45catfan

The whole SEC thing gates me. Granted Bama didn't win the SEC this year, but a close second. Bama still has one of the best (top 3) rosters in all of college football. Yes, even in the SEC, Bama still towers over most the the League Young will have to deal with defenses that just as good as LSU and Georgia every week, and won't see a Vandy and SC drop off in talent throughout the season. Again, his small stature scares me and I don't think he'll last long in the League. Kyler Murray is bigger and dude stays hurt.

True and true, but I don't want to find out if he's a fragile as he looks. If he could steal AR-15's body, I'd be all in.

Trade back, none of these QBs excite me.

I get it in theory, especially those 'fans' who only dip their toes into the draft. However, this was obviously going to be a thin top of the draft QB class. The substantive portion of this QB draft was the middle rounds, but due to NIL and the transfer portal, guys opted (and probably from here on out) to go back to school. They are in no rush to get to the NFL now, especially if they think they can improve their draft stock. Used to going back to school was seen as a risky proposition, but the landscape is changing.

True, the Dolphins and Fangio deal is not finalized yet, but the fat lady is warming up her scales. Here's a very good summary of the whole Fangio saga: https://pantherswire.usatoday.com/2023/01/30/panthers-report-dolphins-vic-fangio-highest-paid-dc/ Tepper would have to come in with a ridiculously counter-COUNTER-offer to make Vic leave the Dolphins at the alter.

Not true--you have to look no further than the past two QB drafts.

OTC was working off the assumption of a $225M cap. Pretty dang close.

According to this, Reich and the FO are split on the DC now. Reich wants Bradley and the FO wants Manuel. https://pantherswire.usatoday.com/2023/01/30/panthers-ownership-hc-frank-reich-report-differ-dc-preference-gus-bradley-marquand-manuel/

It would take, at minimum our 1st second rounder at #39. That's still a reach, probably would require both 2nds.

Looked up highlights for DeMorat and Bagent. DeMorat throws an ugly ball--wobbly ducks. Bagent is more of a natural thrower. He has more velocity than I would have thought for a small school QB, pretty accurate and good ball placement (can see anticipation). Bagent can make all the throws too, surprisingly. No current highlights, but this is from 2-years ago. The pass at 1:50 is NFL quality, no matter what school you come from.

With Hooker 'on the roster' Duggan is going to eat up the majority of the snaps, however, the kid from Shepard should get some meaningful playing time. I will be interested to see how he throws. Small school or not, 5000 yard seasons are rare.

Top priority, yes, but not necessarily the first move. Things don't happen in a vacuum. If we are able to get a top TE in FA, we should do it and not worry about, 'well, we don't have our QB yet, so we might need to hold off until we know if QB (yet to be determined) will click with this TE.' That's just silly. If that were the case, any team lacking a franchise QB would hold off on roster building until the QB was set in place first. As you know, it doesn't actually work that way. QB is vital--no denying that, but a QB vacancy doesn't lock down the entire roster until that position is filled.

Let's hope Bozeman understands where were are cap-wise and what we still have to build. In other words, let's hope he take a hometown discount over a bigger payday and having to uproot his new family. Stability to some guys is more valuable. We are talking about IOL too and not a skill position where the pay parity is glaring. If our offer is remotely in the ballpark, hopefully he stays.

You address deficiencies as they occur if the means are there. While QB is extremely important, you don't ignore the rest of the roster until you find the right QB. Chewing gum and walking can occur simultaneously.

It was the interview on the official website. It wasn't anything definitive, though. It was more of a generalization about being a HC and having an OC calling plays. It wasn't a firm statement like, 'I will not be calling plays as the HC.' Reich wouldn't pigeon-hole himself like that. Would he like an OC he's comfortable enough to call plays? Absolutely. However, if he can only land a green OC and not a experienced veteran play caller, I'm sure Frank will have some input.

If we retain Tabor as STC, that's actually a under the radar coordinator that tends to get overlooked...and he's a good one! Reich should sit down with him and just make sure they click on a personal level because we all know he can coach STs extremely well. Then draw up the contract and check off that box for a coordinator. Same with Campen, his influence on our OL can't be denied. Another sit down and chat to make sure everything is kosher, agree to terms and get that contract signed too.

You mean Ian Thomas, TMJ and Foreman/Hubbard needs upgrading? Hmmmm, who would have thought that? I was certain that we only a QB away on offense after being brainwashed by the Huddle. Using my own logic, it was clear that EVERY skill position needed upgrading on offense--even Moore is limited, but QB thread after QB thread after QB thread convinced me that a good QB would solve everything. Bill Polian must be some sort of hack.

The QB from Shepard had an awesome season too (actually past two seasons), but such a small school versus crap competition.

In the pecking order of needs, honestly the bottom two.

One coach is out of the running, Fangio. It's not like they tore up their entire interview list because one candidate took another gig. Reich likely has either strong or loose connections with all these guys. It's not like they need their arm twisted to take this job. Fangio was probably the hottest DC prospect available...he knew that and drove up his asking price which netted him the top paid DC in the League and South Beach. Smart man. Not every other candidate will be, or frankly can be as selective. DC will happen this week and I wouldn't be shocked if OC is named shortly after.

The East West Shine game is this week too. The game will be played Thursday at 8:30pm East roster: https://shrinebowl.com/east-roster/ West roster: https://shrinebowl.com/west-roster/

Reich himself said he wants the coordinators in place as quickly as possible and then take the time to round out the rest of the staff.

I agree they have some time with the OC as Reich is an offensive guy, but I really want the DC hired this week. Seriously doubt they are digging deeper than the guys already interviewed, it's just a matter of agreeing to terms.

I really would like a DC in place by Tuesday so he could fly down and get eyeballs on these guys. I realize we have scouts, but the DC needs to see his own prospects. I trust Reich on the offensive side of the ball, so I'm not overly concerned if we don't have an OC in place this week.

I don't think we are willing to wait that long. Case in point, the Senior Bowl is this week.