TD alt

Yeah, I have to admit that Rico appears to have some pop that Chuba just doesn't have. I wouldn't have said that before yesterday though. And, yes, I've been a Chuba fan, but I also raised an eye when we gave him that contract. Now we're stuck with some difficult decisions.

Well, call it opinion. I mean from some perspective analyses are interpretations, but based upon facts that are used to draw conclusions. I can respect your opinion that there hasn't been enough time to draw a conclusion about either X's or Bryce's capability to meet what was considered their potential and expectations when they were drafted. What you should acknowledge is that others differ in that opinion and feel that there has been enough time, especially when juxtaposed against some others whom we could have drafted, or that perhaps some Huddlers are just tired of waiting. In my opinion, the Tepper era has been exhausting, so fans have a right to be impatient. What I would also say, is that at the end of the day, my original post is not so much about the disappointing play of X (or Bryce, really), but that there was a better option for the franchise and for Bryce in Ladd McConkey. Not to revisit all the points of players that we've drafted for the last decade, but the team hasn't necessarily done well, or even average to be honest. In light of how their respective careers have begun, and the observation that arguably damned near all star receivers flash generally multiple times during their rookie years, I don't see how anyone can say with a straight face that we shouldn't have chosen Ladd McConkey over Xavier Legette. That being said, I hope X can up his game to Ladd's level. Some may try and pigeon-hole Ladd into a slot position, ironically where I think X would be at his best, but the fact is is that Ladd can play effectively on the outside or the slot. More than a few people knew that Ladd was a polished receiver with high upside, but it just seems like the Panthers did not. What's done is done, so all I can do is hope that X becomes more consistent, and realizes some of that upside that compelled Dan Morgan to draft him.

I'm giving the kid some grace from returning from an injury. He's not necessarily going to be "springy" his first game, but he has enough goodwill in the tank from his rookie season to give him some time to get back into his norm. At this point, I personally am not anointing him anything but a very solid contributor, but that's good in my mind. I don't think anyone can say whether or not he's going to rise much further or whether he has hit his ceiling, but whether he has or hasn't, I'm glad that he's back.

Yeah, but you can define "fine" any which way you want. I define "fine" as OK, but not necessarily quite what you're expecting. In X's specific case, he needs to at least somewhat live up to his draft status. It would be nice if he consistently played like a high end WR2, but we'll see what happens. At this point, I'll just be happy if he is consistently productive and show that he's a legit NFL starter. If he keeps showing up in key moment and having 60-90 yardish games with a handful of scores every season, that will be "fine" to me (even if I was expecting, or at least hoping for, a little more). Like I said, we'll see what happens. Perhaps yesterday was the start of something.

No, it doesn't. For you to be talking a little smack after what amounts to X's best game just shows me that you're more interested in clowning than actual analysis. Am I glad that X had a game that was more than 60-something yards the first time in his career? You're damned right I am. Hopefully he can be consistent with the production. Does X still have a lot to work on? Yes he does. I'm not crazy about the body catching and jumping to catch passes, but perhaps he can make it work. If you saw my post in the other thread today, you would know that if anything, I am suspecting that X makes a better possession guy than outside guy (and there is nothing wrong with that at the end of the day as long as he's productive), but I thought that he'd be more than that. You'd also have seen that I suspect that Bryce and he aren't necessarily the best pairing. You d have also seen that not only do I suspect that Bryce has a limiting effect on X's YAC, but all the receivers' YAC optimization, as well as the coaches' offensive tool bags as well. I could be wrong, but that s just how I see it. I've also said that my realization that I like or dislike a player on the football field is not a static proposition. They can play better, and I can praise them, as much as I can criticize them for consistently sucking. X had a good game to be sure, but they'll have to come at a much more consistent pace---basically become the norm, as is the expectation for a WR2 (or 1). To say that I'm "wrong," based upon one game out of seven (not to mention an uninsping rookie year where he was injured for a bit) is getting way ahead of yourself. Lastly, I want X to do well. I want Bryce to do well. I'm still not holding my breath that either one of them will live up to their draft status, but if they do, I will praise the Lord.

Let me add, that that's exactly what he had a good game, not a "great" game. People are throwing around the word "great" like athletes throw down Gatorade on the sidelines every weekend.

Sorry, I don't get the "mental" thing at all. If his football IQ was as low as you say it is, then he wouldn't be out there blocking as well as he is. It is quite possible that he's been pressing due to not really being in the flow of the game because Bryce doesn't look for him on the regular. His strength, at the moment, seems to be as a mismatch in the slot on crossers and slants in my opinion,and for whatever reason (maybe height) Bryce is more likely going to chuck it to the sidelines. So, in a sense, maybe Legette and Bryce aren't a good pairing, and that gives the appearance that Legette is not all there. Lord knows that Bryce doesn't seem to be able to hit receivers in stride so they can maximize YAC. But anyway...all that being said, I thought that X would be more than just a possession type of guy. So we'll see where it goes from here. I'm not like some, who appear not to see the value in a guy who can kill you like that, and kill you just as well as guys that do their best work on the outside, but, X is going to have to be able to consistently hands-catch on the run and separate better at the top of the route if he really wants to unlock his potential as an all-around receiver. If Bryce could consistently and accurately hit receivers, especially in seams on the slants and crossers, it would open up Legette and the offense. Just my opinion, but I think he causes all the receivers to press to varying degrees, and causes the coaches to call plays that have built-in limitations, but I could be wrong about that.

Piñiero with another 50+ yard field goal. What in the world? Five for the year.

Clowney out there ballin'.

Damn, you won't give up the dream of Howell, but I could get with that as long as it's not higher than a 6th.

I could never see myself campaigning for INT Jameis. Nahhhhh.

He had a good game. Hopefully it is the start of a trend.

Exaggeration not to be taken literally

The Jets do have a legit defense.

Never aggressive at all...only when we have to be. Canales?

Sh¡t man, we screwed up on 3rd.

Just run the fuging ball! Damn!

I was thinking the exact same thing.

How is it possible that the Jets gave up nine sacks?

...Oh, now I get it. What you're saying is whether or not he'll be the starter in reference to next year. For a minute I was thinking that you were referencing the fifth year and beyond. You "scared" me for a minute. "Who is this guy?" "What's wrong with Jon Snow?" I can't even consider it going up for debate with what 9 has displayed. If we execute the option (which would tell me all I need to know about the current fúcked up iteration of the FO), then that might impede any immediate plan of pivoting.

I mean, from a general perspective, I think you're absolutely right, but there are lots of times that I can't help juxtaposing Bryce against D.J. Moore and all those picks. I know that I have to let it go, but I still care. As long as we've learned the lesson and don't double down, I guess I'll be good. Bryce has given us backup level results.

I have since dropped Legette, Sanders, and DB, but I'm still rolling. I had sense enough to draft Chuba's handcuff, but now my workhorse theory is in disarray. But, to keep it real, Canales has had it in disarray from the beginning. I don't know who to start, so I guess I'll go with "the hot hand." I'm at the top of the hill right now though. Dowdle has been a godsend. Bourne was simply a smart strategic pick-up. I traded for Rice weeks ago (for Dak), and his suspension is over, and Christian Watson should be coming off IR soon.

I'm starting him...but I'm in a 12-team league with two TE spots. The TE situation in fantasy is underwhelming. It's basically a wasteland.

I mean, a month ago I didn't want to admit it. Now people are getting their tighty-wighties in a wad because I dare say something decidedly negative about X (and/or Bryce). I am somewhat mystified. I want X to become a star. And I don't really give a fúck what they say, he's been disappointing. The difference between he and Ladd has been stark. If he could just be half of Ladd---hell, Laviska Shenault---it would be a great improvement. A glorified Mingo? Not so much.

If we're keeping it a buck, my original name is Top Dawg. I have been here since 2002 or 2003. Between this board getting hacked, and me forgetting and simply losing my password and the site not sending me a damned reset, I simply made an alternative account. @Zod himself, or any other person who has been on this board for 20+ years will tell you that I've been here a long time. Hell even some who may not have been here that long know I have pretty much been an institution on the board. I am an OG. As for "whining," you can characterize legitimate football discussion however you like, but suffice it to say, if I am "whining," it's due to years of sucking. I would suggest that you, or anyone else who's upset that I have become critical that Xavier Legette will never be worth what we paid for him just suck it up. I haven't even criticized him as much as I've become somewhat critical of him. The same goes for Bryce. If both or one can turn it around, especially when the stakes are at their highest and can be what we thought that we were getting, I will praise them. My like or dislike of a player on the football field doesn't have to be a static proposition. But, you better believe, that as a long term fan that has been with this team before 1995, I am going to criticize, or be critical of, any team member---player, coach, owner---good or bad, as I see fit. That's what the Carolina Huddle is here for.