MHS831

Yeah, I am sure the torch and pitchfork mafia will be coming out of the woodwork (I have not read the thread yet) but if they were better at reading, nobody makes a statement here beyond a comparison to what others have done. If that triggers personal frustrations that folks cannot deal with, then they are quick to overreact. I get their pain, however, because it pissed me off a lot last year. However, I also know that "outside the box" thinking has produced some of the greatest innovations in sports...We used to have straight toed kickers and everybody had a fullback and took snaps under center.

You could be right--reading tea leaves here.

And he needs them as a backup plan and he can only really talk about Panthers and prospects. He can watch film and talk to people, but I hear ya.

I am not ready to tar and feather Bryce, but that could be based on my lack of interest in the trends and creative applications of Xs and Os. I can say that I have been listening to Canales, and I really love what I am hearing. Think about his history and how he has turned QBs around. Think of these comments (paraphrasing): 1. The QB will get rid of the ball in 2.7 seconds or less. 2. There will be a strong running game. 3. We will play to Bryce's strengths. Now think how difficult it was to sack Brees in New Orleans, and why he had 2 stud guards in front of him. He basically had the same setup. I am now going to connect these comments with the concept and scheme of the Oregon Ducks, which is similar to that of the Miami Dolphins (I think Tua and tunas went 11-6 in 2023). Here is what they said at Oregon concerning Nix and the resurrection of their offense. “Really, based out of a pro-style offense but with spread principles, RPOs, run-action pass, play-action pass. I like to think that we’re multiple in our personnel groupings and our formations,” Stein said. “We want to be an attacking offense that throws the ball down the field.” Nix transferred to Oregon in 2022, as Stein was implementing this offense. Before arriving at Oregon, Nix was a decent QB, but most considered him to be a bust. Notice the difference between his best year at Auburn and his years at Oregon. Of course, one must consider the shift from SEC to PAC 10, but this is impressive: You don't triple your TD production and double your yardage by switching DI conferences. His completion percentage increased 10% in his first year and 16.4% the following year. Meanwhile, at Oregon he threw 74 TDs vs. 10 interceptions. The Oregon system is similar to what Canales is describing here. I realize that college numbers and pro numbers are not really comparable, and I am not trying to do that--I am looking at this as a case study, where you have a guy who was basically run out of Auburn become a stud in this system. IMO, if Bryce is going to succeed, he needs to do what they are doing in Miami with Tua. This is pretty close to that. Miami has burners who are stars after the catch--that minimizes the need to throw the long ball. That feeds into Bryce's strength because he is smart--this will require pre-snap reads. He will take snap, plant foot, throw to his read and then to his check down. Next play.... I see us drafting Corley, Ladd, Washington, and/or one of the Oregon WRs. I think we have the deep threat. Bo is just the example I used because i noted the Oregon offense being similar to what Canales was describing. Similar to Miami in the NFL. I think he knows what he has to do.

Just lost himself a few million. I bet he does not go before the end of day 2

canales is going to play to Bryce's strengths. Look for YAC guys, not deep burners. They studied these QBs for 2 months last year and still missed it. You had a 50% chance to get it right if you didn't research them at all. I want Bryce to succeed, but damn, front office. Damn, Tepper. Is you stupid or somethin?

Let me throw something at you folks--another possibility at Center who played RG in college--but he has all the tools--this from a Michigan website "The sophomore offensive lineman could be a gigantic reason the offensive line woes of last year could turn into a strength. The maize and blue are testing the 6-foot-6 Zinter out at center during the fall camp, and it could pay major dividends when the season begins. Offensive line coach Sherrone Moore spoke with the media during a Zoom conference about Zinter and the battle going on at center, noting that he could slide into the spot thought to be occupied by Andrew Vastardis. “Yeah, he’s getting some reps there at center, and V (Vastardis) as well,” said Moore. “We’re really trying to keep them balanced, keep them all fresh, and making sure they understand each position – keep their variation going. Zinter is getting reps there as well as guard. We’re going to keep it rolling.” Now, because of his injury, Zinter is probably going to be a third round selection--could go sooner. He is a stud and moves well--perfect for zone blocking schemes. He may need a few weeks into to the season to get his strength back, but you could develop him as a center during that time. Smart, athletic, and a dawg.

The OL was much worse than "middling."

In my reaction to JayBoogieman, I realized that signing Hunt represents a lack of confidence in Corbett's ability to play his natural position, RG. If so, why would we assume that he is better than Bozeman at C? Why would we assume that he would not be a missing link in our $150m guard tandem? Yet this team is not talking to centers. I see no signs that they are interested in a center--and they should be. However, I try to look at it from their tea leaves, not my wish list.

First, I agree, but I am trying to see it from their perspective. Corbett is a somewhat proven average RG--we know that. But the just paid Hunt $100m to play his position--so why do we think Corbett is a better C? That is all we know. But you isolate on the position when I think we need to (in order to see their thinking) step back and look at all the needs. TE? To make an upgrade, it would have to be early. CB? Horn is a part timer and the other CB is decent. Hill at 32 is the nickel. Yikes. LB? After Thompson (30) and Jewell (30) who do we have? WR? We need 1 or 2. So it all comes down to what Canales and his crew think about the C position. Let's hope they see the light. However, we can count on filling 3 needs in this draft if we are very lucky. WR will be one of them. TE could be the other. So that leaves C, LB, and CB. In my mocks, I can tell you, if a top 3 or 4 C is there, I take him, fwiw. I would love to have Barton, fwiw. He is just a technician and he can do it all.

I think they need to, but Canales has already said Corbett (I think he said it) and Mays. If you step back and look at the big picture, is the upgrade from Corbett to a rookie center worth it, if it is at all? I literally do not know what Corbett would be like at C--does Canales? Here is what I have noticed: Canales mentioned keeping his third/emergency QB on the PS-- He praised Sullivan, Tremble, and Thomas at TE--when you do that across the board, it may be that we are adding a TE. You do not want to let existing players know that you are before the draft, because if it does not work out, you have let them know you wanted to upgrade them. I think we add a TE. Looking at the roster and knowing the strengths of the draft, you KNOW we are drafting a WR, CB, and LB. LOGIC: Do u spend $150m at G and let someone who has never played C take that job? Only if you know that Corbett and Mays are capable of doing the job and protecting the QB. From our perspective? You draft a C early. I just do not get the idea that we will.

Saw the piece on him about his grandfather. Seems like a great kid.

Maybe I am not up with the times, but this is pretty damn close to Richard Simmons "Sweatin to the Oldies" ensemble.

My impression of him is that he is very strong--will not be bull rushed and great in the run game, but he might lack the mobility needed for the offense--that is speculation until I see the offense and the full skill set of the Center--but I don't pick him in mocks based on that assumption. Anyone with more knowledge should chime in here.

Most of these are based on someone putting something out there that is different. If you post 23 big boards...

It does prove that we are likely to get a player with potential first-round talent. Since need is a factor, it is possible that a few players from this list will be there.

Whew!! He nearly stepped on that IR drain.

Should have titled thread, "Is Rome Falling?" I have been playing around too, and i have not seen him falling. I have seen him as the #3 WR off the board.

I hope everyone realizes that when I throw a thread like this out, I am not condoning or supporting the topic. I play Devil's advocate at times--like the TMJ thread and this one. I simply want to generate some discussions and hear ideas and thoughts. Mostly my perspective is affirmed, but I am not always on board with the majority. For example, I am undecided on Bryce. Why? The college team I played on was very good--and the QB was a stud. However, at practice, the backups who seemed to pretty much suck (I caught passes and was on the second team; throws were often behind me, over my head, out of bounds, etc). We usually scrimmaged vs. the first team defense. However, when the starting QB was sick, the second team QB stepped in that week and threw dimes vs. the second team defense. What changed? I know there is a difference between college and pros, but that experience made me realize how important the OL is. Canales and Morgan get it.

While I get that a season can produce some names at QB, if the 2025 draft were today, do you know the QBs who would be on the list? Nix and probably Penix would probably have been the top QBs in some draft (See Pickett, Kenny et. al)

Hope is not broken mentally and will rebound and have a good season. He has to know that he has no excuses after this offseason. He is a very likeable person, so I wish him the best.

If he is released, the roster is bare with four WRs. That would suggest that we need 2, especially since Thielen is old and will probably not be a Panther in 2025, Smith-Marsett has like 8 catches as a WR and is on a one-year contract, and Dionte Johnson is on a one-year deal. That leaves Mingo (hold applause). For that reason, I think we should grab 2 WRs in this draft--one in the second, and another later on. If he does well, re-sign Johnson. If Mingo develops, we'd still have work to do at WR in 2025.

If you do your homework, the draft has some CBs with real potential and there are dozens of them. No real superstars, in my view, with the exception of about 3 players expected to be drafted on day 1, but there are many who can learn for a year and play when needed until next season. I really like Jarrion Jones of Florida State who should be around in the fourth round. Chris Abrams-Draine, Cam Hart, and Calen Carson all are zone CBs who are fairly good to solid tacklers. I think we need a good one and and a developmental CB, at least 1 coming in the draft.

I think I read that there are about 22 players with first round grades this year, and normally that number is around 18-which indicates that there is more depth in this draft than others. OT, QB, WR---loaded this year. I also like the CB crop after day 1. This draft fits our needs pretty well, and it seems, based on free agency that we are positioned to get a WR, ILB, and then CB in this draft. I expect a TE later. I understand the desire to draft a C, but they are showing no signs of it. Looks like Corbett and Mays are the guys. To me, ILB has less depth and is better at the top (thinking round 2 here) than CB, so I expect to see the #33 pick to be a WR and the #39 pick to be an ILB. Pick 65 could be a TE or CB. I also think we could double dip at ILB or CB.