NOW! Live Q&A with Nick Carboni and Kelsey Riggs

[Nick Carboni]

@ncfan 1. Feel like Matt Kalil will be here next year, unless they feel like they can get something for him via trade, which if he misses half the year, and is out-performed, you wouldn't get much. But will be interesting at mid-season if Moton is holding his own, and Williams is back to full strength at RT. So much invested in Kalil with that deal though, would be tough to cut bait after just 2+ seasons

2. Don't get the sense the staff is frustrated with M. Kalil for injury issues. Coaches/players usually very protective of one another over those things. Maybe some frustration with glaring mistakes last season/this preseason, but you could tell it was a big let down for the whole group when he went on to IR. I think he is well-liked in the locker room.

 

3. Anytime Cam takes a shot anywhere, the officials will be worked from the sideline. New helmet rule will be legislated all over the field, but hitting, and landing on a QB hard, and even giving a little arm shove for the head has drawn flags. Will be interesting to see if Cam gets equal treatment, since he hasn't before. But obviously, it's a big emphasis, not just vs. QB's, but all over the field.

 

4. I think CJ Anderson will play a big role. To be a successful running team like the Panthers want to be, you have to have multiple backs to get it done. McCaffrey is obviously going to be the focal point in the offense behind Cam, but he'll need to be spelled. Wouldn't be surprised if some fantasy owners aren't happy after CMC gets you to the goal line and CJA punches it in. He'll get his touches, just not near as many as McCaffrey

 

5. Loving Tepper so far. He is acting just like you would expect from a guy who came from humble beginnings, to now owning his very own team. He's been present/available/accessible to all, especially members of the team. There will be certainly be some back and forth soon enough with the city/state over stadium/facilities, but right now, Tep can do no wrong.

 

Most importantly...his players feel he has their backs right now. That's big.

 

 

 

 

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If Moton turns out to be solid at LT the first few weeks.  Is there a real possiblity there will be no Kalil on this roster next year.

And is this staff frustrated with Matt?  It seemed our doctors cleared him, they then said it was nothing major.  Then next thing you know, word was he went to an outside doctor and we immediately put him on IR

 

Will our staff work the officials with this new Helmet rule and the amount of shots Cam takes.  Will we see a spike up of calls go our way for the first time since weve had Cam?

What kind of role and how much play time can we expect from CJ Anderson? Since we didnt see much in preseason

 

 

 

And overall impressions of Tepper so far.  And players feelings of the new Big Cat

[Guest Kelsey Riggs]

@tbe - Not sure if it was a specific player or coach who invited Steve back. He's remained close with a lot of players on this roster - and the staff. The main person he had bad blood with is no longer here - so why not come out to a practice for the team where you're still the franchise's all-time leader in receiving yards?

Everyone right now seems so excited about the Panthers logo challenge and what we'll see at midfield on Sunday - but that seems small compared to all I think he'll do. He'll be involved in the community - not just giving but also seen a push from the Panthers to get high schools and both Carolinas more involved, he wants a practice facility and probably eventually new or upgraded stadium. As far as football changes go - think he's a smart business man and will learn from others around him this year who have been part of this and other franchises for longer - and go from there.

[Guest Kelsey Riggs]

@KB_fan I think you nailed it - biggest change so far is there is a whole new level of energy, accessibility and excitement. From the presser in Atlanta where he was first approved by owners Tepper hit on how it was TWO Carolinas - and think he's already starting to try and make that more of a priority. Also wants to drum up excitement. The Panthers logo challenge isn't about what they're putting at midfield - the people who make those decisions knew long ago - it's about getting people excited, trying to grow and engage with this fanbase. You might be far away, but you have the right feeling about what's happening here!

[Nick Carboni]

@vorbis Wouldn't expect any football philosophies to take place under Glick...or Tepper. As Tepper has mentioned, and as is obvious from the results, these guys are walking in to a very solid football operation, that remained solid despite the turbulence of the last year.

I think Glick's background lends itself to a global perspective with a lot of work across a lot of sports, in the UK and US.

He also helped complete training facilities and stadium upgrades for Manchester City -- and that's all coming to Carolina.

 

And oh yeah...MLS is going to be a big push from Tepper...and Glick has big-time soccer experience overseas.

 

 

 

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What sort of business side changes, or I guess evolutions, do you expect under new president Tom Glick, and do you think bringing a new team president onboard will change any organizational philosophies when it comes to the football side?

[Guest Kelsey Riggs]

@Jaxel haven't heard anything yet - but two new combos in two preseason games so I like the odds  Jerseys they'll be wearing each game are already out - you can see those here. We'll see how they're paired up. https://www.panthers.com/news/2018-jersey-schedule

[Nick Carboni]

@FakePlasticTrees I'll say 40% chance the team moves away from Spartanburg. 85% chance a new facility is built near the state line

Practice facility upgrades are one of Tepper's top priorities on the football side, so that's coming. Big chance that's built just where you said.

BUT -- plenty of teams have state-of-the-art facilities near home base, and still travel an hour or so away from there to train. Pittsburgh does that, since everyone wants to point to Tepper's connection there.

Training Camp means a lot to Spartanburg and always has. I'd hate to see it move away, and for that fan experience to go with it as well. But it's a business. I think they stay.

 

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What is your estimate of the likelihood of a facility being built on or near the stateline that would serve as the training camp site etc.? 50%, 60% etc.

[t96]

19 minutes ago, Kelsey Riggs said:

@t96 - Everything we have heard is that it was a minor procedure - but anything with a heart obviously makes it a little more serious. Doesn't seem to be a concern of IF he'll be back, now biggest question is when. Right now the sense is it won't be too long, but we'll see.

As far as Daryl week one - think there's a possibility but more importantly they are going to be cautious. Have other guys who have filled those roles in the preseason and gotten some good experience if needed on Sunday. Amini Silatolu has been further along in rehab (torn meniscus) than Daryl, so we'll see.

As far as TD coming back as captain, we wondered the same thing. Teams can have up to six, so they'd have to make some changes when he comes back if so. But with injuries, etc in the past, they have sometimes changed during the season.

Great insight, thanks for doing this.

[Nick Carboni]

@FakePlasticTrees

Favorite: tough one! I like that Thomas Davis and Greg Olsen especially are the guys that are always there, good or bad, rain or shine, and will discuss just about every topic at length and be real

Entertainment value: Captain Munnerlyn, Mario Addison and Devin Funchess usually provide some fun, laugh out loud moments.

Cam is GREAT...when he's feeling like it.

Don't have a least favorite...honest!

[Guest Kelsey Riggs]

@FakePlasticTrees Greg's the go to if you need someone who will give you an honest, interesting soundbite on just about anything. Captain's fun - count on him jokingly trash talking at least one teammate during the interview. Mike Adams always has a good perspective. Torrey Smith has been great - whether it's football or big issues - he knows where he stands, wants to see change and will tell you about it.

[Squirrel]

Odds of Hurney keeping the GM position?

[FakePlasticTrees]

1 minute ago, Nick Carboni said:

@FakePlasticTrees

Favorite: tough one! I like that Thomas Davis and Greg Olsen especially are the guys that are always there, good or bad, rain or shine, and will discuss just about every topic at length and be real

Entertainment value: Captain Munnerlyn, Mario Addison and Devin Funchess usually provide some fun, laugh out loud moments.

Cam is GREAT...when he's feeling like it.

Don't have a least favorite...honest!

Most candid interviewee?

[Nick Carboni]

@ncfan also w/ Kalil next year. Daryl Williams' is a UFA next year, so add that aspect to the mix.

[FakePlasticTrees]

Week 1 prediction?

Most surprising player?

Week 1 final score?

Panthers' season record and result?

[Guest Kelsey Riggs]

@Squirrel We'll see how it goes this season- but he made some pretty good moves this offseason. Dontari Poe, Torrey Smith, CJ Anderson, some pretty promising draft picks... depends on how those guys do and what this team does - but would expect the odds are pretty good.