top dawg

Well hinsight is always 20/20! I do agree with you about Tepper possibly being a meddler. I don't know it for sure, but I certainly thought it as I read the article. Where I might disagree though is that maybe, just maybe, we'll end up better for it in the long run. And, yes, I know that Jerry Jones is the poster boy for why owners shouldn't meddle, but, Tepper seems to be a lot smarter than Jerry Jones.

Well, you said it for me... probably a little more colorfully at that!

Scot, the retention of Hurney was a reasonable move considering that Tepper was trying to just get his bearings (which he admitted). Scorched earth is not always the best policy, and it obviously isn't Tepper's style. And in regards to praising Hurney, that was obviously just owner-speak, if not outright bullsh¡t! We heard intimations about getting rid of Hurney as the GM months before Tepper actually axed him!

All the owners have F.U. money, but, at the end of the day, they all fold in these situations. It's only a matter of how long. Keeping a disgruntled QB isn't in their best interest. Anyone that doesn't understand this is naive!

It doesn't escape me that there are opportunity costs with trading draft capital, but Rhule seems to get a lot out of middling talent. Fitterer ought to at least be able to acquire some middling talent for a couple of years to hold the fort. Maybe this is a main reason why Tepper is so intent on getting our franchise QB.

I'm too old to be nervous. I'm just waiting for us to shoot our shot.

Take this with a grain of salt, as it is the Lying Season, and smoke...screens are in the air! "Jourdan Rodrigue has been covering the Rams this season for the Athletic but we can assume she’s still as plugged-in for Carolina as any beat reporter. Speaking with Nora Princiotti on The Ringer’s new NFL podcast, Rodrigue said she knows the Panthers “love” Justin Fields and “like” Mac Jones." "I know they love Justin Fields. I know they like Mac Jones." https://pantherswire.usatoday.com/2021/02/17/panthers-love-justin-fields-like-mac-jones/ So, here we go. Take it FWIW!

For all you sarcastic what-a-surprise guys, I'll just say that I don't think that Tepper is playing chicken.

The question is not about what NFL owner wants a franchise QB. The question is: How much is an NFL owner willing to spend on a franchise QB--how much is the owner willing to sacrifice? Is the owner willing to give up what essentially constitutes four or five first round picks (when you take into account that legit stars, CMC and Burns, were first rounders and are still young)? The answer has yet to be determined.

If you believe this article is only about Watson, then I think you've missed the bigger picture. If La Canfora and his colorful language regarding obviously flawed QBs--or basically just below par QBs--is correct, then Tepper simply isn't going to put up with it. I could be wrong, but I think this bodes well for the long-term potential of the franchise and its fans.

Even if you think La Canfora is off his rocker, he really isn't the only one who has these beliefs about Tepper. Others have alluded to it, and have even referenced things Tepper had said. La Canfora has just been the most Candid.

I certainly wouldn't want to give up Burns and/or CMC, but I'd understand it if we were able to land Watson. It may not be a popular notion, but at some point you have to say that it's much easier to replace CMC or Burns than it is to trade for a proven franchise caliber QB like Watson who is just beginning his prime (which has never happened). You've gotta give something to get something, unless someone's just being generous.

"Don't count the Panthers out of the Watson sweepstakes!" We've heard this, or something like it, too many times! Apparently Jason La Canfora has inside sources. He admits we may not land Watson, but we're going to try. "But I can assure you of this much: Carolina is beyond smitten with Watson and owner David Tepper is fairly consumed by the prospect of landing him and no matter what happens with this transcendent young quarterback (and I still believe he is dealt at some point), the Panthers are going to play some role in the process." La Canfora is pretty much emphatically telling us that Tepper is done with B.S. QBs. "Most to the point, I'm told that Tepper is over the idea of a 'game-manager' at the quarterback position..." "...Tepper is done with the caretaker, band-aid, we'll see model of quarterback. He's made it clear to those in the organization, and to his confidants around the NFL, that he wants desperately to upgrade into the penthouse of quarterbacks, believing it to be the most critical element to elevating the team to the heights – both in the standings and financially..." Believe La Canfora, or not! I believe him, and as such I consider this the most honest and inside view that we're going to get about our QB situation! The only way we'll have a sh¡t QB going into this year, is if we just can't do any better, and Deshaun Watson is our main target, because Tepper wants to make it happen! "The owner is consumed with landing a true franchise quarterback, who could transform the fortunes of the team on field and off, and make Panthers games more alluring to fans and sponsors alike." Tepper has his eye on the big picture--on the football and business side! And, he's not going to play around any more! You might want to read the whole thing. https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/nfl-insider-notes-dont-underestimate-david-tepper-and-the-panthers-in-the-deshaun-watson-sweepstakes/

I thought that as well.

Button!

From what I read, Wilson only wants some input. That's not too much to ask considering that QBs generally know who's worth a damn and who is not!

It's not like it's a secret. Fitterer emphasized "every deal", and I guess he meant it. No big deal (pun not intended)!

Greeny just said that the team with the better scoring defense has won the Super Bowl 70 percent of the time. He also said "The old adage is true: Defense wins championships!"

I'm not counting on Watson ever being in a Panthers uniform, but until I hear from him, I won't believe that he's interested in playing for the Jets (or anyone else). I'm sensing that this could drag on into the season, certainly past the draft, and if that's the case, anything can happen. Until I hear from him or his agent, I take all these reports with a block of salt!

It's more like they've begun the fine-tuning of their scouting process! Rhule said that he hadn't begun to watch tape back during his Senior Bowl Interviews when talking in reference to Mac Jones and the QBs.

I don't think that's it. With so many teams needing or desiring a franchise QB--or at least an upgrade--and so few options available, they're probably scouring film for one they can fix and essentially throwing poo on a wall to see if it sticks. "There has to be that Tannehill (or maybe Cousins) out there somewhere."

Panthers Wire puts Mariota in the Minshew and Hurts group! Says they're the second best option to drafting a young QB. https://www.google.com/amp/s/pantherswire.usatoday.com/2021/02/09/panthers-most-veteran-qb-trade-talks/amp/

Veteran NBA reporter Sekou Smith has died of Covid-19. He was 48.

Exactly what I was thinking, but I think we can become a real contender in 2-3 years.

I don't know about first ballot due to his egregious behavior on the practice field, but he'll most definitely get in. It's just a matter of time!