The Third Reich

Serious question: Why LG and not RG? There may be something I do not know, but Hunt's contract is huge and he could be let go after this season (post june 1 cut) and it would save the Panthers a ton of money. Extending him would be paying a G who is in his mid 30s guaranteed money (and I do not see that as a terrible thing). So if we release him at age 31, we save $19m. I like him, but at 31, will he be worth the mega contract? LG Damien Lewis has actually outperformed Hunt and he is a year younger. He would also save less vs. the cap and leave less in the dead cap pool. While his current contract expires after the 2027 season, he is a better prospect (IMO) to extend because only 50% of his current contract was guaranteed. Here are his contract numbers. Now, getting to Ickey--he could want LT money if he is offered a second contract. If we pay him LT money to play either G positions, we are likely overpaying. Secondly, the injury he suffered could be one that limits his productivity. Ickey was improving, but he was an average LT. The only way I re-sign Ickey is to have him accept a G contract and make a lot of it incentive based. I feel like I am missing something, but in my mind, Ickey was always a guard if you consider the fact that he is an average OT and would be a great G. Is that still the case (injury)?

Canales was asked about Freeling at OTAs getting beat by Princely and Scourton. He basically described the learning curve, and it sounds as if Freeling has a lot to learn before taking the job. Walker gives us time. Having said that, Motown talks like he has a few (2-3?) years left---and I would love to see it. If you look at the contracts, It is a good bet that Hunt and Lewis are extended and given some guaranteed $$$ to lower the cap hit. Lewis is about 29 and Hunt is 30, I believe. That gives us about a 3-year window to start grooming their replacements. Ickey seems to be the person who could be left without furniture in the musical chairs game. I would move him to guard and use him like a Travelle Wharton--we have a good problem--we could have six or seven starting OL on the roster. Of course, that won't last long.

I see this point and agree--However, someone is going to bite. In fact, I think there will be some bluffing going on to make the desperate teams raise the stakes. We shall see.

I am going on record to say that the Jets or Browns will give a late first. Blind guessing, but they have multiple first round picks.

Cleveland or NY Jets is my guess (and I think both have multiple first rounders they were going to use to find a QB in 2027. I am not sure if the fifth year option is applicable in this situation (if you give a first for him, I see it), but I am guessing he would have gone top 15 in this draft this year. In the 2027 draft, if he goes third QB in 2027, that would probably be top 10. Of course, all this is based on his play and physical talent--not character. If Cleveland, basically they could keep their first round selection and offer the Rams pick they got for Garrett. If the Jets, they have 3 first rounders and they could trade a late first and still have 2 first rounders. If Sorsby becomes a good starting qb and has grown up (we better get used to this stuff--when you give 20-year old kids millions they are going to screw up), he could be a steal with a first rounder---on paper.

Bryce has improved each season, fwiw, statistically. His slope is rising. (Not to say I am high on him--I am not, but I have not given up on him--nor have I given up on XL, but damn he pisses me off) CJ's slope is descending. I was never a Penix fan. Never, I say!

That is definitely the down side of all this--on paper, I would offer up a second rounder for him if he passed my interviews. He has already gone through (seriously?) a treatment program for gambling addiction. I just see him as a first round talent that we could get with a second rounder. If I liked Bryce and felt good about paying him $50m per, I would not touch Sorsby. If Bryce regresses or stays the same--he is going to expect to be paid. Sorsby, in my view, has a better long-term future as an NFL QB. He is big, mobile, has good arm strength, and makes wise decisions (on the field) with the football. He is a great dual threat, RPO QB. I think he is a perfect solution for the backup qb position and insurance for Bryce should he get injured or suck. Pickett? King? yikes.

Hard to say--they are very unpredictable--this article came out last night---after our comments: (ESPN) How has the NFL approached NCAA players with gambling violations in the past? David Purdum, sports betting reporter: Quarterback Hunter Dekkers and wide receiver Kayshon Boutte were found to have committed gambling violations while playing college football, and both were allowed to pursue NFL careers. Dekkers was the projected starting quarterback at Iowa State but was ruled ineligible ahead of the 2023 season after an investigation found he had bet on at least one game involving the Cyclones (among other wagers that violated NCAA bylaws). The bet was just $15 on Iowa State to beat Oklahoma State in a 2021 game in which he did not play, but it led to the end of his Division I career. He played one season at Iowa Western Community College in 2024 before signing with the Saints as an undrafted free agent, and he spent last season on the practice squad. Boutte was arrested in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, in January 2024 on charges of underage betting while at LSU. The arrest came roughly eight months after he had been drafted in Round 6 by the Patriots, and the charges were ultimately dropped. According to police, Boutte placed more than 8,900 wagers from April 2022 to May 2023, including betting on at least 17 college football games -- at least six of which involved LSU during that span. The NFL did not discipline Boutte.

He went through the treatment program, fwiw if anything, and my focus is on his size, decision-making (on the field, not phone), and his arm strength. But drafting a QB with an addiction that could get him Pete Rosed is not ideal. I am not satisfied that the Panthers have (as Canales has stated to be important) addressed the QB spot with competition since Bryce has been here. Should Bryce not continue to improve or should he become injured, are we going with Pickett? Pickett had 45 pass attempts with the Raiders last season and was sacked 8 times. He has an NFL career where his interceptions are equal to his TDs. He is not good. H. King could emerge as the backup, if that tells you anything, but if we can pick a player with NFL starting potential (Sorsby would have been rated ahead of Ty Simpson (drafted #13 overall) in 2026 and he is rated #3 overall in the strong 2027 QB draft class, behind Manning and Moore--again, this would give Sorsby a first-round grade. If I am Morgan, and I do not feel 100% confident that Bryce is the future, I might offer a second rounder for Sorsby. I think he might go before that, frankly. Some will say I am crazy, but to get a QB with Sorsby's talent in the 2027 draft, we may need to move up in round 1. If Bryce steps up, you have a solid backup. Regardless, I would sleep better.

I think, if the stars align, and the light comes on for XL and Metchie finds his way, and Brazzell's early returns are accurate--man, this team could be LOADED at WR. Six will make it: TMac Coker XL Brazzell Metchie Tremayne Moore Horn

Personally, I think the Panthers would be a good place for a QB if he falls to maybe a 4th rounder or later. I am not sure how they feel about the gambling and I am not sure of the details, but I think we have to plan for life without Bryce as much as we are planning for life with him. I like Sorsby the player. I see the Jets going after him if they have concerns about Klubnik-and they need competition for him anyway and a future replacement for Geno (who I think will suck back in NY). Watch Atlanta, Cleveland, Indy, Miami, too, but Carolina is the team nobody is talking about, and Sorsby would be better than Kenny Pickett and maybe Haynes King is slated to always be the third QB/etc ST and Swiss Army knife--if he makes the team. If Bryce falters, we need a QB who has potential, and Sorsby has it. Pickett will never be a starter in this league, so his role is a #2. I would be surprised if Morgan pulls the plug, but at worst he is a good backup and potential developmental starter. To me-on paper--it makes too much sense.

I see what you did there.

and his hands are solid--no drops.

will not let me edit--3:33 and other leg.

at about 3:20, Brazzell seems to be limping off the field with a wrap around his left leg. That is the most interesting aspect of this.