something to feel good about in the offseason..."could be something special brewing in Carolina"

[DeAngelo Beason]

We have a pretty talented offense, and a serviceable defense.  We should finish middle of the pack this year.  The X Factor, of course, is the QB.  If he elevates his play then we can have a middle of the pack team overachieve and make the playoffs.  

[ForJimmy]

4 minutes ago, DeAngelo Beason said:

We have a pretty talented offense, and a serviceable defense.  We should finish middle of the pack this year.  The X Factor, of course, is the QB.  If he elevates his play then we can have a middle of the pack team overachieve and make the playoffs.  

Agreed. Our offense is getting pretty complete, maybe a legit TE1  but not many teams have that. Hopefully Bryce keeps developing and we could have a fun offense to watch for a change. The good news is next class looks to be loaded with QB talent if we need it and our situation on offense should be good for a rookie as well.

[Navy_football]

2 hours ago, ForJimmy said:

Agreed. Our offense is getting pretty complete, maybe a legit TE1  but not many teams have that. Hopefully Bryce keeps developing and we could have a fun offense to watch for a change. The good news is next class looks to be loaded with QB talent if we need it and our situation on offense should be good for a rookie as well.

Well... we're still not sure about the #1 WR either. That's a lot of expectations for a rookie that hasn't taken an NFL snap yet. And a couple of 2nd year guys that are expected to show major improvement.

Last year's group showed potential. But if we're being honest, they were probably the worst in the NFL. 

Edit: But I love your optimism!!!

Edited 52 minutes ago by Navy_football

[CRA]

18 minutes ago, Navy_football said:

Well... we're still not sure about the #1 WR either. That's a lot of expectations for a rookie that hasn't taken an NFL snap yet. And a couple of 2nd year guys that are expected to show major improvement.

Last year's group showed potential. But if we're being honest, they were probably the worst in the NFL. 

Edit: But I love your optimism!!!

and we are still way too dependent on what will be a 12th year AT (who debated retirement) and didn't stay healthy last year. 

AT should be a teams #4.  He remains our actual #1 target. 

[ForJimmy]

13 minutes ago, CRA said:

and we are still way too dependent on what will be a 12th year AT (who debated retirement) and didn't stay healthy last year. 

AT should be a teams #4.  He remains our actual #1 target. 

Renfrow will be our new AT.  Give it time.

[RumHam]

On 5/17/2025 at 7:22 PM, tukafan21 said:

Unless a miracle happens and we're legit SB contenders, I want to just miss the playoffs due to some close losses, not win the division to lose in the first round.

We finally have all of our picks again next year, I'd rather be picking 5-7 spots higher in each round, while at the same time, then having a 2nd or 3rd place schedule next year instead of a 1st place one.

I just can't see any scenario where we are true contenders this year, but we should find out if Bryce can be our QB of the future.  If he isn't, then we're not making the playoffs anyways and will have a high pick to replace him.  If he is, it means 2026 is the real opening of our SB window once we add some more defensive pieces, so I'd rather go into that season picking earlier and have an easier schedule.

And yes, I know people will say think like "you need to win to gain confidence and experience, blah blah blah"

But just missing out on the playoffs because you lost couple close games is certainly a way to make a team hungry going into the offseason and keep them motivated to be better.

I've said it before and still think it holds true, we need to look at the Lions and hope to repeat their path.

Our last few years were their early 2020s when they sucked.  This year can be our version of their 2022 when they missed the playoffs in week 17.  Then our 2026 can be their 2023 when they made a run to the NFC Championship game (and really should have won it).  Which then puts us in line to be one of the best teams in the league going into 2027, as they were last year.

dogshit take. BTW next year is year four for Bryce. This year is put up or shut up. The floor is 8-9 the ceiling is 12-5 with this schedule and the influx of this division. We open with Jags. The schedule is a cake walk. It comes down to the defense and if we can stay healthy. If Bryce doesn't continue what he had last year, its time to burn it down. It might take a few games, but this schedule is dogshit. 

 

Stop playing for picks, sounds like playing not to lose. You either go out and win or you mail it in. 

[RumHam]

Just now, RumHam said:

dogshit take. BTW next year is year four for Bryce. This year is put up or shut up. The floor is 8-9 the ceiling is 12-5 with this schedule and the influx of this division. We open with Jags. The schedule is a cake walk. It comes down to the defense and if we can stay healthy. If Bryce doesn't continue what he had last year, its time to burn it down. It might take a few games, but this schedule is dogshit. 

 

Stop playing for picks, sounds like playing not to lose. You either go out and win or you mail it in. 

this is said b/c then we have to fifth year option him next year or pay him. b/c year four.

[PNW_PantherMan]

2 minutes ago, ForJimmy said:

Renfrow will be our new AT.  Give it time.

Bro's gonna be 30 this year.  Time isn't something he's got.

[ForJimmy]

2 minutes ago, PNW_PantherMan said:

Bro's gonna be 30 this year.  Time isn't something he's got.

I was mostly joking.  I know @CRA is a big Clemson guy.  Honestly the hope is that Coker (or possibly Jimmy Horn) take over the slot this year after AT retires.  XL and TMac should hopefully be holding down the Z and X.  

[LinvilleGorge]

Yeah, to me the long-term hope is that T-Mac and XL are our outside guys, Coker is the slot, and then we have a bunch of guys to compete to round out the rest of the group.

[CRA]

4 minutes ago, ForJimmy said:

I was mostly joking.  I know @CRA is a big Clemson guy.  Honestly the hope is that Coker (or possibly Jimmy Horn) take over the slot this year after AT retires.  XL and TMac should hopefully be holding down the Z and X.  

Renfrow is my college GOAT.   But a long NFL career was never in the cards for him IMO.  I'll be shocked if he still has it.  Plus, I think those Renfrow routes he stormed the NFL w/ had a film shelf life. 

To me, if we want a lotto pick to hit......it's gotta be Jimmy Horn we want to hit. 

but I maintain, we need AT out of hogging up those slot reps.  I still say it drastically keeps the ceiling of O production down.  I support a heavy mix of whoever into the slot.  Coker, Horn, we need YAC. 

[CRA]

full disclosure.  If Hunter Renfrow makes the team and is a fraction of what he was......I will go full PJ Walker supporter mode.  He will auto go to mystical status where all answers would be found. 

[ForJimmy]

9 minutes ago, CRA said:

Renfrow is my college GOAT.   But a long NFL career was never in the cards for him IMO.  I'll be shocked if he still has it.  Plus, I think those Renfrow routes he stormed the NFL w/ had a film shelf life. 

To me, if we want a lotto pick to hit......it's gotta be Jimmy Horn we want to hit. 

but I maintain, we need AT out of hogging up those slot reps.  I still say it drastically keeps the ceiling of O production down.  I support a heavy mix of whoever into the slot.  Coker, Horn, we need YAC. 

Jimmy really does compliment those big outside WRs pretty well.  Twitchy speedster is something we need on this offense.  I'd love it if he could be used similar to Curtis Samuel.  I know the odds aren't in his favor based on where he was drafted.