beo

2019 was the last time I was truly optimistic and expecting a playoff push. I had some cautious, reserved optimism for this year just because on paper all the moves seemed okay but the entire time there was something nagging at the bag of my head and I've come to realize that what that "thing" was is that I wasn't sold on Reich, our receiving core, and pretty much all of the team's depth pieces. I did not expect this level of implosion though, I don't think any besides the most extreme of pessimists did and I think it's fair to say that most of us were at least feeling MORE hopeful with the past off-season in conjunction with how 2022 ended on top of trading up to #1. It's become abundantly clear that we have a severe ownership issue, something the vast majority of us were denying for many years as apart of what I can only assume was a collective defense mechanism in spite of the evidence hiding in plain sight. It didn't even occur to me that a team constructed with such reckless abandon for how the personnel fit together could even make it onto an NFL field. It feels like a miracle that we even won a game. Remember how in 2020 we were making threads and posts about how Brees, Ryan and their respective team's cores were aging and that the division would be wide open in a few years if we played our cards right? Well, the division is certainly wide open alright. Just not for us, lol.

Cam may not have been able to physically throw the ball as far (though I don't believe there's really much of a difference at all here TBH) but his passes still had way more zip on them, occasional spike at the ground not withstanding. So i'd go with Cam pretty comfortably. The speed at which the ball travels from place to place is the main thing that matters.

It's just hard to know who does what right now in the organization. To get any real picture it's a game of dot connecting without any hard evidence. That's why I didn't want to firmly lump her in, wasn't saying she was or wasn't. For all we know Dave could be the one that always asks for her opinion on things and she's simply giving it. Unlike with Dave IMO, who's proven time and time again that he doesn't learn from his mistakes and seems very intent on overruling the decisions of qualified football minds because he's convinced that learning the ropes from Marty Hurney for a year makes him a football wunderkind.

Of course not, they're narcissists. Well, I don't know about Nicole. But Dave sure as hell is. Typically, narcissists aren't known for their ability to take any sort of responsibility for their actions. In their mind, it's everyone else's fault. It shows clear as day in how the team has been run since he became the owner.

You know, in a way I sort of do as well. It would've made it a hell of a lot easier to stop caring about this team.

Oh damn, good to see that SizzleBuzz is still alive and well! Was wondering where that guy went.

As Panthers fans in 2023, we are basically rooting not for the team, but for a billionaire hedge fund manager and probable narcissist to pull his head out of his ass and stop interfering in football decisions after half a decade of being the worst team in all 4 major sports (We actually just dropped below a .300 win percent since 2019 with the loss last Sunday, congrats Dave!). This is, of course, after he murdered the previous culture of the team in cold blood, showing zero regard for the existing fanbase or region as a whole. Yeah, there's not much to root for there. This is the first time I've ever seriously questioned my fandom before. Why in the blue hell would I want to cheer for David Tepper?

I really don't understand the logic behind firing Reich this year, especially when Evero wouldn't even take the interim job as I feel he'd be one of the only good candidates we could have a chance at. Let Reich and Bryce tank command us to the #1 pick in 2025 then hopefully we can attract an actual candidate. Who the hell is willing to sign up for meddling ownership, a probable bust at QB, no first rounder, and one of, if not the worst roster in the league? Reeks of just being a reactionary, kneejerk decision. Especially considering that Tepper announced it personally on Twitter without informing the players. God damn we are so fuged.

I increasingly think he's a glorified yesman and nothing more. Probably still has authority over some of the picks but if Tepper wants something he knows that Fitt will do it for him.

Oh yeah with regards to the state of the team, absolutely. We've been fuging up nonstop for years. Cap management, drafting, personnel decisions, you name it. But like, can you believe we went from this: To the state we're in now? I mean damn. Life comes at you fast.

Honestly might be the darkest chapter in franchise history coming up this Sunday. The stadium will be like 60-70% Cowboys, there will probably be more empty seats than Panthers fans come the end. 1-8, with that atmosphere in your home stadium, AND it's probably going to be a complete blowout. Woof. It's kind of crazy to think the team went off the rails this fast after failing to properly build around our previous core.

Damn my stream is delayed as poo. Gonna have to check outta the game thread to avoid spoilers xD

Never change ACC refs, lol.

I never said the team had no or bad talent, there's plenty of good players on the roster. Didn't mean to insinuate that if I did. Duke was never really as bad roster-wise as the record said during Cutt's last couple years, he was just really having the game pass him by. Even just down to playstyle though, these teams are very different from one another. To me that's what's making this game so entertaining to watch.

Like I said earlier these teams are pretty much pure opposites lol. A clash of Jimmies and Joes vs Xs and Os.

Elko pulling out all the stops tonight.

Ballsy call! Good poo!

Elko's redzone D is legit man. Pretty much singlehandedly has kept Duke in this game.

Well I'll be damned, we actually have a game here. Good poo Grayson! Genuinely thought this game might get ugly after getting put in a 2 score hole, Duke isn't really built for high octane comebacks.

I will say, later in the Wake game Loftis started to show some progress. Before it was just pure wet nurse ball, but in the second half he started hitting some throws. Hitting some now too. Long-term he could have some potential, dude's a true freshman who wasn't expected to get much of any playing time this year and this is only his 2nd game.

Lmao. You're probably right and I'm just deep in denial because I wanna see a good Duke football team dammit. At the very least though I'm hoping he stays long enough for him to get some recruits in and put together a couple good seasons from here.

UNC actually has a higher 247 talent composite than Florida State (17/20). I think a lot of y'alls struggles are just player development. Mack's a hell of a recruiter but as a coach I feel he leaves a decent amount to be desired, both in-game and outside of it. Duke's the exact opposite, ranked 67th on the same metric. Elko's a hell of an in-game coach but he hasn't really had a chance to get his guys in yet far as recruits go. Looking forward to the next few years and hopefully Nina King sees the writing on the wall that in order for Duke to survive in this modern college athletic landscape, we need a good football program. Elko was extended before the year but as we all know that won't stop TAMU oil money from paying the buyout. With the K Money freed up, I'm hoping the bag gets thrown at him for him to stay long term and I do think there's a better chance of it happening than the greater CFBscape gives credit for. Duke's been investing more into football ever since Cutt came through and gave the program a taste of success.

I can't help but find it humorous how both fanbases are absolutely positive that they're going to find a way to lose, lol. You could be right, just can't see Loftis hanging around with Drake Maye. Duke's defense pretty much needs to put on a clinic in spite all the missing parts and the rushing O needs to be clicking for there to a chance. I'd be happy with merely keeping it close considering the circumstances. I think it'd take a monster rushing game from Waters and Moore for Duke to steal one here. UNC's run D against Tech was absolutely pitiful though, so hey, here's hoping.

Doubt Duke can win this unless UNC's run defense looks similar to how it did against Tech. Gonna be without Riley and to be frank, Duke's backup QBs just aren't ready to be getting significant action yet. Every game Riley's been out you can tell they're basically playing wet nurse with them to keep them from sinking the game. There some shaky message board rumors that Duke may be getting some of it's injured defenders back but i'll believe those when I see them on the field, lol. Teams' been decimated by injuries down the stretch and doesn't have the depth to replace them.

The MSU game all of a sudden has become very important. Duke's got a tough non-con schedule this year; it softens up for a bit after the MSU game but there's also @Arkansas down the road which seems like it'll be a very tough matchup in it's own right. Hoping to see some progress and hopefully, Mark Mitchell will be at 100% for this game.