Raleigh PF

Two really big things have to happen for the Panthers to make the postseason: 1- CMC must stay healthy. 2- The OLine must gel, play more as a unit and have consistent improvement. Now, if you believe those two things will happen, you're an optimist. It *could* happen, but I don't think it likely.

Each circumstance is unique. Gilmore and the Patriots couldn't negotiate a contract that would allow the Pats a little more cap room, so their best bet was to release him. The Panthers paid a 6th so they wouldn't have to compete. Jackson has had a strong year - so far - and shows signs of a breakout. His tackling ability has improved noticeably. For a team like Green Bay or another contender, giving up a late 2nd wouldn't be that big of an ask. And, the Jaguars insisted on Dan Arnold. He's not JAG. I'm okay with debating the facts, but let's stick to them and not try to mold them to our narratives.

Uh, no. The Panthers traded Dan Arnold AND a 3rd round pick for CJ and a 5th.

<started this incorrectly in TB> Joey Slye is available and karma is REAL.

It'd be nice to get a competent interior lineman for DJ, but I expect that's not happening. I could see the Panthers getting a 3rd round pick, potentially a 2nd for him. Lots of teams would love to have a young, fast, potential #1 CB on their team going into the second half of the season. At the end of the year, they could tag him or extend him and would have plenty of time to do so. If they are a playoff team, giving up a late 2nd or 3rd wouldn't be much of an ask and it would certainly be worth it to the Panthers as they try to fix the OLine through the draft.

Have to think they were worried about the impact of losing Samuel along with the value of Marshall at that draft position. I really think they believed the line would be "serviceable". And I'm sure they expected the Darnold to Anderson connection to improve. It also removed question marks from that area for a couple of years, in the same way they are doing that at CB. Unfortunately, the line has been a spectacular fail.

So, you're solution is to wait until his performance drops off, affecting his trade value and THEN trade him?

A couple of ideas moving forward. - We aren't re-signing DJack next year. We need picks for the next draft and trading DJack may net us a decent interior OLineman either directly through trade or through the draft pick received in trade. In a couple of weeks, the Panthers will have Gilmore, Henderson and Bouye available at CB. I think that's a pretty good lineup. Then Horn comes back next year. DJack will be an expensive luxury. - Time to consider Deonte Brown to replace Miller. Maybe move Daley back to his natural side. - Brady needs to come up with more quick passing schemes. Darnold should be able to focus on getting the ball out in under 3 seconds and he just ain't doing that now. CMC will certainly help. - IF DJack is not traded, maybe consider moving Bouye to FS. IIRC, he lined up there a couple of times yesterday and seemed to do okay. Bring Chinn up as Joker/LB. This is still a very young team. I had no expectations coming into the year that this would be a Super Bowl contender. Still don't. Yeah, I hate the way they are losing and I'll hope they can make the playoffs this year, but my eyes are geared towards next year. Fix the line, improve the play-calling and all things are possible.

If I'm the Eagles, I'd spend the second half in the two minute offense. It's the only thing that's worked, so far.

Throwing it away would be better than taking the sack.

Sam is holding the ball too long.

Tackles ain't the problem. Guard play looks like Pee Wee League.

Would like to see a few quick hitters here. Sam need not continue dance lessons in the backfield.

Hubbard ain't CMC.

Unfortunately, players can't change their numbers during the season. #25 is available as is #9. Don't really care which number he chooses, I just want to see him out on the field.

Panthers 24, Eagles 21 Just feels like a closer-than-it-should-be game for the Panthers.

That's going to be fun this offseason... DJ's agent: We want $15M/year for 5 years. Fitterer: Gilmore just told us he'd sign for 12M/year for 3. DJ's agent: [...]

You forget AJ Bouye?

That would be ideal, but I'm thinking a day 2 draft pick more likely.

Signing Gilmore only costs money. I'd really like to get some good draft picks back. Let's face it, more than likely Donte is gone after this year. He wants to be a #1 on another team and get paid for it. If the Panthers could move him now for a high pick (2nd round?) it would give his new team an inside shot at signing him to a new deal. I think I could be happy with Jaycee, CJ, AJ and Gilmore for the next couple of years or so. And that's not a lot of money being plowed into a high impact position. --- FYI...

My immediate reaction is HELL NO! Not paying $15M for that. But lets think about it this way. How much would it cost to keep Jackson (now that he's playing well)? If we signed Gilmore, could we turn Jackson into a nice draft pick next year (remember, we don't have a 2nd or 3rd rounder) OR maybe a decent OLineman now if we trade Jackson before the deadline? We have two pretty cheap corners on the books for the next couple of years, at least. Signing Gilmore to a 3-year deal could be ideal. Just a thought...

IF Jackson is the odd man out, would it make sense to try to trade him before the trade deadline either for a decent draft pick or help along the OLine?

So, I've advocated for signing Mitchell Schwartz to a make good deal, knowing he may not be able to play much, if at all, this season. Also interesting that Erving has *some* experience playing center. I would say he would at least be a mild improvement in the center position, if not a major one. I know the bye isn't for several weeks, but I would take the chance on moving Moton to LT, putting Brady at RT with Erving at C and see if something clicks. The time for trying things is now. Next year, you could have Moton at LT (or a draft pick), Schwartz at RT, Erving at C and draft picks/FA to fill the rest.

Let's see how they respond at home vs. Philly. The mark of a good team is the ability to put a loss behind them and get back to playing good football. Next Sunday will be more indicative of the type of team the Panthers are than this last one against the Cowboys. I had no expectation for them this year and still stick with my 9-8/10-7 prediction (last 4 games are @Bills, Bucs x2 and @Saints). Anything more is gravy. I want to see what they look like next year. You know, when the OLine is addressed.

The Panthers time is coming, but it is not this day. Jerry Jones will envy the Panthers org, but it is not this day. At the end of this day, the OLine deficiencies are really exposed and the Panthers have trouble scoring. The defense gets overworked and this turns into a rout. Cowboys 27, Panthers 9. Just an FYI, I predicted an easy Saints win in week 2, so...