MHS831

Rumors are significant--sure, you may think Rhule is not going anywhere--and that is probably right--but nobody assigned you the duty of telling others what to think--and you clicked on the thread--so go figure things out.

If you are not native American, the name probably did not offend you. Imagine that.

If you think about it--the Buffalo Bills is a dumber name--named after a singular folk hero. It would be like The Colts being called the "Indiana Joneses" Soon the name will not matter.

OT is good for this draft and there are starting-quality LTs there if we trade back.

I think Bernhard Raimann from Central Mich is better.

The way he grabs people and throws them to the ground reminds me of Rivera talking about a small-school lineman we drafted in the second round--Amini Silatolu.

Does Jimmy G realize that most winning teams don't need an average QB?

Based on what I see on film, you could make that argument.

This hire is the most impressive so far.

when you use sign language to say, "Hello Ladies" and they have to put on their reading glasses to see it---hard to overcome that ice breaker.

I actually met him wondering around at Belk while his wife was shopping. Nice guy. Later I learned that his daughter (I think) and my son were in the same class---so that is all you need to know. He must be hired. Seriously--we had Buck and Jenkins and Peppers and (maybe) Rucker.

If they said, "Dirt from Rhule's plot." It would be more engaging. Dang. I just offended myself.

] Whew. Thank goodness we are not in the middle of all that offseason drama.

Personally, I think we need to get Tepper's ring size. Because when that finger goes up our poo holes while we cringe in pain, we will know how much we need to brace ourselves. Sorry if too graphic. I am at the age when this dynamic is a part of my life now.

No offense to him, but this must be pretty political. This also means it will cost more to re-sign him.

Pure LT, but a good one. Top 15? If so, we could trade back and still get a franchise LT---gotta watch this. An option should we trade back. (This guy really loves him)

They really are in a "no win" situation. However, I do not think the people who will be making the decision will think long term--and they know Darnold is horse poopie. We can address (at least on paper) the OL with BC, Moton, Elflien + 4th round C, and maybe Brown if we sign a higher-end G or two. No win---Rhule has been check mated. This is what Fitterer might do--based on a few variables. It is easy for us to say--"get your QB in 2023" but if you are Rhule and Fitterer, there is no 2023. So what will they do? To me, there are some backups who might be ready to start and see Carolina as a place that is wide open: Mariota, Minshew, Trubiski--and we could hope to find a Jake Delhomme that way--I think they all need a system that plays to their skill sets, but that is true for about all QBs-- Rhule has tipped his hand a bit--"investing in OL" and "gonna develop a run game" so maybe he plans to reduce the pressure on Sam. Maybe that is his plan--that and waiting for the Michigan job to open.

I think nothing makes sense where we are sitting (wanting to build a winner) but from their sofa cushions, year three is "win now" or go home--gonna be interesting to see how they react to it. Darnold cant read a defense, he is only comfortable throwing half of the route tree and that may be too nice.

Thought I would plunge into Scott's Brain to see what might be going on. Key Variables Although the Panthers are not saying it as loud as they should, we need a Quarterback more than any other position because you cannot win without one. We also need an offensive line and a few other pieces. So where will we do our shopping? A QB in free agency: That sounds great, but there is one problem. A top end, game changing QB ain't coming to Charlotte right now. Small market, three consecutive 5-win seasons, terrible OL... So do we hope to find a QB in a bad situation and make him great by building around him? Like we did Teddy? Like we did Cam? Like we did Sam? A QB in the draft: Every year we pick in the top 10 and do not take a QB, careers rest on the success rate of those that we did not take--for a DT, a CB, etc. If Fields or Jones become solid starting QBs, it looks bad--yes, we have other needs, but what need is bigger than QB? What if we take OT Cross this year and he does well at LT--and we leave Pickett on the board (for example) and he takes his team to the playoffs? Will people say, "Scott. That Cross was one helluva pick!" Nope. They will say, "Hey dumbass--you passed on QB again and they are now kicking your ass." Did we really think we had the answer in Darnold? That makes the brain trust look stupid about talent evaluation. This year, there is a good chance that the Panthers will have their choice of the QBs at #6--do they pass over a QB again? I do not see it--I see possibly trading back and taking a QB, but I do not see a QB in free agency and I do not see one in the draft after round 1--maybe even in round 1. It is a bad predicament. A look at the Offensive line: While the smart move is to draft an elite OT, that automatically makes this third year of Rhule the first year of a two-year turnaround. So let's say we draft a T and maybe a G later; what about QB? Darnold will be in the last year of his deal and will not be re-signed and your only reserve is a good XFL player (or whatever that league was called). So if you wait to draft a QB in 2023, you have to draft a stud who can start day 1. No learning curve; no developmental grace period. He starts because that is all we have. We know that Brady Christensen has some skills that suggest he can start at LT--he just needs some technique to be coached into him. We know that we can find a pair of higher-end guards in free agency for less than the cost of a QB. Elflein is not overpowering by any means, but he has starting NFL experience at C. I think the team will draft a center in round 4 and sign at least 1 (maybe 2) guards in free agency. I think, with this being a "need to win now" year for Rhule, they will be forced to do address the OL in free agency and draft a QB. Even if the QB is not ready in 2022, he would be developing this year. If you do not like him, you can draft another one in 2023 or sign a free agent when you have the cap room. I am not sure what I would do---I am saying, "These are the variables in Fitterer's head, and if you analyze them, you can make a calculated guess as to what he might do." Rhule's hot seat is also in play; they are not looking 2-year turnaround. He knows he must win in year 3 like he did in college. This offseason is going to be interesting. Men will be made or destroyed based on decisions they have to make.

This thread probably should be moved out of the NFL DRAFT board.

we should pin a thread like this.

Predicting Rhule has been exhausting, but if he goes with a proven winner, we are investing $40m per-and as you say-who would come to this joke of a franchise right now? Small Market, 3 consecutive years of 5-win seasons, and a coach on the hot seat (we hope).

I just think that if they do sign a free agent again and fail to draft a QB again, all hell is going to break loose. The list of QBs we pass on will become larger and more distinctive as we continue NOT drafting a QB. When Fields has a good year--when Jones has another winning season... Maybe a bit off topic because no QB in this draft will be ready to start day 1, but I think a line and some offseason ball enhancement may help Darnold enough to play until a rookie is ready. If Pickett is there at #6, for example, and we do not pick him, and he goes on to become a Joe Burrow-ish NFL QB--people will lose their jobs over that. Same with Howell, who I think could end up being the best of the bunch (Not a UNC fan, but a good OL and WRs make him very dangerous). I expect the following: The Panthers will not go after another free agent QB. They will sign a Guard or two in free agency and develop BC as the LT. Elflein will play center. (NOT SAYING THIS IS MY PLAN--but when the reality of the situation takes hold--when you look at the big picture--they may be forced to do something like this). BC does not come off as a guard--too much finesse. He will start in 2022, and he will start at LT. When the dust settles, that is what they will do. I know there are other options, but if they think BC can be a serviceable LT, they will address G in free agency. That means at #6 they either take the #1 QB on their board or trade back. If they trade back, they may take the best QB then as well. I just do not see us bypassing a QB again.

I was watching the Panthers/Pats preseason game his rookie year. I went with some guys i used to coach high school football with---Bledsoe went out of the game after the first quarter, and I said, "Guys--this #12 is better than Bledsoe." They mocked me for that comment the rest of the night--on the drive home--the next day at school...When I reminded them of it a few years later, they could not remember.

I think if you tell him that he will be a LT (I do not see him as a guard, frankly, because he is more of a finesse player) during the offseason and you work with him starting now---he will improve. Brady is borderline starting LT now--with some work, he can be an average LT in 2022. How the new OL coach and OC see this might determine who we draft.