Navy_football

1 hour ago, Bear Hands said:

Yeah motions and misdirects that have him gaining speed before the snap definitely help and you can use him a bit in the sweeps where he gets the ball quickly. Totally get that, I probably went to hard into the critique in that slot role.

But beating zone on the outside - it’s not in his arsenal yet. 

Sounds a lot like Deebo to me. I can see that. 

1 hour ago, top dawg said:

Neither one might be available if this prognostication is correct.

https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.yardbarker.com/general_sports/articles/amp/2024_nfl_draft_predicting_this_years_surprise_first_round_picks/s1_17304_40190111

Some people are worried about Diggs. Well, in theory, that trade could have implications for us during the draft.

I don't think Xavier would be their replacement for Diggs. I think guys like McConkey and Mitchell will be their targets. 

11 minutes ago, RJK said:

Diggs is a good player but also a pain in the ass. The panthers aren’t in a place as a franchise to take on that kind of player. Ultimately he’d have been detrimental to the rebuild 

I do agree that Diggs' age and contract is probably not where this team wants to be right now. 

But I will say that the FO just had a complete rehaul minus the DC and his core. We don't know what type of leader Canales (and to a lesser degree Morgan) will be yet. 

Why are yall so dang negative all the time?! Geez!!!

This was a horrible TEAM last year with some obvious areas of EXTREME weakness. All Morgan did was go out and address those areas a lot better than most would have thought possible. Especially since no good free agents would want to come to Carolina - at least that's what I was told before free agency began. 

And the defense is better with the additions than it would be if they had tried to keep Burns. That is a definite. Relax. They'll be good enough next year to evaluate Bryce. If he's the guy, anything's possible. If he isn't, they'll still win more games than last year but they'll be in position to get a new QB when he becomes available. 

The Texans just got better yall. Like or not. They're a strong team in all phases (O, D, ST) with a strong HC, DC, and a wonder kid at OC. Slowik must have seen a way that Stephon would help the team enough for his contract and attitude. He's obviously convinced he can make it work. And I'm more confident in him than I am in Stroud (who looks like he's ready to take the reigns from Lamar and Mahomes). I know it's a foreign concept to Panther fans, but the GM, HC, DC and OC work together to build rosters. 

1 hour ago, Lame Duck said:

You should see the hidden forums.

how do I find the hidden forums?

51 minutes ago, CmC2k said:

Canales gets his Doug Baldwin at 33 with Ladd McConkey and Morgan gets the next great Panthers linebacker with Payton Wilson at 39. 

Love both players. But both have legitimate injury concerns. That would be a risky top of the draft for the black cats. 

New coaching staff. They should get their guys. Didn't do that last season with the defense, so getting it done this off season. Nothing worked on offense so new OC should build the offense his way. Shouldn't be hamstrung working with pieces from the previous regime's philosophy and schemes. Panthers made changes where practical and possible to upgrade and fit scheme. This is not a bad thing.

This is what they should be doing when you have a stud QB on a rookie deal. Cap numbers will change alot in 4 years. Alot lot!

I know he played in the SEC, but does anyone know how he did against CBs mocked in the top 3 rounds?

He does seem to have another gear when he gets the ball.

5 minutes ago, LinvilleGorge said:

It would be a VERY tough transition for him at this stage. 

I agree. He would have to go to the right situation, with a vet in place that is willing to help show him the ropes. Coaching alone ain't gonna get him there before his contract is up and he's moved out of the league or into a different situation/offensive scheme to learn. 

22 minutes ago, top dawg said:

BPA BPA BPA! 

We could stand a nice CB, and I'll never get mad at taking an OT. Now of course the actual players picked need to give you a commensurate return on investment. 

From my perspective, drafting is an exercise in value and weighing opportunity costs, both in the immediate and in the long term. It's the prime cut of team building. 

Agree. BPA - at a position of need and fit.

I'd just love for the Panthers to follow the draft's strengths for once. They always tend to out think themselves. This team needs playmakers. This is a draft that will have real playmakers in the 2nd. Why take a CB and/or OT when a true playmaker (or 2) will be there for the taking? A CB and OT is best if you don't hear their name being called. A WR and pass rusher is best when their name is called. 

Having elite size and athleticism makes him an outlier. He could make the transition. Would not draft him before round 5 - maybe not at all (UDFA). Give him a couple of years to acclimate before throwing him to the wolves. Remember, pass rushers are the best overall athletes on the field (size, strength, speed, agility). You don't want him out there trying to hang with those freaks using just athleticism. He'd fail miserably. Probably get someone hurt in the process. 

9 minutes ago, LinvilleGorge said:

I'd do back flips for this one

I think that's the best value for next year. Would love a starting OC, but this combo likely yields the greatest returns in season 1. 

No way I take a CB or an OT with the one of the first 2 picks. 

TMJ isn't a bad WR. He's better at crossing/posts/flies, rather than the hooks/comebacks/corner routes he was mostly asked to do last year. He isn't good at creating separation early (or late for that matter). So, he probably does need a QB that is less risk adverse. That, or he needs to somehow earn his current QB's trust. 

Just going off heresay, he seems to be talented enough, but maybe not the best teammate. Those things matter. WRs should always try to be best friends with their QB. Trust plays a big factor in getting targets when you're not open. 

29 minutes ago, DeAngelo Beason said:

Terrace Marshall had a lot of potential and was flashing very nicely until pipsqueak took over under center.  His decline, and the decline of the entire offense, can be completely blamed on Bryce Young's absolute ineptitude as a QB.

Yep. This offense was such an elite group in 2022, that it has to be the pipsqueak QB (that at least 50% of the NFL had ranked as the #1 pick in the draft) is the reason they passed for 1 yard less than they did in 2022. All with a new offensive scheme that didn't fit the oline or receivers, an completely new coaching staff including a first time OC, a ridiculous number of injuries on the interior oline, losing their only productive WR, and only true receiving all-world running back. Yep, that's it. Makes perfect sense now.

10 hours ago, Jackie Lee said:

Red Zone offense? Would be nice to just get a legit TE for that though

It would be nice to involve TEs in the game plan again.  

You don't think Tremble can be that guy? He's shown a lot of flashes, particularly last season. I have a feeling he's ready to play a bigger role in the offensive game plan.

Nah this offense has been garbage for years now. Jewell is good enough inside with Shaq. 

Panthers have to stop out thinking themselves. Historically good and deep WR/OL draft means 1st round talent will fall to the second. 

And I like Edgerrin. I really like Edgerrin. 

Are the Panthers a good team now? Probably not. 

Are they better than last season. Absolutely. 

Edit: on paper

9 minutes ago, MHS831 said:

I agree about the stereotypes, and they are not malicious. For example, Jared Lorenzen could stand in the pocket and throw dimes, like many fit NFL QBs, but it was hard to take him seriously.  That big kid for NC State looks wrong out there, but he has his team in the sweet 16--how good did they have to be to become exceptions?   I once heard Jim Caldwell talk at a conference, and someone asked him why they don't recruit white running backs.  He replied, "There just aren't many out there who are good enough--and that is not a racial statement as it sounds.  It starts in the younger leagues--Pop Warner and high school--because those coaches take the black kids and play them at the skill positions.  The opposite is true at the QB position. By the time these players get to the college level, they have either quit or they are playing the positions their coaches assigned them even before high school.  A black QB does not look right to some people, just like a white RB does not look right."  He called it a filtering process, and it happens in all walks of life--it made some sense to me.   I thought that was interesting--it was about 20 years ago or more, so much of what he said is prophetic.

I keep trying to dismiss Ladd from my pick at 33, but I keep going back.  He is the safe pick, and he is 6 feet tall and about 190--runs a sub 4.4 and was 5th at the combine among WRs in the athleticism score area--I do not see how you pass him by if he is on the board.  No, he is not as good as Marvin Harrison, but in any other draft, he would be top 20. 

There is a lot of truth to that racial stereotype idea. But, I will say that every high school and college (that are racially diverse) has white DBs and RBs, and black QBs. They just don't always translate to the next level. Maybe it does have a lot to do with where they were lined up when they were very young and just starting out playing ball in racially diverse climates. 

But yeah. Ladd and Pearsall are actual friggin athletes in anybody's eyes. If the Panthers could get Ladd in the 2nd and Pearsall in the 3rd, they should JUMP on it! Call it whatever you like, but those dudes would change the game on the same team. Heck, if they could get CMC back, this would be a trendsetting Panthers team. Black QB. White Tailback. 3 White WRs. The media would eat that ish up!

2 hours ago, Crixtala said:

Jermaine Burton

Alabama WR with one year of experience with Young. Seems to have the physical requirements, but I don't think ever had a season that blew anyone away. I think he's also got some off the field flags, for those that care about it.

Suspect he'd be available around 65 (a reach, imo), but that year of experience with BY could come in handy

Lately, I'm on the AD at 33 and Pearsall at 65 train. Grab Adisa Isaac, T'Vondre Sweat or TJ Tampa at 39

Is Pearsall really mocked that late?! 

He would be really hard to pass up that late. Almost have to take him there if you're a team in need of receivers. 

3 hours ago, *FreeFua* said:

Good.

Route running will always translate to the next level

Always. Even mediocre athletes that can catch and run good routes. 

8 minutes ago, rayzor said:

I guess part of this is also does the coaching staff have more to work with?

Considering the coaching staff had a hand in who we got, Canales got his OL and an upgraded WR and Evero got some of his guys.

I think they might feel like it's a better fit for what they have in mind. I'm sure they would have liked to keep Luvu and he's really the only one I wish we'd been able to keep, but for the most part I think they are getting who they want.

I think we're downplaying Jewell. He's more of a prototypical MLB. Luvu was a Jack of all trades, but not a true MLB. 

I don't think we should look at this rebuild position by position. That'll take many years. 

Football isn't played that way. It's the ultimate team sport. Pass rush is not dependent on one player or position. Pass coverage is not dependent on just the secondary. Passing is dependent on the entire oline and your receivers. Rushing is not dependent only on the running back. 

They've addressed every major area. That's all you can ask for. Make good decisions during the draft, and then it's the coaches turn to put it all together. 

On paper... they're easily better. A lot better. 

The only area that could remotely be worse is pass coverage, but an improved pass rush could help there. I'm not looking at the players lost/gained as individuals, but the mission area as a whole.

Run defense is improved drastically.

Pass rush is improved.

Pass protection is improved drastically.

Pass receivers improved drastically. I think David Moore makes a major contribution as he's a vet leader that is familiar with the offense. He's the Jerrico Cotchery from 2015.

Rush blocking is improved drastically.