frankw

All this because I used the word potential? We have a history of failed quarterbacks that isn't a contentious statement. Since the team was awarded a franchise only two stand out. Delhomme and Newton. That's a lot of failure in between for a franchise that has only been around since '95.

Sam isn't exactly getting it easy here either though. Our line is serviceable but we are a few injuries away from catastrophe until proven otherwise. Not to mention we are basically entering the season hoping one of a few tackles emerges as the anchor on the left side. But that is what we have done the last ten years and it hasn't worked yet so fingers crossed I guess.

I think we agree fundamentally for the most part. But on the subject of Adam Gase that has taken on a life of it's own to the point it feels like now people are trying too hard to absolve Sam for some pretty awful picks. 39 of them in three seasons. For whatever any of us want to say about scheme or play design the ball was still in Darnold's hands. We paired him with a quarterback coach who has had success with development at this level which is a plus compared to who the previous regime leaned on so there is hope he can bring him along quickly and get him acclimated. Matt Rhule and Joe Brady can coach him up but it will still be up to Sam to take care of the football. It is best to prepare for his inevitable turnovers now because even if he excels he is bound to make some ill advised throws. It will be how he responds after and how he handles pressure in end of game scenarios that will determine his status here in the future.

I've focused less on a question of his ability or his intangibles and more on the decision making. We know he was in an unfavorable position with the roster and the staff. He still didn't make the best decisions with the football and had issues fully reading the field at times missing receivers. The arm isn't a question. The drive isn't a question. The leadership isn't a question. Now the staff and surroundings are not a question as long as the line holds up. Whether or not he takes the next step in processing on the field is what will separate Darnold from the Panthers lengthy list of failed quarterbacks who had potential yet were unable to put it all together ultimately. In that aspect there is a very long list across the league of guys who couldn't do that despite their physical talents.

Happy for Julio and happy to have him out of the division and stick it to the Falcons. Things are falling into place nicely for the Panthers. There should truly be no excuses for the Panthers to be a competent and competitive football team this season especially within the division. If not some seats should be getting warm.

If you truly don't believe Darnold has any chance to be an adequate starter it might be best to just disconnect. Why invest time and energy blasting the guy now? We are already past that stage. Most people got that out of their system weeks ago. We'll know plenty in the fall so don't waste your summer being miserable.

I like Derrick Brown though he is what we drafted him to be. We will sadly face some tough decisions in the coming years on defensive contracts but that is a good problem to have with how potent nfl offenses are now.

After ten years of tackling dummies at left tackle Jordan Gross may as well have been a hall of famer. What a mess.

So Robby is the next huddle villain? Life comes at ya fast.

Someone said that?

There were multiple factors involved but through inaction the league made it clear it was open season on Newton in that Super Bowl and beyond. The rematch was even worse. Never seen a more blatant attempt at hurting an opposing player before or after that game. You just have to accept and make peace with it all what's done is done.

The Panthers went scorched Earth. There was no going back.

This Brees thing again? Honestly it isn't even fair to Sam Darnold. In 15 seasons with New Orleans after leaving San Diego he only dipped below 65% completion twice and even then that was at 63% and 64%. He is currently the all time completions leader. http://www.espn.com/nfl/history/leaders/_/stat/complete

Dorsey wasn't a problem here his hire was just more of an overall pattern with the previous regime. But in fairness to Ken I don't blame him or the qb. The hits took a toll on Newton's health and in the end it would not have mattered who the quarterback coach was.

The first year on the job helps with that there is not as much pressure right away. But is it going to have any impact on how his draft picks or free agent acquisitions pan out? Being confident and being right are two different things. He navigates the draft with a wheeler dealer approach so to fans who have only known Marty Hurney and Dave Gettleman the last 15 years it is shiny and has a new car smell. We took some risks on previously injured linemen in free agency who will be protecting our starting quarterback. Left tackle is once again a largely looming question heading into the season. He will either look like a genius or have folks screaming about him in 6 months. For his sake and the sanity of many fans I hope the gambles pay off.

Optimism isn't bad but thinking that far ahead and setting your sights that high is a good way to end up getting smacked right in the forehead by reality this fall. The big hurdle this team must get over before any success is improving in the division. We have been booty cheeks in the south and that must change first and foremost.

Organization wise no not a big deal. But the situation itself does highlight a question of Rhule bringing in people with ties to Temple and Baylor. I like Matt and believe in what he is doing here I just maybe look at that aspect a little closer after years of Rivera hiring and promoting his longtime pals and that not working well for the franchise. Not saying that is happening here but that it is worth mentioning.

Like the quarterbacks before him Sam Darnold cannot block for himself so that left tackle spot has to be high on the list.

That's just awful. Big loss for local sports. Life is very delicate. RIP.

That is where the addition of a back like Chubba should come into play. Especially around the end zone. Between the 20's you do what you have to in order to move the chains but the best offensive teams have versatility in the redzone. The Panthers have put an emphasis on this recently.

I can see why you're saying what you're saying but if our best offensive player is on a pitch count we might as well wave the white flag now. If we want to end our streak as the joke of our division he is going to have to get significant attention from defenses.

For me Snow's stock rose after last season. The Joe Brady as the next hot offensive coaching candidate hype doesn't really jive given the up and down results of 2020. For the moment he has much to prove after hand picking #5 and the redzone offense being so putrid.

Well he's Denver's problem now. Good luck to all involved.

I have seen 12+ months of how this new organization operates and talks through the local media. The Panthers media team is all about fluff and there is none of that in the information leaking out here through Joe Person of all people. You don't have to like it but this isn't great news in June with everything that is riding on this season.

Rhule's right hand man for the last 8 years through three teams. Suddenly folks aren't getting along? The whispers from "sources" about how no he didn't quit we basically fired him are familiar for this regime after how they handled the Teddy Bridgewater debacle. Dysfunction is not what you want to hear with camp around the corner. We'll see how it goes.