MHS831

If this draft pans out and in 2 years we have a third rounder, a sixth rounder, and possibly an undrafted free agent playing key roles, that is a coup. Not only was Fitterer trying to find the best free agents and draft picks, he had to be doing so with the idea of re-signing Moton. With DJ Moore, Anderson (Possibly), Darnold, Burns, etc. salaries on the horizon, he has some tough calls to make down the road. For example, Moton reportedly wants LT money. Have the Panthers positioned themselves to accommodate that cost? That loss? Some will say, “But MHS, we are going to have more cap room!!! Frugal GMs that make wise decisions win rings—not big spenders with daddy’s credit card. Taking a look at the roster, you can see the players below (not bolded) who are probably not going to be on the roster in 2022. The only bolded player who could be a free agent in 2022 is Moton, and the rest of the bolded players are signed on reasonable contracts through at least 2023 (at least for 2 more seasons). I wonder if this move gives us more than depth—it gives us options. With that in mind, getting these 3 rookies playing is going to be important even if we do not lock down Moton by July. · C Matt Paradis’ final season as a starter is probably 2021. He is 32 and has a voidable contract after 2021, but it would create $4+m in dead cap for 2022 and 2023, the way I understand it. · RG John Miller’s final season on his contract is 2021. He will be 29. · OT Trenton Scott’s final season on his contract is 2021. He will be 28. · Rookie Contract: OT Greg Little for the 2021 season (he will be cut in 2022 unless he is cut now--we will probably carry 10 OL, and this list has 11…) · OT Taylor Moton’s final season is 2021. He is 27. Expect him to get a contract for 4 years. · Signed LG/C Elflein for 3 years, through 2023. · Signed OL Irving for 2 years, through 2022. · Rookie Contract: LG/OT Dennis Daley through the 2022 season. · Rookie Contract: OT Brady Christenson (2/3 round value) to play LT-through 2024. · We drafted OG Deonte Brown (4th round value) to play RG through 2024. · We signed SR BOWL OG/C Dave Moore (5th round value) to play IOL through 2024. So looking at the group that is guaranteed to be here for the next 2 seasons, IF NO OTHER PLAYERS ARE ADDED AND WE DECIDE THAT MOTON WANTS TOO MUCH $$$, you STILL have a potentially-effective OL: · LT Christensen · LG Elflein (Daley) · C Moore (Elflein) · RG Brown · RT Irving (Daley) It is my opinion that we will re-sign Moton for about $18m per season for 5 years, and Christensen develops into a serviceable lineman—hopefully a LT. I see a day when Elflien is given a shot at C, and Moore and Brown are given guard duties. So if you kept hearing, “We are building the OL, I guess you can say that we drafted 3 players after the second round that can all be starting in a year or two. That is all you ask for. Just trying to keep some fresh perspective on the Huddle folks. Not trying to be an expert, but I am not interested in the fact that Juston Burris is considering changing his shoe size or that the Boston Celtics offered us a future pick to move up for a guard. This is real, and you can almost see the plan unfolding.

That and there was an article in a local paper in Iowa that was bragging how he'd overcome his "learning disability." Most of the articles I read were treating this as if they were making a second round investment--but where we are getting him--and with this staff--NOT WORRIED. This supports the colts position on Fansided a few days before the draft--referencing the Atlantic, they call NIXON a "day 2 steal" which suggests he has first round potential. 2. Daviyon Nixon is fading fast While Christian Barmore, who is facing his own slide, is regarded as the best defensive tackle in this class, Nixon is making a strong case for the No. 2 spot, as the Iowa All-American showed that he’s one of the best athletes at his position. Nixon is starting his own perilous descent down draft boards, as Bob McGinn of The Athletic (subscription required) claims that teams are concerned about his behavior off the field, with some reportedly taking him off of their board altogether. Could the Colts be willing to give up on this Day 2 steal because of his past? Nixon’s reported transgressions include a “dorm-room incident” in the summer of 2018, even though he was not found liable for any wrongdoing. Regardless, several teams have either removed him from their board or expressed moderate to severe concerns with him,..

To be honest, I had seen Marshall going as high as 19 to that Football Team that shall not be Named. So I really think we would have taken him regardless---except we really wanted Christensen--and hoped that the medicals would cause Marshall to continue to plummet---but I think we did the right thing regardless. I am really looking forward to seeing how we do against the NFC South this year--I think we have met the challenge.

OK, did the Saints not think we were interested in signing Tommy Stevens to an undrafted free agent contract so they drafted him late in the 7th last year? Agents and players are in communication with the teams. I am guessing that is where leaks come from. My agent told me St. Louis might call. Ahole. If she weren't my niece....

I think they should be allowed to wear fractions, numbers with decimals in them, and square roots. But that's just me. Of course, square routes / roots are for WRs only. Damn--this weekend is going to be full of comedy.

For those of you who read my posts, you know that I am the first to say if I don't understand something. Said that about the defense just recently--but when I have something to share, perspectives from being a coach or player in college, I do what I can---realizing that the difference between my experience and the NFL is huge. As for the point about his receiving--from what I have seen, he has "unsure" hands--fixed by experience. Catching a pass in the backyard or at the beach is a lot different than catching a pass that is being drilled toward you while your head is looking back to the ball and there is a LB or SS taking an angle so that he knocks the numbers off your jersey at the moment it hits your hands in front of thousands of people. Having said that, knowing how to run routes gets separation, and when you have 3-4 other teammates on the field that are bigger threats than you, it means you can fly beneath the radar. The secret for a tight end is to recognize who is covering you during your first two steps and tilting his balance favorably as you break into your route. Get explosion, turn your head as your hands find the ball, snatch it, and get it into your rib cage and cradle it asap. Again, while exploding away from contact, not going into a fetal position expecting to be hit. Wesley Walls was this program's second best TE ever, but once he made the catch, he was done in most cases--he fell for no reason. I never liked that because it went against all I was ever taught. But he had a long career, I got eliminated from the game as a red shirt sophomore. Blocking is harder because you have to anticipate and take angles where you think another guy is going to be and when you expect to meet him there. Then you have to beat him because he is sure going to try to destroy you. And defensive guys are the toughest, meanest, athletes on the field. I do not like them. So yes, blocking is very difficult--and frankly, it is not as glorious as catching a pass for a TD. The crowd rarely cheers for your blocking, so there is a lack of selfish motivation to do it. Aside from winning the play and game, the main motivation is to not do something so bad the coach runs it back and forth 20 times in the film room while your teammates laugh and he curses. That is the worst. So I see Tremble as a player who could become a dominant TE because what he has perfected, few do well. Where he needs to improve, many do. So are you are wondering if I was a good college player? No. Being average was my goal. I almost made it.

That is a Joe Horn sperm from 2 decades ago.

If we had not beaten Washington, we would have been able to trade up for Wilson. I read we liked Lawrence and Wilson. NY was not 100% sold on the idea of abandoning Darnold, and they would have taken a first rounder in 2021, 2022 and maybe a second in 2022 (what Darnold cost us) to move up. But had we made the Darnold trade, I have to think we would have traded back---and still tried to acquire a #1 CB. Here is why--there (in my opinion) were only 2 #1, lock down/zone/press etc. corners. I said this before the draft in mid April---as much as I love Pitts and Sewell, we HAD to have a #1 CB to put on the WRs in this division. And our CBs were KILLING us last year. 71% completion rate against us outside the numbers....who sucks that bad? So trading back would have been a given. If not an option, we take Sewell. elite LT > TE/WR/Star

I wanted to bring this kid to everyone's attention because he is Rhule's find and lets see what he does with him.

Aside from his athleticism, I see that he is smart too. How could a smart safety with a 42" vertical, 4.5 speed, and an 11 foot 3 inch broad jump help anyone? I see the appeal. Lets see what Rhule does with him. Most likely camp fodder, but he has the goods if he can put them all together.

Oh, and not to be a smartass, but this post was not asking us basement-dwelling "Mom, MEATLOAF" yelling crowd to assess his talent; it was about how his talent caught the eye of someone who develops players like this successfully for a living. I find it interesting that Rhule was probably there to see Horn and both Smith and Ibe fell into his pocket.

He was a transfer from Rice and played a total of 14 games at USC--but I too am a USC fan and he was not special in that system. Did they ever try him at nickel? In a 3-3-5? Just talking fit here. He is an athlete---and someone smart enough to see it, someone known for developing unloved talent into winners signed him. That we know. The fact that Musgrave did not is possibly another issue. He makes the PS--in my opinion---and a lot of those guys get a chance by the end of the season.

Maybe, but Rhule seems to think he can coach and mold kids with athletic ability. He does not count on college to be the minor leagues--he knows some really good athletes are misused, don't fit, etc. I think he is looking for these players to develop as opposed to throwing players against a wall to see who sticks. That was the Hurney way (remember RG? DT?--hell, CB and QB?).

He may be--but if we run 3 S sets--or maybe the try Ibe as the nickle, or maybe he is depth and special teams only--- He transferred from Rice and maybe he was not a good fit there--who knows? We know that he is an athlete, and Rhule and Co. pride themselves on developing players. I think Chinn could play FS and then step up into a LB/SS role and a FS come it--I really do not get the system.

I hear we were looking at a Kicker in the first but went with Horn instead.

J.T. IBE: CAMP FODDER OR THE REASON WE DID NOT DRAFT A SAFETY? So you may be wondering where this JT Ibe signing came from. Or you may not, but if you have read to this point, you are now. The important thing is this--remember, we like athletes. That has been the MO for the entire offseason. In fact, we drafted 2 Gamecocks and signed a third in one off season. Here is how that happened, but if pro day workouts are your thing, you are going to love JT IBE. MARCH 24, 2021 SOUTH CAROLINA GAMECOCK PRO DAY It was Wednesday, in Columbia, SC for the Gamecock pro day. There were six General Managers in attendance (Bills, Broncos, Packers, Titans, Cardinals, and Dolphins) and 2 head coaches-- Mike Vrabel (with his GM) and Matt Rhule, of the Carolina Panthers. JAYCEE HORN: Horn does what Horn does. He runs a 4.37, benches 225 19 times, a 41.5 inch vertical, and has an 11.1 broad jump. Studsmanship earned. Rhule likey. SHI SMITH: Smith would also catch Matt Rhule's attention that day, obviously. More of a gamer than a workout warrior, but he has a solid day as well: Shi Smith runs a 4.43, does not bench, a 36 inch vertical, and a 10.3 broad jump. His hands are great in passing drills. Good trip, right? Not so fast. JT IBE: Among the 14 players is JT Ibe, a S on the Gamecock roster the year before who had been invited--a Free Safety. Since we drove all this way, Rhule thought, let's see the rest of them. Ibe runs a 4.5, (good for a free safety), and posts a 42 inch vertical, and has an 11.3 broad jump. He did not bench, but none of the pre-2020 players did. He is 5'10.5" and weighed in at 194. APRIL 6, 2021 Less than 2 weeks later, JT Ibe signs with the Carolina Panthers. Based on these numbers and the fact that we passed over some FS candidates, I am not so sure that they think Ibe is camp fodder. https://247sports.com/college/south-carolina/Article/South-Carolina-Gamecocks-football-Pro-Day-results-2021-163024404/

I think "The TE" is a position here, not a person. I think you are going to see 3 or 4 filling different roles.

Sam Darnold ,makes the pro bowl

I see 11, 12 wins. Yes. That is what I see because I just typed it.

With a name like Mr Scot, we all assumed you were.

Any one else find yourself wondering if this guy is wearing pants? I am impressed that a Brit knows so much about American football. Hats off to him--pants back on, however. I have standards.

I will be honest--I do not pretend to know what we need on defense any more. I used to be able to say, "Boy, we need a DT"---and then I went to HurnMart and got me McClain and Fua on the grab rack. I used to say, "We need a free safety," then Amahurn sent me Hakuri Nakamura, an order that took 30 days to arrive. These days, with the hybrids and the 3-3-5 and big nickel and stuff--I have no idea.

Not on your watch, huh Trainwreck?

Good one, but we should probably not say the same thing when we sign Deonta Brown. (chew, chew...) I am on fire.