frankw

Well a public endorsement from the winningest coach in modern college football certainly would help drive that script going forward.

Bryce Young is quite blessed in his overall perception and treatment from the media when you compare and contrast to other first overall picks that have experienced such lows and highs. I'm hoping to see him come out swinging in camp and preseason with the rest of the starters.

As if I needed anymore reason to root for the Steelers to suck lol. In all seriousness I do not see the relationship between Aaron Rodgers and Mike Tomlin lasting long. Rodgers will be quick to scapegoat anyone nearby if there are bumps in the road and you can be assured there will be. The Steelers roster while competitive simply is not built for a Super Bowl run and the AFC is stout AF. Get your popcorn ready.

At this point it isn't even debatable. The first two games of the season last year loom large. Not just Bryce that extends across the roster to all the starters. Opening the season again with back to back road games. The starters need a significant amount of preseason reps.

Music and sex have been intertwined for decades I'm not speaking against that in itself. But that's a different subject from a discussion of quality. It's not just a problem limited to female artists. There are quite a few newer artists I like across hip hop and under other subgenres. But I avoid the copycat rappers who just spam auto tune like the plague. Much of this now is an effect of social media and the lines being blurred between glorified influencers who basically want to show you anything and everything and actual artists. I don't make it my mission to talk down on anyone I take the same approach as you and just don't listen. But this thread was directly Panthers related therefore I had an opinion. We're just going to have to agree to disagree regarding some mainstream rappers destroying the genre. I can tell you right now as far as real lyricists and top notch production there isn't much legitimate competition out there. It's actually comical. And going even beyond that where lyricism isn't necessarily a prerequisite there are still vastly superior artists now and from the past. Thankfully I've discovered a number of stellar rappers and producers (some do both simultaneously which is even more impressive) who are outside the mainstream over the years and it is factually night and day. I know I'm not alone in making this distinction. But at the end of the day. To each their own.

Right and we don't even have to leave the same subgenre to see far superior lyricists. La Chat and Gangsta Boo are pioneers of southern hip hop that paved the way for the Glorilla's and Cardi B's.

Veiled sexism? Who said anything about hate? Let's be adults here. That's an issue with your own perception. And there are a number of other current female rappers who are legitimately talented lyricists. I make my own conscience choice to seek out those artists instead because they showcase actual talent. I'm not stopping anyone from making the music they want to. And I assure you the artists in question you are getting defensive over are making money regardless they will be just fine so you can come on down off the soapbox before you sprain an ankle or something. Appreciate the input.

Horrible would be an improvement. Most current female rappers are basically onlyfans thots behind a microphone. Listen to Lauryn Hill with The Fugees and then try to listen to that. Talk about destroying a genre.

Regarding Horn it's still very early so who can really say as of yet you know. I will say I've begun to wonder about our strength and conditioning staff.

Recent ESPN article suggested compensation says he will realistically fetch a late round pick. He will be 31 years old this fall with a 10 million dollar cap him next season that balloons to 21 million in 2028. So at most you're looking at a two year rental. When are we expecting to become competitive ie push for the playoffs? I just don't see such a move coinciding with our timeline. It really reminds me of the Gilmore trade in that regard. More of a Madden GM kind of move.

I don't know if I would go that far but definitely in the interest of Bryce's continued development we should all want to see Thielen 4th in receptions at most.

27 receptions 389 yards. That checks out.

I don't disagree for this season but my POV is that the coaches know he is on borrowed time and has at absolute most another season left in him after this. And while I am speculating I have to imagine that with the clear and orchestrated emphasis on getting younger across the roster the goal as the season progresses is to have the core of TMac XL Coker and one of our young TE's finish the season as the primary options on critical downs and in the red zone. That's not even mentioning the backfield and the pass catching ability there. We can simultaneously like Adam Thielen and also remain keenly aware he is very much temporary and here moreso to guide our young receivers and pass the torch. Same with Renfro. And if we are serious about actually competing for playoffs it's going to take those younger receivers stepping into key roles for it to happen.

I'm glad we can discuss this rationally. And to be abundantly clear this conversation is strictly about the production on the field. On a personal level I think Thielen is a great guy and a great teammate. Anywho. Just out of boredom I figured this would be an interesting subject to visit. See above for a comparison to other past WR's in his age group. I think he has above average hands and is a really good route runner but speed and YAC are not even on the radar in any capacity let's just be realistic. I just don't see a reality where he's more than a 3rd option on any other teams depth chart. And compared to some of the HOF names mentioned in the thread above who continued producing at a high level age 32 and beyond even in his best years over 11 seasons he's only reached 1k or more yards in a season three times. And one of those was with us in 2023 in what we all generally agree was a top to bottom failure of a season where we clearly force fed him the ball and our passing offense finished 30 out of 32 teams.

I'm genuinely not trying to be abrasive here but I think it is really important not to overstate Adam Thielen's significance to this offense and I get the sense some people are in a bit of a bubble in terms of their perception of his value because they are wearing Panthers shades. And that's fine mind you because it's June. But we should be realistic about some things here. He was the oldest active WR in the league last year and he will be 35 when preseason rolls around this year. We have some nice youth on the roster. We aren't likely to compete for playoffs this year barring a very nice surprise. Either way. Let's develop the young talent. It isn't about this season it's about the next several.

For a hamstring? You do realize only the Carolina Panthers value washed up receivers like Thielen and Renfrow the way we do right? Other teams are getting results out of younger receivers because they actually know how to develop young talent. That's what we need to be focused on.

The opening theme to TNG is etched into my earliest memories. To anyone who is a Trek fan and specifically a fan of TNG you should definitely give Picard a look especially the final season which ends on very nostalgic note.

I watched the whole thing and it was overall very encouraging. The trio of Morgan/Tilis/Canales has me feeling optimistic for the future. Now we need to see this on the field. As for Tepper. I don't mind him being in the draft room and giving basic input. Anything beyond that should and will ilicit criticism. Just be an owner and let the football people make the decisions when the time comes. And that's what he did so I have no complaints. I will say as far as the draft and FA we seem to have put a higher emphasis on seeking additions with the right mentality and high character. They're trying to instill a culture. I have no idea if it will work but at least they are making it a priority. That's all I can ask for at this juncture.

It's a start.

This is the one and only time I will listen to what Aaron Rodgers has to say on a subject of any kind. Let him cook.

Here's to hoping this years Blueprint series will end the cycle and be one to look back on years from now as the beginning of a return to respectability and winning.

That is true. Like I said I'm happy to see him get there. I'm just entering the season with the POV that this is really only about the development of our young roster and 2nd year head coach with the possibility of maybe lucking our way into competing for a playoff spot. So with that I'm all for getting everyone their share of looks especially on offense.

Kind of bizarre Hubbard is already on the cusp of surpassing McCaffrey considering how comically overused he was at times here. As much as I'd like to see Hubbard get over 4k this season the priority should be offensive versatility. We have a nice RB room and it's a long season. Spread the ball around.