jayboogieman

Made a trade with Denver this time. Picked up their 2024 1 and 2 picks as well as adding the top two TEs in the draft. Took a flyer on Hooker and added one of the top LBs and some other depth as well.

The "rockstar" OC stuff from last offseason and making Rhule bring in new coaches wasn't meddling?

Some of those guys may resign with their current teams and not hit the open market/listen to offers from others, which was my point.

ECU is up 17, 38-21, and appears to have this one in the bag.

Coastal just scored again. ECU leads by 10, 31-21

I hope they don't if there are better options in free agency. And we won't know if there will be until then. It's honestly too early to say. Every year teams surprise in both good and bad ways. That said, every time the Panthers had expectations placed on them, they've disappointed. If Stroud or Levis are the two QBs available, I'd rather sell the pick and wait a year. From what I've seen of them, neither of those two have what it takes. Levis seems to have issues processing or something going on in his head, and Stroud can't play with any sort of rush near him. Young is the best QB in the class and it's not close. Richardson, as has been said, is the super high upside guy you take a chance on. I think a new rookie QB can buy you two years, that's why I said a couple. I agree about only drafting a QB to sell tickets, but Tepper is the team's owner, and he only cares about money. It wouldn't be the first time this team has played against its own strengths. The ball control, run first, limit QB mistakes offense and defensive football is something the Panthers have done for the majority of their existence to mediocre at best results. It's time to try something new.

Uh, you do remember that Rhule contract don't you? When it comes to football, Tepper is an idiot.

Looks like it. They said he was in the tent and went to the locker room.

And it seems McCall's night is over. He went out with an injury.

ECU takes the lead back on a TD throw

Coastal has taken the lead, 14-10

But the team doesn't have Darnold after this season unless he resigns with them. Both of those might not be the case next season. Some teams will improve in free agency and the draft. Again, Darnold might not be on the team after the season ends. Even if the team doesn't have Richardson as the best prospect on the board, they may pick him since they need a QB. Yeah, Richardson(since he is the example being used) has been inconsistent, but he also showed improvement over his 3 years at Florida. And that's really all you can want from a QB, improvement while he learns and grows. Not everybody gets those stacked Bama and OSU teams. True, but that shiny new QB can buy you a couple years of leeway while you build a winning team that you wouldn't otherwise have. But the team might not have a coach that wants that same style next season. Heck, Tepper might demand the team goes straight 3-4 defense like he did with Rivera that time, again. You're going with the assumption that Wilks, McAdoo, and Darnold will be here next year and it's too soon to know if that is the case or not. One or more probably won't be. Yeah, Wilks has done far better than Rhule ever did, but that's not saying much. The reality is that Wilks is a .500 coach at this point with what has turned out to be an easy schedule. And that shouldn't be good enough to be the coach next season. Tepper and Fitts(if still the GM) need to aim higher.

Nice little pitch by Ahlers that almost got ECU another first down.

Coastal run it in for the TD the next play though.

Replay got it right. McCall was short of the goal line.

ECU scores a TD. 10-0

ECU is running all over Coastal in the early going.

Yep. We've had that discussion before.

McCall missed a wide open receiver.

ECU has taken the lead over Coastal, 3-0.

If you keep waiting, you'll always find an excuse to keep waiting. Examples: the next QB class looks better now, the team needs a true elite #1 receiver, the team needs another CB, the team needs a pass catching TE, the team needs another elite pass rusher, etc. I was all in on the idea of building the roster(mostly the online) instead of taking Fields, Jones, or whoever fell in that draft. This past draft was the same for me, keep building the team. That said, it doesn't take 5 years to build a winning roster. It's time to take a chance, even if it means moving up, if there is someone the team feels is the guy. For a purely business perspective, the fans need something to hope for and believe in, especially after all the years of losing. Nothing does that like a shiny new first round QB. Heck, the fans didn't even show up for the biggest game, that meant something, the team has played in years against the Steelers.

This goes for CJ Stroud as well.

Lose against the Bucs and in Panthers' fashion, win a meaningless game against the Saints dropping the draft position some.

No dude. An injured firefighter, logger(dangerous job), soldier, construction worker(can be another dangerous job) would either be a hindrance to the team/squad or an outright danger to themselves or others. Pro football players also weigh career vs single games/bad seasons. And a lot of those guys these days don't love the game and consider it just a quick way to make a ton of money in a short time.