SCO96

There is some truth in what you and Mr. Scott are saying, but you really can't make that many adjustments in the passing game when Young is your quarterback. He literally cant pass the ball downfield on effectively on consistent basis. All a DC has to do on long passing downs is double TMAC and drop every one down to the sticks. Bryce isn't going to throw the ball more than 20 yards down field so all the DBs have to do is keep everything in front of them and see if they can even jump a couple of routes to get some turnovers.

1977 was a landmark year in NFL History. Defenses were so dominant that season that the league had to change rules to limit their effectiveness. Drew Pearson led the league in receiving yards and he didn't even crack 900 yds in a 14 game season (870). The passing yards leader was Joe Ferguson who finished the season with 2,803 yards. He averaged 200 yds game. Pass blocking and pass coverage were relaxed in 78' in order to favor passing game. This marked the end of "dead ball era". DB's were no longer allowed to contact a receiver more than 5 yards downfield after the institution of the "Mel Blount Rule" 1977 Average yards passing per game (team): 141.9 1977 Yards per attempt: 5.9 This season Bryce is averaging 154.0 yds/game and 5.7 yds/attempt in his 9 starts. Let's put this into perspective. The type of numbers Bryce is putting up in 2025 were deemed so unacceptable in 1977 (48 years ago) by the NFL rules committee that they actually changed the rules to increase passing efficiency. Every rule favors the offense now, and Young is passing at a clip that would make him an average QB during the Disco era. He's cracked 200 yards one time this season (328 yds in week 2 against the Cardinals in a loss) Tyler Shough passed for 282 yards in 2nd career start. Bryce has only passed for 240 yards in his LAST 2 STARTS COMBINED. Bryce Young's has passed for 364 yards in his last 3 games. That's only 82 yards more than Shough had in week 10 against Carolina. I think in this case the the numbers/statistics tell the story of what is really hampering the Carolina Panthers. PS--Sorry for the typo in the Topic line.

If I were defensive coordinator I’d go into game against Bryce with 8 men in the box to stop the run and double TMAC all game long and dare the offense to beat me thru the air.

And, let’s not forget this fact. If that pass rusher had not hit Young in the helmet on that opening drive, then that INT would have stood and we probably would have been shut out today.

I’m gonna press you on this one just a bit. Once the Saints locked down Dowdle, how would you as a HC altered your game plan with BRYCE as your QB?

I just posted this on another thread, but I really do believe this current Panther team would be a legitimate threat to win our division and make a playoff run if the 1997-2000 version of Steve Beuerlein lining up under center this year.

I think most of us agree with you. Unfortunately, we don't have anything close to Jake on our roster. Honestly, I believe this team could earn a playoff spot Kerry Collins or Steve Beuerlein at starting QB.

Who might that be? He certainly didn't start for the Panthers today.

I think past drafts have shown that there are no "sure things" at the QB position in terms of the college draft. It's always a gamble. The Panthers are living proof of that. So, it's risky trading away a solid player like Brown for an unproven rookie. That said, if you had the gift of prophecy and knew for sure that the guy you were drafting via the trade was going to pan out, then I wouldn't think twice about making that deal. I'd gladly give up a top run defender for a legitimate starting QB. Brown has been with us since 2020 and we've never had a winning season with him despite his Pro Bowl level play at times. Going into this game, I though the Saints were possibly the only team in the NFC with a worse QB situation than ours. Already, it appears that their rookie QB is a more of threat on the field than our 3rd year starter.

Just want to let you know that I really like this post. Chubba is really a complementary piece on a good team but you really can't build your offense around him. That said, if we didn't have Dowdle on the roster, and had a stud at QB, he'd be a nice back to have. Until your post, I'd totally forgotten about Brooks being on the team. It would be a great story is he could bounce back, but at the end of the season he'd be halfway through his 4 year rookie deal. I don't hold out much hope for him but I could be wrong. A 3 year contract sounds perfect if he's extended if the cost is reasonable. He'd be 30 when it ended. If he were some how playing at an All-Pro level you could always extend it for an extra year. As you pointed out, if he wants to a change of scenery, you should be able to move on with another RB (via draft, FA, or return to a RB already on the roster...Chubba or Brooks if healthy).

Howell really doesn't have a chance of seeing the field in Philadelphia outside of injury or mop-up duty. If Howell isn't under contract, you don't think the Eagles would be willing to let him go for 4th or 5th? If they did that's a trade you almost have to make. Even if never became starter that wouldn't be a bad price to acquire a backup QB. Howell would be an immediate upgrade from Dalton.

"Better QBs" just don't grow on trees. We had the top pick in the draft in 2023...and totally blew it. As one poster pointed out, if Carolina plans on keeping BY as starter for 2026, they need to keep Dowdle. I don't think we'd have a win this season if Dowdle isn't on this team. We are literally a different team when things are clicking for him. Depending on the situation, you cannot assume that all running backs are the same. They are not all replaceable and expendable parts in a machine.

The pro-Bryce fans (not saying you're one of them) are leaving a major point out of the equation. Bryce is nearing the point where most starting QB's in his position receive major contract extensions. Bryce has shown that he can't put a team on his back an lead them to success. He doesn't make anyone better. The team has to carry him. I don't think its wise to build your team around a QB who needs everything to be just right in order to "win some games". How is the team suppose to build and maintain good O-line and running game, stout defense , Wideouts, etc. that you mention in the post if we have to give Young a 50 mil per year extension in the next year or two? QB's shouldn't get that type of money if they're merely "serviceable". I'd rather draft/acquire a serviceable QB for 2026 to keep the QB cost manageable and continue to build up every other position on the roster until we can find a real franchise QB. We literally go into every game outmanned at the games most important position. I said this in a post last week. With the possible exception of New Orleans, every team in the NFC has a better starting QB than Carolina does.

They definitely aren't among the top 10 in their professions, but I really don't think our major problems on this team are due to Canales and Evero. These guys would have us in solid position to compete for a playoff spot if they had just a little more talent on the roster. Canales needs a viable QB and Evero needs a ball hawking safety, a thumper at LB, and one more pass rusher.

Well said. We don't have a quality starting QB, a back-up QB, or a 3rd string QB.

Unfortunately, we don't have an alpha at QB. I never go into a game thinking that our QB is better, or even as good, as the QB on the other side.

The guy who is really hurting us is wearing #9 and taking snaps under center. 9/16 for 83 yards thru nearly 4 quarters of play is not going cut it in the modern NFL.

9/16 for 83 yards thru 3.5 quarters of play. This team is sunk if they pick up that 5th year option. Its's time to bring in someone else to play QB going into 2026-27. Bryce is holding this team back. I can see going with a defensive player in round 1, but if a quality QB is on the board in round 2, the front office needs to SERIOUSLY consider taking him.

I don't have a problem with Tepper wanting to hire a coach that the thought could salvage the investment that he made in Young after that dreadful Year 1. My problem would be if Tepper is telling them that Young "MUST BE" the starter and don't add any QBs to the roster that could outplay him. To his credit, I do think Young is performed better under Canales than he did was under Frank Reich. But, Young has limitations that will prevent him from taking a team to the next level. It is what it is. Dalton needs to be released or demoted to 3rd string at best. If Young is coming back for year 4 then another QB should be added who has a legitimate opportunity to compete for the starting job...and it needs to be someone who clicks with Canales and Morgan.

I see nothing in his game to indicate that another coaching staff is going to look at him and say "If we can get this guy from the Panthers, it'll solve all of our issues at starting QB". He's at best a backup to steady the ship until a top level starter is able to regain control. That's exactly how I feel. When I watch BY play in Carolina I don't see anything in his game to indicate that he's a guy that is going to keep the Panthers in playoff contention year in and year out. If Canales and Morgan are going to succeed then they should have the right to pick THE GUY THAT THEY WANT AND BELIEVE IN AS A QB. If Canales and Morgan are going to be canned then they next QB/GM duo should gave the right to pick THE GUY THAT THEY WANT AND BELIEVE IN AS A QB. No one should have to coach this team with stipulation that "Young is your starting QB no matter what".

Even before Luke we had John Beason & Dan Morgan. Beason (1st team All-Pro in 2008) was so good at his position prior to his injury that Luke had to began his Panther career as an OLB. Sam Mills wasn't a classic MLB due to the 3-4 scheme we played under Capers in the 90's, but even then he was a formidable force on the inside. When you see how much of an impact the ILBs have had on our teams during the Richardson era, it's quite shocking that we haven't placed more emphasis on that position in recent years.

I've noticed this as well. If you have a dominant LB core, or even a lone dominant force at MLB, it makes a huge impact on the defense. I think as offenses emphasized the passing game, the pass rushers and CBs became the glamour positions on defense (which is somewhat understandable) Well said...and the Center is the QB of the offensive line!

I wouldn't say I was "relying on current AI" for information. I input a question to see how it would respond out of curiosity. I wouldn't even say that I'm an analytics guy, especially in the terms of the draft. I believe the game film ultimately tells the story. But, even back in the 1960s the Cowboys revolutionized the NFL draft process by using a computer to help them pick (or not pick) players No one would deny that 2 of our weakest spots on defense are S and LB. I was curious to see what an AI program would pick as the optimal time to pick these spots. They seem to have narrowed in on Day 1 and Day 2, which is the exact opposite of what the Panthers have done in recent years. We haven't made an effort to use our higher choices on these spots this decade and both positions are weaknesses for our defense. The position of Center has always fascinated me. Take a look at most of the dynasties in NFL history, or even a one and done super bowl winner. I guarantee you over 80% have a stud manning the center position. This guy is usually going to be among the top 5 players at his position at any given time and often a multiple Pro Bowler.