NAS

MNF @49ers on November 24 

30 minutes ago, Khyber53 said:

See, I have a different view of it. I think that just the opposite is very true, and often proven on our very own team. 

Look at the impact that CMC had when he was here. 

Look at how bring in two top rate IOL to play guard last season made a huge difference in finally getting a stable front for Bryce to live behind. It took a while for it to bear fruit, but those last games were just relevatory.

And off ball linebackers like Luke Kuechly, not just running a defense but dictating the game when he's on the field, truly remarkable what a difference that makes. Personally, he had as much or maybe even more to do with that Super Bowl appearance as Cam did. 

What I see in the NFL is teams trying hard to cover up for a lack of good linebackers by stacking the D-line. But it gives them a crust defense, one that is hard and crunchy on the outside but a feast within. Linebackers shouldn't just rule the middle of the field, but should be directing traffic and working as enforcers. 

But hey, whatever. "Devalued" positions often come back to bite you in the ass when they are neglected. Ask anyone who has had to clean up the mess left behind by a former college coach who took over a pro team and brought their college recruiting mindset in. Yanno, like Matt Rhule did. 

 

Right before Kuechly retired, we had some of the worst D line play that year.  We were ranked 29th against the run in 2019.   I remember even Kuechly struggled to get off the blocks at times because the linemen were on second level so quickly due to our porous line made up of Kyle Love, Vernon Butler and a washed up Gerald McCoy.   

4 hours ago, TheSpecialJuan said:

https://overthecap.com/salary-cap/carolina-panthers

Current cap space: $18.7 million 

Any more safeties or linebackers to sign?

If he was a leader in the locker room he probably would have been retained. I think this is more about culture than anything 

8 minutes ago, LinvilleGorge said:

It was pretty alarming how small he looked leading up to the draft. The more I started watching Michigan's DL the more I became convinced that Kenneth Grant was the real player in that unit.

Yup Grant was the reason Graham got to make so many plays 

We may have dodged a bullet with Mason Graham. It’s only rookie camp but he didn’t look the part.

https://twitter.com/nflfrascella/status/1921375482009862169?s=46

Jimmy Horn Jr may be the steal of the draft. I can see him breaking out big time with his mentality 

15 minutes ago, LinvilleGorge said:

And no 73 year old rich dude is dating a 24 year old good looking woman for her great conversation. LOL!

They're both getting what they want out of this "arrangement", old Bill just needs to wake up and realize that he can get what he wants with a lot less baggage.

It's called the "girlfriend" experience fantasy 

Glad they did, I feel like our two edge rushers will do just fine 

Tarheels 

4 minutes ago, Proudiddy said:

Escort or not, it is surprising how a man of Belichick’s background, prestige, and power has found himself in this position.  Most of them, if they engage in such activities that would introduce them to an escort don’t end up showing them off to the world as their girlfriend.  They know to hit it and quit it.  But even beyond making her known publicly as his girlfriend, you also gave her extra exposure, visibility, and are openly appearing as whipped and controlled to allow further scrutiny.

This isn’t commentary on societal gender roles or expectations or anything…  just a direct observation of Belichick and guys do his ilk.  The vast majority are egomaniacs.  Egomaniacs tend to control situations.  They also don’t generally attach to anyone, especially like this.  To give up your power and image to an escort, after all he has accomplished and the image he has built of himself in the public - this indeed is wild.

She's not an escort, she was dating another CEO prior to this who is also 64 years old.  She clearly is a gold digger and looking to capitalize off Belichick's brand and recognition.  She already amassed an $8MM real estate portfolio since theys started dating.  She's overplayed her hand though with the most recent activities.  

UNC ban will either cause Bill and her to break up or Bill may likely break up with UNC. 

How are the seats? (Asking for a friend)

9 hours ago, therealmjl said:

I don’t understand what Pittsburgh is doing this offseason at all.

Tanking for Archie

2 minutes ago, ForJimmy said:

I just don’t think you need a “big arm” to throw deep passes. It’s very much a WR/timing stat IMO. I think there is this belief that some of these QBs are constantly throwing bombs and completing them regularly. You just need to have that capacity in your game to keep the defense honest and offense open. I think Bryce showed he can do that at the end of the year where others (including myself) doubted he could after the first couple this season. If he can keep doing that the DC/Bryce pairing could work. If not then DC finds someone who can. I honestly don’t think we are that far off in our opinions about this. You are just a lot more skeptical in him fully succeeding in DC’s traditional offense. 

What Bryce lacks in elite arm strength he makes up with being able to throw from multiple angles and off platform throws.  Sometimes people don’t realize that’s just as important. But there is nothing about his arm strength that gives me pause he cleared that up last year

4 minutes ago, CRA said:

My prediction is at some point this season the masses go from calling me a BY hater to a BY defender…..when the over the top crowd swings to hard the other way when he isn’t what they are selling. 

I think expecting top 10 numbers from Bryce in what is really a sophomore season in my eyes….is setting up for disappointment. 

Fair enough I don’t know that I would be disappointed necessarily it all depends on the overall status of the team, defense, etc. I would be disappointed with anything less than 20-25 TDs and 3.500 yards in 17 games

7 minutes ago, CRA said:

I don’t think being anti-Bryce was really a top 10 QB and great deep passer by years end  …..is giving the rest of the league too much credit.  

People just running way too far with his improvement.  Which was massive by year end.  But that’s because of how bad he was…not because he was playing like a top tier QB

I’ve said this before, in retrospect I consider 2024 his true rookie year.  When I judge it from that standpoint there’s a lot to be encouraged and excited about. He wasn’t a top 10 QB in that timeframe but he definitely looked like a legitimate starting QB with upside potential. I do expect top 10 numbers this year. 

He strikes again 

3 minutes ago, jfra78 said:

He not saying he needs to be Lamar. He's saying they even sub a TE for Lamar on sneaks.  Which we should do as well

My bad totally misread that.  That works in the most obvious situations

20 minutes ago, Aussie Tank said:

The ravens have the most physically gifted QB going and the sub a TE in for their sneaks 

Great point, sorry mixed you up with the Aggie dude haha

2 minutes ago, AggieLean said:

Brees and Wilson would sneak it tho. Brees has done it against us 

I think Bryce can sneak it too, but we weren't competing for the playoffs so not sure it was ever worth the injury risk???  With playoffs or division on the line, it should be on the table.  Bryce is athletic, he's quick and agile, the QB sneak is not all about power or size.  

But the larger point is that people will always be fixated on what he "can't do" vs. what he does bring to the table.  I just think the goal posts are constantly moving.  At least it was the concern about batted down passes, then the long ball, now the QB sneak.  I guess we'll get past it all eventually when we win some games.  

2 minutes ago, jfra78 said:

3842 25 10 would be a really good year for him and would shut most of his doubters up.  I have been a harsh critic of his, but I hope he can contjnue to play like he did the final 10 games last year. I would like him to clean his footwork up tho.  

I respect that -  most fans want him to succeed and I think he will.  They just need to be able to handle the ups and downs without losing their minds.  There will still be some stinker games sprinkled in.

18 minutes ago, AggieLean said:

He’s just trying to cope. Look, I get it. I’m rooting for Bryce to be that guy too, but our QB not being able to sneak it for a yard or two is a disadvantage 

Nah I genuinely never cared about QB sneaks. I don’t see it as a disadvantage anymore than it was for Brees or Wilson. I would much rather hand it off or  have run a QB bootleg 

42 minutes ago, ColumbusCounty said:

If he throws for damn near 4k and 30 TDs, he's in contention for comeback player of the year if our record is above .500

To hit 3900 he'd have to average around 230 or so. Reasonable expectation for a franchise QB but Idunno if I'd make that bet yet.

Well he averaged 226 last 7 games so he’s trending in that direction. 230 average is attainable especially with more weapons now

4 minutes ago, panthers55 said:

The Browns were the most pass happy team at 65% and the Eagles the least at 43%. It seems that most teams were somewhere in the 60-40 mix. Interestingly we were the 9th ranking team passing the ball around 59%. So every team needs an effective running game to avoid being one dimensional. And defenses need to be build to defend both the run and pass to avoid being easily exploited like we were last year.

 

 

If you’re pass happy it’s most likely because you’re always down by a score or two 

20 minutes ago, mrcompletely11 said:

I guess you hated the cam era

No I loved Cam but he had his own weaknesses, over reliance on arm strength and not throwing with anticipation.