Stuart Smith

Agree with a solid B. If we do not trade CMC it will be interesting to see him behind a solid offensive line. One of the biggest upgrades not mentioned would appear to be upgrades in the coaching staff. It remains to be seen, but we might have a coaching staff who knows how to make halftime adjustments.

He was a left tackle at LSU. His senior year he graded a 99. The Panthers were expected to draft him in 2015, but backed off a day or 2 before the draft. An ex girlfriend was murdered and the investigation was not completed in time for the Panthers to fill good about drafting him. Given that this was right after the Rae Carruth fiasco, the Panthers could not risk drafting him. So…a first round draft pick went undrafted as everyone was skittish about spending a draft pick on him. Since he went undrafted he could sign with anyone. Dallas and Jerry Jones were waiting and signed him immediately without using a draft pick. (2015)

I did not say he was not a good coach. He realized that without Brees it would be more of a challenge. For someone who had contemplated a change anyway that was the deciding factor most believe. Being suspended a year by the NFL for trying to cover up bountygate should always place an asterisk by his name in any NFL records. Only coach ever suspended by the NFL.

Payton lost his MoJo when Brees retired. He knew it and moved on. We can all hope the experience on the Panthers coaching staff this year will make a difference.

Exactly my concern.

When he played I saw nothing to indicate he was better than Sam Darnold. Please quit trading future draft picks for “projects.”

Armstead made about 13 million this year. It will probably take 15 to 20 million a year to sign him. Too much when he missed some games. We are much better off to draft a tackle.

Watson realizes how much of the public perceives him, he realizes he possibly will never make any money from endorsements. I would have been very disappointed had the Panthers gave him that regardless of pending litigation. He is 28 and 25 lifetime. Kirk Cousins is 61W 62L and 2 ties in his career. One person cannot do it by himself. My opinion is that a lot of incentives should be tied to a $40 million dollar a year contract, however it’s not my money.

Does it count as a suspension if you are paid?

Fake outrage? I don’t have a problem with anyone who wanted him. I would have still supported the Panthers regardless. I wish the best for him, hope he can rehabilitate his image. Many others have expressed the same sentiments. I regret you feel like I was criticizing those who thought differently, not my intent.

Some of us really never wanted him. I find it hard to believe everyone employed by the Panthers wanted him even if they could not say so publicly. Some of us pull for the Panthers in spite of Tepper, not because of him. There are probably some Panthers Players who really privately did not want him either. I think it’s a mistake to paint everyone with a broad brush.

I just went on one of the Houston fan pages and the statement was made there should be a resolution “by the end of the week.” I wish the Panthers would move on. If I read it right there was a three team trade already turned down.

Watson’s career record is 28 and 25. You have to have the pieces around you, by merely acquiring him you are making it more difficult. We are not as ready as the Rams were when they traded for Stafford. Build the team through the draft and smart acquisitions. It remains to be seen if his image can be rehabilitated enough to be the face of a franchise.

The biggest failure was overestimating the skill set of Sam Darnold. Tepper is used to having things happen for him instantly. You can do that when you are a billionaire….most of the time. This is the NFL, you are competing with other rich people. That was a setback for the Panthers until the contract for Sam Darnold is up.

I agree with you 100%. I would love Bozeman. We don’t need to depend on Michael Jordan and Eflein. We need depth anyway.

New Orleans has always managed to do things with the salary cap that leaves you with a “how did they do that” question.

If if the Texans do not think it is a sufficient offer they could refuse the trade, but I doubt that happens.

Tanking every year year is why we sometimes have trouble attracting free agents.

The fact that we have a “lame duck” coach might actually be a plus. I feel that it has been conveyed to Watson that he would be involved in coaching hires, what Houston supposedly offered him and reneged on.

Can the Panthers afford McCaffrey and Watson?