Michael G

Sounds like we might be moving away from the WCO base (haven't looked at McAdoo's past philosophy) I remember the Giant Offense being kinda WC-like under Macadoo. I guess he's moving away from that philosophy. They used the shotgun a lot, but still threw a lot short passes. He had Eli throw a bunch of screens. I read somewhere that they were a zone blocking scheme like what we currently use so I wonder if (based on what Rhule said) we are going to go more Gap/Power...

Agreed- I'm hoping they work hard to change the IOL and add a big back if this is the new philosophy.

He will probably take Reddick's spot- if we can't retain him and we most likely will not.

Re: Ian Thomas IMO it is a mistake to pay first and expect production later. We flat out overpaid based on his body of work. Sure he could be capable of much more, but he should not be paid like he is a "Middle Tier Starting TE" (Fit's Words) until he is proven to be that. The contract details that I have seen say 3 years 16.5 Million with 8 million in guaranteed money. That is too much for a guy whose been in the news negatively (so what if its nothing- its not a good look), and who has not yet produced up to his potential (for whatever the reasons are). Its not a ton of money but it is money we could of used in other areas.

I cannot understand why we offered him so much. You'd think the charges would give the team some leverage in negotiation... That and his lack of production.

Me either. He's too lite in the A-- for it, especially since he was kind of learning the role. He didn't even get any touches coming out of the backfield as a receiver, which was how I thought he may be able to have an impact...but...nope.

We used Giovanni Ricci for this last year (a former college WR), instead of Tremble. If Thomas would be a better option I doubt we'll do it. We will probably have our backup LS (Fletcher) take reps at TE too, so Rhule can say he wasn't a bust.

I was not against bringing Thomas Back. I like how he has become a better blocker and he as always had potential to develop into a decent receiving option. The fact that we are giving him over 8m in guaranteed $ seems stupid though. Has he earned that? Not IMO.

Our war room getting ready for the draft......

i have no issue with coaches calling out players in meetings and to the side. I'm not a fan when they do it publicly. I like that the coaches see what I'm seeing, and I agreed with some of the stuff Rhule said last year in regards to folks he threw under the bus. I did not like how he seemed to be unable to straighten the issues those players had out, however. I also did not like the way he seemed to shift blame away from poor choices he made himself that contributed to team failures (Ie. Sam can run the QB sneak just like Cam).

Mariota hasn't really played much the last couple of years. He did have some injury issues at Tennessee. If He's gotten better watching and learning he should be healed up. He might be worth a look. I guess injury is always a possibility though.

The writer seem to suggests a lot of these FAs would be intrigued because they are assured a shot to start going up against Darnold. I guess Mitch would have to decide if starting again is worth the risks of getting caught up in the Mess here.

I think there would be teams willing to pay more to move up to get one of the young edge rushers rather than take Burns off our hands. If both kids are available they'd might be willing to deal with someone else to move up rather than be talked into dealing with us for Burns. There would be takers for Burns on Draft Night and maybe later if we picked up one of those guys but I'm not sure we'd get as much as the OP suggests. That said it still might be a viable option depending on how the board falls and what the offers are.

https://catcrave.com/2022/02/16/7-quarterbacks-carolina-panthers-target-2022-free-agency/3/ This Fansided (Catcrave) Article discusses 7 possible FA QBs that could be brought in to compete with Darnold. Let's assume we won't draft a young signal caller and we can't bag another more established signal caller via Trade. The Players Mentioned were 1. Jacoby Brissette 2. Marcus Mariota 3. Jameis W. 4. Tyrod Taylor 5. Mike White 6. Mitch Turbisky 7. Brandon Allen Which of these guys has the best shot of helping this team win some games. Explain your reasoning if you please and debate away. (Cam is not on this list but feel free to add him. I can't stop you!)

I do not think its certain Sam is the starter this year. The improved OL play you suggest may go to helping resign whoever comes in the replace Sam. I agree with the previous post. Sam would have to really ball out for us to resign him.

We are listening to trade offers on CMC and everyone else according all the reports I have heard. I think AJ Bouye may be on the block, but don't know for sure. I'm not certain what we'd get for him. If we try to trade for another QB then there is no telling who we might package into an offer.

IMO Reddick is outstanding when we paly odd fronts with him as our edge/OLB. He is not as good when we transition to even fronts with traditional LB responsibilities, but can hold his own most of the time. I'd like to bring him back, but i'm not sure he is worth the Price he would command. We have so many needs right now and so few draft picks that could help fill them, that I'd think we have to be very judicious in Free Agency.

That is the big issue. There is no "operational definition" of qualified that is consistent for each situation. That's why the rule is imperfect.

Google must not know what they say about ASSUMPTIONS.

The heart of the matter is a question we all know the answer to, but few will admit. The most qualified person should be hired in every instance regardless of race/gender etc. How much do personal prejudices of the people (mostly white older men) doing the hiring affect the evaluation of applicants? When Daboll was hired, was it because he was the best guy for the job solely based on qualifications? Or was it because Schoen was prejudiced by his previous relationship with Daboll in Buffalo? If it had been another GM (Gettleman or whoever) would the hire be the same? Schoen may not be prejudiced against minorities but even so many people are definitely prejudiced in favor of people they know and feel comfortable with. That's the Systemic issue of prejudice. If the people in change of the system are mostly white men, even though they aren't prejudiced against minorities or women, they still lean towards hiring people they know well, have been around, and may have established relationships with (mostly more white men). Its not as much about qualifications as it is with comfort. People have to come together and become a part of each other's lives to change heart and minds. When NFL FO folks get out of their comfort zone and do this then maybe things will change.

This may be a little off topic but I read somewhere that the NFL even awards Comp. Draft Picks to franchises now that hire minority candidates for GM or HC. I think Detroit was awarded 3rd round picks in 2021 and this year when they hired Brad Holmes as GM. You would hope that incentives like this could lead to more opportunities for Minority Candidates, I'm not sure what else the League could do. Its like someone else said. You have to change hearts and minds. Its tough.

Joe Brady has landed apparently in Carolina- North

If (and that's a really big IF) Rhule actually jumps ship, then Snow and sevral others may follow. That makes the DL job kind of important. Whoever takes it over may be the dec DC (at least interim), or I guess they could promote Al Holcomb to interim DC maybe...