MHS831

It is about football--not Christmas....Drop (as in passes) deep (as a deep pass) pigskins (footballs) and (oil) making them slippery. It was a joke--play on words. Relax. Not meant to offend or be about Christmas.

Here is some low-hanging fruit for you all. Thought I would pile on. However, I am not pessimistic about XL. (I'm gonna regret this) Tracks 1. (Title Track) Season's Greetings y'all; was that the ball? 2. Drop Dem Deep Fried Pigskins in Oil 3. I Will Be Dropping By and Slants for Christmas 4. Better Not Cry, Better Not Pout; At least I Run a Good Route 5. I Rented a Tux But Missed the Christmas Ball 6. Butterfingers in My Stocking 7. Juggle Balls Rock 8. Spike the Punch because I ain't Spiking the Ball 9. O Come all Ye Footbawls 10. Frosty the No Hands

Part of me really likes what Steve is about and I get it---his dog eat dog attitude took him places, but it can get out of control at times....I never walked in his shoes, but he is a very complex person. I used to go to OTAs every year--and Steve practiced then like it was the Super Bowl...He is great with kids, felt the adults were trying to use his name for profit--and many were. He has shown regret for his actions, but when you have one gear, you cross some finish lines first and you make some road kill along the way. I guess his transition to the "real world" has been a reflective process.

He must have matured. We all grow up--well, I am working on it

Looks like he got injured. Gonna be out a while.

To me, mediocrity is worse than losing because you get stuck with mid-round draft picks. we need a few star players. I want to see us with a star ILB and defensive QB to run the team and call blitz audibles at the LOS--it is our tradition--Beason, Mills, Morgan, Luke. We need a Free Safety who can do the same in the defensive backfield--Minter comes to mind. We need a QB who is a true leader--Delhomme and Newton, for example--I worry that Bryce falls short in that area, but he is trying. We need a stud RB or two--and I think we have one and one who stays in the Blue Cross tent. We need a stud TE--Walls, Olsen. Sanders? Not yet. And we need a dominant edge. Peppers, Hardy, Rucker, CJ, for example. And we have never won without a decent to good OL. We have that now. We need 2 WRs who can get open and make big plays and move sticks. Two Alphas. We need one or two now. Have I given up on XL like some here? Nope. In relation to the other Rookies from the 2024 draft, he is where he should be, and I think he has more upside because he is so raw. We have a stud DT, RB, OL, and CB. In one offseason, I see us improving at Edge, WR, ILB, and DT. I would try to re-sign CB Mike Jackson. If Bryce continues to improve we could be competitive next year. I think that the reasonable play is to compete by 2025, playoffs by 2026.

Same thought.

Except Kasay, strangely enough.

I have a theory. For most of our time here, Marty was the GM. He was solid in the first round. He then, in the second round, would say, "We had a first round grade on him." Everette Brown was one--Clausen was another....I ask, "If they had a first round grade, why did he fall?" He said that about Clausen--KC and Minnesota did not have a QB during that draft and they passed on Clausen in the first round--and in the second. That should have been a red flag--what did they know that Hurney did not know? That was also the Armanti Edwards draft. So in round 2, if a player drops, find out why other teams are passing. It could be that they have other needs, but KC and Minn needed QBs and skipped on Clausen. This is AFTER MH spent the evening between rounds 1 and 2 trying to give the Rams the team's first rounder (the following year) and the second rounder that year to move up to take Clausen at 33. That is how you get into trouble--read the room.

I have said this before, but I watched Steve Smith bully the hell out of Dwayne Jarrrett at OTAs---and the coaches let him do it. Steve is a narcissistic munchkin--there were not any WRs who were drafted here who prospered after Smith was drafted-I recall him embarrassing Jimmy Clausen in public, punching 2 teammates, and I watched him bully at least 1 WR. He was not a good teammate-he sucked as a person, in my limited view. However, at 5'8" and 200 lbs, maybe that was necessary for him to be great.

Wasn't Mushin Muhammad a second rounder?

Very solid points. If you aren't in the market for a QB, and I don't think we are in round 1, the field is pretty level through about pick 20. Just depends on what you need. By the way, I probably would not insert backup OL while we have Bryce in the game--I want to see more of Plummer because his preseason game was solid--want to see more. Not a fan of holding onto Dalton. People on this board have been subtly critical of Mays at C moving forward. I am pleasantly surprised by his play there. At 25 and in a new position, he has done well. Most importantly, the psychology of losing out would carry over - to your point. What may help you in the draft hurts you in free agency. People need to step back when they can and see the big picture. I feel that we are turning the corner. I feel that Bryce is finally showing signs of getting it. I still say grab Indiana's Rourke in the third or so--

I think you have to--I have not been reading up on these people, but is Allar gaining ground? PFF (last week) rated Jalen Milroe the top overall QB. There will be one or two that do. I see it. Someone will rise because in that group of teams listed above, the Raiders, Giants, Browns, Jets, Titans--5 of the top 9, will be in the market. I really like the sleeper potential in this draft--and when teams start digging, QBs will fly up the board--(Crazy statement: Once thought to be a very weak draft could become one of the best in the NFL). What happened to Beck? Some say he has pro skills. Nussmeier has NFL talent. Quinn Ewers kept a Manning on the bench and led a winning team 2 years in a row--injury prone? Personally, I think Rourke would be a good fit here, with his quick release. He ended the college football season with the #1 passer rating. I think the analysts (internet GMs) are getting the QB position this season totally wrong. I see all of the QBs as developmental, but I see the potential. 1. Ward I have not seen enough, but the dual threat QB who is pretty accurate is not as common as one thinks. Giants or Raiders, but watch the Browns. 2. Sanders (He looks like a system QB to me--good athlete, throws a good ball--why can't I buy in? In the age of NIL, he is a college QB wearing a hand towel with a metalic gold "$" embroidered onto it. I do not want a person who measures himself and separates himself from his teammates that way. Sorry, but what is he going to be like if he is average and his second contract is due? Maybe I am wrong to think that way, but I do. 3. Ewers (Plays under pressure and is smart. 21. I like the way he won at Texas knowing that if he had a bad game there was a Manning behind him. Injuries are a concern) 4. Allar (I think he needs another year and will stay in school. He is not yet 21) 5. Rourke (from Canada. Maybe he would fit into the Carolina backfield, Aye? Highest rated passer in NCAA this season. 24 years old, however) 6. Nussmeire (mental discipline is his issue--takes too many unnecessary chances--skills are there) 7. Milroe--Eh. I see the tools.

On paper, you are right, but mathematically, the worst teams in the NFL win one in four at least half the time--I think we could win 3 down the stretch--or revert back to the old Panthers. I also think that we need to play Caleb Farley, Smith-Wade (we have been), Jaden Crumedy, and I might bring Andrew Raym and Plummer up from the PS to see how they do should the Panthers get a big lead or get blown out--I think we need to try to win, but there are moments when you can assess the roster for the offseason--I think we have not done a good job with that in the past. Moral victories are important, but so is knowing what you have on the roster entering free agency and the draft. Good post--makes me think about a different perspective--even if it is totally wrong and void of logic Nah, I see it.

CURRENT DRAFT ORDER 1. Raiders 2-11 (SOS .538) Remaining Schedule: Raiders have a chance to win 1 more game, maybe 2, but 1 is probably a reach with Ridder as the QB. Revenge game vs. Atlanta, Lowly Jacksonville, and struggling New Orleans--I am guessing they could win 1. Predicted finish 3-14. 2. Giants 2-11 (SOS .542) Remaining Schedule: If the Giants are going to find a win, it will probably not be until December 29 vs. Indy at home. I think they will lose out, however. Predicted finish: 2-15. 3. Patriots 3-10 (SOS .462) Remaining schedule: If the Patriots are going to win another game, it will be at home vs. Buffalo on January 5. Buffalo will likely be resting starters. I think the Pats will want a win and get it. Predicted finish 4-13. 4 Panthers 3-10 (SOS .484) Remaining Schedule: Carolina hosts the Cowturds (I just made that up) this week. Dallas has 1 win vs. 6 road losses this year, and the Panthers are playing better. All odds suggest the Cats win--I think it is a coin toss. I do not see a win down the home stretch, but Tampa and Atlanta are possible. Predicted finish: 4-13. 5. Jaguars 3-10 (SOS .489) Remaining schedule: Jags have the opportunity to win 4 of 4 down the stretch with their backup QB. I think the Jets beat them, but they will win vs. Tennessee and possibly Vegas and Indy. Predicted finish: 5-12 6. Titans 3-10 (SOS .511) Remaining Schedule: The Titans should have a decent chance of winning their remaining games; I give them 1 win down the stretch, however. They will beat Indy or Jags. Predicted finish: 4-13. 7. Jets 3-10 (SOS .516) Remaining Schedule: Jets travel to Jax to play Jags Sunday. I think they win it, lose the next three. Predicted Finish: 4-13. 8. Browns 3-10 (SOS .525) Remaining schedule: The tea leaves show no more wins for Cleveland. Predicted finish: 3-14. 9. Bears 4-9 (SOS .566) Remaining Schedule: Where is another win coming from? Predicted finish, 4-13. PREDICTED DRAFT ORDER USING CURRENT STRENGTHS OF SCHEDULE (SOS): 1. Giants 2-15 (.543) Primary Need: Quarterback. Gotta be Ward, doesn't it? 2. Cleveland 3-14 (.525) Primary Need: Quarterback or OT depending on their position on Watson--never have a better opportunity to draft a QB. They could go Hunter, and if Sanders is the only QB left, Daddy Sanders has been pushing for Vegas. Eli Manning to Chargers situation again? 3. Raiders 3-14 (.538) Quarterback--if not there, Hunter CB. 4. Patriots 4-13 (.462) Wide Receiver--this makes it interesting for Panthers--if they take TMc, what to do? 5. Panthers 4-13 (.484) Edge or Wide Receiver. 6. Titans 4-13 (.511) Wide Receiver or OT 7. Jets 4-13 (.516) Defensive Tackle 8. Bears 4-13 (.566) Offensive Tackle 9. Jaguars 5-12 (.489) Cornerback

Baker sucks in Cleveland, Carolina--but look good in LA and then Tampa Bay. It is the system--the team--more than people realize. Goff sucks in LA to a lesser degree and is probably headed to a Super Bowl in Detroit and is solid in Detroit. Rogers is a hall of famer in GB but in NY, he has been terrible. Geno Smith sucked in NY (Jets) and is doing well in Seattle. Russell Wilson is great in Seattle, Bad for the most part in Denver, and is better in Pittsburgh. D. Watson was good in Houston and is now bad in Cleveland. It is more system, play calling, surrounding talent, defense, etc. than people realize.

So Cousins is good in Minnesota, Darnold sucks. Cousins goes to Atlanta, he sucks. Darnold goes to Minnesota, and he is good.

I think it is a combination of both. He is a physical specimen, no doubt, but he is also rather innocent and perhaps mentally frail, in my guesstimate based on what I have seen from him. He is not polished. He is not confident. He played 5 years but saw the field 1, based on what I recall. That is why I did not want to draft him, but he is a Panther and I wish him the best. It gets in your head when you drop one ball--but he dropped 3 and lost the team the game. Man. You have to put it behind you, because if you don't, you will be behind the guy behind you.

There are way to many variables to statistically measure the play, and ultimately, wins matter and nothing else does. However, KC? Philly? Tampa? all close games vs playoff teams (probably) with a QB who was left for dead and asked to play without multiple combinations of his top 5 WRs who were on the roster at the beginning of the year. This ain't Disney. We could beat Dallas--how many would have said that week 3? We have a 34-year old white dude from Minnesota state who probably cant run a 4.8 today, an undrafted free agent from Holy Cross, a very raw WR with one season of college experience-and a wr best known for his special teams abilities. Our best TE is a fourth round rookie. During that time, we lost the #1 WR, the expected #2/3 WR (Mingo), and the slot to injury. Average is damn good right now---and when the defense gets Brown back and fills some holes, we could be better than average. Again, this aint Disney.

We were decimated by injuries and we were getting blown out. Bryce threw for 300 yards in his first four games--2 after being benched. But he stepped up during the Denver game--his fifth--and since then, has thrown for 1270 yards in six games--many more passes down field. Yet some cherry picking stat critics want to point out that he is averaging a 59% completion rate. That is right--but he is throwing it downfield--which is how his average improved from 75 yards per game (games 1-4) to 210 yards per game (his last six starts). Does that send him to Canton? No. Pro Bowl? No. But he is improving, and if anyone cant see the connection between Bryce's success of late (wins against the Saints and Giants and lost to the Chiefs, Bucs, and Eagles by a total of 12 points combined. Meanwhile, he lost Johnson (#1 WR) and that is about when his completion yardage improved. He just got AT back, lost Marshall and Mingo (no biggie, but consistency is impacted), He just lost Coker for the past 3 games who's per game average would make him the seventh most productive rookie WR. XL is still raw, and Moore has looked solid--he has a rookie TE who is 12th among rookie WRs and TEs. He lost his center. Weapons? When have the been together on the field? Yet he has improved by 125 yards per game since his fourth game starting this season. The team is now competitive. Had XL decided to catch passes on Sunday, the team would be 3-3 with an overtime loss to Tampa and a last second FG to KC. If you can't see the growth, I think you are a fan of the wrong sport.

Bullshirt--here is why. Look again at your stats--lets go first five games and last five games. First four games 300 yards Last six games 1273 yards Cherry pick stats much? Secondly, he is throwing the ball downfield to do this--before he was checking it down.

WR in this draft is weird--not like last year--and I think The draft starts at pick #4 (the first three picks are fairly locked in--Giants and Raiders are going QB) and whomever is picking third will take Hunter--So that, in my mind in December, leaves TMcM (WR) and Graham (DT). I would be happy with either, but the drop off at DT into the second round is not as steep as it is at WR, especially starting #1, X WRs. I take TMcM and draft an edge in round 2--DT in round 3....

Very true....if you are using your body to protect the ball, or if the defender might "karate chop" your extended arm, it is sometimes better to let the ball into your body instead of reaching out for it. REASON FOR HOPE Note in this graphic, Legette is 8th, and all the WRs / TEs drafted before him are the only player who have more yards--and they all have been targeted more except Worthy, who has just 16 more yards and Mahomes as his QB. Furthermore, Coker's numbers are based on 7 games. If he played 13 at the same level, he woudl be the seventh highest rated rookie WR with fewer targets that all of the top 10 WRs. Finally, Ja 'Tavion Sanders is rated 12th. So of the top 14 ROOKIE WRs and TEs, three (3) are Panthers.

I think it was Samuel. Legette is raw--there is a reason he did not play much until injuries and graduations gave him his shot. His situation is mental, but he needs experience on the jugs machine and he needs a run of sustained success to get him over the hump--otherwise, he has the tools and he is a stud. I am not as worried about a rookie WR struggling at the end of 17 game season as I would be a second-year guy. Mushin Muhammad had 52 catches for 724 yards and 1 TD--in his first 2 seasons. I recall there being some concern about his hands, and he seemed to improve.

In my case, it was insecurity. You have to trust your hands. It can be overcome with reps.