d-dave

Yep, it seems like everything can blow up and catch fire. Scary story: the other day on the way to work, I got the slow down on 485 where an older Toyota Camery has caught fire. Hoses and belts were burning on the road, smoke everywhere (from the coolant - I blew a hose once...), it was insane. Y'all must think I'm crazy because I charge my phone overnight. I have for years with no real issues. Though I have been using wireless chargers for the last....a long time... Yep, I'm super crazy!

Interesting, I just watched this the other day: Though I will say the video maker is VERY pro Tesla (and an owner). It's going to be interesting to see how well all the EVs handle years 8-20. Though this gets to the other side of things: if EVs have fewer moving parts and (outside of the battery) less failure points, what's to stop people from holding on to their EVs for longer than they are their ICE cars? There's still a lot on the horizon. Can car companies shrink while still advancing because of market saturation? Ahh, late stage capitalism!

From commercial chargers: $10-$30 from 10-80% (https://www.investopedia.com/cost-to-charge-ev-road-trip-5219817#:~:text=The average cost of charging,is between %2410 and %2430.) It makes sense that your electrical bill will go up, but you also won't be buying gas or getting your oil changed. I have done some math: I drive about 350 miles per week. Sometimes less, sometimes more, but that's my average. I fill up my car about once a week for $35-$40 a tank (currently, as the price of oil rises...). So in a given four week month I pay $150ish a month for gas. On a month to month basis, at $0.17/kW from Duke, and given a 70kW battery, the EV would be much cheaper. The flip side, as @rayzor points out, is that EVs are MUCH more expensive than a traditional ICE car. There are some cool extra benefits to the EVs in style and ride noise, but it's still a LOT of money to pass around. Eight years to pay the difference back is the warranty on an EV battery. You are 100% correct about the tires though. Carrying over 1,000 pounds more than a conventional car in some cases will put considerably more pressure and wear the tires down. Having access to all the engine torque immediately will eat them up as well (if you can't control your foot). It's funny, none of us actually own an electric car. Yet here we are I want to see more infrastructure built out, and I'm curious to see how the new battery technology changes things. Tesla has developed a dry cell battery, which could cut the battery cost by 20-30%. Samsung is developing Solid State Batteries that could get us over 500+ miles per charge in the current weight/sizes. I salute all the early adopters! Thank you for burning your cash for a better future

I was looking at the math, and it's not great now. Most come with a level 1 home charters (110v outlet) which only does 2-3 miles added per hour charged. Level 2 Home Chargers run off a 220v Dryer Style outlet can max you out over night. The DCFC (DC Fast Charging in public can be 10% to 80% in 10(some claims) to 30 minutes (most observed), but that depends on how fast a manufacturer will let you charge. Teslas can charge super fast on a super charger. The Korean cars and premium brands like Rivian or Lucent can charge almost as quickly. The US brands are the slow pokes of the group. Getting that level 2 into your home when you don't have that 220v outlet handy can be expensive (though Duke does offer a credit). If you don't have the ability to charge over night like that, it can be a real pain to own an EV. That's just another cost to think about. As far as the temperature, here's something interesting that I've seen on the interwebz: https://www.recurrentauto.com/research/what-a-c-does-to-your-range So extreme temps can be a problem. The US needs to build out the infrastructure to support more widespread EV charging in public or common space. It's easier in more dense countries to have the support systems in place, or to skip the gas station boom and instead go hard for EV charging in a country like China. I love the technology, but it's not quite ready for mass market, yet. The cars are cool, and I love the idea of not paying for gas or oil change again. My son wants my car (it's a manual =)) when he gets to that age. I think that will be a much better time to jump in. I'm almost paid off, and I do plan to enjoy some time without a car payment! Samsung's solid state batteries are interesting, and I look forward to seeing what that does to the over all vehicle.

I do appreciate the concern about his availability. It's a big problem. However, we are not a talented team. We need more talent NOW, not less. Who will take JC anyway? No one is going to give value for him for a less than half a season of work. May as well ride it out.

I'm sorry for Jack Plumber, he seems like a great fit for the UFL. He'd do well there frankly. Adrian Martinez was the best QB in the UFL this spring and he looked rather pedestrian. I like our young secondary guys. They played hard. I like Dillon Johnson. Looks to be an interesting developmental player. DJ Johnson looks like he could be a decent player. Not good, but a replacement level rotational player. He doesn't look as hopeless as last year. Trevin Wallace looks good. I like what I see there. TJ Smith could be a really interesting player. I'm pretty terrified of our OL once and injury or two occurs...

Sup Huddle Peeps I'm really EV-curious. I can't afford a new ride for a few years, but I'm starting to looking into these new fangled thingamajibs! Anyone have one? Love it? Hate it? How's insurance? Can you get it covered? Are you required to have some kind of app connection or a multitude of apps? I've done my fair share of youtubing and redditing for responses and answers, but I am curious about you electrified Huddlers. I love the idea of no more fuel, no more oil changes, but the upfront charge for an at home charger isn't great. Not considering a Tesla due to Musk, but most importantly because the turn signal is button the steering wheel...

I do appreciate that. As fans, we are frustrated. Why pay for this kind of poo product? Hopefully they got the right coach and GM, and we see some fruit from the FA and draft picks. We'll see.

Fans will get more interested with wins. If not wins, then highlight plays. We've hit a BIG reset for better or worse the past couple of years. We'll just have to play the wait and see if it's right or wrong. I love my Panthers. That will never change. I have too many good memories tied into the games. My 12 year old - doesn't really care for sports. Meh! So we bond over other things. Now if the Panthers can get things fixed in the next couple of seasons (man, there isn't enough font emphasis for that IF), then they can rebuild the community around Panthers football. I don't think there's some big conspiracy to suck. I just find that hard to believe. Instead, I think that Tepper and Co made a LOT of bad choices. You either learn, or you become irrelevant in the NFL. I think he hired the right coach. We just need to give him some time to learn on the job and build the team the way he wants. It's not going to happen over night.

This is why. I get that everyone want a to see Bryce and our high priced guards play. After safety, we are about as deep at other positions as a kiddie pool on your yard in August after a week of straight sun. Most of the players we're watching won't be in the team. The staff wants to see who is a gamer, who plays better than practices. Right or wrong doesn't matter. It's a practical issue. We didn't fluke in to 2-15 last year. We earned it. If we look lost the first month of the season, call it a lesson learned. Preseason is not great. No one wants to show their cards. You limit your game plan. If Bryce owns the 2nd team jets, what does that tell you? I'm pretty sure the only way to make any of y'all happy is to play well and win in the regular season.

I agree with this part a lot, thought I'm not convinced of the first part of your post. I want to see real game play, not practice, not preseason. I want to see the first month of the season before I start to make those more final determinations (that will be about 20 games for him). We want to show off our fancy purchases (hey, come see my new car/tv/phone/etc). Bryce did not look good while the other guy we could have drafted looks amazing. Welp, that stinks, but there's still a chance Bryce can get better. People miss on QBs/players all the time, it's part of the NFL. We're just so tired of being in his crappy situation. I understand that completely. The QB tends to get too much credit for wins and losses. I don't think we're expecting 17-0 season, but we want to be competitive again. We want to have a chance for hope, not sinking into the poo so quickly.

I'm in the position that Bryce does have to show that he can be the "dude" here. Does that mean I expect him to throw 5,000 yards, 50 TDs, and 0 picks? No. But I want to see his play pick up. I want to see those creative plays he's known for. I want to see the Anticipation. Qb is a difficult position to evaluate, especially for a dumb dumb like me. I think we'll know if Bryce can be the guy, but is being held back by a lack of talent on the team. I mean, if the OL is still a sieve, can Bryce be blamed for running for his life? For making those mistakes? But we'll be able to see if Bryce causes his own problems. I was thinking about that particular video; it popped up while I was making dinner last night. Look at the timeline for the Steelers and Kenney Pickett. He had a great HC, good defense, some good skill players, and an OL better than the Panthers. They gave up on him in two years. Then look at Bryce's rookie year: we saw the poo show that was from a coaching, execution, and talent standpoint. I think Tim has softened me a little bit that this is "it" for Bryce. That he's playing for his job. I think that's much more a Dan Morgan/Dave Canales perspective. I mean, for those guys, it's their job on the line with Bryce. Is the 2025 class of QBs any good? We'll see! I still think it's up to Bryce to get it together and show us he's the leader we need.

I want my Panthers to get better. I also want to see what Bryce can do. Bryce is the key this season. If he is able to make the plays when they are provided (and there will be a LOT of running the ball), then I think we'll be better. Maybe not winning more than 4 games, but that's double what we did last year. If Bryce poos the bed and doesn't look like an NFL staring QB, then he helps us out to a top 3 pick where we can get a high level QB prospect and try again. That's how I look at the season. I HOPE that Bryce and Canales are able to have a productive season, that the Panthers are fun to watch and surprise a few people. I know we're not deep enough to be good, but I'd like a few surprises here and there. But if not, then Canales gets to pick his last QB in Carolina. He'll either get his guy and do well, or he'll be out after year 3 or so.

Gastonia wasn't built in a day either. It take time, that's all I'm saying. Those of you expecting this team that still 75% the same roster as last season to be miles better immediately need to take a breath here. That's all.

I really worry about some of y'all. I really do. Here's where I am: we just had our first preseason game. He's a rookie head coach. Rome was not built in a day. I'm going to suggest patience for all the fans out there. We've had years of really terrible management. Bad draft after bad draft. FA signings that did nothing. This team is hoping that we can find competitive players from UDFA and practice squad players. Now, let's talk about Tepper. He's got to know at this point that firing guys willy nilly is just stupid. Sure, it's his billions to burn, but he wants more than anything to be a respected NFL owner. He's failed. Tepper is smart enough to know that he needs to step back and just be a big cheerleader. He had enough issuges getting Canales. Who in their right mind wants to work for the Panthers after seeing how much of a dumpster fireGetting drug into the day to day on a process that will take several years is not good for him or the team. Let's be patient with the team. Last night, Lutton looked a little better/in rhythm/on time than Plumber. So there's that. Canales has a LOT of work to do, and he knows it. It's his job to lose, though he'll have a helluva golden parachute if Tepper cuts ties quickly.

Keep Pounding Mr. Scot! All the love from the d-dAVE household!

We saw a team that was in desperate need of talent. No poo there. The lack of draft picks over the past few years is coming home to roost big time. We have to add more talent. We have to get better at it. Now Dan Morgan was the assistant GM under Fitterer. He has his hands plenty red with our lack of talent. Welp Dan, time to put your big boy pants on and build a more competitive roster. I should hope that we see plenty of movement in those bottom 15-20 spots on the roster. A guy might be a neat player, but we need talent. It's the first preseason game so I'm going to join in the apocalypse is here crowd (It's been here since Rhule was hired and they let Wilks walk, so ha!). It wasn't great. I think Jack Plumber may not be a good Qb. Lutton looked much more with it, and the offense moved the ball with him. Maybe call Jack and uber?

After last season, Mingo could use all the help he could get. If I were in his shoes, and I had access to a HOF WR, I'd sure as heck take advantage of it! At the end of the day though, it's all about what Mingo does during the regular season. So far, he's looked much better in camp, which for the nothing it's worth, is a positive to me. It's not uncommon for WRs to struggle as rookies and get better in the proceeding years. I wouldn't be surprised if Legette has a similar year where he flashes as a rookie, has some manufactured plays, and has a few bright spots. I'm looking forward to the season for sure. Let's see how Dave Canales can run the team and offense. Hopefully we're at least more fun to watch than last year.

Honestly, some of y'all didn't believe in him before last year's training camp. I think you have to ride Bryce for the season. We don't have any other options. Either Bryce will become a starting NFL QB or he's going to give us the poor record to choose the next QB. I just want the Panthers to be competitive and entertaining again. I miss those days.

Got to be patient. Bryce needs this season to show if he can be the guy or not. Having Canales' system seems to have worked out for some other QBs. We will just have to see. I'm not a huge fan of painting Bryce a bust in before training camp starts. If the 2025 season ends and he's not looking like the leader the team needs, then it's time to find a new QB. I know some of y'all are going to pile on him for not being perfect in preseason games, or making mistakes. Short of becoming the best QB in the NFL this season, some of you will never be happy. We're stuck in the offseason with many unknowns, with nothing else to discuss after one of the worst seasons by any team in the NFL... Sucks to be us, that's for sure!

This place is hilarious. Huddle, Keep on Huddling! I'm looking forward to seeing what the team does this season. Am I expecting one extreme or another? No. Somewhere in the low middle of expectations. You just have to look at the business of the NFL and media. There's a reason there's a ton of pressers during OTAs and mini camp because it sells clicks. Just don't read it if it sets you off. So whatever. Let's see how things go. My hope is that the Panthers are better, Bryce is better, our new additions make plays, and we can be hopeful for the future.

I think some of y'all would be thrilled if the Panthers ceased to exist as a team... The Panthers aren't going to move. The City won't let that happen. It's too much of a shiny bauble for Charlotte to let go of for nothing.

I think some of y'all would be thrilled if the Panthers ceased to exist as a team... The Panthers aren't going to move. The City won't let that happen. It's too much of a shiny bauble for Charlotte to let go of for nothing.

The more he stays out of the spotlight the better!

@Dingo_ate_Babies, using the Special Olympics as the butt of a joke is not a good look for anyone. Typically people who punch down, especially down on people who can't make a comeback, have something missing in their lives. I'm not going to judge you, but the words aren't a good look for someone who is so successful in their personal life. As far as working out two of the best WRs in the UFL, why the heck not! Sometimes guys need some extra development. Butler was a 2nd round pick who didn't pan out in the NFL. But he looks better in the UFL. Who knows, not going to hurt anyone to try them out and see what happens.