d-dave

Thank you for all the release metaphors!  It's helped make my morning

But no...just eww..

3 minutes ago, Khyber53 said:

Look, I love Shaq and have cheered for him since Day 1. I'd love to see him back but those injuries were all pretty major and they started coming one after another. That's usually the sign for a professional athlete that it's time to turn the page.

I think he's been an excellent linebacker throughout his career and when he took to the field beside Luke and TD, he was very much a man among equals there. I think that sadly, it is time for a new page for him, just like those other stalwarts. 

But please, ask him to come back and retire as a Panther. We'd be honored by him if he did.

I agree.  Father Time is undefeated.  Linebacker is a physical position, and Shaq's injuries are piling up.  Sometimes you have to just know your time to hang'em up.

I don't think anyone should denigrate Shaq's leadership or his history with the team, but that's all in the past.  If it's week 4 and we're down all our LBs, sure, bring him in.  But for camp and the season, we need youth.  Jewell is the elder statesman here, but even he's had his fair share of injuries.  So at this point, I'd rather live with youth and mistakes while they learn instead of older vets who will get hurt more frequently.

I wouldn't be surprised given how the NFL swings, but I'm not getting my hopes up for that.  Regardless of win totals, I want to see the following in 2025:

1. Continued development and improvement of Bryce and the offense.  This is coaching and player-related.

2. An improvement in the defense from historic bad to mediocre.  Anything beyond that is great.  Even at mediocre, we could have pulled off a few more wins last year.

3. The development of a strong core of leaders and a team identity emerge.  

Wins?  I expect 6-8, some improvement, but we're not quite there yet.  Injuries are the greatest equalizer in the NFL, and we lacked depth across the board last year.  Maybe we're healthier this year?  Or our depth shows well when injury strikes.  I don't know.

Now look, we could go on a tear and win 10+ and the Division.  I wouldn't be sad at all there, but I also don't see it as being likely.  But it would be cool!

9 hours ago, Bear Hands said:

I see we’re at the stage where everyone is trying to showcase how OG they are lol. 

20 years or so here...

God, I am getting old, this sucks lol

On 4/21/2025 at 2:23 PM, scpanther22 said:

Funny enough Charlotte is one of the more trendier cites at the moment, 

Yeah, my family did the Charlotte Area Book Crawl last week, and we got to see a LOT of the city.  It's changed!  Some good, some bad, but at the end of the day, there's a lot going on in town.

2 hours ago, MechaZain said:

Imagine paying $375 million to replace a guy up for his third Emmy in a row

Fox Media has really been killing it, right?  Lots of great and smart choices like that to inspire confidence from the shareholders!

20 minutes ago, PNW_PantherMan said:

Is the Tet visit just smoke?  Maybe they'd consider him in a trade back scenario?  I can't see them picking Tet at 8 with so much of the focus on defense.

I think it's just doing due diligence.  Maybe they decide to take him at 8?  Maybe they trade back to 15 and pick him?  Maybe it's just a smoke screen so people think we're interested and either feel the need trade up for him or it lets one of our defensive player we desire slide??  I love the intrigue of the draft!

9 hours ago, Jon Snow said:

The problem with saying just take bpa is who's bpa are you talking about? Not everyone is going to agree on who's the best player available at that pick. Teams see the best player available as who's the best player for their system at their pick among the players available. We just assume the rankings are all the same but they are really not. 

This is why these guys get paid the big bucks.  It's their job to assess not only the raw evaluation of a player, but also how well they fit the scheme and team.  Often we hear the phrase "dropped of a team's board" in relation to a medical or personal evaluation.  

I do enjoy the draft season so we can see all the hot takes from national media heads down to the loudmouth in the next cubicle over who is a Jets fan.  I've taught with several Jets fans...and I don't feel out of line with my judgement

Funny thing, didn't Gettleman talk about quarters and dimes???  Just a funny memory of bygone era of Panthers FAFO....(Free Agency/Front Office, RIGHT???)

Carter is the best edge in the draft in the pre-draft process.  I think that's the general consensus.  But we're not an edge away.  We need talent at every position aside from QB (for now, we'll see), and MAYBE RB.  But the rest of the team needs young players hungry to take a vet's job.  

I'd rather have more shots at the dart board with the hope that we can get some meaningful depth and maybe starters out of this.

This is why you have to be careful, just everyone.

Green needs to be careful of who he surrounds himself with.  All it takes is even the hint of suspicion to open up an investigation against him.  I'm not saying all NFL players need to be choir boys who got to bed by 9PM with a glass of milk, but he needs to have a strong support network that is watching out for him.  That doesn't mean covering things up for him, but guiding him to better decision making for the future.

An NFL team that wants to drop a major investment into the young man also has to do it's research.  I'd talk to every ex GF he's had.  I'd bring a behavioral psychologist as well to see how they react and read body language.  Lots of guys can clean up their image in short order, but if there's an underlying issue, there are signs even that can't hide.

His talent is undeniable.  Dude could be an excellent edge defender for many teams in the NFL.  But if he goes to jail, it's hard to play.  If he becomes a pariah, it's hard to pay him.  Look, billionaires aren't clean people, they are just rich enough to keep their secrets safe.  Any team considering drafting Mike Green is going to have to do a LOT of research and investigation into someone with that kind of background, innocent or guilty.  

After all, you don't want to invest a high pick in Green, only to lose him and the value to the team.

Our offseason mantra needs to be "the draft is a crap shoot!"  Right???

Now Carter is very interesting.  Some talking heads consider him the best, safest pick in the draft because his skills are translatable.  His floor is a high end pass rusher, ceiling perennial DPOY.  He played through injury at Penn State and was a force in his final game.  Dude has all the tools.

Who is graded out better?  Well...there you have wide variety of opinions.  The biggest question would be: do the Panthers have a high enough grade for him?  If he drops, I think you really have to think hard about it (depending on your board).  What's the dawg count in him???

Or do you take the best edge you can at 8 and let the rest fall where it may?  The draft is always surprising and full of "no duh" moments.  But if Carter falls to four, I think NE is going to have a LOT of calls.

4 hours ago, TheSpecialJuan said:

Our very own Verge 

https://x.com/nat_nfldraft/status/1904034087309902172?s=46&t=xeIgh_-Vr2aKxBkBJdfnKA

Well, Nat is a LOT more plugged in that most of us

So it looks like we're going to have balance the idea of a stupid high "tools" guy versus a more proven player.  Drafting for traits over production...  Sometimes you win, sometimes you lose.

6 minutes ago, LinvilleGorge said:

I like T-Mac as a prospect but I also definitely don't think that he's a legit mid-4.4s type. If he could legit run a 4.48 he would've done it at the Combine. Him posting 4.48 at the Combine would probably make him an absolute top 10 lock, maybe even a chance to go top 5. Everyone always runs faster at their Pro Day. Hell, remember when Funchess ran 4.7 at the Combine then magically ran a 4.48 at his Pro Day? Devin Funchess was NOT a 4.48 guy.

I saw Dane Brugler from the Athletic ask someone there and since the 40 was hand timed, the three he trusted most were in the 4.53-4.57 (4.55) range for him.  So take that for what it's worth.

Honestly, were I a GM, I'd want to see his GPS figures to see how well he changes directions and his actual game speed when running routers and running away from people.  Tet's game is size and short area movement, not long speed.  Would it be helpful? Yes.  Can he rush the passer?  No.

6 hours ago, TheSpecialJuan said:

Yeah apparently we’re going after Tee Higgins 

https://x.com/panthersstate/status/1899999924965576948?s=46&t=xeIgh_-Vr2aKxBkBJdfnKA

Dan Morgan had stated to follow him 

 

I will say if he makes this trade/contract - it's going to define his term at GM/Boss Boy of Football. 

It could be a great move for him and the Panthers.  Or it could be a massive overpay for a 2nd tier WR who can't carry the load or value of a $30 million a year contract.

I'm not an NFL insider, I have no idea, I'm just spouting my thoughts and ideas.

I feel better grabbing a good run stuffing DT and an interior pressure guy.  Adding one of the best safeties on the market was a good grab as well.  Keeping Horn and Jackson together could be good.  Now we just need to find pass rushers from the edge.  So I am feeling better on paper, but at the end of the day, it's just paper.

It depends on how well they coaches can coach...

Just now, scarface said:

FA did just start. 

Didn't you know, the season is already over!  Because we didn't win the super bowl in the first couple hours of tampering, it's time to fire everyone and look for 2026 QBs! 

(Typical huddle over reaction)

4 minutes ago, Icege said:

This is some decent perspective.  Milton would have been great for passing downs, but he's not a full time player...  In 4D chess terms, maybe the Panthers leaked the $20 figure (when Milton was wanting $24+) to see who else would pay more and get it out of their hands?  Man, that's some painful mental gymnastics.

But good on Milton for getting the bag.  This is a strong front 7 draft so let's work on developing young talent.

Just now, imminent rogaine said:

I like this better than a DT. There are stud DTs in the draft. Load up on cheap options there. 

Drafting a safety seems like much less of a sure thing. 

Yep, you hear that the DT position is one of the deepest in years.  We could land a really good player with a mid round pick.  I'll take that!

1 minute ago, 45catfan said:

Is it? Going to be a thing from now on, regular cyber attacks on X.

It's about time that sports moved off the platform of white supremacy.  The only reason they are still there is really just entropy.  They've been there so long, but since Musk is really good at ruining things, the birds are coming to roost so to speak.

2 minutes ago, TheSpecialJuan said:

Seems like either:

Someone from the #Panthers leaked the deal being finalized to NFL insiders prematurely

Or someone from Milton Williams' camp leaked it to get other teams to pony up

In either case, sigh

I was excited for some cool news, but then the business of the NFL really tilted it's head.  I bet that his agent made a call, which got other teams to put out their best offer for Milton.  I get it, the young man should get the most he can.  It would be cool if we could get him to play here, but if not, that's just the way the NFL work.

I do appreciate that the Panthers are trying: tried for DK, trying for Milton on Day 1 of FA.  I get it.  We'll just have to see what happens.

Just now, Zaximus said:

This will be such a Panthers thing to do

Keep it mind, the Panthers didn't report it, but the issue is that in all FA, teams are vying for all players.  Players are trying to get the most money they can.  If possible, got to a winner.  So if Williams is playing other teams against the Panthers, more power to him.

Just now, Shocker said:

Harold Landry to the Pats.  I mean you had to know Vrabel was gonna be aggressive to turn them around.

And the Pats have a ton of free cash for the cap.

I know folks are going to look at the number and freak out, but we have DEs getting $40 million now...so...yeah.  The market is moving up!

Horn had some bad injury luck, but was pretty healthy last year (aside from team holding him out because we weren't fighting for a playoff spot).  Let's see what happens here.  

12 minutes ago, kungfoodude said:

I just don't see him extending here unless we offer best-at-position money.

I just don't see that as being justified, TBH.

Yeah, I can't see paying Seattle's asking price AND signing him to a 5 year / $150 million contract.  That's just irresponsible.  Now if it's a 4th rounder...OK, that becomes more interesting contract aside.  I'd tell him prove it.  If you want $30 million, earn that.  

Man, what interesting polarization here.  Some, hard pass while others would jump their own mom to make  the pick (ok, I just inserted that mental image, ha ha).

Warren produced despite being the main focal point of the Penn State offense.  I didn't watch Penn State, but that's what a lot of talking heads are saying so take that with a gigantic grain of salt here!  When I watch the highlights and listen to the analysis: dude is a bully.  He's big, strong and fast enough.  Not a home run threat of a guy, but someone who can use his size and strength to his advantage, like how Gronk did.  Does that make him a sure fire HOF player before he plays a snap?  No, of course not!

But I think it's also very important to look at what's happened to other high draft pick TEs.  Top 10 TEs rarely make an impact.  Look at Kyle Pitts in ATL.  He's a great athlete, but was he a worthy high draft pick?  TJ Hockinson.  He was suppose to be a can't miss product, and was traded to the Vikings.  Here's a handy list (despite the source, eww):

https://thefalconswire.usatoday.com/gallery/nfl-draft-falcons-tight-end-kyle-pitts-hayden-hurst-atlanta/

There has been much better value drafting guys in the 2nd-4th rounds.  I have no idea if Warren will wash out or not, but I'd MUCH rather draft the best pass rusher, CB or even WR than a TE in the top 10.  Now if the Panthers traded down into the late teens or early 20s and they are sold on him being a difference maker...  I guess that's a different conversation.

It could also just be a smoke screen.  Since we telegraphed Legette last year, could be gaming some of the other teams.  Or we could have a hard-on for him.

I do enjoy the off season