Bear Hands

Yep I mean that’s what it comes down to. Analyzing this in a play-by-play manner doesn’t help (although I’ll still respect those who want to dig into that mess) When you have someone who inhibits the plays you can deploy, the concepts you can scheme in, it’s such a limiting factor and you won’t rise out of it until you try another guy at the spot. He limits the entire system down to physical, unchangeable traits… we are restricted in what we can run, and he can’t even run the limited playbook effectively. So that’s why I stopped bothering with play-by-play looks. It’s clear it’s the bigger infrastructural issue.

We technically have a SB winning starter but he’s our worst defensive player lol

Don't throw out the bait and complain about the biting.

We’re probably destined to roll with someone like Jarrett Stidham for a 2026 transitional season while taking a QB in R2-3. Possibly under a new HC (it’s a toss up right now)

Honestly, if he would’ve just got to the point and gave Ron his notice the year he bought, we could have been in a timeline for a legit HC and QB. And could have kept CMC+DJ in tact — the timing of the firing (and of course choosing Rhule) was the beginning of this death spiral with the missed overcorrections. Could’ve outbid GB for LaFleur and the entire sequence of poor decisions is altered.

You gotta pinpoint the guy with the right DNA. For example, Steichen, McDonald and Ben Johnson are the types for various reasons that had some clear potential. All fan favorites for our HC job. I think Canales has some of the HC gene, but I just don’t like the approach we’ve team building wise and he didn’t have a ton of experience. So I don’t know how he would be with a bit better talent. But I also haven’t been a fan of his offense thus far. A bit conflicted. The defense is not well constructed (has some promising parts) and the offense has zero identity (with McMillan being a start). So it’s a bit muddy. I think worth seeing how he can rally these guys this season, but if that’s the case, you gotta increase his seat temp and give him the green light to bench/release and bring in who he wants to help improve. Then DT should analyze that the remainder of the season and make the call once it’s over. If embarrassments like this become a trend, then it would be worth canning.

Christian Rozeboom and Nick Scott are two of the lesser quality FAs we've had in a while and not just that, but they're starters. Need immediate changes at those two spots. I do not believe for a second that a mid-season pickup or any of the other guys we have could do worse than Rozeboom. At least Wallace shows quickness and flashes from time to time (between some bad situaitonal moments). Christian is just slow, missing all over the place. And we have Ransom who should supplant any Scott snaps when they both aren't in in heavy DB looks. I would consider just cutting Scott.

We went from boring zone run concepts with Reich to boring zone run concepts with DC. And we have a QB that’s neither a mobile one or rocket arm zippie. So it’s a recipe for a super vanilla boring product. We won only when our defense gets lucky.

and another one bites the dust

Also - Ransom is one of the rare cases of a guy I really wanted and we actually drafted. Never freaking happens and finally did with him so hope it works out ha.

Lots of reason for optimism with some of the young players on defense. We’re a few guys away from rounding out the unit but the secondary has serious potential. Seems we’re playing better against both man and zone so far, but are still breaking when the pass rush and LB play has been off. ILB will be a big focus in 2026

First win since the Wilks stretch that felt like a commanding, thorough old fashioned butt whooping. Shout outs: Chau Smith-Wade - he has been getting better and better. I've really enjoyed his development and could turn into a quality starting nickel for us. Ryan Fitzgerald - He's looking great. I would caution to brace for some rookie kicking moments, but he seems like a kid who could stay here a minute. His kicks today were at big points to force ATL into high percent passing scenarios Cade Mays - from what I saw, he had a solid day. OL with some exceptions with Zavala played very well. Lathan Ransom - He's one guy I'm willing to crown a tad prematurely, but I really think he's a safety that will stick. Just solid play, no real mistakes. Good communication today. Rookie EDGEs - Scourton and Princely won't show on the stat sheet but they were disrupting the pocket from the edge. Played really tough today, good effort. No shout out: Christian Rozeboom - Oof. He still looks really rough. Wallace was a little better today/didn't have any egregious screw ups but Christian seems pretty rough. If we can find someone average here, it could really help this defense.

It has been 5 years since we last held a team under 7 points. Lions game 2020, 20-0

Fitz baby. Chau & Fitz get the damn game ball

We made the Falcons bench their guy. Love to see it

It's okay, we've destroyed a team and played extremely well on defense. Soak in this feeling -- winning a game due to defense just completely shutting the other guy out.

Today is nice. Completely tearing a team apart who was hyped for the playoffs. We are stomping on ATL and it feels damn good. Evero is owning some of his old peers. Secondary has played fantastic. Horn, Ransom, S-W, Jackson, just awesome.

Good Defense gives me good feels This has been long missed. ATL looks terrible, but the defense came to eat.

I don't usually diss picks or toot my own horn, but oh wee mayne

This team is soft top down.

The fact that we're STILL questioning if he should be starting is all that needs to be said. If this week doesn't turn out well, the boiling point could hit soon. Don't think 0-3 does it, but it could be soon. Considering our schedule, it may happen if things fall off the rails. We have 3 winnable games by week 9. If we're just sitting 2-7 or 1-8 after the Packers game, that would be near the end point of this situation in its entirety. It took what, a 1-10 start to can Reich in his first year? I think a 1-8 start to Bryce in his 3rd would be reasonable to politely end his tenure in Carolina.

Smitty bores me these days. Feel like he's just fishing for a viral moment.

Somewhat OT - This franchise forgot what it felt like to have an elite talent on defense that helped create the whole unit's je nes sais quoi. Moehrig hasn't shown it yet. Horn doesn't give me that; he's a top 10-CB at his best, but I don't get the sense he's this guy who just elevates the unit. Same goes with DB. All seem like strong assets moving forward, but it shows with our defensive output being sh*t. You need at least 2 of those tenacious vocal leaders and captains. It is MIA entirely from defense (although I think Princely and Ransom are interesting) I know you need the talent, but they just don't seem to elevate around them much.

Yeah I always viewed him as a guy who would be a quality enough complimentary piece at LB. Don't think he was some top-LB but was good enough to hold the defensive locker room together and serve his role well. Funny enough, I think the young version of him in the league right now is the guy the Bills are hoping he helps develop in Dorian Williams who had a decent 2024. A B who would have more A moments than C moments, but was never sub-C.