Seltzer

I remember having a collision at home plate in high school playing catcher. I thought I just "got my bell rung" as we were told back in the 90s. I saw stars the rest of the game and couldnt really remember what happened once I got home that night. My head hurt for a couple of days, but I was back at practice, and I guess I was "fine" after that, but I certainly wouldn't be that cavalier with my kids and sports injuries. Things are much better across the board in all sports now. Concussions are actually taken seriously, from youth all the way through the pros.

Canales said Scourton wanted to push through and the trainers wouldn't let him. It was a good call. His recovery time could have been a lot longer had he tried to keep going and made it worse.

1) Today in 6 snaps that is true. However, Im assuming you are totally discounting the ~40 snaps (6 TDs) the starting offense got against the Texans starting defense on Thursday? Because to me, of the two, that actually seems like a sample size big enough you can glean information from. Every single Texans beat reporter mentioned how good Bryce and the Panthers offense looked in their reports from Thursday. That's not the end-all of course, but it is a strong data point from multiple people with no pro-Panthers bias. Also, I dont see the logical consistency. If you want to discount both the joint practice and preseason game bc we've been poo for 7 years, i understand. But this seems like cherry picking IMHO to pick 6 snaps as more representative than 40. If you were going to pick something as a reference point, to me (and the Panthers coaching staff), the joint practices are a better point of reference. It still sucks like Hell to be excited for a game and watch 2 duds like the ones we've seen the last 2 weeks. I get that. And we can leave Jack Plummer in Houston. But, it is still preseason. It's clique, but it is true. I've seen too much from the offense in camp to not be excited. But, I've also seen enough of the defense to not be concerned. Our pass rush has not been great all TC since the pads came on, although the run defense has been better. I think that is a legit concern, and I think there are enough data points you can't brush it off. 2) I agree 100%. But every indication is that he is actually letting football people run the show now. I think objectively Dan Morgan did well last year building after the mess he inherited from Rhule/Fitterer/Tepper trifeca of roster/franchise destruction. I'm not saying there is no validity in what you're saying. But I do think you are extrapolating the most negative take possible. And maybe I'm giving too much of the homer perspective. Truth probably lies somewhere in the middle... we'll find out in a few weeks!

I hear you. Hopefully Bryce stays healthy and Father Time gives Dalton a reprieve. I agree we need a different/better plan next year

By every single account, Bryce's had a great camp, including joint practices, after finishing the final 3 games with 10 Tds and no interceptions. Trying to extrapolate what you've written above out of 4 preseason dropbacks is wild AF to me... And one of those was a perfect throw that was dropped... Bryce finished last year tearing up the league out of messy pockets. Thats where he's at his playmaking best- playing out of structure. Your statement above is completely detached from reality. Bryce did struggle with "messy pockets" if you could call it that as a rookie. Though I think most people reviewing film would call it a complete pocket collapse most of the time. And this Oline was great at run blocking last year, but they still had their moments in pass blocking that sucked. Do you watch any film? Did you not see all the TDs he threw from "messy pockets" last year, especially towards the end of the season?? This is wild stuff for real...

I agree overall with what you said. But the idea the front office just went with Dalton when there were obvious better backup QBs isn't backed by fact as I see it. Who do you think they should have brought in? Andy has a much better resume than most backup QBs. I think Panthers fans are (rightfully) concerned by what weve seen in preaseson. But still, look at this list... I bet half the teams in the league would consider Dalton, even as is, as a potential upgrade. https://www.si.com/nfl/2025-ranking-nfl-backup-quarterbacks I mean take a look at this list... Arguments could be made for some of these guys, but when you look at it, you realize Andy ain't that bad. Still, though, I do think this needs to be Andy's last year and we need to look younger. Immediately I would like to see us try to upgrade at QB3.

cool story bro

Not one single coach is making decisions in the preseason to placate the fanbase. I wanted another series too to be clear, but Canales was super clear in the presser that what he saw in the joint practice was much more important in the grand scheme of things. 31 other NFL coaches would say the same thing.

WTF are you talking about? And talk about the pot calling the kettle black... why even respond if its going to be something this intellectually stunted... And yes, I stand by overall the discourse here was better in the past. Braindead responses like yours just confirm it.

Fair enough, but to discount the 70 snaps in a padded joint practice that is game conditions except for tackling, and focusing on 4 dropbacks ain't it either. Thats the point im trying to make. Ultimately, I think everyone here is entitled & justified in how they feel. It has been the most putrid stretch in franchise history. I've lived it just like everyone here has. We'll see in 3 weeks. Sucks we really won't have much to analyze until then.

I understand that. And it's a perfectly reasonable take after 7 years of poo. But at least for the offense, I am confident. Too much talent and Bryce turned the corner last year. Only way that goes sideways is Oline injuries IMHO. As for defense... I do think we will be better, maybe much better, against the run. Of course statistically it would be almost impossible to be worse. I do still worry about pass rush. Im betting we still blitz a lot like last year. Honestly, a lot about the preseason games is meaningless. But we were struggling with pass rush in the joint practices also. Hopefully, we have 3 guys now in Jaycee, Mike Jack, & Thornton who excel in playing man. That is probably going to be our best bet for getting pressure. I dont understand the Nick Scott obsession. 75% of the time it seems like hes on the wrong side of plays. I want to remind everyone we have plenty of cap space... The coaches, especially on defensive side, have said they can win with the guys we have...

Smitty was stupid after that INT, and really annoying overall. Bryce saw Sanders get pulled down & the flag was thrown right in front of him. He 100% knew it was a free play. And you're right, the throw to T-Mac wasnt bad (but not perfect). The throw to Sanders was. If Sanders wants to be TE1 he's got to catch that. And the sack was bc it was 3rd down and Bryce was buying time for someone to get open beyond the sticks. Again, it was 4 effing dropbacks... The man threw 6 TDs in a game-simulated practice on Thursday. So many people want to hate on Bryce with zero logic behind it. And it's more insane when there is a defensive side that does deserve plenty of criticism... And it goes all the way to the top... keeping Evero will prove to be a mistake IMHO. His scheme sucks no matter who's in it

I think you're missing the point I was getting at in response to the other guy... He was implying we brought in Andy to not be a threat... which isn't true. Andy was brought in to be a high-end backup. And he once was. But as I've mentioned several times... I saw this same story play out with Derek Anderson... He went from looking like a high-end backup to unplayable in one preseason. Everything I've read about Dalton in camp has been positive, but hes looked old AF in the games.

Where is the narrative that this team doesn't look competent come from? Every single report from national writers from camp has been how much better the talent is. This team has cooked in the joint practices where there are actual legitimate reps in a true 1 vs 1 environment to replicate a game. The game reps in preseason are extremely limited and dont generally even give the scenarios for evaluation coaches are looking for, which is why they dont prioritize them. Yeah the games have been tough to watch. But how upset can people really be over 3rd stringers who mostly wont be on this team in 2 weeks... I genuinely dont understand it. T-Mac already looks like a true #1. There is video evidence of him running away from Stingley (who is touted to be one of the best CBs in the league) twice. How can you not be excited about that? Scourton looks really good. He was the top rated rookie defender last week. Hope hes back soon. Corey Thornton looks like a legit starting caliber CB as an UDFA. That is a massive win. Princley flashed out there today both and a run defender and pass rusher. Etienne looked the best out of the RBs although he got the most chances. People who can't see some positives... i dont think you really understand what preseason is for. I am concerned about the defensive depth. I thought we might be good there but I think Dan Morgan needs to be scouring the waiver wire there. Im not blind. But there are plenty of positives. Anybody getting upset over Bryce’s 4 dropbacks today (which included a perfect ball to Sanders) needs professional help. The next 3 weeks are the hardest bc so the coverage will be limited since TC is over and the practices closed. Bring on Jacksonville... Keep Pounding!

Dalton was ranked the 3rd best backup by PFF going into this season. People just make up shitty narratives and people actually believe it. No wonder this country is in the shape it is... Does anyone understand context or critical thinking anymore? You're literally just making up nonsense.

He played 4 drop backs and hit Sanders in the numbers on 3rd down. After he put up 6 TDs on their 1st string in the joint practice. This place is goofy sometimes...

Canales literally said in his presser a guy with a similar injury played the next week. It's 3 weeks until Week 1. Pointless fear mongering

Also, only 12 RBs even crossed 1000 yards last season. Its a still a big deal, especially as the bell-cow RB is becoming more rare. I agree with your point about opportunities to a certain extent, but the reason both these guys got those opportunities was bc they were good and both excelled at yards after contact. So, it kind of a chicken or the egg argument. Still, there ain't 50 guys guys thay could do that. Maybe 20-25. The math dont math. Anyway, im excited about Hubbard & Dowdle and think we are going to have a good running game again this year.

It sure as fug isn't 28th. And, all the advanced metrics show Hubbard & Dowdle were pretty special last year. Other than D-Will & J-Stew or prime CMC, by historical standards this is a solid duo. Go back and watch the film from last year. I guarantee you the goober who ranked us 28th didnt watch a single game last year. PFF ranked us much higher. Not that PFF is perfect, but there's an actual methodology there and not just some national "expert" who is rightfully going to be replaced with AI over the next few years. If we are not a top 10 rushing team, I will be disappointed. We were like 11th last year. On one hand I don't give a single poo what ESPN has to say (they will be irrelevant in 10 years too), but this is lazy nonsense.

I understand your point. If everyone is healthy, I think Horn is inactive, at least to start the season. My money is on Renfrow being WR5 and PR1 to start the season. I think Horn will have to wait until an injury to get legit playing time

To be clear, I dont see any scenario where we dont keep Jimmy Horn. And Im not knocking David Moores value to this team. I just think from a roster management perspective, keeping a younger guy over David Moore on the initial 53 if we keep 7 WRs (or someone else at a different position) makes much more sense

I dont see any scenario where we couldn't release David Moore and sign him back since he not subject to waivers. Why we should keep him on the initial 53 roster is beyond me. Keeping him on the initial 53 when we can protect other players seems pointless. If we are going to keep 7 WRs, I hope we keep Brycen Tremayne. And then maybe cut him after initial claims and sneak him onto PS. He's a big possession type receiver who just keeps making plays.

Everyone, including Cleveland media, said the Panthers won the joint practice and it wasnt close. That practice was starters vs starters, and we won. Does that mean nothing? This was a padded practice, 11 on 11. As close to game conditions as you're going to get in preseason, outside of the very limited reps you might get in a 1-on-1 situation. As far as the gamr, our 3rd string RG (playing bc both Hunt & Zavala are out) gave up a sack the 1st series. That was against mostly 2s for the Cleveland defense. However, the next series Bryce dotted them up all the way down the field. Shedeur threw a beautiful ball (on a short field) against our 2s. Nothing against the ones in the 2 series they were out there. Getting upset )or pumped for that matter) by what 3rd stringers are doing seems pointless to me. There will be a few of these guys that will be on rosters, but most will be gone in 3 weeks. Because of that, there's really not much to gather from a preseason game other then the very limited reps the 1 & 2s get. I am concerned about the playcalling/schem of Evero in general & the fact that Dalton suddenly looks like he's washed, bc it happened that fast with Derek Anderson. But in general, I genuinely am very happy about what I saw from the guys we will depend on this year. Our top rookies (T-Mac, Scourton, & Umanmielen) all looked good. Corey Thornton was a hell of a find. BY9 looked like did down the stretch last year. Bobby Brown was collapsing pockets- can't watch him play with Derrick Brown. They need to find a way for Jalen Coker to get on the field. I understand the generalized pessism given the last 7 years- I really do. And I dont blame anyone who wants to wait until we prove it on the field in the regular season, but I genuinely think this team is going to be much more like the offense to end last year, and I think the defense, especially the Dline, is significantly better. I think out starting 11 on defense is formidable, although defensive depth is still a major question mark. And I dont know where we will legitimately be able to upgrade in any significant way- have to hope for good health there. Anyway, I understand your take, I just don't agree with it. But I'll admit I've been wrong before. We'll see this season.

This 100%. If you miss your opponent gets the ball on their side of the field. Massive risk except for the scenarios you listed above. 70 yards is crazy as hell though. Hope he doesn't hit one like that against us in Week 1

Speaking in generalities. Glad to have football back and you guys to argue with!! Hopefully we dont suck this year. Of course I know deep down we could be, but I am genuinely optimistic about this season. All BS aside though, I understand why people are taking a wait-and-see attitude But I do think we've turned a corner, and i think Canales & Bryce can lead us to the playoffs. It's obvious a big year for Bryce. Plenty of good QBs didnt make the playoffs in Year 1 or 2 (bc they're usually going to bad teams), but this is the season he needs to establish himself bc very few QBs make it long term if they can't make the playoffs by Year 3. I think he can do it. A lot of people don't. We shall see