SCO96

15 minutes ago, rayzor said:

 

I replayed that one at least a dozen times the first time I saw it. Flat out amazing seeing that big guy run like that.

 

 

1 hour ago, TheWiz said:

You know what... Im convinced. This kid is different. 

 

That kid does not move like a normal 313 pound man. He's going to be a nightmare for opposing teams if he plays like this on the NFL level. He could actually end up making things easier for Derrick Brown (or all of our d-lineman for that matter) . If he becomes the next Warren Sapp or John Randle he'll start drawing more of the double teams and free things up for the other guys.

6 minutes ago, KatsAzz said:

https://www.profootballnetwork.com/daviyon-nixon-nfl-draft-player-profile-iowa-defensive-tackle/

Here is a great article pertaining to Daviyon Nixon's past,present and probable future.

Thank you for posting that. I found that article to be an informative read. I look forward to watching this guy in action this fall. An effective 3Technique pass rusher could take the team defense to another level.

If you study the trajectory of any NFL champion you'll usually tend to see 2 trends.

1) A coach comes in and get an underachiever over the hump

2) A coach comes with a losing record for the first couple of years  and wins the Super Bowl between years 3-5.

I've outlined Dallas' history already. Their rise to excellence eerily resembles the rise of  the 70's Steelers.

a) Chuck Noll was 1-13 in 1969. By 1975 the Steelers were back to back champions

b)Noll used his drafts to build a devastating defense . Playmakers were at each level. Jack Ham (OLB) once said "we had no weakeness on our defense". That was the straight up truth for those 70's Steelers teams. Jack Lambert (MLB) and Donnie Shell (S) were the 1974 additions that put them over the top. These two positions are ironically what we need to be addressed in Carolina.

c) His talented 1st round QB (Bradshaw) stuggled early in his career. He was viewed as a bust and was even booed by the home crowd. He lost his starting job to Joe Gilliam, a black QB in early 1974, when there were hardly ANY black QB's in the NFL. Once everything fell into place for him  and he recaptured his starting job Bradshaw won 4 superbowls between 1974-1979

d) Playmakers everywere on offense. Lynn Swann once said (paraphrasing)"every team needs a guy who wants the ball in crunch time. On offense we had 4-5 guy like that". The 90's Cowboys had several of the guys (Irvin, Smith, Harper, Novacek, Moose Johnson). Our current roster is starting to look the same way.

e) The Steelers had an awesome, but unheralded offensive line. You can't make the playoffs every year from 1972-1979 with scrubbs blocking up front. Yet, only Mike Webster made the Hall of Fame. Dallas had a great O-line in the 1990s. Only Larry Allen made the Hall of Fame...and he wasn't a starter on JJ's 1992/1993 Cowboy O-lines. He joined the team in 1994 after after JJ was fired.  Our O-line is starting to shape up nicely.

The 1990's Cowboys followed the above script almost to tee in hindsight. Had JJ not been fired, the Cowboys could have equaled...or even surpassed 4 SB wins in the 1990's.  

The 70's Steelers and 90's Cowboys followed similiar roadmaps in building their football dynasties. The Panthers "seem to be" following a similar template. It'll be interesting to see if history repeats itself in the Carolinas over the next couple of seasons. Don't be surprised if Matt Rhule is being carried off the field after winning A SB somewhere between 2023-2025.

36 minutes ago, Hoenheim said:

I think the team is good but everything heavily depends on how well Darnold does. 

The early 90s cowboys definitely had a much better oline . We got several new pieces this offseason so maybe it'll be good ? Big question mark right now though . Darnold and the oline need to work .

Everything else is looking pretty good. Lots of young talent on offense and defense .

Darnold and the O-line are the key. If were are successful on these two fronts the future looks bright. Here's the one thing I admire about how we handled the situation. "If " Sam fails, we still have plenty of draft capital to trade for a better QB  or pick a promising draft prospect. If you look at our roster as presently constructed, this would be a desireable place to place for any QB to play. If I'm not mistaken, aren't we going to have one of the highest cap spaces heading into the 2022 season? We should be able to absorb almost any QB salary next season.

2 minutes ago, NanuqoftheNorth said:

Russell Wilson actually did make it back to the SB and threw an interception at the goal line to lose the game to the Patriots.

Otherwise, nice post.

Thank you for the correction. I meant to say he hasn't won. Sorry about that. Ironcially a guy from the Seattle FO that helped build those back to back conference winning team is calling the shots in Carolina.

If he could repeat that here I think we could all live with that...but I want more...

9 minutes ago, frankw said:

I need to see some wins in our division before I even think about talk of playoff runs and super bowls. No team in the league is going to do much winning one game against their divisional opponents. Stepping our way out of the cellar is the first goal.

You correct sir. But let's remember Jimmy Johnson and the Dallas Cowboys were 1-15 that first year. The next year they were 7-9. By year three they were 11-5 and in the playoffs. The won the Super Bowl back to back in 1992-1993 with regular season records of 13-3 and 12-4.

We were 5-11 in Matt's first year. Eight of those loses were by 8 points or less. Tampa spanked us pretty good both times they played us but their 7 time SB winning QB won't be around too much longer. New Orleans got us pretty good to end the season, but Brees is GONE now. I'm not too afraid of any other Saint QB lighting us up the way Drew used to year in and year out. Matty Ice is always a problem but he isn't quite as good as the former two QB's. I respect him, but I don't fear him.

We were a lot more competive in general than Dallas was in JJ's first year. 

6 minutes ago, Captain Morgan said:

sumbitch!  

 

I wanted Creed.

KC is serious about rebuilding that offensive line. The Super Bowl showed us first hand what happens to even the best QBs when he doesn't have protection.

 I hope we don't regret letting a couple of good  O-line prospects slip by because of the trade backs.

Just now, OneBadCat said:

Lemme guess that was our guy

This is why trading back can backfire at times. You plan to get a guy at a certain spot and right before you get on the clock another team nabs him. But, there are 31 other teams in the league. If you like a guy, chances are one of the other front offices around the league will feel the same way.

1 minute ago, Smithers said:

We may package both 3rds to move back into the 2nd.  Fitt knows what he’s doing

If we could do that to pick up an extra 2nd round choice that would be nice. 

1 minute ago, FuFuLamePoo said:

Just draft an offensive player, please. I swear if it's Barmore or something I'm going to be pissed.

I agree with you...but I can understand if we took Barmore. He had 8 sacks last year as an interior d-lineman. That's a lot for a DT. You put him next to Derrick Brown as our 3 technique pass rusher and we could end up with the best pash rush in the NFC South.

56 minutes ago, SOJA said:

Basically if Fields becomes Deshaun Watson we become the new bears 

Anything possible, but I don't think we have to worry about that.

In our lifetimes the Chicago Bears have NEVER produced a superstar/franchise quarterback. Just take a look at their history since the superbowl era began in 1966.

In our lifetimes, the OHiO State Buckeyes have NEVER produced a superstar/franchise quarterback. 

The coach/gm combo of Matt Nagy and Ryan Pace doesn't send the proverbial chills up my spine. If Fields doesn't become a baller, both of those guys will be out of a job by 2025...possibly sooner.

If history shows us anything, Fields went to a franchise where QB go to die.  If ...or more likely when...Nagy and Pace are fired Fields will be shown the door for Chicago's next "franchise" QB to repeat the cycle.

PS...I actually want Fields to succeed in Chicago. It'd be nice to see Chicago finally draft a good QB. I just hope he's less successful than Sam Darnold or whoever the Panthers have behind center while he's playing there.

7 hours ago, Mage said:

That is the beauty of the NFL.  There are opportunities to improve your team every year unless you are both in cap hell and don't have any draft capital (see: Texans).  There will be opportunities to get a QB again, especially if Darnold fails as spectacularly as you predict.

Great comment. Some people on this board seem to under the impression that getting a QB in the top 10 of the 2021 draft was the only way the Panthers could be successful for the rest of the decade. 

1) As some have pointed there's no guarantee Fields (or any of these guys) are going to be championship winners in the NFL.

2) We have drafts every year. We can get a QB in 2022. Some are saying "next year's class sucks!". It's too early to say that. Zach Wilson didn't become a top prospect until his last season. Joe Burrow didn't set the world on fire until his final collegiate season. Mac Jones wasn't a first round prospect before 2020. Chances are a couple of good QBs will be in the 2022 draft class...and unlike some teams that have traded away all of their high choices we'll have  first round choice next year if we need to pick a QB.

3) This team is young and a lot better than our 5-11 record indicates. A strong draft in 2021 should makes us better and a more desirable place for a QB  that we could obtain via free agency or trade.

34 minutes ago, theinstrumental said:

I think we're a safety away from being able to actually send some pressure. And it's going to be really scary when we do.

One of these guys will be available when we pick at 39.

https://www.espn.com/nfl/draft/bestavailable 

 Trevon Moehrig (Safety)

Moehrig excelled in a Cover 4 heavy scheme at TCU that frequently left him on an island working against slot receivers. He's a playmaker who shows good burst breaking on the ball and good timing breaking up passes. He's an above-average open-field tackler. Moehrig was voted TCU's Special Teams Most Valuable Player by his teammates in 2018. -- Steve Muench

Andre Cisco (Safety)

Pre-Draft Analysis

Cisco is an interchangeable safety with a blend of size, length and range. He's a ball hawk and natural hands catcher. He appeared to make strides as a tackler on 2020 tape, but it's still a concern. -- Steve Muench

Richie Grant (Safety)

Pre-Draft Analysis

Grant is undersized with good instincts, long arms and average top-end speed. He doesn't catch everything he gets his hands on, but he's a playmaker who tracks the ball well and picked off 10 passes in college. He's a solid tackler and a tough run-stopper who does not shy away from contact. -- Steve Muench

1 hour ago, FattyFatFat said:

Plot twist: we draft Jeremiah Owusu Koramoah 

https://www.espn.com/nfl/draft/bestavailable

Pre-Draft Analysis

Owusu-Koramoah is an instinctive, agile and fast weakside linebacker who always seems to be around the ball. He's fluid, smooth and fast in coverage. He flashes the ability to pressure quarterbacks with his closing burst and suddenness. -- Steve Muench

According to ESPN, he's the highest rated player still on the board. They have him at #12 overall. He's considered to be a 3 down player so he isn't a liability in the passing game. We need playmakers at every level of the defense. We really don't have an impact guy in our LB core.

I would prefer a LT in round 2, but if this guy could play I wouldn't jump out of a window.  He would make the defense better from day 1.

1 minute ago, Scott12345 said:

Would love more and better DBs than we have...but got to get OL

https://www.espn.com/nfl/draft/bestavailable/_/position/ot

The top 3 OL left are ranked among the top 40 players on the draft board according to ESPN. We pick at 39. We should be able to get one of these guys without reaching for a player. I'm gonna post the top defensive backs a little later.

I personally wouldn't do it...but I could see the logic if you had a bonafide starter on the board tonight. On defense in today's NFL you cannot have too many pash rushers or DEFENSIVE BACKS.  If we took a corner in the 2nd round and he turned out to be as good as Chris Gamble or Josh Norman for the next 4-5 seasons it would be a good move. I don't think we have a sure thing there though so I'd address another need. We are in position to get a solid LT early in the 2nd round.

7 minutes ago, imminent rogaine said:

Jags fuged that up. When you hit on a flyer RB, you don’t follow that up by drafting one in the first. What a joke. 

I didn't realize Jacksonville had 2 picks in round one. But, I told a guy last week at work that I could see the Jags taking Etienne as the first pick in the 2nd round.

18 minutes ago, Agent Blue said:

perfect scenario for us

Horn becomes a stud CB

Draft Grant in 2nd and he becomes a stud FS

Draft Christensen in the 3rd and he becomes a stud LT

Draft (insert OG) in the 4th and he becomes a stud LG

The Steelers' first four picks in the 1974 Draft ( Lynn Swann, Jack Lambert, Mike Webster, and John Stallworth) all made the Hall of Fame. They even found a Hall of Fame SS in Donnie Shell who was undrafted.

Hey if it happened for them...who says it can't happen for us .  Then again, I'd be content if we could get FOUR solid starters/Pro Bowlers from your perfect scenario.

We only had 7 INTs as a team last year. Donte was the only CB to get a pick on the 20/20 roster (He had 3). We've got to deal with Tampa, New Orleans, and that trio of beasts in in Atlanta (Jones, Ridley, and now Pitts) twice a year. 

I may have gone with the LT Slater to help our QBs stay upright...but this was not a bad pick. Jaycee balled out in the SEC. He's not a scrubb. We needed a cornerback. To be honest, we could use a couple of more, but I do hope we grab a LT in the 2nd round.

36 minutes ago, Basbear said:

One way to show where the value is by how the league pays positions. The league pays more to WR. It maybe easier to find WR, but that is partly due to team base being 3 WRs and teams mainly carry 6-7. Safety and some LB can play nickle, so CBs are not in the same demand. Panthers carry 4 CB for periods of time. So theres more WRs than CBs. Also league rules favor WR, honestly there is no Revis island or Asomugha level CB in the nfl. All get help at times and with the rules, its near impossible to lock down WRs(unless weather). Plus there are no "zone" WR, where lesser talented CB can cover WR. Few reasons why I got WR>>CB. 

I think cornerback is a more demanding position in terms of physical ability. As you pointed out it's easier to dominate in the NFL as a WR than a CB. That's why I made my statement. But, I have to admit that you posted a good argument and it actually made me see things a little differently.

1 hour ago, Basbear said:

I dont value ANY CB at the 8th pick, theres a huge gap for me between Sewell/top 3 WRs and Horn/Sustain/Farely. Not as big a gap but Id still prefer Slater over the 3 CBs. Id honestly take Kwity Paye over 3 CBs, just far more value at OT/WR/DE than CB.....unless its a prime revis clone. 

 

I dont know about the New GM Fitterer, but I know he should value LT/DE/WR over CB too. There is whispers about Panthers targeting Sustain and/or Horn. 

Gotta disagree with you on placing higher value on a WR than a CB. It's a lot easier to find quality WR's than CB's. PFF has 10 receivers in the 2021 draft ranked in the top 71 players. https://www.pff.com/news/draft-2021-nfl-draft-wide-receiver-rankings

https://www.pff.com/news/draft-2021-nfl-draft-cornerback-rankings. They have 10 cornerbacks in the top 72. But, after the 2nd round there is a steeper dropoff in talent than with the WR's.

 I don't think either of our starting wideouts would rank among the top 10 in the NFL. But, both played well and racked up over a 1,000 yards on receptions despite playing with a mediocre/average QB. DJ and Robbie would be solid starters on over half the teams in the league. Last season with the possible exception of Donte Jackson (the only CB on our team with an INT) none of our corners could start for the upper echelon teams in the NFL. I think a couple couldn't even make their rosters as backups.

I'm not saying we should draft a CB at 8, but if we did I can at least understand the reasoning. I'd prefer a LT, or a trade down. I wouldn't even consider taking Justin Fields at #8 after trading for Darnold so I hope Mr. King is wrong on this one.

https://www.espn.com/nfl/team/stats/_/type/team/name/car

We scored an average of 21.9 points per game last season. Our Opponents averaged 25.1 per game. That's almost exactly a 3 point per game difference. In six of those losses we gave up over 30 points. We gave between 25, 27, and 28 points in 3 of the other losses. Yet, we only lost 3 games by more than a score.

We were competitive in all of our defeats last season except the 2nd losses to Tampa and New Orleans. We were able to do so despite having a mediocre pass rush and a secondary that only picked off 7 passes the entire season. Only one CB on our roster had an INT last season (Donte had 3). The pass rush already looks to be significantly better. But, an improved pass rush can only do so much without help on the back end.

With all of our offensive woes on the O-line since Jordan Gross retired, I would prefer to get a franchise LT at #8. But, if we got a CB there, or chose a CB with our 1st pick after moving down a little in the draft, I wouldn't be appalled. If the guy turned out to be as good as Chris Gamble, Josh Norman, or James Bradberry then he'd fill a major hole on the team and make us better immediately.

3 hours ago, Mills said:

Stick to your draft board and dont reach for need. If you have Chase rated above Slater, then fug it, trust your scouting and pull the trigger.

It would be hard to be mad at Chase in rd.1 and Eichenburg, Leatherwood etc. in rd.2. Adding talent to what was a talent deficient roster is the goal.

My fear is that we take Pitts, or Chase, in round 1 with the strategy of picking a LT (as you suggested above) in round 2. Then, right before we pick some shrew GM jumps ahead of us and grabs the LT we covet. If we think the guys mentioned above will drop, other GMs around league probably feel the same way. I could see someone trading back into the latter part of the 1st round to snatch a guy if they felt he could do the job which could leave us empty handed.

I remember our disastrous draft in 2016. We ended up drafting 3 CB's in a row coming because Gettleman played hardball with Josh Norman and rescinded the franchise tag.  Worley and Sanchez turned out to be wasted picks.  Bradberry was good, but he's no longer with us. I recall G-Man saying something along the lines of "the board didn't fall the way we thought".

I say grab the LT in round one "IF" you feel he's a can't miss prospect. I wouldn't even be opposed to grabbing another Tackle in round 2 because RT will be a position of need if we can't sign Moton to a long term deal after the 2021 season. If we do resign him, we could use the other guy for depth or move him inside to guard.