Panthers will bring Tetairoa in for a visit

[Aussie Tank]

Don't let any of it worry you. If Dan gets a whiff that he doesn't love football he will be off our board. And if we draft him it means all this is white noise 

[TD alt]

2 hours ago, MHS831 said:

You bring up good points that could be looked into more carefully. 

I heard what he said--you have gym rats and film rats--and they are the people who are willing to do more than they need to do instead of what they are merely required to do.  Stats?  Yes.  They beat New Mexico, Northern Arizona, Utah, and Houston.  They were playing from behind (passing) vs. non starters quite a bit.

He had a 300-yard game against New Mexico. A 200-yard game vs. a weak WVU team (6-6) during which they were playing from behind (passing more).  Impressive, nonetheless.

• However, how did he do vs. Colorado and Hunter at CB?  38 yards.  Maybe he should have watched more film.
• What about the big rivalry game vs. ASU at the end of the season?  68 yards.
• What about the big win vs. Houston, a team that was ranked 10th at the time?  50 yards. 
• Brigham Young was ranked 14th when they played.  78 yards. 

these are not bad numbers, but against the top teams, he was pretty pedestrian.  To me, that is why you watch film--you watch for tells or mistakes your opponent makes--you look to find some way to beat your opponent. 

His stats were good, but if you take out the two games vs. bad teams, (over 500 yards) he averaged about 80 yards per game on a team that was throwing a lot because they were behind a lot.

If you look at the game where he was facing the equivalent of a #1 CB in the NFL, he got shut down. 

 

Hunter was on McMillan for five passes. McMillan caught 3 passes for 15 yards while Hunter covered him. He also made a first down, and a touchdown while being covered by Hunter. So, you might call that being shut down, but I don't. I'd also add that game script means something as well. Even though Colorado was running a lot, Tet got his yards, and the way that the NFL is, with the chess game of creating mismatches, I would think that Tet will largely be productive as well. Of course there are no guarantees, but we can only speculate and try to project at this point. I'm certainly not going to read into playing this team or that team--feasting on bad teams and leveling out against good teams--because that happens every Sunday as well if people are being honest. I can appreciate your opinion and skepticism, but we all must acknowledge that we're all just guessing to a degree based upon our analyses (or simply generalities, desires or nothing at all in regards to some of us) that aren't necessarily free from inherent biases based upon whatever reasons.

 

Edited March 30 by TD alt

[MHS831]

It is all good folks.  As I said, not questioning his performance as much as his work ethic. I have explained it.  Every first round prospect has stats.  50% become successful.  His comments are areas I would look into.  You can disagree and pull out all the numbers you want, but they do not mean squat if you don't bring a hunger to learn and get better to the NFL.  Does he have that?  You nor I know, but the comments I have seen from him are concerning.

That is it--this is not an argument anyone can win, so think what you want and I will too. 

I do appreciate these debates, however.  The best time of the year and we should be locking horns about it at times.

[Navy_football]

All I know is Jefferson and Chase are well known as big film watchers. If Tet doesn't study film now, he's gonna have to learn to.

[bandu]

nah I will pass this kids not an NFL WR1.the problem is not so much can he catch the ball i know he can do that. it's the corners in the NFL will have no problem covering this kid ...just saying 

Edited March 31 by bandu

[PantherKyle]

Tet is a beast. Reminds me of an athletic Michael Thomas. I do not believe in XL to become an elite #1 with his lack of true hands talent. If we wanna invest in Bryce and think he can be his go to guy I am for it. I lean Graham or Walker if they are there though. 

[Car123]

We need speed and agility. We have enough of these possession guys.

[MHS831]

12 hours ago, Navy_football said:

All I know is Jefferson and Chase are well known as big film watchers. If Tet doesn't study film now, he's gonna have to learn to.

In college, I would go to the grill and get a burger and drink after we practiced and watched film for 4 hours (combined--3-7pm) then I would go watch film from 7-9 with my burger and drink--it was voluntary--a senior captain was usually running things.  I would listen to the older guys--usually there were 5 or so players in the room--and they taught me how to "watch" film.  At 9, I would leave to go to study hall (required for freshman) until 10:30. That was my day during the season.  I could not learn enough.  The players who were in the film room were our best players, for the most part.  I was usually the only freshman and there were 37 of us.  During this time, I went from 7th to 2nd on the depth chart at my position. The guys in the film room (that I can remember):  2 All-Pros in the NFL (Colts and Eagles), one LB for the Seahawks, one Bronco.  The best athlete on our team was a S who did not watch film; he went to Green Bay and was cut after one season.    So that is what I base my opinion on.  If TMac thinks he can compete with the Jeffersons and Chases--heck, even the Adam Thielens of the NFL with that approach, he is probably mistaken.  I would look into his film study habits because it reflects his commitment and attitude. That is why I heard something different than others on this thread.  I can tell you, that every time you advance in Football, the competition gets 100x more challenging.  What was OK at 4-win Arizona might not be OK in the NFL. 

Not dismissing others for thinking his productivity (about 80 yards per game vs. decent teams) proves that his approach is no red flag, but you played, if I am not mistaken, in college.  Nor is it fair to assume that my experience is applicable to every other situation--but it does explain my difference in perspective. 

[MHS831]

9 hours ago, PantherKyle said:

Tet is a beast. Reminds me of an athletic Michael Thomas. I do not believe in XL to become an elite #1 with his lack of true hands talent. If we wanna invest in Bryce and think he can be his go to guy I am for it. I lean Graham or Walker if they are there though. 

He is a beast at a 4-win team in Arizona and I think he could be a beast in the NFL--the comments have to make you want to know more.  This time of year, there are smokescreens, tips of icebergs, and nothing burgers all over the place.   I think the higher you pick, the more you have to research these kinds of things. 

The issue is this: Does he LOVE football if he does not watch it on TV and he does not watch film on his own time? That could mean nothing, but it is a red flag that could be connected to his love for the game, his attitude, and his commitment to the game.  Some compared it to their jobs--but unless you LOVE your job--loved it as a child and aspired to be in that job when you are older--it is not the same thing. 

I was reading comments by other fans about it.  One fan, an LSU alumni, compared him to Jamarcus Russell.  He said this situation reminds him of that---a great talent in college that carried him and made him the #1 overall pick.  However, what worked in college was not enough in the NFL.  Five years later, the NFL has a rookie cap and he is sleeping on his mother's couch after blowing about $40m. 

It could be nothing, but it would probably be enough for me to go a different direction in the draft, since I don't think he is worth the #8 pick anyway.

Edited March 31 by MHS831

[Gapanthersfan]

21 hours ago, Tr3ach said:

General work ethic and love of the game, and also I wouldn't care about watching my own tape, I would be grinding tape of the defense I'm up against.  Learn tendencies etc

I want a guy who analyzes every molecule of the upcoming opponent to find where he can exploit. A tell. Flaws in fundamentals. This is what the greats do. All-pros. HOF’ers. This shows that they live, eat, sleep and breathe football. It’s the details. This is how Thielen at his age continues to be money. Always open. 

Guys that think they’ll get by on raw physical ability alone (there are a lot of these) get a very rude awakening. The ‘all I got to do is play my game’ guys… hard pass. 

[PNW_PantherMan]

Reverse the situation.  If this clip had him saying he loved to watch football and watched as much film as he could.  Nobody would be saying well maybe he doesn’t like to watch film anymore.

I get it.  I’m a work to live type person too.  But nobody had to spend the 8th overall pick on me.

[Stingray3030]

After watching Smitty89's breakdown of Tet I have little to no interest.  He was obviously not very impressed.

[Basbear]

On 3/30/2025 at 3:54 PM, Aussie Tank said:

Don't let any of it worry you. If Dan gets a whiff that he doesn't love football he will be off our board. And if we draft him it means all this is white noise 

I'd agree with this, there was a visit and I sure this was the focus finding part. 

 

[jfra78]

53 minutes ago, Stingray3030 said:

After watching Smitty89's breakdown of Tet I have little to no interest.  He was obviously not very impressed.

Basically plays soft without the ball in his hands.