TD alt

Yeah, I've said as much. It's like a thorn in my side. I know it's lame, but I've come up with ABC and ABE: Anybody But Canales calling offense, and Anybody But Evero calling defense. I will say that an HC can theoretically hire an OC that can be the in-game strategist. Sometimes coaches need to just be cognizant of the big picture, learn, manage and delegate. In theory, coordinators should be the experts in the nuances of their sides of the ball (e.g., schemes, countering, personnel management, etc.).

Burns objectively improved in 2024. Stats aren't the only litmus test, though important. I don't think anyone is saying he was all-world while with us, but he was good and ascending, and arguably not even in his prime (and I think that's the main point as far as some are concerned). Now, he is squarely in his prime.

Oh, don't get me wrong, I don't pay critical attention to anyone but the Panthers, but I will do research on occasion and keep abreast of the NFL in general. Certain things pique my interest, like why results are at odds with what some people are trying to sell. As for your question, It's not that they were literally out of position, but more about scheme fit and play calling. Baker didn't believe that Stefanski was supportive enough. Hopefully this isn't behind a paywall for you. https://www.cleveland.com/browns/2022/01/browns-qb-baker-mayfield-must-resolve-his-differences-with-kevin-stefanski-soon-in-case-they-need-to-co-exist-next-season-mary-kay-cabot.html Now I'm sure that you already know about all the OBJ drama. Unfortunately paywalls are a thing, but here is a direct quote from NFL.com and Kevin Patra: "Stefanski's scheme also didn't play to OBJ's strength. The timing offense predicated on wideouts being at a specific spot and the QB reading the progression negated some of what made Beckham a star in New York." https://www.nfl.com/news/browns-planning-to-release-wr-odell-beckham In general, some fans---not all---think that Stefanski's offense minimizes receivers' production, pointing to several pairings, OBJ and Jarvis Landry most notably. And, to be honest, the dropoffs in production kinda speak to that. Like you've said, him and Watson had tensions. Whatever you think of Watson as a person, his play regressed. He went from one of the best to one of the worst. Sure, it all could've just been mental or Karma, but more than a few thought that Watson's shotgun style would not work with Stefanskics zone-wide scheme, and it didn't. My thing is, that HCs shouldn't least be willing to do some identifying of problems and strengths, and do at least a little compromising and adapting instead of being so indebted to their scheme that they continue to showcase failure as opposed to trying something different. I just might have higher expectations of what I call a good coach. Sure, all failed coaches have excuses, many that are legitimate, but for me you just can't be stubborn. Real coaching is about adapting for me. You must at least try to adapt to the situation, to your personnel, and to your opponent. Perhaps Stefanski can do these things, but for me it's way too early to be giving him the label "good" or "great" based upon his body of work. In my mind, he's wasted some pretty good defenses due to lack of offensive creativity.

We'll never know what Morris would've done next season. Hell, Gruden took Tony Dungy's team to the Super Bowl and won. I believe that Tony Dungy would've won. We'll never know. Those are facts! Crystal balls are overrated.

I'll give it at least three years before I'll say anyone is upgrading. There is a whole lot that goes into that, and not just what's done on the field.

Hence "almost as bad..."

I'm not dying on anything. fug Stefanski. I'm not the one saying he's such a great hire (in a Panthers forum, no less). There are plenty of questions marks regarding his coaching style and body of work, yet some of you Huddlers think he's an ascending Belichick or something. Well, keep at it. My focus is going back to where it should be.

Better than what the Browns did in a division that was arguably almost as bad this year.

Yet it was only his second year...

What did we give away, and we have Bryce? Yet, Canales still figured out a way to improve.

Perhaps you need to do research on he and Baker's relationship and why it soured. There was life before Watson. And, it's not like Stefanski helped Watson. Developing a QB is not Stefanski's strong point.

Coach of the year doesn't really mean a damned thing if you can't follow it up with "coach of the year" results. Keep chirping your built-in apologist excuse for declining and sucking. Keep that same energy when he s ultimately fired.

We're about to find out. His offenses, even the ones with Baker were middling at best.

Bullshit, I watch as many games as I can.

I guess I've lost my mind then, because I think it's a good hire...for us. I've done my research on the guy, and I'm not enamored.

If Stefanski is an offensive guru, then so is Dave Canales.

No he is not, he's known as a system coach. He uses a wide zone blocking scheme and play action configurations to try and keep defenses off balance. Honestly, critics complained that his offenses were somewhat stale.

Yeah, right? I want him to take him with him. In my opinion, we will benefit from a totally fresh start in the long term.

Look, I am highly skeptical of Dave Canales---ABC: anybody but Canales calling offensive plays for us going forward---but I do acknowledge that he helped Baker to develop and get paid, not as HC granted, but still. Stefanski didn't do that. He arguably became more critical of Baker, and that's ultimately a big reason why their relationship soured. Make no mistake, Baker did not feel that Stefanski was playing to his strengths.

I will say this @Moonraker, I do believe that the Seahawks have the highest upside. I told my son last night that if they play their best, they're going to win it all.

I can't discount that Texans defense. As long as Stroud doesn't screw up, the D might be able to carry them. Not predicting anything today, but if the Texans get to play Sam Darnold (or Stafford), things could get interesting.

The second PI call was basically textbook. I don't have a problem with the pick either. If Cooks just hangs onto the ball without letting the guy snatch it from him fully, they keep possession. He obviously never had a good grip on it in the first place. It was truly a "bang-bang" play, albeit not in the sense we're used to hearing it.

Not really. They got a hurt-up 49ers team without a true WR1 receiver, and, well, the Panthers during their last three match-ups.

Stefanski is too busy trying to fit players into his scheme than actually putting players into the best situation to succeed. That's a pet peeve of mind. I want my coaches to adapt, in-game, personnel-wise and opponent-wise. I know it can be considered a big ask, but that's what makes great coaches great. I want to see coaches continually do more with less, not do less with more.