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That would be fine...if Wharton wasn't the better run defender.

He's just getting respect right now, as he's the vocal leader of the defense. Wharton has been making his mark in camp is the general sense that I get. They didn't pay him that money to ride the bench.

Forgot the damned link, didn't I? https://www.panthers.com/news/panthers-release-first-depth-chart-of-2025 Oh, and the link is actually working now. https://www.panthers.com/team/depth-chart

Like Gantt said, there are really no surprises based upon observations in camp.

Well the link is not working for some reason at the moment (maybe they'll fix it), but until then I guess I'll give us a little to discuss. This is hardly an article (so hopefully they won't complain about copyrights). Almost in its entirety, Per Darrin Gantt's "article:" "On offense, Tetairoa McMillan, Adam Thielen, and Xavier Legette are listed as the starters at wide receiver. "David Moore, Hunter Renfrow, and Jalen Coker are listed behind them, respectively on the chart. "On defense, the starting line is listed as Derrick Brown and A'Shawn Robinson at defensive end, with Bobby Brown III at defensive tackle. The chart has Tershawn Wharton listed behind Robinson. "Patrick Jones II and D.J. Wonnum are listed as the starters at outside linebacker, with Princely Umanmielen behind Jones, and Nic Scourton and DJ Johnson behind Wonnum. "At safety, Tre'von Moehrig and Nick Scott are listed as the starters, with Demani Richardson and Lathan Ransom backing them up, respectively. "Veteran Matthew Wright is listed as the first kicker ahead of rookie Ryan Fitzgerald..."

I'll believe it when I see it. I didn't think that he was better than Ward on draft night, and I still don't think it. Provided the Browns name Shedeur the starter (which I know is unlikely right now), I still say Cam Ward has the edge. It's arguable which offense and team are better overall. The Titans defense was very good last season. All that being said, I don't think Sanders will be at out Ward for OROY.

I know that our season and hope for the future largely falls on Bryce, and I know Bryce had a decent comeback (relative to where he was) when he returned to the field last season, but it would shock me more for the defense to suck than Bryce to suck. We are currently spending more on the interior of the D-line than any other team. We've added so much. If we get carved up by Sanders, my expectations for this team will fall precipitously.

15 years to get your sh¡t straight!? Man, you must really think that we are a hapless and hopeless francise. In five years, I'll be eligible for Social Security (provided the man and Congress doesn't move the age back). Even a very deep hole shouldn't take that long to dig out of if you even half half-way competent management. I'm thinking by 2027, tops. You must think Bryce, Dan and Dave are going bye-bye.

I had no idea it was so long ago. That being said, the Ravens let him go for "football reasons," but he's still on ice for 10 games. I believe that if he didn't suck so bad last season, they'd have kept him, but between missing on the field (73 percent success), missing for 10 games the coming season, and him being 35 years old, he's probably just not worth the trouble.

Bryce better outplay Shedeur, or discussions will get interesting.

Finally got one to embed.

It would be kind of un-American to tell 32 owners that you must ban Jon Gruden. It would likely bring more public controversy as well. It could give his lawsuit a little more credence also, where he says the NFL intentionally tried to damage his reputation. He probably has some enemies for sure however, and it probably predated the entire controversy. I can't say that I like or dislike the guy, but I probably wouldn't invite him for dinner. I don't think he's worse than a lot of people outside and inside the NFL; I'd prefer a more enlightened mind. I think that he was absolutely stupid, and maybe arrogant and too comfortable, to put some of the things that he said in writing. It shows a serious lack of judgement and understanding of the world.

Yeah, but that 24 percent winning season reality still stings. We can look at all the loser stats we like.

No one is "condemning him," but even "Coach" said he has to finish. And, yes, there are grumblings in media---not just on our message board---that we may need to acquire other options, the latest being Greg Joseph.

True, but that shouldn't stop you from trying.

Never ridiculous trying to acquire the best. Anything less is anti-football.

I appreciate what you're saying, but Vinatieri was the most clutch kicker ever. I can't say that for those guys (I'll take Boswell though).

Sorry, man, I just don't get the "we're not going to be competitive," argument. I think that developing a winning culture really matters. The kicker, perhaps unfairly, has undue weight on his shoulders. Though always seemingly understated, their importance is immeasurable. You can't see the rest of the guys working their asses off week after week to win, only to be let down by the kicker. It speaks to morale and a sense of security and belief. I don't know who Gino Garcia is (nice sports name), but I'll take your word for it that we should bring him in if available.

One of five on the skinny posts today. According to Person, two of the misses would've been good on regulation posts. Sixty percent ain't getting it done (rain, snow or shine). Everyone hopes you're right and that kid flips a switch in September, but if he keeps whiffing, he may not make it to September.

Now that wouldn't be a good look (on its face, and especially after the Deshaun Watson fiasco). I can see how his story would slick through the cracks outside of B-more, maybe you didn't know.

Kid's got the yips.

Dr. Jenkins brought up some really good points. That's a perspective that I never thought about (and I've heard the opposite here for decades now). I do know that when I was an innocent kid, maybe from aged four all the way up to a teenager, I was happy when my team won preseason games and less so when they did not. One must remember that the other team has future insurance salesmen too. Never got the "playbook confidentiality" thing. Hell, all the teams run basically the same plays anyway. "Vanilla?" That could be viewed as simply a rationalization for losing. Holding back starters for health concerns is reasonable, and, yes, that could affect the win-loss column in August. How about a compromise? "Trying to win matters in the preseason." I really appreciate Dr. Jenkins' perspective though, and I respect it.

They just signed Tyler Huntley, and it's reported that he'll be playing. Two greenhorns, huh? I'm not convinced that Sanders or Gabriel are necessarily better than Plummer at this point. And I know damned well that Dalton should outplay either one of them. You're talking about their third and fourth string QBs. Let's not get carried away with the new kids on the block.

OK, I know that it's wrong---I know that it's wrong---to put undue importance on a preseason game, but If we can't beat the hapless Browns with their trainwreck of a QB situation (and a still unsigned rookie RB), then who the hell are we going to beat? You can't lose to the damned Browns. Not this Friday.

Oh, sorry about that. Let us know about your son though. Good deal! Hopefully some of us will still be around and in our right minds in six years. It's an outstanding achievement just to get a scholarship. My great nephew (by marriage) was awarded a baseball scholarship to one of the two schools in Bluefield, West Virginia (can't remember which one). He couldn't handle the college life though and ended up returning home. It was all there in front of him...he just couldn't keep his priorities in order and let college life get the best of him his freshman year (hell, he didn't even finish the year). Keep your son close and keep working on him now about his priorities and attitude, and making responsible decisions (outside of baseball). He's young, but there's still a way to frame things in a way that he can relate. Sorry, just a little unsolicited advice.