Khyber53

Okay, whatever. Some people can't resist taking a crap in another man's cleats. Even after the guy set the new franchise record for passing yards in a game, won that game and won it against our division rivals. Yeah, he's still a frog, warts and all. A lot of you are tired of kissing him. A lot of you just keep seeing the frog and want it gone, for your own good reasons. Truth is, though, the franchise is going to keep kissing this frog in hopes of finding a prince through the rest of this season, no matter what happens. We've got Andy Dalton on the bench, just keeping it from flying up in the air and basically no one on the active roster behind him. We have the veritable murderer's row of opponents coming up, including half of the game vs division opponents, including two versus the division leading Bucs. There's really not an easy game ahead of us unless New Orleans decides to pack it in early and just phone in a contractual obligated effort. The only way, the EFFING ONLY WAY, Bryce comes out of this turning into the prince is if he wins four or more of these games and somehow gets the team into the playoffs. And you can read it here, there are a lot of people here who are actually afraid of that because they could be proven wrong about him, that we could be saddled with a QB they don't like because of it. They'd fuging rather lose games and shorten the season to see Bryce fail, even if it means their team fails. Man, that's fuged up. Root for the team or go the fug on. If that means you've got to pull for the little guy in the fight, then you do. Hell, the odds are certainly stacked against him. But it sure would be nice if we hit a patch of magic after years of futility. But you guys would crap on that, too. Miserable old fugs.

All I know is that it won't be boring. A win or two along the way and this team is suddenly in the mix throughout the season. It has been a long, long time we could say that at Thanksgiving. And that late bye of ours could give us a mighty leg up. If we can make it to it.

I think we need to draft offensive and defensive leaders in 2026. Picking around the middle of the pack, we should go with the best MLB in the draft. Get someone who can run the defense and hold his teammates accountable. Someone who can learn the defensive playbook quickly and have it built around them (and who knows if we will have the same DC next season). Then, grab a developmental QB in the second round. There are going to be good ones there and I agree that they need time to learn the NFL game, especially considering the whirlwind of coaching changes many of them see (or pursue) with the transfer portal. Maybe even specifically look for a QB that has spent their entire college career at one school (which might show how valuable they were to their own coach). But if those two are in doubt, just grab O-line or Edge. That's the classic easy choice.

I kinda cracked up about it.

Perfect! or Cioppino! Sour dough bread. Take-out Chinese would also be really appropriate considering that Chinatown is such a big part of the whole San Fran vibe.

Rico deserved his garlands, the guy flat out played lights out when we had to rely on him. Chuba, we seemed to forget was also a steady, sturdy running back himself, and when he didn't come back and set the world on fire, a lot of folks were basically calling him a bum for it. Let's be honest, though, we've got two excellent running backs and 11 weeks into the season they have had their bumps and bruises. Goes with the game. We've got the latest bye game possible and we're rotating them, so maybe down the stretch when the cold wind blows those two guys can just keep pounding the opposing teams into submission.

Understood, but sometimes that's how things grow. Up through the dirt and the manure to burst into the light. Heck, not sure what I'd do with myself if there was an unexpected playoff appearance.

I have no idea how this one will turn out. I sure will be tuning in to see it.

There's a fair argument here. And often, it isn't the QB that's at fault for the team being behind in the fourth quarter. Defenses play into it heavily. Heck, the opposing team plays into it very heavily, both in their offensive output and possibly their defense just petering out. It's an odd stat. Much like Atlanta having the #1 passing defense going into this past week's game. They had it greatly because teams were running so consistently against their defense that you didn't have to pass to beat them... at all. They knew going into Sunday that the Panthers would lean heavily on Rico and Chuba again, so they overplayed that aspect, again and again. And Bryce burned them badly. Epically. And by the time they and we had adjusted, momentum was turning against them. Stats are just stats, they rarely tell the whole story truthfully. Nuance is the story, every time.

The thing about fool's gold is that it's at least entertaining. For a while. It's been a while since we've had it like this. We aren't anywhere yet. Still a lot of games left to play, Sunday meals to cook and outcomes yet to be determined. But for once, we're still truly in the hunt at this point and we're playing for a reason. If we can't do something in those circumstances it says a lot about us. If we can do something, especially with this murderer's row ahead of us.. then we may be onto something. Always remember that fool's gold (iron pirate) is often found in areas where real gold will be. The two minerals emerge to the surface is near identical conditions and one can be a precursor to the other. So keep digging and panning. It's not like we had anything better to do!

The kid frikkin' deserves it.

They had to drill a hole through the bone, pull the ligament through and attach it to a screw on the opposite side. No idea how much it cost at the time, but it all went straight to insurance. Blew through the deductible so fast... I've got to say that I had a meniscus tear and repair on the other knee a few years earlier and it is nowhere near as good as the one that had this procedure done on it. Amazing procedure and amazing surgeon. Now, wish I could say I was doing something heroic when I tore it up, but I was just loading the dishwasher, I turned and my foot didn't. Hooray for being in your 50s.

Been there, done that, too. Long, hard road to recovery, but when it works it's as good as new. But man, that brace effing sucked.

This 100 percent. Open up the playbook, get Bryce mad and see if he can put the team on his shoulders again. This was a great, great outing by him. Tough, brave, skilled. Can he replicate it? There's the millions of dollars question.

Canales isn't on any kind of hotseat right now. And Echiro will probably get some HC sniffs depending on how the season rolls out. And Bryce? I can't knock him after that performance yesterday, except to say, do it some more. Here we are 11 games in and we're a half game out of first place in our division, we have a better record than the Chiefs and Ravens. Did not see this season playing out this way. Hardest remaining schedule in the NFL (as of stats yesterday) but that could be a real character building opportunity for this team. If we could squeeze out a 9-8 season, I think we'd call it a miracle.

Maybe Bryce proved something to the fans, his teammates and himself yesterday. That was a helluva gutsy performance out there just to come back on the field after the first time. Then the second and the third. To also set the all-time Panthers single game passing record AND have two comeback game drives in a very hostile stadium. Can't do anything but give the guy his crown for this week. Tough kid, great performance. Maybe he and Canales can open it up a bit more now.

Sure was interesting yesterday. Might have to upgrade to Ritz.

Falcons, second course edition! And here, I'm hoping for a repeat, so I'm repeating the menu and feasting on the foes. Egg Salad Sandwiches and... Bugles. Good luck Panthers! What are 'y'all having?

They might be tougher than expected. Teams sometimes have a rally game after a coach is fired. We've had a few of those over the years. Still, Green Bay's got a lot on the line and a lot of talent. I think we caught you guys looking past us on the schedule. I'm doubting y'all will do that again.

I'd agree, but they're going to want revenge for the ass-whooping they took before. And they are a walking injury report right now. Hoping we win and that there are no injuries worse than a booboo.

I believe there's plenty of blame to spread around: QB, receivers, play calling, injuries on the offensive line, poor talent evaluation and drafting. I mean, really.

Man, I really appreciate that!!! We work really hard on these things.

Yeah, we covered that. But thanks

Was it early 1945 Berlin? That's an injury report that reads like the 3rd Army's!!!

If they couldn't turn him into even a 3rd string stalwart in San Francisco over multiple years, but could turn a broken Mac Jones into a good looking QB in one off season... then there might not be anything there. And if Canales could have rehabbed him, he was there for the taking this summer...