raleigh-panther

Dennis Allen greater than Matt Rhule….then again, who isn’t having a better coach could have helped as well Not surprising on NO…whole lot of his Kinda massage parlors there

Well, I just read that Watson asked to speak to the Falcons and that he contacted them to see if there was interest at this point, who knows I will say a franchise qb trumps a DE and Safety. The three first round picks wow nothing we can do in any case

DT DaQuan Jones Signs with New Team The former Panther is headed north. SCHUYLER CALLIHAN 9 MINUTES AGO Veteran defensive tackle DaQuan Jones and the Buffalo Bills have agreed to terms on a deal with the Buffalo Bills, according to Dianna Russini of ESPN. Jones played okay this past season for the Panthers, but his departure was expected. Carolina thought that bringing in the veteran on a one-year deal would help out Derrick Brown in his development, but Jones had issues of his own in gap discipline/control. He graded out as a 66.4 on Pro Football Focus which isn't terrible in the grand scheme of things but his inconsistency led to the Panthers letting him walk in free agency. The one that does work in his favor is durability. Jones has not missed a single game in four seasons. Jones will compete for a starting spot with the Bills after Harrison Phillips reportedly agreed to a deal with the Minnesota Vikings.

From the Observer Panthers or Saints? What each team has to offer Deshaun Watson as a trade destination BY ELLIS L. WILLIAMS [email protected] 4 hours ago Things are heating up in the Panthers’ pursuit of quarterback Deshaun Watson, but a familiar division rival is not making landing him any easier for Carolina. The Panthers and New Orleans Saints plan to meet with Watson this week, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter. It will take at least three first-round picks, multiple middle-round selections and maybe a young player to land Watson. It’s believed Watson is in outstanding shape and ready to re-establish himself as a top-10 quarterback. Watson has not played in a game since the final week of the 2020 regular season. He led the league in passing yards that year. Both teams are positioned to meet the Texans’ asking price. Watson is expected to meet with Carolina, New Orleans, and other teams before deciding to waive his no-trade clause. He’s looking for a winning situation with quality coaching, organizational alignment, a strong offensive line and a winning defense. Here is a breakdown of what teams interested in Watson have to offer him. Carolina Panthers Head coach and front office alignment: Coach Matt Rhule enters Year 3 on the hot seat. His 10-23 record over the past two seasons was identical to former Giants coach Joe Judge. There is reason to be concerned about how Watson perceives Carolina. Panthers owner David Tepper has not held a press conference since December 2020. His 15 months of silence have let doubt spread wildly about Rhule. A former league executive who spoke to The Observer suggested Carolina could offer Rhule a contract extension to show Watson that the Panthers are a stable organization with top-to-bottom alignment, from ownership to management and head coach. Rhule aside, the Panthers’ front office has come together nicely since Tepper named Scott Fitterer general manager last January. Fitterer is determined to keep offensive weapons DJ Moore and Christian McCaffrey around for Watson. The Panthers are also confident receiver Robby Anderson will have a bounce-back year under new offensive coordinator Ben McAdoo. The team remains high on their 2021 second-round pick, wide receiver Terrace Marshall Jr. Offensive line protection: Carolina is determined to fix its offensive line. As currently constructed, Watson would be in dangerplaying behind the 29th-ranked offensive line last season. The Panthers could add a blue-chip tackle with the No. 6 pick in the upcoming draft but that selection would likely head to Houston in a Watson trade. Carolina must prove to Watson it has a realistic plan to protect him. Without a first-round pick or much cap space, that will be difficult. Defensive playmakers: The Panthers feature several bright young defensive players but it’s expected that at least one of them would be a part of a Watson trade. Houston is seeking either one or a combination of Jeremy Chinn, Derrick Brown, Jaycee Horn or Brian Burns. New Orleans Saints Head coach and front office alignment: The Saints had Sean Payton retire but much of their infrastructure — including head coach Dennis Allen, offensive coordinator Pete Carmichael and general manager Mickey Loomis remain. Loomis and the Saints front office have found talent outside the first round, highlighted by Pro Bowlers Michael Thomas and Alvin Kamara. Pairing Watson with those two playmakers would instantly make the Saints’ offense one of the NFC’s best. Offensive line protection: For years, the Saints put a quality offensive in front of Hall of Fame quarterback Drew Brees, and that did not change after he retired. Last season, New Orleans finished seventh in ESPN’s pass-block win-rate metric. But New Orleans’ offensive line will look different next season. The Saints are expected to lose Pro Bowl left tackle Terron Armstead in free agency. Then the Texans will likely want one of the team’s young offensive linemen in a Watson trade. Offensive tackle Ryan Ramczyk and guard Cesar Ruiz are both quality starters on rookie deals that Houston could target. Defensive playmakers: New Orleans consistently has a top 10 defensive unit built around defensive coordinator Dennis Allen’s aggressive and attacking scheme. With Allen taking over head coaching duties, the team promoted assistant coaches Ryan Nielsen and Kris Richard to co-defensive coordinator. Nielsen and Richard will continue to oversee the Saints’ defensive line and secondary units, respectively, which will help New Orleans keep its continuity intact. Cam Jordan, Marcus Davenport and Marshon Lattimore anchor a defense that would help Deshaun Watson not have to consistently win shootouts. With fewer turnovers and better quarterback play, the Saints probably would’ve made the playoffs last year. New Orleans checks all the boxes that Watson is looking for. Cleveland Browns Head coach and front office alignment: The Cleveland Browns are also a team to watch. It’s believed Houston would prefer to trade Watson out of the AFC but the Browns can offer a multitude of picks and quarterback Baker Mayfield, who is viewed as a better asset than Sam Darnold. Cleveland also agreed to a trade for Cowboys’ No. 1 receiver Amari Cooper, strengthening their case that they are only a quarterback away from a championship. Kevin Stefanski won the 2020 NFL coach of the year and Andrew Berry is the youngest general manager in the league. After years of dysfunction, the Browns are finally one of the best-run teams in the NFL. They are eager to improve their quarterback situation and have ownership’s blessing to do so aggressively. Offensive line protection: Led by All-Pro guard Joel Bitino, the Browns have one of the best offensive lines in football. Cleveland finished in Football Outsiders’ DVOA rushing metric. Combined with Pro Bowl running back Nick Chubb, Watson would be protected and supported by the Browns’ offensive line and rushing attack. Defensive playmakers: According to Football Outsiders, Cleveland’s defensive ranked 11th in DVOA. (DVOA measures a team’s efficiency by comparing success on every single play to a league average based on situation and opponent.) Defensive end Myles Garrett is among the best in the league while the Browns have invested in their secondary with cornerbacks Denzel Ward, Greg Newsome and safety John Johnson III. Much like New Orleans, turnovers put the Browns’ defense in poor positions last season. Mayfield threw 13 interceptions and fumbled six times in 2021.

Maybe it isn’t just the huddle, players talk Think they all don’t know what Rhule is? Cam was Watson’s mentor, think they don’t talk? money talks in any case

Frightening ain’t it….tells you he isn’t going anywhere freaking little weasal

A general statement, Cam and Deshaun are friends, I think Cam was his mentor. with Cam being around the Rhule poo show, that won’t help, I suspect

Well, given all the sleazy strip joints and massage parlors in New Orleans, I’d say your team has him hands down. i

So, our GM wasn’t there….if I’m Watson, just hearing Rhule’s voice would be enough to just say no

Per Adam S Not surprising ‘Houston has declined Indianapolis’ attempt to speak with Deshaun Watson, per source. Houston comfortable trading Watson - just not in the AFC South.’

His hometown isi Georgia. He attended Clemson. Charlotte could probably keep his happy ass out of trouble easier than New Orleans. Probably family here as far as Rhule, he is imminently replaceable, more so than a franchise QB

I’m sure he wants something done before April 1 when long suffering ticket holders have to cough up money for installment option

It all cost him millions. Price for being arrogant

From Dj

I do find it laughable that the Steelers took this stance….maybe they think this guy after Ben R is too much lol

Agreed

The nfl is 17 games, plus preseason, plus OTAs, plus working everyday. We don’t have to talk about post season as the Panthers won’t see that with Rhule here Point being, the physical toil is enormous and let’s be truthful, every defensive player in the league knows about that injury far or not, that injury makes him too much risk unless it’s 5th rd. A team with a decent starter might pick him earlier but I just don’t see him surviving the nfl for long

Yep, as the old saying goes ,lay down with dogs, you get fleas’ he laid down with a lot of dogs ….and he continued to and will still do it. He has little head thinking for big head issues

It might lead to more free agents coming here It also might lead to Rhule looking better than he is and a fractured fanbase, even more so than now I have a real hard time supporting a team with Watson in it Great QB but a creeper im probably in the minority

I enjoyed my psls. 22 years worth. Great seats. Guaranteed. Playoffs. Lot 1 parking. Same people year after year Tepper. Covid. Rhule. Changed a lot of that the atmosphere at the stadium has sucked under Tepper only good thing for me this year was Cams return nothing lasts forever

Used to be had to start paying by march 1 for payments or all by April 1 Hated that as the draft had not occurred now payments by April 1 or all by May 1 i renewed mine for 4 more years last year, thinking they’d draft a QB I woke up to find they had picked up Darnold and wanted to vomit I’m going to wait until after the draft and make up my mind to turn in or just re sell Anyone turning theirs in, what are the terms and conditions to turning in, any dollar penalty or is there a deadline ? I don’t remember

Good for the Bucs Whole lot of massage parlors there plus no state income tax Deshaun will fit right in

Usual top 4 suspects but he also mentions the Tulsa OT Tyler Smith as a later rd 1 option rising up the draft board http://The Carolina Panthers need a tackle in the 2022 NFL draft. These are the 5 best https://www.charlotteobserver.com/sports/nfl/carolina-panthers/article259152703.html The Carolina Panthers need a tackle in the 2022 NFL draft. These are the 5 best BY ELLIS L. WILLIAMS [email protected] 1 day ago Following the 2019 season, the Cleveland Browns desperately needed to reshape their offensive line. Coming off a record-setting rookie season, quarterback Baker Mayfield regressed in Year 2. Many blamed the offensive line, and for good reason. Under a new head coach (Kevin Stefanski) and general manager (Andrew Berry), the Browns remade their offensive line in one offseason. Cleveland selected Alabama tackle Jedrick Wills at pick No. 10. In free agency, Berry made Jack Conklin the highest-paid tackle. The Browns paired Wills and Conklin with three in-house linemen they valued in guards Joel Bitino and Wyatt Teller and center J.C. Tretter. Cleveland then hired longtime offensive line coach Bill Callahan and immediately became a top-five offensive line unit. Carolina can use a similar blueprint and remake their offensive line in one offseason. With tackle Taylor Moton, versatile second-year lineman Brady Christensen and a veteran offensive line coach (James Campen) already in place, the Panthers are not far off. Like the Browns of two years ago, the Panthers would have to select a first-round tackle to follow Cleveland’s road map. They should have some options at pick No. 6. Here’s an updated look at the top tackle prospects after interviews and position workouts from the NFL Scouting Combine. 1. Ikem Ekwonu, NC State Biggest combine takeaway: Ekwonu should be the No. 1 overall pick. The 2022 tackle class is reminiscent of the 2020 group that featured Andrew Thomas (No. 4, Giants); Jedrick Wills (No. 10, Browns); Mekhi Becton (No. 11, Jets); and Tristan Wirfs (No. 13, Bucs). “It’s a class that could be just as good,” the Draft Network’s Ryan Fowler said. “We saw Wirfs and Wills take a little dip this fall in play, but projecting (Evan) Neal, Ekwonu, (Trevor) Penning. (Charles) Cross and (Tyler) Smith, that’s five legit No. 1 tackle guys who’ll have an immediate impact.” Thomas, Wills, Becton and Wirfs were all Day 1 starters. This class should produce four or five immediate starters, and it starts with Ekwonu. The tape tells most of Ekwonu’s story. He’s mauling and dominant at the point of attack as a run blocker. Fowler said Ekwonu is the best blocking tackle he’s seen in years. Several scouts I spoke at the NFL combine agreed. One scout described the 6-foot-4, 320-pound tackle as someone who plays with “hate in his heart” but is a great person off the field. To nitpick, there were times when he overstepped defenders this year. That gives rushers a two-way go. He must make sure he stays square in his stance. Sometimes he gave up the short edge to speed guys. He can correct that by staying square at the line of scrimmage. Ekwonu started all 12 games this past season at N.C. State and should be the draft’s No. 1 selection. 2. Evan Neal, Alabama Biggest combine takeaway: Likely won’t be available at No. 6. Neal did not work out at the combine. He’ll take the field March 30 at Alabama’s on-campus pro day. That does not change a growing consensus of Neal as tackle No. 2. His three years at Alabama ensure he’ll enter the NFL with sound technique and refined hands and feet. At 6-foot-6 and 360 pounds, Neal is the largest top 5 tackle. This past season he lost 15 pounds in a switch from right tackle to left. On tape, he looked leaner and quicker than his playing weight suggests. Neal possesses position flexibility from initially starting at guard before becoming a tackle at Alabama. He needs to improve as a run blocker. He tends to get too narrow when blocking downhill, which makes him top-heavy and often puts him on the ground. Fowler said Neal has a higher floor than Ekwonu, and it won’t surprise anyone if he’s Jacksonville’s selection at No. 1. What would surprise me is if he’s available when Carolina picks at No. 6. The Panthers should “sprint” to the podium if he is, Fowler said. Carolina Panthers re-sign kicker Zane Gonzalez ahead of NFL free agency 3. Trevor Penning, Northern Iowa Biggest combine takeaway: His stock keeps climbing. In his most recent mock draft, NFL Network’s Daniel Jeremiah pinned Carolina with Northern Iowa tackle Trevor Penning at No. 6. At first that seems high, but it’s become clear that Penning’s stock is skyrocketing following stellar performances at first the Senior Bowl and then the combine. Coaches love these nasty interior maulers,” Fowler said of Penning. “He goes to Mobile and he’s throwing (rushers) into Desmond Ridder’s legs. He’s pushing people five yards back ... Getting to know Trevor throughout his draft process as well, he just flips a switch when he’s in between the hashes from the person that he is off the field.” Watching Penning at the Senior Bowl was a treat. He’s the type of nasty that teammates love and opponents despise. He’ll flirt with unsportsmanlike conduct penalties just to set a tone. He’s long and uses his strong hands to win inside early. At 6-foot-7 and 320 pounds, his size is pro-ready. We’ll see if that style of intimidation works at the pro level. I would not select him at No. 6, but I’m in the shrinking minority. 4. Charles Cross, Mississippi State Biggest combine takeaway: He’s the most athletic tackle in the class. Scouts are all over the place on where Cross will land. Some see him as the No. 1 pick, while others told me he could fall out of the top five. One scout said Cross has better tape than Penning. He played last season at 285 pounds. There’s a good chance his best football and body composition are ahead of him. He demonstrates sound body control and technique but lacks a mean streak when compared with Penning. Cross is arguably the best pass blocker in his class but needs to improve in the run game. “I think he has some work to do in his run game, and moving vertical,” Fowler said. “He’s athletic, probably the most athletically gifted tackle in this class. I don’t want to try to compare him to the Trent Williamses of the world, but everything starts at the lower half for tackles. He has excellent footwork.” Fowler said he’s not concerned about Cross’s 307-pound frame. At 6-foot-5, he has the length to combat smaller, faster edge rushers. 5. Tyler Smith, Tulsa Biggest combine takeaway: Smith will be a Day One pick. “Smith is by far the nastiest player in this class and the nastiest player I have ever studied on film,” Fowler said. “He wants to staple you to the turf and, when the play is over, come back and put his fist through your mouth. I’m not even kidding. This guy is I mean.” Read that again and then remember his name. NFL scouts are trying to keep Smith their secret. It isn’t working. By draft day, I expect Smith to be the fifth tackle selected. If the Panthers trade back, then Smith would be an ideal selection in the teens or 20s. Fowler suggested that an ideal scenario for Carolina is trading back for a quarterback, recouping an early second-round pick and praying Smith is there on Day Two.