Don Gregory and the Scouting Department

[NJPanthers12]

So we are bashing Hurney and the scouting department less then 24 hours after we lost week 1, in which our defense played very well outside of the first two drives. The offense side of the ball is where we struggled. The passing game was fine, except for two awful passes by Cam. Are we questioning Hurney and Gregory over Cam? The play calling was bad. That is on Rivera and Chud. The only place I saw really terrible play was from Silatalu, Hangartner, Bell, and the running game. Tolbert and DeAngelo are proven commodities, you can't bash scouting and Hurney on them. Every year the DeAngelo starts off slow and there are people screaming for Stewart to start. It happens practically every single year, not sure why it is a huge issue today.

You cannot question Hurney and the scouts on Bell, because that is Rivera's guy. Ever since last year Rivera had it out for Otah and was pro Bell. He even said going into camp that Otah had to win the job from Bell. It was also Amini's first ever game in the NFL. Yes he got owned but lets calm down before we call him a product of bad scouting and bad decision making. The only player I can possibly see being on Hurney is Hangartner. He came off a disappointing stint with Buffalo and was given a 3 year deal after last. Geoff was very solid last year and did not see many people furious where we brought him back.

My main point is I have no idea how anyone can watch yesterdays game and think bad scouting and bad decision making by Hurney.

[Delhommey]

Our drafting is actually pretty average.

Where we fail is tying up all our money in silly contract extensions (resulting in missed opportunities in FA) and trading away picks willie nillie.

One of the worst draft decisions that may be scouting was taking a RB with our first pick in 08 in a draft that was LOADED with backs.

We could have gotten Otah and Ray Rice or Matt Forte and not given up a single pick.

[csx]

Every year the DeAngelo starts off slow and there are people screaming for Stewart to start. It happens practically every single year, not sure why it is a huge issue today.

It's a huge issue today because it caused us to lose. They pay a fugload in order to have a dominant run game and they lost because the run game literally did not exist.

[Mr. Scot]

Gregory isn't the problem. When we hit on picks, we usually hit big time... Our first rounders have always been big contributors aside from Otah. It's the gambling, high-risk, low-reward draft day trades and the numerous misses in the 2nd and 3rd rounds by Hurney that have hurt us.

Where do you think the information on which those decisions are based comes from?

[CRA]

Yesterday. Can't be chalked up to Williams starting slow. That wasn't the issue.

Issue is Hurney is building a roster for a coaching staff that plays a different game than the one the talent suits.

It is why I have argued the investment at RB makes no sense. They aren't used or worth it. That isn't a knock on the backfield.....it is acknowledging Hurney and the Panthers coaching staff are on two different pages.

We have tons of RBs and a run blocking OL......and a coaching staff that wants to air it out.

[Proudiddy]

Regardless, that means the lack of consistency is a result of Hurney's decisions. He doesn't view the extensions as liabilities because he isn't going to invest that money in FA anyway, at least not large amounts of it.

I believe in the philosophy of building through the draft, that's how all consistent winners are built. That being said, I don't believe it to the point that Hurney does, where we completely ignore all FA options if their price tag is over the vet minimum.

[csx]

Yesterday. Can't be chalked up to Williams starting slow. That wasn't the issue.

Issue is Hurney is building a roster for a coaching staff that plays a different game than the one the talent suits.

It is why I have argued the investment at RB makes no sense. They aren't used or worth it. That isn't a knock on the backfield.....it is acknowledging Hurney and the Panthers coaching staff are on two different pages.

They lost because they could not run, regardless of who's fault it was. I tend to think it's the poo assed offensive line play.

[CRA]

Regardless, that means the lack of consistency is a result of Hurney's decisions. He doesn't view the extensions as liabilities because he isn't going to invest that money in FA anyway, at least not large amounts of it.

I believe in the philosophy of building through the draft, that's how all consistent winners are built. That being said, I don't believe it to the point that Hurney does, where we completely ignore all FA options if their price tag is over the vet minimum.

Big key FA moves have impact players for most of the recent dominate teams and teams that won rings.

[CRA]

They lost because they could not run, regardless of who's fault it was. I tend to think it's the poo assed offensive line play.

OL wasn't asked to block for Williams

[bigdog10]

I dnt know but I'm not a bit happy with what I saw in Kuechly and Amini yesterday.

They are rookies.

The problem is much much deeper than the two of them not having great games.

The problem is that this team is in a position to where we have to rely on rookies to step in and be immediate stars. That is a huge problem. Rookies on most teams are role players thier first year or two (sans a couple of them). They come in, fill a need and perform adequately. Their rookie mistakes are covered by great plays from thier surrounding cast.

The problem with our team is that due to poor drafting and being non-existant in Free Agency, we have to rely on these rookies to step in immediately to be high end performers (our team's success depends on it)...... Silatolu, Josh Norman, and Luke Keuchly. Our teams success weighs heavily on the play of these three guys, which had we drafted better in years past, wouldn't be the case.

The good teams don't draft starters with late picks. They draft depth that eventually are role players or elevate thier play in those roles to become starters.

To make up for Hurney's mistakes, we have been forced to draft starters and rely on them quickly. This is a huge problem that will become more and more evident as we move forward.

[skarbar001]

Bucs defense isn't who we thought they were.

[BeasonBeastingBacks]

They are rookies.

The problem is that this team is in a position to where we have to rely on rookies to step in and be immediate stars. That is a huge problem. Rookies on most teams are role players thier first year or two (sans a couple of them).

Out of the 32 picks in the first round, 11 of them are not starters on their teams. When you invest a first and second round pick, you expect them to be starting.

[Mr. Scot]

Regardless, that means the lack of consistency is a result of Hurney's decisions. He doesn't view the extensions as liabilities because he isn't going to invest that money in FA anyway, at least not large amounts of it.

I believe in the philosophy of building through the draft, that's how all consistent winners are built. That being said, I don't believe it to the point that Hurney does, where we completely ignore all FA options if their price tag is over the vet minimum.

Hurney is where the buck ultimately stops, for certain. And I actually agree that roster building overall is a problem, not just draftng.

But drafting is part of the problem, arguably a huge part given the team's philosophy. And good drafts are constructed from good scouting. I'm not sure we're getting that.

Perennial contenders are are built on the backs of great scouting departments. Is anyone ready to say that we have that right now?

[BIGH2001]

Meanwhile Jerry Richardson rides by on his golf cary with a happy disposition. Everything is great in pantherland. He has a franchise qb.