The Panthers haven't been "development central" since Rhule's been here. I had the same complaint about Rivera. If they weren't already developed, they weren't getting better. Of course, not having good vet leadership didn't help, either.

The 2021 draft has talent, but Rhule and his staff fumbled them around so badly, it's no surprise they didn't develop. Let's see what the new staff can accomplish.

The Panthers D had serious issues trying to stop the run. To date, they haven't made any changes that would lead me to believe that has improved.

I still think Chinn is out of place at safety, so they aren't getting what they could from him and the linebacking corps is...meh.

QB and LB sure, but there's also a lack of leadership on both sides.

We look at players and judge their physical talents...which is why Tom Brady went in the 6th round and Jake Delhomme went undrafted. There's more to a player than physical gifts and talent. How they develop that talent is the difference between a Tom Brady career and a Sam Darnold career. I just don't think Sam really enjoys playing football, and it shows.

Seeing "ghosts" and not being able to quickly go through his progressions has nothing to do with talent, but everything to do with preparation. I can't stand Tom Brady, but you can't say he wasn't dedicated to his sport and incredibly prepared. I'd say the same thing about Jake, too.

Let's hope Corral has more of that dedication in him. He certainly has talent.

At worst, I'd expect Corral to be a decent long-term backup. Considering where he was picked, that's decent value. Anything more is gravy.

I don't think it's Likely we draft a TE (see what I did there?)

Selfish part wants the Panthers to draft Zamir White (from my notorious hometown). Kid is special.

I'm happy with the pick. The Panthers have needed to shore up the line for years.

However, get ready for eight or even nine in the box all game long. Until the Panthers get a QB, it's a one-dimensional team and that doesn't change with either Mayfield or Garoppolo.

1 hour ago, Verge said:

The other names are Jimmy G and Minshew. I am sure we have called about Kyler too, I just have no idea what that situation is.

Can't see the logic in the Cardinals doing any trade involving Murray. To do so would be to completely punt the upcoming season. It'd take a helluva haul for that to happen.

17 hours ago, TheSpecialJuan said:

Of several Baker Mayfield suitors, the Panthers have the inside track to trade for him (sorry Robby Anderson!): Browns Insider

https://www.cleveland.com/browns/2022/04/of-several-baker-mayfield-suitors-the-panthers-have-the-inside-track-to-trade-for-him-sorry-robby-anderson-browns-insider.html

Ewww.

11 minutes ago, Brooklyn 3.0 said:

We should just stop these threads. ONE side wants a pocket passer, the OTHER side wants a flashy cannon arm hot rod. Neither side will bend. It will be the same back and forth kind debate until the pick is made. Yawn city.

Problem is, with this draft, both sides are looking at Volkswagens trying to convince themselves they'll be Lamborghinis.

For years, whoever was the coach of the Bengals along with whoever managed the Reds were the worst.

If there's any good news, the Bengals did reach the Super Bowl this year with the same upper management structure they've had in place from the beginning. However, Reds management recently gave the fans the finger, so not all is going well there.

Fitterer has made more good trades than bad, IMO. He's not the problem.

To illustrate, please list the Panthers players who have improved while Rhule has been coach? I'll wait over here for your answer.

The Panthers needed a proven QB in order to make this "work" because developing their own wasn't likely. Now that they have a new staff maybe that changes, but Rhule is still calling the shots, so I'm not optimistic. This is why they went so hard after Watson and others but couldn't get it done. I still think they try to make a trade for one (Kyler Murray comes to mind).

So yeah, I'd rather they trade down and gather picks, but something tells me there's going to be some shenanigans during the draft.

I'm not a fan of Tepper's, but Rock Hill dropped the ball. Sure, they made a terrible deal, but they signed on the bottom line and promised to make a sizeable amount of money available for the development. They failed, tried to come up with an alternative and Tepper didn't bite. Rock Hill bit off more than it could chew.

I'd rather trade down and accumulate more picks. And if in so doing, the Panthers could grab an OT and Jordan Davis, well...

Seems like the Saints wouldn't make this trade without having a deal in place with someone like the Giants at 5. It's the only way it makes sense. Trying to pull off two separate trades to jump into the top 5 draft day doesn't seem likely.

Question is, IF the Saints jump up, will someone else jump them? That'd be fun.

Good stuff and a nice discussion on how teams should be trying to build an offense around a new QB and what their strengths are. Learn what they do best and incorporate some of that into the offense to give them a better path for growth. Obvious that Chicago has completely ignored this idea. Not sure what the Panthers would be like with a young QB, but I'm not optimistic.

Better bet...

Which draft pick will Fit trade first? 1st Round? 4th Round? Next year's 2nd? 

Have no idea why there has to be such a big argument over something of absolutely no consequence, but okay.

No QB the Panthers draft is going to make an impact this year. I say this because I have little faith in the head coach. Getting a potential franchise QB and developing them go hand-in-hand. Just ask Trevor Lawrence and Justin Fields how they are doing with their respective head coaches. And then try telling me that Mac Jones is more talented than either of them.

In order for things to work out for this iteration of the Panthers, the QB had better be a near-finished product, which is why they went so hard after Watson (well, one of the reasons) and Stafford and likely others. So argue all you want, but the Panthers drafting a QB in the first round is akin to sending them to football Siberia.

I think Fitt has done a very good job (although I question the D-Jack contract). I was excited to see so many "quality" players being added to the roster. Fitt's not the problem. The problem is, we don't have a coach who knows how to develop that talent. I can't think of a single player that Rhule and staff have made better and THAT is why I want(ed) Rhule gone.

True running QBs are a fairly new phenomenon. Teams didn't want their QB to run the ball because they believed they were likely to get hurt. I may be wrong, but don't remember Vick running an RPO for the Falcons. Most of his runs were broken plays (and there were a LOT of those).

Cam was a unicorn. He was durable and big enough to run the ball and take some hits. He enjoyed the contact. Not many QBs are built like him and want to run against some of the biggest and best athletes in the world.

Next year may be Josh Allen's year, considering what has happened to KC. If Buffalo wins the SB, what will the argument be then?

It's just not a good argument to make. Yes, inaccurate QBs have trouble winning Super Bowls whether they are athletic or not. 

And water is wet.

Not sure why Rhule would "fall in love" with Willis. He had a more accomplished version of Willis already on the team and had no idea what to do with him.

If the Panthers draft Pickett, then it's likely the best version of Pickett happens early in his career and then levels off. I'd think Tannehill-like comparisons wouldn't be out of bounds. They'll get some wins with Pickett, but if the Super Bowl is really the goal, then the Panthers need to look elsewhere. However, because Rhule is on the hot seat, it's more likely Pickett helps him keep his job a little while longer.

If they draft Willis, then I expect some serious growing pains the first few years. Think Josh Allen. The first two years were spent learning, then it finally clicked for him. His ceiling is pretty high. I think Willis' ceiling is, too, but with a regime looking over their shoulder, he wouldn't be the pick for them. They need results now.

Don't care what Darnold does this year, it's his last with the Panthers. He's certainly not better than Alex Smith was with the Chiefs and they recognized there would be no Super Bowl for them if they kept him.

My understanding is, Ryan was willing to delay the restructuring of his contract until Tuesday to give the Falcons time to trade him. The Falcons obviously thought they had Watson in the bag when they made that deal.

Once the Watson deal fell through, Ryan asked for the trade OR a new 3-year deal. Either way, it has to happen today. 

Ryan gets the last laugh.

B.

I would have it higher, but the Panthers were not able to address QB, which is huge. Under the radar, the Panthers lost Reddick and didn't replace him...yet.

Most of the signings were solid moves, but I didn't like re-signing Ian Thomas and Donte Jackson, especially Jackson. Why? Because it was stupid to release Bouye while under contract and then pay Donte $10M more per year for the same damn skillset. Bad cap management for both positions.

I like the Foreman signing for two reasons, (1) he's better suited for short-yardage situations and (2) let's not pretend Christian will play a full season.

No matter who is on the board, the Panthers should try to trade down and collect picks. 

It's likely that one of Pickett/Willis/Ridder will be available in the teens, so they could still get a QB AND additional pick(s). 

I just don't see an option at 6 that would be a game changer for the Panthers.