panthers55

No one thought we were going to win a lot of games with Young this year with a first time head coach but we hoped for progress. Then we got hit with injuries and traded some players to the point our talent level was a real issue. Given that Canales has made us competitive and really improved Bryce (which is why he was hired) he has really done a good job. We are really on the right path and these guys play for our coaches and each other. Playing Philly and Dallas back to back will be great tests the next 2 weeks.

I don't think you can disqualify drafting a qb early until you see where you pick and who is available. With starting qbs earning 30 million a year and rookies having a rookie salary cap you aren't risking that much in drafting another guy to learn under Bryce or take over if he is better. Like drafting a middle to fill in linebacker high, you need quality athletes in positions that impact the play on their side of the ball on every down. It really is finding the best guy we can to move us forward.

He is a rookie and looked like it today. He has a lot of potential but is too inconsistent and doesn't play big. I hope Thielen can help XL progress like Dalton did for Young. Thielen was a force today and showed XL how it is done.

He went toe to toe with Mahomes one week and outplayed Mayfield the next. Bryce was pretty awful until a few weeks ago but sitting and watching how to play with Dalton in was an eye opener for Bryce. He saw the windows he has to hit, the quick passing to counter a blitz and how to audible calls. Right now today he was a top 10 QB watching other games. How he plays down the road is still up in the air. But you are way off base and living in the past. Catch up to the present.

Truth is this was the best outcome. Bryce was money in the 2 min drill and was clutch all day. And losing like this doesn't hurt our draft position. We weren't going anywhere. And it exposes Everos prevent zone which has resulted in us giving up more points in the last 2 minutes of a game than any other team.

Bryce did play the best game of his career but it isn't an anomaly as much as a progression in his understanding of the game and ability to translate what he knows to performance on the field. Dalton really helped him see what it takes to throw in NFL sized windows and he is letting it go trusting what he sees. I am enjoying his progress and really appreciating how Canales is bringing him along.

II told folks 2 weeks ago that Bryce has been making improvements in several components of his game like moving in the pocket and stepping up into pressure instead of bailing into sacks. Today he improved in anticipation and throwing to spots trusting his guys would be there. He made some fantastic throws under extreme duress having to throw the ball before the receiver had made his move to get open. He is developing chemistry with his receivers and they are playing for him. He looked like he belonged on the same field as Mahomes today. If this improvement continues he will be our guy or get us some good compensation. A win in either case.

I didn't read all 5 pages of responses but what I read is that Cam is still a free agent because he didn't sign his retirement papers. So taking him to Germany would be tampering. Retire and then see what happens. You can't go into the panther hall of fame if you are still eligible to play.

If you can't see the improvement there is no need for a discussion since you either have an agenda or no clue. Likely both.

The number 1 job of a QB is to not lose the game by making mistakes while feeding his players and scoring more points than the other guys by any means necessary. Bryce did what he needed to in order to win. He did his job. Was he great? No. But this team is going to run a lot and pass when necessary. No matter who is at quarterback.

I think anyone watching should see the improvement. He is moving much better in the pocket finding lanes to throw. When he feels pressure he is stepping up and looking downfield instead of bailing out into a sack. He is making throws he wouldn't attempt earlier because the window was small. Watching Andy he found out that tight windows are what you get in the NFL. He is more comfortable running and moving with the ball. And he is gaining confidence which is critical to success. I also think the line has improved to give him time to throw. And the rookie receivers are doing great and making Bryce look good

He is on a rookie contract and might be a decent backup quality player over time. But he isn't a starter right now. All he costs is a roster spot. No need to jump the gun let's see what happens. He hasnt watched instead of played in a long time. He isn't getting better playing and might benefit from sitting and wearing the headphones for a while. I thought we should have sat him last year but here we are.

I dont think you can do much evaluation of offensive players until we have a legitimate QB. Call me a Homer but I think Dalton will be a huge upgrade and make the offense look like an NFL style offense this week.

The key is letting Bryce make plays but not centering everything on him. Let him be the point guard and other guys do the heavy lifting as he distributes the ball and calls audibles. He can't do it all yet, maybe he never will, but he can be a critical cog in the offensive wheel and move the ball. I look at what Canales did with Mayfield and it gives me hope.

As to the question of who does Canales remind me of as a coach, it is Pete Carroll. That constant enthusiasm and positivity coupled with a desire to run the ball and be physical carried him to a lot of success. Hopefully Canales can replicate that here.

It doesn't take being a coach or player to see that this offense is worlds ahead of what we have seen under Rhule and Reich. When was the last time we used multiple motion looks pre-snap to manipulate the defense. And doing that in the preseason. I think previous coaches tried to simplify things to avoid mistakes. To the point defenses could easily exploit it especially with their poor use of talent as well. How many players have suddenly looked better than they did before. Add the upgrade in talent and the fact QBs often experience their biggest improvement between year 1 and 2. And you have a team that will be improved no doubt. The bigger question especially on the offensive side is given how behind we have been compared to competent offenses, will it translate to more wins? But Canales previous successes give me hope. Now let's see what happens.....

Given this is Canales first season any comparisons about the past are irrelevant. We have a completely new team and they picked him for the longterm. The only opinions that matter are Morgan and Canales. Maybe a major reason players didn't get better was due to a cavalcade of poor to middling coaches and fruit basket turnover. Let's see what he does and how he uses him before deciding whether it was a good move or not. Just saying, it is barely June.

Defenses have to respect the offense whether that is running or passing. Qbs in the NFL have to make plays to move the chains. And they have to be able to throw to all parts of the field and to all depths. Young in college threw a number of deep balls but his receivers had the advantage and much like Russell Wilson bhhe could throw it up and expect his guy to come down with the ball. Not so easy in the NFL especially with who we had. Maybe Legette and Sanders will be able to make the contested catch and make Young look good.

Your run game and pass game have to be complementary. Having running backs who can catch and having wide receivers who are dangerous running the ball make you less predictable which is what you are alluding to. It has been a while since our offenses could be described as innovative or creative.

I think people have to understand that a good team has to be able to run and pass. In 2023 Washington passed the most at 66%, the least was Baltimore at 50%. KC is at 60%. And others are in between. Where were we last year? We were at 59%. So you need a running game and a passing game. Which you do more is likely a function of how much success you have doing one or the other. Duh. You can say you are going to be run first but if the defense loads the box you will be throwing the ball. If they set up all day in cover 2 with safeties deep, you likely will be running the ball. You have to do both when they know what you are going to do anyway. Here are the percentages if interested. https://www.teamrankings.com/nfl/stat/passing-play-pct

The probem.is that Bryce didn't come from a system that threw on timing and used mostly West Coast concepts. He held the ball and bought time trying for a big play which he often made given lesser college talent. He tried to do the same thing last year and it failed miserably. Of course he can throw timing routes and hit spots as he is very accurate. But you can't judge him a failure if he played in a new system with a poor coaching staff and had to do things he rarely practiced in college.

Not finding a center in the draft who would be a backup at best is no big deal. There are several free agents out there still available plus all the guys who will get cut between now and the season start. I am excited we finally have drafted a top 5 tight end and got the best running back in the draft. Much bigger news and potential starters versus a rookie depth center.

He seems to be a small Donte Jackson with an attitude. He could play in the slot but seems too short to play against taller receivers on the outside. I like the dog in him but wish it were a pit bull instead of a beagle.

He is on a rookie contract. We are going to keep him if not a starter than as a backup. If he sucks this year we will be picking top 5 and will pick another QB in the first round. You gotta keep taking shots until you find your franchise guy.

Me too. It has been a long time since we had a TE described as athletic with good hands. I don't know how to be. I always wanted us to draft a top 5 TE and we never did. We finally have, so maybe there is a harbinger of positive change and the chance to become relevant again