Seltzer

Tampa was the defending SB Champions in 2003 and Sports Illustrated said our best chance to win the division was to move to the ACC. And nothing Final Destination like happened that year (although the blocked XP in Week 2 was close). We just caught some breaks, played solid defense, and had the offense slowly gel over the season. We really were a 8-8 type team that got lucky a lot before turning it on in the playoffs and almost winning it all. Anything for the most part can happen in the NFL. I genuinely wouldn't be surprised if this team won 11 games. I also think 7 could happen as much as I hate to think about it. But I'm going to enjoy it. This team is significantly better on offense than it has been in quite a few years. The pass rush still worries me (as does Evero's scheme overall), but it would be hard to be more decimated by injuries on that side of the ball than we did last year.

Vegas historically has given 3 points to the home team. Basically see of as equal with the slight nod to the Jags. Totally fair

This is the not panicked take. Sucks about Icky but hopefully its only 1 game.

Hunt came back for drills after tweaking his foot, but they pulled him out of precaution. I dont think there's any real concern about Lewis & Hunt for Sunday. I think it's a long shot for Icky to play though. I really hope we are getting some of these random injuries out early and we will have health luck throughout the season. Regardless, I'm glad we have depth, although I'm not pumped to see Yosh Nijman out there. I've yet to see anything in his play that has warranted the investment by the team, but Sunday is his biggest chance yet to prove his value. We'll see

Underrated point. And I can definitely see the same thing happening in Dallas. The Norman thing was so stupid. And I think (rightfully) it was the beginning of the end for Gettleman

It is wild given how incredibly impulsive Tepper has been in firing coaches that somehow the coach that oversaw the worst defense statistically ever was able to keep his job. I thought Saleh would have been a shoe-in given their connection. I hope Canales/Morgan/Tillis have someone in mind if/when they pull the plug on the Evero experiment

Someone else is probably getting dumped for Jaden Crumedy

You sound upset... thats not very becoming of a troll. 1st rule of trolling is doing the trolling and not being the one being trolled... right?

So, it is trolling... You are low-key good at that, I'll give you that. Like I said, I enjoy the banter. For real

I get your point. And of course that could be the case. As it is with any QB. But I can tell you this, after the 2nd half of last season, it will take a complete collapse for the organization to pull the plug after this season. My above point it, the entire organization is behind Bryce and thinks he is the guy. I do too. And while I understand & respect the opinion of people not on board with BY9, this fixation and nonsense over a draft that happened over 27 months ago is insane. Like, that MF horse has been beaten to death multiple times, resurrected, and shot in the head again and left for dead. Leave it in the effing ground. We got much better things to discuss IMHO with the 2025 season getting ready to start. A season I'm excited about

Well that fugging ship has sailed and is shipwrecked in the fugging Atlantic. At some point either move on or go cheer for the Texans. Bryce Young is going to be the starting QB here for quite a few more years... With the overwhelming amount of mental anguish that seems to cause you, would finding another team not be the better option?? I'm sure the Texans would be more than happy to accept a CJ Stroud truther ex-Panthers fan. Because, and I mean this genuinely as a Day 1 Panthers fan, WTF do you actually enjoy watching about this team? Is it just hate watching? Is it to "prove" you're right about something? Is is simply to troll people on a message board? I seriously would like to try to understand what it's about, b/c it's antithetical to everything I've ever understood Fandom to be about. I genuinely dont get it... I get not liking everything your team does, but when you get to the point where you spew negativity at every single thing, the issue is more inward than outward I'm afraid. Anyway, for the most part I really enjoy the banter, but it really does seem like your posts either drift towards covert trolling or irrational negativity. I just hope you actually find some satisfaction in your personal life bc it certainly seems like the Panthers cause you nothing but mental anguish...

They traded away their 1st next year also to get James Pearce Jr. Really hope this blows up in the Falcons face. I don't care how it happens, I just want to win the division this year. Zero sympathy for other team's issues. And our pass rush looks like it needs all the help it can get.

10/10. We're due for some good luck, and I think this team is much better than what we've had the last 2 seasons. Defensive injuries could derail us b/c our depth there is still questionable. Still worried about the pass rush getting pressure without blitzing. Pleasantly surprised by the secondary and run defense. Dan Morgan has done a lot to resurrect this roster from the deplorable position Fitterer left it in by showing some scouting chops with hitting on these guys drafted in the later rounds or UDFAs. Lathan Ransom & Corey Thornton both look like they fit this scheme and the NFL isn't too big for them. I'm as excited for the rookie trifecta of T-Mac, Scourton, and Princely as I can remember. On paper, this offense is the most talented since 2021, maybe 2017, and maybe 2015. None of that means this team will produce any better, but this team has offensive talent & depth like we have rarely had in team history. If you don't believe me, go Google it. We've had some awful offensive collections overall in many years, to varying degrees mitigated by superstar talents like Steve Smith, Christian Mccaffrey, or Cam Newton. I honestly think the collective offensive talent in 2025 may be better, but Cam was so otherworldly in 2015 & 2017 that he covered any flaws. Seriously, though, Cam doesnt get enough love for 2017. I think that may have been his best season. In general, Cam doesn't get enough respect IMHO. Both in college and in the NFL, Cam took teams that without him would have had no chance and won. True definition of a guy who elevated his team. To be clear, I am in no way am I saying this team will be better than 2017 or 2015. My point is that the offensive talent is there on offense if Bryce can unlock it. I've been a Bryce supporter, but there are no excuses not to perform with this group. This isn't the disaster we gave him in 2023 or a new scheme like in 2024 where I think he hadn't mentally removed from his rookie season to start. I dont know how you couldnt be excited about that. And we still compete in a division that isn't insurmountable. I got got in 2023 like most of us in buying into the team propaganda, but in general, I think I'm pretty realistic about the team. I knew in my heart we would be bad last year. I wasnt expecting the defense to be that bad or Bryce to start off that poorly, but I had no expectations whatsoever for making the playoffs. And I genuinely think we will be competitive all year this season. I think we win 8-9 games and compete for the division. I think the ceiling is 11 wins, and the floor is 7. The good news is after next week, we will all be proven right or proven wrong. Keep Pounding!

The Falcons have 2 significant offensive line injuries to start the 2025 season. Right tackle Kaleb Mcgary (who is the blindside protector for Penix since he is left-handed) is going to miss significant time, and it's looking more like it may be all season. https://www.nbcsports.com/nfl/profootballtalk/rumor-mill/news/falcons-expect-kaleb-mcgary-to-miss-significant-time https://x.com/BKsquared7/status/1959285822236107013. Also, the top backup and swing tackle, Storm Norton (cool name BTW) is having ankle surgery and may miss half the season. https://www.nbcsports.com/nfl/profootballtalk/rumor-mill/news/falcons-ot-storm-norton-out-6-8-weeks-after-ankle-surgery I don't root for injuries, but its also hard to be too sympathetic given how badly injuries have hit us in recent years. We definitely need to get that W in week 3 for our home opener at BOA. Despite our collective frustration at not being able to attend TC and then having boring preseason games, ultimately the most important objective of the preseason is to enter Week1 healthy, and we have at least done that. Hopefully the depth we think we have at Oline either shines through or isn't needed. Many other teams are in a bad spot with their offensive lines before the season even starts. For once, we aren't in that situation.

The idea that we would eat any of his salary is absurd unless it's for a 4th

I'm old enough to remember when the Huddle turned it's nose up to Andrew Whitworth for being too old. We passed and he went to the Rams and played at a Pro Bowl level until his late 30s. The front office has far more insight into Moton's health than anyone here. I'm happy we are keeping this group together

Hopefully nothing goes astray tonight. This is one of the most fortunate preseasons I can remember in terms of injuries. Hopefully this bodes well and continues into the season.

I don't mind him as a bottom of the roster player if we keep 6 OLBs. But, if we only keep 5: DJ Wonnum, Pat Jones, Nic Scourton, & Princely Umanmielen are locks. That leaves DJ Johnson competing with Thomas Incoom for the final spot. Both play ST. Johnson may be a little better against the run, but Incoom has proven to be a much better pass rusher. And I think that should give Incoom the edge bc we need all the pass rush help we can get.

I had stopped using my Hotmail account for years- last year I tried to login and to get into the account I had to authenticate from a code for a phone number I no longer have. So, I couldnt access. Nothing really of value except some old picture files from college. I assume at some point Microsoft will stop supporting Hotmail accounts altogether.

A good QB can mitif

It is a weird situation. They are refusing to pay Hendrickson, but their asking price is obviously high enough they know other teams won't meet it. They obviously want to be in this holding pattern. I think this definitely plays into the regular season. The Bengals are betting Hendrickson will cave at some point to their offer. Hendrickson will probably have to sit out until the trade deadline if he really wants to force their hand. And at that point, I'm doubtful the Panthers would be interested. Next year according to everyone that covers the team is going to be the year they out their chips coming to the middle. I think if Hendrickson were going to happen here, it already would have happened.

Also, the more Oline injuries around the league makes me think the Panthers are both fielding calls about potential trades, and I also think this increases the chance the Panthers keep a 10th offensive linemen. Could be a trade piece. Regardless, Oline depth around the league is abysmal, and this is hopefully going to be a strength for this team. Personally, I would be ecstatic if we could trade our 10th Olinemen for ILB or S depth

It will be interesting to see how playing time is split tomorrow night. Bartholomew has been running with Thornton & the 2nd unit. Evans has been with the 3s. But, he does have significantly more starting & playing experience. I also think Mike Reid could make the 53 (or a waiver claim) as the backup nickel behind Chau Smith-Wade since most of the CBs project more as outside CBs. IMO, Jaycee, Mike Jack, CSW, & Thornton are locks. The final spot(s) will be interesting. I think there is also a decent possibility we bring in a veteran CB after Week 1 (salary not guaranteed).

They lost Will Clapp (one of their top reserve Olinemen for the year). I think one of their starters might miss Week 1. Tristan Wirfs is going to miss a few games for the Bucs to start the season. We need a fast start, and hopefully good luck on the injury front after several years with bad luck.

They very well may do that, especially since James Mitchell has looked so good in camp.