MHS831

Yes it is---same page, brother.

That is why they say, "ignorance is bliss." It takes some degree of intelligence to realize when you are being stupid. It also takes some degree of humility to give others power over something you own. It is Tepper's car, and although all the passengers are sober and skilled drivers and Tepper is drunk and unskilled, he refuses to surrender his keys. (metaphor applicable only if this is they case).

I had the same thought. In addition, they have 2 first rounders and 2 second rounders (4 picks in the top 46 picks) this year and a ton of cap room ($80m). Is Urban Meyer the luckiest man on earth? Opportunity sure seems to fall in his path. There is some talk that Urban Meyer may want his college QB Alex Smith as a backup to Lawrence---if so, the door opens for Minshew.

My #1 preference.

I was not high on jones a few weeks ago, and i am still skeptical, but you are right--we need to take Jones + a T and use free agency to upgrade the OL at G (and resign Moton. I had an OL coach from the Univ of So Carolina talk (back when Charlie Strong was the DC) to me during a coaching conference at Myrtle beach several years ago and I never forgot 1 comment. "You can hide 1 bad OL, but you cannot hide 2." For years I wondered exactly what he meant, so I assume that he means you can call plays away from the bad OL in critical situations, you can help with a FB or TE, etc. Having said that, we had 2 bad OL last year on the left side-but we were better when Okung was in the game. Reed was terrible--giving up A gap--etc.

At least I did not accuse Winston of "rapping" women and suggest signing Sam Donaldson. And if the saying does not fit the situation, don't use it. Because a "stitch in time saves nine," right? In other words, it makes no sense. Building an offensive line is not that easy to do, but to mock others after your display of intellectual wizardry is probably not your best move here. Let me take you to school a bit here-- First of all, an OL is not an impossible task. It can be done. Building the OL vs. giving away 3 first rounders and 2 defensive studs or CMC and eating the entire cap is probably not the best way to build anything. Why does the mobile Russell Wilson want out of Seattle? No OL. Watson wants out of Houston for generally the same reason, but he did not throw his teammates under the bus. So the argument, "Since there is no way in hell you can have a good OL, get a QB who can run for his life" is not sound. Yes, you can build a strong OL if you have 3 first rounders and some cap room and you do not need to address 2 holes on defense. So don't hand me your assumptions and self-serving nonsense as facts- You draft a LT, put Daley at LG and draft or sign one later, you sign a RG and you re-sign Moton. Did you know that most of the problems we had on the OL last year was due to the exploitation of 2 positions? (LT and LG). Fix that, add a TE, and yes, a smart, non mobile QB can be successful here. Did you watch the Super Bowl or the 6 others Brady won? Did you see Peyton and Eli win rings? It can be done--if the qb is smart and can make quick decisions. So please do not try to rap me with your intellect, Sam Donaldson.

Oh yeah, Gillespie was a surprise. Davis was my big takeaway--he runs a bit small (225) but he sold me on all these players. If we trade Shaq, we could be in the market for 2 LBs this year.

Nice find, Ricky. I really like Jamin at LB and there are some WR slot options that make me feel OK about moving on from Samuel.

I realize that this is a panel of experts, but who decided that Mac Jones will not be a very good NFL QB? I can name many with his skill set that have rings, mvps, and gold jackets. 77.4% completion, 42 TDs and 4 Ints, and 4500 yards in 13 games--the criticism? He can't run and he had a good WR and good OL. Then get him a good line. Do not insult my intelligence by pretending to know squat. You don't--nor do I. And you title this, "The lesser of 2 evils" and give 5 options. Nice.

Not being critical--I am happy for you. I know that feeling--but since I saw what I described, I felt guilty. And you are right---it is about as bad as laughing at a funeral if you say it to the wrong people. I had a relative once stand up at a restaurant and said MHS831 (that is my real name) beat cancer! Kicked its ass! I stood up after that and said, "Go to Duke and sit in the Cancer center. I assure you, Cancer is alive and well. I did not beat anything. Thanks for the support and kind words, but this ain't over."

Gonna get booed for this, but I am NOW OK with sitting there at #8 and taking any of the top 5 qbs--with a caveat..or two. Would I rather have Wilson over Lance or Jones? Yes. Would I rather have Wilson minus 3 first rounders than Lance or Jones? Nope. Here is why--If Wilson gets hurt or he busts because we could not protect him, then we cannot recover for at least 2 years. He is good from the pocket--but so is....wait for it.....Mac Jones (77.4% completions, 42 TDs/4 Ints, 4500 yards) who had a great supporting cast (some will say, as if that is the only reason he won)---then build him a supporting cast. How far off is the offense from having a strong supporting cast? We need a T, G, maybe a slot WR, and a TE. We can do that in free agency NOW and we still have 2 first rounders in the bank. Before you scoff and laugh, how many of you said Allen would be better than Darnold? How many of you would have taken Tua last year if he fell to us? I used Jones (#5 QB this year) as an example because it is likely we could trade back a few spots and get him--adding a day 2 pick. And even though Wilson might be the better QB, he would be in a lesser situation here if we trade a bunch. Same with Watson--he'd take our cap and our 3 picks. Lotta ways to go, but do not rule out an average prospect in a clean pocket vs. a better prospect getting hammered.

Might I suggest Twitter, Instagram or perhaps a different route:

I have endured two bouts with the most powerful chemo they make--cancer free for several years. I Know the feeling--but while you shout for yourself, do it with a heavy heart--never be victorious--just optimistic. Until you have been to Duke and walked past the cars in the deck with pink ribbon magnets on the back, bald children holding helium balloons walking with petrified parents, and woman holding IVs with tubes running beneath their robes slowly creeping out for air, you have not seen cancer at its worst. I am happy for you, but if it attacks our women and children, it is attacking us. I would like to take this moment to encourage donations to St Judes--the best charity in America, IMO.

Love the topic police-the people who click on the thread title to complain that there are too many similar thread titles. If I may------

Alabama insider Charlie Potter shared a story from Alabama safety Jared Mayden about Jones’ time on the Crimson Tide’s scout team. As the story goes, Jones wouldn’t stop “throwing bombs” to wide receiver Tyrell Shavers. Nick Saban wasn’t happy about it and said to Jones, “Man, stop throwing it to him all the time.” Mac Jones quipped back, “Well, tell your defense to stop it.” I love this swag. He was beating the Bama D deep in practice with the second teamers and (respectfully, he said afterwards) talked smack to Saban. Rhule called him intelligent--very intelligent. He may not be the answer, but if you give him a line, weapons, and a defense, he can throw for 4500 yards in a 13-game season, with 42 TDs vs 4 ints. Imagine what he can do if we build the OL and get him a TE?

I do not see it. Cam was great, but I got so mad when I saw RR running him into the ground. I knew he was taking a beating--I did not expect the wall this soon, but I thought he had a 10-year shelf life. We met Cam--his act was not an act. He is like that all the time--at practice, with us, etc. I wish I loved life as much as he does.

At Alabama Practice when Jones was the scout QB: Alabama insider Charlie Potter shared a story from Alabama safety Jared Mayden about Jones’ time on the Crimson Tide’s scout team. As the story goes, Jones wouldn’t stop “throwing bombs” to wide receiver Tyrell Shavers. Nick Saban wasn’t happy about it and said to Jones, “Man, stop throwing it to him all the time.” Mac Jones quipped back, “Well, tell your defense to stop it.” Starting to like this guy

Could this be the case: He knows there is a hot QB market. If someone signs Cam to a bigger deal, he could get a comp pick out of it? If they think he is so great, we'll see if they sign him. BB is keeping his options open.

TAKING A POSITIVE LOOK AT MAC JONES AND DISMISSING THE NEGATIVE THOUGHTS ABOUT HIM IN MY HEAD. BUILDING A CASE FOR DRAFTING MAC JONES INSTEAD OF TRADING UP OR SELLING THE FARM FOR WATSON. THIS IS HOW I WOULD SELL IT IF I WERE HIS AGENT--AND THERE IS SOMETHING TO THIS LOGIC. OK, without a combine and still 10 days or so until free agency, no real trades happening, this may be the dullest time of the offseason. IF YOU DON'T LIKE LONG POSTS STOP READING NOW and go away. IF YOUR MIND ABOUT QB IS SEALED SHUT AND YOU THINK JONES SUCKS AND REFUSE TO LISTEN TO A COUNTER ARGUMENT, go away. We know you know all and thank you for your wisdom. Let's analyze how bad "He sucks!" would actually be for the Panthers--I brink a different perspective to the table--sorta--that probably needs more thought and open mindedness than it has been given. A few anti Jones comments and the response: 1. "He sucks." Yeah, a national championship. His completion percentage was 77.4%. He has 30 college games worth of experience in 3 seasons in the SEC. 2. "He was surrounded by superior talent." So was Trevor Lawrence. In 2020, He threw for 17 more TDs and about 1300 yards more than Trevor Lawrence, and he had 1 fewer interception in a tougher conference. 3. "He is immobile." I am pretty sure Brady has 7 rings. Besides, CMC can run, and he will be right beside him. 4. "He looks like a frat boy on his sixth Spring Break" So did the "lord of the (7) rings" who just won a Super Bowl at age 83. So what is the issue with Jones again? What could he have done more to prove that he can play QB? He threw for 4500 yards this year. Let that sink in. That is about 350 yards per game. So are we wise to sell the farm for a QB when we have access to a QB in this draft? Watson is good, no doubt, but so is Trevor Lawrence, and Jones had better QB stats. Three first rounders? CMC? Burns? Really?????? Let's take a look: WATSON: Will cost us 2 defensive players (Burns or Brown, for example) and CMC in his prime. So we either go back to an average running attack and trade a defensive star from an already-struggling 3rd down inefficient defense while giving up our first round pick for this year and the next two years. He may not even be an option, so why are focused on a QB who is under contract? JONES: Keep Burns and CMC--and the three first rounders. Build around Jones and give him the equivalent protection and weapons he had at Bama. Keep the first round picks for 3 seasons. Jones is unproven, but so is Trevor Lawrence, if that is your argument, so we get that. The Cap: Carolina is sitting at $37m and could improve that considerably by trading Bridgewater and/or Shaq Thompson, if you believe in rumor. However, nobody is (probably) going to bring in Teddy until after black Friday in the NFL. So we shall see--So let's figure on about $35m, worst case scenario (the rest we create is for picks) Looking at free agency, and I expect free agency to have some bargains this year, I expect the Panthers to grab a guard (Miller) and a few other free agents. Remember, if we sign Watson, the ability to sign free agents drops dramatically. GUARD: John Miller RG about $3-4 million. Miller was serviceable at RG and he knows Paradis and Moton. Most of the OL woes were through LG/LT--that will be the focus this offseason. INSIDE LINEBACKER: The draft has some decent LBs, and I hope we grab one there, but I like free agency (as it stands now) and think we could need 2 anyway. Two values I see: BJ Goodson (Cle) and Neville Hewitt (Jets). Both will command decent salaries, but neither is elite. In this defense, we need solid MLBs to stop the run, for the most part. I am guessing a salary in the $8m range. SAFETY: He may be pricey, but if the Jets get into the Watson sweepstakes, a few talented players could walk. Marcus Maye (Jets) will be 28 and he has been productive. Signing a proven, effective S who wants to win would be an important part of the S tandem in the big nickel. I am guessing he will command a salary near $10m. IF NOT, go with Keanu Neal of Atlanta--if the Falcons are in cap hell and need a ton of OL help and can't cut Ryan or Jones--might a solid player like Neal be available? Imagine Neal and Chinn on each side of the 3-3-5 set. Neal might cost us around $10m, but he and Chinn would make the defense scary. So I just spent $22m on 3 free agents before the draft and dealing with Moton and Samuel, and only the G helped us with any plan to give Jones the protection he will need. Note: I did not like the talent poole/value at TE, CB, T, or WR. TAG: Moton, but I would try to sign him for 4 seasons at about $60m. If so, we are in position to give ourselves a break year 1 of that deal. Let's say it costs us $8m in 2021. We have spent $30m so far, and addressed some key needs. Re-SIGN: Curtis Samuel. Do not overpay, but if he will not take a $6m per deal, grab one in the draft. NEEDS AFTER FREE AGENCY: Offense-TE, LT, LG Defense-CB, OLB, DE depth THE DRAFT: Heading into the draft, we know that Jones (if picked) would have WRs set, the right side of the OL set, and RB set. ROUND 1: Trade back 2-3 spots for an additional 3rd rounder. A WR or DE will be there people covet. Do not trade with a team seeking a QB. Draft Jones, QB Alabama (I can hear the boos now, but you got this far) ROUND 2: Do not be surprised to see another trade back, but if not, we will be taking a LT. We have Scott who is insurance right now, but a T is needed. I could see a LG here if one drops, however. I will go with a player like Liam Eichenberg, Notre Dame. He is mechanically sound and can play day 1. ROUND 3: Here, we have to take a CB and I am not sure we do not have to move up like we did for Chinn. While we have Pride and Jackson on the outside, we need a guy we can put on a big, #1 WR. Here, I would be thrilled with 6 footer Rodarius Williams from OK State. I hope we can keep Elder on the cheap to play the slot, but we need 3 CBs. ROUND 3 (via trade): TE: While most people do not want a TE this year, a TE would really open the offense for a young QB. Pat Freiermuth (Penn State) or Brevin Jordan (Miami) could be there in the third round. Some say these TEs will be gone early on day 2, but if one falls, take him. If not, grab a LB. ROUND 4: At LG, I have Daley penciled in to start, but this is where I see the Panthers grabbing an OG from the Senior Bowl. Rhule coached Trey Smith (Tennessee), Royce Newman (Miss) and Ben Cleveland (Georgia) but maybe he saw my favorite, LG Aaron Banks (Notre Dame) played well at the SR Bowl. I expect Smith, Cleveland, or Banks to be there in round 4, so this pick will be a guard if you ask me. Gonna stop here: How did we get better? 1. Offensive line, left side. Daley and a draft pick at LG, Scott and a draft pick at LT. 2. Tight End. I think we are quietly better now, but a good TE is a young QBs best friend. 3. CMC returns, kept Samuel. Shake and Bake to surround the immobile QB. 4. Third down defense--added a S in free agency, a solid CB in the draft. 5. First down defense--with a better MLB, Carter can go outside, Thompson can be traded. There is still work to do, but with a first rounder in 2022 and 2023 AND with a ton of cap space expected in 2022, are we not in better shape than if we had a stud QB and no way to protect him, give him weapons, or give him a defense that makes the other team punt? Did we not have that in Cam Newton, and we were only good every other year? Just a thought. THIS WAS ALL HYPOTHETICAL, but maybe surrounding a QB who has thrown completions at 77% and has a 10-1 TD/Int ratio would be an upgrade IF we built around him. Are we so fixated on the running, mobile QB that we are overlooking a gem sitting right in front of us? COULD WE BUILD A SYSTEM OF SUPPORT AROUND JONES AND MAKE HIM ELITE? Did this for me--but thought I would share.

I have been waiting to see what Bayless has

Of course, all this would be resolved if we decided to use the WFT game to look at developing talent for next year, and with 4 wins and 10 losses, it was understandable to do so. We lost 5 slots in the top 8. ouch. That was expensive culture. Maybe Rhule learned a bit about coaching for the long haul---sure, I see going for the win if your job was on the line. It was not. Beating Washington did as much for you winning culture as kissing your sister on the cheek does for you sex life.

Not being critical of the OP, but until we go through free agency, it is impossible to have any idea. I want a LT in the second--at #39 (no Greg Little comments, please) we should be able to get a good T this year. What is interesting to me--if they are going to move Moton to the left side, will we take a RT? There are some good ones.

In the last 20 years only 13 won Super Bowls who were drafted during the last 20 years because Brady won I think it is great that they let you play with the computer during your recess.

Interesting find and the logic is also interesting, How many teams are going to wait until June 1 to make their QB move? OK, they save money they can't really spend--$10m you say, but they miss out on the bidding war? Am I missing something? They are telling the niner fans to be patient, wait till june 1, then Watson is a Baybilly? I would argue that this will not happen. Watson will be gone or the Houston starter for 2021 on June 1.