MHS831

I was always under the impression that Rivera was not a detail-oriented, scientific analyzer of football--and it works for Dan Campbell, but not sure it worked for RR at times. I am not sure a reunion as a coordinator after being a head coach is ideal--I am not sure I can think of a situation where that has happened after being fired. He was a good person, having met him at OTAs--I also met Dom Capers (back in the day--great guy) and my favorite was John Fox--he and I had an exchange that had him laughing so hard, he came back to talk some more and continue the joke. I only went to one OTA per year and back then, the players walked right beside you. Fox was a charismatic dude-and his coordinator Turgovac's daughter was friends with my son--went to the same school--so I chatted with him a lot. He was waiting for his wife who was shopping at Belk and he was wandering around, not paying attention to where he was--he was in the lingerie section. (it was during a bye week). I walked up behind him and said, "If you think 4-4 makes you that sexy, coach, go for the fishnets." He looked at me like he was going to kill me, but then burst out into laughter. He said, "I guess this is not a good look!" I rambled.

The thing about him, so many WRs (for some reason) are divas and head cases. Coker seems to have a very level head. His dad is a Panther fan (Facebook) and I was interacting with him throughout the UDFA drama this past year. I really pull for him. Coker is our second best WR.

I doubt Wilks would either. I would like this opportunity--a team that had a strong second half of the season (4-5) with a QB who started figuring it out. Knowing he'd get some players in the draft. Knowing the coach is offense and he'd have total control of the defense. Saleh might bite--I don't see Wilks or Rivera coming back. Frazier is interesting.

do the Vikings run screens? I can't remember any, but have not been watching closely. In turn, had they kicked FGs on 4th down in the red zone, they would be ahead by 5.

I was looking for stuff that has nothing to do with the personnel--signs of adjustments and scheme. Your point is valid. If I saw players confused or getting burned, that would be one thing, but the zone coverage allowed London to get single coverage on the outside or pick apart the deep secondary in cover 2. AAAAHHH!!! In fact, I noted that there was not that much motion because they knew we were in zone for the most part and they motioned to get London a better situation. If they had an experienced QB, we would have been beaten, in my opinion. Right about Lamb--and vs Tampa Bay, Baker hit Evans for 2 TDs but used him more selectively to get favorable match ups (he was not needed the entire game)--in fact, they did not adjust to Bucky Irving and he torched the Panthers for nearly 80 receiving yards in addition to over 100 yards of rushing (averaging nearly 6 yards a carry). I just do not see Evero adjusting and I see OCs manipulating his system--I don't pretend to know as much football as he does, but I just don't see many changes.

There is a strong argument to support Evero. How much can you teach it in a week, and with a zone concept there are a lot of switches and run supports etc etc that require chemistry--but when I see Safeties covering a guy who is getting nearly half of the QB's targets and blowing us up for nearly 200 yards and 2 TDs--I can't help but think the OC was sitting in the box laughing at how easy it was--but Evero was dealt no cards, lost a lot, and is now being blamed--so where do you draw the line and point the fingers? I don't know.

We'd be awesome.

I think so--and that decision needs to be made soon.

Yeah, but I was focused on the defenders near the WR and they were safeties and LBs on a #1 WR---I would think that part is coaching. Bartholomew (who gave up the first London TD) was all over the WR---I was impressed, even though he did not win the battle.

I want to make a few points and see what others can contribute. Something I heard: He does not like the large, 330lb NT. Currently, we have Tuttle (300 lbs) as the Nose (DT) and A'Shawn Robinson (320 lbs) is listed as a DE (3-4). We also have Ray (290) at DE. However, we were blown off the ball all year with no real adjustment. Something I observed today: The Falcons' #1 WR London caught ten passes today for nearly 200 yards and 2 TDs. While we saw two catches where he outmatched former practice squad player Bartholomew (Ga Southern) who had damn good coverage on him, several other catches were made over the middle where there were only safeties on him. His second TD was due to #57 (Wooten) not getting his drop. I have a problem with Safeties and dropping LBs being responsible for the other team's #1 WR. Perhaps I do not understand the concept and you can explain it. Pennix threw 38 passes and 18 of them targeted London, and we are letting him run out of the CB zones and into the dropping LB/Safety Zones. Did we adjust? Take away their #1? No, we let him run free across the deep middle and man up with a practice squad CB on the outside. And we nearly lost as a result. Nor did I see an adjustment when they were averaging 10 yards per pop on the offensive right side--something the announcers referred to often. Just guessing, but this suggests Evero has checked out. I dunno.

That is what I am thinking, of course, people trading up think that as well.

Just happy that Bryce stepped up and took starting QB off the table. At #8, that would be problematic, as it was in drafts past. Since Ward and I am going to guess Sanders will be gone--and Hunter--We will get a top five or six player. Gotta feel that on Jan 5 that it will be one of these players: DT: Graham (The problem taking Graham is that there are about 6 DTs in the first two rounds that are studs--We could take a more scarce (talent) position and grab a solid DT (we already have Brown there) in round 2) WR: McMillan (I do not see him as a top 10 player--would rather invest this pick on D) CB: Johnson (most are not talking CB, and I am not a big fan of this, but he is a player) Edge: Carter (He could be a stud--and I think he will be the pick)

If you trade the pick, it is very much about the points.

Damn. Pulling for Sam Darnold again. The difference between 7th and 8th is 100 points--the same as the 100th overall pick--or a third round comp pick--fwiw.

I think if Jets beat Miami (winning by 12 with 10 minutes left) then I think we pick 7th--have not been reading all posts, so hope this is right.

We need another WR at least as good as XL and Coker. Moore would be an excellent 5th WR. I am of the mindset that this draft has some really solid backup QB candidates in the mid rounds--Howard, Rourke, Dart, Beck--all could use a couple years of development. I think the aging veteran is a coach more than a player--just my opinion.

yeah, but I think Mays improved--enough? Not sure. However, with limited resources, I would give him another year and invest in the other positions you mentioned. Hard to say anything definitive right now.

I am guessing Vrabel? They could want offense, however.

to put it all in perspective, I have shared this on a few other threads: Starting in November through today's game, the Panthers had 3 close losses to playoff teams (Chiefs, Bucs, Eagles) and were 4-5 overall. Not bad.

Starting in November through today's game, the Panthers had 3 close losses to playoff teams (Chiefs, Bucs, Eagles) and were 4-5 overall. Not bad.

Starting in November through today's game, the Panthers had 3 close losses to playoff teams (Chiefs, Bucs, Eagles) and were 4-5 overall. Not bad.

gotta focus on inside out, front to back--so I think we could trade back--if there is a demand. Looks like we are going around #8.

Hey!!! I am not a punk.

Yep. Move back if you can--I think we could go S if Starks is there, but I would not draft a S with the needs we have. I also think your comments about WR are spot on. I think adding CB Will Johnson might be the move--and I would get it-- Abdul? Not sold yet. Graham? I keep seeing him in Panther blue when I fall asleep when texting while driving. Odd. And someone is going to take Jeanty in round 1 and will have a stud RB for a half decade that teams have to game plan around. He is one of about 2-3 top players in this draft. Using the "inside out, front to back" logic of meeting needs, Graham makes the most sense, but the draft is deep at DT, imo. If I am the GM (and we all know I should be), I trade back and add a second rounder. Not many people are talking about Ohio State WR Emeka Egbuka. He had 900 yards while playing in the shadow of generational talent Jeremiah Smith (1200 yards). I think he is pretty quiet right now--he suffered some injuries in 2023, but had over 1100 yards in 2022. If we move back, maybe?

The Jets could leapfrog us with a loss, but they are -1 vs. Fish--I can't understand that, unless the Fish are throwing in the towel. Jags, Giants, Jets and Titans are our best hopes to win to propel us up the draft board. I see the Jets (Rodgers will make a statement today on his way out the door--the "enigma" and Titans as our best chance. No idea about Jags or Giants. I also see it rather likely that the Panthers beat Atlanta. It is in our DNA to win meaningless games.