Seltzer

I heard there was tension in the room during the interview and that Tepper liked that. Tepper is no idiot. He needs people that will give it to him straight and aren't afraid of disagreement/conflict as long as it can be productive.

Moore, Burns, Chinn, Brown, Jackson, Kerr, Obada Carter, & Daley are all good players (starter-caliber) that will still be on rookie deals next year (or in Kerr's case a very team-friendly deal). Look around the league- that's pretty good honestly. It's easy to crap on the mistakes your team makes b/c they are self-evident, but the Panthers are in much better shape this year than last, from a roster and salary-cap standpoint. The Panthers were in perhaps the toughest spot in the league going into this year. I'm sold on Rhule. Rhule knows though that the NFL is different than college in that the QB question dwarfs anything else. Solidifying the QB position is the most important thing any team can do. A franchise QB is the best deodorant for other failures in building the team. All the coaching in the world isn't going to elevate Teddy to being a top 10 QB. We are better off finding the right QB and letting Rhule, Brady, and Snow coach the other players up even if it means lower draft picks.

The Panthers can certainly be active in FA if they want to. The question is always about risk vs. reward in terms of mortgaging the future if you think you can win now vs. making sure you are able to continue to be competitive long-term. The Panthers took a massive hit in dead cap this year (most in the league). Meaning they have already starting cleaning up the mess of bad contracts like Matt Kalil, etc. The conundrum remains on determining how close this team is to competing and making decisions based on that. I saw the Saints signed Jarius Byrd in 2014 when they literally were in the worst cap shape of any team in the league. In retrospect, it took them 3 mediocre years to overcome that (really their awesome 2017 draft was the thing that saved them). Ultimately, the Panthers can be super active if they want. History/ analytics probably indicates they should continue to be methodical vs trying to make a splash for longer-term success. But Deshaun Watson remains the wildcard. I feel confident we should mortgage the future to get him b/c I think long-term it is the best investment the team can make. And let's be honest. The turnaround shouldn't take much more than this year regardless. NFL coaches who can't compete by year 3 probably aren't going to. The NFL is too much of a "Not-For-Long league to not be bold sometimes.

Agree, but it's hard for me to get too upset over the treatment of any QB after watching how Cam was treated.

That's the one nice thing about the NFL. It's not like the NBA where you are stuck with bad contracts no matter what. Certainly Bridgewater's contract would complicate a trade for Watson, but it won't be the deciding factor IMO if there actually exists a chance for the Panthers to get Watson. Finding a franchise QB is priority 1, 2, & 3. Just b/c Bridgewater didn't work out doesn't mean we shouldn't continue to try. We definitely aren't in as bad a spot as the Rams or Eagles with the contracts they gave Goff & Wentz respectively.

The only thing we have to offer is the chance to move to what I think will be an easier NFC over the next 5 or so years. But to the extent the Texans will be able to control this process, I think that will be important. This is not good for the Texans franchise regardless. But Texans fans watching Watson on another AFC team may not be palatable for the Texans. We can only hope and make the best offer we can

I don't get this idea that Watson wouldn't want to come here because of Cam... I wish his release could have been better, but let's not forget that Cam complicated the situation tremendously by pushing back surgery, etc. His side was notoriously bad about communicating with the team. And I don't completely blame him due to the way Rivera handled his injuries, but still And everything with Covid didn't help. I love Cam, but Cam did not get screwed the way some want to make out. Cam wanted more of a commitment than the team was willing to make given his injury history. Simple as that. Cam's side pushed things to a head as much as anyone. Trying to compare that to the dysfunction of the Texans (and latent racism by their owner) is simply lazy and untrue. Watson will probably not end up here. But it won't have anything to do with Cam.

There is no other move in franchise history that would move the needle from a marketing standpoint more than trading for Watson. Hell, from a business perspective, Tepper could probably justify it regardless of what happens on the field. But the goal is to win games, and the chance to get a top 5 QB in his mid-20's comes along basically never. I am not one to typically want to give away the farm, but this is the one instance where I would be 100% onboard. And for Watson, there will be multiple desirable destinations. Miami is still the favorite IMO. But Carolina has 3 main selling points: 1) It's the NFC. Watson stands a better chance to stand out year-in and year-out over the next 5 years at least not having to compete with Mahomes, Lamar, Josh Allen, Herbert, etc. who constitute the young studs in the AFC. The old-guard QB's in the NFC are fading fast. 2) Watson is already beloved in the Carolinas. Watson would bring the energy we have been missing post-Cam, and the fans and stadium will be rocking to support him. 3) The NFC South looks way less daunting than it did a few years ago. The AFC South is looking to be a really tough division over the next few years. The AFC East is still appealing (hence Miami), but I still think when considering the long-term landscape Watson would strongly consider Carolina. Regardless of what happens, this is the kind of opportunity that rarely if ever comes along. I can't say for certain if trading for Watson is the best move long-term. Only time will tell. But in the short-term, absolutely nothing can return the Panthers to relevance moreso than being bold and trading for Deshaun Watson.

I've heard the same thing multiple times today about lockdown on Monday. One one hand it seems excessive, but these are unprecedented times we live in. I will defer to the experts and listen to their advice. Stay safe out there my friends and take care of your neighbors. Hopefully, if this does transpire, it will quicken the amount of time necessary for everyone to stay in their homes.

A lot is riding on how well Kalil plays in all honesty, especially when you consider what he is being paid. Can't escape the fact we're paying him to be a top 10 LT. I understand the market and why Gettleman had to do it. For all the talk about him being cheap, he knows how important protecting Cam is going forward for his longevity. And there is nothing in my mind that is pointing to Oher coming back, even before this Uber crap. I think we will end up with a good player at RT between Williams and Moton. The iffy part is it seems Moton is penciled in to be our backup LT. That is asking a lot for a rookie who didn't play that position in college. Still not like having Bell and Chandler out there Sent using the amazing CarolinaHuddle mobile app

Converted my 2 younger brother-in-laws from the evil clutches of my father-in-laws' instilled retarded love of the Cowboys to Panthers Nation this year alone. Had them both wearing Panthers gear at Thanksgiving & Christmas just to troll my father-in-law. Other than defeating ISIS, finding a cure for CTE, or magically reattaching Ciara's hymen, I don't know what more I could have done for mankind in 2015. In all seriousness, I would love the opportunity to go support the Panthers on this magical season, and the field passes would be a dream come true. It's awesome that you are doing this.

Lou Young?

Steve Smith was the greatest player in the first 20 years of the Panthers history. I truly hope he makes the HOF whether he wants to acknowledge the Panthers or not. He has had a HOF career. His highlight reel stacks up to any receiver all-time. He is as tough a competitor as you will ever meet. He made our Sundays way more exciting from 2001-2013. The right decision was made after the 2013 Season. Rivera & Gettleman have built a different culture here. Smitty is right in that he was born to be in a culture like the Ravens. He didn't fit into the workplace culture here, and that's ok. Smitty isn't going to change, and Gettleman/Rivera weren't going to compromise. I don't know how you can make the exit of all-time franchise great easy, especially when the player leaves throwing hand grenades. And as much as Richardson obviously cares for Steve Smith, he had the sense to back the people with the best long-term interest of the franchise in mind. I think getting cut has propelled his fire to continue to produce these last 2 years, which can hopefully get him into the HOF. He deserves that. He doesn't deserve anything else from the Panthers, though, and especially not an apology from Dave Gettleman, Ron Rivera, or the fans. Fairy tale endings are just that. It was an awesome 13 year run, and I wouldn't trade it for anything. But it's time to move on. I want Steve Smith to retire a Raven at this point, if I'm being honest. That bridge was firebombed so hard on the way out there's no reason to even attempt to rebuild it. Smitty has built a HOF resume as a 5'9" receiver playing in a land of giants b/c he takes all criticism personally and uses that to fuel himself. He also can be an a**hole, which is exactly how he has been in relation to the Panthers since his departure. I hope Steve Smith retires as a Raven and spends his retirement helping the community where he was born to be. I'm pretty sure Baltimore could use it. I hear they have a few ongoing problems up there. Maybe breaking some sporks will turn them around.

At least for me, this wins the Internet tonight...

Horseshit call. One of many

Harper is garbage today

Cam could have easily ran for 10 plus yards on 2nd down

Defense definitely seemed tentative there. Hope offense doesn't follow suit

Whew... It's one half but there couldn't have been much more have went right for the Falcons. Glad we don't play the Falcons for a while so we have some tape on them. I think Philly was overrated given they are pinning their hopes on Sam Bradford, but the Falcons look scary.

All Atlanta's offensive line has to do is pass block. They are only running to keep the defense honest. If they give him time Julio will get open

Don't understand why Coleman and Boston aren't our starting safeties

Just glad we are up and receiving. Shula called a good first half believe it or not. Don't need anymore injuries

Hope Big Frank isn't out for the year. Exciting 4th Quarter. Offense needs major work, but offensive line is a major good surprise. Defense made some bad mistakes, definitely need a healthy Short and Star.

Wegher and Ward are a combo to behold

Except the injuries unfortunately... we've potentially lost 2 starters in less than a week