TD alt

Yep, it's somewhat hypocritical of them, because they're doing the same thing as everyone else.

I mean, you're acting like we don't see the tippy-toe bunny hops, jump throws more than normal (with both feet dangling in the air every which a way), and off-platform but off-balance throws that arrive short or sail high. Could that be bad mechanics due to being short? Could a seeming propensity to bail the pocket towards the sidelines early as opposed to sitting in the pocket tall and strong, surveying his reads, be an attempt at trying to see an open throwing lane? I'm not saying that what you're saying isn't a contributing factor to what has been an underwhelming display of executing the QB position, but this is year three, and if the lightbulb hasn't switched on by now---if you haven't figured out that guys are faster, stronger and generally more athletic, then what's it going to take? It's hard to forget that "mental processing" was supposed to be Bryce Young's superpower. Are you telling me that he can't nail down such an easy concept as, "I can't get away with the things I did in college at the pro level," is that right? If he can't get past that, then that surely limits his ability to successfully execute all the other stuff. Look, I'm not trying to be flippant. I acknowledge that playing pro football is more complex than a lot of fans realize, but all we can do, as fans, is observe. One of my favorite things to do is just look at the greater picture and think what part human nature is playing in the many decisions that are being made or have to be made. You're absolutely correct that fans don't know exactly what's going on, but that is by design, and in many ways it's just the nature of the beast. Some things we can't know. That being said, the professionals screw the hell up all the time. The professionals disagree all the time. These disagreements can be within the same franchise or from franchise to franchise. And sometimes these decisions are all over the place, so excuse me if I ain't exactly buying the I-know-more-than-thee sentiment and that that means that professionals always make better decisions than fans would about certain players. Some of this stuff is simply luck or a crapshoot.

That's what your response is. Sorry (not sorry) that some of y'all's feelings seem to be so hurt. It's ironic that some considered me a Bryce supporter at one time, and an X supporter at one time (yes, it's X, not "XL" as anyone who has done their homework knows), but now that I just keep calling it as I see it, and am not looking for X to be the guy across from Nalo, some of y'all have got a problem with that. The win was enjoyed on Sunday and Monday, but the so-called win streak is not really fitting for a rousing celebration. When we start being your normal team with legitimately higher expectations perhaps we'll be happy to patiently wait for first round picks to at least live up to a mediocre standard after more than year even though other fan bases see their picks consistently flash in year one.

It's called reading between the lines...

So you say... Funny how you say "you guys..." This entire thread is arguably based on sensitivity...

I mean, sometimes you just want a true franchise guy who lifts the team on his shoulders and wills the team to win with his play, especially when it matters. That's apparently too much to ask for after 34 games if I listen to some Huddlers. I don't know how Bryce will end up, no more so than anyone else, but I'm tired of being on 9's struggle bus after so many games.

Spiral? I haven't seen any spiral, just some pushback on another Bryce-is-really-good-if-he-had-a-team thread.

Ha ha. I didn't even see your comment before I made my last. RAS is a motherfúcker to a Panther fan.

Kneel before the god RAS!

I've seen enough of Bryce, but if he somehow does a 180 on a consistent basis, I'll be ecstatic. Not holding my breath though. And I think you're spot-on about the perspectives on his existing play to date, especially this season. I've only seen him play one good game this season. I suspect that our previous wins before last Sunday is something Andy Dalton could have achieved (and I don't see that as a particularly hot take).

I would say sometimes you have to due to the nature and dynamics of the NFL system. Particularly at QB, sometimes you have to take a swing. By most accounts, people considered Cam, Pat, Josh and Lamar projects to some degree. You don't come by the Drake Mayes, Bo Nixes, Justin Herberts or Jayden Danielses that often. Give them a little refinement and experience in a system, and their off and running. Perhaps it's just a QB thing, but I wouldn't swear to it.

I mean, are you saying that on the offensive side of the ball that the rest of the team is sh¡t? It's nice that Bryce finally didn't dig us into a hole that we had to get out of, or simply die in on a Sunday. As someone who has watched the game in earnest for damned near 50 years, I may not know what it takes to spot a QB that's going to succeed--and, yes, success is relative--but I know when I see one that's not good enough without Herculean efforts by others.

Yeah, I could jump right into the unbelievable Bryce debate now that some people are trying to flip the script because Bryce Young has, at most, a handful of decent games as a pro, but that's going to work itself out. Suffice it to say that I've seen better QBs (with an s) in a Panthers uniform, and I've certainly seen better QBs be drafted while we're playing around with Bryce, one of them who beat the crap out of us already this season... Let's forget about Bryce (and his markedly underwhelming play since he's been here); I think that most sane fans will agree that drafting him was an error, but it happens. Sure, it doesn't happen to the tune of King's ransom---including your main receiver---but it happens. You bet, you lose. Speaking of receivers...and betting and losing... Oh, man, we drafted Xavier Legette. Yes, just like with Bryce, I've entered "the dark side." Some Huddlers were telling us from the beginning, and they were right. But, I'm not apologizing for waiting to see what a guy's got before making my decision on him. X was a one-year wonder at South Carolina who parlayed some really nice production that season, a great personality and thick country accent, into becoming a first round pick (but only in Carolina). For Dan Morgan and company, He was a big swing that has turned into a big whiff (and I can still feel the ill breeze from that one). Sh¡t happens, right? Well, not so fast. Ladd McConkey was the decidedly more polished receiver who was literally ready to hit the ground running as soon as stepping onto the field as a pro. Ladd was never the biggest guy (though not the smallest), but he was the guy that could run routes, always seemed to get open---no question---and had the same speed as X, but with legit quickness and nuanced shake and bake. But Dan chose the project. He chose the guy where the game speed looks more like a tractor trailer than a 5.0 mustang. Look, I've supported X (just like Bryce) many many a day, but no more. Now I'm not saying that I won't root for the guy. Just like with Bryce, he seems like a great kid. But as far as giving excuses for the kid, and, perhaps more importantly, waiting for some miraculous breakout, I'm done with that. I've seen enough. You don't draft a project for a project. And yes, Bryce had proven to be a project after his first season. In my mind, drafting a supposedly number one receiver that needs lots of development for a starting quarterback that needs immediate help to try and further his development is not going to lead to good things. Pick the surest guy. Or at least pick the one who appears to be the surest guy, because picking can be tricky... especially when you're too busy tricking yourself.

Winning ain't gonna make my eyes lie to me. Context matters, and it will always matter in the game of football.

I'm open to it. Depends on the compensation. If someone offers a three, are you really going to turn it down? Keep in mind Etienne and, if we're lucky, JB. We'd need more depth though. And, no, Dowdle would not get Chuba money from me. We overpaid. Especially in light of the fact that we keep adding RBs . But we'd have to sign Dowdle to a reasonable contract. Sometimes I don't know what the point of paying Chuba all that money was, and I have full square been arguably Chuba's biggest supporter on this board. I always knew that he could produce good results with a line because he was producing OK results without one.

I mean, if Moore really wants out, then it would behoove the Bears to make it happen sooner than later. X is a lot younger and cheaper, and may be a better fit for Johnson's musings than a disgruntled, unnecessary, overpaid vet. If they can dump his salary and maybe get a fourth or so in return, it may be worth it to them. As for development, I'm not concerned. You're talking about a seeming bust, a day three guy and a UDFA. They are developing relative to their ceilings. I doubt any of them will ever command the coverage, money, or the respect that Moore has acquired. He's a tier above them. Yes, even X.

Was CeeDee Lamb playing? Moreover, anyone being honest, knows that our win against the Falcons was arguably as much or more about Penix playing terribly than Evero's scheming. If we get to the meat of our schedule and start giving teams that are actually top tier teams "the business" defensively, then I'll concede that Evero just might know what he's doing. Let's see them shut the Bills and Packers down. How about the Bucs and Seahawks? Let's repeat the performance against the Falcons. Perhaps then I will be a believer.

In your honest opinion, what would've happened had CeeDee been playing? Stopping the run is great, but it's not good enough to just stop the run. Moreover, it's not like Jaycee was great yesterday. The DBs' play yesterday wasn't even necessarily good, but sure we'll get better if we get another corner capable of covering top receivers. That's still not an excuse, nor is being unwilling or unable to make adjustments just because you're married to a certain set scheme. George Pickens was not, and maybe still is not, considered "elite." He may be on his way, but throwing the word around to make a point is just that. But, If Pickens plays against the Panthers and Evero every week, I'm sure that he will be considered elite sooner than later, especially since the DC didn't seem to have any answers. Lastly, if CeeDee was playing, despite exceptional run defense, we likely would have taken just another L. Don't get saucy just because some people aren't jumping for joy after Pickens had the second best receiving output of his career. There is something called projection.

I guess that's one way to look at it, but everyone doesn't look at it that way. That's a narrative. It's not all black and white.

Well, before the season I said something like we could win anywhere from four to 11 games depending how things fell. I also said that seven games was a hard target if I must give one. Three weeks ago, I'd have said we wouldn't win four games, but I still think we're on target to win seven, so I certainly don't think nine is out of the realm of reality. Honestly, it's going to come down to Bryce's development, and the coaches' willingness to adapt in and out of game.

I don't believe it's as easy as saying that anyone believes that Rico had the 10th best day on offense. Grades are done in a vacuum inasmuch as they can be. By their very nature, skill positions are always going to account for more "production" in reference to stats, and RBs perhaps even more than WRs because they touch the ball more. You can't look at PFF's grading system, or any football grading/grading system (like perhaps Football Outsiders or Next Gen Stats), so simplistically. If a player has an excellent day, relative to his position, relative to his assignments, and relative to his number of snaps, then he should be graded highly. It's up to the reader (or the analyst, if you will) to put what you're seeing into context, and that's not only in relation to the grades, but the general situation (like whether a player is playing injured, who they're playing with or against---the general situation). Even the fact that (presumably) PFF or news outlets put out a list of the highest and lowest grades, that doesn't mean that said players were the most impactful of the day, it just means that they did or didn't do their job the best, based upon a certain set of parameters. PFF is a part of life for football analysts, talking heads, execs, coaches, players, and even fans (even if indirectly), all to varying degrees. It is a tool that is used by all 32 teams. Obviously it's not viewed so dismissively by franchises as a whole. Execs obviously don't look at it as a bunch of bozos making sh¡t up on the fly. Fans can berate it or swear by it, but it isn't going anywhere. The only thing that I can tell you is that perspective and context matters.

I mean...last year

Both can be true. Everybody isn't made for the mic. I don't know who was responsible, but somebody has an eye.

It was inconsistent. It would be nice to get players up in the mid 70s. Putting players in a position to succeed isn't just football rhetoric, it's a thing that great coaches do with consistency.

As I pointed out in another thread, run grades are not simply based upon statistical production---even the running part. They look at expectations based upon how well the line and other skill players blocked for you as well on each play. The O-line has been blocking extremely well making things a lot easier for RBs. And that's a great grade by the way.