TD alt

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.

As good as the run defense has been, the pass defense is getting kind of sketchy. George Pickens pretty much had his way yesterday. That can't be allowed to go on. Mike Jackson is obviously not a shutdown corner, and Pickens pretty much torched him yesterday, but Jackson has been giving up a few catches this year. "Entering Week 5, Jackson had only been targeted 18 times, but allowed the sixth-most yards with 210 (19.1 yards per reception). "In Week 6, the Dallas Cowboys knew going after Jackson would be an advantage and kept putting their top weapon in George Pickens against him, who finished the game with 168 yards and one touchdown. Eventually, the Panthers figured things out and put Horn on Pickens late in the game." https://atozsports.com/nfl/carolina-panthers-news/panthers-defense-has-improved-dramatically-run-game-derrick-brown-jaycee-horn/ Jaycee Horn actually took it upon himself to ask to cover Pickens during the Cowboys' final drive. Ejiro Evero needs to be more amenable to adjustments when the defense is actually not working in an area, and like Dean Jones of Cat Crave alluded to, Evero needs to be able to see and adjust things himself more expeditiously. Yeah, the team was able to escape yesterday, but we don't need those types of problems in the future. https://catcrave.com/jaycee-horn-just-proved-ejiro-evero-stubborn-plan-was-holding-panthers-back Yeah, the team was able to escape yesterday, but we don't need those types of problems in the future. If Stephon Gilmore and all us fans can see it, then Evero should be able to see it. And, look, maybe Jackson was just having a bad day, as he has been relatively solid overall, but I think everyone knows that he's not exactly a shutdown corner. If your man is not getting it done on any given Sunday, you have to make adjustments, and you have to be able to do it on the fly. https://x.com/BumpNrunGilm0re/status/1977434972236456129?t=d2sIA0nfcnk7_miBnIKW9A&s=19 Another thing that frustrated me yesterday was a paltry pass rush. Now, upon further examination, the Cowboys' O-line, though not perfect, has been pretty good, but some of this has to do with scheme and play calling to hide deficiencies. But, at best, the Panthers' pass rush was highly inconsistent yesterday. I don't know exactly what Everyone can do about that, but he needs to keep getting the rookies snaps and perhaps send a DB on occasion or perhaps an LB on a stunt. I feel very good to have won yesterday, and the interior D-line is showing its teeth, but I just don't know that allowing a QB and a receiver to have their way without much adjustment is sustainable against a better team with all of its weapons---thank goodness CeeDee Lamb wasn't on the field---and better coaching.

Butker is nowhere near as reliable as he was. If he doesn't tighten up, he's going to get some competition during the off-season.

I'm just asking, because I haven't looked it up, "Who do you think has more yards after contact?" Chuba's catching ability is underrated. He's night and day since he first stepped into Charlotte. But I'm not against Rico. He's playing with purpose. The only way I think he'll stay here is if he doesn't get any bites. You do have to acknowledge the job that the line is doing.

Chuba has had 152 and 153 yards in games with arguably less clean holes.

Given the snaps, Hubbard may even be able to do better. Just the way I see it. The run blocking has been damned amazing also.

Not roughing the passer

Why in the fug would you run D.J. Dallas? Why? Someone tell me.

I think Rico and Etienne will keep them more than honest. Sure, we'll have to air it out some, but balance is the key. The goal is to run and keep their offense off the field. If we get into a virtual shootout, we probably won't like the results. The defense is going to have to bring their lunch pails today. The line, backers and defensive backfield will have to look similar to last week.

Listen at 6:15 if you want to know why Dowdle only received a 75 (which is good, by the way). Short answer: because the line has been balling out run blocking.

I get what you're trying to say, but I have seen Tetairoa open a plenty and Hunter Renfrow open a plenty, but Bryce just misses what are supposed to be routine throws. Bryce's arm isn't Mahomes' arm, and he certainly doesn't have the plus mobility (basically the backyard-ball mentality and athleticism to run around until someone's open) and ability to make throws off platform that Mahomes' does. We also have at least two TEs that get open on the regular, as well as two RBs that can catch and get open as well. Not to mention that Jalen Coker gets open on the regular when in. I just ain't buying that he doesn't have enough weapons. Legette gets open at times as well, not to mention Tremayne. If Bryce would just time his passes better and do it more consistently, it would open up the offense. His issues, at least in my mind, come down to one main thing: his height. He developed consistently bad mechanics over the years to overcome his inability to see the field, and while he got away with it pre-NFL, in the NFL where guys are a little bigger, a lot faster, and more experienced with decidedly more motivation to consistently do their jobs, Bryce is coming up short.