MHS831

If you compare him to the OL that were available, we did well. Not to slight the others, but this guy is better, wants to be a Panther (grew up a fan) and will want to stay in Charlotte. I see him here for 10-12 years.

I have JJ Jansen and Zane Gonzalez jerseys in all 3 colors.

The Raider's DC should be fired.

This was similar to the Bucs Saints game-

This.

Just a few years ago we were grimacing at the idea that Cam might cost us over $20m--I think, however, after the Russell Wilsons and the Matt Staffords put teams in financial ruin for a half decade or more, teams will reconsider giving one player 25% of the cap.

Yes, he is a bargain at $25m in 2023 and 2024. I doubt they let him go unless they get a nice package of picks.

If the Lions take a QB, then I say the Panthers might consider going after Goff. We REALLY need a TE, folks. The offense is running at half capacity without one--not saying in round 1--but adding a TE might be better (instantly) than some overrated college QB.

For our sake, let's hope the Lions decide to stay with Goff I honestly believe that it is (at times) better to look through the NFL's QB scrap heap for a gem than to overpay for an aging veteran. I mean, the Rams traded away the farm for a super bowl. The Panthers signed former WFL backup and Saints backup Jake, and they go to a Super Bowl.

When there is no film on them, I do not see their success improving. To me, Minshaw is the vet we should target--he has a good deal of work behind him and he is a DelHomme type gamer.

Baker extends the playbook, if you think about it. "Third down punt" is a new play. Instead of getting grounding calls by throwing it out of bounds from the pocket, just drill the DT in the knee cap with a pass. I was going to think of a third play, but the first two were not funny, so I am bailing.

Not a bad move for LA--they have 4 games or so to see if he fits their system. Kinda like a preseason.

Prolly gonna be the Rams.

I would not be surprised to see him go unclaimed.

How could anyone say, "Releasing Cam?" He was coming off surgery and has never recovered. He would have commanded a $100m salary. I mean, if he went on to take NE to the Super Bowl and was still starting somewhere, I might agree. It was not Rhule who disrespected Cam. It was Ron Rivera (the way he used Cam and the way they avoided spending on an OL). Just my 2c, but signing Cam would have been terrible. Not a Rhule supporter, but there is no room for blind loyalty in the NFL.

But Wilson says, "Let's Ride." I now know what he means. You are right. Agreed.

That is interesting, but (and I know you know this) I hate to compare 2 players with similar features as anything definitive, but that is all we have to go on. So I took a look at Leaf and there is some suggestion that he had a solid RB (1000 yards) and some WRs with ridiculous averages per catch, suggesting that they had high run after catch numbers (Suggesting that the signs may have been there all along). His completion percentages were low. His top 4 WRs in 1997 (2 played in the NFL), caught 164 of 227 (including RBs) passes. They had the following ypc averages: 54 catches with an 18.6 ypc average; 55 catches with a 16.6 average, 33 catches with a 18.1 average, and 22 catches with a 25.9 ypc average. Those are ridiculous per catch averages. I realize that Leaf was a downfield passer, but 52% and 55.4% completion rates for a top draft pick? I did not understand the risk until now. I may have veered from your point, but you usually make me think. TY Source: https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/washington-state/1997-roster.html I think Levi will be a top 5 pick as well.

Honest me: I laughed at the stupidity of the KC GM when the Chiefs traded up to take Mahomes at #10. I did not think Josh Allen would be a good professional. I thought Leaf was equal to Manning during their draft. I thought Lamar Jackson was a wasted pick. I thought Justin Herbert was the next Oregon QB to go Joey Harrington. I thought drafting Cam was necessary, but I did not like it. I have been right a few times, but this demonstrates an honest reaction to my ability to predict what a QB can do. I thought I would post this because there are people on this site who claim to know about drafting QBs. They are always "iffy" at best. That makes it fun, but draft the wrong QB in round 1, and you will give that QB at least 2 years to develop, setting back your turnaround by 2-3 seasons. Do we have the GM to pull this off now? I dunno.

I do not see this either, because Leaf was competing with Peyton Manning to be the #1 overall selection, and opinions were divided. Levis does not carry that kind of pedigree, but 45 usually makes good points, so I will reserve judgement until he responds. Then I will blast him!!

Time to call it a career. I am not sure any team with a QB injury would be interested, considering how poorly he played here. Maybe the Ravens, if he played well against them in the past.

I am guessing Sam and PJ are healthy. It could be that his attitude became problematic-something we'd never know, but probably suspect.

There is a huge difference between 24 and 29, but what bothered me about Baker--in Cleveland, he had a good OL, good D, good rbs and good WRs. He strived to be average. With Darnold, I see the tools--his issue is between his ears--different coaches, systems, no OL, etc. everywhere he has been--so I get it, but you have to evaluate the situation as much as the individual player. This is about the system of support and consistency. Driving on the highway in good weather is not akin to having to off road in a monsoon. I get you--I really do--in deep down inside, I know the odds are against Darnold. But I am an educator who has written books about people who are traumatized and what it takes to save them--you remove the trauma and provide a system of support--it takes time. Maybe that is not effective in the NFL, but if the tools are there and the "demons and ghosts" are exorcised, maybe there is something there. Not that we should leave Darnold as the only option, but your opinion of his driving is when he is late (behind), offroad (blitzed), and confused (lack of consistency and support). For a 24 year old kid in a job that is characterized by vicious attacks and instant gratification expectations, age does matter in my opinion. Just a perspective--I see your points and fear they are accurate.

I am basing this on the fact that he is only 24 and has never really had a team to manage. But if we have realistic options, yes, explore them please. If we draft a QB of the future, you need a bridge qb in most scenarios. Those guys used to be veterans who were squeezing out a few years. It just seems the new QB of the NFL does not permit that as much as it did. And then there is the $$$ a backup costs now--do you pay that $$$ for a 1-year stopgap with a foot in retirement or do you find a developmental player? I Dunno. I am the worst at predicting QB talent in the NFL, but I do know that talent levels tend to fluctuate with support. Throwing under pressure and on the run is a lot different than in a clean pocket. So many young prospects are thrown to the wolves as franchise saviors and they are set up to fail. At 21 years old or so, it must be overwhelming.

If we could add a good TE in round 2 and a RB late, this offense could be solid. Go into the season with a QB group like Levis, Corral, and maybe a veteran with a strong supporting cast-- you do not hire the conductor before you have a strong orchestra.