ESPN free agency superlatives

[Peon Awesome]

ESPN free agency

The article is a compilation of opinions from ESPN NFL experts recapping free agency. Naturally I tried to seek out relevant Panthers references. 

Which is the most improved team after free agency?

Jeremy Fowler, national NFL reporter: The Carolina Panthers. Carolina's defense was the league's thinnest last season, so the front office aggressively pursued quality starters and depth. Most teams agreed that Tre'von Moehrig played better than any other free agent safety in 2024. The Panthers secured him for three years as a dynamic player in the secondary. They missed on Milton Williams but got two interior rushers -- Tershawn Wharton and Bobby Brown III -- for a combined $22 million per year, less than what Williams got on his own ($26 million). Couple that with some quality adds at other positions, and Carolina is much better positioned for success than it was a year ago.

What was the best bargain signing of free agency?

Moody: The Panthers signing running back Rico Dowdle. The Panthers needed another proven running back behind starter Chuba Hubbard, especially with 2024 second-round pick Jonathon Brooks still rehabbing from ACL surgery on the same right knee he injured in college. It was impressive for the Panthers to land Dowdle on a one-year, $3 million deal (up to $6.5 million); he shined for the Cowboys after Week 11 with 22 touches and 108.0 total yards per game.

 

There was also notably a section on most head scratching free agent move. Panthers weren't mentioned at all. I worried maybe someone would bring up how much we paid Wharton but instead, they brought up deals for Grady Jarrett and Javon Kinlaw so I guess in a market where DTs were getting a king's ransom, the Wharton deal is comparatively less egregious.

[TD alt]

20 minutes ago, Peon Awesome said:

ESPN free agency

The article is a compilation of opinions from ESPN NFL experts recapping free agency. Naturally I tried to seek out relevant Panthers references. 

Which is the most improved team after free agency?

Jeremy Fowler, national NFL reporter: The Carolina Panthers. Carolina's defense was the league's thinnest last season, so the front office aggressively pursued quality starters and depth. Most teams agreed that Tre'von Moehrig played better than any other free agent safety in 2024. The Panthers secured him for three years as a dynamic player in the secondary. They missed on Milton Williams but got two interior rushers -- Tershawn Wharton and Bobby Brown III -- for a combined $22 million per year, less than what Williams got on his own ($26 million). Couple that with some quality adds at other positions, and Carolina is much better positioned for success than it was a year ago.

What was the best bargain signing of free agency?

Moody: The Panthers signing running back Rico Dowdle. The Panthers needed another proven running back behind starter Chuba Hubbard, especially with 2024 second-round pick Jonathon Brooks still rehabbing from ACL surgery on the same right knee he injured in college. It was impressive for the Panthers to land Dowdle on a one-year, $3 million deal (up to $6.5 million); he shined for the Cowboys after Week 11 with 22 touches and 108.0 total yards per game.

 

There was also notably a section on most head scratching free agent move. Panthers weren't mentioned at all. I worried maybe someone would bring up how much we paid Wharton but instead, they brought up deals for Grady Jarrett and Javon Kinlaw so I guess in a market where DTs were getting a king's ransom, the Wharton deal is comparatively less egregious.

Honestly, I don't think the deal is anywhere near "egregious" territory, especially with how it's set up. Was it an overpay? Yeah. Was it a worthy gamble considering the market? That's debatable. Was it earth shattering and will it set us back for years? Nah. If he plays up to his contract and meats those markers, it will actually be a good deal when all things are said and done. 

[Captain Morgan]

good to hear.  Now nail the draft and we got things going ahead for the first time in a long time

[CanadianCat]

I know our coach EJ got a lot of hate last year but I think that the entire FO and owner knew that we were going to gut the defense to build the offence to see what we had in Young. 

That worked basically as expected. Terrible D but we found out that we can keep rolling with Young. 

I think that was clearly the discussion and understanding heading into last year and thats why EJ didnt get fired. 

IMO EJ is a good coach when he has players. I think we are going to see a dramatic turn around this year to the point that he once again, gets Head Coach interviews next offseason. 

[panthers55]

2 hours ago, CanadianCat said:

I know our coach EJ got a lot of hate last year but I think that the entire FO and owner knew that we were going to gut the defense to build the offence to see what we had in Young. 

That worked basically as expected. Terrible D but we found out that we can keep rolling with Young. 

I think that was clearly the discussion and understanding heading into last year and thats why EJ didnt get fired. 

IMO EJ is a good coach when he has players. I think we are going to see a dramatic turn around this year to the point that he once again, gets Head Coach interviews next offseason. 

I don't agree that they went into 2024 knowing it was going to be awful on defense. 2023 was pretty good and they thought who they brought in would be enough for Evero to be competitive while we focus on offense.  Obviously when injuries hit to Brown, Shaq and others we had no depth and we had JAGs starting.  And our free agents underperformed or were overused as we couldn't get off the field playing prevent defense - bend until you break. 

But I agree that you win games in the trenches especially if you like to run and stop the run. And am glad to see the additions. Thr biggest addition will be getting Derrick Brown back who by himself collapses pockets and snatches runners and tosses them. Canales said that he would talk to Evero about the defensive scheme. I hope he convinces him to adopt a more aggressive style. Seems all the best defenses play more aggressive than we do.

[Jon Snow]

7 minutes ago, panthers55 said:

I don't agree that they went into 2024 knowing it was going to be awful on defense. 2023 was pretty good and they thought who they brought in would be enough for Evero to be competitive while we focus on offense.  Obviously when injuries hit to Brown, Shaq and others we had no depth and we had JAGs starting.  And our free agents underperformed or were overused as we couldn't get off the field playing prevent defense - bend until you break. 

But I agree that you win games in the trenches especially if you like to run and stop the run. And am glad to see the additions. Thr biggest addition will be getting Derrick Brown back who by himself collapses pockets and snatches runners and tosses them. Canales said that he would talk to Evero about the defensive scheme. I hope he convinces him to adopt a more aggressive style. Seems all the best defenses play more aggressive than we do.

I listened to Wharton's press conference and he mentioned something in passing that caught my attention regarding the scheme. He said something to the affect that the defense is transitioning when asked about his role. I'm paraphrasing what he said but it appears we are changing up the defensive scheme and it has gone under the radar.

Edited 8 hours ago by Jon Snow

[Shotgun]

 

50 minutes ago, panthers55 said:

I don't agree that they went into 2024 knowing it was going to be awful on defense. 2023 was pretty good and they thought who they brought in would be enough for Evero to be competitive while we focus on offense.  Obviously when injuries hit to Brown, Shaq and others we had no depth and we had JAGs starting.  And our free agents underperformed or were overused as we couldn't get off the field playing prevent defense - bend until you break. 

But I agree that you win games in the trenches especially if you like to run and stop the run. And am glad to see the additions. Thr biggest addition will be getting Derrick Brown back who by himself collapses pockets and snatches runners and tosses them. Canales said that he would talk to Evero about the defensive scheme. I hope he convinces him to adopt a more aggressive style. Seems all the best defenses play more aggressive than we do.

What was pretty good about the 2023 D?

In the 2023 NFL season, the Carolina Panthers' defense had a poor showing, ranking last in total defense, run defense, and scoring defense. 

 

Here's a breakdown of their 2023 defensive performance:

• Total Defense:

  The Panthers' defense ranked 32nd (last) in total defense, allowing an average of 404.5 yards per game. 

   
• Run Defense:

  They also struggled against the run, ranking 32nd in run defense, allowing 179.8 rushing yards per game. 

   
• Scoring Defense:

  The Panthers' scoring defense was equally poor, ranking 32nd, allowing an average of 31.4 points per game. 

   
• Third Down Defense:

  Their third-down defense was also among the worst in the league, allowing a conversion rate of 50.2%. 

   
• Rushing Yards Allowed:

  The Panthers allowed at least 195 rushing yards in 10 of their 17 games, including more than 200 in each of the last six. 

   
• Total Rushing Yards Allowed:

  The 3,057 total rushing yards allowed were the third-most in league history. 

[jayboogieman]

Winning part of the offseason? That's the only thing the Panthers can win

[jfra78]

36 minutes ago, jayboogieman said:

Winning part of the offseason? That's the only thing the Panthers can win

This is our superbowl

[jayboogieman]

31 minutes ago, jfra78 said:

This is our superbowl

And just like the two real ones the Panthers played, they often come up short

[Shotgun]

46 minutes ago, jfra78 said:

This is our superbowl

Then preseason starts...and it all comes crashing down.

[ForJimmy]

2 hours ago, Shotgun said:

 

What was pretty good about the 2023 D?

In the 2023 NFL season, the Carolina Panthers' defense had a poor showing, ranking last in total defense, run defense, and scoring defense. 

 

Here's a breakdown of their 2023 defensive performance:

• Total Defense:

  The Panthers' defense ranked 32nd (last) in total defense, allowing an average of 404.5 yards per game. 

   
• Run Defense:

  They also struggled against the run, ranking 32nd in run defense, allowing 179.8 rushing yards per game. 

   
• Scoring Defense:

  The Panthers' scoring defense was equally poor, ranking 32nd, allowing an average of 31.4 points per game. 

   
• Third Down Defense:

  Their third-down defense was also among the worst in the league, allowing a conversion rate of 50.2%. 

   
• Rushing Yards Allowed:

  The Panthers allowed at least 195 rushing yards in 10 of their 17 games, including more than 200 in each of the last six. 

   
• Total Rushing Yards Allowed:

  The 3,057 total rushing yards allowed were the third-most in league history. 

[Captain Morgan]

6 hours ago, CanadianCat said:

I know our coach EJ got a lot of hate last year but I think that the entire FO and owner knew that we were going to gut the defense to build the offence to see what we had in Young. 

That worked basically as expected. Terrible D but we found out that we can keep rolling with Young. 

I think that was clearly the discussion and understanding heading into last year and thats why EJ didnt get fired. 

IMO EJ is a good coach when he has players. I think we are going to see a dramatic turn around this year to the point that he once again, gets Head Coach interviews next offseason. 

it cracks me up how our fans turned so quickly on Evero.  After the first two seasons as our DC, we had to block him from lateral moves that other teams were trying to make.  Then we make all our moves to improve the offense, and he lost most of the few good players we had.  And DB goes down for the season.  All we had was Horn.  And people blame EE for the D last season.  lol.  Who do you think could have done better?  And he's never complained.

[BrianS]

Evero honestly has a mountain to climb.

As a defensive coordinator, he has NO HISTORY of improving a team.  He inherited the #3 scoring defense in Denver . . . and took them to . . . . 14th.  In Carolina, he inherited the #19 scoring defense and took them to 29th and then 32nd.

If he fails again this year, he'll be out here and not really have any sort of resume to continue with as an NFL DC.  I'm sure he's a super guy, but we need a DC who can turn something around.  Evero hasn't shown that to this point.