Athletic Mailbag, part 2

[Mr. Scot]

Matt Rhule - Michigan rumors, coaching staff updates and tight end talk

On the Rhule-Michigan rumors...

I’m told Rhule has neither inquired about nor been contacted by Michigan, which would have been on an informal level since Harbaugh is still employed there. The idea that Rhule would be a fit for a big-time college opening is certainly plausible, given both his rough start in Carolina and his success at Temple and Baylor.

As I reported in December, Rhule — around the time the USC and LSU jobs were open in the fall — told his players during a team meeting he could get one of the top college jobs and make more money, but he believed in what they were doing in Charlotte.

Even if Rhule had interest in Michigan, there would be other factors to consider. First, he just hired an offensive coordinator and has been interviewing candidates for the special-teams coordinator position (more on that below). Like Josh McDaniels with Indianapolis a few years ago, it would be an extremely bad look for Rhule to hire assistant coaches and then bolt for Ann Arbor. That kind of move tends to leave a stain.

Also, the Michigan job first has to be available. And some in league circles maintain there’s a surprising lack of interest in the former 49ers coach, whom they expect to stay with the Wolverines (after getting a raise). Until Rhule proves he can win in the NFL, he will continue to be connected to college jobs. But he’s on record saying he wants to be in Charlotte and is committed to seeing the process through.

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On the search for a special teams coach...

Rhule has interviewed several candidates to replace Blackburn, the ex-Panthers linebacker who was the last remaining holdover from Ron Rivera’s staff. (Al Holcomb also was an assistant under Rivera before leaving for Arizona with Steve Wilks.)

Former Panthers special-teams coordinator Thomas McGaughey was offered the job before the negotiations hit a stumbling block, according to sources. Chris Tabor, who’s led the special teams in Chicago and Cleveland, has a second interview (this one in-person) with the Panthers on Monday, a source said. The Bears were ninth in Gosselin’s special-teams rankings this season under Tabor, who had a Chicago return specialist make the Pro Bowl in each of the past four seasons. Rhule has also spoken with former Broncos special-teams coordinator Tom McMahon.

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On whether the tight end will be used more next year...

McAdoo ran predominantly 11 personnel (one back, one tight end) sets in New York, and he definitely liked throwing to the tight end. And it’s not like the Giants had the second coming of Mark Bavaro at the position.

So, should fantasy owners be bullish on Tommy Tremble next season? Potentially, although expect McAdoo to shape his offense around the personnel. If Christian McCaffrey stays healthy, he’s going to take targets away from the tight ends — whether McCaffrey is lining up more often in the slot or not.

Panthers tight ends had the second-fewest targets in the league in each of Joe Brady’s two seasons, although that 2021 number likely would have been significantly higher had they not sent Dan Arnold to Jacksonville in the C.J. Henderson trade.

Ian Thomas, who’s eligible for free agency for the first time, has not developed into a consistent threat in the passing game following Greg Olsen’s departure. But the Panthers like Thomas’ blocking ability and would like to re-sign him.

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On whether Sam Darnold could be better behind an improved offensive line...

Serviceable is a good word for Darnold, whose first season in Charlotte was not unlike his three in New York. Darnold showed off a strong arm and an ability to make the occasional play with his feet. But the positives were too often outweighed by turnovers and a tendency to rush things in the pocket, which threw off the timing of the offense.

Would Darnold look better behind a stronger offensive line and with McCaffrey healthy most of the season? No question. I think with those two things and a top-five defense, the Panthers could probably make the playoffs if Darnold cut back on his turnovers. But that feels like the ceiling.

The Panthers will try to upgrade at the position — whether it’s Garoppolo, Deshaun Watson or someone else. That would make Darnold an $18.9 million backup, assuming no one will take him off their hands.

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On Matt Paradis, Haason Reddick and the cap...

Paradis is a free agent, although the Panthers will carry $8.29 million in dead money related to Paradis — $3.6 million from the voidable years and $4.69 million that resulted from a restructure last year that was done for cap relief, according to Over the Cap.

Haason Reddick is in the same situation after the Panthers included four voidable years on his one-year, $6 million contract last offseason. In fact, if the Panthers re-sign Reddick, they would have both new money and dead money tied to Reddick on the 2022 salary cap.

[top dawg]

You know what I zeroed in on? Making Darnold an 18.9 million dollar backup.

[MHS831]

IF we could build the OL and Darnold were to take us to the playoffs, that would make it very hard to let Darnold walk. I do not see that as likely.

[jayboogieman]

12 minutes ago, Mr. Scot said:

On the Rhule-Michigan rumors...

Hopefully this crushes those rumors or at least the hope people had. We're stuck with Rhule for at least another year or two.

13 minutes ago, Mr. Scot said:

But the Panthers like Thomas’ blocking ability and would like to re-sign him.

Of course, they want him back. He's not that good.

14 minutes ago, Mr. Scot said:

The Panthers will try to upgrade at the position — whether it’s Garoppolo, Deshaun Watson or someone else. That would make Darnold an $18.9 million backup, assuming no one will take him off their hands.

Que even more Watson rumors and threads. Making Darnold the NFL's most expensive backup is just the most Panthers thing to do.

15 minutes ago, Mr. Scot said:

On Matt Paradis, Haason Reddick and the cap...

Throwing ever more on the pile of dead money is the Panthers' way.

[Fox007]

This "success" at Temple and Baylor poo is well beyond played out. And personally I can't wait for the day where that narrative gets crushed too as you see like Baylor still good for example. They were 12 and fugin 2...clearly don't need some Fhule.(12-2 is a better record than he had there)

All time Baylor is +500 in regular season and bowl games they ain't ever been a dumpster fire of a team like Kansas for example, which is a basketball team anyway.

Edited January 24, 2022 by Fox007

[Fox007]

Even Matt Rhules wiki page hates im or he is just the most unphotogenic person.

[Mr. Scot]

4 minutes ago, Fox007 said:

This "success" at Temple and Baylor poo is well beyond played out. And personally I can't wait for the day where that narrative gets crushed too as you see like Baylor still good for example. They were 12 and fugin 2...clearly don't need some Fhule.

Rhule never really had what you'd call long term success anywhere because he never stuck around.

Hell, plenty of mediocre NFL coaches can pull teams out of the gutter but damn few of them seem able to maintain that success once it's achieved.

Edited January 24, 2022 by Mr. Scot

[top dawg]

2 minutes ago, MHS831 said:

IF we could build the OL and Darnold were to take us to the playoffs, that would make it very hard to let Darnold walk. I do not see that as likely.

I vehemently disagree. Only a fool would extend Darnold again...(playoffs or not). 

Seriously, his ceiling is limited. The playoffs should not be the litmus test for keeping Darnold (just ask the  LA or Frisco FO).

[CRA]

28 minutes ago, Mr. Scot said:

 

Even if Rhule had interest in Michigan, there would be other factors to consider. First, he just hired an offensive coordinator and has been interviewing candidates for the special-teams coordinator position (more on that below). Like Josh McDaniels with Indianapolis a few years ago, it would be an extremely bad look for Rhule to hire assistant coaches and then bolt for Ann Arbor. That kind of move tends to leave a stain.

 But he’s on record saying he wants to be in Charlotte and is committed to seeing the process through.

______________________________

Sept of 2019 Rhule signed a massive extension through 2028 with Baylor.

A little over 3 months later, he signed a deal with the Panthers. 

Matt Rhule isn't committed to anything.  I don't think him leaving looks any worse than that. 

 

[CRA]

15 minutes ago, Fox007 said:

This "success" at Temple and Baylor poo is well beyond played out. And personally I can't wait for the day where that narrative gets crushed too as you see like Baylor still good for example. They were 12 and fugin 2...clearly don't need some Fhule.(12-2 is a better record than he had there)

All time Baylor is +500 in regular season and bowl games they ain't ever been a dumpster fire of a team like Kansas for example, which is a basketball team anyway.

Baylor made it into the top 5 pre and post Rhule.  Rhule didn't build anything.  

[BurnNChinn]

Wtf on Reddick why add so many voidable years and make more dead cap. I thought this Suleman guy was suppose to be great. Damn we just hurting in so many ways

[Waldo]

It's like groundhog day all over again.  

Darnold will be better behind a better line, false. The numbers say he is worse with time. Now it would take a lot off of his shoulder to have a better run blocking line but his brains are just not good enough for the NFL. He doesnt make nearly as many turnovers on the first 2 dozen scripted plays and then it's throw at the LOS time or else. So a run first offense makes sense untill you realize that it is 2022. 

Rhule's success in school was pedestrian. That's it. 

Becaude Rhule is staying the fans have to play pretend for another year. False, if you have eyes and actually watched the least 2 years we are running into a pooshow. I have no idea why anyone would feel confident in Rhule or even prop him up. Just call it what it is. It's straight rotten tomatoes time in Pantherland. 

Paradis' dead cap is worth less than his roster space, that is how bad he is and you can lump the 2 duds we signed last year to that list. I have no idea if Reddick wants to come back but he should absolutly be a priority, not the overpriced CBs. Maybe we could run that 3-4 look more often and actually stop the run at some point if the CB fetish wasn't fed another year. 

It is so bad right now they are writing up the hopeless cheap options because there is no real chance of anything else. 

 

 

Edited January 24, 2022 by Waldo

[Waldo]

3 minutes ago, BurnNChinn said:

Wtf on Reddick why add so many voidable years and make more dead cap. I thought this Suleman guy was suppose to be great. Damn we just hurting in so many ways

It's a Marty Hurney all star front office...of course it's not working.

Edited January 24, 2022 by Waldo

[Paa Langfart]

This article is pure conjecture.  Want to hear an actual fact ?  No way in hell we could beat any of the teams I saw play this past weekend with the players and/or coaching staff we have at the present time.