Mr. Scot

From Jonathan Jones: Just about every general manager south of Titans GM Mike Borgonzi has said he would entertain calls about a potential trade down, and that definitely includes Carolina GM Dan Morgan. I would take him very seriously. Sources say the Panthers made preliminary calls earlier in the week. I don't think Carolina wants to go too far down if the Panthers make a trade, but such a move would indicate to me they are comfortable with a number of pass rushers and not just Georgia's Jalon Walker.

Comment from Dane Brugler regarding his final mock draft: "Honestly, I hope it doesn’t play out this way — I want chaos, and there’s a good chance we get it this year." A good chance for "chaos" Brugler doesn't really elaborate any further, and for the record his final mock is pretty standard (Panthers take Jalon Walker). Still, the comment about there being a "good chance" at things going a little squirrely caught my attention. That would certainly be...interesting

It has to do with their style... The quarterbacks who get sacked the least are the Marino / Brady / Brees types who make quick reads and get rid of the ball fast. Likewise, if you have someone who's trying to play "hero ball" and make a big play every time, that style doesn't translate well to the NFL. Pretty sure Sanders has been criticized more than once for holding on to the ball too long.

Also from the article, a couple things Panther fans understand all too well... --- Don’t discount owners when it comes to discussions this time of year. I was speaking with a veteran head coach who estimates that 13 to 14 of the league’s owners are heavily involved in their teams’ processes — sometimes speaking to the character of the players they want their front offices to draft, or even being more direct in certain cases. It’s a reminder that the power dynamics around draft time are more complicated than just the front office and coaching staff. Ownership can have a major impact on decisions — for better or worse. --- Final words of wisdom: As you are getting ready to watch the draft and feel good about what your team is going to do based on need and options, I’ll share with you what a Super Bowl-winning coach once told me: “Don’t ever discount that there are dumbass teams.”

Via The Athletic (link) The Browns, Giants and Patriots are fielding calls for the Nos. 2, 3, and 4 picks, per league sources. The majority of teams looking to move up see Colorado CB/WR Travis Hunter as their target should they be able to entice one of those teams, particularly Cleveland, with a suitable package. All three teams are listening. --- Most of the teams picking in the top 10, outside of Tennessee, have discussed trading out and are open to more discussions with teams as we get closer to Thursday night. --- The Falcons are focused on building up their defense with pass rushers — Tennessee’s James Pearce Jr. and Marshall’s Mike Green are in play for Atlanta. --- Many sources around the league expect the Cowboys to target an offensive skill position with the No. 12 pick. Texas WR Matthew Golden and Arizona’s Tetairoa McMillan are names that I’m hearing could interest Dallas. --- Players who could be traded during the draft include QBs Kirk Cousins, Aidan O’Connell, Will Levis and Sam Howell. --- The Browns, Steelers and possibly Vikings could be involved in a Cousins trade. Minnesota is looked at as the least likely scenario, given its preference for J.J. McCarthy and that Cousins would need to sign off on any trade he is involved in. --- (Sheduer) Sanders is easily the most discussed quarterback in this class and, according to evaluators around the league, his value is all over the map. One veteran offensive coach I spoke with had concerns not about Sanders’ personality (which he likes), but about how his game will translate. “Show me a QB that takes a lot of sacks in college and can translate his game to the NFL,” the coach said. --- One name that keeps coming up more and more is (Tyler) Shough of Louisville. Despite being a bit older (he’ll turn 26 in September), there are coaches out there who believe in him — one even told me he thinks Shough could end up being the best QB in this class if he lands in the right situation. This coach had him graded above Cam Ward. --- As for New Orleans: After redoing Derek Carr’s deal in lieu of cutting him, Carr’s shoulder issue does not dissuade the Saints from their initial plan: landing a QB in this draft. With a talented group of defensive players likely available at No. 9, the sense I get is that New Orleans would be open to taking the best player available in Round 1 and dipping into the QB pool later on. --- What a prospect visit really means: Many teams and fans like to read the tea leaves leading up to the draft, including what teams will do based on the 30 player visits they have set up over the past few weeks. As one successful general manager explained: “Just because a player visits doesn’t necessarily mean the team is interested. Sometimes it’s to be certain they are actually out on a player.” This is also a chance to follow-up on players with medical questions or new injuries, especially if they didn’t work out at the NFL combine. Another head coach shared that some teams will even host prospects who won’t be drafted this week, as a way to get ahead in recruiting them as undrafted free agents. It’s all about collecting information, and sometimes just getting ahead of other teams.

You mean our fifth round pick

Yeah It just feels like some folks go into every single season thinking about the next two, three or four after it instead of the current one.

I wouldn't argue that It's often better to give up on a player too early than too late. That said, it feels like all too often, right as someone is getting good, we start talking about trading them. (generally, not specific to Moton) As an aside, I feel like the sliding scale measuring the distance between giving up on someone too soon or holding on to them too long should be called "The Belichick - Rivera Scale"

I understand planning for the future, but anytime the whole "hey let's trade this guy who's pretty good and has some years left to pick up some guys who may or may not be as good but will at least be younger" scenario comes up, I find myself wary

Unstable mental state and an automobile is an equally bad combination...

Sad to say though, it feels like most high level athletes have a support system that tells them nothing is their fault...even when it is. (hence, how we end up with guys like Deshaun Watson) That's not saying anything about this kid. Just a general observation...

Damn

Saw that. Still haven't seen anything about the circumstances of his passing. Couldn't help but think suicide but nothing known just yet

Being reported by The Athletic that LSU receiver Kyren Lacy was found dead in Houston last night. Not much else in the way of details at this point...

Can't speak for others, but me and stats aren't on speaking terms. There's just too much bullsh-t (like Phil Snow's #2 defense a while back).

This is why I hate this sort of stat based evaluation...

If it does, it'll miss.

(the hell is that picture from?) I was originally planning to ask if anyone else knew of other fake news / phoney online sources they wanted to list... Then I remembered what forum I was on, realized what direction that discussion would likely go in and thought better of it

Well, apparently not everyone Pretty sure there were some calls for us to take him first overall.

Guess I wasn't around for that discussion

Red flag?

Here's a thread where Ben Albright catalogues some of the more notorious fake ones, starting with NFLrums... Among those mentioned... - @NFLrums - @_MLFootball - @DanSileoShow - @CJGolson Others mentioned or known: - @WesSteinberg - @incarceratedbob - @nflnotify Don't buy any info from this bunch

Speaking of quarterbacks... Wondered If perhaps he also talked about Bryce but given the source I wouldn't necessarily bet on it.