MHS831

How could anyone say, "Releasing Cam?" He was coming off surgery and has never recovered. He would have commanded a $100m salary. I mean, if he went on to take NE to the Super Bowl and was still starting somewhere, I might agree. It was not Rhule who disrespected Cam. It was Ron Rivera (the way he used Cam and the way they avoided spending on an OL). Just my 2c, but signing Cam would have been terrible. Not a Rhule supporter, but there is no room for blind loyalty in the NFL.

But Wilson says, "Let's Ride." I now know what he means. You are right. Agreed.

That is interesting, but (and I know you know this) I hate to compare 2 players with similar features as anything definitive, but that is all we have to go on. So I took a look at Leaf and there is some suggestion that he had a solid RB (1000 yards) and some WRs with ridiculous averages per catch, suggesting that they had high run after catch numbers (Suggesting that the signs may have been there all along). His completion percentages were low. His top 4 WRs in 1997 (2 played in the NFL), caught 164 of 227 (including RBs) passes. They had the following ypc averages: 54 catches with an 18.6 ypc average; 55 catches with a 16.6 average, 33 catches with a 18.1 average, and 22 catches with a 25.9 ypc average. Those are ridiculous per catch averages. I realize that Leaf was a downfield passer, but 52% and 55.4% completion rates for a top draft pick? I did not understand the risk until now. I may have veered from your point, but you usually make me think. TY Source: https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/washington-state/1997-roster.html I think Levi will be a top 5 pick as well.

Honest me: I laughed at the stupidity of the KC GM when the Chiefs traded up to take Mahomes at #10. I did not think Josh Allen would be a good professional. I thought Leaf was equal to Manning during their draft. I thought Lamar Jackson was a wasted pick. I thought Justin Herbert was the next Oregon QB to go Joey Harrington. I thought drafting Cam was necessary, but I did not like it. I have been right a few times, but this demonstrates an honest reaction to my ability to predict what a QB can do. I thought I would post this because there are people on this site who claim to know about drafting QBs. They are always "iffy" at best. That makes it fun, but draft the wrong QB in round 1, and you will give that QB at least 2 years to develop, setting back your turnaround by 2-3 seasons. Do we have the GM to pull this off now? I dunno.

I do not see this either, because Leaf was competing with Peyton Manning to be the #1 overall selection, and opinions were divided. Levis does not carry that kind of pedigree, but 45 usually makes good points, so I will reserve judgement until he responds. Then I will blast him!!

Time to call it a career. I am not sure any team with a QB injury would be interested, considering how poorly he played here. Maybe the Ravens, if he played well against them in the past.

I am guessing Sam and PJ are healthy. It could be that his attitude became problematic-something we'd never know, but probably suspect.

There is a huge difference between 24 and 29, but what bothered me about Baker--in Cleveland, he had a good OL, good D, good rbs and good WRs. He strived to be average. With Darnold, I see the tools--his issue is between his ears--different coaches, systems, no OL, etc. everywhere he has been--so I get it, but you have to evaluate the situation as much as the individual player. This is about the system of support and consistency. Driving on the highway in good weather is not akin to having to off road in a monsoon. I get you--I really do--in deep down inside, I know the odds are against Darnold. But I am an educator who has written books about people who are traumatized and what it takes to save them--you remove the trauma and provide a system of support--it takes time. Maybe that is not effective in the NFL, but if the tools are there and the "demons and ghosts" are exorcised, maybe there is something there. Not that we should leave Darnold as the only option, but your opinion of his driving is when he is late (behind), offroad (blitzed), and confused (lack of consistency and support). For a 24 year old kid in a job that is characterized by vicious attacks and instant gratification expectations, age does matter in my opinion. Just a perspective--I see your points and fear they are accurate.

I am basing this on the fact that he is only 24 and has never really had a team to manage. But if we have realistic options, yes, explore them please. If we draft a QB of the future, you need a bridge qb in most scenarios. Those guys used to be veterans who were squeezing out a few years. It just seems the new QB of the NFL does not permit that as much as it did. And then there is the $$$ a backup costs now--do you pay that $$$ for a 1-year stopgap with a foot in retirement or do you find a developmental player? I Dunno. I am the worst at predicting QB talent in the NFL, but I do know that talent levels tend to fluctuate with support. Throwing under pressure and on the run is a lot different than in a clean pocket. So many young prospects are thrown to the wolves as franchise saviors and they are set up to fail. At 21 years old or so, it must be overwhelming.

If we could add a good TE in round 2 and a RB late, this offense could be solid. Go into the season with a QB group like Levis, Corral, and maybe a veteran with a strong supporting cast-- you do not hire the conductor before you have a strong orchestra.

Yeah, which is why he looks tremendously better when the Panthers are in front and the D is playing well. The OL is showing it can be really good in the run game and the pass pro is 3x better than last year. As the QB price tag goes up to $50m per year, it could be that the best move is to build everything else and go with a game manager at QB. So if we can't find a QB, maybe the best approach is to go after a TE, LB, and DE.

I think Levis will be the Panther pick.

That is what I was saying about Cam throughout his career. It takes its toll.

If we do not fall behind early, Sam can manage the game and our defense can step up. If it falls on his shoulders, we could be in trouble.

I see maybe 3-4 winnable games--so that is about right if we are predicted to win half of the winnable games. To me, the Steelers are the question mark. I could see us losing out too. Not sure about Seattle, but the rest are possible. Detroit has been underperforming all season, and they are better than their record. If I had that bet to make, I would definitely take the over.

For those of you who are Tankers, you should know that the gurus in Vegas have the Panthers finishing the season with a record of 5-12 or 6-11--with a lean toward 6 wins. Carolina Panthers: Over/Under 5.5 (-130) The Panthers (5.5 wins) are 0-5 on the road this season but have won three straight home games under interim HC Steve Wilks. They’re getting +120 odds at Caesars to finish with five wins or fewer. (which to me, indicates that the odds of winning 6 games is slightly higher than 5) https://www.thelines.com/odds/nfl-win-totals/ With the Panthers' current over/under at 5.5 they sit in the 29th best position entering this week--meaning if this were the draft order, they would pick 3rd. The Panthers have 2 winnable home games, however, and they have been winning at home under Wilkes. Pittsburgh and Detroit. They play at Seattle on December 11, and then after 2 home games, finish the year on the road with games at Tampa and New Orleans. Just FYI

Any success Rhule had in college was based on his ability to BS 18-year old kids. In the pros, that is not a recipe for success.

Then bend over.

Dang. I was betting "cremation" with 10:1 odds.

Zapped away that mole scar on his cheek and his hairline returned to his forehead. It must be true.

I have tried my best to pick college QBs who will succeed in the NFL. I am usually wrong, but comforted by the fact that the GMs are too. For people to pretend to know how good or bad this guy will be only demonstrates how well they package something they have no idea about into the perception of knowledge. I firmly believe there are so many variables, QB should be the last piece you add. Our offense is there, for the most part. We need a TE and maybe another RB and WR. We need a good QB coach, good D, and a head coach who understands game situations in relation to the QBs developmental level. We need an OC who tailors an offense to the QBs' strengths. We need patience.

A lot of coaches' value is inflated because he had a good QB.

I am Danny Divito--the guy in the red M shirt. The green vehicle represents the last 5 years. Get it? It is a metaphor.