MHS831

I think you all make good points, but Kungfoodude, in my view, hits the nail on the head. We play him, Wallace gets pined for a season. Wallace (and Cherulus for that matter) are trending up. Not sure we can say that about Pratt--we have seen his peak--we need to find out what we have in Wallace. He needs reps and I am sure he will be better later.

It is hard to gauge a kicker until you need him with the game on the line. My kicker in college went on the NFL for a 10-year career--he wanted the shine. We knew we had a weapon. I don't know what it is like to want to go for it on 4th and 5 on the 34 yard line because your guy can't nail it.

He is a form tackler and, based on this, looks comfortable as a coverage LB. With aggressive safeties in Ransom and Moehrig, he really opens the door for some coverage options in blitz packages...He runs a 4.62 40, but he seems really instinctive---like Ransom and Moehrig--I think Dan looks at that quite closely. When I saw this I was thinking, "Special teams missile" with developmental potential. Odds are against it, frankly, but after the first round, odds are against all prospects.

This is 2 weeks old, and I apologize if it has been seen or run through the Huddle. Some don't read the Huddle as religiously as others, but if you are looking for some hope/optimism, this has it.

Since we are talking LBs, I think we have 2 developmental players on the UDFA pile--Martin-Scott and this guy, one who could make the roster as a special teams player and become a rotational player later.

Good debate. NOW I agree with you, but if you asked me last year at any time before November.... I think our defense was horrible, but the offensive skill positions, when compared to others last year, was equally weak. WR? AT should not (at his age) be your best WR. XL struggled, and a UDFA was pulled up to salvage the WR room when Johnson left. Our best TE was Tremble. We had Hubbard, but behind him, Sanders sucked. Our QB began the season (first 2 games) throwing for a COMBINED 245 yards with 3 interceptions and 6 sacks. it was abysmal. I mean, the souvenir shop started selling black nooses with the nike logo on the back and "Just do it" in small blue lettering. I really like what Morgan is doing now. He gets it. His eye for defensive players is obvious (I think he has found a few eventual starters in the past 2 drafts in the third round and later: Ramsom (4), Wallace (3), Princely (3), RIchardson (UDFA), and maybe even Cam Jackson (6). To find 5 eventual starters for the defense in rounds 3-UDFA in 2 years is impressive. That is how you build the roster.

Good question. Some are rotational, but my guess? (New starters in Bold, key depth in blue) Edge/OLB: Wonnum, Scourton (we might see Jones at first, but he would also be a new starter). Key Rotational depth: Princely DT/NT: Bobby Brown. Key Rotational Depth: Cam Jackson,Tuttle. DE: D. Brown, Wharton, Robinson, Ray (Man we need to cut Ray) ILB: Jewell, Wallace, Rozeboom, Cherelus CB: Jackson, Horn, Smith-Wade, Bartholomew, Evans. S: Moehrig, Ransom. Key depth: Richardson, Scott (I am guessing Scott will lose his job to an UDFA) My guess would be 5 on defense. On Offense? I see only Tet McMillan as a new starter, with M. Evans (TE), Horn (WR), and Etienne (RB) getting some looks in rotations.

By the way, when I read that a 29-year old LB is taking "poor angles" and "missing tackles" (despite his stats) I wonder if he has lost a step. Not saying he has and I agree that he would make us better on the inside, but you have to think about the rebuild--does he take away from developing players (Wallace and Cherelus, for example)?

Here is what I think (and I agree): They like ILB and Rozeboom is good depth. Cherelus was solid for a reserve (PFF score 63.8 in 158 snaps). They like what they have seen from Ransom and Richardson at S so far, so we could have 3 starting-caliber safeties--no sense burying the young guys. (I think we are going to like our Safeties as they are--I also think we will add one of our UDFA with great ST abilities. They signed some really good athletes as UDFA safeties). I just do not see Scott making the roster if they watch any of his 2024 film. At CB, they think they have 3 with two who played a little bit last year (each had fewer than 35 snaps--they held their own--both scoring in the upper 50s on PFF). I think, if we add a player, we add a young CB much later who was cut during the preseason. I believe they want a preseason to see what they have in Bartholomew and Evans and Thornton, for that matter.

AND if you are looking for reasons NOT to sign him, here are a few: "Germaine Pratt has faced criticism for his performance, particularly in coverage and tackling, despite his high tackle numbers and turnover-generating ability. He's been described as struggling to cover ground in a nickel base (Hmmmm. Wonder if we play that?) and having an aggressive play style that can leave gaps in the defense. Additionally, there were criticisms about his missed tackles and poor angles in pursuit, particularly in the 2024 season" Don't get me wrong--his stats are impressive. This must be a move to get a certain Edge player signed.

He was also trying to get a new deal and he and the Packers were far apart. I don't know the details, but after signing an $80M + contract with $30M signing bonus, I have to wonder what this guy was expecting. Playing fewer than half the games in that contract, he still felt he had negotiating power. I did not like giving Horn $100m for the same basic reason.

I think Ransom will be a solid player for us. He played beside Caleb Downs, the cornerstone of the Ohio State defense last year and some have him as a top 5 pick for the 2026 draft. He was characterized as the smart, instinctive, versatile safety. I just don't think S will be a liability unless we have injuries. I am very interested in seeing what they have in the three UDFA safeties; I see one making the roster. As for CB, I think they are higher on Wade-Smith than most of us are. Again, depth is a concern. We have to hope Jackson has another solid season and Horn does not injure his leg or toe on one of the yard lines. I am not sure I would compare it to last season's DL because this year's DL will cover a lot of deficiencies, but I know what you mean---our weak link.

With Morgan, I see a plan. No, you don't measure the GM at this point in terms of wins and losses--but we will later. I thought Hurney sucked in free agency and was sub par after round 1 of the draft. When Fox was a lame duck and did not inform the GM, Hurney drafted Jimmy Clausen and moved up for Armanti Edwards. He started trading away future first rounders when he got desperate (to get Otah and then drafted Everette Brown the following year) Gettlemen was the "one-year contract" guy. The players hated him. Fitterer was terrible. It is too early to tell with Morgan, so you have to look at the pieces. Our OL was bad, now our OL is good. WR was a weakness--now WR seems to be a strength. DL was bad, now DL should be very good. Pass rush was bad, we have 2 solid rookies and added Wonnum and Jones. I think Morgan has had 2 solid drafts, especially in rounds 3-7. He has had 2 good seasons bringing in UDFAs, imo. The team went from terrible in 2024 to taking the two super bowl teams down to the wire late. The energy is positive. The wins will come.

https://pantherswire.usatoday.com/story/sports/nfl/panthers/2025/06/04/panthers-2025-otas-dave-canales-cornerback-free-agency/84016482007/?link_source=ta_first_comment&taid=6840193aa1ae9c000185ac12 I have been curious about the position, wondering if Jackson, Horn, and Smith-Wade were going to be enough. The reporter asks a good question, especially in light of all the Jalen Ramsey rumors. To me, the big questions concerned depth players Evans and Bartholomew. As for the UDFA, I have been waiting to hear about Thornton and Reid, but there does not seem to have been a lot of urgency to draft a CB or bring in a free agent. Morgan basically re-signed Jackson and locked up Horn. A few highlights from the article: Canales mentioned Evans, Bartholomew, and Thornton by name. He seems satisfied that Evans and Bartholomew are the key reserves. Thornton, based on reading tea leaves about his comments, has flashed, but might be on the outside looking in. Personally, in the limited action Evans and Bartholomew played last season, I was optimistic, and it seems Canales feels the same. He mentions that Smith-Wade is playing inside and outside. If he steps up, that is good news. It seems as though they really like Jackson because Canales seemed to focus on CB depth in his answer. Coaches have to be careful answering questions like this one--If the coach mentions your name, great, but if he does not, it hurts morale. If he says, "We'd like to upgrade the position" it can also hinder motivation. Canales did not mention SDSU CB Mike Reid. IN RELATED NEWS I recently read that the Canales likes the battle between Ransom and Richardson for the other safety position beside Moehrig. Not sure we will be upgrading that position at this time. Remember, the DBs play better when the front 7 plays better. PROJECTED DB ROSTER ENTERING CAMP CB: Horn, Jackson, Smith-Wade, Bartholomew, Evans--Practice Squad Candidates: Thornton, Reid S: Moehrig, Ransom, Richardson, xxxxxx- I expect Henderson, Gifford, or Thomas (all UDFAs) will battle Scott for the final safety position.

I figured that he is trying to put some distance between the player and the executive. He meant "player" obviously, but I imagine there is some stigma associated with a former player coming back to take a front office position. I did catch the comment.

I met him at an OTA when he was rookie. I liked him, and so did my small children. I got a photo of him with my kids, and his nylon stretch shirt was ripped off his shoulder and down his side. I remember thinking, "This was an OTA. He must have been battling so hard (going full speed) that the OT grabbed him and ripped off his shirt." Normally, there is a "rule" that you stop when you are not in full pads when the other player shows that he controlled you or is in position to--like pulling up and not hitting the RBs. I got the feeling that he was going full throttle. Just speculation, but it was consistent with what we would learn about him.

Morgan, Mills, Keuchley, Beason--all within the first 25 years of the team's existence--we have been spoiled by great MLB play.

Some people just want to get the attention of a celebrity and feel zero empathy for that player's feelings or personal space. My dad was lifelong friends with some big names in football (Roman Gabriel, Dan Reeves) and baseball (Pete Rose and Tommy Helms of the Reds) and I learned very young that they are people doing a job and really want to be treated like everyone else. So when I see a celebrity in public who is flying under the radar, I try not to bring attention to myself or them--I might wave if we make eye contact but that is about it. Flashback In Washington DC (Georgetown) I was eating at a restaurant with my then fiance (she dumped me later--still hurts) and at the end of the dinner, I whispered to her, "Do not look back until we are getting up to leave, but do you know who has been sitting behind you for about 15 minutes?" She said, "No. Who?" I stood to leave, so she turned around while picking up her purse, saw him, and turned back around to look at me with a shocked facial expression. It was Billy Crystal. I put my finger over my lips to keep her quiet, but she turned toward him and said, "You look Marvelous!! (one of his famous lines) and proceeded to tell him that her favorite movie is The Princess Bride, a film Crystal had a small part in as Miracle Max. Grabbing her upper arms from behind, I looked at Crystal sympathetically and he cracked a faint grin--and I gently pulled her toward the exit. She was mad at me for not telling her sooner and said that I embarrassed her by pulling her away. I told her "You had already embarrassed yourself. I was just doing some damage control." I knew that she had exposed him, and how much he was valuing his anonymity until she sounded the trumpets.

And he was probably the MVP of that game had the panthers won. He had 11 unassisted tackles, 7 assisted, for 18 tackles, the most in Super Bowl history--think about that-Ray Lewis, Jack Ham, Mike Curtis, Ray Nitschke, Mike Singletary--the list of super bowl ILBs is sick.

I KNEW IT!!!

I mean, it is just chairs. I would hope they could get 50 sacks against chairs....Just kidding with hilarious joking. This tells me a lot about their work ethic. Great to see. I have to think these were 2 great picks. Meanwhile, XL was playing Rodeo clown at the KY Derby with GloRilla. Apparently, he misunderstood what the coach meant when he told him that he needs to spend the offseason working on the Jugs Machine.

I hit you pretty hard yesterday with a Croc Dundee joke---disappointed that there was no retaliation. All in good fun.

Seems to have mellowed from when I encountered him as a player. Who knows? It was nice of him.

which is why he was a sixth rounder. I think I recall seeing a mock where he was a first rounder--If my recollection is accurate, he fell like S. Sanders.