Raleigh PF

Take this primarily as humor, but conspiracy theories have at least a modicum of truth sprinkled in. I don't believe any of this, but offer this for a thought exercise. - The Panthers have long been identified as a team with interest in Deshaun Watson. This was tempered a bit when they traded for Darnold, yet those rumors persist. - The Texans are going to have to make a decision very soon regarding Watson's status. He hasn't taken any meaningful snaps and it's clear the Texans have no immediate plans to play him. Sounds like they plan to trade him instead. - PFT is reporting increased trade chatter and is calling out the Panthers as the best fit. https://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/ "It’s hard to imagine a team giving the Texans what they’ve wanted for Watson — three first-round picks and more. So either the Texans are taking what they can get (if a trade happens) or the Texans will accept a package tied to the number of games Watson plays over the next two or three seasons. Between Miami and Carolina, the Panthers make more sense. Owner David Tepper has made no secret of his desire for a franchise quarterback. Sam Darnold could still become one. Watson already is. And Tepper, who once kept a set of brass balls in his office, seems willing to roll the dice, despite the lingering uncertainty surrounding Watson." So *maybe* the Panthers didn't select Fields because they (1) put all their chips on Darnold and/or (2) felt they still had a shot at Watson. If they trade for Watson now, it would likely be at the lowest price the Texans would accept. I would expect the trade to hinge on several contingencies. I don't think there is any way Watson slides by without some vacation time provided by the NFL office, which means the team may have to get by with Walker/Grier for a few games waiting for the suspension to end and/or the court cases to be resolved (provided Darnold is included in the trade). So yeah, maybe the Panthers do trade for Watson. Maybe long-term it works out, but there's going to be a lot of turbulence in the meantime and you can likely kiss playoff chances for 2021 goodbye.

Sign me up for Moton-Daley-Paradis-Brown-Christensen. It might not happen Week 1, but I'd be willing to bet it's the lineup by Week 8 (if healthy).

I don't think the best version of the OLine was out there last night. Of course, we're fans, so what do we know, but I would prefer the line to be, from left to right: Moton-Daley/Miller-Paradis-Brown-Christensen I think this will likely BE the line within a few weeks. Elflein and Erving should be depth pieces, not starters. The other issue is continuity. Lotsa new faces on the line and not having time together is going to cost them early. Whoever is out there, I would expect to get better, but I think the first few weeks are going to be rough.

Encouraged. He seemed to settle in as the game went along. Other teams better come after the Panthers early in the season, 'cause once they get some stick time together, this is going to be a tough out for every team in the second half of the season.

I don't think it matters what Darnold does. Huddle will implode either way.

I also think he won't show enough to convince us either way. I'll go 5/8 for 60 yards and no touchdowns. We'll get a chance to evaluate the Panthers new kicker tonight.

He's not. The Panthers picked up his 5th year option. They have him until at least the end of next year.

For those worried about the impact of Robbie's contract on DJ, this from Joe Person (The Athletic) this morning: "Scott Fitterer, who replaced Hurney in January, said extending Anderson allows him to “stagger” the contracts in the receiving room. The Panthers picked up DJ Moore’s fifth-year option for 2022, but hope to get a long-term deal done before then, while second-round pick Terrace Marshall Jr. is at the front end of his four-year, rookie contract."

What is clear is the Panthers are giving Darnold every possible opportunity to succeed. The Panthers have a really good stable of WRs (when was the last time they could say that?) and continuity in knowing they'll likely be together for the next couple of years. Regarding the contract, it just bumps up his salary this year to 12.5 and then adds two years and $25 to that. Of the 37.5M, 20 is guaranteed. I saw nothing about a signing bonus, so it's likely there would be NO hit to the cap if Robby doesn't work out and is released at the end of next year. I don't see a downside.

No chance he would be in those seats.

Priority should be at FB and maybe TE. Maybe look through the fodder for OLine and corner, but I doubt there will be anyone out there that is much better than what the Panthers already have. FB will be an option if there's a decent one out there to be had. As many TEs as are on the roster, I have yet to see one that I would classify as a competent blocker. Tremble and Arnold are good pass catchers, but I haven't seen them blow up any blocks. I about laughed when an announcer said that Ian Thomas was the blocking tight end. Really? The need is real.

True, hard to judge much on preseason, but it does seem like issues that arise during the preseason tend to carry over into the regular season. Stuff like, not getting good push off the line. Redzone issues, penalties, etc.

All decent OLines have continuity. The Panthers don't have that. I think they'll be okay most of the time, no matter who is in there, but in short yardage situations when the Panthers just need that extra yard or too, I have no faith at all. Put the rookies on the right and Moton, Daley on the left. They claim those spots until they get injured or someone better comes along (thanks Starship Troopers). Continuity is the key. Getting lots of snaps as a unit should be imperative and that should start with the last game of the preseason.

Does Joe Brady know how to call any other type of pass play than a sideline pass? If so, I haven't seen it.

And hope Christensen can nail down RT.

Considering the demand for OT's, the price to be paid is going to be significant.

Miami gave up a 7th? Fitterer robbed them blind.

I get the guy is 32 and was out most of last year with a back injury, but...IF he is somewhat healthy, wouldn't he be worth a flyer? Yup, we just signed our RT to a long-term deal, but if Moton can handle LT, it'd be nice to have a solid piece at RT (provided health).

Question - is the team good enough that the Panthers should be willing to burn a 1st rounder next year for a competent LT?

In case you missed the notice, Charlotte landed a major league soccer team. That requires more than a college stadium or a stadium that's been around since 1936 (even if it has been renovated). That's just silliness on your part. Can you site the instance in which Tepper has meddled in personal decisions or are you just under the (incorrect) assumption that he has. Just admit that you know nothing in fact and that you are assuming the worst. Maybe take a knee on this one and wait a little longer before making a snap decision, huh?

We have no indication that Saleh is going to be a better coach than Rhule. They are likely both good coaches. As far as no soccer in the stadium, does that mean you are in favor of raising taxes to have a soccer-only stadium built? Personally, I think it's a smart use of existing facilities. Good on Charlotte for getting a major soccer franchise. We'll see if a stadium ends up in SC. I highly doubt it will, although the idea of it will serve as proper leverage for future negotiations. So, what specifically has Tepper done that you can't stand? Despite what you have indicated, he has not been personally involved in personnel decisions. Sure, he's said he'd like a franchise QB and would go all out for one, but he's letting Fit and Rhule determine how that takes place.

That's the entire reasoning behind a contingent trade. If Watson does go south and the Panthers get nothing out of him, the Texans would still get a couple of picks out of it. The upside for the Texans is getting rid of a headache and coming away with...something. If Watson is able to settle out of court (and avoid serious suspensions), then the picks upgrade to first rounders and the Texans are reasonably compensated for not having to continue hosting the circus.

The trade would have to include conditional picks, such as two 3rd round picks that could become first rounders if Watson is on the roster for X% of games. The problem is, there is a good chance that Watson is either imprisoned or suspended or both. If/when that happens, what's Plan B?

Moton gets paid. The logic is pretty simple. Keep him, develop Christensen and expect at least one of the young linemen to develop into a solid starter. That gives you a young core of OLine from which to build. Don't skimp on the OLine picks over the next couple of years and a perceived weakness develops into a strength. Lose Moton and the Panthers are back to bailing wire and duct tape for the foreseeable future. The only fly in the ointment is Moton and his desire to stay in Carolina. I don't believe the contract delay has all been on Carolina's side.

It's cute you cut-n-paste one comment from the post and ignore the message of the post. Leadership was evident with Cam, Olsen, Luke and TD - you didn't have to go looking for it. Show me how CMC is exhibiting obvious leadership with this team. He's a great player, no doubt, but he hasn't established himself as a team leader, yet. Neither has anyone else on the offensive side of the ball. It's part of the reason the team lost a lot of close games last year.