frankw

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.

4 hours ago, Mr. Scot said:

It's not really that big a deal.

And I wouldn't bet on it having anything to do with Fitterer. We're talking about a logistics and planning guy, not a personnel guy. Plus it sounds like a good portion of what got him forced out might have happened before Fitterer even got here.

In his previous stops, Padden was likely used to holding a lot of sway because he was basically Rhule's second in command. An NFL organization is way more complicated than that.

Sounds like maybe he was just throwing around weight that he didn't have and it pissed people off.

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.

1 minute ago, LinvilleGorge said:

Pitch count definitely doesn't mean he won't be heavily used. I just don't want to see us use this dude up before we're ready to compete.

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.

4 minutes ago, LinvilleGorge said:

I hope we put CMC on a pitch count, especially if we're not in contention. 

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.

14 minutes ago, Moo Daeng said:

You saying dysfunctional doesn't count frank.

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.

Vinatieri and Eli are locks. Luke has as good a chance as anyone but there are still some greats without a championship who have yet to get a sniff so you never know.

3 minutes ago, Pup McBarky said:

There we go. That's about what I was expecting. 

It's an anonymous chat board guy. Live a little and don't try so hard to be a stick in the mud all the time.

If coaches and execs know better than us and there is no point ever discussing even the most minuscule of details why even bother with fandom at all on any level? You can share opinions and predictions without making an ass of yourself. Decisions made by those in charge have ramifications that will not be known for many months. But there is a reason why teams play musical chairs with coaches and executives so often. They are human just like any of us and make mistakes. Dave Gettleman has been involved in scouting and personnel development since 1986 and I don't think anyone here would say he is infallible or above reproach.

1 hour ago, top dawg said:

I don't think that being smart with CMC automatically means he's not worth the contract. Just like LT was, CMC is someone that the defense must account for at all times because he is so dynamic. And, like you alluded to, he opens up the offense for other players. That's worth it's weight in gold in and of itself. His contract becomes less of the pie from a cost perspective as time moves on, but he has to be available for us to get the value.

I would argue that his value is not in using him as a crutch or panacea for uninspired--or--sometimes down right bad playcalling like in the Rivera era, but in the ability to maximize his elite offensive skills among other talented weapons in a more explosive offense.

Well there are uncomfortable truths that we must face just as we did with other players over the years. No one can deny his talent but investment vs return and real world circumstances like last year with the injuries are why some were hesitant to tie up that much in resources for a running back. It does not help that we have not had a winning season since his rookie year and we have not won much in our division in that timespan either. Now we know that is not all his fault obviously he has been a victim of circumstance with the void at quarterback which happened rather quickly. But you have to take the hand you've been dealt. As much as Sam Darnold and this staff have so much to prove our key offensive weapon has just as much to gain from a successful regular season in our quest to return to relevancy. Let us hope this offensive line can come together smoothly and stay healthy.

If we are facing the dilemma of limiting his snap count the contract is already a loss. He is very talented but he has quite a few miles dating back to even Stanford so at this point the writing is on the wall. We can't go back in time but we really need production so if that means lining him up wherever to open things up for the rest of the offense do that. Surely someone will be racking up yards with the amount of offensive talent we have now.

There are similarities with Carr but he was 28 when he got to Carolina so for the sake of context he started his nfl career one year younger than Sam is now who has already played three seasons. That isn't to say that can't happen to Darnold but David just didn't get out of that situation in time to turn things around he was battered mentally. The white gloves didn't help.

Don't know if it is a bold statement as much as an obvious one. The jury is out on the offense because of the offensive line and a new quarterback. But there is no reason not to expect at minimum a top 15 defense in 2021 after going defense in the first round the last three years. When you consider other additions the ceiling should be within the top 10. One thing to note for all teams this upcoming season though is that 17th game. It's going to take some luck to make it out of the regular season mostly unscathed now.

Will JB actually play rookies though this time though?

Just now, DaveThePanther2008 said:

OK guys do we need to have some sensitivity training?

Dude, read the whole comment instead of nit picking words.  It was directed at the Huddlers not the women.  

I guess your sarcasm detector doesn't work before noon.

36 minutes ago, Icege said:

he must have been raw dogging y'alls wives, girlfriends, sisters, mothers, and mistresses.

Not very MeToo of you to degrade women in this manner sir.

14 minutes ago, ForJimmy said:

The silver does seem a little dated. Even a matte grey would look better...

After how the Jaguars butchered their own matte gray helmet and quietly got rid of them it might be best to leave that style alone. At some point the uniforms will be redone and the helmets should and will be redesigned along with that. For me any new helmet design should be silver or black anything else is just overthinking it and not necessary.

44 minutes ago, Khaki Lackey said:

This is where I disagree. The staff was in on trying to get Stanfford and Watson. They know what a good QB looks like. Teddy was brought in as a bridge/possible long term solution. The only problem I had with them getting Teddy was his price tag, and the contract might have been all Hurn-dog. He was, after all, the one that got poo canned. In spite of being wrong about TB, they moved on quickly.

 I think the staff knows there’s a high probability of Sam not working out. They just didn’t want to give up the farm for a draft question mark qb, and bring that project into a still developing roster. If Sam doesn’t work out, they’ll try for a FA or draft someone they really believe in, to a potential loaded/complete team.

The Teddy contract was a Hurney dud but Brady and Rhule were enthusiastic about Bridgewater. Yeah but with the benefit of hindsight now both of those options were a longshot. Plus wasn't it reported we offered the 8th pick for Stafford? That's steep for a qb even older than Cam Newton. Watson was an even bigger gamble with multiple first rounders being talked about and now knowing what we know it appears we dodged one on that. If we had acquired either of those guys the pressure would have been immense on this staff to show immediate results given the discussed resources it would have taken to get a deal done. Again I'm hoping this works out I think we need to give Darnold 2 years it's a lot to expect a full 180 in one offseason despite how optimistic some people are at the moment.

3 hours ago, Mr. Scot said:

I mean, as an example of a guy who was pedestrian his first few seasons but turned it around, it's valid.

Can't speak for anyone else, but I don't think it's meant as a comparison to Brees (or at least it shouldn't be).

And personally, I'd be happy if Darnold was just good to great. He doesn't necessarily have to be Hall of Fame worthy for us to be successful.

Well he went from pedestrian to a hall of fame career which isn't exactly all that common so would he not be more of an outlier? If you are going to look at both situations you can't really do so without also taking note of some numbers. Drew was putting up a 65% completion rate by his fourth year in a league that was not as pass happy as it is now. By the time he got to New Orleans he only dipped below 64% one season out of 15. Now what we have to ask ourselves is did Drew fall into the perfect situation to hone his skills with Sean Payton? He already had a 64% and 65% season before he left SD. Sam on the other hand is sitting at 59% for his career. The question is will he make the jump. Much is being said about Joe Brady which is valid but if Sam is going to go on to establish himself as a franchise qb it is going to be Matt Rhule who gets him there. For all that has been said about the trade being low risk which it is from a cost resource standpoint it is not however low risk for Rhule or Darnold. They both need this because if Sam fails after the Teddy saga and how it was handled questions will start being asked about the ability of this staff to identify the right quarterback. I sincerely hope Sam is the guy.

It's pretty funny to see someone who got upset over perceived negativity that is discussing the reality of the situation with Darnold's past as a starter turn around and compare him to Drew Brees before a single preseason snap in a new offense. I would be ecstatic if that happens but uhhhh I need to be made a believer just a little bit before I put that level of expectation out there.