MHS831

Seriously--Tepper has been silent. No preliminary moves have been made that suggest we will change coaches. Tepper still has 2 games to watch.

And now, "Deep Thoughts" from MHS: This strongly suggests that we are going to have a NEW QB next season. This strongly suggests that we are going to have a NEW VETERAN QB next season (due to the urgency / finality of the situation This strongly suggests that we will have to trade for the QB (because no legit veteran on the market would come here (I think Watson and Wilson have already stated that they do not want Carolina to be their next destination. Garrappolo trade? Maybe. Trubiski signing as a free agent? Perhaps) This strongly suggests that the focus of the offseason will be on offense, meaning that we may not re-sign some defensive free agents. This strongly suggests that we will trade back in the draft to acquire 2 OL because the OL was exposed (G, C, and RT) and one upgrade will not get the job done. This could also strongly suggest that Rappaport has no idea and is speculating based on the tea leaves he is reading. I personally think Rhule is gone if he loses the last 2 games.

My father and Reeves were close friends while playing for the Gamecocks back in the day. Reeves was a QB, dad was an end. He was like an uncle to me until my father died in 2000 and we sorta lost touch. I hate to hear this.

If we trade back and get a second rounder, and if you are OK with any of the top 5 QBs in round 2, that could be the move. For example, if we could get Linderbaum (Sp?) C, Iowa and then grab Strong, that might be the move. I still feel that MAYBE Christensen could prove that he has the foundation to play LT and then we could sign a G in free agency--line should be fixed with a stud C. Look for Fitterer to shop for a QB in free agency. I do not see ANY of the picks in this draft ready to start. Can Darnold play better with protection? May be our only option.

In my view there is no way Rhule can stay after making these comments that have now become public. I do not see Tepper, eager to put a winning product on the field, willing to lose another year on the CHANCE that he gets the #1 overall pick. If I am owner, I stop the bleeding NOW.

While some of you have deviated from the theme of the thread---ranking the QBs--not asking about the draft or which OL you want or what we should have done last year in the draft---I would simply suggest that it is likely we trade and move back

Good Thread. Finally someone starts a thread that is more than bitching. 1. Kenny Pickett. Although he threw a lot of interceptions before this season, he is still a gunslinger with no mobility; his short and long accuracy, however, was solid this year. He has good height and a lot of experience, which I think will help him transition more quickly. Finally, he wins games, evidenced by Pitt's success this year. 2. Matt Corral. Although he scares me on the next level, his athleticism is what the new NFL seems to want in a QB. Most of his passes (52%) were within 5 yards of the line of scrimmage and his accuracy beyond that was suspect. 3. Sam Howell. He has the athleticism to run and has accuracy. Average arm strength. Was very accurate in the short passing game, had some issues this year (with lesser WRs) in the longer passes. I think he will be better than advertised, but not a star. However, PFF compares his profile to Lamarr Jackson, something that surprised me, due to his run/pass threat that emerged this season. 4. Malik Willis. Much of what I see is based on his confidence in his physical ability to make a play, even when a play is not to be made. In the NFL, you can't throw a pass into a tight window with regular success and holding onto the ball too long will end your career. As a running QB, he will be one of the best; as a passing QB, he will need much more discipline and coaching in his mechanics. 5. Carson Strong. The injury concern is strong in my assessment of him, but I put that aside to look at his long ball accuracy. We have some long ball threats (Anderson, Smith, Moore) so he could be a good match. He has excellent to good success on short and longer throws. I think he needs a year or two to develop, and may never be more than a serviceable backup. 6. Desmond Ridder. Ridder had a big, stud OL and was rarely challenged with extensive pressure. His short accuracy was solid, but when he had to get yards downfield, he was below average. That was a red flag for me--a QB with time should be able to succeed on every level.

If Neal is there I take him. If he is gone, I trade back.

As a former school administrator some 15 years ago, that never happened until the new school has been determined. The new school contacts the former school during registration etc. The former school system forwards the materials to the new school system. Is that what you are talking about?

Well, he drafted the long snapper without any help.

There seems to be a bunch of hope here and not much news.

Access to the Cats, a Computer, and Crack--the three Cs required to start a thread like this on the Huddle.

Yeah, they are all experts. I got hammered last spring when I merely suggested that Mac Jones as an option for us at QB. If we are on the long-term plan as suggested when Rhule was hired, Tepper is not going to fire Rhule now. Yesterday I noticed that the QB play was better on the few plays the OL gave the QB time. Expect us to address the OL in free agency. I would not rule out QB either.

Tepper gave Rhule a long-term contract because he wants to see the rebuild done right. After 2 seasons, a firing seems impatient, from that perspective. He knows we need OL and a QB. Tepper was part of the Steeler ownership, and they change coaches once every 20 years, it seems. If he shares that mentality, we could be in for more Rhule.

Dont we have about 40 threads on this topic already?

I see your point, but I think desperate teams will reach. Willis could be the first QB taken--mark my words.

I saw veterans who seem to have quit--even maybe Cam Newton. Moore, Anderson, etc. just don't have emotion. Glad to see some young one's did not. And this thread was not to be negative--we all know the coaching staff sucks--but to play hard despite the leadership flaws is impressive. But you are right--I want to see more Shi Smith, more targets to Marshall, more Christensen and Hoskins and Nixon.

According to PFF: Secondary Stephon Gilmore lined up against Brown for most of the game and conceded 75 yards on five receptions, three of which resulted in a gain of 15-plus yards. If it stands, his 51.0 coverage grade would be his lowest outing of the season.

Christensen gave up some pressures--no sacks--according to PFF. You need to understand that he has not been getting reps at LT much in practice and his experience has been at G as much at T. I saw some good feet, questionable balance, and a little hesitation common in players who are not yet adjusted. Give him time. There are so many LTs in the NFL you'd love to have who started off as liabilities--and they were getting first team reps. Same for Henderson--this is a new defense and he has shown moments where he is solid. They did not run this defense in Jax, and it takes time to learn. Both of the guys you target here do not have the same reps in practice and /or have had less time to learn the system at that respective position. What you might be seeing is a lack of familiarity, not a lack of skill. We need to see more from both.

Sorry-not about how much Rhule needs to be fired, but here is a thread that reveals the character of young players who bring it during times of adversity. Some of our youth decided to step it up Sunday and they played well. Hartsfield played lights out Sunday and seems to be settling into a role in the secondary playing the nickel position and at times, a third safety. He was targeted 5 times and surrendered 15 yards for a QB rating against rating of 64.6. Christensen is an inexperienced rookie who showed it at times Sunday, but all in all, he played his second respectable game at LT. Rookie LTs all tend to struggle, so there could be something in him. I hope Rhule plays him over the next two weeks. CJ Henderson, a player many here call a "bust" had a 49.6 QB rating when targeted, the lowest on the team and against the GOAT. We have reason to be optimistic about the secondary next season with Horn returning in 2022. I should note that Gilmore covered Brown and the other WRs were bench players, but CJ did well nonetheless and was (by far) the team's best CB Sunday (statistically). Shi Smith had 86 receiving yards. His QBs completed about half of their passes and averaged about 5 yards per target. Tecklenburg surrendered no sacks and only 2 pressures on 53 pass blocking snaps. The problem with the Panthers was once again the Guards, surrendering 3 sacks and 9 pressures on 53 snaps--that is a pressure from a guard's block every six snaps, and a sack every 19 snaps. Luvu had a solid game, combining with Shaq to have 4 tackles for loss or no gain. He has outplayed Carter when given the opportunity.

Seattle, with no first rounder, plays Detroit in Seattle this weekend. They have no incentive to tank and should win that game. The Bears and Giants play Sunday. The Giants (4-11) have a stronger SOS. If they win, the move behind us. If the Bears win, the stay behind us. If we lose out, we should be picking around 6th, barring a miracle upset frenzy ignited by wins from other 4-win teams. Tampa Bay has had a flurry of injuries of late and they may rest starters week 18. We have to lose to their bench and special teamers.

And Christensen will only get better with experience--Erving has played his best football.

Me too. Fitterer needs to draft for the future---

Wow. He sounds like a man trying to convince his wife not to leave him.

Rhule's contract is not going to stand in the way of the Panther brand, stadium negotiations, and winning. It was a bad hire, and doing nothing about it is more costly than taking action asap.