musicman

The 33rd team newsletter predicted we traded both 2nd round picks to move to 14th in the 1st round and take TE Bowers. I do like that move. https://www.the33rdteam.com/2024-nfl-mock-draft-marvin-harrison-jr-falls-outside-top-5/?utm_source=The+33rd+Team&utm_campaign=98c1df7ede-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_2022_08_01_11_24_COPY_01&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_f389c9b62a-98c1df7ede-1367542232

I like the logic, even if the odds are saying it probably won't change the outcome of the past. But, you never know. He had so many coaches since being in the league and having success and being so young at LSU as a support WR (he was behind 2 great receivers) and then struggling in the NFL (with bad coaches) is probably a major factor. Hey, the Panthers have nothing to lose by giving him a shot in camp. If he's WR #4 it's a win for us. If he steps up even more, his career takes a big step and he gets a good/decent 2nd contract from somebody.

It's important to maintain a solid defense as that will help the offense. We can more take chances knowing the defense can stop teams most of the time. The worse thing is being too conservative on offense because we have to keep "pinning them" deep in their side of the field. If we have a good defense, I see (and hope for) more 4th & 1, 4th and 2 plays and maybe a fake FG or punt once in a while.

It really doesn't matter who we get with the 2 picks in the 2nd and so on. We need a WR (Bryce needs another weapon), TE (might be the best weapon option of all - think what Greg Olsen did for Cam), DE (depends on if he can be a solid rotational and contribute or a FA), CB (has to compete for the starting job). All have to be of starting or close to it caliber. A Center and LB are up there too. But right before the draft some FA's will take deals because they know when teams draft their positions, the deals or opportunities will be even less or gone. Then after the draft, teams (like us) that didn't get "our guy" for a certain position will sign someone. The Panthers will go into the season with all the needs filled, just may not be the best options, but nobody expected a line up to compete for the SB. I hope we take a deal at 33 to move back just a few spots and grab a couple of extra picks (like a 2nd with a 3rd and 4th/5th). I would love a 2025 1st rd instead that could be packaged with our 2025 1st rd pick to move up next year if needed. Or having 2 1st rd picks to get the missing pieces to hopefully have a team to compete for the playoffs. I'll say it again. Let's just be competitive. Win no less than 5 games but let's really get at least 7 (would love most of those at home). Last year fans felt when we were down by 10, the game was over. Hopefully this year, we can have the feeling we can pull it out (even if we don't, which we won't all the time). Even last year when the game stunk, if we were close and had those 2 comebacks the fans came alive. We just need more of that. The signings were not bad if actually fairly good. If Corbett is the weakest link on the O-line, then that's good because he's good. Brady as a swing is good too. I see Miles and Chuba having holes to run through, play action to get receivers open, etc. It's not going to KC but it's going to have some imagination. It has too. There's no where to go but up! I know they'll be a lot of negative posts but even every fan (negative or not) hopes for a turn around. Maybe this is the start. In Morgan and Canales we trust!

Bringing in a vet can be better than taking a chance on a rookie in a late round that at least he's got some experience and you have an idea of what you're getting. It allows the Panthers to draft 1 good WR (2nd or 3rd) instead of taking another one in the late rounds (unless a really good one also falls). He's 3rd to 5th on the depth chart anyway.

By signing to guards and upgrading the O-line, they are going to draft (1) and sign(1), get 2 good WRs (one will be fast). Maybe even trade for one. We still have Mingo and Theilen. That will give Bryce a chance by giving him time to process. They still need a RB and TE upgrade but this is a start. A 2nd round pick WR and a decent WR in FA is all realistic. The other 2nd round pick will probably be a DE and they'll sign one (B/B+) level. Again realistic. The 3rd round on down will fill the holes with hopefuls that they hit on one or two. Build around Brown on the DL, maybe trade or draft for another D-lineman. I would hope at least one of Barno, Wooten and Johnson takes steps at LB. I can see them signing an older vet for a stop gap. I can see them signing Gilmore on a 2 year deal at CB (stopgap) or someone like that (a cheap 30+ vet). I hope Miles has a better year with a better OC and Chubba proved he's reliable. Just pick up a late round (or UDFA) skatback speedster. They shouldn't be looking to make a long playoff run next year. Just takes steps to be competitive. 7 wins would be a major step towards that. That's my goal. Build the Offense as the defense will take a hit anyway especially after Evero leaves. Maybe they can carry the team in 2025 a little more (which will make games more exciting).

A young feisty group that wins at least 6 or 7 games during a re-shaping year. I can see them trading Burns and getting a 1st and a 3rd. I can see them trading Chinn for a 3rd and if he's not under contract they'll get a comp pick. I see them moving back (a few spots) from the 33rd pick and getting an additional 2nd or 3rd or even 4th rd pick. I see them signing a lot UDFA's who will come here because they have a legit shot. All this will mean it will take a few games in to get their bearings and then "we have nothing to lose" football and maybe some wins and the fun starts to happen. 6 or 7 wins and the start of a better culture is what I hope for.

What the higher cap should mean is we can pay for more B+/A- level guys. I really don't believe we have so many talented guys that when one of your top 3 guys is out, you can overcome it. Remember when CMC went down. I believe having a lot of solid players is better, stronger depth. Luvu is a perfect example. More guys like him making good money (not great) so we can spread the wealth out and have many good players, not just 1 or 2 great ones.

According to Spotrac.com we are 13th in the league at 31M. Texans are 4th with 61M (wow, they could be dangerous for a while). Anyway Burns is not listed. Do you tag and trade or give a long term deal? You still need to sign Luvu too as he's not listed. Tops is Moton which could get a new extension (he's at a 29M hit) so maybe we save 10M with a new deal. He deserves a longer deal (great player and person too). Next is Donte at 15M so maybe he takes less to stay because of the injuries? Derrick Brown is at 11.6M but it should stay around the same (for 2024) with a new deal that he clearly deserves. Otherwise there are no easy cuts that save big chunks without the equal post June 1 cut cap hit. So, you got Maybe 40Mil in cap room, what do you do? Who can you possibly get without blowing it all? You really can't do too many of those 8-10 mil 1 year deals. Probably stay the course with the O-line now that they'll be healthy (you don't have the money). Need a WR (at least 1 top end) and TE. Defense needs a really good pass rusher (Burns or someone else). 3 top priorities for an instant impact player with limited money and no 1st round pick. Then there's a bunch of areas after that.

Rivera was a good coach but an even greater guy. I knew him personally and he steered the ship through rough waters. He was real with people, total opposite of Rhule to what I saw. He was honest about what he learned as a HC early on, admitting he should have had more experienced coaches on his staff in the beginning. The players really liked him and people in general liked and respected him, especially if they knew him. He knew it was all about energy and spirit that made the difference between players as they all have a certain level of talent and he got them buying in to being a team. He, like many, trusted people around him and not everybody delivers. He should have had a SB trophy and maybe ppl would respect him more.

Build around Bryce. 1st, an offense game plan that he can thrive in and build the offense around him (maybe similar to Miami) with some speed receivers (and TE) and quick backs. Quick receivers will help Bryce get the ball out quicker and stretch the field and open up the middle of the field. O-line just needs to stay healthy (and a blocking scheme that fits their strengths) but better depth is needed. The guards are the most important because of Bryce's size and we had 3rd stringers in there most of the season. Does anybody realize that played a major part in the decline of the O-line. Defense; build around Brown and Luvu. If Horn can stay healthy he's a star. Evero is the key for 2024. A good defense with a decent offense has no place but to get up will make us more competitive in games. We hung in a few these year, just the offense had no horsepower to close it. Health is the key which means depth is more important. 1 or 2 stars get hurt, it's a huge swing. Think of how bad our defense would have been if Brown went down? They say don't use that as an excuse but when you don't have depth, that's the reality of it. Drafting and signing a lot of B+ level guys who are smart, grinders and love the game can and will create chemistry with the right coaching staff. Have a few A level guys with C and D level back ups doesn't work all the time. Look at KC when they lost to TB in the SB. They had 2 back up tackles and Mahomes couldn't be magical enough on his own. Side note: Having back ups who fit the same type of play and build of the starter is better than having more specialists. Thats when injuries play a larger factor when players are playing in a fill in role not exactly up their standard level of play and it shrinks the playbook as well. Have 3 types of WRs and 2 of each. Have a back up guard who plays just like the starter. Have LBs that are interchangeable. Just like teams rotating the D-line (Eagles were great at this last year, they were all similar).

The 1st pick in the 2nd rd is coveted. Let's hope we can trade back a few spot and grab a new 2nd and maybe a 3rd and 5th for it.

With Brady and Corbett coming back, we just need good depth on the OL. And the blocking scheme that fits the players we have. Maybe Icky and Brady switch LT-LG. A speedy WR and a good pass catching TE to go with Tremble and we just need guys to stay healthy. Even Miles would do better with improved blocking from the guards. It was said that Brees needed good guards to give him lanes and room to step up. That was our biggest weakness because of injuries this year. Give Bryce 3 seconds and room t step up and we'll be a lot better.

Having the 1st pick of the 2nd round is the best outcome for sucking this bad. If you landed with the 3rd overall pick, or even slightly higher, it wouldn't matter. We didn't have the 1st round. Having the 1st 2nd round pick will have teams trading multiple picks for us to move back. Looking ahead positively.

The song "I feel good" by James Brown was liked by Jerry Richardson in 2014 (and a note handwritten by JR given to the DJ) and it became the regular FG song that they still use today. Also Boom, Boom, Boom (the TD song) was picked by Mark Richardson.