Icege

Not sure admitting is the right word there, but no problem bucko. Sometimes we all need to be reminded to not scream into the abyss.

I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but there is never going to be "sports and sports only." It's an irrational desire that's only going to lead to frustration and disappointment. Sports aren't some cartoon ostrich that can bury its head in the sand to avoid the same socio-cultural issues that influence it. Don't get me wrong: I'd love to focus more on the strategy, skill, techniques, etc that are on display. Unfortunately, entertainment sells advertising space better than it does education. Engagement is even more important to marketing, and few things create as much engagement as outrage.

Getting baptized by Von Miller was a blessing in disguise. Having Campen there to help breakdown the film afterwards when it could have been another Rhule crony is an even bigger blessing. Couldn't be more excited for Icky and the OL.

I mean... I don't think anybody is expecting him to get 100+ targets this season nor are they expecting him to break off WR screens for 80+ yard TDs. He's definitely going to take a dip in fantasy, but in terms of actual football I'm expecting the team to carve up opposing defenses on 3rd down with option routes thanks to Thielen + Bryce's football IQ.

Oooooooohhhhhhhh maaaaaaaaaaaaaah gaaaaaaaaaaaaawd Watching episode 2 was reaffirming of what many of us thought the purpose of the FA signings shown were for Eps3 I'm only 1min in and hearing the 5 traits learned from Peyton has me ready to go to WAR for Bryce!!

Holy poo

Whether or not TMJ beating a Bengals starter 1v1 for a 21yd TD is indicitive of Baker's play last season is something you're more than welcome to explore on your own. As I said, the point wasn't to attempt to get you to change your mind; it was to point out the misinformation you presented. In that same train of thought, regarding TMJ's stats for the final 6 weeks of the season, looking at Sam Darnold's explains a lot: vs. DEN: 11 completions on 19 attempts (3 targets for TMJ, 6 targets for DJ) vs. SEA: 14 completions on 24 attempts (1 target for TMJ, 3 targets for DJ) vs. PIT: 14 completions on 23 attempts (3 targets for TMJ, 6 targets for DJ) vs. DET: 15 completions on 22 attempts (3 targets for TMJ, 7 targets for DJ) vs. TB: 23 completions on 37 attempts (3 targets for TMJ, 10 targets for DJ) vs. NO: 5 completions on 15 attempts (3 targets for TMJ, 4 targets for DJ) If you want that to mean Sam Darnold didn't like the Christmas present that TMJ got him the year before, have at it. I like to believe that most people would understand that not many players are going to be blowing up the statsheets when they're only targeted 2.7 times a game on average with a QB that's averaging just 13.7 completions on 23.3 attempts. Especially when that was during a season where the league average for passing attempts per game was 33.3.

TMJ was lined up 1-on-1 with Cam Taylor-Britt who was and is the starter in Cinci. To say that the play came against a back-up player of Taylor/Henderson's caliber is misleading. As is pointing to his statline when the gameplan was "Don't make Sam throw the ball" under Wilks. By all means, feel free to doubt as this isn't an attempt to change your mind. I just wanted to make sure that misinformation didn't go unchecked.

Good. Their current stadium is a laughing stock. Hot tubs or not, you know it's bad when their souvenir racks are literally sitting in the middle of the walkways.

With how poorly the team was coached until the regime change and a void at the QB position, I can't help but be impressed by the talent that Fitterer & the scouting department have stocked the squad with. Hurst, Tremble, Thomas, Sullivan, and Ricci is a solid group to go into the season with.

There was 1,442 total snaps under Matt Rhule's regime and 723 under Steve Wilks'. TMJ was on the field for 30.6% of the snaps under Rhule, 81.3% under Wilks. It is very much so accurate to state that TMJ was "hardly on the field" while Rhule was running the team. TMJ's averages per game from his 15 games under Rhule: 29.4 snaps (441 total) 19.8 routes (297 total) 2.3 targets (34 total) TMJ's averages per game from his 12 games under Wilks': 49 snaps (588 total) 22 routes (264 total) 3.6 targets (43 total) To put those numbers into perspective, here are the averages for the other two WRs mentioned under Rhule: Chosen (22 games) 53.9 snaps (1185 total) 36.9 routes (812 total) 5 targets (110 total) DJ (20 games) 55.6 snaps (1112 total) 36.2 routes (723 total) 9.1 targets (182 total)

Thank you for making sure to mention this early in the thread. We regularly see folks apoplectic when discussing the later years of a player's new deal without taking into consideration the regular increases to the salary cap. Can't wait for Burns to be locked down contractually for the next 3 - 5!!

The team invested in Cam Newton having weapons + an offensive line, but due to injuries (along with a couple of misfires evaluation-wise) those position groups were regular points of concern.

Only makes sense with the 17-game season. Surprised this wasn't part of that initial rollout.

Wouldn't surprise me to see the team march out in 01 personnel and have Shenault motion into/from the backfield.

fuging ew

From what (little) I understand, there are a few factors: Hotel accommodations Transportation Fan support I'd imagine a local government with experience in hosting large scale events is also desirable. I could even see Mint St hosting a lot of the activities Would be nice. Who knows. The draft is a bucket list item for me and being in Charlotte would make the trip a whole lot cheaper!

If you don't understand how losing now to gamble later is not as beneficial to a team (or a business) as winning now and later then that's a you problem that you'll have to figure out.

I wonder if this is linked to the Panthers' interest in hosting the NFL Draft in 2026. Could feed into future plans (if any) to host a Super Bowl in Charlotte.

I'm very interested to hear how some of the pro-tank crowd will convince players to sacrifice one year of their career for an organization that they won't be back with the following season. I imagine that that's going to be a difficult task. Especially so when considering that the average NFL career lasts just over three seasons. But yea, go ahead and tell those guys to have a seat so that the team can get one or two spots ahead in line at the counter for lotto tickets that are going to be used to replace them. The same folks suggesting tanking will be the same ones complaining that the team can't attract free agents and claim that it's because "nobody wants to play for a loser." -_-

I think Baker fits what Arians' offense does rather well. Get the ball out quick and take shots downfield while the playcalls scheme receivers open. Happy for him that he's getting another opportunity to start. As bad as the Panthers' QB room was last season, I don't think anybody would have been successful under Rhule/McAdoo. Considering where the Bucs were picking, I agree with Arians that Baker was the best option. Young or Stroud would have been perfect fits but there was no way they'd be able to move up to #1 overall like the Panthers were able.

If Jim Caldwell, Frank Reich, Thomas Brown, and Josh McCown all think Dalton should start over Young then I will support their decision rather than supporting somebody on the Internet having a meltdown. ~\_(ツ)_/~

I recall last year during the offseason seeing something about the Panthers talking to Dohnovan West at the ASU pro day (I was high on CB Chase Lucas coming out of there). Can't recall if it was a tweet, but I think Fitterer was talking to him?

Happy for Sam. He's back home on the west coast, he's with CMC who he's gotten to know from their time together in Carolina, and he's playing for a coach that has a run-heavy system that just needs their QB to get the ball to the guy in space that they schemed open. It couldn't be a better situation for him after everything he's already been through in the league.