So... Compared to one month ago how are you feeling about this season?

[Cdw]

Ask me again after the bye

[LinvilleGorge]

4 minutes ago, Eazy-E said:

This team cannot afford to rely on a rookie DE and FS to be day one starters and produce at an above average level. If they do great, but you still need a backup plan.

Even if it’s after the draft we need to address those positions in free agency.

Yeah, I absolutely think we'll still add a veteran FS and edge rusher. The only possible scenario where we don't is if the staff feels like Gaulden has improved leaps and bounds and is ready to man that spot. That would make me awfully nervous though.

[Growl]

30 minutes ago, hepcat said:

I mean I disagree 100%. Kyle Allen is a big unknown but probably at best he’s Matt Moore 2.0. Heineke is just a camp arm. The Patriots made a habit of developing a quality backup behind Brady and getting value from it. Given Cam’s shoulder problems they need to take a hard look at either bringing in a vet QB that could start in a pinch or invest a draft pick in a backup. At best the drafted QB never plays and gets traded, at worst that QB gets significant starting time of Cam’s shoulder gives out. There is literally no negative to either scenario. 

 

This is all idealistic hooey that team's talk themselves into because it sounds so moderate and rational and it means they don't have to make a big, tough decision.

But it's garbage. The team isn't getting a player of substance in the 6th round. It's a pointless waste. I'm all for flipping backups QBs, I've been advocating for it for a long time. Get some nominally intriguing name at QB, marching him out there in the preseason and in blowouts and in other favorable moments, and then getting something for him by screwing over some stupid, desperate team.

But that isn't where the panthers are at anymore.

If Cam's shoulder becomes a problem again, then it's time to move on.

Wasting some pick on a QB who won't do anything or having Sam Bradford come in and tank your draft stock forces the panthers into a position where they become one of those stupid, desperate teams.

The panthers need to make substantial, bold decisions in preparation for the contingency that they have to find another franchise QB next offseason. A real, franchise QB, the kind you only get by having a top 3 pick.

They're already behind the 8 ball because by all accounts, the Giants, dolphins, and others have already started gearing up for the next QB class.

The team needs to have foresight. There is no positive to getting a bum who can climb you to 7-9 and destroy the window for an otherwise complete roster.

Well, at least the window I thought was going to exist after spending this offseason rebuilding the defense, and weeeellll...

[Palmetto]

The same

Newtons health

and a great draft would make me feel better about the up coming season

[Growl]

see, this is the problem with having a quasi-lame duck management staff in place.

My plan for the panthers offseason was pretty simple:

1) Focus on rebuilding the defense. The Panthers have a good offense. It would still be good with a rookie Center.  Rebuild the defense, and if Cam's shoulder is fine, you can objectively and fairly expect the team to contend for a super bowl.

2) if Cam's shoulder is NOT fine, you've successfully built the team around the QB and can have a talented rookie step in and still maintain momentum and compete for championships. Prepare for the possibility that you'll need a new QB this offseason. 

But therein lies the problem.

Ron and Marty aren't concerned about the possibility of needing a new QB because they wouldn' be here to draft him.     

Their entire focus on this offseason, is to try and prevent the one big tj watt hit on Cam that will, in all essence, cost them their job-because they obviously cannot endure another poor season, so thus, the panthers are investing an atypical amount in the OL.

It sure looks like the singular managerial focus is making sure their jobs are safe. 

 

 

[raleigh-panther]

I believe Tepper has served notice to Rivera and if this team doesn’t make a deep playoff run, Rivera and Hurney are gone 

an owner should not have to tell a head coach 

1. You were to slow to make course corrections during the season

2. You are poor at game management 

3. You failed to protect the franchise qb

4  you failed to have a backup plan for a franchise qb coming off shoulder surgery 

5  you need to move into the 21st century and use analytics 

that’s the problem with Ron, he has to be told  

Cam and Luke are in their primes   I pay for PSLs just to see them  that’s about it   I have no faith in Rivera   I hope for the best  

 

[Cpt slay a ho]

I’m beyond pleased, the moves we could make we made, at a reasonable rate also, the season success hinges on the overall health of the team. 

Still would like a vet fs or de, which still some guys are available, plus I don’t know how serious the 3-4 talk is but that’s going to be big factor. 

[TheSpecialJuan]

Using Bill Barnwell's offseason analysis: 

1. Address the tackle position. The Panthers have some work to do. The good news is that second-year tackle Taylor Moton had a very good season on the right side and appears to be locked into that role for the years to come. No worries there. Moton took over for Daryl Williams, who missed virtually all of 2018 with knee injuries. More on him in a second.

The left side of the line isn't quite as enticing. One of Dave Gettleman's last moves as Panthers general manager was to sign Matt Kalil to an inexplicable five-year, $55.5 million deal before the 2017 season. The oft-injured Kalil had a subpar 2017 season before missing the entire 2018 campaign with a knee injury. Chris Clark, who became the starter in Kalil's absence, was a stopgap and is now a free agent.The Panthers find themselves in a difficult place with Kalil, who has a $12.5 million cap hit in 2019. If they cut him, they'll owe $14.7 million in dead money. Even if they designate Kalil as a post-June 1 release, they would owe $4.9 million in 2019 before a $9.8 million charge in 2020. No team wants to eat that much dead money, but Kalil might not justify the roster spot if the Panthers can find a competent left tackle.

This brings us back to Williams, who was a second-team All-Pro right tackle in 2017 and is now a free agent. The Panthers briefly slotted Moton in as their starting left tackle in place of Kalil before moving him to the right side once Williams reinjured his knee. One option for the Panthers would be to cut Kalil, re-sign Williams, then move Moton to left tackle. It's high-risk -- Moton might not be able to play left tackle -- but they might also end up with the best possible combination of tackles available from this three-man bunch.More likely, the Panthers will let Williams leave, keep Moton on the right side and give Kalil one more year at left tackle. Taking a tackle in the first few rounds of the 2019 draft should be in the cards for Carolina.

2. Find a free safety. The Panthers re-signed Eric Reid after he impressed as a midseason signing, but they probably need to find him a partner in center field. Mike Adams, who was the starter a year ago, is probably best suited for a reserve player/coach role at this point. Carolina has 2018 third-rounder Rashaan Gaulden in the mix, but he's still converting to the position after playing mostly corner in college and likely profiles as a strong safety, where Reid is best.

The good news for the Panthers is that the veteran market is deep at free safety, given the presence of Earl Thomas, Tyrann Mathieu and several others. Ha Ha Clinton-Dix could make sense here given his likely price tag.

3. Add an edge rusher. The Panthers finished 25th in sack rate last season, with a surprisingly mediocre season from Kawann Short; the edge rushers behind Mario Addison didn't do very much to move the needle, either. Addison finished with 10 sacks, but Julius Peppers was the only other defender with more than 3.5 takedowns, and the future Hall of Famer just announced his retirement. Wes Horton, who started eight games a year ago, is also a free agent.

Again, the Panthers find themselves in the right moment for adding defensive line help, given that this is a draft that is absolutely loaded with front-seven defenders. GM Marty Hurney should be able to grab an impactful pass-rusher for coach Ron Rivera with the 16th overall pick. The Panthers also could dip into the free-agent market for help, where a veteran such as Benson Mayowa or Bruce Irvin could contribute in a rotational role.

4. Decline the fifth-year option on Vernon Butler. The Louisiana Tech product simply hasn't improved since entering the NFL, and in a Panthers organization that has done a good job of developing defensive linemen, the onus for that would seem to fall on Butler. The 24-year-old was a healthy scratch in December. It wouldn't be a shock if he were on another roster come Week 1. A reunion with Gettleman in New York is entirely plausible.

5. Draft a replacement for Ryan Kalil. Carolina's longtime center (and Matt's brother) retired this offseason, leaving the Panthers with a hole at the pivot. There are centers such as Mitch Morse and Matt Paradis on the free-agent market, but the Panthers might prefer to lean toward the draft for cap reasons. Carolina already met with NC State product Garrett Bradbury at the Senior Bowl, and adding at least one rookie to compete with Tyler Larsen for the starting job would make sense.

http://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/25966875/five-2019-offseason-moves-nfc-team-make-bill-barnwell-predicts-trades-free-agency-cuts#car

[TheSpecialJuan]

Just now, TheSpecialJuan said:

Using Bill Barnwell's offseason analysis: 

1. Address the tackle position. The Panthers have some work to do. The good news is that second-year tackle Taylor Moton had a very good season on the right side and appears to be locked into that role for the years to come. No worries there. Moton took over for Daryl Williams, who missed virtually all of 2018 with knee injuries. More on him in a second.

The left side of the line isn't quite as enticing. One of Dave Gettleman's last moves as Panthers general manager was to sign Matt Kalil to an inexplicable five-year, $55.5 million deal before the 2017 season. The oft-injured Kalil had a subpar 2017 season before missing the entire 2018 campaign with a knee injury. Chris Clark, who became the starter in Kalil's absence, was a stopgap and is now a free agent.The Panthers find themselves in a difficult place with Kalil, who has a $12.5 million cap hit in 2019. If they cut him, they'll owe $14.7 million in dead money. Even if they designate Kalil as a post-June 1 release, they would owe $4.9 million in 2019 before a $9.8 million charge in 2020. No team wants to eat that much dead money, but Kalil might not justify the roster spot if the Panthers can find a competent left tackle.

This brings us back to Williams, who was a second-team All-Pro right tackle in 2017 and is now a free agent. The Panthers briefly slotted Moton in as their starting left tackle in place of Kalil before moving him to the right side once Williams reinjured his knee. One option for the Panthers would be to cut Kalil, re-sign Williams, then move Moton to left tackle. It's high-risk -- Moton might not be able to play left tackle -- but they might also end up with the best possible combination of tackles available from this three-man bunch.More likely, the Panthers will let Williams leave, keep Moton on the right side and give Kalil one more year at left tackle. Taking a tackle in the first few rounds of the 2019 draft should be in the cards for Carolina.

2. Find a free safety. The Panthers re-signed Eric Reid after he impressed as a midseason signing, but they probably need to find him a partner in center field. Mike Adams, who was the starter a year ago, is probably best suited for a reserve player/coach role at this point. Carolina has 2018 third-rounder Rashaan Gaulden in the mix, but he's still converting to the position after playing mostly corner in college and likely profiles as a strong safety, where Reid is best.

The good news for the Panthers is that the veteran market is deep at free safety, given the presence of Earl Thomas, Tyrann Mathieu and several others. Ha Ha Clinton-Dix could make sense here given his likely price tag.

3. Add an edge rusher. The Panthers finished 25th in sack rate last season, with a surprisingly mediocre season from Kawann Short; the edge rushers behind Mario Addison didn't do very much to move the needle, either. Addison finished with 10 sacks, but Julius Peppers was the only other defender with more than 3.5 takedowns, and the future Hall of Famer just announced his retirement. Wes Horton, who started eight games a year ago, is also a free agent.

Again, the Panthers find themselves in the right moment for adding defensive line help, given that this is a draft that is absolutely loaded with front-seven defenders. GM Marty Hurney should be able to grab an impactful pass-rusher for coach Ron Rivera with the 16th overall pick. The Panthers also could dip into the free-agent market for help, where a veteran such as Benson Mayowa or Bruce Irvin could contribute in a rotational role.

4. Decline the fifth-year option on Vernon Butler. The Louisiana Tech product simply hasn't improved since entering the NFL, and in a Panthers organization that has done a good job of developing defensive linemen, the onus for that would seem to fall on Butler. The 24-year-old was a healthy scratch in December. It wouldn't be a shock if he were on another roster come Week 1. A reunion with Gettleman in New York is entirely plausible.

5. Draft a replacement for Ryan Kalil. Carolina's longtime center (and Matt's brother) retired this offseason, leaving the Panthers with a hole at the pivot. There are centers such as Mitch Morse and Matt Paradis on the free-agent market, but the Panthers might prefer to lean toward the draft for cap reasons. Carolina already met with NC State product Garrett Bradbury at the Senior Bowl, and adding at least one rookie to compete with Tyler Larsen for the starting job would make sense.

http://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/25966875/five-2019-offseason-moves-nfc-team-make-bill-barnwell-predicts-trades-free-agency-cuts#car

Marty has done well so far, it seems that hes waiting for the second waive of free agency to plug holes at DE/DT/FS

 

[OldNorthPowell]

Feeling better, but I wish they would address defensive issues in FA as well. At least sure up the S position and maybe a vet cornerback.

[NanuqoftheNorth]

Arrr matey,

A month ago, things looked pretty dark and gloomy for the Panthers in 2019. 

The offseason was much like a leaky lifeboat rapidly taking on water, lost on rough seas and engulfed by a pitch black night. 

Since then, MH has managed to plug about a third of the leaks while tossing dead weight overboard in order to keep the Panthers heads above water. 

It appears that MH has his oars in the water and heading in the right direction with a new dawn on the horizon.

In short, the situation no longer looks entirely bleak.  

Capt Marty has now charted his course for the busy draft lanes in hopes of an immediate rescue.

Danger dead ahead, all hands on deck! 

Will Capt Marty discover help desperately needed for the Carolina Panthers survival or trade away his opportunities for a date with Davey Tepper's locker?

[Hotsauce]

I’m still bottomed out as a fan. It’s going to take a convincing first 8 games in 2019 for me to have any post season hope. 

Wait and see

[tiger7_88]

7 hours ago, Jeremy Igo said:

Are you more or less optimistic than one month ago?

Is Ron Rivera still the head coach?

[Tepper's Chest Hair]

3 hours ago, Growl said:

What in the world are you even talking about

You stated there were a lot of hard choices that we need to man up about, regarding the QB position.

You implied that its wrong for the coaches, gm, to not be fully convinced it was a one off thing (cam's shoulder), and pointed out the lack of preparations for having to move on have been made.  

So following that line of thought..you seem to be suggesting we should be moving on from Cam Newton.  Now continuing that..what preparations could we be making in the off season to move on from Cam Newton?  What starting quality QBs were available to move on to with these preparations you apparently feel the Panthers should have been made.  There is only one QB I have seen change teams, that was available.  Nick Foles.  Unless you mean we should have done something like trade for Rosen?

If these are not what you meant, then I am greatly curious to what in the world you are even talking about.  What preparations should we be making this off season to move on from Cam Newton?

Only other thing I can think of is that the Panthers should be intentionally blowing up the team, making it as bad as possible so that they can tank and get a good pick next draft?