Mr. Scot

Would you be optimistic about Kenny Pickett? Disagree on fullback. I think we need a true sledgehammer blocking fullback on the roster (but I'm old school).

From Gantt's latest "Ask the Old Guy" article regarding Brown... There are a few cats up front who are getting some work now that will help with their development, namely rookie Brady Christensen. I'm still not sure what position he ends up playing in a few years, but I feel more confident now that he'll be playing one of them. And with Deonte Brown added back to the active roster Tuesday, there's another guy who will get needed practice (and possibly game) reps.

It's possible, but he's honestly already pretty high up in the food chain and there's not much in the way of open spots.

A word about Khary Darlington, the scout referenced in the first article... He was considered a rising star in the scouting department but he disappeared from the Panthers (and pretty much the world) mid 2017. The timing makes it seem a strong likelihood that Darlington was the employee whom Jerry Richardson used a racial slur against, and that he subsequently took a settlement with a non-disclosure agreement. That would explain his falling off the face of the earth right when it looked like he was headed for great things. Thanks again, Jerry

I can't get on board with that... ...but I could see Matt Rhule doing it.

The Steelers never fire head coaches. Plus from what I've read, Tomlin has a lot of sway there. Plus they can put a lot of blame on Roethlisberger hitting the wall. I think it's more likely Kevin Colbert retires than it is that Tomlin is gone.

Given our current lack of picks this year, can't say I'd be surprised. It's likely either that or overspend in free agency.

I'd love to. I'm just not getting my hopes up for it.

FYI on Suleiman: there's been some speculation he might get a GM job this offseason.

Person discusses Brugler's prediction and takes a further look at Pickett (link). Excerpts below: ________________________________________________________________________________________ Why Pickett? Why not Pickett? Person's take

Good luck with that...

My preference: Nathaniel Hackett My expectation: Brian Daboll

When a head coach is fired, the team generally lets the assistants go too unless there's someone they prefer to keep (like happened with Jake Peetz when Rhule was hired). I imagine the guys who've followed Rhule over his last three jobs would follow him to his next one as well.

Quoting from the article... The fact that none of those injuries is related would seem to bolster the argument that McCaffrey can’t stay healthy. Since McCaffrey returned from his hamstring injury, the Panthers have been careful to limit his reps. And his most recent ankle issue wasn’t an overuse injury: Sources said McCaffrey was hurt when a lineman fell on his ankle.

I tend not to buy into absolutes when it comes to the draft (this one included).

I mean, the pre-extension article comes down pretty hard on the side of McCaffrey being the right choice. The second one? I don't know if you can say he's suggesting that we should have taken Fournette (he doesn't say that anywhere) but he does criticize the extension, including pointing out that Fournette is still going and at a much lower price. Much as I hate to say it, that's a valid point.

Granting that Christensen is still largely an unknown, I still definitely don't think that's true.

Agreed. I know he has big fans here, but objectively speaking Pittsburgh is a way better landing spot.

Skill wise, McCaffrey blows Fournette away. Doubt anyone would argue that. As far as availability though, Tampa is using Fournette smarter than we are McCaffrey. (and to be fair, getting more consistent results)

Haven't done a real thorough look there but based on past connections here are some possible options among coaching staffs likely to be dismissed: - Juan Castillo, OL Coach, Bears (one of the best in the league at that spot) - Patrick Graham, DC, Giants (he's getting head coaching looks himself) - Ed Donatell, DB Coach, Broncos (he's also been a DC before, and a good one) - Adam Zimmer, LB Coach/co-DC, Vikings (if theyclean house, dad Mike might be available too) As far as potential promotions, there's Jaguars QB Coach Brian Schottenheimer (possible OC) Bills LB Coach Bob Babich (DC option) Chiefs QB Coach Mike Kafka (no connection but a hot name and reportedly not under contract for next season) and our old pal Ken Dorsey (also a possible OC). Daboll has also worked with a few of the guys on the current Panthers staff, specifically LB Coach Al Holcomb, Defensive Assistant Terrance Knighton, RB Coach Jeff Nixon and Assistant OL Coach Tony Sparano Jr.

Tampa has been smart about sharing the runningback workload between Fournette and others. Our first few seasons with McCaffrey saw...a different approach.

As to the story, I figured this was gonna be coming from some goofball Twitter source but the actual sources are pretty legit. So here's hoping...

He expressed a total commitment to coaching at Baylor just a little before taking the Panthers job (signed an extension too if I remember correctly).

I do wonder what would have happened had Trubisky been drafted at a more reasonable position than #2 overall.

A coin flip had big consequences there. Bill Polian stated that if the Panthers would have had the first pick in the expansion draft, they'd have taken Beuerlein. Not sure how having the number 2 pick in the college draft would have affected things given that we traded down from number one anyway.