MHS831

Do not forget that we are scouting other rosters right now--I think we will sign a couple.

That happens to me--I make a positive statement about a player and the Panthers react by cutting the player.

Himself wearing nothing but a Panther hat. He had to go.

The offensive line will develop into one of the best in the NFL if they commit to developing the three rookies that should make the roster. I still say move BC to swing OT as a backup (to start in 2014 when Moton's deal costs $30m) and move Zavala beside Ikwonu. Jensen could be the next Corbett, and Mays can back up 3 inside OL positions. It will take until midseason to see the results of the patience, but keeping floating turds like Jordan, Brown, etc. is just paying people to suck. Right now, we have no idea how the offense is going to look with Sanders at RB and our starting WRs in a rhythm. We look to have 3 decent QBs and Bryce will get better. Defense is concerning to me right now because we are leaving WRs TEs open, especially when the Qb is moving. Carr, Baker, and Ridder are going to exploit that. I am not seeing a lot of athleticism from the ILBs going from sideline to sideline--and that is part of the problem. Positives: I think Barno is going to be effective by the end of the season. Leota is really solid at sealing and he hustles--often in on tackles when the play goes away from him. Mingo is going to be a stud, and Smith has been better than last year. Personally, I like Blackshear and Brown more than I like Hubbard. Don't get too depressed about the defense--lotta new faces and a new system. We have good athletes in most positions.

I am biased because I met and talked to Oher--he was not at all like the character who portrayed him--very nice guy, rather quiet. He was good with my sons, who were all about the movie. I told Oher, "On the way home, I will tell them that movie was a bunch of Bullshit." He laughed.

The offensive line has 5 starters at any given time--more than any other position group, but you really need 7-8 that are starting quality. Personally, i do not think BC is a LG, but is perfect to be a swing OT for 2023 and could replace Moton in 2024 when his contract explodes to $30m. I seriously think Zavala and Corbett will be the starting guards for most of the season. Mays is an ideal backup at C and both G spots, as is Jensen. If they all work out--that is eight players with starting ability--problem is, they do not have the starting ability right now (injury, experience). Backups for 2023: Christensen (eventually--not right now), Mays, and Jensen. Starters for 2023 (later in the season): Ikwonu, Zavala, Bozeman, Corbett, Moton.

I am impressed with the posts. When the Huddle seemed to provide a platform for homeless meth addicts using a stolen computer outside McDonalds for the free WiFi, there would have been some attacks and positions taken wherein everyone knew that nobody knew the actual truth. Good job, Huddle! You/we are maturing!! I would add that during the movie, I was like, "How could this NOT be an NCAA recruiting violation?" That suggests that someone knew how to pull strings and find loop holes--like a businessman, for example.

I would seriously move Christensen to the right T spot and let them compete. In 2024, Moton's contract goes to $30m---we need to groom a RT now--- We can go with Zavala at LG and maybe play Jensen or McCray at RG until we get Corbett back.

While I hate to think we would bring in a G considering we have BC, Mays, McCray, Corbett (soon), Jensen, Zavala, and stud muffin Brown, Dalton Risner is available. Instead, I would put Zavala or Jensen there, move Mays to backup center--and they may give McCray the start this Friday--but I am not sure he is going to keep Bryce upright.

I think Fitterer is there because they are going to make some early cuts and bring in a free agent. TBH, if I were Campen I would be embarrassed and pissed off. I would be working on switch drills to offset stunts--communication as a whole. And let's face it--Jordan is not getting any better at this point.

Yep--and they were in their second game, so probably not as focused on the basics as we were. Regardless, like playing man in basketball, you have to know when to switch and move those feet.

Both hits on Young were stunts and our second year OL did not pick them up (Ekwonu and Mays). With better chemistry--this will not be as big a problem

If he only played soccer, he'd be up and sprinting back onto the field in a few minutes.

Is this to suggest that Cade Mays sucked?

Consider the fact that this was preseason game #2 for the Jets--that is a big difference. Consider that their backup QB has started NFL games for two seasons and our 2 QBs have played part of one preseason game--new coaches, new system, etc. Probably was expected if you think about it.

I did not like what I saw from the ILBs and DTs. LBs They were slow reacting to the play and were getting reached too often. The DTs (DEs) were getting blown out. I liked what I saw from Barno and Leota, fwiw. I was watching the Bucs game and they will have to cut a very good OLB or two. just a heads up to see if we go after one.

Corbett was not active and I do not think Moten played. So it is difficult to say right now. Christensen in my opinion, is not a G--but we shall see. Mays played well, fwiw, when I watched him--but he was playing RT.

We are not going to be great. There are things to clean up---everything. Hard to tell so far, but I would cut Jordan (OT) and Brown (OG) tonight.

I hate people who visit during a game. Once we had family from KY arrive late when the Panthers were entering overtime vs. the Rams in that famous playoff game. I told them I would greet them later, and they thought it was funny to step in front of the TV on several occasions. I literally got visibly and audibly angry. When Smitty caught the X Clown and scored, they realized how big the moment was and apologized. I said, "Would you arrive late at your Horse Derby and stand in front of the crowd wearing stupid hats and smug grins while Sunday Silence was crossing the finish line? Same thing!! This is how the Hatfields and McCoys started their rivalry---people from KY can't read the room!!". Never invited them again.

That is exactly what i had last night. Tonight? SNOW CRAB LEGS with OLD BAY seasoning.

yep--our starting guards (eventually, imo) are not practicing. (Zavala just started practicing ). BC will move back to OT as depth and maybe take Moton's spot in a year when his salary explodes to $30m. We have some good young hopefuls at G, but they are not there yet. Mays, Jensen, and DiRenzo are very interesting prospects.

I might take a look at him outside--he is a great athlete--before cutting him

First of all, thanks for sharing. I love these kinds of posts because they confirm my thoughts or challenge my thinking--- Here is my thinking: YGM? Are you cutting him?

No doubt. I could not tell what the DB did to jar it out, but a misplaced pass is vulnerable because the WR does not have a natural motion to tuck the pass quickly--I would have to watch it again, but I think the pass was intended for the sideline when Bryce say the DB and threw it inside--maybe throwing off the timing, etc. But you are right--a good WR makes that play and we move the chains.

This is for discussion if there is an interest--there are literally several dozen ways this could go, but I think we are suddenly loaded at OL--so we have to build the roster with the long game in mind. I hope to hear some alternative perspectives. Here is what I would do--(as of August 9) 1. Early in the season, we are not going to have Corbett. Zavala has had a hamstring injury so he is unlikely to be ready for week 1, and he is a 24 year old rookie--so it will take time. I Fully expect him to challenge Christensen for the LG position. Cade Mays will play RG until Corbett returns, but when he does, Mays should fall into a reserve role behind Corbett and (with some work) Bozeman. 2. Christensen has the athleticism to play OT, and his play at LG was mediocre in 2022. With Zavala being groomed for LG (my theory--lotta talk about him playing beside Ikwonu), it is my opinion that they would like to move BC to OT as the swing OT when Zavala and Corbett are ready. This would give BC a year to work primarily as a RT to prepare for the starting role. In 2024 and 2025, Moton's cap number is just under $30m, so he would be good trade bait. Christensen could then move to RT, saving the team a lot of cap space. He will be 28 at the time and in the last year of a contract with a cap hit of $1.6 m for 2024. 3. DiRenzo and Jensen have been pleasant surprises, so by the end of the 2023 season, it is possible that DiRenzo could get looks as the primary backup R OT for 2024 and beyond. Jensen could make McCray expendable and move into a reserve G role, behind Corbett, Zavala, and Mays. While I expect Jensen and DiRenzo to possible begin the season on the PS, I think they will be added to roster when the dominoes (as described above) start falling. By the end of the 2023 season, i expect the OL depth chart to look very much like this: LT: Ekwonu, Christensen LG: Zavala, Jensen C : Bozeman, Mays RG: Corbett, (Mays) RT: Moton, DiRenzo 2023 Offseason: Trade Moton for a high draft pick (second?) and save $28.4 m in cap room. 2024 season: LT: Ekwonu, (rookie or free agent) LG: Zavala, Jensen C : Bozeman, Mays RG: Corbett, (Mays) RT: Christensen, DiRenzo This gives us youth and depth--and makes the OL very cap friendly for 2024. The key is BC, obviously--but I do not think he is the right position and we seem to have 6 guards right now with a legit shot at making the roster aside from BC (Corbett, Zavala, Mays, McCray, Jensen, and DiRenzo) My point? The OL will have to heal and develop this season, and I do not see Moton at age 30 being worth $30m to us--I think BC should be ready (very athletic) and I think I would roll the dice by moving Moton in a trade and saving cap space. Thoughts? (Sorry for the length--I say that a lot)..