top dawg

It was bound to happen.

Yes. It has been reported several times that Tepper lets his hires run things pretty much as they see fit. We've also seen it in action on draft night. Furthermore, no one here has presented any credible evidence that Tepper meddles. None! That's not to say that he won't ever do it, especially after the miserable Rhule era, but so far there is no indication that he's a meddlesome owner. If Tepper was some meddling owner as has been incorrectly stated here, we would have Justin Fields, point blank and period!

Piñiero and Gonzalez should compete for the job. That's my final answer.

People here seem to assume that Wilks would just get new coordinators. I'll believe it when I see it. They've "turned it around" as a unit, so I just don't see him axing the guys that helped him get the job.

I'm with you on that, but I think that we should do legitimate research on other prospects before handing Wilks the job.

The article in general is speculation. I'm also not sure why Tepper or anyone else in the FO would let people know that he wants Levis. Sounds a little fishy to me.

Players wanted to keep grass at BoA Stadium too, as opposed to playing on turf. How'd that work out?

Tepper has kept his nose out of the management of the football team

You damn right. I never believed the hype about Seattle or Detroit, and I felt that the Panthers were being somewhat disrespected, or at least underappreciated by talking heads, if not our own fans. We were never as bad as the product that Rhule was responsible for, and though we've been inconsistent, I think that the Panthers have shown enough to legitimately give people reason to believe that, though we may not be a legit top contender, we can legitimately hang with the middling teams of the 2022 season, if not best them altogether depending upon how we match up. I expected us to beat the Lions at home, and I also figured that we had enough to beat the Seahawks on any given Sunday (just like we have a shot against the Bucs). Matt Rhule did a number--a mind trick, if you will--on people's perception of this team. We aren't world beaters, but we were never bottom feeders either. Throw out the games that Rhule was responsible for, and you can see that what I say is reflected in our play and record since then.

In my mind, Wilks has beaten teams that he's supposed to beat, but he let some get away by being out-coached, flat out conservative and either unwilling to, or incapable of, adapting (mainly Pittsburgh and Atlanta). This makese skeptical that he can compete with the best strategists in the league. But, if we hire him, I'll most certainly support him (until I don't). Sometimes when you get what you ask for, you get what you ask for. Lets not forget: Pittsburgh basically beat the poo out of us, as did Cinci even more so.

I have always said that he is our most explosive back, and it's true. He plays above his weight consistently. He can and does run between the tackles. Give him some credit. The only real knock on him are his hands, and those even look a little better as of late. I remember a few (maybe a lot) calling him JAG, clowning him for being picked by Mrs. Rhule, or just saying that he shouldn't be on an NFL roster. What say you now?

To be for real, Terrace should've stepped up this season, particularly being that he was once thought to have more talent than Ja'Marr Chase and Justin Jefferson, or at least be in the same league (even as he was hurt and they were killing it at LSU), but he's been somewhat lackluster so far--not what you'd expect from a top echelon receiver in the league. So, I'm skeptical. His only saving grace is that he's played in not so great circumstances with not-so-great QBs. My expectations are beginning to deteriorate though. We'll see next year.

Bullshit!

My take: Wilks is too far down that list to be taken seriously.

Well, damn.

You're the one that used the word "dramatic." I have been here going on 20 years or so, and anyone that knows me would say that I'm more direct than dramatic. People generally use those types of terms when they don't like what someone is saying in order to circumvent the focal point of the discussion. I stand by what I said, whether it applies to you or not. As for "childish", I believe that the whole notion of tanking is an immature, unrealistic, and unproductive discussion. That's what I think; others may disagree, so it is what it is. The team is trying to win every single game, point blank and period! Once the games are played and draft order is established, then we can all discuss, debate and argue about adult things based in reality. It would be nice if everyone did it in a mature and forthright manner (speaking of childish), but we already know that that's never going to happen.

You're the one that said "...the last thing this team needs is 'fans' telling other 'fans' to go root for another team if you don’t agree with what’s best for the long term future of this franchise." What fans tell other "fans" isn't affecting this team one iota, right? If that's the case, then whose statement is the "dramatic" one? Most players appreciate fan support. Desiring that they lose is not what they consider as support, pure and simple. I can't say it any clearer than that. So, if you're willing to support the opposite of what the players are trying to achieve--what the franchise is trying to achieve--every day, then don't get all upset when someone calls you on it. You should expect it. If that hurts feelings, well, it is what it is.

The team is going to play to win, period. Put on your gear, and go tell any player on the roster that you hope that they lose because it's "what's best for the long term future of the franchise" and see how they react.

I wouldn't bet my life on it. We may lose precious draft position.

I'd add, that if you don't want us to make the playoffs, that you're rooting for us to lose. I will never do that in any situation, much less when we can still make the dance.

No one has said it expressly, but more than a few have said that any wins at this point are useless, and that the Cowboys will likely face the NFCS champ. I'm simply connecting the dots.

I doubt it. Wilks had everything to coach for Sunday, and he blew it.

Or either just how old you are...

If you're going to run a 4-3, then you need big, strong DEs that can play on the line and be consistent in run support. Burns really ain't that dude, but yet he still does enough to look good on the stat line because of his natural speed and athleticism. He'd likely benefit in a 3-4, but if the plan is to keep him in a 4-3, then you must put a more traditional pass rushing DE on the other side. For a DC who knows what he's doing, maybe he could maximize each player's strengths by having them switch sides depending on the strategy of the opposition. Burns isn't a bad player at all, he's actually a good problem to have (and, yes, we chose to keep him which is a problem), but you have to use him effectively to allow his ability to shine.