d-dave

I think that things are going about as expected. The Draft Class is looking pretty decent. The FA class has been a mixed bag, but might get better the back portion of the season. Dave Canales has been a rookie HC with limited play calling experience. I'm not a fan of him playing "best chance of winning QB." You've got to ride Young through the season and trade him in the off season unless he suddenly learns to be an aggressive QB. Canales will start off really well running the ball, but he abandons it too early too often. He tries to get cute instead of doing what works. Those are things that will improve with time. When he was hired, someone said he was a year too early. I thought that seemed pretty accurate. For me, I think the Panthers need to stay the course. Let people make mistakes, learn from them and improve. We've been too kneejerk since Tepper bought the team which has led us to being one of the biggest laughing stocks in the NFL. As the kids say, give them time to cook.

I have really enjoyed laughing at the Panthers beating the Chiefs memes. I mean, it's been in good fun. Bye week is a great time to be completely unreasonable. The Chiefs played pretty poorly against the Bills. This is a heck of a get right game for them. I have a feeling they are going to come out hard against a weaker team. I think the D can be feisty, but will probably get smoked. On O... Yeah... This is not going to look great. This team is 9-1, coached by an all timer, has a generational QB, and a propensity to find ways to win. It's going to be ugly. As far as trotting out Andy, does that help Bryce develop? Does that help the team develop? It's not about winning at this point (unless by some miracle/any-given-Sunday we win, then things get interesting).

If Cam is done, he just needs to retire. Even on that episode of the podcast, he said he would never play again, but he's not going to "retire." OK. I think it's stupid. Cam Newton is the best player in Panthers history. He made us relevant. He was polarizing, but you can't deny that Cam changed the course for the Panthers. He needs to have a sit down with Tepper, clear the air, and Cam needs to sign his retirement. Then the Panthers make it one for the ages and make it a city wide celebration of everything Cam has done on and off the field.

I think Samsung makes the best of the folding phones, but for me, the screen just wasn't it. I have no problem with the slab of phone now a days. I don't see a great benefit to me of a folding device. Cool, but the tech just isn't there. May the Gods of Mobile Data give you good coverage in your future

Water makes things wet? While I think we've seen some good stuff from Bryce, he's not looked like a No. 1 overall stud of a pick. Bryce will have to be really good. We've seen that...once? Versus Green Bay last year? Is it a matter of the play calling keeping Bryce hemmed in this season? Or just him? I'm not sure anymore. I mean, he's "looked" better, but compared to how he was playing, HOW much better is that? This is at a time when a LOT of young QBs are struggling. Playing QB in the NFL is hard, especially when defenses are set up to force you to go 8-12 plays each drive. But that's why Bryce was drafted - he had the ability to play the mental chess versus opponents. He's going to get a chance again, but if he looks overwhelmed again, back to Dalton. So basically - if Bryce keeps the good play rolling, Canales has to keep the franchise defining trade in. Even if it's barely good. If Bryce comes out and turns the ball over 3x in three drives...then I think you have to pull him at that point. Way to really go out on a limb Joe...

I was really impressed by Wonnum's get off. As others have said, he looks like he was shot out of a cannon with his first couple steps. That's great! I know that he's had a hard go the last several months. To be out there must have been a dream come true. He still has it. I hope he can stay that hungry and excited. As far as the defense, they have made enough plays the last two weeks to win. They aren't a shutdown defense, but they are not the entire reason we've got a poor record. Look, I want to be as hopeful as anyone here. I'm not a huge fan of living in a perpetual cloud of misery. I did that too long. But the Giants are just a bad of a team as us and it took to OT... Let's be realistic. We still need a lot of help. Are there some good pieces we can work with? Yes! We're still letting anyone run wild on us. You've got to stop the run in the NFL and force teams into 3rd and long. We're not that kind of defense right now. I'm going to continue to watch the Panthers. Looking for the week to week improvements. Sometimes it will crash and burn. That's the way it goes!

I don't think it's really useful to get caught up in the draft stuff right now. We'll see where we are at the end of the season. The draft is very much a crapshoot. At this point, I'd rather have more darts to throw than be the first moron again. While Huddlers are pretty opinionated on if there's a real QB 1 in this draft, the media is kind of poo pooing as far as a franchise QB. Or they think they are sure fire first ballot HoFers. Somewhere in between. Or not at all... Let's enjoy our first winning streak since the days of Steve Wilks. Fun and enjoyment won't last long. But if you love the draft and wants us to tanks, good luck to you! Have fun!

Huddle gunna Huddle, bup bup bup New here? =P This is the status quo!

I understand why people are against this move. Generally, I'd agree. BUT - this is a Panthers team that is pretty bare. Of talent. Of leadership. Of pride. Does signing Chuba immediately fix all of this? No, of course not! This shows that if you produce, you get rewarded. Chuba is the absolute DAWG of a leader this team needs. Yes, rookie RBs are a dime a dozen. But Chuba went from a "WTF, Matt Rhule's wife???" to a high level RB in the NFL. He's 25, and doesn't have that much milage on the tires. You can't just import talent, or trade it away. You have to retain it. Hubbard is having a great season, he's turned into a reliable pass catcher out of the backfield from a complete liability. He was a pretty bad pass blocker into a reasonable one. He is an example of a guy who has put in the work. That's a great guy to have on the team. This is who the rookies should look to for leadership. I'm cool with it, and I'm happy for Hubbard!

I've watched and listened to several evaluations from the good ole youtubers. From what I was able to watch, the first few drives before I left to do a job to the end of the game were very different for Bryce. So he had a "good" game. Which is great. I love a win, period. His WRs had some drops, thing ripped away, etc. Not great, but a W is a W, right? I think the Panthers have to start Bryce. You have to see if he continues to build on the good plays and make fewer and fewer bad plays. No QB is going to play a perfect game. But we need to continue to see Bryce make plays. Does he have the ability to will his team to victory? I'm not sure. I'm still in the Bryce is a backup QB camp. I'm glad he had a good game, I glad we won, but I need to see more before we make a decision to keep or trade him. Playing Andy literally does NOTHING to help you for the future. Andy may not even resign with the Panthers. We could be out both starting QBs by the time FA/Draft season hits. Ultimately, this is a Dan Morgan and Dave Canales issue. Can they get value out of Bryce to help them improve the total roster? Is there a FA QB who would be an upgrade? A surprise cut or post season trade? Or is there a QB at the top of the draft who they think they can mold into a high level starting QB? I don't know. I do know I want to see more of Bryce Young and more out of him on the field. I want to see the fire, the competitor come out. I want him getting pissed. I want him to grab his beanbag and tell us all he's the f'ing dude. I just don't think we'll see that out of Bryce. If not the fire, then let me see the ice - let me see the rattle proof dude who kills with accuracy and playmaking no matter how hot and crazy it gets.

Canales needs to develop. As someone said when he was hired, it was a good hire a year or two too early. Give him time. At a minimum, we need to develop the talent we have on the roster. If Canales isn't the guy to be your head coach, let him coach while you build talent. Make the job more appealing until you get the guy you wanted all along. Or heck, maybe Dave becomes a better coach by the end of year two. Dave has some serious cuteness issues with the plays he calls. Get smart, give it to Chubba. That will fix a lot of those issues. Let Bryce push the ball down the field - see what happens good/bad/ugly. Over all, we just need ownership to be patient and give the football guys a chance to build the roster.

C'mon, this is the Huddle! Take your common sense and steady perspectives someplace else! =P I kid! I agree, it was nice to get the W, I do love a victory Monday! It was good to see Bryce stay in the game, it never seemed too big for him. He did lead the final TD drive (though the Saints did completely fug up the 4th Quarter, but hey, you take what you can get!), and got his first victory formation snaps. The young WRs had their ups and downs, JT Sanders was a manimal. And the D made some plays! I don't care if is was a putrid saints team riddled with injury. We are too. I'm going to enjoy the feeling because it's been rare! Now, does this mean the team is turning a corner? Nope! We are still a pretty bad team. Is Bryce the answer? No, I am not going to say that yet. Bryce had a good game for Bryce Young, but will that level of play compete with a top 10 QB? No is the simple answer. Enjoy the Victory Monday! There's nothing wrong with that. But we still have a LONG way to go as a team.

That was a pretty gross hit. Not a fan at all. I hope Olave is able to make a full recovery. Just sickening to see it happen.

Here's where I am: Bryce Young looks and plays like a mid tier back up QB. He does have talent, but so far, it's not working out. Like many highly touted and drafted QBs, he's going to have a LONG shelf life. Sunday, Bryce made some great plays. Absolutely. He also made some bone headed plays. Bryce's greatest issue is that he hasn't figured out how to play fully in the NFL - where dudes are miles better than the SEC. Now could better coaching help? Yes. But there is also an expectation for Bryce: his brain was his superpower. He's got to show that on the field. He needs to be able to play chess with DCs and MLBs. He's just reacting and responding. Bryce needs to be that field general, and he's not that guy (yet? maybe - I'm not a palm reader). But a MUCH bigger issue is that he's not THE MAN. Bryce is the nicest kid in the world, but you need some professional arrogance to play in the NFL. You need to believe not just in your deity of choice, but also in yourself. For everything, I don't think that Bryce truly has that self assured confidence to be a successful QB right now. I'm fine with the Panthers playing Bryce the rest of the season. Let him put out an audition tape that shows what he can be and can do. Then in March, trade him to someone who swears they can fix him. Let Dave and Dan get their guy - and see if they can develop him into a stud. We'll have plenty of choices in the draft. Now if Bryce goes through puberty (ok, that was mean, some of you will like that though) and grows up into a DUDE of a QB who can make the right calls, play bigger than his size, and lead us to a win or two while looking much more competent; what do we do? That is the million dollar question. If Bryce evolves into the DUDE - then let's get the best players to help him on Defense and build up the other areas of the team. Just get talent. If he still looks inconsistent and timid, well, hopefully he puts enough good plays up to make someone else interested.

I forgot who said it, but there are more than a few offensive coaches who think they can fix anyone. Even if he flubs, there will be the people who thought he was a worthy top draft QB who will try and fix him. First round QBs get a TON of chances.

Honestly, how much worse can it be? Meh. I'll watch to see how the kid does. Probably also doing house work as well, lol!

I think it makes sense to trade Young in the offseason during the QB musical chairs, much like how we went after Darnold from the Jets.

Part of it has to do with the Ravens who tend to let high priced FAs walk, acquire comp picks. There's a formula having to do with money out and money in via Free Agency. Usually, Baltimore leads in the comp pick game. Now if Johnson had remained on the team for the rest of the season, let's just average it out (per game averages to this point + first half of season stats): 69 / 816 / 7 TD (I rounded up). How much does an average WR 2 make who is 29 and has a history of melodrama? Versus the rest of our FA needs. I just don't think we'd end up with that 3rd round comp pick, but then again, I'm no NFL insider. Now Johnson could go and light it up in Baltimore due to the sheer competency of the team, and earn a fatter payday in the off season to get them that 3rd round comp pick. No way he was earning that in Carolina.

You new here? LOL, welcome to the typical Huddle since Tepper bought the team....Well...it's not too different from 18 years ago? (God, how much time have I spent here???) Yes, a lot of fans aren't going to be happy unless the Panthers do exactly what they think is right. Others are just generally unhappy at the team and this is their vent space. We have all variety's of unhappy here! =0 I think most of it comes from a good place: we want the Panthers to be successful. It's more fun to cheer for a good team. I get it. We've also watched floundering ineptitude for years. We all just have different and strong opinions on how to fix it.

Look, the Panthers just wanted to be rid of Johnson. That's just the way it is. The NFL knew at worst, they'd have to wait until FA to get Johnson, if he wasn't cut before that. For the Panthers, you had someone who has shown he's not a culture guy like a Hubbard or a Brown. Instead he's just here to get a check. That's fine, but because he quit on routes, one of those led to an INT in the last game he played. May as well get something rather than nothing. Is Morgan the best or worst GM ever? Nope. We've had one off season. There's still a lot of work on the Panthers end to get better. I just am not sure how much Diante was going to move the needle forward. If the NFL was offering a 3rd or 4th for Diante, then we would have taken that. I think everyone calling Morgan a dumb dumb over this are over reacting. We're one of the worst teams in the NFL. What makes our talent so appealing? If you're having a "fire sale" then ALL your assets are depreciated. Johnson becomes WR 3/4 in Baltimore. If any team thought he was a WR1/2, then they would have traded for him. He's a good player. He's a great separator. But is he your clutch WR in the last 2 minutes on a pivotal drive? I don't think so.

Nice work @MHS831! You sused it out! Time to rip the mask off the villain!? =P

Hey, it's just football right? You still have your health? Nah, I completely understand fan disappointment - I'm here with you. I really wanted to see Bryce come out and show us he can be the dude. He's not, he's a backup (Thank you Panthers Playbook) QB. That's fine for him, but terrible for us given what we invested in his pick. That sucks. David Tepper has overseen some of the worst lows in franchise history. I don't think he wants to lose, he'll make more money if the Panthers win. He's just a football dumb dumb. Tepper needs to stick to doing community things and let his Football People do football stuff. After trading off CMC, DJ Moore, tons of picks, etc, and dealing with the attrition of FA, retirements, and poor drafts by Scott Fitterer (and Dan Morgan...my man isn't off the hook); this team is full of practice squad players and a really good OL. I don't think Evero is the right DC for us. In the off season, we need to find a different DC. Someone who runs a 4-3 preferably (though this is the NFL where base defense isn't played a lot). I love listening to Evero - he sounds like a very good coach, but for whatever reasons, it' just not working. Time to move on after this season. Dave Canales wasn't ready to be a HC. So I think we need to give him some time to figure it out. That's PAINFUL AF as a fan. But if we're going to build a team, you have to let him and Dan Morgan work together for more than an offseason. Again, a combination of poor drafts and FAs have left us pretty hollowed out. We have a very strong OL (that played poorly on Sunday). Chubba is a dawg. Coker is looking good, XL looks like a good young player. There's some good youthful talent on the offense. They just need a QB. I love Dalton. But he's past his prime. He's not been the guy who can carry the team since his days in Cincinati. He may want to move on, or he might want to stick around to back up the next QB here (because it's easy money and Charlotte is a nice place to live). So, can it get worse? Maybe? I dunno. Hopefully you all have your healthy, your families, friends, and other things to enjoy. The Panthers won't be one this season, but maybe later.

Matt Fricken' Rhule got 2+ years. That's three season openers. Then when we should have kept Wilks, but we didn't. Instead we went to Frank Reich, the Panthers OG himself. That lasted only 11 games? (please correct me if I'm wrong). Now some are suggesting we fire Canales after eight games? Or after the season? Impatient teams do impatient things. Bad teams lack patience. Is Canales the perfect play caller? No. Is he the perfect head coach? He is handsome as heck and has a sleazy past? Oh sweet baby yes! Canales is still young. Probably could have used another year or two as an OC. Instead he's going to learn on the job. So where does this leave us, dissatisfied fans? Fire the entire FO!? Burn it down!? Didn't we do that last off season? What happens when you keep burning it down? Nothing gets a chance to grow. Dan Morgan picked some talented guys. I think XL is going to be good. Wallace is a dog. JT Sanders has shown some flashes in games. Brooks...well...yeah (right now a big ole miss!). Dan's not going to hire his buddy if he's a poo coach. Dan knows he'll lose his job next if Dave doesn't work out. I think we need to let it grow for a bit. As painful as it will be.

The most successful: W and he is able to pick apart the Denver D and make plays left and right. Looks like the BY from Alabama. Really successful: W Modestly Successful: keeps us in it, but we lose. He shows signs of things clicking and good decision making but the lack of practice time leaves a lot of rust. What I expect: a big ole L and another poo the bed from Bryce. If he's better than that, great! But otherwise, I expect the same as usual.

I think the lesson learned after Bryce is that you DON'T need the number 1 pick to get a great QB. While there are a fair number of successful #1 pick QBs who have panned out, a lot of the "best" QBs came after the top 5. Josh Allen, Justin Herbert, Lamar Jackson, Pat Mahomes, etc weren't #1 over all picks. There's plenty of good that can happen when you draft top 10 so long as you are smart about roster building. Now as far as Dan Morgan - honestly, there's some good and some bad. He was #2 to Scott Fitterer, which can't be forgotten. But he also went out and got two really good guards and drafted some guys who are showing some potential. Got to give him some time really. I know it sucks to have to do that, but that's just the way it is. As far as who has value to trade away: Diante Johnson, AT, JC Horn...Taylor Moton? Chubba? (they doth protest too much for him not to be available...).