DaveThePanther2008

With the understanding that pre-season doesn't mean much it is hard to believe that all these rookies played well in preseason yet did get many opportunities during the regular season. Especially since those in front of them were not much better (outside the receiving corps) I still believe that this rookie class will be one of our better drafts providing Rhule starts to use them. It doesn't do much good to draft all these players without giving them much of an opportunity to play.

Exactly. I think what makes it worse is that Rhule was able to get complete control. For the most part I think we've drafted well and the judgement is still out on whether those picks will be good ones but IMO they are OK. That said, it doesn't matter how well you draft and what FA you bring in if you staff is unable to get the best out of our talent. Rhule's stubbornness is far worse than Rivera's, which is saying a lot. When it was clear that we weren't going anywhere this season. He should have put Christensen and Brown in the lineup and allowed for them to grow instead of playing players that have zero upside. His Coaches, at least offensively, are terrible. So on and so on.

I think it would be worse if we go .500 in 2022 and we're stuck with this insane project another year. I completely agree with the OP. Rhule thinks the buddy buddy system will do what he did in college. Not in this league. The Temple, Baylor connection to include coaches and players is insulting. We are never going to win with all those connections. I hope he learns but I think Tepper has enabled Rhule's project and as long has he's in control of everything. The Panthers will be bottom dwellers.

I like the one team gets a bye. It makes everybody play the last game of the season. (For the most part) Sure Pittsburgh and Philly showed THIS year they aren't deserving but what happens when that 7th seed makes it to the Super Bowl and wins.

OK Marty. Tremble was not that bad. He had some good plays and given a decent OC he'll probably be better than any FA we bring in. Everyone wants to draft that same position that we drafted last year because the player we drafted didn't make the Pro Bowl. You have to let some of these guys develop. Foolish to keep drafting or bringing in FA for the same positions when we have so many other needs. We are in serious need of interior linemen and should be our focus. I saw an early mock draft which has us talking the 3rd best O-line in the draft, however there were many more O-line that were taken in round one. A QB wasn't taken until mid first round. Trade down, pick up an extra draft pick. Grab a 1st Round O-line and a QB in round two.

I think the bigger issue was with all that talent Brady had, he was confident in the initial game plan. They were never really in the position to make any major changes to the game plan. You can't do that in the NFL. You are going to have to make in game adjustments and Brady couldn't do it. It was pretty obvious. After 3 games teams figured out what we did well. They took it away and poof Brady turns into Coach Klein (Waterboy).

This is exactly why I stay out of the cap conversations. I've never followed the money and leave that to the ones that do. Bottom line is we'll have some cap space and we need to use it on top tier free agents.

I think with a solid line he can be a workhorse. I think his TD run yesterday was strong and once he got to the 2nd level it was over. I don't think you are being overly optimistic.

Understandable there is a lot of disgruntled fans on this board. However, I think we have many good pieces and with a good head coach and coordinators I think we can do well next year. It all depends on Tepper.

Rhule makes Rivera look like a genius. He is so in stubborn to believe players he brought in free agency are the answers to our issues and won't play the rookies they drafted. I still can't believe they didn't give Brown a chance at guard considering they make M. Kalil look like an All-Pro. Turnstile is too good of a word for them. You could also make a case that Christensen didn't look so good because the scrub guard next to him wasn't doing much to help him.

We might get a UDFA for Darnold at this point. Darnold has zero trade value, regardless of what the talking heads are saying. We gambled and lost. Our best bet is hopefully trade down and get our 2nd back. We'll have to wait until combine to see what players stand out. If a Mid first round QB or OT becomes available we might be able to trade down grab a 2nd and maybe a next years first.

While I agree that we can address some of our needs through free agency. We have to address the offense with the first pick whether QB or OT. We've spent several drafts in a row addressing the defense. We need to go offense.

Barring a miracle win against Tampa Bay next week this will be the first time in our team history that had a higher top 10 draft choice than the year before. We have always improved after having a top 10 pick in the draft. Though we have had several picks higher than the year before never have we done it after having a top 10 pick. Currently we are sitting at 8 and unless we find a way to upset Tampa we will have a higher pick, currently 6th. We need to get rid of Rhule before we do it another year in a row.

I totally agree. I still stand by that this may have been the best draft class the Panthers have ever had. Almost all have contributed somehow. Marshall, Smith, Brown and even Christensen have been hindered by Rhule.

He's one of those guys that needs to remain a coordinator. He's a good defensive mind but as far as a head coach he's meh.

That's a bit harsh. I think with better coordinators we could turn things around quickly. But as the old saying goes, If your not improving your team you're going backwards. So those are position that need to be addressed. Hubbard did well considering our weak ass o-line, Smith and Marshall will be better with a real OC. Tremble is good too. Our top priority should be building a top 10 offensive line. Just about every team heading towards the playoffs has good O-lines.

I've never been a fan of Harbaugh and there is no way Pittsburgh lets Tomlin leave the steel city. My criteria is No College Coach. They've shown over and over they don't pan out. Sure there have been a few but overall most hires don't work. If we can't land solid coordinators I am all in on the protégé option. Guys that have been assistance coaches under the best minds in the game. I can't name any but I am sure they are out there.

Very true. Had our schedule been reversed we probably wouldn't have won a game. Jets and Houston are playing much better than we are right now. Hopefully, they win a couple more games and we can move in front of them in the draft. I think they both need one more win to make them even with us. Not sure how SOS helps or hurts us

I think the bigger question will be. Who is going to want to stay. With the current regime I would say not many. This is why we need to can Rhule ASAP and get a new staff in right away before free agency starts.

There isn't or never will be a better color commentatory than Madden. Truly and Icon and a sad day for the entire NFL and their fans. RIP John Madden

The difference is Jacksonville realized the mess and fired him ASAP. Tepper would rather have another crappy year just to save face on his overpaid 7 year contract.

Good Stuff. Tecklenburg numbers look ok. He's another player that's young and inexperienced. Considering the skill level how did he look? Does he have the opportunity to develop into a starter?

Rookies are going to get burnt by players like Barrett especially when he's only started a game or two at LT. Furthermore our interior line is terrible so our running game is terrible too. So now we're playing to their strengths. I just think we need to get a real O-line coach. Does anyone know how good the Giants line was the years Rhule was O-line coach.

Part of my view is I don't know what the Saints did today. I hope they won. Don't tell me, I get the opportunity to watch it later today on Armed Forces Network.

The one sack I notice Christensen was engaged and a stunt was ran and the RB whiff (or wasn't even there) and QB1 had no chance. It also doesn't help when we can't run the ball and the D-line is pinning their ears back on every down. Rhule's ego gets in the way. No way his FA and vets could be getting burnt. He treats rookies like college teams did back in the old days. Freshman can't play the first year.