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I will say that Dan came into a fvcked up situation (perhaps partly his making, but that's another discussion). We were devoid of talent, cash-strapped and draft-position-challenged. Plus, he had to have time to develop a plan and acquire the right staff. I think that he's made some inroads on the offense (though still a work in progress), now he has a little latitude to focus on improving the defense. If he doesn't address two of the three major needs on defense this year, there is really no excuse. The only fly in that ointment will possibly be the Ickey injury (and two a lesser extent BC). We may have to prepare ourselves for a trade-back. I don't know how we're going to do everything without more picks. Morgan and Tillis have to work some magic, otherwise we may be thinking that the FO is wilfully ignoring critical positions again. We absolutely need an LT, a pass rusher, a middle 'backer, and a safety. How are we going to get viable talent at all these positions? It's going to be interesting to see what happens, but I'm thinking we have to acquire more picks.

And FWIW, Mike Kaye Listed Devin Lloyd under possible Free Agents https://www.charlotteobserver.com/sports/nfl/carolina-panthers/article313976800.html

Nah, it's really about some people trying to downplay Burns and Lloyd. All thatcs stated pretty clearly. There are lots of different perspectives, and I am not one to complain about the tentacles of a thread growing and spreading out where they may.

You obviously didn't hit the link. I am quoting Bucky Brooks, as I stated.

I mean, I guess I can see why you're saying what you're saying, but it's not that smoking gun that I was looking for. I mean, what do we expect the assistant to say? I'm sure that he wanted to keep his job. The guy that didn't keep his mouth shut got fired. I will admit that it's not a good look. The thing is though, everyone makes bad calls. If Morgan was against the trade, it was a bad call in my opinion, but on the other hand he probably wanted to keep Burns and work out a deal.

You gotta give me a link or something. Plenty of stuff that's "reported" turns out to be more speculation than substantiation.

Maye has to run. The Texans, though the best overall defense, were dead last against scrambling QBs.

Skepticism is fine, just not surety until proven.

I'd say you're speculating big time. Assistants exist to support their bosses and the company line.

I think you're going to continue to see huge contracts to players that you need, or that ones you think will get you over the hump. That's just the nature of the beast. What I think you'll see smart GMs balking at is overpaying marginal QBs whose play doesn't justify huge contracts. The league has seen how overpaying for glorified backups can hamstring franchises for years. Star players or perceived Star players are always going to get paid handsomely by someone. Moreover, if you're referring to Lloyd, he has arguably balled all along, it's just that coaches matter and systems matter in order for most players to reach their highest potential.

During parts of the season, you told me that Brian Burns was not the primary pass rusher on the Giants. I told you that that's not what the stats or the actual play were saying. Bucky Brooks was thinking something similar to you pre-season, and I'm pretty sure he wasnt still pontificating about Burns' play during the season, but here is what he's saying now: "When the Giants traded for Burns two offseasons ago and immediately signed him to a new blockbuster deal (five years for $141 million with $87.5 million guaranteed), I questioned whether his performance would match the compensation. As a speed-rushing specialist with just one double-digit-sack season (12.5 in 2022) prior to his arrival in New York, Burns had not consistently dominated off the edge. However, the 27-year-old shut me up in 2025 with a spectacular season that featured 16.5 sacks, 22 tackles for loss, 31 quarterback hits, seven passes defensed and three forced fumbles. Wreaking such havoc on a four-win football team only underscored his individual dominance. Considering his numbers and impact as a playmaker in his third Pro Bowl season, Burns served me a slice of humble pie that I couldn't refuse." Now, you can go to the old, stale take that he can't lead the D-line, but I will say that most everyone needs help. Burns is not generational like Julius Peppers, but he obviously has the skills and the motivation (after his payday, mind you) to be a force unto himself, if not a force multiplier. And, with John Harbaugh coming in, Burns will probably only get better as he will likely get put in a better situation to succeed, or at least sustain his success. Speaking of being put into a better situation to succeed, I recall our buddy @Basbear mentioning this guy during preseason: Devin Lloyd "Last offseason, Jacksonville chose to decline the former first-round pick’s fifth-year option due to inconsistent production. Lloyd responded admirably, showing the football world that he’s a baller with elite playmaking skills. The impending free agent finished the season with six takeaways -- five interceptions (including a 99-yard pick-six of Patrick Mahomes) and a fumble recovery -- while also displaying outstanding range as a sideline-to-sideline defender. A resilient player who enjoyed the best season of his career following a sticky contract situation and training camp battle, Lloyd silenced the skeptics who questioned his big-play potential and overall game." Now of course, our friend was talking in terms of possibly trading Jalen Coker for Lloyd. Many would still balk at that after Coker's big time breakout against the Rams, but the fact is is that it was a discussion worth having. Lloyd is a big time defender, though several of you tried to tell us that he was nothing special, notwithstanding solid stats even during the 2024 season. Lloyd looks to be a very nice 'backer for years to come, and he's likely gonna be paid highly. We probably can't afford him now, with all our needs and possible extensions (Coker being one, but a cheaper one), but fate apparently never had Lloyd in our cards to begin with. https://www.nfl.com/news/caleb-williams-george-pickens-and-tyler-shough-among-10-nfl-players-who-proved-me-wrong

We certainly don't look "close" to me. All that space. Bend don't break. Players letting receivers run right by them speaks to confusion. Stafford out there playing chess and Evero playing checkers. Not playing to a player's strengths. We need new personnel in the middle of the field. If we're going to play this scheme, we need new pass rushers. My goodness. Why in the fvck did I put myself through this pain?

BC suffered a ruptured Achilles, so it's kinda difficult to envision him as a more important signee than Corbett at this point. Although it's easier for linemen to return because they don't have to jump and make a lot of cuts, it isn't a guarantee. Even less so at 100 percent. I have read that it would probably take at least two years for him to even return to his old self (again, if he does). As always, hope for the best, but prepare for the worst.

Depends on where you look. In it's purest sense, it's just the dissemination of information in furtherance of a cause. Believe it or not, propaganda doesn't have to be negative, and it doesn't have to be objective. The cause doesn't have to be just or unjust. That's the purest definition, but everyone can believe what they want.