Raleigh PF

I hope the Panthers are just playing games in saying that Baker and Sam are competing for a position. They'd be stupid to keep Darnold on the roster beyond the next couple of weeks. He adds nothing of value to the team at this point. Try to work a deal with another team. Offer to pick up most of the salary (they are going to have to pay anyhow). Maybe get lucky and get a late round pick in the process. Otherwise, release him and give him the opportunity to continue his "career" elsewhere. Just stop with the stupid games.

Why I like the trade: 1. Mayfield is the best QB the Panthers could have hoped to put behind center this year. He's more of a leader than any QB the Panthers have had since Cam. 2. Mayfield will allow Corral to progress on a much more even schedule. 3. The Panthers will have options after this year. If Baker does well, then we have QB1 and QB2 in good spots. If not, Corral will get his chance and likely be the better for it. 4. The Panthers didn't give up much. Why I don't like the trade: 1. Mayfield is an upgrade, but he's not elite. I doubt he changes that narrative this year. 2. He's never shown clutch ability (this per Brown's fans). He plays well when ahead, but hasn't been able to have that signature game winning drive. (That again underscores the idea that he isn't elite) 3. Have no idea how his personality will play out in the locker room. The Panthers need leadership, but beyond that they need GOOD leadership. 4. Baker will be just good enough to ruin the Panthers draft position next year.

I was shouted down last year for questioning Darnold's leadership skills. It's just obvious the guy just doesn't love playing football. I don't know enough about Mayfield to make an assessment, but this is a better start.

To get the biggest improvement or fall, the chosen players have to start off rather low or rather high. Therefore: Biggest improvement: Terrace Marshall. Since he provided next to nothing last year, it wouldn't be a stretch to see him improve quite a bit. The question is, who's going to get him the ball? Biggest fall: CMC. When healthy, he's simply amazing. I'm not sure he can stay healthy. I know the expectations for him are high, but so is the likelihood of failure.

I don't think he's worried about the money much, right now. Staying out of prison is likely foremost in his mind. Felony DV is no joke. You have to seriously hurt someone or have involved some type of deadly weapon. Not good.

While I'm a proponent of a good three-way, but this is awful. How about everyone keeps the money where it is and the players simply trade teams - Darnold to SF, Garoppolo to the Browns and Baker to the Panthers. The money is already on the books anyhow.

Yep, that's a good plan for the San Antonio Panthers.

I'd say the difference is in the fact that Tennessee is a public institution. Funds are provided by the state government and the UT university system. They don't have an ownership that can threaten to move them if they don't provide funding (also considering they already receive government funding). It is frustrating seeing billionaires complain about stadiums and their sorry lot in life, but as long as the ratings are there and people continue to show up for the games, I don't see the formula changing.

Hornets get multiple 2nd round picks as well. Still trash.

Pistons are getting Duren in trade with the Hornets.

A 5th and the Browns pay no salary. But they have to take Darnold. Bear in mind, whichever team has Baker at the end of the year will be entitled to a comp pick. Depending on how he plays, that could be worth a 5th or more.

Picking nits... The report from PFT indicated that a deal involving Darnold was "very unlikely". That's not a "No". Coming from Cleveland, it sounds like any deal including Darnold would have to include more to make the medicine go down. Be happy to toss in Robbie (Robby?) and any OLineman named "Elflein" or "Erving" if they so desire.

Sounds fishy...

Only trade for Baker I would be happy with is one in which Sam Darnold is going the other way. The salaries wash, so it's just my trash for yours. Both teams have incentive to make such a deal. Problem with Baker is, he muddies the water after this year. What happens if he has a decent year? Complication. What if it looks like Corral is not ready? Complication. And don't try to sell me on the idea that Baker would be a mentor for Corral. Please.

I don't have a problem with a good vet signing. The Panthers have plenty of young guys but lack leadership (hint, Shaq ain't it). If it's a short-term deal at a reasonable cost, I'm all for it. Ask yourself this, whose development would he be blocking? YGM maybe? He's the only one I can think of and if Dunlap plays fewer than 40% of the snaps, that's not an issue.

Sounds like he plays primarily on passing downs. That's great to have and I'd be happy with the signing, but who do the Panthers have to set the edge?

I don't know that Watson is going to play a down for Cleveland this year, if ever. Maybe the smart play for the Browns is to make nice with Baker and hold on to him for insurance. Not like they were going to get any kind of return for him anyhow.

It'd be funny if the Browns eventually traded for Garoppolo.

Clowney re-ups with Cleveland for 1yr/$11M.

Reason #459831 why you DON'T have chili before the game.

I would hope Hubbard spent the offseason improving his catching and blocking abilities, but only if he's serious about his career. So many guys are one dimensional which is why they float around the league for a few seasons before disappearing.

He has to suit up to be used, right?

I'm sure Drew thought it'd be easy. You know, a Brees.

The Panthers ceiling is 9-8 this year. Their floor is five wins.

I'm not a great fan of Clowney's but can see how it could help the Panthers. The DLine and ends use a rotation and between Clowney, Luvu, YGM and Burns, I can see the strengthen in that rotation. I don't see how it would adversely affect their development.