Seltzer

If Fitty can trade YGM and get this man I will be ecstatic... YGM can go back to 4-3 and it will get us someone who is a better 3-4 fit

Really good point. Jamal Adams comes to mind also. "Positionless" sounds good, and it can be in terms of versatility. But at the NFL level, you need to be really good at least some things. A guy that can do everything but not do anything well isn't going to succeed. And as much as I love Chinn, we need to see this coaching staff figure out how to use him to justify resigning him to a big contract. I personally think he needs to be closer to the LOS of scrimmage more often than not b/c to me that's where most of his splash plays come (like that run play last week he stopped for like a 5-yard loss). Chinn has the versatility to cover guys, but he can't cover elite receivers and that needs to be taken into consideration. I don't like the idea of him ever being the deep safety. Von Bell & Xavier Woods need to be the traditional safeties. Anyway, we signed an "all-star" cast to figure this out.

I wouldn't have been mad had they traded a 7th rounder for Simmons, but where would he play? He's not taking Chinn's spot, and the only other role I could see would be the Luvu role, but again, Luvu has been light years better. Maybe Wink Martindale can find something. It's easy to bust on the Cardinals, but Simmons has simply never developed into anything close to what was imagined based on his draft position. Especially now that we signed Troy Hill (and hopefully Donte will be back by Week 1), I feel pretty good about the secondary and this defense overall, except for maybe the defensive interior. Adding Justin Houston, getting Haynes back, and seeing Barno develop make me feel ok at pass rusher. I just have nightmares thinking back to 2019. We had pass rushers galore (Burns, Addison, Irving), but teams figured out they could run the ball at-will up the gut and we couldn't stop it with that version of the 3-4. Anyway, time will tell, starting with Week 1. Desmond Ridder doesn't scare me as a passer, but the Falcons are going to run the ball, and run it some more, to set up play action. I hope we're ready to stop the run.

Good find... hey, we all miss. I absolutely hated, hated, hated the Luke Kuechly pick at the time (as did ~90% of the people on this board). You would hope people doing this for a living are smarter at this than we are...

You're right on one hand about the overall roster, but there are on 47 active players on game day, so you have to have some inactives on game day (usually 7 players). The 3rd QB can be technically designated as "inactive/QB3," but you can play him in an emergency, so he is the only one who can be designated "inactive" and still theoretically play, so this is an advantage there and will probably justify keeping him on the 53 man roster. The other option is to cut Corral and keep someone else on the 53. Hopefully, he clears waivers and you bring him back as a PS QB who you could elevate to the active roster before a game if Young or Dalton gets hurt (the chances of 2 QB's going down in 1 game is rare, but it does happen and did happen in the NFC Championship game which is what brought about the change). Anyway, hopefully that explains a little more. Honestly, had they not changed the inactive/QB3 rule, I think the Panthers would have only went with Young and Dalton. Given this new rule, I think Corral makes the roster but you can make a good argument against it also IMO.

I feel better about the roster with the Troy Hill signing. Even with that, there's a lot riding on Donte Jackson being able to stay remotely healthy (which has been an issue) with the CB group. With Donte's injury history (and Jaycee's to a lesser extent), it was a welcome addition. I feel pretty good about the defense overall. The McCall cut was certainly a surprise, but in retrospect, the team has brought in a lot of interior defensive players over the past month so the team must have still been sorting behind the scenes. I think we are still a little traumatized and apprehensive about the last 3-4 the Panthers ran in 2019, and how we were good rushing the passer that year but couldn't stop the run to save our lives. I think Shi ultimately makes the roster as WR6. Blackshear could be our primary KR & PR. We will definitely keep 9 OL (maybe 10). I think unless we pick up someone from the outside, it's going to be what @MillionDollarCamsaid earlier: Ekwonu, Christensen, Bozeman, Zavala, Moton, Mays, Erving, Jensen, and McCray. McCray gets cut when Corbett is activated. OR if Corbett is activated right away because they think he’ll be back before week four then McCray gets cut outright. I hope Barno makes the roster- I think he has earned it. Hopefully, we can keep Kobe Jones & Eku Leota around on the PS. Only other intrigue to me is whether we keep a 4th TE/FB. Ricci has stuck around being a good ST player and versatile. And Stephen Sullivan has flashed as a pass catching TE. Ultimately, this team overall is a massive unknown. I am certainly happy with the overall strategic plan, but none of us know how this will really translate until the regular season starts... I am confident Bryce can deliver if he has time. Still, this is a brand new coaching staff and a LOT of new players when you stop and take inventory. I'm excited, but I'm trying to be realistic. If we can be in the division hunt all year, I will be happy

This. Jammie Robinson is a great story, but he's finding out in the NFL most everyone has a chip on their shoulder and is playing for keeps.

For all our sake... TMJ is fine...

Interior offensive line play is what I'm watching the most b/c that IMO is the biggest concern heading into the season. Secondarily, I'm interested in how our edge rushing and secondary depth looks. Obviously want to watch Bryce, but I'm not going to freak out one way or another based on what will probably be a small sample size on Saturday.

The signing of Deion Jones was the death knell for Brandon Smith making the roster, especially with how well KGH played. And it sounds like from the beat writers Chandler Wooten will make it based on ST if they keep 5 ILB's (which I'm skeptical they will). I do think with the draft investment and potential they might try to bring him back to the PS if he clears waivers, but I could also see him wanting to go elsewhere. I don't see any conceivable way he makes the 53 man roster this year (unless there's an unfortunate injury over the next few weeks). Making (and staying) on an NFL roster is not easy. A new coaching staff (especially if you are a fringe guy and they didn't draft you) is a tough hill for anyone to overcome. I wish Brandon Smith the best, and I certainly won't be disappointed if he ends up back on the PS here to continue to develop.

Now's the time to vet stuff out, but yeah, that is the thing that will keep Hubbard from ever being a true RB1 IMO. He's developed so much as a runner and is a good RB2, but he won't ever be a 3 down back with his brick hands. Still, for a 4th round pick, he's been a good pick. Much stronger now than when he first came in. As a fan you get spoiled by a special guy like CMC that can do it all. There's not that many RB's that can. I'm hoping Sanders will be our pass catching RB as well as a great runner.

Loved the practice today. As a coach, that's how you want it done. Protect the QB's, but let the guys compete right up to the edge of (post-whistle) confrontation. You have to practice hard to prepare for real games, and it's much more fun for any team to hit someone else rather than their teammates. I think both coaching staffs handled this really well. And thank God for no injuries...

Yeah, Fitty has been in his bag this offseason. Signing Deion Jones & Justin Houston were incredible moves for veteran leadership (and these guys can still play). I feel so, so much better about our ILB depth with signing Jones and with the emergence of KGM. Houston & Burns instantly have top-10 Edge rushing potential. Will let the young guys (YGM, DJJ, Barno, Kobe Jones, etc) continue to develop and push for reps. And on top of all of this, we still have plenty of money to extend Burns & others. And we will have the flexibility to be active again next offseason. I'm forever a homer at this time of the year, but damn if I'm not excited about this roster. We have come a long, long, long way since the dark days of 2020... Luke's retirement, the debacle of hiring Matt Rhule, the un-ceremonial & disgraceful way Cam was let go... and of yeah, a once-in-a-lifetime pandemic that practically ripped our society apart... We got to enjoy this Panthers Nation, b/c we deserve it!

**Updated 8/9/23 after Byrd injury and depth chart released Starters in Bold Offense QB: (3) - Young, Dalton, Carrol RB: (3) - Sanders, Chuba, Blackshear WR:(6) - Chark, AT, TMJ, Mingo, Viska, Shi Smith TE: (3) - Hurst, Thomas, Tremble OL: (9) - Icky, BC, Boz, Moton, Mays, Nash Jenson, Zavala, Irving, McCray AC (PUP list) Defense DE: (3) DB, Anderson, D. Williams DL: (3) Tuttle, McCall, Ray OLB: (5) Burns, Haynes, DJJ, Houston, Kobe Jones ILB: (4) Shaq, Frankie, D. Jones, KGH CB: (5) Horn, DJAX, CJH, Taylor, STO SS: (3) Bell, Rowe, Jammie FS: (2) Woods, Franklin Flex: (1) Chinn ST (3) Heckler, Pinero, JJJ

Dalton legit is probably the best backup we've had since 2016 before DA became more interested in golf than football.

Thank you!! There is no game planning... If the offenses can't connect, that is a bad, bad omen... I'm much happier to hear that our offense is looking good against what everyone nationally assumes will be a top 10 to top 5 defense than our defense getting picked apart in a practice by a 1st ballot Hall of Famer. In the words of A-Rod... "Relax...."

Pepperidge Farm remembers. The Dolphin beat writers were clowning us and saying they had to take it easy on us b/c we couldn't hang... Big market bias is real, but none of that matters come the regular season.

There's a non-zero chance he makes this team, but it's about as close to zero as I think you can be. Just lacks the functional mobility to be an NFL Offensive Lineman IMO. The fact that he never was included in any of the Jumbo packages Wilks loved so much was telling

Preach. I have endured 41 Carolina summers in my life. I love this state/area, but if I never have to experience being drenched in sweat from being outside for 5 minutes or less in July/August/September, I do not feel like my life will be worse. The one thing I've never gotten tired of in 41 years is the sweet relieve of the Carolina Fall, and everything it brings with it, especially Panthers football.

Hopefully if Bryce develops as we hope and we retain Burns, I don't think we will have any trouble finding veteran pass rushers willing to come here. Obviously, developing a 2nd guy here would be the best, but between the advantage of having (hopefully) a franchise QB, another established top 10 Edge Rusher, and plenty of cap space the next few years with Bryce being on a rookie deal, we will be able to make it work one way or another. And yes, this was a great move for 2023

I don't think that at all. The staff wanted to get a look at the guys in OTA's and training camp, but I think the plan all along was to sign another experienced Edge rusher. This team is capable of winning the division. I don't think they wanted to gamble without having someone else proven besides Burns. This is going to leave a lot of guys fighting for just one or 2 spots. Burns, Houston, & Haynes are locks. I think this could mean YGM will get traded. Could also see DJ Johnson, Amaro Barno, Kobe Jones, or Eku Leota being placed on IR in preseason with any sort of "injury" to basically redshirt them

With the signing of Justin Houston, I'd say there's a significant chance DJ Johnson is going to have an "injury" in preseason that requires IR so we can save a roster spot and basically red-shirt him. I think Corral could have come back from his injury last year in preseason but it was an excuse to stash him on IR and save the roster spot. Seem this movie many times over the years.

I genuinely think at this point in time we don't sign another Edge rusher unless/until after Week 1 b/c salaries aren't guaranteed at that point (only pay per week). Things can change, but as of now, I think the plan is to have Burns and then see who shakes out/ Evero will scheme around the opposite side. I think Marquis Haynes is the 1st guy to get that chance, and Haynes has proven he can produce in limited reps. Hope he's back from injury soon. I'm still open on the idea of Clowney, but consistent effort and the amount of money he's going to want could preclude it. Would be fun to have him back in Carolina.

Some slight changes, but I like your projection for the most part. Think Byrd wins the WR6 spot as the primary returner. Made a couple of changes to Oline. Corbett will be on PUP to start the season so he won't take a roster spot I think YGM and Barno both make the team. I also think Haynes will be the OLB opposite Burns as of now. I think EDGE and Oline depth are the 2 areas of the roster probably the most still in flux. Could possiblt be one more addition in the secondary, but for the most part, I think this team is fairly set. Starters in Bold Offense QB: (3) - Young, Dalton, Corral RB: (3) - Sanders, Chuba, Blackshear WR:(6) - Chark, AT, TMJ, Mingo, Viska, Byrd TE: (3) - Hurst, Thomas, Tremble OL: (10) - Icky, BC, Boz, Zavala, Moton, Mays, Coleman, Irving, Nash Jensen, McCray Corbett on PUP to start the season Defense DE: (3) DB, Anderson, D. Williams DL: (2) Tuttle, McCall OLB: (5) Burns, Haynes, DJJ, YGM, Barno ILB: (4) Shaq, Frankie, D. Jones, KGH CB: (5) Horn, DJAX, CJH, Taylor, STO SS: (3) Bell, Rowe, Jammie FS: (2) Woods, Franklin Flex: (1) Chinn ST (3) Heckler, Pinero, JJJ

Scott has good kids- I will not take that away from him. I knew both Chapel & Salem from coaching and they are good, respectful young men. I know he has one or two more kids, but I don't know them. I credit the mom for how they turned out. Scott is a pompous, arrogant, D-bag, at least in the context of coaching in the same rec leagues with him. Maybe your experience was different (and in a different context), but he was not well-liked by any of the other coaches. He could and would get away with complaining to the refs and get preferential calls. He also acted like he was better than everyone else. Nothing brought me more joy as a coach than wiping that smug little smirk of his stupid face. I have very little respect for him personally, but as a father, I can't completely trash him b/c he's obviously done something right to have good kids. I do respect that 100% Still, my life would not be lacking if I never saw or read anything from him again. Mike Kaye & Joe Person actually cover the team. Fowler is semi-informed opinion fluff pieces at this point...