musicman

Do you listen to what they say. They are going to keep trying until they get someone at QB. Develop or trade. It's not easy finding or landing a franchise QB. They started with Teddie and who knows if that was Rhule or Brady or Teddy or the combination why that didn't work out. They tried for Stafford and even Watson, there was nobody else out there. When they got Darnold and gave him the extra year, it was a calculated risk. 18 mil for 1 year, but if he plays good that first year, he's getting 35+ mil a year with like 60-100 mil guaranteed. They took a calculated risk. Trading for CJ was again a calculated risk. A 9th overall pick maybe just needed a change of scenery. He's a good 3rd or 4th CB. We just needed him to start at the end, which was over his head. At least they are trying. The trades to move up and down the draft have been smart. Not every move is gonna work out but the core is there and we might be a few moves and a good coach from making the playoffs. We almost made it to the end with what we had at the end.

I will start by saying I am a huge GM Scott Fitterer fan. Down to earth and common sense smart guy. I like the chances he took. Some worked, some didn't. I believe the formula of building the trenches, added some speed last year and now going for playmakers this coming year is solid planning. I've talked with him, he's about value and fitting it all in the cap. You can't go all in if you're not ready to go for the SB (like the Eagles getting AJ Brown, etc). Fans wanna sign this guy or that guy but it's gotta time out and play out right. Look at Buffalo going all in with Von Miller and he's out. Rams got lucky last year but they're out of this for years. Injuries and a helluva lot of distractions held this team back from at least making the playoffs this past year, even if they wouldn't have gone far. IMO, they didn't take the Burns deal because the 1st round picks were 2024 and 2025, not 2023. The defense didn't go backwards. Changes and injuries kept them from progressing forward. In 2023 I see them possibly trading up to #3 for a QB (Cards) as the Bears don't need one and the Texans will take one. After that pick #4 on need a QB so if one of the top 2 are still there, I can see them taking a chance at 3. Otherwise wait to see who's at 9 or even trade back slightly to like 12 or 13 and get someone. But build a solid team of playmakers. Even Sam played better with a solid O-line. Give Matt a chance and either draft someone or sign a good QB like Daniel Jones if he wants to come back to NC and needed a change of scenery. Not saying he's the answer, but like that. I wouldn't go all in for drafting a QB and then don't have the pieces around him to make the team or that young QB successful. They are going to keep taking chances and develop QBs until they hit which is the only thing you can do. And Yes, the HC and staff will play a major part in all that. But I trust Scott and Dan Morgan (if he doesn't get picked up) to build a winner next year (meaning at least a winning season that makes the playoffs. Again I think 2022 showed some good things and what they need to fix. I am optimistic about 2023 as there is no definitive front runner. Positive or negative whats your thoughts on the season and future?

Taking over being the captain on a sinking ship, then you lose your best player, gimme a break. He did a real good job. The players love him, the people in the building like him, the city likes him. Give them a good draft, a couple of good signings and a creative OC. Sam and Matt with a drafted QB, that O-line and with our 2 starting CBs back. Even the WR's couldn't get open with that O-line and protection. Need another great WR so 3 wide could actually scare someone deep. With the Rams and other teams needing coaches it's gonna be a battle. At least interesting to see.

Precisely.

Great reasons listed about TB. I also see a team that barely won their last 2 wins (late game pushes because of Brady). They are NOT playing their best and lets hope we can start good and finish great because Brady can squeak it out at the end after playing like crap for 55 minutes. Horn being out will be the key. Can we answer.

Wilks and Holcomb has to jump in midship. The defense is probably not designed the way he would call it if he had an entire offseason and training cap to prepare the player with it. How can you judge it?

I've read all the comments, here's what you're missing... Sam has said this time around he's being patient and taking what the defense is giving him. That may be more of a "game manager type" but he does throw the long ball and he does run on some plays to make things happen AND he's not turning the ball over. Sam also said he spent time while injured learning from the defense and what they see in an offense and how they defend it. He got a reverse look at playing in an offense system. Probably losing out to the starting job (1st time ever) was humbling and soul searching. It may also take a couple of years to relearn the game (bad habits) when he started and played in such a bad system (Jets). I hope he sticks around and gets to compete with our next draft choice. That's what Wilks would do, let them compete for there starting job, not just say you're the back up (you've got to earn where you play). Some people have a hate for him no matter what and he deserves some of the heat because of his past. But for 4 games, he's playing mistake free football as the team learns its identity. And defense wins championships. In all of Mahomes's greatness, he lost the SB to TB because he didn't have an offensive line worth anything but had all that talent around him. It's still a team game and we're starting to play like a team on all 3 sides. Enjoy the next game. It's gonna be fun. And let's hope Horn is all right.

New York (the big city environment and fans) has to be tough place to play for anybody. I also don't think Fields will be great. He can run is why he's so good right now. It's not easy predicting who's going to be a franchise QB. Besides skills, it's leadership under pressure what ultimately determines if they can handle the position. That you can't really tell until you see them play in the NFL.

IDK what you pay him, just keep him here. Solid player and a great person, personally and in the community. Him and his wife are always doing things for kids and families. He's a soft spoken guy who like Luke, becomes an animal on the field. We need him to stay in CLT for a while.

Belichick struggled with the Browns, before going to the Jets for a day, then Pats. Raid did good in Philly, they just jumped too fast. Most OCs are good OCs because they can manipulate plays, angles, timing, etc. A head Coach is so much more. It's a Parcell guy who can motivate and keep it all together and lean on his OC & DC to handle the job, while supporting them and knowing what to do at times. Wilks is our guy.

Wilks all the way. Who ever he brings in at OC, I am fine with. A decent draft with a couple of good FA signings and this team could ball. Next year: QB is Darnold, a 1st rd pick (develop) and Corral (lets see). He's got the team playing hard, the fans behind them, why disrupt that and roll the dice. Wilks is a class guy, even great with the media (doesn't say stupid things) and has them playing at a high level.

When I saw Jimmy G's injury I thought this would be a possible move. Best for both parties.

We are not giving the Saints draft picks so this won't happen.

I don't control the volume, but I can tell you this. The louder it is, it helps "disrupt" the other teams offense. It seems louder when the crowd in not loud at all. When the fans are loud the PA system is not loud enough. Not just music, PA, videos, but everything. Also with video, PA and music, the louder it is, it naturally causes fans to be loud. Plus the speakers are directed towards the stands and they need some of that sound to translate to the field (especially when the other team is sending in plays to the QB).

The song before the player video and intros is The Drum by the Siege.

Lacrimosa by Apashe. Obviously it's a music only loop.

A head coach has to lead men and give direction, an identity. An OC is suppose to design an offense and a DC the defense. His DC is doing a damn good job (his choice). Parcells lead the players, Belichick called the defense. They had decent OCs. How many people would have been successful in this environment? And to trade away your best player, but trade away a cancer on the team too (his choice). He changed the mindset already. The team in most games (except Cinn) were competitive. The team played hard. The team, the organization the city needs some stability. Look at Denver, bring in a top OC to coach and a top QB and where are they? It's not always a proven formula. I would think everyone wants a Tomlin, consistent winner, in most games, but has only one 1 championship - still good. Players love playing for him.

Wilks is exactly what this team and city need. The local guy who players LOVE playing for. He's not flashy, but real. The building has been different since he took over and we don't look like a team about to roll over for a top pick. He using this season to build a winning culture after 2+ years of IDK what? Give him a 3 year contract with at least 2 years to see what he can do. The defense is showing it can be a top 10 defense. Let's see what a year of picks and FA signing can do for the offense. IMO, If we don't, he could be attractive to other teams each week and the price goes up and the length of the deal goes up. #Wilksfan

This is off. RB was an upgrade (look at CMC in 2019) WR was an upgrade (Gina, Brown, Level, etc) CB - At least a push (Horne, Jackson and we did have Gilmore for a season). S - Chinn is an upgrade QB, LB and TE - it's hard to replace 3 of the greatest to play the game in their prime.

But if decide to win a few games this year, then we don't have the 1st. Need more capital to trade for the 1st or 2nd pick. Call it a back up plan. Others won't bring high picks. With DJ, even Shi & TJ and our Line it's enough to build on. Defense needs another Derrick Brown. Got 2 good CBs. I like Shaq and think he's good for the team. (at least this year).

What about a 1st (Saints), a 2nd, 4th and a 3rd and 5th the following year. Would you do it? I don't see anybody giving up 2 1st rounds (IMO).

I didn't say everything would be fine. I said the narrated would be different meaning "whew, we got a way with one there. At least they fought back to cover up how bad they played" or something along those lines.

Did the Baker and offense struggle for almost 3 quarters, yes. Did the team struggle stopping the run and tackling for more than a half, yes. Has CMC played at all this preseason? No. Did they put all it together and almost win it, yes. Missed FG and its bright spots and sunshine instead of gloom and doom. Game 1. Let's see how they respond in NY. But I will say the fans at the stadium were bringing the noise when it was needed.

Excellent post. TY!!!

TENBar 58 is Thomas Davis's new sports bar that is suppose to open on Sunday.