MHS831

Here is how I see it---draft players that are expensive--QBs, for example. In free agency, sign the players that are not that expensive. That way, at expensive positions you have a percentage of players on rookie deals, and you are not overpaying for veterans. If QBs are $40m and I can have one on the roster for an average of $8m over 5 years, then it is better than having a rookie TE for 5 years at an average salary of $7m when the TE vets make $12m.

OK, here is a list of my demands....

Exactly my sentiments. 27 years old--talented--should not cost too much.

People, the "plan" is not to do one thing--it is to examine your options. If you are closing your mind to a possibility while criticizing others for not sharing you're elite football acumen, then you are kinda coming off like a spoiled child. Just say you don't know and your skeptical--that is fine--but to act like people who think Hooker is a sure-fire bust and anyone who thinks differently is an idiot--I am not sure the effect you were hoping for is working to your advantage.

Every year there are players that scare me because I fear we will draft them. Levis is that guy this year--I would rather have AR. With Levis I see a nomad with a cardboard sign in his hand, standing at the intersection of Hope and Despair. (dramatic ending to my post)

I see what you are saying and you have a point, but you are saying it as if you know the answer and others don't--. Here is the other side of the coin you are flipping and screaming that you know it is going to land on your side-- You would get a mature QB who can develop for a season and compete for the starting job. Let's say his first contract covers years 26-29. You pay him a rookie contract during his prime. The average QB in the NFL lasts 4.4 years, so age is only a factor if he succeeds. If he does, you give him a second contract wherein he plays until he is 34. https://thesportsdaily.com/news/what-is-the-average-length-of-an-nfl-career-by-position/ Instead of paying some kid to learn to shave while he is on his rookie contract. I think maturity plays a role in the first round QB bust rate. Lotta pressure on a kid to come to city and turn them into a winner. As a second to third rounder to compete for the job, he is actually a good value with as much of a chance to start as anybody. As for the gimmick offense argument people are making--that is what they said about Auburn in 2010 or so. Hooker had no control over the offense, and all he did was excel. Look at the player instead. If you put Pat Mahomes in the Tennessee offense, would his stats have been better? In the past 2 seasons, Hooker stats: 58 TDs and 5 Ints. Averaging about 69%. He is 6-4 220--perfect size. Here is a pretty good assessment of Hooker: https://www.downtownrams.com/single-post/2023/02/18/hendon-hooker-nfl-draft-scouting-report-draft-profile/

Probably did not want to open the flood gates for the Newton Nut Huggers to start their "third coming of Cam" posts.

There are many ways to go about it, and this scenario is logical. This is going to be an interesting off-season. Unfortunately for Panther fans, the off-season is when we experience hope and suspense.

Gotta be careful--60% of those were first rounders.

I appreciate the effort, if that matters.

Didn't fitterer extend his contract and give him about $15m per?

How can you call yourself Chosen when you are traded during the third quarter of a game after getting benched at halftime? (for all you fact checkers, that was a joke)

I imagine Indy has a guy in mind and will try to trade up with Chicago. They are the only team that can probably afford to make that trade. We need to see free agency

I agree. All we see is teams going "all in" on a QB in the draft or free agency and getting burned. I am of the mindset to let them fight over the QBs and trade back a few spots--add a TE, DB, and draft a QB later. Hooker (everyone says he is a system QB, and that is part of it--but the defense was game planning vs. that system too) or Hall or Tune later might turn out to be the best investment. We really need a TE--Darnold, Baker needed a TE. It does so much to the defense when you have to put a DB on a TE and shadow the QB.

I would be shocked, but until free agency plays out, it is hard to gauge.

I just see the tea leaves spelling out that we are going to aggressively pursue a QB in this draft.

If we are this aggressive going after the coaches, how aggressive do you think we'll be going after a QB? Discuss.

I think the players they like for this offense: Stroud, Levis. I am not sure Young is the guy, and he could fall as a result of his not being tall enough to ride 50% of the rides at Carowinds. If AR is there at 9 and they have not moved, I think they could go after him, but I expect him to be scrutinized by scouts / GMs by April and he will drop to the end of Round 1.

Reading the tea leaves It just seems as though we are preparing to go with a young QB, and there must be a guy or two in this draft they like. Here is my thinking (with my brain): 1. The staff is built around developing a QB 2. The CMC trade was to give them the coins to move up in the draft. 3. With Next year's expected cap situation, trading a first rounder this year (if needed) would not be as big a hit in 2024 as it may have in other years. 4. Fitterer likes the idea of having a starting QB on a rookie deal for 4-5 years. 5. While he had some success, acquiring retreads at QB has not been the long term solution in Reich's case.

I used to go watch a few OTAs each year and I noticed that players tend to hang around their buddies when possible during the moments when they could. They'd warm up together, for example. Smitty did not seem to have any personal relationships with teammates---except 1, and to me, it was the last person you'd expect. Smith would warm up with this person at the back, and they would be talking the entire time--Every time I went to see them. I was so close, I could almost hear them, but you could tell from facial expressions that they liked each other. The other player? John Kasay.

A Joseph Conrad reference? Impressive

It is ok to voice an opinion, but when half of the QBs drafted in the first round bust and few second rounders ever produce, it is because GMs and their scouts can't predict NFL success for college QBs that effectively. So please do not call someone "dumb" for having an opinion that differs from yours. This aint middle school (or maybe it could be).

Having encountered Smith a few times, I can endorse the fact that he is an asshole. He has the MHS Grade A++ Gold-plated seal as a 5'7" custard launcher and advanced certification in Rectal Spelunking. Here is what everyone forgets about Smitty: Name a rookie WR who did well here while he was here? I saw him verbally abuse Dwayne Jarrett all day long at an OTA--Spoke to Jarrett about it after the practice, and he was biting his lip he was so pissed off. He slapped my hand when I offered it to support him, and he slapped it hard. It made me think about Smith's altercations with teammates (fists). I know Clausen sucked, but he went after him in public-not the professional way of addressing that issue. While his stats and performance as a player were solid, what did it cost this team because he sucks as a person and teammate? Hard to say.

He is his own agent Almost as bad as what the say about the person who represents themselves in court has a fool for a client. The devil is in the details.

At this point, it is like arguing whether Pocahontas was a willing participant in the John Smith fling. It don't matter now. Time to let it go. At least this is not as bad as the Annual Green Bay Packer QB off season attention grab...AR learned a lot from BF.