grimesgoat

2 minutes ago, joemac said:

Im not a huge Fields guy, but he threw for 2200 yards, which is more than 1200, and had a 60% completion percentage, with 17 TDs and 11 picks.  Not terrible, especially when you factor in his 1100 rushing yards and 8 TDs. 

You gotta factor in the 20+ fumbles too.  And the 14 losses. 

Frankly, with Rhule as coach, I doubt Fields develops into anything here.  We signed Darnold before the draft, so it would have been awhile before he had his chance.  He's been so inconsistent I'm sure there would be a revolving door with Darnold and PJ. 

His stats would never transfer here.

Houston will take Young.

Indy will take Stroud.

We will sign a vet before the draft (probably Darnold).

We will stand pat and choose between Levis and Quentin.

• 
  28.
  Jared Verse

  EDGE Florida State
  
• 
  39.
  John Michael Schmitz

  OC Minnesota
   
• 
  128.
  Luke Musgrave

  TE Oregon State
   
• 
  139.
  Kenny McIntosh

  RB Georgia
   
• 2024 TEN 1st
• 2024 WAS 1st
• 2024 DET 1st
• 2024 DEN 1st

If Harbaugh comes, I think Darnold is gone.  We stay put and pick Levis.

DE and TE in round 2.

RB in round 3.

We compete in every game and finish with 7 wins.

2024/2025: back to back winning seasons.

On 1/2/2023 at 6:33 PM, Seltzer said:

It has gotten so much worse in the past 5 years or so.  I think it is a combination of a society that expects instant gratification, think playing fantasy football makes them capable of being a coach/GM, and the underlying mental illness issues that have been plaguing the country brought on and worsened by Covid.

This toxic mix compels some to try to drag others into the mental illness they are obviously suffering from.  I truly don't understand why they stick around if they are so bothered by everything.

I once thought a lot of the straight up sh*tposting was trolling, but the overwhelming prevalence and the absolute need to be heard over social media along with the need to try to drag others into their misery is something new.  Mental health is this country is a massive issue, and a lot of these types of posts are both pathetic and in a sad way, a cry for help.

Seriously, if a game is causing you the kind of mental anguish to post something like this, you need professional help, and I genuinely hope you seek it out.  You sound suicidal over what is ultimately a game.  Take a day, reread this, and really think about why you felt the need to broadcast this.  Because I personally think it's way more about mental health and an inability to cope than it is about the Panthers losing a football game b/c full stop this sounds unhinged.

well said.  I too wonder about the mental health of some folks on here. 

When fantasy football first started, you had to really dig to get info.  Being successful took a lot of research and smarts.  Now, everything is at your fingertips and it seems so much easier.  People don't understand all the scouting research, financial planning, risk assessment, and plain old luck that goes into putting a real team together. 

9 hours ago, Carl Spackler said:

Milksteak and jelly beans it is

lol - how much cheese is too much cheese?

20 minutes ago, stbugs said:

Not rosiest. The 2023 2nd did improve but it was the 2024/2025 1st round picks that were the prize. The Rams would also not have had a 1st and 2nd in 2023 and no 1sts for 2024/2025. Couple that with signing Burns and they aren’t bringing in any draft talent.

Few other points:

1. Stafford hasn’t been healthy all year. Did you miss his preseason elbow issues? He had one good game against Atlanta’s shitty D and before the trade in his other 5 games he had 3 TDs and 6 INTs and that’s with a healthy Kupp. He was clearly hurt all year and he’ll be 35 in a month. He’s not getting any younger. After 8 straight years of missing no games, he’s missed a half season 2 out of the last 4 years.

2. McVay and Donald both discussed retirement and Donald turns 32 before next season. He had missed 2 total games since his rookie year and is now going to miss 6 this year. Short is not Donald but he went from All-Pro to injured pretty damn quick after 30.

3. I’m not saying Reddick 100% replaces Burns just that money wise you could sign a player at $15M (edge rusher like Reddick) and another at $10-12M (top C or G like Corbett). Those two should be able to get you close to Burns value such that the picks are the icing on the cake.

We would have gotten lucky with the 2023 2nd although it wasn’t surprising that Stafford missed so much time and didn’t really play well. It’s not a stretch IMHO to say that Stafford and the Rams hit their peak last year and because they haven’t had and wouldn’t have had (if we made the trade) draft talent to restock that they are likely to be bottom half in 2023/2024. It wouldn’t surprise me if in 2024 they are bottom tier. SF and Seattle look poised to be the top two in that division the next two years. Again, I don’t see that as super rosy and the Rams weren’t exactly firing on all cylinders when we got the offer.

I get all this.  You make some good points. 

I don't agree on the money issue.  I don't believe there is anyone in free agency next year that can replace Burns for 15m.  We'll see how it shakes out.  But finding a DE with a good chance for 15 sacks in 2023 willing to play here  for less than 25m would be tough.

Last year the Rams traded for Von Miller - which was a springboard for a SB run.  Who's to say Burns would not have done the same.

Fitt can't assume injuries or retirements etc.  With McVay - there is just no way you can assume the bottom will fall out. I think it was the Kupp injury that was the real issue and that happened weeks later. 

Fitt stuck with a known commodity - one of the best young DEs in the game that is still only 24.  The picks are just too uncertain. 

I would have done it, but its not incompetence to not do it. I love the draft - the more picks, the more fun.  But I don't fault Fitts' reasoning here.

33 minutes ago, mrcompletely11 said:

He's not that special all things considered 

Among DEs, he's 3rd in sacks, 2nd in tackles, 3rd in TFL, 7th in QB hits.

Plus he's made the pro bowl 2 out of 4 years.

Dude is only 24.  Peak years are yet to come.

Are there a lot of guys like this?

3 minutes ago, Zaximus said:

 

agree to disagree.

21 minutes ago, Zaximus said:

Na the Rams were looking pretty dreadful at the time and Stafford's injury was pretty well known.  That team was leaking at that point.  I don't think anyone expected them to win that many games at that point.  I don't think anyone knew how BAD it would get, but I think it was pretty obvious they would at least be mid picks.  The worst part is having to pay Burns now, with him having all the leverage, and us knowing he isn't a difference maker and disappears when you need him most.

The trade deadline was November 1.  They lost to SF on October 30, so negotiations would have taken place prior to that game.  So at the time, Fitt is looking at a team that was 3-3 with losses against Buffalo, Dallas, and at SF.  Stafford was healthy and he'd just beat us, going 26-33 for 253.  Definitely didn't look slowed in that game.  McVay is one of the best coaches in the league - a collapse was simply not imaginable.

And we still don't know where those picks will be in 2024 and 2025.  Hard to know for certain in late October of 2022.

Again - I'm with you - I would have done the deed.  But the jury is still out on where those picks will be.  Fitt played it conservative - assuming they would be late firsts.  Late first round is usually not a place you find a Brian Burns.  The only 2 DEs ahead of Burns in sacks are Bosa and Garrett, who went 2nd and 1st overall in their respective drafts.  I don't think people appreciate how special Burns is.

15 minutes ago, Panthera onca said:

Wilks had his chance and blew it by playing scared. Not going for it on those two 4th and less than one chances was coaching malpractice. He had to know that winning that game was his chance at the full time gig. You gotta shoot your shot in that situation and do everything possible to win.

Coaching malpractice?  I'd argue it would be malpractice to go for it.

4 and 1's are converted about 70%.  

4th and 1 #1:  we are up 7-0 in the first quarter on our own 42 and a QB sneak just failed on 3 and 1.  Why would the odds increase on 4th and 1.  You can pin them deep with your pro bowl kicker or possibly shift momentum and bring the crowd into the game.  Gotta punt that one.  Still a lot of football left to play.

4th and 1 #2:  we are up 14-0 in the second quarter, again at our own 42, with about 3 minutes left.  Our defense is pitching a shutout.  The only thing TB has going is their strong Defensive line.  Again, why give TB a short field up 14-0 with 3 minutes left until halftime?  Pin them deep.

Hindsight is 20-20.  But rolling the dice on your own side of the field and giving the other team/crowd something to get excited about was not the smart play.  The problem was not a lack of aggressiveness.  The problem was the 63-yard bomb thrown over the head of our 4th string CB.

16 minutes ago, stbugs said:

I was fine going for the playoffs once we had a shot and I was damn sure rooting to beat Tampa, but not trading Burns was dumb. Has nothing to do with Burns but cap space wise, getting rid of Burns have you enough money in FA to basically replace Burns (Reddick plus Corbett as an example) and then two 1sts and a 2nd. People keep talking about ooh, what if we didn’t get a Burn, but they don’t acknowledge the chance that we blow away his value. Rams are 5-11 so pick 37/38 in 2023 and a high probability of a top 10/15 pick in both 2024 and 2025. What if we hit on all 3 and get two solid FAs? We are a team on the compete for a title level with decent QB play. We had a chance to be great while our division is still mediocre.

I agree with you in that I probably would have made the trade. 

But the scenario you paint is the rosiest possible and far from likely at that time.  At the trade deadline, Rams were 3-4 and still had a healthy Stafford and Kupp.  Adding Burns and everyone stays healthy probably means Rams win 10-11 games and are picking mid-to-late 20s.  While it might be possible to draft someone of Burns' caliber in that range, we'd have to get really lucky.  And we only free up 16m in 2023.  Finding a guy as good as Burns on the open market would likely cost 25m per year. 

In my opinion, Reddick is not a viable alternative/comparison.  Reddick is a LB.  Weights 230.  Burns, while light at 250, is definitely a DE.  I don't consider that an apples to apples comparison, and LBs will almost always be cheaper that traditional DEs.

Hopefully this will not be considered slobbering but Darnold threw some absolute dimes out there.

there is definitely growth there. He’s not forcing things like he used to. The PI by DJ saved an int, but at that point in the game he had to take some risks. 

His int was a poor throw, but that was his first this year vs 11 tds. He is playing qb as well as anyone right now.  As others have said - he is not the reason we lost  

I suspect Darnold has hit his ceiling. But until we can get a draftee to take over, he is a respectable bridge. 

I guess I’m in the minority here,  it I like what fitt has done so far. 
 

I haven’t agreed with all his decisions. The two main disagreements I had was picking up Darnold’s option and turning down the Burns trade. Jury’s still out on the latter, but I probably would have pulled the trigger. Still, I get why he wanted to keep a young pass rushing specialist as a core piece. 
 

I think his drafts have been pretty solid. No way I pick fields over Horn. Shut down corner is tremendously important these days. Fields is a fantasy standout due to his running, but he’s 5-20 with 21 interceptions and 28 fumbles in less than 2 seasons. He may get better, but he would not have been developed by rhule and would have been a wasted pick. 
 

7 minutes ago, Pazhoosier89 said:

Yes, it is very possible we are picking 9 win or lose. I don't see any of the 6 win teams winning. 

Atlanta is still trying to win games. They could beat TB if TB rests some starters. We’re not jumping Vegas, KC will see to that. We might win and still move up to 8. I don’t see a loss against the taints hurting us at all. 

14 minutes ago, LinvilleGorge said:

We've been doing it for years. Winning meaningless late season games once we're out of contention with nothing left to play for but draft positions. Some fans keep telling me these moral victories will help us build for the future, meanwhile we still suck.

Atlanta won today. I guess they didn’t know you were supposed to quit after elimination. 
 

what is pathetic about some of our “fans” is the desire to lose while still in contention. 
 

frankly if every team that was unlikely to win it all tanked, the game would not be worth following. Too much like pro wrestling. Just a fake clown show. 

14 minutes ago, mrcompletely11 said:

another huge blunder by fat fitt

 

You lose credibility when you call someone fat for no apparent reason. 

Food for thought - horn didn’t miss any games in college due to injury. 
 

injuries happen. Especially when you play every snap. 

29 minutes ago, Wundrbread33 said:

The saying goes “don’t let great be the enemy of good.”

 

This of course is too simple, but Wilks has been good. And not just good compared to Rhule (that’s not hard).

 

We are running a lot. People want sexier offense, but we don’t really know if the nature of our offense is because of Wilks, or because of what Wilks has to work with. 
 

“Too conservative” to me isn’t simply running the ball a lot. If you can run the ball that’s great. Too conservative to me is “Fox Ball punt on 4th and inches on the opponents side of the field” type poo.
 

I don’t see that extreme pussiness from Wilks. 

I agree. 320 yards in one game is simply not possible with our personnel alone. There is some scheming done. Maybe this is what mcadoo is good at. 
 

Not saying we don’t need a passing attack. But a good running game can lead to impactful passing. The key is moving the sticks, while keeping the defense fresh so they can get off the field on third down. 

On 12/14/2022 at 5:18 AM, MHS831 said:

This guy is, in my view, what the Panthers need at TE, and I am guessing he'd be available in Round 2.  He has excellent hands, grabs balls in traffic, very productive.  This would, in my opinion, make the CMC trade one of the best moves we could have made because it added a second rounder.  This TE would make the Panther O better.

 

I'm on board. Kincaid or Mayer are desperately needed here.

11 hours ago, Mother Grabber said:

he’s doubled his tackle total and QB hits over last year already. he’s also already equaled his TFL total from last year. he’s not terrible. he’s not great, but he’s also young and improving.

You can't bring facts to an emo party.

2 hours ago, outlaw4 said:

The more important aspect between Saints vs Falcons is Desmond Ridder's performance. Anything giving the Falcons hope about success at QB, even in the short term, does not bode well for us.

I kind of hope Ridder does fairly well in the last few games. Not well enough to pass us, but well enough that the falcons don’t feel they need to draft a qb in the first round. 

2 hours ago, Snake said:

I don't see a win out scenario as a 100% commitment. It's not a outstanding accomplishment. It's just beating bad teams. We still have a really easy schedule and it's definitely not a murderer row by any means. 

This is not an easy schedule for us. 

While this schedule probably wouldn't frighten KC or Buffaloe, I think there are serious challenges ahead.  It would be a significant accomplishment to win out...

• We'd have to beat Pittsburgh, a nemesis that has bitch-slapped us for years.
• We'd have to beat Detroit - a red hot team who has won 5 of 6 and in the playoff hunt.
• We'd have to beat TB at their place with the playoffs probably on the line.  In two games last year they beat us 32-6 and 41-17.  
• We'd have to beat NO at their place.  These games are almost always close.  I guarantee they will pull out all the stops to spoil the party.  

24 minutes ago, jayboogieman said:

Easily. Darnold is what he at this point and that is not an NFL starting caliber QB. Use logic, not emotion. Which better be what Fitts/Tepper/whoever the GM ends up running the clown show does when it comes time for new contracts.

To be clear, I'm not suggesting Darnold is a long-term solution or will get us where we need to be.

The original premise was running the table.  That means Darnold goes 6-0 and we make the playoffs.  If he does, then he should get a reasonable contract from us commensurate with his contribution.  Our M.O. is to run the ball, wear teams out, and force turnovers on defense.  You don't need a superstar QB to manage that, nor do you need to burn draft assets moving up for a guy.

But we need to improve the position, and the best way to do that is in the draft, which occurs after free agency.  We need to draft a guy and have him compete with Corral.  By 2024 - Corral or our new guy should be ready to roll.  Darnold will be a cap casualty or hold a clipboard.

14 minutes ago, SteveSmithTD89 said:

 

How far up are we trading? If we stick at 18 and one of the top 2 end up falling outside the top 10 I am on the phone trying to move up. I'm not trading several years of 1sts for Richardson or Levis. I would seriously consider taking either of them at 18 without trading up though (Richardson more than Levis)

 

Houston will definitely take one of the top two, and I think Indy will do whatever it takes to take the other.

The draft occurs after Free Agency, and it would be malpractice to not sign someone before the draft.  My guess is Darnold, for 4-5 mil.  Minshew or Heinecke are interesting if they are not re-signed.  The pickings are extremely slim.

No way I expend draft capital to move up. The only other teams I think that will burn a first round pick on a QB are TB and Atl (who already has Ridder).

I think Richardson or Levis will be there when it is our turn.