Icege

Got curious about the QB coaching he's had since HS and took a quick peek: Marques Tuiasosopo - Former Univ of Washington QB, 2001 Rose Bowl MVP. Currently at Rice. Was Sam's QB coach his first season at USC. Tyson Helton - Passing game coordinator + QB coach at USC for Sam's final two seasons. Current head coach for Western Kentucky where his OC is Tee Martin, who was also Sam's OC at USC. Western Kentucky was where 2022 QB prospect Bailey Zappe played. Jeremy Bates - Sam's first NFL OC. Hasn't had any work since then. Dowell Loggains - Current TE coach for Arkansas, was Sam's QB coach & OC during Adam Gase's tenure. Apparently was the QB coach for CLE and campaigned for them to draft Johnny Manziel. Sean Ryan - QB coach with the Panthers. While Dowell Loggains and Jeremy Bates are probably not the best way to welcome rookies to the league, he had some decent coaching during the 2017 + 2018 USC football seasons. From what we have seen from QBs under Sean Ryan's watch, I'm not exactly impressed. Sam definitely got dealt a poo hand in the NFL, but he also hasn't really shown much aside from when everything falls apart he seems to have a horseshoe lodged somewhere.

I can understand that perspective. He definitely had the physical tools, but I don't think he sees the game as a QB (nor does he love it enough to learn how to). I expect him to show flashes (a.k.a. the "magic" in his game), but ultimately I expect him to not be able to maintain it. That's unfortunately been a constant throughout his career.

Sam Darnold is what happens when teams insist on swinging on a QB in the top 5 simply because it's a position of need. Thank goodness the Panthers didn't follow that train of thought.

While I'm excited about the offense this upcoming season, the better word for how I feel about the defense is interested. I'm very interested to see if YGM has developed into a starting DE for the defense as well as just how much of a drop-off we're going to have from the SLB position with Reddick being replaced by Luvu + Smith. Horn coming back makes the loss of Gilmore insignificant, and Ioannidis is also an upgrade over Jones. Wilson/Littleton are definite upgrades over Carter as well. Plus we'll have Woods + Chinn at the safety positions (and Jeremy in his natural SS position).

I'm still in utter shock that just about two months ago we were teased with the possibility of this starting OL after Corbett + Bozeman signed in the offseason. It still doesn't feel real. If Bozeman is retained, this very well could be the starting OL for the next 3 years... We've come a long way from a different starting offensive line combination every week where our starters then are at best back-ups now.

Offense: The QB position still has question marks surrounding it. Whether it's Sam Darnold or Matt Corral, neither of those names exactly spark confidence (though to be fair, one might spark hope). Defense: There is still no true starting MLB on the team unless Littleton somehow turns the clock back.

Matt Corral sticking up and fighting for his teammate that just got sucker punched is the juice that I need after years of watching Carolina offensive linemen not even help up their QB who's brains just got bashed in

This makes me so fuging happy omg

Charleston Rambo is my favorite UDFA so far :3

FAST AF

So far, solid draft. Two biggest areas of need were addressed on days one and two, and now on day three they're taking fliers on some solid depth options. The team so far has picked up back-ups for Brian Burns & Frankie Luvu to help get some fresh legs after the passer, and those guys might even see decent time this season if they can contribute on special teams (going to be funny having an edge rusher as a gunner again). They've also basically got a replacement for Cameron Erving in Cade Mays who is one of those "versatile" players that the regime covets. However, we've got James Campen likely signing off on the pick, so at worst the team has a smart back-up that can play any spot on the line. Can't wait to see who the last pick is!

Dane Brugler's scouting report

Damn, was hoping for Okonkwo to be available.

Really think this kid is here to play SLB with Reddick gone and Luvu's deal being only 2yr iirc

Hassan Haskins to TEN is a great fit. Titans having themselves a great draft weekend so far.

Didn't have an SLB on the roster that could actually rotate in for Luvu, so I understand the move. Going to be interesting to see if they move up into the 5th or hang tight in the 6th.

Packaged both 5ths to move up into the middle of the 4th to take an LB. Excerpt from Dane Brugler's guide below: Sounds like a rotational SLB to back-up Luvu

Would love to see the team take Isaiah Thomas out of Oklahoma with their first pick of the day if he's still there. Would be a good fit for Snow's defense as well as a decent back-up to YGM. I could see the team targeting him and Dohnovan West (Arizona State center) in the 5th

Kinda excited to see Corral/CMC run the RPO

Very impressed by Fitterer's grasp of the modern draft. He stayed put and got their #1 player at one of their top positions of need on day 1, and on day 2 he remained patient enough to be able to land one of the top QBs in the draft deep into the 3rd round at the expense of just next year's 3rd. Also a bit ironic that Russel Wilson was also a 3rd round selection when there were size and durability concerns but accompanied by a live arm with clean mechanics...

I am fuging geeking still This OL has a lot of potential, and if we're moving towards a power run game then we couldn't have picked a better prospect. I hope that McAdoo gets Tremble involved more to take advantage of the power run game.

Aqeel Glass in the 6th or 7th pls