Again, Smitty is cautiously optimistic about Mayfield

[GRWatcher]

 

[GRWatcher]

https://www.instagram.com/p/Cf4FrSKuqve/

Instagram apparently won't embed like Twitter but here's the full interview.

[Proudiddy]

He didn't consider Jake top 15?  I did, prior to the elbow stuff.

[mrcompletely11]

He knows where his bread is buttered

[top dawg]

I mean, maybe "optimistic" considering the context of Panthers' history, but "top 15 or 20" outside of Cam Newton is probably him being more realistic than optimistic, cautiously or otherwise. Some people's heads will probably explode because of the elephant in the room.

[Captroop]

4 minutes ago, mrcompletely11 said:

He knows where his bread is buttered

His bread is buttered by the NFL Network, which would benefit more from Stephen A. and Shannon Sharpe negative hot takes. Pandering to a small market fanbase is  buttering a whole baguette with a pat of butter.

Edited July 11, 2022 by Captroop

[Proudiddy]

And all respect to Smitty, possibly my favorite Panther of all-time, definitely one of my all-time favorite players ever, and always appreciate his takes and analysis, but I do find this pivot interesting.  He was relentless in mocking and belittling Baker last year, seemingly at every turn.  I believe he's flat out called him a bad QB in the past.  And I don't think this about-face is from internal expectations or pressure because he ripped into quite a few guys during preseason last year to the point Zarzour was extremely uncomfortable trying to wash over it and smooth it out during the broadcasts...  so he clearly doesn't hold back because he still works for the org...  so, I wonder what it is?

I also found it very interesting that he took the "Darnold has all the tools and potential" route last preseason, when to me, Darnold always seemed exactly like one of those guys Smitty would destroy at every opportunity, but he didnt..didn't...  yet, he acted that way with Baker, and now he thinks he's Top 15?

Don't get me wrong, I think Baker is a Top 15 guy, with Top 10 potential.  And straight up, watching him and Darnold, despite the proximity in stats, is like night and day.  Baker, at times, controlled and took over games.  Darnold, even in his good games, seemed like he was a play away from imploding, or that he just accidentally tripped into positive plays.  I just never thought Darnold was good.  Ever.  Baker can be, and has shown he can be.  That's why I'm more far more encouraged about QB going into this season than I was last...

[bLACKpANTHER]

Top Tier (1-4):
P.Mahomes, A.Rogers, J.Allen, T.Brady

Next Level (5-11)
J.Burrow, L.Jackson, J.Herbert, M.Stafford, D.Watson, D.Carr, R.Wilson

Starting Caliber (12-15)
D.Prescott, K.Cousins, K.Murray, R.Tannehill

Ups & Downs (16-20):
M.Ryan, J.Hurts, B.Mayfield, J.Garoppolo, Mac Jones

Time Will Tell... (21-23):
T.Lawrence, J.Fields, Z.Wilson

Bottom Rung (24-32):
J.Winston, C.Wentz, M.Trubisky, D.Lock, J.Goff, D.Jones, D.Mills, M.Mariotta, T.Tagovailoa

Edited July 11, 2022 by bLACKpANTHER

[Jackie Lee]

15 minutes ago, bLACKpANTHER said:

Top Tier (1-4):
P.Mahomes, A.Rogers, J.Allen, T.Brady

Next Level (5-11)
J.Burrow, L.Jackson, J.Herbert, M.Stafford, D.Watson, D.Carr, R.Wilson

Starting Caliber (12-15)
D.Prescott, K.Cousins, K.Murray, R.Tannehill

Ups & Downs (16-20):
M.Ryan, J.Hurts, B.Mayfield, J.Garoppolo, Mac Jones

Time Will Tell... (21-23):
T.Lawrence, J.Fields, Z.Wilson

Bottom Rung (24-32):
J.Winston, C.Wentz, M.Trubisky, D.Lock, J.Goff, D.Jones, D.Mills, M.Mariotta, T.Tagovailoa

Darnold not even on the list ouch. I guess they kept it to 1 qb per team for these rankings

 

[KSpan]

10 minutes ago, Jackie Lee said:

Darnold not even on the list ouch. I guess they kept it to 1 qb per team for these rankings

 

Seasons like Darnold's 2021 would qualify as 'Holding the ladder.'

[Proudiddy]

1 minute ago, KSpan said:

Seasons like Darnold's 2021 would qualify as 'Holding the ladder.'

Or "Best future insurance salesman."

[Pejorative Miscreant]

12 minutes ago, Jackie Lee said:

Darnold not even on the list ouch. I guess they kept it to 1 qb per team for these rankings

 

They would need to create a new category

[Proudiddy]

29 minutes ago, bLACKpANTHER said:

Top Tier (1-4):
P.Mahomes, A.Rogers, J.Allen, T.Brady

Next Level (5-11)
J.Burrow, L.Jackson, J.Herbert, M.Stafford, D.Watson, D.Carr, R.Wilson

Starting Caliber (12-15)
D.Prescott, K.Cousins, K.Murray, R.Tannehill

Ups & Downs (16-20):
M.Ryan, J.Hurts, B.Mayfield, J.Garoppolo, Mac Jones

Time Will Tell... (21-23):
T.Lawrence, J.Fields, Z.Wilson

Bottom Rung (24-32):
J.Winston, C.Wentz, M.Trubisky, D.Lock, J.Goff, D.Jones, D.Mills, M.Mariotta, T.Tagovailoa

It's still crazy to me that Wentz is where he is now since tearing his acl.  Before that injury, he looked like a future star in the league/face of the league in the midst of what was likely an MVP season.  Now he's been traded twice in the last two offseasons and is widely regarded as a guy you don't want.

[Sgt Schultz]

6 minutes ago, KSpan said:

Seasons like Darnold's 2021 would qualify as 'Holding the ladder.'

Especially in a Three Stooges short.