MHS831

Some of you act as if some young person is even in a position to consider the logical, long-term implications of playing football---you gotta look at the big picture. 1. Since Pee Wees, you have been elite--the talk of the town. It becomes your identity. Fans, girls, news articles, etc. It is addictive. 2. People are drawn to things they do well--the feed off the rush of being really good at something. You don't work that hard for that long and simply walk away from it. 4. You do not compare yourself to others--you really think you are elite. The elevator goes both ways--as you rise, you eliminate people along the way (competition). You don't think about the day you reach the point when you are not able to eliminate people because they are as good or better than you--you have never had that experience before. Eventually, all athletes die young. You do not think about that day. Like death, you know it is going to happen to you, but you do not think it is going to happen to you today. The arrogance of youth, the blindness of the moment. In your mind, you are invincible, immortal. It is the mindset of a gladiator, as someone else pointed out. 3. When I was being recruited by colleges, I had academic offers to go to college without having to play football. I remember telling my father (who played at South Carolina and in the CFL) "I don't want to turn 40 one day, look back, and regret not playing when I had the tools." (I did not think about turning 40, looking back and thinking, "Boy, that was dumb!") Funny, I used to think my life was football. Now I realize that it didn't start-couldn't start-until football was over. Life is so ironic.

Isn't dumbass two words? The fact that it is illustrates your point, and the fact that I had to ask means I am a dumbass too.

I used to get shots in a shoulder for an entire season in college, now 2 surgeries later, I have a pin in it and about 50% range of motion. It makes me grunt when I open and close the car door, which gets on my wife's nerves. I played 2 years in HS and 2 in college--and I am banged up as a result and to be honest, I was glad it was over when it ended--I cannot imagine what it is like to play 4 years in college and 10 in the NFL---those guys are paying for it later. I heard a trainer (in college) tell me that she was researching injuries--you are 10x more likely to suffer a severe injury in college than you were in HS, and 10x more likely to suffer a serious injury in the NFL compared to college. Not sure where she got the data, but it stayed with me.

When I think of Ebron, I think of a guy who drops easy passes when they are most needed....Maybe not fair, but I can't get that out of my head. What is he, about 30?

I have always said this, because we measure the wrong stuff. For example, a Safety has a 4.4 40 time but takes .43 seconds to read a play and begin reacting to it. Another player has a 4.6 40 time but reacts in .22 seconds. Who is faster? This does not take into account that the guy with the faster reaction time might also "gain speed" in terms of projected angles, calculated gambles, etc. In all likelihood, the first Safety is a first or second rounder. The second guy goes day 3.

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.