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!

     

Spoke with Jim Szoke on the phone...

L-TownCat

By L-TownCat,
in Carolina Panthers

Recommended Posts

L-TownCat Grand Master

L-TownCat

Posted
Posted

I had an opportunity to interview Szoke over the phone for my podcast today. We discussed several different things going on with the Panthers, GM, Coach, Cam, player acquisition etc. the man is an incredible interview and knows more about the panthers than any one man should but ill give you the gist of what he told me.

On the GM search:

He said he believes the organization is playing this one close to the vest and is really going all out to find the best possible candidate that A: is ok with Rivera having one more year and B: is comfortable with Cam as the QB for the foreseeable future.

On the Coach:

As I just said He believes Rivera will have one more year since the team was trending up at the end of the season per JR's request. Also he believes that Rivera will have success clauses for next year. Baisically Playoffs or bust. Then the new GM will have the right to hire anyone that he chooses.

On players/roster:

Said LT, WR, CB look to be the biggest needs going into either free agency or the draft. He didn't say anything about players being cut or restructured.

On Cam:

Said he took the losing streak really hard but matured seemingly overnight and saw that his attitude could indeed effect the team negatively.

On the offense changing midway through the season:

Said the coaches changed their approach to a quicker more pro set because of the olines inability to block as long as they needed to. Which he said wasn't a knock on the guys but that it was a lot to ask of any o line to block for that long that often. He did however mention the o line as a need in the offseason.

As a disclaimer these were his personal feelings on the subject and these notes are paraphrased at best. They in no way represent the panthers organization. As soon as I finish editing the interview into my podcast and get it posted I will give the link if you care to listen.

There isn't anything groundbreaking here but it was fun for me and I thought I would share with the huddle!

Link to comment
Share on other sites
L-TownCat Grand Master

L-TownCat

Posted
  • Author
Posted

InB4 "What the hell is a Jim Szoke"

Ok I'll play, he's that guy who has covered every single panther game in franchise history, the host of the pre and post game shows, preseason play-by-play analyst, co host of Panther Talk, basically the color analyst for the panthers. That help?

Link to comment
Share on other sites
panthers55 Grand Master

panthers55

Posted
Posted

If LT and corner are 2 of our biggest needs it could mean we are looking to cut Gross. It could mean we cut Gamble or are referring to the number 2 corner. Wide receiver suggests we are serious about finding a replacement for Smith for down the road.

I doesn't surprise me that Rivera could be kept. A 4 game win streak even in" meaningless games" is a big deal especially when they include Atlanta (who Richardson reportedly doesn't like) and New Orleans in the dome. Division rivals are a big deal.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Archived

This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.

Go to topic listing

  • PMH4OWPW7JD2TDGWZKTOYL2T3E.jpg

  • Topics

  • Posts

    • strato
      Bryce Young 5th year option exercised

      By strato · Posted

      I guess I should have stipulated outside the sacred cow.   I complained from year one that Bryce should compete for and win the starting job on his own merit but no he was just handed it. I have been right there with everyone that wants competition.  But I don’t really have a huge problem with it for this season the way it has gone because where are the viable people we don’t have to trade for? I actually am okay with tiny hands Pickett because he is so close to Bryce arm strength wise and to be honest, skill wise. Probably. And it is only a one year deal.  That also takes I to account that the QB class is looking stacked next year and if Young fails miserably then we get either a reset or a real competition and there will be more guys that I would like looking at in the FA QB class next year as well.    I sort of accept where we are this year and look at it as a treading water year. I just want to get to next year with some clarity. More than anything. And they did empty out the room. Again, who was really there for us?  And I know it would not be a true competition at this point anyway. They are giving him the year, like it or not.    Also I don’t give a poo about winning games IF he sucks and or goes down after sucking because draft position and that stacked QB class.  And I want out from under him So Bad.     So I guess it is several factors that lessen my anxiety over his backup this particular season.    I am not trying to convince anyone, but you asked. 
    • Jon Snow
      OFFICIAL 2026 Undrafted Free Agent Thread

      By Jon Snow · Posted

      What happened to King? Was he a no show?
    • bandu
      Bryce Young 5th year option exercised

      By bandu · Posted

      think these smaller Qb's are going to have a much harder time convincing an NFL team to draft them. not saying a smaller Qb under 6 feet tall will not make an NFL roster .it will most likely be a UDFA contract more or less prove it deal.NFL teams have been burnt time & time again investing in these small NFL Qbs & i think  teams are now finally starting to realize that investing in these smaller Qb's under 6 feet tall is simply a bad idea  ...just saying 
×
×
  • Create New...