BeenPounding

Here is what I would do...... Tag and trade Burns. You could easily get a first round pick for him. Likely an additional 2nd and/or 3rd. I'd aim at the second for next year to replace our capital. Before I execute the trade I am looking at getting a gauge if I can sign Bryce Huff, AJ Espinosa, and YGM. If I can accomplish that, I have created depth, and replaced the production from last year and created cap flexibility. All of this could be done prior to the legal tampering period. By doing this we could also re-sign Frankie, extend DB, and have a late round first and the first pick of the second round. We could even theoretically trade back into the bottom or the first round if we see a prospect worthy of a potential 5th year option. Burns alone doesn't make up for the depth created by adding 3 players for the price of one. If we get a mid to late 1st for Burns we have better options at WR, CB, and EDGE which are our three biggest weaknesses. OL help can be found in the 3rd-5th round and via free agency. I'd also be looking hard at Jenkins JR and Sweat at NT.

As one contributor said..."Jayce Horn is a DAWG! He's just usually at the vet." Smitty says Judy is not a dog. Smitty is a top dog. That's a no from me DAWG

TD playing the Super Bowl after having arm surgery was a dawg! Mike Tolbert off a screen pass was a dawg! We need a few players in that locker room who the rest of the team is legitimately scared of. Some of these young bucks need to be set straight. Give DB and Luvu a second contracts and tell them they are also being paid to enforce the standard. Watching Sanders on the Camp Confidential made me think he had the wrong priorities to really be a dawg. Guess my gut was right.

Chuba can lead a RBBC. You don't necessarily need a bell-cow if you have quality depth. Chuba/Blacksheer/and a draft pick would provide that. Sanders may be off the roster if he doesn't show any improvement in the spring. I'd be open to a Brock Oswiler type trade after June 1. (salary dump)

If he wants to be a head coach he needs to put in the work at one place for more than one season. If our offense improves to league average and the defense plays at a similar level as they did in '23, he will be even more highly thought of. If I was a GM, I would be worried that he is just chasing $$$$. Tepper opened the check book to get him. If he was truly worried about fit, do you think this was the job? He was able to show that he can successfully implement a new scheme with mismatched personnel. Now if Evero were able to build upon it, that would make him HC material. If he had the opportunity to stay in Denver and he was able to build upon the awesome defense they were playing at season's end, he would have gotten a job. Play out your contract, continue to leave a place better than it was when he arrived. If he doesn't get a HC job, he will be the most sought after DC in the NFL.

I'd take that trade

Evero has only been a DC for two seasons. One here and one at Denver. It would be in his best interest to stay here and build upon his successes. Honestly, imagine what he could do without such bad injury luck. No way we are this unlucky in regard to injuries two seasons in a row. If he keeps the defense consistent or shows improvement he will be a HC during the next cycle.

I would not be a fan. If you go defensive it needs to be Evero, Vrabel, McDonald in that order.

I really hope all of you negative Nelly's out there get a fresh dose of humble pie. From an outside perspective I can understand how "promoting" from within may not be the best move given the dumpster fire of a season. However, many of you, myself included, are not "real" football guys. We may actually have something with our defense. Our offense was ABYSMAL. Almost as bad if not worse than the Clausen season or even the VInny/St. Pierre seasons. We won 2 games, however I really think 8 other games were winnable if we could even resemble a bad offense. Dan Morgan is tough as nails and will hold others accountable. When Wilks took over, there was a shift in the organization which left when he was shown the door. Frank Reich doesn't scream accountability. Scott Fitterer my have been an experienced executive, but he's not a football guy. My gut says come September, your Carolina Panthers will be tougher and look more like the team that ended the 2022-23 season. BTW, I am not a fan of Tepper. I truly think he is ruining this team, hopefully Dan can convince him to take a step back.

This is just another example of our local media doing their part to pile on the suck that has become the image of our franchise. Only one new HC has been named as of right now. No one is truly missing out on an opportunity until more HC's are first hired. Evero currently has value for the Panthers. If he is our coordinator for all of next season we get a 3rd round pick under the NFL's diversity program. If a team wants him that bad as a DC, RIGHT NOW, then offer us a 3rd round pick in exchange, simple. Once we hire a GM/HC and start filling out the staff the new combination will then determine what, if any value they feel Evero has to the organization. I think under the Scott Fitterer years the Panthers have grown accustomed to giving away assets for little or no return on investment. That should change under the new administration, hopefully. People forget that Evero is being paid WELL above the average coordinator. He signed a contract, that is all part of a business agreement. This isn't the NBA or NCAA where players and coaches can disregard contractual commitment. The way his part of the team continued to perform displayed that he has value, specifically to a young offensive minded coach. Evero produces great defense in back to back years, and the team shows growth as a result will increase his value significantly. If Slowick is hired, I would certainly keep Evero as DC. I would find it hard to imagine that Johnson wouldn't want him as DC as well. Our media needs to pump the brakes and let the office do their thing. If the last 5-6 years has proved anything, is any news out of Mint street usually writes itself. We should try ragging on the Cowboys this week, taking a closer look at Green Bay/Detroit to identify positive traits/decisions made by those organizations rather than participate in the continual dumpfest that was the 2023-24 Carolina Panthers season.

I wonder with theses GM/HC hires how attached are the coordinator positions? I like the idea of Vrabel in regards to a leader and culture builder (like Wilks), but I want to know how he plans to innovate on his current style. Frank leaned on his past success and showed a clear lack of growth/innovation. When Frank was hired, I really don't think Thomas Brown was THE plan since Frank was so insistent on calling plays. Additionally, I feel Evero was forced onto Frank's staff. (In this case, it worked out) Do veteran retreads really hold an advantage in filling out a staff? Do some of the young up and coming have an advantage because they are networking to fill out future staffs? The GM hire to me, is the most important hire. Let the HMFIC be the HMFIC. I'd leave a blank check for Brandt Tilis or Nick Matteo, and let them build from there. Chiefs and Ravens have been two of the most sustainable teams over the past 15 years. I'd stay away from all things Eagles right now. Picking from Detroit is not a bad idea, but I think the combination of Campbell and Johnson is the glue for that team. Interesting to see what happens when you remove one from the other.

Procedes to lose a lead of 28 - 3 in his first game coaching.

Coaching and culture, plain and simple. Rhule was in survivor mode. Fired someone who was apparently a good play caller in Joe Brady prior to his arrival. Hired an OC to replace him with Ben MacAdoo, who never wanted him in the first place. Proceeded to then put your proven starting QB in a time share upon his late arrival to training camp with Sam Freaking Darnold. Everyone freaked out after the Cleveland game. Honestly, PJ really wasn't significantly better than Baker, just a case of back-up QB2 love. Getting thrown out to the wolves against Cincinnati would have made me want to be released too. Wilkes righted the ship with a spare parts, but I'd say the causes of our struggles this season was really 50% hold over from poor decisions made under Rhule, 25% from not hiring Wilks, and 25% from thinking the Rhule inspired FO could take the majic created by WIlks and improve on it.

If he stays on next year we will get a 3rd round pick from the NFL. He will be under our control unless the new HC/GM specifically say they do not want to work with him. If we had kept Thomas Brown for another year we would have been given 2 3rd round picks. If another team wants him they will have to give up at least a 3rd round pick. If I were in charge that is how I'd handle the situation at THIS CURRENT TIME. Could change over the coming weeks.

I really believe Bryce's ceiling is 12-15 best QB in the league. His lack of physical traits will stop him from being a total game changer, but I think with good coaching he can be a consistent game manager.

I agree with those who say he was the wrong choice at #1 (CJ was obviously it), and by picking Bryce, we gave up too much. I also think Stroud would have looked very similar if he were picked #1 by the 2023 Panthers Where I disagree is that he is devoid of talent and possibly not the second best QB in from the past draft. This season was abysmal in every aspect of the offense. Truly, if we learned anything from this season is that there was nothing good from the offense as far as coaching, player development, and game preparation. Bryce showed small flashes, but he never got a chance behind our O-line running a protection scheme that did not fit their abilities. Incorporate in the fact Bryce was with out his starting guards all season, he was going to struggle. Stroud would struggle. AR would struggle. I really think just handing his the starting job as the anointed one was a mistake. Dalton should have had the real opportunity to push Young. Going into year two obviously we stick with Bryce, but he needs to know that the new coach should not be afraid to insert a veteran QB of their choosing in there is not visible improvement. It would be unfair and unwise to cut bait now. Like some people have pointed out, maybe Bryce is good enough to get us #1 in 2025. If so, it may be the best gift he could give us. Improvement will be the main theme for 2024-25. Fans are clamoring for improvement. There are some bones to build from on this team. Most are on defense, but with the right coach and good mid to bottom of roster FA signings we can show significant improvement. 7 - 8 wins would do so much for our team and Bryce.

Vacuums.... because we suck, ergo, we would be good at our job

Since we aren't really playing for anything, its mock draft season!!!!!! Here is my weekly foray... Traded back several times to acquire more mid round picks.

How can you not watch the clip from Wilk's post game speech after the Detroit game and not be sick at the current state of our team. If there is a sliver of hope that Tepper trolls this board, or someone not about to be fired on Mint Street reads this, please I beg of you...... Tepper, re-hire WIlks. If you need to stand on your wallet to do so in order to make up for not hiring him in the first place do it. You need Wilks or Evero, plain and simple. After hearing from Cam, who by the way, if in the top 5 of all time great Carolina Panthers (Luke, CAM, Peppers, Smitty, GO) , this team needs LEADERSHIP over anything else. The front office needs leadership. Hire a President of Football Operations. But install clear NFL leadership. Scheme will follow. Oddly enough, the title of the website with the article is CULTURE https://clture.org/steve-wilks-panthers/?fbclid=IwAR2o7ZJHQ6-ObFYQoW2R96ZfNH6GG2nCpz3CbiKaDq9KqNrlMJfqxkpWCFY

We passed up Trey Smith for Thomas Fletcher when we KNEW WE NEEDED HELP ON THE OFFENSIVE LINE!!!!!!!! How was it that no adult in the room stopped Rhule and just brought up the point that, "hey, I know there are a few medical flags regarding an offensive lineman who has a 1st round grade, but you think rolling the dice on a long snapper would truly be a better move for this team?" Perfect example of there truly being no such thing as a luxury pick in the NFL draft.

And there we have it, can't have a day without a bad decision. When I said all I wanted was consistency, this isn't exactly what I meant.....

There have been a few instances where the HC and GM were basically a package deal and honestly, I could see this as the trend going forward. You would think this would be advantageous, it allows the two of the three most important individuals in the front office to be more in lock step rather than hiring one person, then hoping that person's vision is matched with what is left. Do you think Adam Peters is just going to take a job and HOPE he finds a HC that fits his vision? Kwesi Adofo-Mensah hired O'Connell who coached at Cleveland and San Fran. Minnesota is looking pretty alright. The Giants hired Schoen and Daboll both from the Bills. While the Giants are a mess this year, last year was a success. I know there are a few other instances I overlooked. A team needs to be in lockstep rather than throwing a metric ton of poo against the fan just to see what happens.

Only 6 other teams travel to training camp, but since we all love to hop aboard the complain train....

I'm not too impressed with the drafting of the Arizona Cardinals over the past three to four years.... Just saying

Here is a way to look at it. Gregg is smart, like way smarter than the average NFL player. Gregg is proud, confident, but not cocky or arrogant. In my opinion, he may just work out as a CEO type of coach. If you have someone who is not a control freak (Rhule) or set in their system/ways (Frank), your main goal is to identify hard working assistants who are experts in their field who will create a culture that is conducive for improvement without micromanaging. Gregg, knows culture from his playing experiences both good and bad. Gregg is the son of a coach, a very successful coach. He has been to a super bowl and he has also been on terrible teams. Additionally, he has been watching the league and studying the players of nearly every other team on a daily basis. Olsen has likely made contacts that we are unaware of through attending practices, watching games, and doing interviews for the past 3 years. The division of labor with a NFL staff is SO DTEAILED. Some teams have coaches just for game management. McVay has a guy to make sure he doesn't walk too far on the field. Some HC's do not call any plays on either side of the ball. If he can create a level of buy in and surround himself with guys who he will let cook, he is much improved from many retreads or flavor of the month assistants. Just a thought. Like G.O. said, "don't confuse experience with competence"... Right Frank/Rhule?