MHS831

That is exactly what they are doing. No timeline yet on Brooks, and Chuba is their workhorse. If he blows out a knee during these last 2 meaningless games, we' d have to draft or sign a top RB to start next season.

Speaking of draft position, this was curious to me--Any background information that would justify a 4-point swing in the line (making New Orleans the home dog against the 3-win Raiders)?

Emotional? Hardly--but your post is yet another meritless personal attack, suggesting that you are suffering from some degree of hostility which is silly. You seem to be incapable of intelligent discourse because you offer no counter intelligent opinion or reasons why this is, using your extended vocabulary, "dumb." Your response "let the coaching staff handle it" assumes that is not part of the equation and could apply to EVERY topic on this forum. In other words, "you got nothing." Yet I clearly and repeatedly stated that this would be a tool for the coaches and front office to use during the off season. So I was saying the coaches would handle this--comprehend? Who else would handle it? Stop trolling. Share your opinion and allow others to have their own. Since what I have suggested is done frequently in the NFL--I was only suggesting certain players--your perspective is ripe with naivete (Google it) and without any supporting rationale. A simple Google demonstrates this: BOY THOSE NFL TEAMS ARE DUMB.

Preacher--choir.

I bet it is confusing to some--the idea of evaluating talent, collecting data, and providing experience to young players. Now stop being a child and learn how to voice intelligent opinions without taking it so personally. Do you have that capability?

Good point--let's take the person who some feel needs no further evaluation: Richardson Do you know which safety position he played? How would he do at the other S position? Big Nickel? Nickel? For example. How would Farley do at S? Nickel? Etc. Jones? What do you know about him? We know more about Richardson than others, but how versatile is he? Can he play other spots? That is what this opportunity gives you. I do not understand the argument to NOT take a look at some players before making offseason decisions about them. Another reason you do this: Experience for the players. Injuries are something you must plan for in the NFL. While Richardson may never be a starter, if he has experience at Nickel, SS, FS--he could become a more valuable reserve. In college, I started off as an outside LB--before the last week of practice, they gave me reps at TE. They threw me a pass during the final game. In spring practice, I was moved to TE. That brief experience in a game at TE was important. The coaches told me that they wanted to get the "taste of blood" in my mouth, but they evaluated the 10 plays and critiqued my blocking, route running, stance, etc. It gave them some talking points --things to work on--before spring practice. If you have no recent film on Raym or Farley at S or Richardson at nickel, etc. why not take a look? A: there is no reason. I realize that college and the NFL are very different, but I also realize that the best organizations have the "next man up" philosophy and they tailor their approach to the skill sets of their players--not the other way around. Rivera would get us eliminated and then he would play to win at all costs; he was insecure about his record, in my opinion. Take the evaluation to a new level--the playoff teams cannot do this--we can.

do you have a remote?

They are on an NFL roster now, and you build the roster from the bottom up. Who are you going to keep (most are projects of some sort) and who are you going to move away from? Another point--some players develop and mature at different rates--some players are "gamers" and not good practice players. You could try Farley at S, for example. You could see if Velus Jones can make a play or two from various spots (RB, WR, KR). What is the reason you wouldn't?

Same thought. They will argue, "We can eliminate another preseason game." Starters don't play in those as it is.

Says who? Two games lets you know if you have something or not. You see what they do when given a shot. Heck, the preseason is only 3 games, and then you say, "Let's see how they do against the 1's" It also gives you a chance to gauge their improvement from the last time they made film. You give me 80 plays of football against the first teamers in a real NFL game, I can tell you enough about that player.

I realize that the coaches see the players on the roster and practice squad at practice, but there are several players I want to see play substantial minutes in a game situation. I AM NOT SUGGESTING THAT WE START ALL THESE PLAYERS--I AM SUGGESTING THAT WE GIVE SOME MEANINGFUL PLAYING TIME TO A FEW FROM THIS LIST. This article about 2022 draft pick (Bears) Velus Jones led to this thread: https://oldnorthbanter.com/panthers-urged-to-give-former-draft-bust-a-chance-entering-season-s-final-games-01jfzg7bj02n Velus Jones, WR/RB/KR: Very fast and can be elusive. The article compares him to a Cordarrelle Patterson. Stood out at 2022 SR Bowl. Drafted in the third round (I think) by Bears. I did not know he was on the roster. He is 27. Caleb Farley (CB/S): He has had his fair share of injuries and his play has been sub par, but maybe the former first rounder was in the wrong position. Let him face the LOS and move him to Safety. His injuries (back and knee) and size 6' 2" 200 lbs make it tough to play CB, but I think he might be able to handle Safety, based on my limited knowledge of the skill sets for both positions. For now, let him play CB, but if he looks decent, consider S. Demani Richardson (S): Yes, he made a play last week. Let him play more to see if it was a fluke or legit. Xavier Woods is set to become an UFA at age 30. Jaden Crumedy (DT): I have a feeling there will be some house cleaning at DT/DE (3-4) this offseason. Ray and Tuttle have been embarrassing this season, and Ray becomes an ERFA. Tuttle can be cut post June 1 for a $6m savings. A. Robinson has been average at best, but he is signed for 2 more seasons (he too can be cut post June 1 for a $6m savings). We know we get Brown back and I am confident we draft a DT. Can Crumedy work into the rotation? What if we go 4-3? We need some film on him playing from the 3 tech and the nose. Jacoby Windmon (ILB) I realize that he is playing, but we need to put him in different situations to see how he looks. At 6-2, 250, he has the size to play ILB in a 3-4 or 4-3, but he has also had some reps as a DE in college, if I am not mistaken. I would like to see him in coverage and blitzing. He led the team in tackles last week (8). Andrew Raym (C) We may have something in Mays, but we need depth. Can Raym play? We'd have to bring him up from the PS, but he could step up and keep us from drafting a C late.

Look at our WR situation from the other side. Who are you going to put your better CBs on? Johnson and Theilen went out early---XL had 138 yards in the first three games on 12 catches. Yardage-wise, that is over 30% of his total for the season. 12 catches is nearly 30% of his catches for the season. When these players went out--Johnson, AT, Mingo, etc. it left XL facing the best corners of the opposition for many games. He is raw--we knew that when we drafted him. You can't throw a raw WR at the best CBs in the NFL and expect instant success. If he spent the season facing the second or even third best CBs on each team, he'd probably have better stats. Legette is still thinking out there, in my view. When the light comes on, he will be good. ------------------------------------------------ Hearing that there is noise to play Velus Jones over the next two games. We will see if they do.

Our biggest weakness right now is DT/DE in the 3-4. I think we might be better equipped to run the 4-3 than a 3-4 right now. (Have not given it a lot of thought, but I can put it on paper quickly.)

He had a top 5 Defense in San Diego as the DC and it took him 8 years to be hired as a head coach. Junior Seau and company--there has to be a reason. When I talked to him at OTAs, he was not impressive. Remember, he made the comment about being a left handed left tackle and some of his game management decisions were super stupid--and with Cam Newton at QB, he never had back to back winning seasons. Now take Mike Tomlin--he has never had a losing season--Kenny Pickett, etc. at QB. That is a coach.

I do too--not sure about any after that. Maybe the kid from Bowling Green? Boom or bust.

Not saying we have to break the bank; TE is a position you can draft later and pay less, so it is a good value to have a good TE. Who does Miami have at WR to keep Jonnu covered with LBs? Hill, Waddle, and if they need more speed and quickness, Malik Washington from UVA. He is benefiting from the attention the Fish's WRs get every play. Speed. Tua needs a solid TE who probably plays beneath the radar a lot. I am talking Greg O good. Kincaid in Buffalo has 424 yards and he is ranked 24th among TEs in receiving. He has potential, and in that system, he is likely to not get much more than that. Ja'Tavion Sanders has 29 catches--and he got 15 in three games--which is promising, but not dominant--he is not even listed in the top 32. Tremble, fwiw, has 21 catches. I think these two would be excellent #2 and #3 TE options, but Sanders is not really showing Alpha chromosomes at this time. However, to your point, if we bring in some stud WRs, our TEs get better and they get open more. We are close.

I think he is going to be good--are you putting his potential (4th rounder, I think) up there with the elite TEs--I see some offenses where you have 2 TEs--sometimes in the backfield--etc. I don't see Sanders as the elite TE I had in mind, but I like his potential. I think he is a #2. he could prove me wrong, but I don't see it yet.

about returning to the 4-3---I think we have the personnel for it--maybe better than the 3-4. I think our Strong OLB/Edge players would be better in a 4-3 (speculation). I think we'd need a true MLB, but Jewell and Wallace could provide depth or play outside. I also think Windom could fit in better as a 4-3 OLB--in college, he played LB and defensive end--could he be a swiss Army knife? Seriously, add a stud MLB, DT, and Edge/4-3 DE...that is 3 players added to a defensive roster that should improve.... In fairness to Evero--who got exposed by the Dallas Cowboys (do not underestimate the intelligence of McCarthy), he did lose Burns, Action Jackson, Gross-Matos, Shaq, Chinn, Luvu, and Brown from last season to this season--but he was outcoached vs. Dallas.

Mayo is another who could be available, but it is unlikely. I am not sure how Kraft liked him--there was some issue about race early in his hiring process. If that seed rooted, it could mean an early exit.

Vrabel seems like a perfect fit for the Browns' job. Ohio State product, Super Bowl Champion--I see the Browns hiring from within. Personally, I would like to see Leslie Frazier here. I think, in today's NFL, your DC needs to be very familiar with the defensive backs. Horn would become great and if we sign Mike Jackson back, he would be even better. Curry is my second choice--it depends on the type of Coordinator Canales is looking for.... Not Rivera, please. I just feel that he is not very smart--and I feel that he sacrificed Cam for his own career. Just me--not looking for affirmation.

Stroud has had some weapons and a good defense. Bryce did not when his OL was terrible. However, I wanted Stroud. I tried to support the Young decision, and I think Canales is doing all he can to make Young maximize his productivity.

I think Bryce needs a stud TE more than most QBs do. Do not be surprised to see us draft a TE earlier than most expect or sign a bigger name in the offseason.

Yup. So much of a player's success is based on chemistry. Too often, a bad team drafts a great/good college QB in hopes that he will swoop in and save the day (and jobs). It simply does not work that way. The Bulls were good, but even with Jordan, they had a formula. Pippen, obviously. They also had a shooting guard who was deadly beyond the arc, a seven footer, and a rebounder. Without those elements of Phil Jackson's offense, they were not invincible. Stroud can play QB-he has a great attitude, composure, and he can throw the ball. And a lack of success that is not your fault that is laid upon your 23-year old shoulders will rattle your confidence. That makes a QB hesitate a half a tenth of a second before passing the ball, or it makes him lock onto WRs who have bailed him out. A defense is also very important, and Houston has had a good one. Field position, fourth downs, etc. Cam got bailed out a lot by his defense, allowing him to have a strong fourth quarter and win the game if his first three quarters were not great. From this perspective, I think Bryce needs solid, sure handed WRs who move chains. Forget the #1 WR crap-give me a group who can get open and catch the ball. Period. For example, I like this WR from TCU (Beck) who is rated around 11th overall. Young/our qb needs a dominant TE--Sanders? Tremble? Not what I would call dominant yet, but as #2 and #3 TEs, I would say "good." So I think we add a WR and a TE. I would like a dominant center, but Cade Mays is learning the position and getting better. PFF has his pass blocking grade over 70. That will improve. We are not far away from having all the pieces--I think this offseason will complete the process. Add an Edge, DT, maybe an ILB--re-sign Mike Jackson.

I think the psychological side is the most important side--these are kids playing under tremendous pressure---it is very mental. Good point.

I suppose it has to be obvious to some, but the title of this is "Players nobody is talking about." and your response is "everyone is talking about Coker."Regardless, He is an Undrafted free agent whose numbers have surpassed or equaled what players drafted day 2 are doing. He is a positive during a time when we have few positives. He has been injured too, btw, which might explain how you think he has been "nonexistent." He has played in 9 games and has nearly 400 yards. He was not drafted. Keon Coleman (33rd pick overall) has played in 12 games and has 498 yards--with Buffalo--an established team with a pro bowl/MVP QB. So I am not sure that you are grasping the value of Coker--which may explain your lack of appreciation for him.