent LT?