top dawg

Sure, the Eagles beat us pretty soundly, just like many other teams during that stretch. We were still trying to gel, dealing with injuries, or just coming off injuries. But, it is what it is... Like it or not, admit it or not, Kelly came into a much better situation than Rivera as a pro HC. He had experienced, veteran leadership on both sides of the ball, most of which he pushed out the door. His offensive firepower was markedly better and more complete than ours last year, plus he is a touted offensive mastermind. Even after all that---with all that---the Eagles folded---no, they collapsed like a cheap umbrella in the wind when they came up against a bad Skins team during crunch time. Moreover, the better teams in the league just basically punked his team, which may be becoming a Kelly hallmark, but not as much as the truth that he still hasn't won the big one at any level for all of his "genius". Kelly didn't make the playoffs, period. His team started strong and folded when it mattered. Deal with it! And, by the way, I find it funny that you talk about moving goal posts when your whole contention about how deserving the Eagles were to be in the playoffs and the Panthers weren't, is predicated upon not only moving goal posts, but teleporting the whole gridiron into the ether.

Now that's something I really can't get with. We did deserve to be there, and we did deserve to win a playoff game, otherwise we wouldn't have. The NFL is set up in divisions for a reason. Just because the division had an off year, doesn't mean you throw out the whole season or way of doing things. There are too many variables and scenarios from year to year, including luck, injuries, and strength of schedule for example to say this team did or didn't deserve it just because the division as a whole had a tough year. The overall NFL system has worked for years and made the NFL the most successful sport in this country. Teams that win more games than some who actually make the playoffs miss out every year, so no need to cry about it just because a team gets in who fell short of .500. It happens sometimes. Part of the strategy to get to the postseason is to win your division. Chip Kelly couldn't do it, and that's just the way it is.

More than a few Huddlers, myself included, are already out there.

OK, then, hence the curiosity as to why there hasn't been a visit in light of the Panthers' draft history. You have made other comments regarding Strong other than that. Not to mention the suspect disdain for Perriman.

Well what is it then, a fact? It has got to be one or the other since you listed Strong here: I mean, perhaps I have a misunderstanding. Was this "Panthers top five..." just all your opinion?

You may be right about Mr. Igo, but I find it kind of odd that the Panthers would have a definitive grade on Perriman since he isn't scheduled to visit until next week. By the way, on an off note, the more apt comparison to Cordarelle Patterson in this year's draft is Ty Montgomery.

Already acknowledged. I just kind of doubt with his obvious inability to consistently gain separation that he would be taken seriously without an actual workout. Of course I could be totally wrong.

One reason that Perriman has risen is because he did not drop a catch his last four games, nor at his pro day. He showed marked improvement and potential in that area over the course of the year. You say that he reminds you of Patterson, but Patterson did not have the collegiate career that Perriman had, and was way more raw. Patterson also allowed way too many passes into his body in college, and just didn't understand any nuances of route running. Again, basically Patterson was way more raw. I think that you're being hard on Perriman because he ran a fast 40. You aren't giving any value to Greg Cosell comparing Perriman's movements to Julio Jones' (not that Perriman will be Jones). Perriman's route running is not great, but it's not unlike other receivers coming out of college (e.g. Dorsett, Parker, etc.), so I don't understand why people here keep knocking him for that. He will need to be coached up just like most of them, but he is no where never as raw as CP, and it's mainly on the Huddle where you here this type of ignorance. I haven't seen anyone outside of a message board compare Perriman to CP, and I certainly haven't seen anyone of note make such a comparison. As for your thoughts on Agholor, I can definitely see that. And, Hardy, a second is not out of the possibility depending if a team gives more weight to his actual work than his Combine measurables.

Tomatoe or tomato on that BPA argument. It's only worth arguing about in April, three weeks before thle draft. Technically, effectively, philosophically, theoretically, or whatever, the goal is to get the player that you think is the best. If we trade up to do it, then I trust that Gettleman knows what he wants and what he's doing.

Well, that's the question. Perriman is rising and may be gone by our first time on the clock, as may Strong, but Agholor and Hardy may or may not be there when we pick in the second. There has been some talk of Agholor going in the first, but as for us, we haven't even worked him out.

As for me, I will just get some comfort getting another young WR with some upside and obvious YAC ability, but I prefer Perriman, Agholor and Hardy. Perriman just oozes explosive potential, and I have been saying that since I first saw him. Agholor had a fairly fast time in the 40, but when you watch him on tape, he looks even faster (like he has another gear), and he has nice hands and runs nice routes. Hardy, though slower, also has maybe the best hands and runs the best routes. Though maybe not as athletic on tape than some others, Hardy always seems to put himself in a position to make plays. That's just my abridged break down of my three favorite receivers in the draft. And to tell you the truth, I like them all more than I like Strong in fitting with our needs. But, I have literally been watching Strong for going on two years, and if he ends up being picked above or instead of either of them, I am not going to throw a hissy fit.

If you watched the NCAA national championship game, then you heard Bleacher Report getting it's ad time. It's a multimillion dollar Internet behemoth that is gradually improving its quality, viability and credibility. Now, I am going to read the article...

I wouldn't bet my life on someone not finding out if there was actually some type of visit in this day of social media, but perhaps you're right. Maybe tape and a phone call sufficed.

OK, perhaps I have missed the time and place that Jaelen Strong came to town or had a private workout with Panthers personnel. I started with the Huddle, then on to SB Nation and BBR, and apparently Strong has not visited yet. This is curious to me as he is being touted by Mr. Igo as one of a few strong candidates to be the pick (pun intended). Now perhaps someone can correct me if I am wrong (because I believe that I read it somewhere) but wasn't Star Lotulelei the only guy that the Panthers have ever drafted in the first couple of rounds without a confirmed pre-draft visit or workout? Of course Gettleman has only been here a couple of drafts so far. That, his style to hold things closely to the vest, along with his drafting of Lotulelei may mean things are changing, but still. Lotulelei's fall into our laps was totally unexpected (except by a few, myself included particularly late), but Strong is not even a consensus first round talent, let alone a top five pick like Lotulelei was before his trumped up medical issue. Again, the Panthers have had a history of drafting guys with confirmed pre-draft visits and work-outs in the first and second round from what I read before Gettleman came, and Star may be the only one EVER that we drafted in the first couple of rounds otherwise. Yeah, this is what I saw: http://draftpanthers.com/2013/04/02/gettleman-strategy/ "If you really want to know who the Panthers may draft in the first two rounds, keep checking our Pre-Draft Visits Tracker. Based on the notes our staff has compiled, the Panthers have never drafted a player in the first two rounds who did not have a confirmed Pre-Draft Visit or Work-Out." Edit: Some in fact remember us working out Star. I don't know whether it was "confirmed" by the Panthers or not, but, that's beside that point, this would be further evidence that makes me question why hasn't Strong had his day. Of course there is still time. It just seems like if he were the preference at WR, like has been expressed emphatically, then he would have worked him out by now.

Alright. We'll see what he does this year with his new pieces in place. Kelly was feasting off LeSean McCoy also with those top five offenses, not to mention that he let two top 10 receivers get away from him. Our defense has been what has led us to back to back NFC south championships. Arguably it's the offense that has let us down for a number of reasons, the first probably being the need for another legitimate playmaker at the WR spot followed closely by play calling, among others. That being said, I don't think that Gettleman is a dummie, and I believe he will finally do what we arguably haven't done in a decade, and that's to legitimately upgrade the level of talent of our top 3 wide receivers. If all the new toys don't produce under Shula's leadership, I think that he will get rid of Shula sooner rather than later. I could be wrong, but I believe that Gettleman's more conservative, tried and true way is the more efficient way to a championship and sustained success than a glorified variation of the no-huddle offense. We will see.

Like I said, wait until he actually does something of note except produce an offense that largely feasts on suspect teams before you crown his ass. His teams have failed, sometimes miserably, when they come against teams with at least equal offensive firepower and a strong defense. You are not getting over the hump in the NFL if you fail to appreciate that you almost always have to have a top tier defense, and that it takes a certain amount of star power, not to mention continuity and chemistry, to win championships. After you see Kelly exit early from the playoffs a few more times, if he makes it at all, then maybe you will get the message. Moreover, you can try and use your offense to tire out defenses all you like, but you're going to tire out your own as well, and that's where the trouble comes for his up tempo gimmick. Teams are catching up to this, and superior teams will turn his system around in their favor by either outgunning him, or using the same old ball control offense that has been largely successful forever. And this doesn't even take into account the teams that have the team speed and smarts on defense to nullify what Kelly wants to do on offense.

Didn't you forget someone? That's OK, you won't be forgetting him when he is our 3 or 4.

Regardless, people getting all bent out of shape just because Jennings is having a little fun with social media need to get their priorities in life in order. Personally I thought it was a bad joke, but a joke is a joke after it's all said and done. Not a soul was harmed.

Tell me all these things after Kelly wins a ring, because regardless of whether anyone likes it it not, championships do matter. Kelly's team crumbled when it came across teams that were superior defensively and just as prolific on the offensive side of the ball. All pro coaches have football knowledge that exceeds probably most on this board (I say "probably" because I don't know everyone's knowledge of football on this board), so that's not really saying anything. As for how the Pats beat the Hawks, it was Belichick's ability to adapt his coaching style to his opposition. The short dink and dunk passing game which focused on routes underneath the strength of the Hawks' coverage, along with just enough running to keep the Seahawks honest, was the winning formula. It had literally nothing to do with Chip Kelly, or his flawed style of offense which tires out his defense, and is largely being successfully dissected by the better coaches of the league.

fug Kelly. I never ever wanted him, and I still believe that he is overrated. You guys lauding him, will you be lauding him this year after he gets his ass kicked? No you won't. Sure it's a business, blah blah blah. Bottom line: three star players in their prime are no longer on the Eagles, in addition to quality role players. This is not a recipe for success in this league. Kelly and all his jock sniffers will find that out very soon.

Yeah, man. As a football fan this time of year it's just easy to be lulled to sleep.

What about the Lame Games?

I see that other Huddlers already addressed you. I only mentioned 5th round "pick" for a reason. In theory, Gman could trade away any of the picks to move up for anyone except those two comp picks. I am just assuming that it would be the 5th for Agholor because we have three, but it may take our 3rd or 4th. I definitely would not do the 3rd, and would think about the 4th "long" and hard.

Don't forget, Gman has a 5th in his back pocket that he could use to move up.

Ride and die with Agholor