Soul Rebel

Agreed, an outside playcaller that could use some of Dave’s concepts and “big picture” while infusing some fresh ideas and more fluid within-game adjustments would be welcomed. I also think our running game became very predictable and stalled out towards the end. It looked like the playbook wasn’t deep enough and they didn’t do a good job of Bryce being under center/empty backfieding it way too much.

The only option that allows both Dan and Dave to win here, is promoting Idzik to OC. This way, Dave can focus on the overall team concept and make sure he’s a HC more than a glorified OC that is overwhelmed. By the same token, I assume Idzik’s philosophy is a carbon copy of Canales’ since they’ve been connected at the hip forever. Much like marriage, this is the compromise and both leaders get what they want….while giving in to appease the other.

This is why Tillis is here and we need him to get over this transitional hump. We still have many weaknesses that need to be resolved in FA and the draft. Icky being out in ‘26 makes it harder to navigate….especially with Moton’s tenure coming to a close in the next couple years and Icky’s payday on the horizon. I would much prefer Linderbaum over Mayes or Corbett, just curious if we can afford it. Same goes for DL. We had Milton almost locked up but settled for Wharton. I wonder if we look to this again this offseason as it’s clear DB needs better talent beside him in the trenches. I don’t want to waste his prime.

Styles should be the pick if available. I know Allen is the consensus LB3, but I’m all in on the Texas LB, Anthony Hill Jr. Whether it’s at 19 (I think he moves up after the combine) or if we trade back a bit and add more picks, Inthink he can wear the dot for us. I also wouldn’t be opposed to a swing tackle that can help reinforce our future RT spot. I do think Mauigoa can fill in at LT in ‘26 but be our long term solution at RT for Moton. Good teams plan ahead for aging vets, especially on the OL. Who knows, maybe Icky turns out to be a better RT post-surgery. He’s rarely ever played the position but his strengths and build have always screamed RT.

These are the two big moves I’d make for the offense. We need more vets for slot & TE. We’ve drafted enough young guys at this point for a young game manager QB. Seattle gave a 4th & 5th this year for him, so not sure they’d let him go easily. That being said, he is the ideal FA slot that fits perfectly between TMac & Coker.

Do we still get draft comp if EE leaves by being hired elsewhere, since he was still under contract? Win-win for us. We get out from under Evero's system and gain draft capital.

$26M on year 5 is between Baker and Fields current salaries. I’d say in two years that’s probably below that talent level. As has been discussed already, it buys us time to figure out the long-term solution. I’d be more upset if we extend him before the end of the ‘26 season.

I’m torn here. Mu concern pre-season with Princely was his mouth/ego and wondering if he could back it up or if it would cash checks his rookie ass wasn’t able to support. I like a voice and someone that says what’s on their mind, but as a rookie, I needed to see Jared Verse or Will Anderson type production for all he was saying. That being said, he’s not wrong. I often times wondered why we saw so little of him and thought how on certain plays, he would’ve made an impact. He did not have a great year and was mediocre at best. When we drafted him, he was more of a project that would yield results in a couple years. I hope he didn’t burn a bridge yet and comes back in 2026 ready to earn his time and show the folks that doubt him that he belongs in the lineup. We are absolutely going to draft or bring in a FA EDGE so the clock is ticking on 3.

Though the scheme isn’t my fave and still very passive, I do agree about seeing it with a full arsenal this disposal. A true alpha at ILB, another edge opposite Scourton and one more dominating force on the DL to help out Brown and I think we see better results. We’ve spent three years loading Bryce up and surrounding him, we’re almost there with the D.

Overall, I think it speaks to inexperience vs experience and I do believe Dave needs to figure out the structure of this operation. He needs an OC. He also needs to either have more input with Evero or find a new DC. Wash has experience previously but I don’t know if I can stomach another season of Evero’s defense. I think it’s easier in hindsight to say we should use a timeout on defense, but you also want as many as possible with the ball and a long way to go. You figure one is earmarked to trot the ST unit out for the FG attempt, so giving Bryce two makes more sense to me. Evero letting their explosive offense trot down the field with just over two minutes left with no answer was wild. Putting pressure on Stafford is what got us back in the game. It’s also what won us the game the first time against LA. Sitting back in their normal “bend but don’t break” shell and letting an MVP vet pick you apart is horrible. It’s why the Rams were lighting us up in the first half too. Why move away from what helped give us the lead and proven to win a few weeks ago? I understand this D needs more talent and Evero is making it work with what he has, but that last drive should have looked different.

This and as others have said, his previous years of underperforming play makes me say no. FA is the way to go for sure as this years group is pretty loaded. In addition to Pitts, vets like Goedert, Likely, Otton, Njoku and Waller are a few to ponder. Sadiq would be an option at 19 too, but I wonder if we want to see if one of Sanders or Evans shakes free into a decent player while leaning on a more veteran presence for Bryce.

Pierce is exactly what we need. His estimated $20M price tag in FA is not.

I think we have WR1 (4) and WR2 (18) locked in. A speedy/shifty/separator is needed and I think the TE position is up in the air. If Tremble, JT & Evans could form one TE, we’d be set. We are a team that still needs a lot of talent and I think as long as XL is penciled in and not set in stone, we’re good. He needs to earn his roster spot coming out of camp, and tbh, if we can package him in the offseason to help our draft capital, I’d be for it. He’s def on the outside looking in. TMac and Coker are legit.

This team came into today vs. a team that: had more talent more experienced/better QB better coach better coaching staff better defense recent SB ring more playoff experience won more games in 2026 We were a Nick Scott INT / better called final drive away from moving on while 10-point underdogs at home, and backing into the playoffs . Another successful offseason adding talent in FA and the draft, replacing JAGs (Scott, Robinson, Rozeboom, etc) and I think we win the South outright and are no worse than a 10-win team. Losing sucks and I think we all feel it, but think of how many youngsters (Coker, Scourton, Bryce, Ransom) got playoff experience and almost moved on. Based on the first quarter, this game looked like a 44-14 blowout and getting mocked by the usual pundits. We left with our heads high knowing it was ours for the taking and we just couldn’t do it.

This is a tough call. 4-9 month recovery and he’s coming back in month 5. He also is going to be rusty and has t played at game speed since September. Trotting him out there against a historically outstanding defense (based on DVOA) is also a tall task. I have no doubt he’s up for it and is a huge upgrade at RG in a huge game. It’s a delicate balance for current vs next year success.

I don’t think he gets a HC gig this time around. Maybe TEN w/ Ward at QB, but I think the recent Miami debacle and his non-traditional personality are not a fit for all teams. As an OC, absolutely. As someone else pointed out, if he does try to rebuild his brand, I think Detroit or WAS make sense. Carolina’s and another undersized Bama QB would not be his best option….nor his choice I would imagine.

Coker is our new Moose. Reliable, chain mover that can put up yards and get in the end zone. Not going to be a WR1 nor blow your doors off with speed, but a steady force that will make defenses pay if given targets. If we view him as our WR2 in the draft of 2024and XL as the “other” WR, it’s a little less painful how poorly XL has fallen short of expectations. Hell, I hope Horn Jr gets in on XL’s target share too. Maybe XL comes into camp next year with a chip on his shoulder…..AJ Brown took a couple years to figure it out. I hope XL does and it’s here, not elsewhere.

Ohhhhhhhhh shizzzzzzz. Cam in the building. Sounds like all black uniforms too. They should put it out there soon and encourage a blackout fan engagement.

Kingsbury let go in DC. Any chance he wants to be an OC for another undersized QB here in Carolina?

If what is being rumored about disconnect between him and Lamar/Ravens FO within the organization, no way he even ponders a call with Tep. Having Bryce Young forced down another HC, and one that is light years better than Reich and Canales, ain’t happening.

Belly has also been dog shite since Tommy Boy left him in NE

Great post and insight. What I wouldn’t give to sit down with Reich and McCown for an hour or three and hear their thoughts on Bryce. I remember year 1 he was entrusted with pre-snap audible and so often, IIRC, misdiagnosed the defensive scheme and disguises. I bet the coaches past and present have to curate so much for Bryce to thrive. Like Strato said…. Trimming the field down for him to find alleys and reads due to his limitations.

I’m trying to see the light at the end of the playcalling tunnel, but don’t know if it will be there. If Canales passes off playcalling duties, I don’t see how he doesn’t give it to Idzik. I truthfully don’t know what Idzik does nor if he’s up for the job. I don’t see a world where Canales passes him over unless he’s instructed to, and I don’t get that feeling after making the playoffs in year two. I also don’t want Canales calling plays anymore. I can’t tell if BY is holding him back or if his playbook is that predictable, vanilla and determined to create a new style of offense that is dominated by screens and checkdowns. My gut says you plug 20 of 32 other starting NFL QBs not named Bryce in and this offense moves more. It’s wild because the times that Young does uncork it a bit, he has had more success….sans his signature out route lobs that have the zip of a paper airplane.

If it wasn’t for the Canales connection, I’d put Geno here as a backup at zero percent. Dude is 36, banged up, had a horrible year and has been a poor teammate. Dalton has to go but I don’t want Geno here.