Mr. Scot

I've got a serious case of PTSD when it comes to trading future picks.

If you break it down, the thought process is basically "We're not gonna get the best guys so let's try to keep the best guys we have." There's a certain logic to it, but it short circuits when you understand that "the best guys we have" really aren't very good.

Again, reasonable analysis. I'd throw in the caveat that while Rhule will most certainly make moves to help save his job, he hasn't necessarily shown great judgment at all times so some of those moves may backfire.

Try super hard to save Matt Rhule's ass?

Reasonable, especially number four.

That we treated last season as an "all in / go for broke" year still feels surreal to me.

There are personnel guys who subscribe to the philosophy of "If you like a player, just take him! Who gives a sh-t if someone thinks he should have gone fifteen spots later?" I don't know whether Fitterer or Rhule believe in that notion.

We're not just a sh-tty team. We're a sh-tty team headed for a wasted season with a lame duck coach. Good luck marketing that to free agents.

If they address QB and OL sufficiently in free agency...yeah. I don't really see that happening, though. Linderbaum is something I could probably live with. I remember how valuable young Ryan Kalil was.

I'd expect the team to say pretty much the same thing, honestly. Especially anything coming from Rhule. Stupid fan? No problem. Stupid head coach? Problem. Stupid owner? BIG problem!

Couldn't even begin to explain the "why" on this. It never made sense to me.

I wasn't a big fan of Ricci in that role,

I could get on board with that.

From what I've read, McAdoo's offense does use the TE a lot. Whether Thomas fits the skill set he's looking for though? Eeehhh...

He has started to sound like a Matt Rhule PR guy of late.

Couple interesting thoughts from Ellis (posted elsewhere but worthy of a discussion on their own) Basically, the theory is that the Panthers feel the need to make some moves they might not otherwise make because they're prepping for an offseason where no free agents with other options are gonna want to sign here. Those who do might not be in much demand or might be in their last years or maybe lesser known guys just looking for a chance somewhere. Under normal circumstances, a consequence of that strategy would be to make the draft much more valuable. Unfortunately, we traded away a good portion of our picks so, unless we trade down or trade players for more picks, that cupboard looks kinda bare. Oy It'd be nice to think we have hope because of the new coaching additions (or just general optimism) but right now I have to admit I'm looking at this offseason as something to analyze more than something to enjoy. The old Chinese saying "may you live in interesting times" applies here, again depending on your definition of "interesting". I'm curious to hear what people think this is gonna look like. Yeah, I know it's likely to be crap, but I'm thinking more in terms of specifics or predictions. In light of what the team appears to be thinking, how do you see this playing out?

From Rap Sheet... Core player? ,, Do we think Matt Rhule actually sees him that way?

...and possibly knocking them out or breaking fingers. (kinda like early Brett Favre)

I'd take Lou Brown over Rhule.

One other name I noticed on that list... Bryan Bulaga He used to be one of the best tackles in the game. Now personally, I'm not a big fan of signing guys based on what they used to be, but given the connection to James Campen, I gotta wonder if we might at least give him a call.

...after first making the move to keep PJ Walker.

Not saying it makes sense as in a good move. Saying it makes sense as a CYA for a head coach who's trying to save his ass.

Isn't that about four or five years away? Oh, hell mo.

From Ellis... As I understand it, he's saying that we might have to make an effort to resign some of our own (even if they're not that great) because nobody else is going to want to come here. And sadly, that does...kinda make sense.

In context, I'm guessing he means it's relatively big money. Probably could have found a better word.