Icege

Summary NFC South didn't have the lowest "Power Score" in the league. That belonged to the NFC North. At the time of the recording, the Panthers had the #27 Power Score. The Rams, Cardinals, and Bears all ranked lower than the Panthers along with two teams yet to be reviewed (my money is on the Texans and the Colts). Most impactful free agents: Miles Sanders (Brett) & Derek Carr (EJ) Brett: Run-heavy division with expectations that the team will remain run-heavy under Reich that will run a lot of the concepts that Sanders exceled at in Philly (inside zone, power, and duo). Believes that Sanders has developed into a solid RB and is under an affordable deal. Would not be stunned if he has a 1300-1400 total yard season with double digit touchdowns. EJ: Miles has to be happy with the deal he got after watching how things fell apart for other RBs on the market. Coming from one of the best OLs in Philly limited his landing spots and he chose an ascending young OL to run behind. Brett had high praises for the OL, citing how they went from CMC to Foreman and didn't miss a beat. Dark Horse Candidate: DJ Chark (EJ). Both had Jessie Bates as their runner-up. Notable rookies for Carolina: Bryce Young, Jonathan Mingo, and Chandler Zavala Favourite Rookie Addition: Bryce Young (Brett) & Bijan Robinson (EJ) Brett is very high on Bryce Young. Said if he were a little better that folks would be talking him up like they did Joe Burrow. Great in big moments, eyes in the back of his head, elite pocket presence, touch, accuracy, more than enough arm strength. He's also a Mater Dei alum like Bryce is and says that he's one of the best QBs that he's ever seen play live with his own eyes. Was also very high on Chandler Zavala as was EJ. EJ feels good for the Carolina fans. No sure thing in the draft, but Bryce has a better combo of skills & attributes the matter for the QB position then those that have come before him. Can amplify the team and has shown that as far back as high school. Only complaint from other people is that he's not big and might get hurt, which EJ will agree on the size but not him being frail. Survived the SEC guys that got drafted and are going to be chasing him around at the next level and still played at a high level with things that can't be taught: anticipation, speed in pre-snap + post-snap reads, good enough mobility to stay out of the way and open up throwing lanes, wait until the last micro-second to get rid of the ball when a route opens up, etc. In terms of pure starting experience, more than most QBs in a more competitive conference at a higher level of execution. Really likes Young, but couldn't pick him because he joked that he's contractually obligated to defer all Mater Dei alum to Brett. Division MVP: Brian Burns (Brett) & Chris Olave (EJ) Brett thinks there are few divisions that a non-QB can be MVP but expects a master class season: possibility of 16+ sacks, bunch of forced fumbles, outrageous pressure numbers. EJ agrees that Burns is awesome and picked him as DPOTY last year, but says that Fangio's system that Evero runs does not like to give their four primary rushers help. They also like to use their primary rusher, in Carolina's case Brian Burns, to eat up double teams. He does not agree with using the best pass rusher on the team as a decoy 70% of the time. Believes that the scheme will suppress him. Offensive POTY: Chris Olave (Brett) & Derek Carr (EJ) Defensive POTY: Jaycee Horn (Brett) & Grady Jarrett (EJ) Brett says that when he's been healthy that Jaycee Horn has shown that he's a great corner. In terms of durability/consistency, Patrick Surtain has won the debate so far but believes that Horn is due for a ridiculous year even though he has Burns as the MVP. Believes that he's the perfect fit for the defense the same way that Surtain was for Evero in Denver and will be used in the same way. EJ says that the defense funnels opportunities to the primary CB. Believes that Horn will benefit from it the same way Burns' stats won't. Brett followed up with saying that the defensve leaves the #1 CB on an island often while playing three over two along with two on one on the backside. That leaves him 1v1, meaning there will be targets which is going to give chances to PBUs + INTs. Offensive ROTY: Bryce Young (both) Defensive ROTY: Calijah Kancey (both) Coach of the Year: Frank Reich (Brett) & Dennis Allen (EJ) Brett loved Steve Wilks and thought he did great last year and would've chosen him, but goes with Reich as he believes the Panthers are an ascending team. EJ agrees that they're ascending and can win double digit games even with a rookie QB. Not a typical team that takes a QB #1 overall. The Panthers have a deeper roster than that. Other side of the ball is not bereft of talent. Division Winner: Carolina Panthers (both) If both had to put money, they'd put it on Carolina. From overall roster quality + depth, coaching, a young QB that they believe in, a tough but not an insurmountable schedule. Best shot to win a playoff game in January. Bryce Young is a rare rookie QB that can overcome mistakes that he will make. The team around him is good enough with talent on defense and a DC that can put more talent in better positions to succeed. Questions of course about how long it takes for things to gel, but Evero has the pieces on defense. Are there any NFC East teams that the Panthers could beat in the postseason? Maybe the Giants if DJ has a bad-to-average day. Can this team take out a team from the toughest division last year? Of course... if the NFC East QB falters early.

Definitely hesitant to sign a guy that was cut by a coach known to be loyal to his vets. Injuries? Incoming disciplinary action? What is it? Looking at the roster, it looks like they're rolling with Nick Gates ($3.2M), Braeden Daniels (2023 4th), Chris Paul (2022 7th), and Saahdiq Charles (2020 4th) with Trenton Scott ($1.5M) competing for a roster spot. By cutting Norwell, the Commanders will save nearly $5M which essentially halves the cost of the offensive guards for the team. At least, that's what this article announcing that he will be released from May 30th suggests. I doubt he goes anywhere to be a camp body, otherwise I'd say give it a shot. But with Christensen, Corbett, Zavala, and Mays he'd be here until Corbett is back. I don't think that works out in the end for the team nor Norwell. Not sure who the teams currently are that are thin on the interior. They'll likely already have been talking to his agent.

Highest paid total contract but only getting $2.5M this season which would make him the 26th highest paid RB. Next year jumps to $7.65M which will make him the 7th highest paid. It goes up to a little over $8M the year after, but at that point the contract allows the team to cut him and save over $5M with ~$2.9M dead cap. The Giants, Raiders, and Cowboys are all paying for a RB to be on the franchise tag for one season what the Panthers are paying to keep Sanders for two. The Bengals are paying Joe Mixon $8M this season and have a similar out to Sanders third year but in year 2. Given the comparisons across the league, i'm happy with the way Suleiman structured the deal.

This along with the current top 10 cap hits for QBs... Give that $13M being saved on Matt Stafford to Brian Burns plskthx

That sucks to hear, I had a completely different experience. I've found a lot of his videos to be informative and more in-depth than a lot of the stuff on YT. His background working for NFL Network likely helped a lot there, enough to at least land him a job back in the league while still producing content.

Post em if you got em. Bootleg Football (I like Brett Kollman's content) just posted up their Panthers episode this morning. They've covered the rest of the division already and will have an NFC South video up later today or tomorrow (if it's not up already). This one was already posted in a thread of its own. Solid video. This one is about half as long as the above. Haven't gotten to start it yet, but included here in case somebody else gets to it and finds it to be pretty good! A sub-10min video for those on the go

A deep run? Going to depend on a lot of luck in regards to injuries plus who the first draw is. Can he get us to the playoffs? The team nearly got there with an offense piloted by Ben McAdoo & Sam Darnold. The coaching staff and QB position have been upgraded, and there's an argument to be made that the defense was upgraded as well (at least from a coaching perspective). The WR room lost it's #1 WR but there's no doubt that the room as a whole has gotten more talented (Thielen, Chark, Marshall, Mingo, and Shenault alone is a solid overall room, nevermind whoever the 6th WR will be). The division is winnable, that much is for certain. The Bucs are tumbling, full stop. The Falcons are hoping to run an offense similar to what Smith did in Tennessee but with Ridder/Robinson rather than Tannehill/Henry, but do they have a defense that can support that type of offensive approach? How the Saints look this season will dictate a lot.

Whatever he needs to play for the coaching staff to feel that he's prepared for the regular season. I'm expecting Corral to get a bulk of the time with Young/Dalton being saved for the regular season, but it will be interesting seeing what all of the QB gurus in the room think is best for a young signal caller.

Playing with Bryce lower than Corral has been brutal

Also worth mentioning that Burns was primarily used a 4-3 DE rather than 3-4 OLB until last season. Having him in his ideal position is going to help tremendously. If the team can find another DL aside from Brown or get another pass rusher to put opposite of Burns this is going to be a dangerous defense.

It really is remarkable how Reddit & Discord realize it but the Huddle is still 50/50 on the situation

In his rookie season, only 5 DTs in the league were double teamed more often Can't find him on the list for his sophomore season (looks like the only Carolina DL that Walder tracked that season was Burns?), but even watching the game he consistently pulled double teams from opposing defenses. Plus, as noted prior, his stats against the run can't be ignored either. EDIT: Did find this from his sophomore season tho. https://www.panthers.com/video/steve-smith-on-derrick-brown-double-team-machine

Dexter Lawrence also has a full season more played than Derrick Brow. Their statistics from their first three seasons are very similar: Derrick Brown Dexter Lawrence +/- Sacks 6 9 -3 Pressures 48 48 0 Hurries 15 17 -2 QB Hits 33 30 3 QB Knockdowns 26 19 7 Tackles for Loss 21 14 7 Pass Deflections 15 5 10 Interceptions 1 0 1 Forced Fumbles 0 2 -2 Over an equal timespan, DLaw has 3 more sacks, 2 more hurries, and 2 more forced fumbles than DBrown. On the flipside, DBrown has 10 more pass deflections, 7 more tackles for loss, 7 more QB knockdowns, 3 more QB hits, and 1 more interception than DLaw. Lawrence might just end up being the best comp to use for Brown's next contract, though Brown might be able to argue that the other had Leonard Williams next to him for the entirety of his career.

Can't help but wonder how many of the folks whining about Brown's sack total have forgotten the old DT addage: "Two on me, someone's free." Fairly important to consider, especially given how Derrick Brown was one of the most often double-teamed defensive linemen in the league the last couple of seasons.

Couldn't be happier for Burns and Brown. Both have performed and deserve to be paid. Was nice to have them on their rookie deals, but thankfully we'll have Bryce, Icky, and Mingo on their rookie deals to offset the upcoming negotiations.

Not sure admitting is the right word there, but no problem bucko. Sometimes we all need to be reminded to not scream into the abyss.

I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but there is never going to be "sports and sports only." It's an irrational desire that's only going to lead to frustration and disappointment. Sports aren't some cartoon ostrich that can bury its head in the sand to avoid the same socio-cultural issues that influence it. Don't get me wrong: I'd love to focus more on the strategy, skill, techniques, etc that are on display. Unfortunately, entertainment sells advertising space better than it does education. Engagement is even more important to marketing, and few things create as much engagement as outrage.

Getting baptized by Von Miller was a blessing in disguise. Having Campen there to help breakdown the film afterwards when it could have been another Rhule crony is an even bigger blessing. Couldn't be more excited for Icky and the OL.

I mean... I don't think anybody is expecting him to get 100+ targets this season nor are they expecting him to break off WR screens for 80+ yard TDs. He's definitely going to take a dip in fantasy, but in terms of actual football I'm expecting the team to carve up opposing defenses on 3rd down with option routes thanks to Thielen + Bryce's football IQ.

Oooooooohhhhhhhh maaaaaaaaaaaaaah gaaaaaaaaaaaaawd Watching episode 2 was reaffirming of what many of us thought the purpose of the FA signings shown were for Eps3 I'm only 1min in and hearing the 5 traits learned from Peyton has me ready to go to WAR for Bryce!!

Holy poo

Whether or not TMJ beating a Bengals starter 1v1 for a 21yd TD is indicitive of Baker's play last season is something you're more than welcome to explore on your own. As I said, the point wasn't to attempt to get you to change your mind; it was to point out the misinformation you presented. In that same train of thought, regarding TMJ's stats for the final 6 weeks of the season, looking at Sam Darnold's explains a lot: vs. DEN: 11 completions on 19 attempts (3 targets for TMJ, 6 targets for DJ) vs. SEA: 14 completions on 24 attempts (1 target for TMJ, 3 targets for DJ) vs. PIT: 14 completions on 23 attempts (3 targets for TMJ, 6 targets for DJ) vs. DET: 15 completions on 22 attempts (3 targets for TMJ, 7 targets for DJ) vs. TB: 23 completions on 37 attempts (3 targets for TMJ, 10 targets for DJ) vs. NO: 5 completions on 15 attempts (3 targets for TMJ, 4 targets for DJ) If you want that to mean Sam Darnold didn't like the Christmas present that TMJ got him the year before, have at it. I like to believe that most people would understand that not many players are going to be blowing up the statsheets when they're only targeted 2.7 times a game on average with a QB that's averaging just 13.7 completions on 23.3 attempts. Especially when that was during a season where the league average for passing attempts per game was 33.3.

TMJ was lined up 1-on-1 with Cam Taylor-Britt who was and is the starter in Cinci. To say that the play came against a back-up player of Taylor/Henderson's caliber is misleading. As is pointing to his statline when the gameplan was "Don't make Sam throw the ball" under Wilks. By all means, feel free to doubt as this isn't an attempt to change your mind. I just wanted to make sure that misinformation didn't go unchecked.