TD alt

So, a more handsome, thinner version of the Nebraska coach.

I have been paying so little attention after losses (and wins, actually, because I'm mildly excited by them), that I missed Dave's seeming change of heart on Rico and Chuba. Just when I criticized him for not being able to make the tough decisions and wanting to be Mr. Politically Correct nice guy, when asked about the timeshare between Chuba and Rico, he says: "We cannot ignore the fact that Rico has been exceptional in a couple of games and in the opportunities he's had over the last two weeks. He's made some excellent plays, love the tempo and violence that he's running with. And these are all things we're talking about and working through this week as we look back on these last four games and really taking a snapshot of what's been successful for us. These are conversations that we do definitely have to have." On basically whether or not it was his job to keep the RBs "happy," DC replied: "Yeah, that's not the goal," he replied. "The goal is to make sure we put the right guys out there. That's my job. So I really do have to look at that and evaluate it and make the best decision for the Panthers, collectively. And for me, I have to make sure I keep it about the football." So now all of a sudden, he knows his job. Well, some of you might say that he always knew his job. My response is that he surely wasn't putting it into action. You watch what people do, not what they say. And that even applies here. We'll actually see if his actions match the words of his newfound epiphany pertaining to our two top RBs., something that we saw a couple of weeks ago (or at least a week ago). https://pantherswire.usatoday.com/story/sports/nfl/panthers/2025/10/27/panthers-week-8-dave-canales-rico-dowdle-chuba-hubbard/86923984007/

She said "the guy that I like." It's hardly a smoking gun, but maybe. We just don't know the specifics. They could just be philosophizing, or talking about anyone. Could be talking about 2023.

Where is it?

What clip? Is Tepper commanding or at least strongly suggesting that it was X or else?

So, mid thirties? That's still a young man. You'll have to wait about 10 years.

I mean, 10 mil is 10 mil. I wonder if a team would even be willing to trade for Chuba. As for X being picked because of Tepper's influence, there is zero evidence of that. Dave and Dan appear to be the catalysts behind picking X.

I predict we'll get our ass kicked.

To be fair, there were a few coaches that liked Bryce. We just rolled the dice and crapped out. My thing is, we made an ill-advised trade to move up to get him, and we've been doubling down ever since.

To be fair, there were a few coaches that liked Bryce. We just rolled the dice and crapped out. My thing is, we made an ill-advised trade to move up to get him, and we've been doubling down ever since.

To be fair, there were a few coaches that liked Bryce. We just rolled the dice and crapped out. My thing is, we made an ill-advised trade to move up to get him, and we've been doubling down ever since.

Shakir and T-Mac are very different receivers, and Josh and Bryce are very different QBs.

Depends on perspective. I do think the talent is great. Whether T-Mac reaches his potential is another story, especially within these current circumstances. Some of the metrics are really good already (like average yards per catch). Even PFF already had him as the 20th or so best WR in the league.

I suspect Coker can be better, but I haven't seen much evidence of Horn actually being better. Nuanced route running should not be taken lightly. If Horn ever reached the highest height that Renfrow has, I will be surprised. Coker may be able to do it, but it's certainly not a guarantee. I realize that Renfrow has been out of the game a few years, but I have seen evidence of him being his old self. That's also no guarantee, but I'm not certain that we'll ever be able to see any of these guysbteach their ceiling under the current circumstances.

That's basically how I see it. He's obviously not washed. I've watched at least three vids showing how he was open and Bryce missing him. I've also seen evidence of him still putting people in a blender. But, if Bryce is going to miss him and Canales isn't going to use him, we may as well see what the young guys can do.

An uninspired passing attack that ranked 28th in the league through week 7 (and that has probably worsened through week 8). No receiver is going to play in this situation and light the world on fire, much less one where the HC never really wanted the receiver in the first place. For me, it's not about the receiver as much as it is about QB play and coaching decisions. Even our WR1 who is having a fine showing as a rookie is being held back by ineffective QB play and questionable target share.

Maybe we're the ones that are bananas. Ignorance is bliss.

I called "seven games" from the get-go, and we just may get there, but I didn't expect blowout losses. I expected to see some marked improvement, especially offensively, in losses and wins, and that's not necessarily what's happening.

Well, I think that s what people are alluding to...that they don't know how strong it is or how long that it will keep going in light of some of the technical issues. No one in this thread wants it to go away.

I'm scared that I will sign out by mistake because just like I forgot the password to my original account, I've forgotten the password to this one. I should probably write it down. Getting old. Anyway, I don't get password recovery emails or any emails even when I try to sign up. I guess the next time I'll be a "guest" if that works.

Well, now I know it's not just me. I don't know about passing around the hat, because there have been a Huddler or two that has offered their services for free.

I mean, that sounds good. I will say that I kind of cringe when people say we overpaid for for an O-line because if you want the best players, or even quality players on the O-line, you're going to have to pay. They were proven players, one arguably the best at his position in football, so you're going to back up the Brinks truck. I don't see it as overpaying as much as I see it shifting your priorities in light of your situation and market conditions. Now with an RB, those generally are easier to get and easier to replace, especially if you have a good O-line. We could've let Chuba walk and still kept rolling a lot easier than continuing to roll the dice on backups starting on the O-line. I can't even remember who was available, but I'd bet that there was someone available who could replace Chuba's production. That being said, we've been told in this thread that Chuba's contract was structured in a way that facilitates minimal pain if we decide to move on from him. If that's so, then it was smart and someone in the FO had a little foresight (and probably understands the PR side of things, as well as the pure numbers side).

OK, then (I haven't looked). If it's as you say, and I'm not doubting you, then why in the fug would we trade Rico if it's relatively easy to get rid of Chuba, especially when we have JB (at least in theory) returning at some point in the future as well? You gotta trade Chuba and extend Dowdle, right?

It would be just another signal of profound incompetence: a can't see the forest for the trees type of thing. But, then again, that's what happens when you can't see the forest for the trees. There was really no need to pay Chuba all that money when backs like Dowdle were on the market in the first place. I've always said that Chuba is better than many thought, but his specialty (if you will) is taking what the defense gives you, it was never really about being dynamic enough to be paid a big contract. We overpaid him in my opinion.

I mean, Dave just can't make the tough decisions, unless he's absolutely forced to. Don't tell me that Tepper is saying, "You play Chuba or else." The man didn't get where he is because he refused to hurt peoples' feelings. Sometimes I believe that Canales says, "We have to play this guy because he's the one that we invested in." He's just so damned thick-skulled. On the broadcast, Greg Olsen said something to the effect that "They're going to have to figure some things out," when comparing the averages between Rico and Chuba. He was being nice and politically correct. 4 yards per touch. What the hell should there be to figure out? And yet, Dave Canales is fúcking around. It's absolutely frustrating. When getting blown the hell out, put your other QB in, and if you're loathe to put him in, in garbage time no less, why in the fúck did you acquire him? I mean, I just don't know.