Adam Thielen interview with Pat MaCafee...

[SmokinwithWilly]

Regardless of whether or not some think Fitts has done well with roster moves as a GM, it's definitely safe to say the environment in the organization has changed. It's beginning to feel like home again. 

Keep Pounding. 

[Proudiddy]

I haven't commented on his signing yet, but I love it.  And for everyone that eas saying he was washed, the dude is like 2 or 3 years removed from being considered one of the absolute best receivers in football.  It's not coincidental that his touches and production dropped when they drafted Jefferson, who is currently projecting as thr best receiver to ever play in the NFL.  That is nothing to sneeze at.  And yet, as the other thread pointed out, he was still getting significant separation regularly, he simply wasn't getting the targets he got before Jefferson got there.  The dude is only 32, with no significant injury history, and again, is only a few years removed from being considered one of, if not the best receiver in football.  And he still an immaculate route runner...  those guys tend to be able to play quite awhile.  This was a huge signing...  if we somehow find a way to get Chark and then add whatever we get in the draft in addition to the franchise QB, I'm thinking floor is NFCG.

[DeeJay]

 

[Proudiddy]

Just now, SmokinwithWilly said:

Regardless of whether or not some think Fitts has done well with roster moves as a GM, it's definitely safe to say the environment in the organization has changed. It's beginning to feel like home again. 

Keep Pounding. 

It's why I have believed in him since day one.  The moves we know he has been responsible for have been great value, even when Rhule was here.  His willingness and ability to pull off deals, both trades and FA is a gift and an asset...  and he's so much different than ehat we've had in the past between egomaniacs (Polian, Gettleman) and guys who outside of first rounders just seemed to go through the motions (Hurney).  Fitt is a asset.  Period.  Love what he's building.

[Proudiddy]

Also, even just listening to Thielen, it is clear, the culture shift has already taken place.  When was the last time we were linked to the top player at a position in the market, who was viewed as a "contender only" signee, and we actually landed them?  And not just a guy on his last leg hoping to ride an already constructed team to a Superbowl...  this is different.  Thielen is going to be a big time contributor on this team.  And the fact he said, "I wasn't planning on going to Carolina," but he did, says all you need to know about the staff that's in the building.  Players league-wide will now know, this is a place you want to be a part of.  Missed opportunities of years past, like signing Charles Woodson, will be no longer.  These guys will want to sign here because they believe in what has been and what is currently being built.  This is gonna be fun...

I called it earlier in the offseason once the staff started coming together, but we will win a Superbowl under Frank Reich.  Period.  And I anticipate it will be sooner rather than later.

[L-TownCat]

35 minutes ago, DeeJay said:

 

“I feel like Carolina is the place to do that…”

 

 

[bythenbrs]

1 hour ago, Proudiddy said:

And he still an immaculate route runner...  

You had me at 'immaculate'...  

[Paa Langfart]

2 hours ago, rayzor said:

i could see that. that's kind of what Fitt was saying Reich was talking to Thielen about. it wasn't "we want you here because you catch balls." It was "we want you here because we think that you would bring a lot to this locker room and in the building of this team." they valued him more than just being a pass catching commodity.

i think we'll be seeing a lot of that kind of thing happening. that reputation for valuing the player and not just the game is going to spread.

Didn't the Panthers hire some ex military guy just for this reason or was I dreaming?  Finding guys that are more than football players?

[rayzor]

5 minutes ago, Paa Langfart said:

Didn't the Panthers hire some ex military guy just for this reason or was I dreaming?  Finding guys that are more than football players?

I can't remember specifically but I think that was part of it.

[Move the Panthers to Raleigh]

1 hour ago, Proudiddy said:

Also, even just listening to Thielen, it is clear, the culture shift has already taken place.  When was the last time we were linked to the top player at a position in the market, who was viewed as a "contender only" signee, and we actually landed them?  And not just a guy on his last leg hoping to ride an already constructed team to a Superbowl...  this is different.  Thielen is going to be a big time contributor on this team.  And the fact he said, "I wasn't planning on going to Carolina," but he did, says all you need to know about the staff that's in the building.  Players league-wide will now know, this is a place you want to be a part of.  Missed opportunities of years past, like signing Charles Woodson, will be no longer.  These guys will want to sign here because they believe in what has been and what is currently being built.  This is gonna be fun...

I called it earlier in the offseason once the staff started coming together, but we will win a Superbowl under Frank Reich.  Period.  And I anticipate it will be sooner rather than later.

Man, I am trying not to get too excited this early, but this just feels great after what we’ve been through with this team

[Zaximus]

It feels like we've went from being a minor league team to an actual major league team this offseason.

[Basbear]

2 minutes ago, Zaximus said:

It feels like we've went from being a minor league team to an actual major league team this offseason.

Best staff in panthers history and many around the league took notice. 

I badly want to bump the "keep wilks thread", cause its too good right now... being adam mainly took the offer cause of frank and his respect....

[joemac]

37 minutes ago, Paa Langfart said:

Didn't the Panthers hire some ex military guy just for this reason or was I dreaming?  Finding guys that are more than football players?

Yup.  Some Green Beret, Special Forces BAMF type.  

Edited March 20, 2023 by joemac

[Paa Langfart]

31 minutes ago, rayzor said:

I can't remember specifically but I think that was part of it.

Found it after some digging.  Brian Decker - Panthers vice president of development

article about him here

Panthers add Brian Decker, former "GM for Special Forces"