MHS831

To illustrate my point, I watched (and commented on the Huddle) that Rozeboom would often wait a full second (or close to it) before taking his first step. I assume that he probably had issues with false steps, a faulty practice that can take an ILB out of the gap completely. Watch Luke and you see a step with the snap, and rarely was it a false step. Rozeboom may have had 100 tackles (speculating) but initial contact was 2-3 yards on the defensive side of the ball. Luke's 100 tackles were made 1-2 yards from the LOS. Over the course of a year, Luke was much more productive (more fumbles, fewer long gainers, more OL penalties, fewer first downs, etc) that Rozeboom, but on the stat sheet, they both had 100 tackles. In fact, Rozeboom's inefficiency kept him on the field more (more first downs, fewer OL penalties, turnovers, and punts) so he should have MORE tackles. I would like to see stats that break down those things. For example again, Josh Norman was slow--4.68 or so at CB. However, his anticipation speed was incredible. He made as many plays as a 4.4 CB. I had one coach (college--later became the head coach at WCU) tell me that slower players have to use their brains more to still be around. Elite athletes can just get by on their physical superiority. He added, "Rarely does a football player run full speed. Most of the time, they are not, so the 40 time is misleading stat. Smart players overcome shortcomings--when the elite athlete becomes average (slows with age, advances in level of competition) they struggle against smarter (football IQ) competition.

AI says teams can use it privately if they want, but the combine dropped it in 2022. I did not know that--just figured, as you say, they quit publicizing it. It seems it was always in the form of a leak or rumor--

Ok--I have seen some sample items, and I would like to see something (if possible) measures on field intelligence--maybe how quickly you can grasp a playbook or absorb film session adjustments...Back when we had Morrison as team president and Hurney as GM, I offered to assess (as part of my research in education requirement at a University) emotional intelligence and learning styles of players to help coaches teach more effectively. Morrison loved it and contacted me about it. Hurney was not interested, and it fell through the cracks. My pitch? If only 50% of first-rounders become successful NFL players and that number drops significantly, can you tell me that you are effectively measuring talent? Morrison thought it was a good point and wanted to do something that might improve long-term success rates--that would impact the cap management, etc. Marty, according to Morrison, said he was not interested at this time and if so, he would want a football guy to do it. (I told Morrison that I played in college and Hurney, a sports reporter at one time, did not. He told me that Hurney played as a Guard in college--who knew?) Any way, about that time, Morrison left (2017) and the idea was dropped. I reached back out a year later or so to Marty was still not interested. A few days later, his wife accused him of assault or something, so I dropped it.

I just thought he was under the radar--but thanks for opening our eyes to him. I think we should have better measures for intelligence--such as reaction time, angles, etc. Legette is raw as heck, for example, and his RAS was very high. We used to do the Wonderlic (which was not great) but to know how effectively a player makes on field decisions would be great.

Here is what it said about him coming out of college: Overview A three-year starter with good feet and technique, Samac could be in consideration for a move-blocking rushing attack. He is strong at the point of attack but will have limitations against NFL power. He operates with good hand placement and nimble feet and is a demon once he’s on the move as a pulling center leading the way. He’s fluid and agile in the run game, but those traits fail to do as much for him in protection. Samac punches with inside hands but can struggle to widen his protection base in order to protect his edges. He has eventual starting talent as a run blocker but needs to add more mass and improve in pass protection to get there.

I met a few times--never liked him. I figured he might have had a bad day--but then realized that he must have a lot of bad days. Once he raised his voice at my son because my son did not understand a question when SS was signing his jersey. I wanted the jersey to represent his encounter with a Panther great, not some small man with a bad attitude. I told me son, "Forget it. He was asking you what your name is (My son was about 7 and told me that he thought Smitty was going to write (my son's) name on the jersey. He said "Dad, I thought he was supposed to write HIS name on the jersey, not mine." I said, "He was personalizing it, writing it to you--like a birthday card." He is now grown, and he has a steve smith Jersey that is framed and matted. He keeps it is his closet. I asked him, "Why not have that out on your wall?" He said, "All I remember is an A-hole scribbled on my shirt. I don't remember a legend or hero. But he had a Jake Delhomme Jersey on his wall. "Jake was great. I will always remember that." (Jake stayed and talked to us for about 5 minutes or more--GREAT guy.)

Tomorrow: The arm length for tackles will tell the story as much as anything. In the NFL Draft, 33 inches is considered the minimum acceptable arm length for an offensive tackle to effectively handle pass rushers, with 34+ inches being ideal. Tackles with arms shorter than 33 inches are often moved to guard, as shorter arms make it difficult to manage the edge

look at Kyle Louis (LB Pitt)--he was near the top of every drill. Quietly strong.

We have no centers.

This does not help the cap but we just freed up an ice tub and rehab bike.

Thanks for all you do to bring news to the Huddle as often as you do. Appreciate it.

I see Miller here. In a dream vision. He was on a zebra in an undisclosed Walmart. It will be so.

I also think day three needs to be OL depth, TE, DT, and QB.

Hard to say right now, but good thinking. I look at this as the info we need for free agency. Looks like we are going to free up about $10m so far; watch to see if any contracts (Moehrig, Horn, Brown, etc) are reworked the first week of March. Then after free agency, we will have a pretty good idea. Right now, to be fair to your question because I am sure you are aware of its timing: In free agency, I see us adding an OT of some sort and drafting one at some point. It all depends on how they view Ickey, Nijman, and maybe BC. That OT could be Nijman. I do not see the future OT--just a stop gap. I see the Panthers signing a free-agent center. I think the market is strong. I see Fortner from the Saints as a prime candidate and his salary is estimated at $6m by Spotrac. the Saints are $42m over the cap, so I doubt they are able to re-sign many of their own. He will be 28. I also expect them to re-sign Corbett (depth) at a vet min ($1.5m) deal. I also see free agency as a strong area to get a free safety who can play and is under age 30. Hawkins, Cook, and Bryant are all around age 27-28, play at a high level, and should be had for about $15m per. EDGE: Arnold Ebiketie is a good value because he gets pressure at a high percentage. He had 2 sacks and Atlanta just drafted 2 pass rushers last year. He has a 70+ PFF rating and will (Spotrac) demand about $9m. While he is not the answer, he is a great third down option with Princely and he would allow for Jones, Scourton, and Princely to develop. So if we could sign a S, C, and Edge, and maybe even an ILB, we could be set to take BPA. I like the FS and C markets--not elated about an edge--and I love the ILBs in the draft. If I could sign a S, C, and Edge: 1. OT 2. ILB 3. WR OR 1. WR 2. OT 3. ILB (so deep)

You hit the nail on the head when you mentioned intelligence--we have 3 primary needs at positions where intelligence is very important (FS C, LB). It made me re-think things. Smart players make others around them better and they anticipate mistakes. Everyone is good--great is where you have to be.

last year, he shouted for Kevin Greene to go in for Rucker. It was the right decision, wrong time.

Hey friend, we both know there are no winners or losers until the draft is about 3 years old. We all pound the table like we have the answers , but if we went back and read our comments from 2021--we'd have to change our usernames to save face!! RBs are devalued, so you could get the best bang for your buck by taking a talent like Love.

It seems the needs for the Panthers are at positions that tend to require intelligence to lift others--going from "good to great"--FS, ILB, and C--as you say. While i like Rodriguez a lot (can see the Hurricanes [Jarvis] and Panthers with a mustache player to get the fans into it)--I also like Golday (WLB?). However, take a look at smallish Kyle Louis (Pitt). He is known to be cerebral, but he is small (5'11" I think) and for that, I moved him lower. But look at the different LB events at the combine--he is near the top in most of them. I see him as a sleeper. So if we wait until the second round, we can get a solid LB. So what if we grab a free agent edge specialist (veteran) for pass situations and help develop Princely. We draft FS (Oregon) first--maybe trading back to do so--I dunno. We sign a free agent ILB and draft a rookie like Rodriguez or Louis. In the third, we could probably find a center, like (former OT Parker from Duke) or Slaughter or Pew (may have to trade up). So, as you say, others are fighting for Edge players, WRs, and OTs early like seagulls on the beach fighting over spilled corn chips, We sit back, grab intelligent players that make others better. FS, ILB, and C. OT scares me more that Edge if we do this--but for those screaming for an edge--we have edge players--2 with starting experience who have had some degree of success. JC Davis can play either T spot and he is good at pass blocking--a bit raw--but could be developmental depth that could play in a pinch. Or you could draft a solid OT with shorter arms that are driving them down into day 3--and convert them to G or C later. Nijman and BC being re-signed could provide enough to hold down the job until a developmental OT (World, Oregon?) prepares for a shot at it. Wagner (ND) could play LT but is probably a future RT--he is expected to be drafted early day 3. My favorite day 3 OT sleeper? Keagan Trost, Missouri. Great run blocker, soild pass blocker in SEC--just shorter arms. Maybe a guard down the road, but for the time being, a T. Not ideal, but at least you are building for the future.

Vernon Gholston vibes? had 14 sacks at Ohio State in 2007; 45 games in the NFL: 0 sacks.

I want a high impact player, but a true FS who could qb the secondary might be more effective than we realize. I don't think Moehrig is that guy (I think he is overpaid, however). I want a flashy, high impact player, but we could use defensive qbs at ILB and FS. By upgrading skill AND adding vision and leadership, could we get better than if we added an edge or OT? I am not sure that I believe this myself, but I try to look at things from all perspectives. Here is some devil's advocacy stuff: 1. EDGE-We are freaking out about the pressure we put on the qb from the edge position. However, Jones II and Wonnum missed a total of 22 games. Scourton was a rookie and Princely was a third rounder. Wharton sucked (not sure if he was used properly--a hybrid who can rush from the 5 tech or 3, etc), and this put more pressure on Scourton and the other edge players. This year, we get Jones II, Scourton should continue to evolve with Princely. Perhaps another rookie is not what we need. Maybe a veteran situational pass rusher. 2. OFFENSIVE TACKLE: Of course, we need an OT, but the draft is loaded with OTs that can pass block but struggle in run blocking--so a rookie at LT might not be the answer for a team that wants to run first. What to do? I am not sure. I see Nijman returning after testing the market, but who knows? 3. INSIDE LB: A huge need, regardless of how you spin it. However, I see a few free agents who would be solid here, and I see the second round having a few ILBs with starting potential. I do not see an ILB worth the first round pick unless a freak falls to us. 4. With veteran defensive backs, a young, intelligent FS could fit in nicely. Intelligence is key--like the way Luke made the front 7 better. "A good, intelligent free safety (FS) acts as the "quarterback of the defense" transforming a unit from good to great by acting as the last line of defense, communicating pre-snap adjustments, and anticipating plays before they happen. By reading the quarterback's eyes and diagnosing offensive schemes, an intelligent FS acts as a "centerfielder" who can neutralize deep threats and mitigate errors made by cornerbacks or linebackers."

I get it. It would have to grow on you, but if we address a few needs in free agency, I could love it.

At the 2026 NFL Combine, the Carolina Panthers, led by GM Dan Morgan, are evaluating a deep draft class with a 600-player board, specifically targeting defensive upgrades and offensive playmakers . Key reported formal interviews include LB Sonny Styles (Ohio State) and DE Keldric Faulk (Auburn), while also considering safety Caleb Downs and WR KC Concepcion. AI Reported 2026 Combine Meetings/Visits: LB Sonny Styles (Ohio State): Confirmed formal interview with the Panthers. DE Keldric Faulk (Auburn): Confirmed formal interview with the Panthers. S Caleb Downs (Ohio State): Linked as a high-priority target for defensive improvement. WR KC Concepcion (NC State): Expressed interest in joining the organization, with the team highly aware of him, according to Carolina Panthers. Draft Focus and Strategy: Defensive Focus: The team is searching for defensive upgrades, particularly a long-term answer at linebacker to continue the legacy of Sam Mills and Luke Kuechly. Draft Board Depth: The Panthers entered the combine with 600 prospects on their board, as stated by GM Dan Morgan. Offensive Needs: Despite having the 2025 Offensive Rookie of the Year in Tetairoa McMillan, they are exploring receivers to boost the passing game.

I am a Golday fan, but Kyle Louis is a smallish stud.

dumb question but I don't know the answer: What is an "informal meeting" (aside from what it means literally) and what makes it different from "formal meeting?" I don't know how to ask the question--but I guess I am wondering why an informal meeting is news, or if they were really interested, why not a formal meeting?

Until he hit that slump, my argument was stronger. I can say that the Bama Bump is perhaps not as substantial as it was before--but your points are valid. My point is based on a strong throwing performance at the combine--which is not more important than the film. if he throws well, I will bet that he goes in round 1.