MHS831

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.

By the way, I think it is very encouraging that Morgan addressed the OL and G position. I think it is positive that he saw Bozeman as a liability. While everyone was screaming about WRs and Edge rushers, he started building the interior of the OL. What GM have we had that prioritized the OL? Cam never had a great OL. The best OL we have had that I remember? The 2003 Super Bowl team. For 20 years, the OL has been neglected. The OL impacts the WRs, the RBs, the QB, the defense, and special teams. I am actually excited to see what they will do in 2024. I am worried about the ILB position and CB spots more than I am WR right now because I am confident we will add a WR in the draft and if necessary, can go with the two vets and Mingo if the rookie busts. I would love to see a marquee TE. If Bryce improves enough (I have no doubt that he will improve), ya never know.

I am under the impression that all of our former GMs were either directly or indirectly related to Robert Dinero. Gettlemen sure fits my mental image of that description. I would say that Hurney was adopted, but look at him. Nobody would believe me.

As a successful OT, you have to be able to stave off all kinds of rushers and moves. Some matchups are better than others. However, it is up the the system and the weekly game planning to make the adjustments each week. Does he need help from a TE? RB? What kinds of plays can be called to neutralize the rush? Do limited offensive skill players allow for more stunts and blitzes? The more thinking he has to do, the slower he plays and the less aggressive he becomes. If I were game planning against the Panthers, I would blitz, stunt, and (last year) apply more middle pressure than the GCG combo could handle, forcing the 5-10 QB to roll out of the pocket. Ickey was on an island a lot, and his mechanics never seemed to improve. I blame the coaching staff until I see what he can do in a new system with a new coach. Our coaching has been terrible. With solid Guards and (Hopefully) an improvement at C (Corbett is more mobile than Bozeman, something this system requires), I think the RBs can focus more on helping the LT when needed instead of the guards. The RBs do have a rule in pass protection--inside out.

I think Christensen was a good pick but has been misused--I do not see him as a G; I see him as a swing T. I think Chinn was probably misused. Now that Ickey has an OL coach, I think he will get better--so part of this has to do with the coaching staff, but if they are not on the same page, then you tend to put round pegs in square holes.

Maybe having a former NFL player will work better-we have tried the ex-minor league baseball player, the ex-sports reporter for a second-rate newspaper--we have even tried one of the most successful high school football coaches in the nation. We shall see, brother.

KC too

I think the top 4 are a lock to go in the first round, and any combination of the bottom four names could go. Is there a WR on that list that you would NOT take at #33? I think the odds are strong that one WR will fall to #33, if not 2.

What a piece of fluff. Duh. You keep your best players--drafted or not. Why is this a "pat yourself on the back" moment? All teams do this.

T'Vondre Sweat (DT): I absolute love the thought of him in the middle with Brown and Robinson right beside him. Shy Tuttle while good as a rotational piece isn't the space eater that Sweat is. The thought of having him on the line is super exciting. I like him, but he looked sloppy at the SR Bowl to me. He would definitely let the DEs and LBs eat. Our needs for the early second round may make picking him a luxury and not a priority. Edgerrin Cooper (LB): I know the board loves Payton but I like this guy even more and comes without the injury concerns. He can blitz and is extremely fast. He also is good in coverage. Payton processes much quicker than Edge, but is more injury prone. The way I look at it: Injuries may or may not happen, but processing will happen on every play. Luke was the best at it, and this guy is nearly as quick. Khyree Jackson or Cam Hart (CB): I just want one of those big body CBs that can be taken in the mid rounds. There are several mid round CBs who are going to be solid depth players. I am still not satisfied that our starting CBs are good enough--i just don't see that much of a dropoff between the second./third round CBs and the fourth/fifth rounders. Ja'Lynn Polk (WR): I really like this WR. He seems to be a great WR to take over for Thielen when he moves on. Love his hands and is a bit shifty. Doesn't have breakaway speed but really like the potential with him in the slot. I do like other WRs better but don't see too much written about him. For the slot I Like Corley, Ladd McConkey and Ricky Pearsall. the second two can play outside if needed, but I think both project better as a slot than Polk--but I am often wrong. Polk played in a very high octane offense with a good OL--but he is not that fast and he is not that quick in and out of breaks. Good size for the spot and he goes after the ball aggressively, but the DBs in the NFL will minimize his advantages and exploit his weaknesses more than, in my opinion, other types.

My take on Luvu was that he was a bit slow to read (2 gap) and liked to shoot a gap. Not a bad player, but he was a bit overrated by Panther fans because he flew in under the radar. However, I would have kept him, but tough choices had to be made. to me, not re-signing him tells me that we are going after a LB in the draft--Even if we signed jewell.

Is this after the new contract details are out?

The Man of the Year nomination was surprising to me, probably because he is so quiet about his business. But character matters.