Austin named starting center

[raleigh-panther]

Head coach Dave Canales has named Austin Corbett as the team's starting center for the 2025 season. He explained the choice on Monday afternoon, crediting both Corbett and challenger Cade Mays for their work this summer.

 

[PNW_PantherMan]

Let's start the over/under of how many games this lasts at 4.5

[mrcompletely11]

7 minutes ago, PNW_PantherMan said:

Let's start the over/under of how many games this lasts at 4.5

under

[45catfan]

Just groom Mays for Corbett's eventual departure.  Remember, Corbett wasn't even a center until we made him one.  Mays, while not a true center, at least played some there in college.  Better yet, draft one in the spring.  Dumping a ton of money into center is money not well spent.  I liken it to paying top dollar for a punter.  Are both positions important? Yes, but there are many other positions of greater importance.  

[TD alt]

Well, if he stays healthy, he should be center for the long run. He's earned it from everything I've been reading.

[mrcompletely11]

2 minutes ago, 45catfan said:

Just groom Mays for Corbett's eventual departure.  Remember, Corbett wasn't even a center until we made him one.  Mays, while not a true center, at least played some there in college.  Better yet, draft one in the spring.  Dumping a ton of money into center is money not well spent.  I liken it to paying top dollar for a punter.  Are both positions important? Yes, but there are many other positions of greater importance.  

my bingo card for the 2026 draft now includes safety, Linebacker (off ball and middle) RT (maybe left we'll see how it goes) and center

Edited Monday at 06:27 PM by mrcompletely11

[LinvilleGorge]

I have no dog in this fight. Play the better player who has earned the spot and feel pretty good about having a decent backup option/plan B. Lord knows there's not many of those on this roster.

[Shotgun]

  is he on IR yet?

[45catfan]

3 minutes ago, mrcompletely11 said:

my bingo card for the 2026 draft now includes safety, Linebacker (off ball and middle) RT (maybe left we'll see how it goes) and center

Yeah, we have to start drafting O-line as these FA guys we have acquired contract's start getting absurd.  We have the most expensive OL in the League and until we start leveraging that money to other spots like LB and DBs, we are going to stay deficient in those areas and hope to hide the flaws by scheme.   That's with the franchise LT still on his rookie contract.  I think Moton is done as a Panther.  A RT can't be your most expensive OL piece unless you have a left handed QB.   Bryce better enjoy this season, because he definitely will not be getting back his entire OL completely intact again in '26.

[kungfoodude]

20 minutes ago, 45catfan said:

Just groom Mays for Corbett's eventual departure.  Remember, Corbett wasn't even a center until we made him one.  Mays, while not a true center, at least played some there in college.  Better yet, draft one in the spring.  Dumping a ton of money into center is money not well spent.  I liken it to paying top dollar for a punter.  Are both positions important? Yes, but there are many other positions of greater importance.  

Drafting one is the answer. Corbett is serviceable but far from good. The fact he keeps beating out Mays shows me Mays is basically BC. A valuable backup at best.

Time to actually draft the future at that position and save money for 3-4 years in the process.

[PantherChris]

40 minutes ago, mrcompletely11 said:

under

Kinda have to agree with you here, stupid IMO. 

 

Cade Mays should have the job just so we get a full year of continuity... not to mention he actually performed better.

[kungfoodude]

19 minutes ago, mrcompletely11 said:

my bingo card for the 2026 draft now includes safety, Linebacker (off ball and middle) RT (maybe left we'll see how it goes) and center

And maybe QB, TE, WR, LT, DT, DE, EDGE, S, CB........

There are many questions that need answering in terms of roster future. Far more questions than we have answered. To say nothing of depth.

[kungfoodude]

Just now, PantherChris said:

Kinda have to agree with you here, stupid IMO. 

 

Cade Mays should have the job just so we get a full year of continuity... not to mention he actually performed better.

The thing they have in common is both have below average rankings overall.

The answer isn't on the roster yet, IMO.

[PantherChris]

3 minutes ago, kungfoodude said:

Drafting one is the answer. Corbett is serviceable but far from good. The fact he keeps beating out Mays shows me Mays is basically BC. A valuable backup at best.

Time to actually draft the future at that position and save money for 3-4 years in the process.

I think your wrong about Mays....

 

PFF matches the eye test as well on his performance... 

 

Don't need to be a high pick to be a great C.