MHS831

6 minutes ago, kungfoodude said:

I would caution that it is highly unlikely BC will play in 2026 after that torn Achilles. If he does, he will miss a significant portion of the season. So we do need to attempt to replace him in some way.

For some reason we just refuse to address critical positions for years on end. It's a franchise trait. 

So if the average recovery time (and we both know the reality of the ACL--varies and the longer-term objective is to return to form more than to recover) in the NFL is 8-12 months with many player returning after 9 months. That would put him back as early as camp, but if it takes 12, October.  I am not sure I would say "highly unlikely" but it is problematic to consider him depth for 2026 at this time.  This probably bodes well for Curhan who has G/T abilities.  

I think this draft is deep at developmental OTs and there are maybe 4 that can be expected to start right away--but that is based on what I have been reading--I have not been watching videos.  

3 hours ago, TD alt said:

We certainly don't look "close" to me. All that space. Bend don't break. Players letting receivers run right by them speaks to confusion. Stafford out there playing chess and Evero playing checkers.  Not playing to a player's strengths. We need new personnel in the middle of the field. If we're going to play this scheme, we need new pass rushers. 

My goodness. Why in the fvck did I put myself through this pain?

OK, i am thinking from this perspective:  Evero is going to be here and we are going to run the same defense.  

I am also taking into consideration that it is likely that we have to draft an OT in round 1, an ILB, a S, and maybe an edge*, TE, and WR. etc. So focusing on the D, we need starting help at Edge and S.  Forget scheme. forget Evero for now (if you can).  

Here is where my brain is right now, Jan 17, 2026:  

Re-sign the core OL depth--they should be fairly cheap.  Mays, Nijman, and Christensen--and maybe even Curhan. With the OL a lot can be said about consistency and familiarity.  Bring in a LT through the draft.

That should leave a good bit of money for 2 free agents that would help this defense more than most moves, in my opinion--Edge and a S.

My favorite edge who might be in free agency:  Jaelen Phillips of the cap-strapped Eagles.  Pay the man.  He is 26, 6’5” and 260.  Holds the edge (30+ tackles) and gets pressure (5 sacks but was 9th in the NFL with 73 pressures).  I am guessing he will draw top dollar interest, but if Morgan wants to get better, this is where it will happen.  (I am guessing $85m over 3 years–the money we would have given a healthy Ickey, sadly.)  Frankly, I might offer him $110m for 4 years. With Phillips and Scourton starting with Jones II and Princely (developing) behind them--edge don't look so bad if you allow for youth development. (Remember, DEs not drafted here in the first rounds took a bit of time (Mike Rucker, Charles Johnson, Greg Hardy--they all needed one-three years).

I would like to see the Panthers sign S Justin Simmons.  He is 30 or so, but playing at a high level and will probably not be back in Atlanta.  He seems to fit a need and would allow us to draft a developmental FS type.  Ransom and Moehrig can play the other S spot, with Simmons filling in as needed.  I am guessing that he might sign a 2-year deal for $20m if most is guaranteed.  

If we could do that, we could focus on LT and ILB in the draft.  Just how I see it now.

*we drafted 2 in 2025.  they need time to develop.  We still have Jones.  A veteran stud is what we need, not another long-term project (any edge taken after round 1).  So hear me out.  Listen.  Are you listening?

You wrong for dat.

Gruden it will be. 

 QB job Cousins to win back.

Not great in first round, this draft is.

atlanta actually finished strong--it is a good job for a new coach--but Penix is not attracting anyone--interesting.  I expect them to hire Jon Gruden.

Heard it here first, I thunk.

10 hours ago, SmokinwithWilly said:

https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/report-giants-working-finalize-deal-050255181.html

Looks like he's headed to NY. At least it's not the NFCS.

His brother did not want him in the AFC--he said that--so if that was a factor, maybe we dodged a bullet. 

Funny, but an old college teammate who played in the NFL asked me recently, "Name 5 coaches in the NFL you would love to play for"  which caused me to think for a while.  Based on my learning style and what little I know of the NFL coaches, I responded:  1. John Harbaugh, 2. Mike Vrabel, 3.  Mike Tomlin, 4. Demeco Ryans, and 5.  Andy Reid.   

He asked the same question about coaches I would not like to play for, and all I could come up with is 1. Jim Harbaugh and 2. Josh McDaniels. Not sure about the others, but I would have put Bill Bellichick on the list.  I heard that the did not like Kevin Stephanski for reasons I do not like in a coach.

15 minutes ago, kungfoodude said:

Simmons has never been successful at anything in the NFL. He is true blue bust.

Keep in mind as both a LB and S in his career he is allowing a 100.9 QB rating in his career. He gets picked on in pass coverage when he is on the field. This is fairly similar to the much maligned Nick Scott's career QB rating 

He can be a deep reserve for us and a potential special teams ace. Hey, everyone needs backups and having them that are also great special teamers is a huge boost.

I knew to suggest that the 8th overall pick in a draft would have some hidden talent or ability is far fetched--

This exchange was my first thought.  And then you could add that Simmons was put on the PS in November to give us depth at LB--called up, and played STs.  What did they see to start calling him a S?  Did Evero learn from the Chinn music (see what I did there?).  The plot thickens.

3 minutes ago, kungfoodude said:

I don't think a 28 year old(which he will be in 2026) safety project is a very wise choice.

Also, consider that we had the tremendously more talented and effective version of what you are talking about with Jeremy Chinn and Evero wanted nothing to do with him. Doesn't fit his defense.

Simmons is a special teams player at this point in his career. As long as he is very good at that, let it be what it is.

I had the same thought, and then wondered if he would be a project or situationally, a good fit in the system.  Regardless, there have been CBs convert to S later in their careers, but they were successful CBs for the most part.  Are there sets (or a set) that is right for his skill set?  I suppose the point is--he would be cheap and worth his salary on special teams, so if he can play a role on the defense in the capacity of a S in some alignments or situations, maybe.  Would he be more feared in the deep third that Scott?  (example). I dunno--why I brought it up.  Wanted to hear what folks think.  I agree, but at 6-4 and running a 4.4, man, there has to be more for him.  Maybe the game has slowed down and he sees the field better.  At least he would be depth, but if and when the light ever comes on...

11 hours ago, strato said:

This is cold but… I would not be handing Icky that extension now. There is some money to reallocate. 

We make mistakes when we allow money and emotions get involved.  We need to provide a window for his return--not one surrounded by a mansion.  They are paid a lot because of the risks and brevity of their careers.  The best GMs know when to part with players, even fan favorites.

11 hours ago, LinvilleGorge said:

I don’t care what we label him on the roster. Dude was a demon on ST in that playoff game.

He sure was.  However, my point (and it may not be a sound one because it assumes that nobody else thought of the obvious) is that perhaps, in the Evero system, he could play center field and less as a hybrid SS/LB?  I dunno.  But yes, worth a roster spot if all he does is special teams.

We both lost tough games.  

19 minutes ago, hepcat said:

The best thing Horn does is jump and make highlight reel INTs and have a reputation of being a good corner but now that people are starting to respect Mike Jack, Horn is getting exposed 

That is how I see it.  I would not moving him while he has some value.  I think we could use the $$ to sign an edge.  Now that we might have to draft a T early...

I think Ickey's injury sealed the fate of our first-round pick--assuming free agency does not change the situation.

I think we draft OT, Edge.

In free agency, LB, WR

3 hours ago, Jackson113.2 said:

I am a Gamecock fan (dad was playing for them when i was born-its genetic). I am against the Gamecocks on our roster.  I did not mind Wharton (good pick) and Munneryln was a good value.  Norwood?  Nope. I digress.... I want XL gone, and I want Horn traded.  Horn gets a lot of penalties and is apparently stupid.  Bad contract.  We overpaid a CB to play soft zone.

I like the Tremayne idea.  A good special team player and he has some good hands.  He was targeted 17 times and grabbed 14 balls for 160--that is nearly half the yardage XL had in 123 passing snaps.  Legette had 363 yards in 428 passing snaps (59 targets, 35 catches).

Considering that he had just under half the yardage in about 1/4 of the snaps, and when he was on the field it is likely that there were 4 WRs and not 2 or 3--he outperformed Legette.

I found one comment to be interesting.  he mentions Simmons, who has busted as a LB, as a 6' 4" 238 lb safety.  I think they will have him drop 20 lbs and possibly try him at ..... Free Safety ish.  Reason?  he has shown instincts on special teams and he ran a 4.39 at the combine in 2020.  

Why not?

19 hours ago, Htarnation4.0 said:

I'd really like to keep Mayes. We drafted and developed him. 

I think he is wrong.  I think they bring Mays back.   Too valuable--unless he gets overpaid elsewhere, but we need a C and he seems to be on the same page with the Guards and QB--no, not spectacular, but solid in the run game.  He will be 27 and to your point, has improved every year.  Even back in college, he was in different systems anmake sure d played different positions-- Too early to move on from him.  He could peak around age 30, so don't bail now.   Some competition would create depth. 

Here is how I see it...You can talk to the QB until 15 seconds before the play clock expires.  There are reasons to believe that Canales is spending a lot of time gathering information from those in better position to make the decisions.  Have you noticed how often we break the huddle between 15 and 13 seconds remaining?  I have a theory...

1. Canales is on the sideline.  His view of the field is not as good as the OC, who is sitting in the box in the sky--he can see the defense, spacing, substitutions, etc.  This means that Canales must get information from up top before selecting a play.

2. Canales has to spend time during the week with the defense, special teams, etc. in addition to the offense.  The OC is with the offense all week.  He knows the plays that were run well in practice--he knows the nicks and dings they might be complaining about--he knows their questions and input about certain plays, formations, etc.  Canales may be aware, but not AS aware. 

3.  Canales likes the moniker "QB whisperer."  He may feel more confident being the voice in Bryce's helmet because he is Bryce's mentor. 

Just a theory--but Canales could be the play caller because Bryce is the QB and he is trying to literally whisper into the QB ear.

5 hours ago, PNW_PantherMan said:

Most head coaches aren't very good without a QB.  Unless he's responsible for roster construction, I don't think Tomlin was the limiting factor in Pittsburgh.

He had a winning record with Kenny Pickett....Tomlin is a great coach. 

So odd that 2 top coaches from the same division would be gone. 

6 hours ago, DaveThePanther2008 said:

i did a mock draft and Beck was available in round 4 which I took.  So maybe it's possible.

If he leads Miami to a national championship his stock will rise.

Mateer, Allar, etc.  There are several who are interesting.   I would look into these:

A contract is likely to be based on the past 2 year's production and will probably be for 3 years or so.  This chart tells you why we should move on: he has peaked, in all likelihood.  Rico will be 28, I believe, this summer.   If you had to put a pin in thehear RBs start to decline sharply, it would be 28 or 29.  It is smart to let him go and ride Chuba, Brooks, and Etienne, using the $$ to sign an edge or LB.

http://www.rotopicks.com/images/nfl/ppg-of-rbs.jpg

I have not read the entire thread and I am not a very informed hockey fan, but I love watching the Canes.  When I saw the score was 2-0 and there had only been 9 shots on goal, I knew who was in net.  Are there no other options?