MHS831

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?

My realistic, later-round crush is Mateer.  Had a bad season, but his skill set is there.  I am also intrigued by the Jim McMahon of this century, the QB from Vandy.  I am too lazy to look his name up, but he is a controversial, scrappy dude.

I think this is a great draft to take a developmental QB on day 3.  I have not researched this guy much, but he has "a particular set of skills" (c) I am going to trademark that line.

5 hours ago, LinvilleGorge said:

I'm not begging for us to take an OT at 19 but I don't think it should be off the board either. If the BPA at 19 is an OT, draft him. At the end of the day, our young LT just suffered a serious injury and there's no guarantee he effectively returns from it. Our RT will be 32 next year and there's a lit of whispering about him having chronic knee issues that may shorten his career. Nijman is a backup/stopgap caliber player who is also on the wrong side of 30. Christensen is a FA and will be trying to comeback from an Achilles injury which is one of the tougher common injuries to bounce back from.

Don't force it, but OT at 19 is imminently defensible. 

I think (with the growth of Scourton, (hopefully) Princely, and Jones II on the roster, Tackle just became our biggest need.  While I think Moton can play until he is 35 so I am not that worried about him, we have nothing behind him.  We need a starter.  At edge, we don't.  So I am all in on an OT.  If I am GM, I do not give Ekwonu a big contract.  He is too big a risk now.  It sounds cold, but he will make $17m this year as he rehabs.  If he comes back, we have 3 tackles, 2 with question marks.  We need a T.

6 hours ago, SmokinwithWilly said:

I had a serious knee injury that stretched ligaments and tendons but no tears miraculously. 30 years later it still isn't right and I'm a bigger guy. I've read about that surgery, damn, and I don't know how you intentionally keep that much weight on your body and trust that thing to hold up under the load of a full NFL season. It took years for me to trust mine and I still don't 100%, especially laterally. 

Yeah, people need to realize that a knee injury this serious to an NFL LT is more akin to a horse in the Old West breaking its leg than anything else.  It is sad.  IF he comes back, he is a guard in all likelihood.

7 hours ago, woahfraze said:

Nijman wasn’t terrible. But I wouldn’t describe his play as good either. I think he’s still best suited as a swing tackle off the bench. And unfortunately Brady Christiansen cannot be relied on given h injuries as well  

We should resign Nijman, but we need to bring in someone else either in free agency or the draft to give us an alternative in the event he doesn’t perform. Free agent options are pretty bad unless there are some surprise cuts, so the draft is probably our better option. 

With our overall needs, would be nice to shore up the defense in Round 1, but if the value that’s there is in a LT, I think you have to seriously consider that. If Ickey returns and can still be effective, I think you can move him or the new LT over to RT since Moton will likely be retiring in the next couple years. 

Fortunately, the top 3 or 4 OTs in the draft are probably ready to start day 1.  I really like the depth at OT.  

As much as it hurts, there is WAY too much risk to invest in Ekwonu or pencil him in for 2027.  He will be diminished and any serious knee injury to a 330 lb man who uses those legs to fend off speed rushers.  If he comes back, he is likely a guard.  but the business side of this will be telling--about Morgan as much as the knee.

6 hours ago, Shotgun said:

We need to be prepared for him not to return at all. Hoping for the best but that's a serious injury.

I think his knee would make a good reason to switch to guard IF he returns.  Half don't.  Half of those don't last too long.  The strain on a knee (320lb man) vs speed rushers is more substantial.  So I would keep him if I could on a small contract (he will make $17.5 in 2026 fully guaranteed) and think of him as a possible guard for the post Lewis/Hunt era.  Knee injuries in big men are not invitations to invest in them.

5 hours ago, micnificent28 said:

It's a foregone conclusion he will miss 6-12 months. That leaves a significant hole at the position but not long term. A lot of reporters are penciling us in for a tackle at 19, which I don't think is a bad idea at worst you can slide him to right tackle seeing as moton is getting up there in age. But I don't think that does anything to get us over the hump.

If we draft a tackle at 19, does that make us better than we are vs the rams? Does that give us better pass rush or more play makers? I think you can draft a tackle down the line sure just to fill in for a while until ickey is back but I wouldn't invest a first round pick in a position just because a guy might miss a month at most of football or so. I would resign josh, brady chris and address holes we have no answers 2. 

If you want to take a tackle or lineman after the 3rd round a project go for it.. but the holes at linebacker edge and a play making tight end and deep threat are the reason we are at home now. Not the back up left tackle who played decently. What say you?

Here is what you did not mention (and I have not read the thread--but will--it is a needed) and that is the MAFF.  He is in a contract year (2026-5th year) and we will not know (in all likelihood) how the knee is healing by the time we have to decide on a mega deal.

If you consider the time it takes to fully heal is 12 months if all goes well, the injury is known to shorten careers.  Of course, a man of 330 lbs who needs agility to perform at a high level makes the injury a bit more serious than it was for Jimmy Graham, for example, who recovered in a remarkable 9 months.  Having said all that, I think he should be moved inside to guard.  

2 minutes ago, TylerDurden said:

I will say the tackling overall was improved compared to years past as well, the secondary was tons better, and I loved that we finally seemed aggressive and played with that smashmouth-style we had been missing for years.  But, it is obvious we had some holes, and having no edge rush was a pretty gigantic one.  But it’s also interesting because I just shared a clip of Princely where they asked him about there being no edge rush and he said, “it’s not because we don’t have the players.”  And it sounded like he felt we didn’t need to bring anyone in.  He also said he didn’t get enough opportunities.  So it could be ego talking, but it definitely sounded like he was implying our scheme/strategy is the reason there was no edge rush.

I wish I understood it better, but we focused nearly 100% of resources on offense entering 2025, and we sucked on D--worst ever.  I did not expect to be above average this year.  I don't think we have seen the system with the right personnel, and if Evero is given his pass rush and maybe a good LB, we might see it differently.  Glass half full.

4 hours ago, X-Clown said:

He was talking about Isaiah bond over Jimmy horn jr

I caught it later, but I was flashing back--in the zone.

2 minutes ago, rmoneyg35 said:

So are we going to give him a big contract now? Honestly I wouldn’t. We could let him go and just sign a LT in FA for the same amount of money or draft a LT. I’m fine with BC or Nijman at LT next year honestly. 
 

With chances of the player making a full recovery or even being close to the same player as before being low, I honestly am fine with letting him go. Maybe take a 1 year deal next year for the cheap to see if he still has it.

 

i know it may sound mean but it’s not a charity. We can’t win if we are giving big contracts to players who can’t play. He’s already a multi millionaire so not like he needs the money.

It is a negotiation and contracts are for future performance not past accolades--so you are right.  It is sad, but we have to find a LT.  

6 minutes ago, mav1234 said:

Really sad new for Icky...

Evero back is interesting... I do think he's showing that with players his scheme can be effective, but the D is really lacking talent.

Canales should give play calling to a real OC. I think he may be a decent HC but I don't think he's good at doing both HC and play calling.

As impatient as we are, there is something to be said for consistency.  Without good edges, a nickel/s who can cover deep, or good LBs, we improved a lot.

Some of the coverages were based on personnel. Dont forget how well Jackson has played here.  Thornton.  Smith-Wade.  I think we are a year away from seeing what it is supposed to look like--and I will judge then.  Yes, I would have been much more aggressive down the stretch with the season on the line--but I don't know more than that.

3 minutes ago, Rambler33 said:

Maybe we can draft a LT first round -

then hope Icky can take over for Morton at RT in 2027- 

And he could, depending on his development, kick inside to G.  Of course, how do you negotiate that contract, if at all?

1 hour ago, TLGPanthersFan said:

Evero’s stupid soft zone coverage should be a fireable offense. Bringing him back is stupid. 

don't you mean, "fireable defense?"  

Remember, not all of us were in "normal" classes or rode to school on "long" buses. 

Just now, electro's horse said:

Besides how often he hits up Panda Express in the offseason. 

If I had his money, I would own stock in door dash and companies that enlarge doors.

43 minutes ago, electro's horse said:

oh hey another player I was 100% right about.

theyre different kinds of players but gun to my head i take Coker over tet if we’re being honest. 

What sized font do you use when you admit that you were wrong?   (Seriously, there were a few of us pounding the drum for him and we have been.  Nothing Not to like about him.

Now, if we could only beat the Saints...

9 hours ago, PantherPhann89 said:

I wasn't indicating our saying that you were endorsing him

Was not sure--but I wanted to make sure--I gave up on him early this season---and I was born in Columbia while my father was playing for the Gamecocks, so it was tough to do!!

9 minutes ago, frankw said:

TMac and Coker are more than adequate for any young quarterback. As far as the group beyond them what exactly are people expecting?

At what point do people expect the #1 pick to begin to make his WR's better instead of the other way around?

I could argue that they need a deep threat, (and you could argue that both are) but I agree. The only reason Coker is not a bigger name is because they tried to develop XL.  But Horn is coming along (too soon?) Tremayne had 15 receptions on 19 targets for 160 yards--bottom of the roster quality.   If you step back, there are bigger needs on this team, like edge and LB

2 minutes ago, Car123 said:

We should have drafted Isaiah Bond instead of Jimmy.

That draft, if you recall, was before Fox's lame duck season.  It was the one draft when Marty Hurney was on his own without input.  I overheard Fox talking to Tergovac (I believe it was him--memory) and he was telling him "That's not an NFL QB."  Then he watched Armanti Edwards drop a simulated punt from the jugs machine, and he shook his head and walked off laughing sarcastically.  Hurney nabbed Clausen after two teams that desperately needed a QB passed on him--in rounds one AND two--and bragged that he stole a "top 10" QB.  He tried to trade away our first-rounder the following season to move up to pick #33 to grab him.  Then, rich with the draft capital he saved, traded up (later) for Armanti Edwards.  I read a rumor that the Colts bluffed him about their interest in Edwards and he took the bait.  Brandon Lafell in the third and I think he took headcase Hardy in the fifth or so that draft, with Eric Norwood (bust) in as our fourth rounder.

Hurney sucked.  

I don't want to give the appearance that I and the Nostrah Dumbass of this board because I miss a lot when trying to analyze talent, but I was all over Coker before the draft.  I wanted the Panthers to take him on day 3.  When he did not get drafted, I started banging the drum for him.  Apparently, they agreed.  (All Hail, MHS!! All Hail).  I also thought we should have drafted a DT (Marcel Dareus) over Cam Newton and give Clausen another year to develop.  (Boo, MHS!!!, Boo to you!!!)  All that to humble myself.  

Coker is not blazing fast, but he runs good routes and has perhaps the best hands in the NFL.  I am tired of drops.  He is of high character---a guy you can support--unlike some of these other WR divas in the NFL.  

Lock him up long term-I am guessing a deal in the $10m range (after yesterday) would not be out of the question.  He had around 400 yards this season, so let's keep yesterday as a good game and not a coming-out.

We need a consistent deep threat, imo, an explosive WR with good hands.  Imagine that.  XL? Maybe its back to road kill and Dolla Bill.  Maybe this league was not meant for you.  Nothing wrong with giving it a shot, making some bank, and returning to your home.  Morgan?  Your worst move so far.  Learn from these "one hit wonders."

1 minute ago, Clicheking said:

We need to make replacing him a top priority. FS, LB, Edge, OL depth, and another reliable pass catcher this off-season season. 

I agree.  I think LB and Edge are the top priorities, with WR and S behind.  I also think we might add a DT.  I can't decide on Smith-Wade as the nickel, but a FS that can play some big nickel would be nice.  

In the grand scheme of things, our needs list has not been this short in a while.  

Some will insist that you add QB to this list, but realistically, that ain't happening so I will not mention it, but I think this is going to be a great draft to find talent at QB later--players once regarded as first rounders have fallen, for whatever reason. Beck, Allar, Mateer, Nussmeier, Klubnik, and my sleepers, Sawyer Robertson and Luke Altmyer (Altmyer especially).  Get some young depth and insurance.  The red rocket is a coach and Bryce's BFF.   He can do that as the #3.

5 hours ago, Moonraker said:

I know we look at a few plays here and there but this Rams unit put up more pts against Seattle's elite defense. I think getting rid of Evero will be something we regret doing...we are just devoid of talent across the defense after investing YEARS in our offense. 

We simply need a pass rush and some LBs who can stuff the run and drop into the middle as needed in coverage.  A lot of what we do is based on our personnel--having nearly $70m in dead cap (2024) takes time to restock.  I mean, our defense was worst in NFL history last year.   This year, we were in most games.

I am not making excuses for him, but I am saying it could be too soon to tell here.   I think we need a DLman or two as well.

We tend to be extremists on this board.  Natural reaction to losing for 7 seasons (or was it 8?).  Personally, I would love to see more 4-3.

Considering the salaries, i would trade Horn for draft capital and cut Robinson (big cap, limited returns).  It is unlikely that we cut Horn, but I could call a penalty on him every play. 

3 hours ago, Aussie Tank said:

If you gonna go helmet to helmet you make it worth it and fold his face mask in. Simmons played lights out on special teams he might get a better look next year 

I agree.  I was impressed with his fire.

5 hours ago, Dave Gettleman's Shorts said:

nick Scott trying to stop this ball with his "communication"

Almost had it.