MHS831

I reacted to a comment on another thread that basically said that Scourton (and TMac) were the only contributors...On this play, 2, day-3 drafted rookies not named Scourton or TMac. Etienne had a good return. Horn had a key play on a reverse for 25 yards. TE Evans caught 3 passes. UDFA Fitzgerald was 3/3 and kicked the game-winner. Princely may be the only drafted rookie that did not contribute in a positive way.

i totally forgot about BC. I am ready to see us move on for Corbett, but he can play G/C/IR.

It actually looks pretty solid. A few players to re-sign and three primary positions to upgrade (starters). Beyond that, we don't have a bunch of holes or need to overpay free agents. this is how I see it (using OTC for the 2026 roster information) on December 22, 2025. This is rather basic, focusing on the core needs. Blue: Potential players to re-sign in the offseason. Green: Players under contract for the 2026 season. Italics: Possible cap casualties Analysis Offense: Center: First, sign Mays for the long term (He is 26–I’d give him a 3-4 year deal). He is not great, but he is decent and we need consistency on the OL. He does not make stupid mistakes. While the draft is not great in the interior offensive line, signing a veteran who can backup G and C would be a strategy. Guard: Canalas seemed to be impressed with Curhan, as I was. He will be 28 next year, so he has a few years in him. I think he comes cheap and is quality depth. He can play center, but is perhaps best at G and T. Valuable reserve. Tackle: While Nijman returns as the swing T behind Moton and Ekwonu, the Panthers need to start developing a RT to play behind Moton. A late-round draft pick that is rough but has all the tools is ideal. As the fourth OT, he can develop behind some pretty good veterans. Wide Receiver: We need a playmaker to play opposite TMac. I believe in Coker, but think he is the AT-type slot. He needs to be re-signed. XL cannot be counted on to step into that role. He is not that familiar with the WR position and he does not seem to be a student of the game. This is a strong WR draft. First or second round. Tight End: I dunno. I can see us upgrading the position, but Tremble does a lot of stuff well aside from catching the ball. Evans is a decent all-around TE, and Sanders has some upside. I’d love a weapon, but add the WR. Running Back: If Dowdle wants to be here, how do you let him walk? He will be 28, and most RBs hit the wall then. He deserves a big contract, but 28-year old RBs on big deals don’t earn them. Go with Hubbard, Brooks, and Etienne. Build the OL and the backs get better. Quarterback: Well, Bryce is improving and his confidence is growing. Look at how many other QBs have taken time to get it. He is going to be the QB, regardless. I want a young QB behind him, not the Red Senior Citizen. Overview: Free Agent Priorities are to re-sign Mays and Coker. I have Dowdle in blue, but I would let him walk (for reasons provided). Cuhran played well and is versatile and should be signed if possible. Draft a developmental OT, a raw, late-round OT. In the draft, take a WR in rounds 1 or 2. The offense is in tact–little needs to be done. Let the OL develop chemistry, sign Mays while he is entering his prime, and get a weapon opposite TMac. Give Coker a long-term deal. Defense: ILB; With only Wallace on the 2026 payroll, this position needs to be addressed. Rozeboom might be able to be re-signed. I think ILB will be addressed in free agency and the draft. ILB will be the second or third round pick. We will re-sign Rozeboom and maybe Cherulus and another priority free agent. Edge/OLB: Scourton seems to be the real deal, but Princely (needs to develop) and Jones II are role players. The draft is LOADED at the edge rush position. I expect a first or second round edge player to be taken. Defensive Tackle: We have some big salaries at DT, and with Brown on the field, you dont need stars beside him. I think the team cuts Robinson to get $8.5m in cap room, especially since C Jackson seems to be ready. Cornerback: Morgan has done a tremendous job finding talent in the bargain bins at CB. Smith-Wade has been very solid. Thornton seems to be a find. Mike Jackson is a solid pro. Safety: Ransom seems to be the heir apparent for the Scott job, and Moehrig gives them a very aggressive, violent pair of safeties. I like the safeties in this draft, fwiw. I expect a late round pick. Overview: The Panthers must address ILB and Edge as priorities. The ILB could be a free agent, Rozeboom re-signing, and maybe a draft pick. However, they need a pass rush more than anything else. This is a great draft for edge players; I would not be surprised to see Dan Morgan double dip at edge. Depth at S. As soon as the season is over, look for Morgan to re-sign Mays, Coker, Cuhran, and possibly Rozeboom and Dowdle. That would lock up the starting C, #3/slot WR, versatile depth on the OL, and get your leading tackler back at ILB. Three HUGE moves that sould not break the bank. Free agency would be focused on adding an ILB and a Safety who can play FS in three-S or big nickel sets. The draft would target Edge, WR, and ILB on days 1 and 2. Day 3: OT depth, S depth, ILB depth.

If we keep our guards in tact ($$$) and go with Mays at C, some OT depth would be nice. I think we should be happy about CB with Thornton's development (pre injury) and Smith Wade. I think Ransom is developing nicely, but I would like to see a FS type for situations. We suck at ILB and Edge (as a whole). We should be OK at RB. I hope we sign Dowdle to a short contract. QB? There are signs of hope and development. (I don't like our backup QB) TE? Good draft for TE, but I think we are developing with Evans, Sanders, and Tremble. WR? A #2 with Coker and Horn in the slot. XL? What is that? We should be good in 2026. Morgan does more than draft. Free agency has been strong too. (Just emptying my brain on your comment--sorry)

that is how I see him. He gave up some pressures (a sack too, I think). But he has looked good last few times out. He's about to turn 30. The thing to do is lock up your Left tackle for the next 4-5 years. Lewis and Hunt are on this roster next year, based on their contracts. I don't see them going anywhere soon. Hunt would create $10m in dead cap to cut him in 2027--only $5m in 2028. These deals are likely to be reworked when Bryce is re-signed. I think we need to look for a stud C (I like Mays, so it is not a priority) and a RT to groom behind Moton. Nothing in days 1 or 2, however. A free agent or a day 3 draft pick at both spots. That leaves us with WR, Edge, and ILB as the primary needs. I see WR and Edge as the top positions in this draft. 1. Edge 2. WR--expect Edge in the first, but if the right WR is there, we take him. Do not underestimate Coker's development. I think he breaks out, and Horn could become relevant. Still, a true #2 is needed.

Who intercepted Baker at the end of the game? Did you notice that Jackson was playing NT? I was under the impression that Tmac caught a few balls. I think Evans caught a pass and broke a tackle. Hmmm. Etienne had a solid return or two. Our kicker was clutch. While he made a stupid mistake, Princely played a role. Jimmy Horn had a sweet reverse for a big play. Not sure what about that you missed. When I see our rookies catching passes, interecepting passing, running or returning the ball effectively, and kicking the game winning FG--I think, "Yep. That's Scourton for ya!"

If you need a reason to support the conspiracy theory, the best argument is the Panthers won--forcing a week 18 meaningful game (likely). However, the Panthers were at home and they had the crowd behind them. They had fewer injuries. Bryce turned it over less. etc. However, if it were true, the deliberate attempt to rig games would be leaked by some disgruntled employee, etc. They risk losing the integrity of the game if they were to plan outcomes. More likely, the refs are biased. If I were the ref in a game between the Eagles and Titans, I might be less likely to call a penalty on the eagles. Human nature.

Yup. the rookie contract is an audition. The second contract, if not given to an elite NFL player, is a 2-3 year sentence.

Yes. I think he played QB in high school and was only a factor 1 year at SC. He does not understand the game--and does not show a lot of progress in learning it.

Bryce deserved the criticism he got (and gets). He is improving, and the criticism becomes less frequent and less severe when that happens. TMac is a huge factor, as Dowdle. These two players, along with the highest paid OL in the NFL, has made him better. We can build around a QB on a rookie contract. How will he do when his salary quadruples? Less money for OL, WRs, and defensive players. Nobody talks about the cap--but it is a real factor. Morgan is building a solid team. I want Bryce to succeed. He is a tremendous human being. However, when he sucks, I am not going to kiss his ass.

I think we are going Edge or LB in round 1. Kungfoodude makes good points.

Elite TE is what a Bryce Young QB needs--we get little out of that position. Furthermore, our OL, the highest paid in the league, is ranked somewhere in the middle. Personally, I think TMac, Coker, Legette (to me, he just does not understand the position like he should--he plays a bit slow, does not feel the sidelines, and his route running is not great but has been improving.--still...)

But because they did not call in on Young it does not mean that it wasn't a penalty

The panters are a very dumb football team. Full stop.

Stupid football