d-dave

Nah, I don't think it's over as much as the complete dearth of talent on our team is so apparent it's causing everyone to look like poo. As others have said, our OL had a BAD game. The Bears have a good defense. The beat up on us. While we ran effectively, they were able to score points on offense. My biggest concern was how little in the passing game we were generating. Like at one point, Andy had more attempts than yards, and it didn't get a lot better. We just got dunked on. It happens. The injuries suck, but it's going to allow other guys to make a case for their spots. Like Coker looked pretty good at the end. Does that mean he's stolen a spot? No, but he's made a case for more reps. Please replace Mingo. I like Mingo as a blocker, but he's just not a great WR.

What's sad is yesterday was a HUGE display of what we gave up for Bryce, and that return has not been very good right now. From the moment that Tepper came in and tossed out Ron and Cam, this team has been lost. We actually downgraded from Hurney in the GM department. We have been a model of impatience and ineptitude since Tepper took over. Who remembers those halcyon days of Teddy two gloves? Or the run until they bleed Steve Wilks? Just so many bad decisions made, and the buck stops with Tepper. Now is there an overnight solution? I don't think so. Basically, we need to gather as much talent as we can. We need to be sellers at he trade deadline. As much as I hate to lose a guy like Chubba, RBs are almost never worth their 2nd contract. Any expiring contract should be up for sale. This year is going to be a crap show no matter which way you cut it up. What is it cross fitters say? Embrace the suck?

Being a little bit of an EV fanboy, there's a couple of interesting tidbits that I'm seeing on social media: https://insideevs.com/news/735934/rivian-r1t-flood-hurrican-helene/ This Rivian truck had a pretty rough encounter, but started up, and ran and has been supplying power from it's battery. That's pretty dope. I've read where many people with EVs have been using them power their important appliances. For the larger trucks with the huge batteries, they have been really helpful. https://www.theatlantic.com/technology/archive/2024/10/hurricane-helene-electric-vehicle-power-outage/680106/ As far as EVs catching fire, I've seen the issue with salt water, not so much the fresh water. https://apnews.com/article/hurricane-helene-electric-vehicles-fire-flooding-0284e2eb2accc0570361def4e963eda0 I've read some antidotes on reddit about people with solar systems in the mountains helping out their neighbors so that's cool. It doesn't change the devastation and loss of life experienced in this extreme weather event.

He's not the shortest NFL to find success. The biggest issue Bryce faces is the mental aspect of it. That was supposed to be his strength. He was supposed to be a super processor. He's not doing that. He had moments his rookie year, but the offensive dysfunction/sacks of year 1 could have ruined him. I don't know if Bryce will bounce back. I figure we'll see it at some point this year when Andy gets hurt. He could be down to pick up his newspaper and be out 3-4 weeks with back spasms (been there!). I hope not, I do like the Andy Dalton experience right now. I'm also not in a hurry to see Bryce come out there and poop the bed repeatedly. But there's a high likelihood of him having to play at some point this season. I really do like Bryce as a person. Seems super accountable. But he's lost his mojo. Got the yips. Whatever you want to call it. He's got to have some confidence in himself. He's got to grab his nuts and man up. He can have his faith, but it's meaningless until BRYCE does something about things he can control.

Does the patch matter? I think it does/doesn't matter. Rather it only matters when it matters. The guys in the locker room know who the leaders are. They don't need a patch. Honestly, when Canales benched Bryce, it was a major shake up to the locker room. No excuses, no BS. Play good football or even the #1 pick will get benched. You can color it however you want to, but the reality is that the team has a sense of urgency now. I wasn't sure Canales would be a good coach year one. We're still too early to make that determination, but Dave has certainly done the job better than anyone since Steve Wilkes. The team knows they have a good coach, and they play for him. He wants to help them WIN, not just develop Bryce. Heck of a motivational tool, that's for sure.

I've heard some folks say this isn't a strong QB draft. Is it because no one has the traits the TV scouts like? Look, I don't watch a lot of college football, I just see the highlights sometimes. I also have zero faith in my ability to judge a football player... Seems like there are lot f interesting players though.

I don't know. I wouldn't trade him yet. Heck, I wouldn't trade anyone until the trade deadline. Our offensive players are only going to get more valuable as performance improves. If Diante balls out the next few weeks before the deadline, and since he's an expiring contract AND we have a lot of money tied up elsewhere... Then I can absolutely see us trading him and recouping some other value for him.

I think with Canales, his short comings are going to be minimized as much as possible. He doesn't have overwhelming physicality like a Cam. He's not an elite athlete like a Lamar or Allen. He's got a good enough arm with enough zip on the intermediate passes. He's not the playmaker that Mahomes is. What's helping Andy right now is that Canales' offense has created so many answers for him. Bryce didn't have answers, yet Andy does. Andy has the experience to run a NFL offense. He's hungry AF because he didn't think he'd have a chance to be a start again, which is helping him play lose. So at the end of the day, Andy is a good, steady QB. He's still going to need the support of a strong running game and help on the defensive side. In some arbitrary rankings, I can see him in the top half of starters in the league.

I just finished the 3rd episode, and wanted to see if any of y'all checked it out yet? Kathryn Hahn is still delightful as Agatha from WandaVision. I just like the show. It has a pretty narrow focus and sticks to these characters that the show presents as real characters. Very cool. I love the visual stylings of the production. Just a cool show.

Yeah, I started digging in that hole. Man, I have been ruined by the algorithm! Made me lazier! Time to fix that!

I'm not a QB guru. What I saw of him in one Miami game (against Florida) was pretty nice. I have no idea if he'll be a good NFL QB, but we'll just have to see what happens when whoever drafts him. He's got a LOT of experience. Is he maxed out? Or will he be better? We'll just have to wait and see. There's my nice and vague answer.

As far as Mingo, dude is developing into an excellent blocker. He set up several good plays Sunday with good blocks. There's always a roster spot for a guy like that in the NFL. The next four weeks are going to be big for Mingo and XL's development as they get more opportunities to make plays in the big games. Teams are going to add more coverage against Johnson, which will open things up for the other guys. Make some plays young men!

Honestly, we need a back up QB. Who knows how Andy's health will hold up. This is probably a very contentious take, but that's what it is. Bryce will have much more value in the off season as teams try to get ahead of the draft. Let him "grow and develop" so that he's "ready to roll" for the next team.

It depends, which team is going to call me late at night from inside me house??? Oh, you mean in football! Oh...well... It depends on who shows up. We just had a first has perspective of what happens when guys get juiced up. It's completely possible that we win another unsuspecting game. It's also possible someone else bends us over a barrel and makes us squeal like a pig. Football is a very emotional game, and those will affect our performance for sure. So who can beat us? Everyone on that list. Who can we beat? Everyone on that list! It just depends on who's really up for the game that day.

It's funny how everyone talked about how Lawrence was a generational talent. Can't miss! Compared to Josh Allen who was picked 7th. Mahommes was 10th famously. The reality is that only a few QBs really workout to be superstars. Remember who was drafted in front of Allen? Baker and Sam! Its just so crazy random if the guy you pick works out or not.

The downer for me is the lack of Panthers/sports stuff. So I still keep my twitter for that.

Hey! This is the Huddle! We represent that remark! =P With the volume of hot takes, bad takes, and meh takes; we're like a clock: we're right every now and then.

#InbeforeRyanLeaf! ha ha! I was thinking about what does it take to get a good QB? Luck goes into it. It also takes a good supporting cast and coaching. Some players can transcend a bad environment, but those are few and far between.

This is a very interesting question that should bee keeping Morgan up at night. Bryce - his career is on life support. Will the Panthers keep him because they don't have a real back up QB plan? Andy is 37 years old (or not quite yet?). He can give us a good run this year, but he's gotten hurt from time to time. If Andy get's hurt, that's going to be Bryce's best chance to generate some buzz for himself. Andy - as I said, he's older. Father time is undefeated. Let's see what happens over the next 3-4 weeks before we crown anyone. I'm super happy with his two starts over the past two years, but that doesn't get you a statue on Mint Street. I think Andy will be solid, but he's not the long term answer. I don't think our 2025 Qb is on the roster. Either via draft, FA or trade. Who will it be? No one knows for sure, but this is something that Morgan and Co. need to get right.

As a human, I'm happy for Sanders that he got paid. Good for him considering what the NFL does to a body. I won't miss him when he's gone. A swing and a miss.

This is where I am. Look, I'm pretty dang thrilled with the W today. Man, this is just such a turn around from what we've been subjected to the past several years! BUT! Is this the real deal, or is this just the backup bump? What happens in the next couple of weeks will be the big determiner of the value of Bryce Young. Does Dalton crash back down to earth? Or does he go back to the mean? Again, I'm stoked for the W! I love what this offense looks like when it can operate. I'm going to enjoy the day (and the rest of the week).

Man, there is some major back up energy BUMP! I love it! I'm just glad to enjoy the afternoon frankly I'll take it! I'm curious to see how things go after this week.

I agree. I'm no football expert, but the OL has looked MILES better than in years past in both passing and the run game. Hopefully the change to Dalton will force teams to play us differently, and allow us to see more of what Dave is trying to do. As far as QBs avoiding the Panthers, I can see it for a couple, but the reality is that most of these dudes are extremely self-assured. You have to be a successful NFL QB. Look at Rodgers, Brady, etc. Most of these young, cocky guys think they can come in and make it work. Imagine the ego trip if they do manage to turn around a crap team? So some QBs, maybe. NIL has complicated it, but I think the desire to play/compete and get closer to the BIG money contract will prevent some players from holding out of a draft.

Is water wet? Bryce has been a big deal his entire football life. He's got plenty of pride in what he does. But he's not leading the offensive effectively. Part of the Bryce Young evaluation was that his brain was the great separator. He was a physical outlier, but we were all sold that his MIND could make up the difference. Aside from a few moments last year, we haven't seen it. He had a great camp. Lots of the blogosphere who saw him at camp saw a different player, like he was finally turning the corner. Then he goes out and lays down two utterly terrible games. His confidence is shot. Canales saved him from himself frankly. Andy is an older player who hasn't really stayed healthy when in the line up lately. Get mad, get fired up, get better. That's what Bryce needs to do. Watch Andy, how he prepares, how he plays, how he runs the offense. Get better. When Bryce gets a shot (he will, later) don't miss this time.

That's always the interesting aspect of sports. The Media loves to kick a team while they are down. Bad team makes a big move - kick'em harder! Such is the way it goes. It's also a compelling storyline - team desperate for THE GUY drafts who they thought was the guy, now decides he's not the GUY and benches him... Lots of fun fodder. To be honest, it's been pretty funny watching the NFL and media cover us over this issue. Thanks Tepper? Now I'm just waiting to hear that Tepper bought the Dillworth Grill and is planning to bulldoze it.