Soul Rebel

If this $$ amount is what was reported during the draft, then I say hold off and let that number come down. Makes no sense to wait two months and lose a game of chicken to CLE. If this is a new speculation, then Baker @ $9M on a 1-yr prove-it deal is fine by me. Darnold is a sunken cost from '21 that shouldn't really affect your financial decision making in '22 since we have cap. Hypothetically, if Darnold and his salary wasn't on the books, would you make the deal for Baker at $9M? There's a good chance Robby is part of the deal to CLE and we would get out from under his overpaid salary (and declining attitude). I do hope that if we do grab Baker, that we also still get Dunlap. One deal should not be done that then hampers you from making another very important transaction.

I'm not necessarily a fan of Baker if we're talking long-term nor if it costs us any significant assets. However, Baker in '22 with the chip on his shoulder, in a walk-year, with the current QB room, is a pretty solid move. Is it a "great" move or a "no-brainer".... no. A one-year rental at our weakest position with something to prove...... yes, please. Baker > Sam. Let Corral sit for a year and learn.

This. Competition pushes people to be better. YGM has flashed and has potential, but this is the year he needs to produce consistently. Dunlap is a strong rotational piece, not a three-down DE. It's funny that folks think Burns/YGM/Haynes is a strong defensive end unit and that a 33-yr old FA in late June is a bad thing.

Only ones I've seen so far that seem concrete are: Week 1 vs. CLE and a Thursday nighter hosting the Falcons.

YGM is in year 3 and we need to see if he's part of the defensive core or if he's just a rotational guy. He has the build and tools to compliment Burns well, but has only flashed. Time to see if he can step up and put up starter numbers. I'd rather pass on DEs currently. Not sure where the relationship was at prior to cutting, but bringing Fox back on a cheap deal would satisfy me. With so much in flux from the Coaching staff, down, this year is more of a 'wait-and-see' for me. I see Clowney as a trade you make midseason when you realize your team is a DE away from being special. May of 2022, we ain't there. Check back in November.

Wow. Thank you for sharing this article. Panther or not, this is an amazingly moving read.

Two sides of the coin: 1 - This is from a Twitter account started in March of '22 with only 2k followers 2 - SF has double-dipped early on the east coast in September in the past and they could be anticipating a Jimmy G vs. former team storyline

This was a great podcast.....once you get past a bit of the early warm-up chatter. **TLDR; listen to the Locked On Podcast** Once they jump in on Corral, it's pretty awesome to listen to. Every analyst/fan/alumni will have an opinion on their players, but I enjoyed what he had to say about both positives and negatives. If Corral can correctly translate his skills over (athleticism, release, off-platform throws, passion/leadership), and minimize what won't (outperforming inferior talent, running over people, turnovers, relying on RPO too much), we will be in business. His passion seems to be more Burrow/Hasselbeck than Baker/Rodgers....essentially, he's not a dick. Two items that stuck out from this podcast: How bad his injuries were, while not listening to advice to sit and wanted to play in games during the regular season. Mentioning that he wouldn't be where he was without his Team, so he's going to play through the bowl games, rather than leave them hanging. Whatever he said in the locker room during the George Floyd/America Burning political scene last year. The team asked Corral what he thought since he's QB1 and their leader. Apparently, whatever was said turned the tide and his team ran through a brick wall for him after that players meeting. He stepped up as a leader. Who knows what will come of him or when we see his shine, but I'm here for it. I'm pulling for him. I'm happy we aren't waiting on a boring low-upside Pickett or a guy like Howell. I think Corral could be polarizing to some, but I'll wait to see how he adjusts. He's shown enough up to now to convince me he's worth holding off on judging. His transparency with mental illness and showing vulnerability is not as common as we all would like to think in the NFL. Shows a lot of maturity for a college kid with a lot on the line. The Gretzky altercation in HS seems like there's two sides to the story too. I could see the Gretzky name at a prep school known for affluent heritage names running amuck being an issue for a kid that can't relate. I don't know about his drinking/alcoholism, but I would certainly say that my college years and "alcoholism" aren't that far apart...nor do I think it is for many 19-23 year old kids/students. Maybe alcoholism is a label that could be a stretch, but enjoying alcohol at that age is, IMO, more the norm than the outlier.

Not that I’m aware of. I just like seeing QBs wear that number for some reason.

Great news for all fans that had a Derek Anderson jersey before. Any of those actually exist?? Haha. I am 100% pulling for Corral to sport #11, though I think he’s feeling #9.

Media says we're not interested in Baker....then we're interested in Baker. Media says we're interested in Jimmy G, then we're not...now we supposedly are. McAdoo does not like Baker, but he does fit Jimmy G's skillset. Pickett's our guy!!!! No wait, Panthers have Willis QB1. Corral would be a great fit with Carolina....but wait...how great would Ridder be in Carolina? Oh, Sam Howell is Fitts' new Russ!! Meh.....I'm indifferent at this point. It's obvious we need a QB so every potential option is there, and it's clickbait and analysts trying to be the guy that can say "I knew it!" after Carolina puts JimmyMayCorraHowellRidPickillis under center next year.

Are you thinking about kicking Tom inside to center? I have an odd draft crush on him as a center of the future. Bozeman is good for a year and then re-sign and slide him to LG with Tom at Center. Cross-Bozeman-Tom-Corbett-Moton is a nasty talented OL for the next 5-7 years.

Have you not noticed a freeze on the talented players in FA and more of the depth/ST/practice squad level signings of late? There's a tier of players that are doing exactly that.....waiting until after the draft when the smoke clears of the direction for rosters. We have options that we don't have to draft: LT: Brown, Reiff, Solder QB: Mayfield and Jimmy G..... potentially Minshew or maybe Huntley from BAL

This is why I hope we don't go QB at 6. Tepper and Fitts have to anticipate Rhule returning for year 4 is at best 50-50. Drafting such unique QBs this year that may or may not jive with an incoming staff has to be taken into account when drafting so high this year. Ekonwu/Neal at 6 or sliding back to 9 or 11 along with re-signing Bozeman in '23 makes way more sense long-term to build this OL out with youth. Send a draft pick to BAL or PHI for Huntley or Minshew. The odds of Rhule leading us to anything better than a 7-10 or 8-9 season with Willis/Pickett/Corral is not happening. Why create potential roadblocks to hiring a better HC/OC next year.

I do think it's possible that one of Icky/Neal is there at 6. Hutchinson is for sure gone and one of the OTs will be as well. I don't think seeing any combination of.... Hutchinson, Walker, Icky or Neal, Gardner, and a trade in front of us for a QB is crazy to imagine. There's still Thibs and Hamilton as well that could go before us if not for the other guys mentioned. I prefer Icky, but would be just as happy with Neal. No way Penning > either of these two. I could also see the NYG pulling a fast one at 5 and taking Cross over the other OTs because of preferences.

Considering all three guys in the "top tier" have their flaws, you pick your poison. At this point with how we've selected QBs in our history, I'm in for going for the HR with Willis. However, I do think Corral is being quite underappreciated and could be the best of the lot. It's all about fit and if Corral fits us and our personnel better, let's roll the dice.....because that's what any of these QBs are at this point. I do think Seattle moves up with either HOU or NYG to select Willis. I think there's a lot of Russ similarities there and they can ride with Lock for a year while Willis sits. Although, I think they do also like Corral a lot and can sit tight at 9 and select him. My concern is Rhule's hard-on for Pickett and being blind to other options depending on how the draft falls. If somehow Neal/Ickey falls to 6 and it's between them and Pickett....I have concerns.

I think if the Carolina font was a little less "cartoony" / flea market knock off, it would be a home run. I do like the simplicity over the overdone shiny new toy look.

Great, so we go from 5-11, to 8-9....if we're lucky. Shanny >> Rhule Saleh > Snow Pass.

Corral was the QB1 when the season kicked off and slowly lost traction. Injury in the Bowl game didn't help his cause either. Agree w/ MHS - high level of SEC competition, in between Willis and Pickett for measurables, competitor/personality is there, etc. Will be intriguing for sure.

I get why people don't want Pickett, but the hate on him is a bit off to me. If we are taking a QB at 6, I'd prefer Willis for the upside/homerun vs. conservative/low ceiling aspect. That being said, I can make as many arguments as why to NOT take Willis as I can to not taking Pickett. Hot take - I'd prefer Pickett/Willis over Mac Jones.