Mr. Scot

Seeing some chatter about Zach Ertz being traded (not to us).

Went back and saw it. There's a break in the video shortly after he flashes two and five, so we don't know what happened inbetween that and the end of the call.

I can watch 38. At least it's exciting. But you couldn't make me watch 50 with a gun to my head.

I'd agree that if Darnold doesn't work out, the next guy is probably a draft pick. And yeah, we should be in a way better position to spend the kind of resources it'd take to get someone like that next year.

Easy to forget he's a Hall of Fame voter. Much easier to remember that he's a prick, though.

Yes, we know.

Rhule's pre-draft mock shown on Panthers Confidential makes it pretty clear that at that time, they were sure he'd be available. More than one source said before the draft that they didn't like anybody outside of Lawrence and Wilson. Looks to have been true, especially coupled with Rhule's comments about the low hit rate on first round quarterbacks.

Gettleman didn't say that. Rivera did. If he steps in to say "get it right", fine. If he steps in to say "I think we should get this guy", not so much.

The thing you have to remember in these negotiations is it's not a case of "if we don't take him, nobody will". If you don't snag the guy you want, there are 31 other teams out there making their own pitch.

I agree they think he can be the guy, but at the time those discussions were filmed the decision to get Darnold hadn't been made. I don't doubt they discussed his negatives as well as other options, but there's no incentive to put that in the video.

Yeah, he'll get in. First ballot wouldn't surprise me. The only way I don't see Eli getting in easily is if somebody prominent vehemently opposes him (like King did with Monk).

That video was taken months before he became a Panther.

I've seen arguments both ways. Some point to the Sam Mills factor (Sproles was 5-6, maybe 170ish) and that despite being primarily a specialist he's in the top ten for overall yards in league history. Others say that utility players like Sproles don't get elected to the Hall of Fame. Either way, King isn't necessarily saying he'll get in, just that he'll "get consideration". Significant though is that in ranking the chances of the first time eligible players for that year, he puts Luke behind only Vinatieri. Worth remembering that King is a HOF voter. Also kind of a dick about it (he fought to keep Art Monk out for years).

I've already asked whether he's deliberately trying to post the dumbest sh-t possible or if he genuinely is this clueless. Granted, the result is the same either way.

From his latest FMIA column, while answering a question about Adam Vinateiri, Peter King said this... As of now (and not including carryover from previous years), the 2025 first-time-eligible class is a pretty good one. I’d rank them in this order: Vinatieri, Luke Kuechly, Eli Manning, Marshal Yanda, Joe Staley, Eric Weddle, Darren Sproles. Every one of those players will get consideration.

Nah. Fitterer wasn't part of the call he was on. Great clip. Suleiman is definitely no softie.

Meanwhile, down in Jacksonville...

A new entrant in the sweepstakes... Seeing a lot of speculation that he'll ultimately be a Titan. Also people saying the claim that there's been a first round pick offered is bullsh-t.

I think a lot of the problem some folks are having with this particular smokescreen is that it was saying something they really wanted to be true. When it wasn't, hurt feelings ensued. As to Breer's account of the Darnold trade, it's pretty much just a nuts and bolts play by play of how the deal happened. It isn't written to make anybody look good, bad or whatever. It's just a basic story. But we have folks railing against it here with no real justification other than "it doesn't say what I want it to so I don't believe it". Okay

Hence the word "smokescreen". Breer isn't a team person and he got his info on the Darnold story from the Jets as well as the Panthers. You want to disbelieve the story? Feel free, but suggesting that a bunch of internet fans with no inside access at all have a better handle on what really happened is just plain dumb.

The lack of protection for Carr was awful, but believe it or not there were some pretty big issues with his coaching as well. For whatever reason, OC Chris Palmer and the original Texans staff decided not to try and teach him to read defenses. The plays were just designed for him to throw to a particular spot. That changed at some point but by then it was likely too late.

To be fair, that GM got fired too.

I don't know if I'd go that far. The OL is still a work in progress.

Yeah, saw that too. I get what they're thinking but still...

Bell has also said the Steelers should have just paid him what he wanted. He's a twit, but he's not wrong about Gase.