Carolina Still Not Respected

[45catfan]

15 minutes ago, Khyber53 said:

Let them disrespect us. They never thought we'd be any good going into the 2003 or 2015 seasons. It's time to run it back on them again.

 

Woah.  This team has improved on paper, but the 2026 version still is not he the same zip code of the 2003 and 2015 teams.  No effective TEs, marginal RBs, decent, but not elite, defense and most importantly, inconsistent QB play.

[OneBadCat]

 

Bryce Young.

It really is as simple as that, if he can't improve, we will be worse next year even given the upgrades elsewhere.  Frankly we got lucky in a number of our wins last year, if the Bryce plays the same as he did and we don't get those breaks, we're a 5-6 win team.

6 of our 8 wins were by just 3 points, another by 7 (agains the Jets), and then the Falcons blowout.

It's very easy to see how this team goes backwards just on that alone, regression to the mean is a real thing when you have that many close games in one season.

I could easily say if refs don't rig the last saints and bucs game we're a 10-7 team. The close wins were a sign of a team learning how to win from the year before.

[OneBadCat]

2 minutes ago, 45catfan said:

Woah.  This team has improved on paper, but the 2026 version still is not he the same zip code of the 2003 and 2015 teams.  No effective TEs, marginal RBs, decent, but not elite, defense and most importantly, inconsistent QB play.

I would give Cam this current offense over the 2015's. Much better depth offensive line, better WR's. No Olsen, but a usable group.  Dowdle > that version of Stewart, Chubba  clears the other backs too.

[mrcompletely11]

17 minutes ago, OneBadCat said:

I could easily say if refs don't rig the last saints and bucs game we're a 10-7 team. The close wins were a sign of a team learning how to win from the year before.

Lol

[45catfan]

27 minutes ago, OneBadCat said:

I would give Cam this current offense over the 2015's. Much better depth offensive line, better WR's. No Olsen, but a usable group.  Dowdle > that version of Stewart, Chubba  clears the other backs too.

I would to, but there's not a time machine.  It's Cam with limited weapons and a legendary defense or Bryce with weapons and a marginal defense.  I'd still take Cam with the limited weapons and that defense.

If you haven't noticed a pattern with Bryce, with few exceptions, he wins when our defense shows up.  When he can play game manager and be a 'point guard', limit his mistakes and at minimum get us in FG range, we usually win.  When the defense struggles, he can't put the team on his back. Yes, I know, there have been a VERY few games where he bucks that trend, but those are obviously outliers.  This offense with Bryce isn't going to boat race any team in the NFL (one game in three years).

Edited 2 hours ago by 45catfan

[R0CKnR0LLA]

[shaqattaq]

14 hours ago, Dilla said:

If half these players play how they are expected to, it still will be one of the most loaded QB classes in a long while. Literally the perfect year to need a QB

Yea, but will one be available when we pick at 32???

[pantherclaw]

We're definitely getting better. 

The only question in my eyes is how well the oline comes together. 

[mrcompletely11]

17 hours ago, chknwing said:

There are a variety of way to early 2027 mock drafts out but the consensus is Carolina will pick in the top 10 in 2027.  I may just be a homer but Carolina got better, much better this offseason especially on defense.  NFCS Champs and gave the Rams all they could handle in that playoff game.  Not seeing how they go backwards.

https://www.sbnation.com/nfl/1109892/nfl-mock-draft-2027-quarterbacks-arch-manning-dante-moore-projection?utm_source=firefox-newtab-en-us

 

This has us at 20 and winning the south.

 

Side note:  They have 5 qbs in the first.   Man this draft is absolutely loaded with blue chip talent.