Jump to content

  • Welcome!

    Register and log in easily with Twitter or Google accounts!

    Or simply create a new Huddle account. 

    Members receive fewer ads , access our dark theme, and the ability to join the discussion!

     

89 on T-Mac before the draft

MechaZain

By MechaZain,
in Carolina Panthers

 Share

Recommended Posts

MechaZain Grand Master

MechaZain

Posted
Posted

Love or hate Scout Smitty, 35 minutes of our franchise's best WR talking about the new guy three weeks before the draft is an interesting watch

 

- Steve's choosing his words more carefully now and keeping his favorites close to the chest lol

- Most teams had T-Mac as top reciever in the draft and the only one with WR1 potential.

-  Finesse player in a large body. Compares him to AJ Green. "I love AJ Green." Interestingly Green was considered speedy and Tet ran a faster 40.

- "F****** dangerous in space" per scouts around the league but has trouble getting seperation.

- Below average strength/physicality for his size. Difficulty blocking and against the press.

- Low energy when he's not the focal point.  Smitty actually saw some of himself in him there. I thought this was his best insight.

- High floor. Believes he'll be good at worst. 

 

Summary: A natural at wide reciever with unique athleticism for his size. Question marks around drive and physicality will be the difference between him being good or great.

  • Pie 7
Link to comment
Share on other sites
CarolinaRideorDie Veteran

CarolinaRideorDie

Posted
Posted

I was also concerned about T-Macs effort and body language when scouts talked about it. But after he was drafted, Peter Schrager on the Pat McAfee show did say that he went above and beyond to address those concerns with teams. If the Panthers brought him in for a 30 visit and they are cool with it then fine with me. 

Yes we need to fix our defense but this league is about scoring points, if you don't score, you don't win games. If our defense gives up 30 points a game, then we need to score 31 points every game!!! 

  • Pie 2
Link to comment
Share on other sites
Krovvy Grand Master

Krovvy

Posted
Posted
Just now, CarolinaRideorDie said:

I was also concerned about T-Macs effort and body language when scouts talked about it. But after he was drafted, Peter Schrager on the Pat McAfee show did say that he went above and beyond to address those concerns with teams. If the Panthers brought him in for a 30 visit and they are cool with it then fine with me. 

Yes we need to fix our defense but this league is about scoring points, if you don't score, you don't win games. If our defense gives up 30 points a game, then we need to score 31 points every game!!! 

This is what I need to hear. I can get over taking a different type of receiver top 10. He undoubtably has elite catching ability, balance, and fluidity for all his knocks that typically you don't want to see being drafted so high. But the attitude and body language were killing me because it's so easy to fake it.

  • Pie 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites
LinvilleGorge Grand Master

LinvilleGorge

Posted
Posted
4 minutes ago, CarolinaRideorDie said:

I was also concerned about T-Macs effort and body language when scouts talked about it. But after he was drafted, Peter Schrager on the Pat McAfee show did say that he went above and beyond to address those concerns with teams. If the Panthers brought him in for a 30 visit and they are cool with it then fine with me. 

Yes we need to fix our defense but this league is about scoring points, if you don't score, you don't win games. If our defense gives up 30 points a game, then we need to score 31 points every game!!! 

Any clips of T-Mac talking about that? I'd be very interested hearing it. I have to think that when someone is as much of a focal point of an offense as he was you're almost forced to coast on plays when you're probably not getting the ball.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
MechaZain Grand Master

MechaZain

Posted
  • Author
Posted
3 minutes ago, CarolinaRideorDie said:

I was also concerned about T-Macs effort and body language when scouts talked about it. But after he was drafted, Peter Schrager on the Pat McAfee show did say that he went above and beyond to address those concerns with teams. If the Panthers brought him in for a 30 visit and they are cool with it then fine with me. 

Yes we need to fix our defense but this league is about scoring points, if you don't score, you don't win games. If our defense gives up 30 points a game, then we need to score 31 points every game!!! 

Smith didn't want speculate on his character but he did hear he was a good kid from another scout. Could just be a chill guy like DJ Moore was. 

I didn't know NALO was a nickname thought it was just a motto. Suggests that he does know what he's up against though.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Jon Snow Grand Master

Jon Snow

Posted
Posted
Just now, MechaZain said:

Smith didn't want speculate on his character but he did hear he was a good kid from another scout. Could just be a chill guy like DJ Moore was. 

I didn't know NALO was a nickname thought it was just a motto. Suggests that he does know what he's up against though.

His 1st presser he told everyone what his friends call him. Even explained what it means and that it's his brand. I guess nobody paid attention or even care.

  • Pie 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites
Jay Roosevelt Grand Master

Jay Roosevelt

Posted
Posted
1 hour ago, MechaZain said:

- Low energy when he's not the focal point.  Smitty actually saw some of himself in him there. I thought this was his best insight.

Smitty was a lot of things - good and bad - but low energy was never something I associated with him. That's an interesting comment from him about himself.

  • Pie 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites
Growl Grand Master

Growl

Posted
Posted

I’m not even sure that Bryce is the kind of guy who wants to lob up contested catch passes to a guy like McMillan 

maybe we’ve just never seen him with one, here or at Bama, but this team’s total disinterest in the profile of wideout he has shown such chemistry with is so weird. 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

×
 Share
Go to topic listing

  • PMH4OWPW7JD2TDGWZKTOYL2T3E.jpg

  • Topics

  • Posts

    • jfra78
      Post Draft Luke and JJ Podcast

      By jfra78 · Posted

      Thank you
    • GamecockSmitty4
      Post Draft Luke and JJ Podcast

      By GamecockSmitty4 · Posted

      Here’s a summary of the JJ and Luke podcast transcript. Opening / Bryce Young Fifth-Year Option     •    JJ: Breaking news — Panthers picked up Bryce Young’s fifth-year option at $25.9M, guaranteed, coming in 2027. Combined with his 2025 salary of ~$6M, that’s $31M over two years — called it a “no-brainer.”     •    Luke: Enthusiastic about the move. Highlighted Bryce’s improving TD/INT ratios (11/10 → 15/9 → 23/11) and the value of entering year three with Dave Canales. Noted $25M is a bargain relative to the $60M top of market. Luke’s Personal Update — Charlotte Christian Football     •    Luke: Working with Charlotte Christian school football program, which hired a new head coach. Coaches include Greg Olsen, Luke, and Greg’s dad Chris Olsen (a New Jersey State coaching Hall of Famer).     •    JJ: Jokingly quipped that Charlotte Christian’s coaching staff is “the world’s greatest” — a Fox analyst, a Hall of Famer, and the best Panthers RB ever — all coaching middle school football.     •    Luke: Praised Chris Olsen’s deep football knowledge spanning decades and his ability to connect with kids. Round 1, Pick 19 — Monroe Freeling, OT, Georgia     •    JJ: Panthers were on the clock and submitted their pick almost immediately — a sign of confidence and preparation. Freeling is 6’7”, 320 lbs, played in the SEC in a pro-style system.     •    Luke: Loved the pick. Emphasized you can never have too many quality offensive linemen. Noted Freeling’s size, athleticism, and arm length as key traits. Said the pick also reflects team’s philosophy of drafting great people, not just great players.     •    JJ: Noted reporter Darren Gantt compared Freeling favorably to Jordan Gross — bigger, heavier, and faster — as a potential franchise left tackle.     •    Luke: Pointed out that young players like Freeling still have physical development ahead of them, comparing the trajectory to Christian McCaffrey’s growth from age 20 onward. Round 2, Pick 49 — Lee Hunter, DT, Texas Tech     •    JJ: Panthers traded up from 51 to 49 (pick swap with Minnesota) to grab Hunter. Played audio from Panthers area scout Kaden McLuhan, who scouted Hunter.     •    Scout Kaden McLuhan (audio): Said Hunter’s size is immediately striking, and that everyone around him spoke glowingly about his character, energy, and love for the game.     •    Luke: Praised Hunter as a massive (6’3”, 320 lbs, ~34” arms) two-gap nose tackle who fits perfectly in the Evero defense. Compared his prospect profile to Akiem Hicks. Said having Derek Brown, Bobby Brown, Derrick Brown, Terson Wharton, and now Hunter creates varied body types that stress offensive linemen.     •    JJ: Noted Hunter ranked third among all prospects in run-stuff rate and sixth in interior pass-rush win rate — addressing a perception that he couldn’t rush the passer. Rounds 3–7 Highlights     •    Luke: Highlighted WR Brazle (3rd round, 6’4”, 437 speed, 1,000+ yards at Tennessee) as the vertical threat the offense needed. Also praised OL Sam Heck (5th round) as a technically sound player whose “short arms” caused him to fall but who has proven himself.     •    Luke: Mentioned CB Will Lee (6’1”, 33” arms) fits the Panthers’ DB prototype — big, long corners.     •    Luke: Praised S/LB hybrid Zaki Wheatley (5th round, 6’3”) as a big nickel similar to Trayvon Merek.     •    Luke: Excited about the linebacker competition between Devin Lloyd, Trevvin Wallace, and Claudin Cherless.     •    JJ: Noted Panthers had the #1 “steal/overreach” rating in the entire draft — drafting players lower than consensus big boards projected. Around the League     •    Luke: Admitted being “a little jealous” that the Miami Dolphins drafted LB Jacob Rodriguez (Luke’s favorite LB in the draft). Has personal connections to Miami’s coaching staff (Jeff Hafley, DC Shawn Dugen — a childhood teammate).     •    Luke: Also noted Miami’s selection of OT/G Kaden Proctor out of Alabama, who will likely move to guard. League Trends — Bigger Tight Ends / 12 & 13 Personnel     •    JJ: Observed the NFL saw its highest run rate in ~11 years (~52%) and a notable pivot toward big blocking tight ends in this draft.     •    Luke: Explained the cyclical nature of NFL offense/defense evolution — as defenses get smaller to match spread offenses, teams counter with bigger personnel (12/13 formations), which then forces defenses to get bigger at the nickel/“big nickel” spot. Called it an ongoing arms race.
    • hepcat
      NHL 2026 Playoff Thread

      By hepcat · Posted

      Dan Vladar is their best player and that is going to be the difference in the series 
×
×
  • Create New...