BeenPounding

I'd send our second, second round pick for him. Use our first to trade back and collect future draft capital. Anything more than that would be too much since he will only have two seasons left on his rookie contract.

Do we have the personnel to run a Fangio defense? He runs a 3-4 base doesn't he? We tried that when Tepper first bought the team and it didn't work well. Our DE's and DT's may not fit the bill. I could see Burns and Haynes working well at rush LB's, but we'd be SAWFT up the gut.

Tepper realized that in order for the team to compete at a higher level, the Panthers needed a new identity. You can keep the Keep Pounding mantra in the building while still shifting to an offensive focus. Having Reich as an OC would never have worked. I'll fully admit that I really liked this idea, but the more I thought on it I realized it would not garner the results I'd like. In game planning and real time situations Wilks would be making the calls on what our focus should be (run, run, run), what to do on 4th downs, ect.... Long story short, WIlks is not the offensive guy and would be conservative. If Reich wanted to implement a more offensive game plan/roster that would, at some point, on cause a rift amongst the coaching staff. Rivera and McDermott have/are only riding the success of generational QB's. Look at Ron now, he is going through more OC's because he can't develop a QB. He has not had consistent winning since before Cam was hit by TJ Watt. McDermott is about to hit his plateau. Once he Lost Daboll, his offensive advantage is not what it was before. Tepper has his flaws, but he gave Perry Few and Steve Wilks an opportunity that other owners have not or would not. He made a mistake with Rhule. Again, I could see why that happened. I got caught up in Rhule's sales pitch using that slimy dime store preacher voice. We don't know what WIlke's plan on offense was. Is Byron Leftwitch THE answer? What is his offensive like without Tom Brady? All of us know that AL Holcolmb is not DC material. So if we say that those two coordinators are not a fit for the Panthers is that race based or performance based? Another sign that Wilks and Holcomb may not be as highly regarded outside our organization is that Atlanta was "monitoring" the situation in Carolina. They even interviewed Holcomb for DC, but never interviewed Wilks? Then they hired another DC the day after Reich was announced as HC. Long story short this was a football move. I have empathy for those hurt by the decision. Personally, I have no idea what it is like to not feel as people like myself are not properly represented. It's not like it's Jerry Richardson running the organization anymore, or we are run by someone like the McNair family.

Would Johnson bring this guys as a bridge QB? I would prefer it to this guy. and much prefer it to this guy...

Move Chinn back to LB and there you go!!!! Totally agree with you. Certainly we need to draft a CB with one of our 2nd round picks. Honestly, with this coaching hire I could see more veterans coming our way to fill out our depth. Hopefully we hit pay-dirt in the draft this year with all of our higher picks!

Bashing the hiring of Reich for race reasons is grabbing at low hanging fruit IMO. It is quite obvious that there have been instances in the past where race has played a factor specifically Brian Flores and likely Wilks AZ tenure. However, in this case I honestly and truly feel that Frank Reich getting the position of head coach was purely a football move. I love to bash Tepper as much as the next guy. At times I love the guy, at other times I really wonder WTF he is thinking. One thing I don't think he can be accurately accused of is being prejudice in his or his organizations hiring practices. Looking only at the football operations staff (and two other notable additions) I see... Steve Drummonds - VP of football operations, Samir Suleiman - VP football Administration, Kevin King - Head Athletic trainer - Taylor Rajack Director of Football Analytics - Cole Spencer - Director of College Scouting - Anish Shroff Play by play announcer - are all African American or minority hirings on the football side. Ron Rivera was the first Hispanic head coach in NFL history. Perry Fewell and Steve Wilks were both interim head coaches for the Panthers. To say the Panthers are not inclusive or bias, especially under David Tepper would be an unfair statement. Lastly, there is Justine Lindsay, noting else screams inclusion more than that.

I trust Smitty's opinion and Greg Olsen's opinions more than dime a dozen analysts. Yes, both of them were proud of Wilks and would have supported him, but I also believe both of them are well aware of the needs and deficiencies of our current roster. The players that COUNT in the locker room are professionals and men. They will understand that they do have a good leader incoming and what can be done to improve this team. I could easily see us go 5-1 or at worst 4-2 in our division based upon our opponents for next year. In addition, We also play the Bears, Texans, Colts, Titians, and possibly Rogers-less Packers next season. All winnable games with our current roster. THIS IS THE RIGHT MOVE. Chance favors the prepared!!! I'm excited to see who he pulls out of his rolodex! Imagine if Kellen Moore gets scapegoated by the cowboys? hmmmmmm. Going into the draft I could see a few things happen. 1. Wave Bye Bye to Sammy. Enter Jacoby Bissett. Former NC State QB, perfect veteran/bridge QB. He's been in many systems, is well respected, and can give you some wins others do their jobs around him. 2. We temper our aggression in the draft for a QB. I would only push future capital for Stroud. If the cost is too high, trade back and collect a future first round pick for next year's draft. Come out swinging at a top 2 pick offering 3 first rounders to get either Mays or Williams. (2 - 2024 picks and a 2025). We could draft a QB like McKee or Hooker to compete with Corral in the mean time. If one of them hit, great problem to have. 3. We cut some fat like Elflin, Williams, and Thomas. Restructure Shaq on a team friendly deal. Move Chinn to LB so he can wreck havoc again like his rookie year. Extend Burns, and either tell DJAX he needs to take a pay cut or he will be cut. Sign Gesicki as a TE, Devin Bush ILB, or even better, try to get bot Edmonds brothers here! 4. "BIG DICK" Nick Foles is your new QB coach, will rise to OC and take over for Frank when he retires!

100% agree with you and Smitty. Greg Olsen also alluded to this thinking during the SF/Dallas broadcast. Greg basically said that there are not enough QB's out there with 4 years of playing experience. QB's transfer so often, or if they show out then get out to maximize on their draft status. A guy like Billy Zappe is a perfect example. He has not had the same level of success as Brock Purdy, but I could easily see him develop into a mid level QB that could thrive with weapons around him. The NFL is going to come to an adjustment in regards to the QB position over the next few years as the older more established QB's retire or move on. Eli Manning played for 3 full seasons, Peyton played 4, Big Ben 3 seasons, Phillip Rivers 4 seasons, Tom Brady 4 seasons, Andrew Luck 3 seasons, and Drew Breese 3 years. All of them played significant amounts during their college years. They learned how to be leaders, adjust to different personnel, and handle the ups and downs of being the face of a team. One year starters, or guys based upon metrics alone don't have those qualities. I love all of the tools that AR-15 has, but I wouldn't sped a 1st round pick to HOPE that in two years he is ready when I could land an established player who will be on my team and contribute for possibly 5 years with that pick. Fitty was correct in saying that either every year, or every other year you should be drafting a QB in the later rounds to develop. One of the reasons I am holding out high hopes for Matt Corral. 4 years of college, 3 as a starter. He was a competitor, a leader, and with GOOD COACHING, will hopefully, learn how to adjust to NFL defenses. I like Young and Stroud as prospects. Stroud being the number 1 that Georgia game exemplified how his experience has helped him flourish. Yes CJ only started two seasons, but he was on the team in 2020 and couldn't help that the season was cancelled. Young is just too small for my liking. Look at the beating Tua has taken. He has one inch and 30lbs on Young. Baker is one inch taller and has nearly 30lbs on Young. Tune, Hooker, O'Connell, and Jaren Hall all could be worth a draft pick, and honestly, may not be all that far behind the top 2 QB's in term of long term development and value.

Of course you want to win it all, but you need to start somewhere. Would you call the season by Jacksonville a disappointment? Outside of the way the Chargers lost, I would be excited as a fan by the potential, but also likely calling for a new HC. How about the Giants and Vikings? I would take those seasons after 5 consecutive less than 9 win seasons. Everyone wants the ending without having to go through the journey. Peyton at the cost of 2 first rounders may not be it. I wouldn't be past a Reich hire or Reich/Wilks combination and continue to watch us rise out of the MESS that was the Rhule era. I miss being excited on a weekly basis more than anything. 2003 and 2015 were fun, but so were the other years where we had a chance.

I know the trade here won't happen, but...... If we could work our way up to #5 and grab a QB..... Free Agency: Find a bridge QB, TE, and resign Boz/Foreman, and a veteran DT. We need a DE, CB, and LB depth out of this draft. If Williams is healthy he can compete for the #2-3 CB. Move Chinn back to OLB. Start the T'oo T'oo train. Joseph is a heady safety, Tippmann is the perfect IOL for us. Can play center, but also 6'6 315lbs, can play G or RT as well. Having him and Mayes provides great depth at the interior. Schoonmaker is a perfect blocking TE, but I would also throw a bag at either Irv Smith Jr. or Gilseki during free agency. Cut Ian Thomas and Eflin. The rest of our picks provide quality depth. McIntosh could be a legit homerun threat at RB.

Randy is King!!!!

Agreed, SP is using his resources at Fox to trump up his profile and price. Cowherd is a step below Skip Bayless when it comes to credibility in my opinion.

Lamar is worth two picks, with our O-line, we would run over so many teams. I could coach them to the playoffs. Tepper is aggressive, but I really wouldn't call him a fool. He's going to find his way sooner rather than later. Olsen is THE top analysist out there. He has a feel and eye for the game that is pretty rare for a commentator. His dad was a coach, he was like having a coach in the locker room. G.O. knows his stuff. He is spot on about the best HC/OC combination for our team. If he gets put off by fox anointing Brady as their new #1 I could legitimately see him as a future John Lynch type who gets to run a team the right way.

Michael McCarthy of Front Office Sports reported in February that Fox was discussing a deal with the 58-year-old to potentially have him succeed Troy Aikman as the lead color commentator. McCarthy reported Payton might earn as much as $10 million annually. If he wants the Panther's job he is going to name his own trade compensation. According to the draft value chart, a mid to late round 1st round pick is about the same as our higher 2nd, and our 3rd round pick. SP is smart enough to not hamstring his own surroundings. The compensation for the Belichick in '97 would not fly today. Draft picks are much more valued. If the Saint's don't budge, he'll stay put and make that easy money broadcasting. The Saints know that he's going to come back, and if he doesn't do it this year they aren't getting much of anything for him. If SP has a legit plan to right the ship, I'm in, but I have a few conditions. 1. What is the QB plan for 2023? 2. Are you committed for 5 years? 3. Who is your successor or coach in waiting? If we are going to open the bank and risk draft picks for him, he has better be grooming someone. 4. You need to be able to collaborate with Fitty/Morgan on roster/draft control with Tepper making the final call on contested decisions. Not a big fan of Tepper having final say, but that gives him the opportunity to utilize all the minds in one room. Plus, he did pay 2.2 Billion for the team so be a boss Boss.

In the Coward interview Peyton said that after this year, the compensation changes drastically. Just because NO wants a mid to late first doesn't mean they will get it. Denver can offer their first. Peyton doesn't have to take the job, he can still call games while living it up in LA. If I were Tepper I'd offer our higher 2nd rounder and toss in an additional 2nd next year. If they accept it great! If not, you get a younger coach or Wilks. Peyton is smart as well, if he is serious about actually coaching and not collecting a check, he wouldn't hamstring his future employer. The Texans could be the wild card in the race for Peyton. With two first round draft picks, 11 total picks, a weak division, and a front office that he could easily control, I see that as the top opportunity. Additionally, no state income tax. Hopefully Nicole is there to make sure Big Tepp isn't getting smitten out of his $$$ again. While I think this could be a good short term move, I'm also fairly positive it could screw us in the end. I'd much rather pair Johnson/Moore/Kafka with a DC who used to be a head coach, or retain Wilks with an up and coming play caller.

I think the real mystery here is what has Matt Corral been up to since he hurt his foot? Has been able to put on good weight? Has he been in the QB room and learning from the defensive meetings? If you don't try to develop him, essentially we have tossed away two 3rd round picks. Honestly, wasting 3rd rounders is a Panther's tradition... Grier, Gaulden, Dasehon Hall, Darryl Worley, Terell Mclain, Sione Fua, Armanite Edwards. Jury is still out on Tremble. The only good ones I see going back to 2010 was BC and Trey Turner. The only QB in the draft I would consider a trade for is CJ Stroud. I would only attempt to trade as high as Arizona, and only offer the year's 2nd and at most next year's 2nd as compensation if I was 100% sold on him. I truly believe that running it back with Sam, Matt, and possibly bringing Gardner Minshew into the fold would be our best option. If we did that, we could trade back in the first, land somewhere from the late teens to early 20's, collect an additional 1st for next year along with an extra 4th or 5th round pick in an effort to make a bold yet calculated move towards the top for whatever QB we like in 2024. If so, sign me up. Our roster still needs additional depth in other areas that FA isn't guaranteed to address. This QB class isn't it. I would much rather take a gamble on Williams, Maye, Penix, or even Quin Ewers at their current level of play over anyone aside from C.J. Stroud in this year's draft. Heck, what if all Darnold or Minshew needs is a solid o-line and a stout defense to grow? Sam isn't the long term answer in my opinion, but he's showing improvement and could fill the void and allow the team to grow into success while we search for the QB of the future that can thrive with an established roster. Build the roster, ride out a sweet 5 year rookie contract, then pay the piper when he comes calling.

He was never a Panther

Here is my guy I think we should target. I think he could be a baby Bozeman. Big bodied center, pulls well, and is really strong. Additionally, he has position flexibility along the interior. Ladies and gentlemen your mid round steal Joe (great mullet) Tippmann https://thedraftnetwork.com/sr-prospect/joe-tippmann-b6994694-fab6-4281-9688-d006948d0aef/

Is that really a prudent decision on his part? I brought this question up to KB on the radio, and he agreed with you saying, and I quote, "I'd leave the room flipping the double bird" Wilks has been bouncing around the country since he was fired from the Arizona job. At what point would he like security and normalcy in his life/career? Additionally, outside of the pride aspect, if he truly believes in the Panthers and the players on this team would a move to DC/Assistant HC really be a demotion? Initially, it would be a tough pill to swallow, but he began the year as the DB coach. Raheem Morris did an commendable job in Atlanta, but then was uprooted to LA to take on the role of DC. If Wilks is not getting any calls to interview as a HC this cycle where does that leave him going forward? Being a DC/Assistant HC may not be a bad get. If he stays around for a bit in that role I could easily see him getting a front office position in player development/mentoring even if there is a regime change, solidifying his future in his home town. Odd take, I know, but as a middle aged warrior myself I know the value of being close to home. Personally, I'd like to see Wilks HC/ Riech OC / young up and comer as passing game coordinator/QB coach

More proof that PFF has no idea how to rate players.... I'd be over the moon if this happened.

Obviously this was the missing link the last go round. Maybe this is kind of like when Robert California's wife wanted a job at the Scranton branch of Dunder Mifflin. (Season 8 episode 9...yes I'm that much of a nerd)

By innovative I meant to say the doctors did not cut vertically from the top of my knee to the bottom. I had a graft and horizontal incision.

It'll be close for him to get back to camp. ACL tears are weird. I tore mine 21 years ago and had what was, at the time, innovative surgery. Now a days, it can be done almost completely arthroscopic. If he didn't tear the meniscus he should be good to go by the beginning of the season. That sucks though. Stupid turf.