MHS831

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.

He might be playing DT for us this week.

Too many options at this point--I like the depth of second-tier QBs in this draft--even after a few have announced that they are returning. Howard, Rourke, Dart, Beck--all could benefit from sitting for a year or two before being tossed into the fire. Beck, for example, lost his confidence and it got to him--Howard has shown he can play well on a big stage, Rourke took Indiana to the promise land on a torn ACL--and Dart is supposedly a good leader and his biggest problem is he tries to do too much. I agree that it would be helpful to have a veteran in Bryce's ear, but Rush is not competition. Bryce did not pick it up until he thought Andy was going to take his job. Rush has never been the permanent starter on any team--he is a drifter who wants to make $350k a game holding a Surface tablet. While this draft is not full of starting QBs, it has depth in the area of developmental QBs. That is where I cast my line. Cheaper too. Need an experienced adult near Bryce? That is called a coach.

If you want to lose the locker room, let the players feel that you are trying to lose to replace them. You are exactly right-- Losing games makes it tougher to lure free agents, so the losses hurt you in that area, helps you in the draft--but that is the GM viewpoint only. Losing is like a cold, dark rain cloud that covers the practice field all week long. It is in the backs of everyone's mind. It is like going to work every day thinking you could be fired or demoted or that your closest teammates and friend are temporary. Losing is cancer. Losing today keeps that rain cloud over you all off season. A win, however, gives you more hope and encouragement. It is easy to make it about numbers--winning is a culture. Today we will see the Giants, Patriots, Titans, and Panthers (etc.) fighting for their jobs. I think the Panthers are going to win and will draft ninth overall.

I am starting to think that we will move on from Evero---just a hunch--but there is some feeling that everyone was given a vote of confidence for this season--we shall see. I can argue in Evero's defense as well as argue for his termination.

This represents an informed and logical look at Horn. He is a good to very good CB, but this makes him elite--I do not see it. When he is matched or outmatched, he is very grabby and gets penalties. He is not a bad CB and teams have thrown away from him a lot, but they also throw to their #1 WR when he is on the Panthers' #2 CB....This recognition will be taken to the negotiating table for his contract and he will demand elite money when he is often injured, often penalized, and often covering the second/third WRs. I am not celebrating this because it costs the team money. I don't care about trophies and ribbons for players who are already making more in one week than most do all year playing a game. The Panthers are no better if he is all-pro or not. I will add that some of this is not Horn's fault; perhaps he is being misused and Evero is not getting the most out of him. He had a heck of a year in run support, fwiw. As I said on his draft day, and I was born in Columbia while my father was playing for the Gamecocks so I am actually biased for Horn, I would have picked Surtain over him.

Jets/Panthers strength of schedule tied at .498 again.

Have you heard he might change his mind? He is not yet 21, so I can see staying in, but his stock may never be higher--he has 2 days....Sanders seems to be a "boom or bust" candidate, but something about his SEEMS entitled...

Going back and reading this stuff from last April--Yikes!!!! Our comments did not age well.

You want a true sleeper? I can tell you when the light came on. His first six games in 2024, he had 1 sack. His last seven games? 8.5 sacks. 3 FF. 6'3" 255. Johnny Walker Jr. Missouri

The draft is deep at DT, in my view. I think we get one, but not day 1--maybe round 3--understand that I am never right--but I hope and pray a QB could be in play and we could trade back. I see it this way on this day: Needs 1. Wide Receiver: This is not to say we should draft a WR with the first round. It is to say that I think it is our biggest need. Depending on what we do with Clowney and Wonnum, I will say WR is the biggest need right now. 2. Defensive Tackle/End (2): WIth one exception, I would clean out the DT room (here i mean Defensive Ends and DTs--the front 3), holding onto A. Robinson for rotational depth, whose contract is reasonable. I would look for a DT (Nose) and a better DE to play opposite Brown--one that can get after the QB more. 3. Edge: We have to keep Clowney for another season at age 32, but he is not worth $14m at this point, so this could change to a post june 1 cut after the draft, saving the Panthers $8m of his $14m salary--giving this draft pick more value. Wonnum at 27 is probably worth the salary he will earn in 2025 ($8m), but making him a post June 1 cut leaves only $900K in dead cap. It is difficult to guess what the Panthers will do until you know what they are going to do with the former Gamecock edge tandem. 4. Linebacker: Shaq is probably done, folks. He has a small frame and his body is probably telling him to quit. Jewell is hard to gauge because the DT/DEs in front of him were so bad. Wallace was decent for a third round rookie, but he is a depth/ST player. 5. Tight End: This offense / QB needs a stud TE on the roster. Tremble and Sanders are great depth, and using 2 TEs can create mismatches in the run game as well as the passing game. 6, Center: I think Mays got better as the year progressed, and they will probably go with him in 2025. However, if he does not continue to improve, this is a need.

The salary cap causes GMs to make tough decisions and the RB position is at the bottom of the Supply and Demand list. However, if you are choosing in the fifth round and the player you are picking has a 3% chance of becoming a contributing player, and there is a RB sitting there who can come in for 10 snaps a game and get you 40 yards--you take the RB. You might argue, "We have nothing at Center!!!" but a fifth round center is not solving that problem. And you have to consider your needs on special teams. So there are a lot of variables that go into the decision.

Chuba deserved it, imo. Heck of a blocker--something that probably gets ignored.

They do because he gets no credit when the QB does not throw his direction because he is feared. I like both our CBs and hope we keep Jackson.

You consider all variables to identify the central problem--and if the coach is the central problem, you have no choice. Not to say that he is the ONLY problem. but if he is PART of the problem, you let him go. What a difference a year makes--last year we were worried that he might get a head coaching gig.

that was my first thought. I also think there are times when the coach uses the media to speak to the team or the ownership or the coaches and not the public. You have to ask, "Was the coach asked a direct question and did not want to answer it in a manner that would cause controversy? Was the statement voluntary, and if so, why would he make a comment that is otherwise something that is assumed? Context matters.\

Folks should remember that Rhule's wife picked Chuba in the fourth round---two rounds before Rhule picked the long snapper.

definitely a way of approaching it--If you think "I can get a second round value with a fourth round pick" it is hard to beat that argument--and that is the case.

His PFF score (and OL is pretty easy to grade) is over 70 and going up. He will get more expensive if you wait. How many remember the time between Gross and Ekwonu's 2024? I do. Leave the friggin OL alone--sign Ickey. I am even happy with the progress Mays made. Here is something you need to learn about LT if you do not already know: The difference between LT and RT is shrinking based on more shotgun and 11 personnel. Some of the best pass rusher in the NFL are playing edge on the defensive left side--over the Right Tackle. JJ Watt, Maxx Crosby, and Nick Bosa, for example, are most effective attacking the QB's right side. They like the ability to see and swipe the ball while engaged in a block, something not done on the blind side. Ekwonu PFF scores (if you want to bash PFF, find a better measure and present it): overall--70.6; pass protection 64.7; run blocking 80.8 (this does suggest he'd be a stud guard, but he is a tackle and a good one, fwiw) Moton PFF scores: Overall 75.0; pass protection 78.6; run blocking 64.0. Not a lot of difference-- Ekwonu is a considerably better Run blocker (+16.8) Moton is the better pass blocker (+13.9). Pay the man.

If the draft is this loaded, there will be an UDFA available--we have so many needs--a rental could be an UDFA or a 1-year contract signing. But I see a lot of talent and value at RB this year. Lotta ways to approach the problem--not one answer, and if anyone comes across as there is, he is full of shite.