Category: Sports

Business, Sports

Panthers have more good players than before, In Football & Poker, You can’t win it all first few hands

by gshorkeyblt2Leave a Comment on Panthers have more good players than before, In Football & Poker, You can’t win it all first few hands

May 17th is old group’s first poker gathering in years, but post-draft, the Carolina Panthers brain trust has put check marks next to what makes a better hand in 2024. Don’t mention that – whatever number this dawg was called at – Trevin Wallace might hit like a young Dan Morgan.

Rating it a C+ draft as one industry name did, doesn’t seem very accurate, especially when top-end producing receiver, 90%-studly linebacker, and versatile running back all got checked off Must Have list. Those naysayers who point to lack of career production vs. comeback quality in newbies back stories, Panthers organizational zen is tight with Canales and Morgan – its about dawgs and guys you’d want in proverbial fox hole.

Needed: WR1 type, a burner with size, worthy of organizational approval as exceptional person. People know about Xavier Legette’s injury, I’m trusting nobody is hiding shaky info otherwise, so 71 catches for 1,255 yards and seven TDs, CHECK. You can’t fault the PR value of Morgan making that ever so humbly great step of selecting in 1st round, so extra CHECK.

It was stated throughout pre-draft period Panthers wouldn’t have a first round pick, so for Panthers GM *and* that young man, already a local kids dream fulfilled, motivation! There’s no denying (Lee-gette’s) physical tools and attitude, quantifying the fight in dog thing, really, no reason to consider the resumes of Panther selections as puffed up. Small trade to gain 5th year option on rookie $$ scale, that’s better thinking than last year.

Charlotte fans not ‘believing’ until meaningful games ending with Ws happen, gotcha. Snarky about everything being hype, nah. Be a better fan.

Not an A, But Lots of Checks

So having second documented good WR1 to Dionte J. seems like a no-brainer Goodness, and same with Jonathan Brooks. Plans were for another running back and a 3rd QB, thats how HC Canales wants to operate. Chuba Hubbard had 902 yds. last year, good overall, so stated goal of adding depth at all positions, CHECK.

Adding the fact Brooks didn’t get top role with TX back after injury was Bijan Robinson (now ATL Falcon) wasn’t giving it up. A big and legitimate bonus is two less seasons of getting whacked a lot, which can’t really be a flaw. Of course he got downgraded as light on numbers, this isn’t a baby-bathwater deal though – he’s less dinged, not less valuable. Nobody is expecting the second coming of McCaffrey, just versatile.

Okay, Trevin Wallace is going to get some play about Morgan self-image or whatever, but reading elements under ‘Weakness’ in scouting profile reveals nothing close to fatal. ‘Over-pursues, and doesn’t read trick plays great?’ Hmmm… ‘You know when he’s hit you.’ What, we have to choose between those attributes? Its called coaching. Here you go Ejiro Evero, a really good weapon.

Numbers-wise, Burns sack totals are mostly a wash with Clowney acquisition, and FA pickups are balance. Getting off the field on third down means knocking people down for real, nothing says knocking down can’t be learned better by a rookie banger. A personality trait and physicality – why should that be any reason to DQ a guy based on where others thought they should land?

Morgan may have been dancing around with picks, but its no small thing he got back a #2 for next year out of his activity.

#4 pick J’Tavion Sanders

Was pass-catching tight end on the Get List? Hell yes, has been for years. Report said his speed is *just short of elite,* his strength on contested catches has real red zone value (!!!) a super run after catch (RAC) guy. Tough guy, could have been a linebacker out of high school if he wanted? Noooo, Panthers don’t need anyone like THAT, 10″-plus hands, touch it-count it reception guy with wheels?

There’s any question of how 6’3″ 245 and 15.2 yards a catch could affect TE room with Panthers? Ian Thomas is still on the roster? #4 pick J’Tavion Sanders, the TE from TX, sounds good to me. Put fifteen pounds on him as a pro and see how he still runs and some blocking. If teams know he’s the receiving guy who gets eight yards and first down AND/OR gashes you for thirty-five on a seam route, let them stop it.

Noooo, Panthers don’t need anyone like THAT, 10″-plus hands, touch it-count it reception guy with wheels? We’ve already got the Ninja, Olsen. Oh, right, we don’t, or had anything that looks close to that Legend since forever.

–GShorkey, 4/27/24 Post first draft, no way a C+.

Dismissing team evaluation process is beyond silly, ‘They got their guys’ with #1 Legette, Sanders.

There’s a DT pick but no nose guy, and I know there’s a Michigan LB, Michael Barrett, at the end too. Why kick about a guy until you see how things look on the field – that Michigan defense played pretty well all year to NCAA championship. Did Harbaugh drafting a major slab of beef for Chargers #1 shake anyone’s confidence?

Panthers #5 Chau Smith-Wade, D-back with some attitude? Pretty sure that was on the list. Pet peeve with supposed fast-fast Jackson was whacking people after they already made catch instead of tipping it away. A dude about my size gets territorial about giving up catches, nothing wrong with cheering for that picture. Explosive recovery y’say? Difference maker in secondary? We’ll see.

Again, peanut gallery agreeing with every pick and priority is like my Little League umpiring, where periodically reminding people how much better view, and opinion that counts, is from here. Tell me you knew jack about where Smith-Wade played… (Washington St.) If they actually get (soon to be 34, but maybe still a player) Stephon Gilmore signed as a leader, things will work better. No, he’s a DB, not the center you think they could’ve maybe gotten, but nobody should say Smith-Wade didn’t fit the Get List.

Leave #MrTeppers$ Alone

Recognizing Panthers 2023 draft Reality was rosy glasses and BS if not lies, doesn’t mean we automatically assume 2024 crew would be presenting over-pretty backup info about picks, or injuries plus-minus situations with documentation not up to snuff. Panther Head Coach Dave Canales has only ONE YEAR as an Offensive Coordinator before gig in Charlotte, and same is true about Idzik getting OC post. Nobody in Panther org questions their cred, nor should Others concern themselves with Morgan’s eye for talent.

After free agency and draft, Phase Three is the blending part, and if the cash pile available for more signings gets smaller, Fortune (still) favors the bold. I haven’t looked at a price-odds for Division Title bet, but maybe I’ll cash the big payoff at upcoming poker game, putting my version of Big Boy Chips on the table like Dan Morgan on a roll, striking for a WR1 with a first round pick he wasn’t supposed to have. (I can hope, because good cards don’t always show up as needed.)

Without going for any wholesale Homer Attitude, picks #1-5 were definitely above average. Everyone knows Panthers had a lot of holes to check off, so filling many of those, I wouldn’t think less than a B. Certainly no guarantees expected on Legette or my bluffing a flush, but if Steve Smith has an opinion about Legette, I’m willing to hear it.

Mom wasn’t much of a football picker, but she would’ve agreed with letting Dan Morgan doing the selecting, and naysayers should hush up.

Business, Sports, Thought Leadership

No Fear in Panthers Draft After Well-Done Free Agency, Hornets Making Big Moves Too?

by gshorkeyblt2Leave a Comment on No Fear in Panthers Draft After Well-Done Free Agency, Hornets Making Big Moves Too?

Panthers GM Dan Morgan traded up to a #1 pick for USC star wide receiver Xavier Legette, Charlotte makes headway vs. Loserville tag. Belief will still take Ws by Canales, and Brandon Miller, JJ Redick are Hornets longshots.

I’m going to do Little League umpiring again in May-June. At 67, I consider it a privilege to have even this much input on youth sports, and appreciate the parents who spend all weekend there – as long as little sisters have enough snacks, all is well. Loved this sign.

Nice try, Hornets

There’s been deserved interest in JJ Redick getting his name tossed into consideration for the Charlotte Hornets head coaching spot, and the notion Brandon Miller might grab some Rookie of the Year votes from Wemby’s huge campaign is nice – he rated ‘best’ three months this year, and 17.3 ppg/4.3 reb/2.4 asst/44% shooting was solid. Wembanyama’s defensive presence is immediately huge in voting, his offensive upside from 21.4 ppg/10.6 rebs means ‘It’s nice to be considered’ time for Miller.

Hornets having a 13.3% chance of getting #1 pick in NBA draft is almost Holy Grail territory for them, haven’t been close to a franchise player in forever. Even a Top Three would mean a very sound additional piece for a new coach to work with, as Steve Clifford moves to another role in the organization.

JJ Redick has no experience at any coaching level, and whether he’s as smart and capable of making changes that a similarly undocumented commentator cum Legend, Pat Riley, accomplished in turning the Los Angeles Lakers into the Showtime! Lakers of the ’80s, you’ll be reading that option more than once before any actual decision gets made.

There’s a decent list of candidates without Redick’s ACC (2x POY) and 15 year pro career resume. Most have the previous assistant experience that Dave Cowens (San Antonio) had when taking reins to 1996-1997 team that swapped out essentially an entire starting team.

’96-’97 Cowens team came from Everywhere

Listening from next table to owner George Shinn and Charlotte magazine editor, who confessed she didn’t have a sports writer that Press Day, became my first sportswriting gig in Charlotte, and honestly, soooo dead on the money. New HC Dave Cowens was spread across a couple folding chairs, he shrugged when I confessed being a Knick fan who hated his guts while he played for Celtics. Yeah yeah, two million and eight…

Dell Curry was still hoisting treys, so was Tom Chambers, Matt Geiger turned out to be a terrific ‘other’ 7-footer, who played to Cowens defense- oriented POV, 6’8″ Glen Rice from the Heat, swooping in from the wings (27 ppg), good-passing center Vlade Divac from Lakers for rights to Kobe, and NBA 6th Man Anthony Mason in trade for Larry Johnson’s absurd contract, it really did have personnel. With tighter defense down to league average, nobody just cha-chaing through the lane, and improved scoring, 52-30 was right on my preseason projection.

Not everybody shot threes either. Geiger wasn’t shy about contact, lots of post fouls to give with 7′ Zidek. Burrell was a physical specimen who didn’t get regular time because of injury, Mugsy was around. ‘Not enough dough, so Zo go’ was start of when Shinn got stupid, he didn’t reward Cowens after two good years either, started making noise about leaving if he didn’t get better stadium deal.

Hornets had been THE Team attendance since the beginning, but when Bob Johnson wondered why he hadn’t gotten the $$$ support from community he’d been lead to consider his due, the fact was, many people still cared more about their college teams, and could watch them for FREE, two or three times a week. The NBA product suffered – HOF Coach Larry Brown once said, “I got 12 guys with guaranteed contracts, and I don’t want any of them!” and there were a significant number of years when the Bugs weren’t hardly significant at all.

In 1999, Dawn Staley, one of the most decorated players https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dawn_Staley in women’s basketball history, was selected #9 by the WNBA Charlotte Sting, leading them to the Finals in 2001.

The last season Hornets made the playoffs (48-34) was 2016, with Clifford as coach. Miller’s chances for ROY in Year One of Wemby has a ring of truth, there’s a question of Bridges status (although its an economic wash), and there’s really only one major contract (Bertans, $16M) for consideration. Redick’s ‘Old Man and the Three’ podcast and a strategy podcast with LeBron ‘Mind the Game,’ might be upgrades from Riley’s rep-duties as sidekick to Chick Hearn way back then, so JJ Redick might be a popular mention here, but the new owners have CPA firm seriousness beyond paying $3B to get team from Mike, y’know?

If ever there was an example of ripping off the Band Aid, it was Panthers losing Burns AND Luvu AND Grosse-Matos. If you read the microeconomy of cap finances, top two would’ve sucked a lot of whatever $$ from the room, so management took the hit now. You can’t bedgrudge the Hornets clearing house as well, bringing in 8-9 new guys is a real possibility. Why should it be otherwise?

Back to Panthers and #1 Pick

Time to put away the negative vibes about Fitterer, and lets be satisfied with how Mr. Tepper has handled, or more accurately *not* had any hands seen, in free agent period. I repeat, its time to lay Fitterer years to rest, NOBODY is going to have to sweat Xavier Legett as Panthers initial #1 of Canales-Morgan-Tilis brain trust as flawed.

No predictions on W-L in NFC South either, but yoiks! on Falcons picking 24-year old Penix after they spent $100M on post-Achilles surgery Cousins is a head scratcher. We’ll also see if Tampa Bay replaces the offensive coordination that Canales and Idzik represented with Bucs last year, now working in Charlotte, maybe how well Baker Mayfield does, dragging a big ol’ contract behind him…

Admitting I considered Fitterer had done as requested by bringing in whatever quarterbacks he did, ‘just dropping in a QB’ was never an operational fact. Yes, everyone thought the 2022 rushing attack would make life easy for Young, even if Panthers gave away only deep threat (Moore) to Bears. That deal is also a dead and gone fact, Caleb Williams was indeed the name Chicago used for overall #1, and the gift-wrapped bonus of Moore produced an exceptional year (96 rec./1,364 yds/8 TDs) for the receiver we appreciated while here.

Taking Moore on your fantasy team is fine, just recognize he isn’t going to be All That for us again. XL, that’s a lot of hope.

No doubts isn’t True

It took until the Panthers went 11-0 by thumping the Cowboys in Dallas on Thanksgiving that Carolina fans started believing a Super Bowl was possible. Its a time-tested standard that still works. Newton isn’t that 2016 quarterback, Young and Canales won’t be the 2016 team, or 2023 version either.

–Glenn S., 4/26/24 Plenty of leeway between 15-1 and 2-15, right?

So, something a bit higher up the scale from golf applause for the Hornets on a sports weekend that feels pretty decent. I’m going to the Checkers playoff hockey game Saturday afternoon. https://charlottecheckers.com/articles/will-lockwood-scores-late-shorthanded-goal-to-give-checkers-game-1-win-over-hartford I might even put a couple FanDuel bucks on OKC, https://www.espn.com/video/clip/_/id/40020191 but backing LeBron’s Lakers (or a sucker bet on which team might select Bronny in order to gain his favor) ain’t happening.

Business, Sports

Dionte J, Fuller, Clowney, Gilmore – Seems like serious Panther GM work

by gshorkeyblt2Leave a Comment on Dionte J, Fuller, Clowney, Gilmore – Seems like serious Panther GM work

Panthers might not have ink on Gilmore, who turns 34 in Sept. yet, its okay to say Jadevon Clowney coming back to Carolinas could be a great experience for all. Fans don’t have to approve of every signing or possibility, Tilis will do the important financial figuring, #MrTeppers$ is still quiet on football decisions. Default to not believing *anything* after rose-colored glasses optimism of 2023 is wrong.

$100M guard for Young is a Big Boy Chip to Start

Could a freak accident blow up 2024 Panthers? They had a *mess* of guards (15) pass through the position last season. Based on running attack being responsible for7-10 finish in 2022 under interim HC Steve Wilks, offensive line was supposed to be a strength last year. Panthers had better depth body-wise than organization has usually done, but still, 15 bodies…

‘Next man up’ attitude being someone arising from a couch watching NFL games to, ‘Are you available to come, like now?’ was more than just an excuse.

GM Dan Morgan putting $$$ where it meant most, Robert Hunt and Damien Lewis (4 yr/$53M, $26M guaranteed) and protecting Bryce Young MUCH better in 2024 was nailed down quickly. Shipping an about-to-be-released (to save $4M roster bonus) DB Donte Jackson, to Steelers for Dionte Johnson, a strong, veteran WR1 who runs great routes, that’s not smoke and mirrors stuff.

Little bit of diva? You’ll get chances, Dionte, (literally) just hold on to them.

Should there be any concern about emphasis on offense, while three top linebackers all went elsewhere off DC Ejiro Evero’s #4 ranked unit? Losing Burns and Frankie Luvu AND Gross-Matos at same time seemed like momentum killer, but the cupboard isn’t bare, Tilis and GM Morgan are solid by all league metrics.

Yes, Clowney’s reported two year/$20M (plus incentives) looks more in line for Panthers budget-wise than yikes! contract Burns got in NY. He was considered a bargain buy for Baltimore Ravens last year, 9.5 sacks is part of what earns the big bucks, but at $10M, Clowney’s definitive holding an edge against the run factor will count too.

Free agent safety Jordan Fuller (https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/panthers-signing-jordan-fuller-carolina-continues-improving-defense-adds-former-rams-safety-per-report/) will be valued in secondary, and Stephon Gilmore, late of the Cowboys, previously passed through Charlotte (2021) between stints with Patriots and Cowboys. His 2019 Defensive Player of Year (6 picks, 20 passes defended) would come with being 34 in September.

A 68 tackle, 13 passes defended, 2 INTs, and punch-out fumble 2023 for Dallas, and team friendly terms? Parsing out the Carolina Panthers money under a salary cap is not the same as #MrTeppers$, ‘team friendly’ and Morgan’s player level assessment here is new, righter way forward.

Tackling is always important, but #1 slam against ‘Action’ Jackson for Panthers was using his speed to whack someone AFTER they made the catch vs. tipping it incomplete.

–Me, often, after “I’m fastest guy stepping out of bed,” didn’t end drives because he allowed receivers to make possession catches.

Its not like Cleveland in movies, or Vegas Golden Knights

Owner David Tepper is pretty far from the former Vegas showgirl and diabolical Indians owner (played by Margaret Whitton), who was angling to move franchise to Miami in ‘Major League’, and every Panther management voice speaks of following a slower, more reasonable course back to NFL relevance. Those Indians were a team deliberately put together to lose, there might have been room to wonder the same over several disasterous seasons here.

The NHL Las Vegas Golden Knights of 2017-2018 deserve to be a legend-Holy Grail for terrible teams to aspire to, even more so than current Detroit Lions. Lions are just three years from a 3-13-1 record in 2021, and scaled to within the shadow of ending Super Bowl failure (never been) before spitting the bit in NFC title game vs. 49ers (17 pt. halftime lead. FYI, Panthers have been twice).

The first year expansion Knights set records for NHL newbies, then won three rounds of playoffs, going all the way to Stanley Cup Finals with a combination of cast-offs and hopefuls, losing to the long-suffering Ovechkin-Washington Capitals in five games.

Again, thats not the same read as here in 2024. The success of offensive line in 2022 had been linchpin to pre-Young confidence, I wasn’t only pundit who missed that by a mile. Receivers, beyond 1,014 yards by Thielen, you can’t go downfield when quarterback in down on the field, under three guys wearing the other teams jersey.

Acccording to The 33rd Team’s Ian Valentino, the $100M contract is one of the five riskiest of free agency.

Hunt, 27, played in 11 games in 2023 but ranked as a below-average pass blocker and run blocker in ESPN’s win rate metrics. Now, the 6-foot-6, 330-pounder is the league’s second-highest-paid right guard.

Could be Charlotte’s overpaying, or just extra good PR about progress, but how it reads now is decisive, an early result on Tilis-Morgan tandem about hard core football decisions being made.

Canales developing ‘personal bond’ with Young

It sure looks like Canales has the receipts on being a Quarterback Whisperer, which was a strongly promoted feature of Reich’s coach-for-every-player (so it seemed) rationale for the Panthers top job. In Seattle he put ex-Jet Geno Smith back on track, winning a Comeback Player of the Year award (and long-term contract), and his reclaimation of Baker Mayfield in Tampa sounds like a major cha-ching! long-term situation, after Mayfield was a major disappointment in Charlotte.

Few blame Bryce Young alone for a deflating season, and 2-15 was an NFL welcome maaaaany college winners got on undertalented teams. Some might remember John Elway stating he’d be playing baseball instead if drafted by wrong team (1983, Colts- was drafted anyway and traded to Denver, where he played 16 seasons). Bryce also wasn’t the guy who gave away both DJ Moore AND this years #1 to hear his name called first. Just sayin’.

Is there anything wrong with declaring pursuit of such bonding in public? Shouldn’t that be expected of a Whisperer, and doesn’t personal mean *not public*? When ‘What doesn’t kill you only makes you stronger’ is the operational attitude, let’s go with that as Bryce’s take on 62 sacks. How much Canales will get compensated for bonding and better overall production isn’t any sweat, its still #MrTeppers$ for years into the future.

Perhaps for contrast we’ll get to watch how new Chargers HC Jim Harbaugh – last seen winning a national championship at Michigan – espousing the value of offensive line play and long drives, which works a line of thought opposite the statisticaly well-known arm talent of his QB, Justin Herbert.

Based on contracts signed and talents highlighted factually (Hunt only gave up one sack in Miami, Johnson had 25 TDs in five years as Steeler), three heads are doing better than any two did before. Panthers have 33rd and 39th picks, early in second round, and spent well in free agency – take those as positive facts. Jadevon Clowney at $10M a year, absolutely, and count on USC jerseys worn proudly in BOA Stadium in 2024.

Panthers *needed* to do a biggie for a DE, and they chose better than most would have guessed. By end of 2024, ‘Fitterer’ won’t be a negative you’ll hear mentioned at all. Charlotte Panthers and Belief? Not necessarily, but Hope is eternal here in the Buckle on the Bible Belt.

Y’know, Detroit was 3-13-1 in 2021, and the Patriots only won four last year…

#leadership thought, Business, Sports

4 Perfect Carolina Lifestyle Days, 4 Days of ‘Madness’ Default, NC Legal Betting Worked Well

by gshorkeyblt2Leave a Comment on 4 Perfect Carolina Lifestyle Days, 4 Days of ‘Madness’ Default, NC Legal Betting Worked Well
Unfortunately, the Queens Cup Steeplechases, a favorite Social Goodness event, won’t happen this year. Its one of the best non-betting race days around. https://www.qcnews.com/news/u-s/north-carolina/union-county/queens-cup-steeplechase-canceling-its-2024-horse-racing-event/

Thanks to a short, white Dukie guard who got final point (148) in a blowout so I won a 3-leg parlay of Overs my first online weekend. Two terrific 12 mile rides to Pineville and back on long time steel-steed (Miyata), and my case of Nakedwines arrived. Yep, #BoomerwithAttitude.

Cycling under brilliant blue sky, working smooth and quiet through gears, and pacing along the scenic course after watching beaucoup hoops, I appreciated finally caving to the constant barrage of online gambling sites in a financially positive way. It was easy to see, use, account credited wins fast, tracked bet history.

Creighton won by more than 4.5 in DOUBLE OVERTIME! and as noted, James Madison-Duke also paid off. Question was whether JMU would keep Duke motivated with a forty point lead to hit 147.5, and fan-wise, I was happy it all worked out like it did. Young Dukies dusted somebody when they needed to, thanks to dude dropping ten-treys – plus a FT, yay!

Yes, betting is linked to my sportswriting in current-factual mode. Watching Big East action all year came through – ANYone can pick UConn – and the Bluejays are for real, riding 7’1″ center Ryan Kalkbrenner, a well-balanced team at both ends of floor. Just sayin.’ Marquette (also Big East) with Tyler Kolek back after six games (oblique) is incredibly productive and mentally tough.

It wasn’t really a laziest weekend, because TV watching centered around a profitable time-task, but NCAA watching AND getting out for dribble-shoot session at favorite glass backboard between games, that’s Carolina Lifestyle too. Yes, I cooked a pizza – a Screamin’ Sicilian Supreme that is 25 ounces, loaded with everything, plenty cheesy. Two-for $7.99, a no brainer.

Anyway…I got ancient Miyata – Owned 32 yrs., 12 spd. levers on the down column, a working antique! – looked at regarding a bent fork, smiled at expert saying, “You fit on this bike? Its a frame for someone like 6’5!” Being five-ten on a good day, imagine my surprise. 32 years!

Bike guy said, hey, bike and fork are steel, its not carbon fiber or aluminum stuff that might just shear off. You rode it couple years already, no problem, but since other guy pointed it out, you’ve gotten your warning.” Great! I bought/he changed rear tire, oiled chain, bang zoom! $34, I got my gear on and rolled on an optimal, 74 degree sunny day.

What WFH and lifestyle are elementally about

Great weather is a profound temptation for WFH, remote, freelancers of all stripes. Those who plan fitness-physical sessions into schedules or life processes (early rides or runs, ProFlex, tennis, social-business golf, pilates) gain benefits with regular doing, nothing radical about getting away from keyboard.

Quality of life issues go beyond elder care considerations though, and issues of aloneness have become workplace issues post-pandemic. WFH was a mandatory restructuring, and how work got accomplished – collaboration – became the focus.

Best practices now includes Quality of Life/lifestyle considerations, and for those who aren’t missing loooong, tension-producing commuter trips compared to tea time with two daughters, bunnies – and perhaps a wife who has professional concerns herself – who all leave you alone in home office, great! If you only need another hour to realign some elements of that leadership thought piece…how about Now as best practice?

Holding yourself accountable is, well, mandatory. When the light goes on in office area, time on task, right? It’s cool to put laundry in or out while WFH, call it an alternative smoke break. What I’m doing in geek-speak, is letting things run in the background. Nobody is holding my feet to fire about including a bathroom break (or tea time), yet ideas are still percolating, we’ll see if they fit or not when back in the saddle.

This lifestyle has become #New Normal for many. Four day work weeks, for whom? asks a freelancer, arranger of self-schedule.

Put the carrot out there is a consistent work rule

Knowing yourself and work habits either becomes positive and factual, or you are kidding yourself about what constitutes JOB PRODUCTION.

There’s a three-mile course four blocks away. Everyone watches out for riders on that route. Right, two laps, after a working lunch. How close to 800 word target? We’ll go after smoothing out the XYZs, then let it simmer 35-40 minutes while working some upstrokes for quads. I’ll read it again, trying to hit person with interest of a novice, but also a voice of shared expertise. Cool.

Is that the plan? Freelancers might confuse themselves with the choice of ride or finish assignment, might not care for Zoom sessions, but you’ll recognize when priorities get messed up, lack legitimate resolution. If you DON’T recognize it, Challenge #2 will be a bad lesson soon. Going into an expected frenetic period like this weekend, not setting yourself back through total procrastination should be a point of professional pride. (Honestly, I should have finished this Monday.)

Working for yourself means the work represents who we are, and product is creative writing worthy of someone agreeing to pay us for. Creatives call it production, and collaboration is communication and technology. Was Zooming a constant, less gratifying experience for many? most? split? I haven’t needed to be in many meetings the last few years, I’m more point of spear application, with previous expertise, online gigs, showing research and creative writing skills as a resource.

I still consider AI some version of the enemy, and as always, the chimps haven’t produced any Shakespeare. I’m still your best writer option. Just sayin’. https://cdtalententerprises.com/2019/12/03/real-writers-best-option-for-creative-work-ai-or-1m-chimps-computers/

If you want a Secret Sauce Moment, it’s when default expectation is ‘Relax, you’ll get plenty of opportunities!’ Working effectively means sunshine isn’t a guilty cheat, its a deserved goodie.

— 3/25/24 #gshorkonsharonroadseam – Location matters less with online work, but living four blocks from The Booty Loop, cool.

If you asked about Alone, you probably know the answer

Am I walling myself off and not meeting enough professional others in a post-pandemic world? I liked the people I worked with, but am I, as a remote-WFH person, missing out on things being away from office?

Its a recognized situation, and while collective drinking (and analysis) with others during March Madness is a fact, pushing yourself to attend outside of bubble activities definitely takes practice and personal effort. Queens University is less than a mile away, and I’ve participated in several outreach programs held there over years I’ve lived in Charlotte. Its never been easier walking to an event and mixing with those of similar mind, a classic way to meet.

Fourth of July, I spoke a while with both a political candidate and one of the grande dames (informally) of a strong community group, while dismounted from my bike ride. I admit to having a great neighborhood to walk around in, and after passing someone with their dog, “Is that a Golden Doodle, or… ?” is the easiest 25 feet away ice breaker ever.

Even as an umpire for Little League, where I’m a bit of a yakker-willing to chat with almost everyone guy, point is to take advantage of low personal risk, easy reasons to speak to someone. Like between inning grounders, practice easy conversation. “So that’s how to read that X rule, Blue?” Perfect. You’re off the hook, just nod while expert talks is a best practice. Next guy by will ask another question.

You aren’t expected to be brilliant, 90% of life is being there, right? It’s a new microeconomy, adjust.

Pressing the flesh again at Chamber of Commerce or industry events, especially if you weren’t comfortable with that part of networking before the pandemic, will take discipline.

You can read dozens of opinions on LI, even respond there, but face-to-face is still my happy place. I call it Social Goodness, and feel free to not immediately shake hands all around. Let others know your boundary on that, “I’m still getting used to doing it,” is adequate, bring your Purell if you have to.

Pick a question or three you’d honestly like to get answered before showing up. Write it down on an index card, it shows you’re serious about it. A vast majority of time, a person you tap will take you to others, and ask *them* to answer your legitimate query. THAT’S the nub of difference,

Others can and will help you, at least talk to you about it. Best practice is like that $865 million Powerball lottery, you have to be in it to win it.

Lastly, I’m getting 250- 19×13 puzzles (16 pcs.) in my hands shortly, so I’m an entrepreneur again!

#leadership thought, Sports

My Little Part for Womens Sports, then Boom! (45 Years later) Pro Women’s Hockey League

by gshorkeyblt2Leave a Comment on My Little Part for Womens Sports, then Boom! (45 Years later) Pro Women’s Hockey League

Professional Womens Hockey League has a TV contract, and laying out my women’s hockey cred is always affirming. Congrats to the First Six – Boston, Toronto, Minnesota, Montreal, New York, Ottawa. https://www.thepwhl.com/en/ A Landing Page that gets you everywhere, gotta like it.

Buoyed by that TV money, its a twenty-four game season, nothing extra fancy like team names, ticket prices are very do-able – 4 game package (Montreal), center ice sections $135 +tax. Simple playoffs go into May, everybody’s in with six clubs. Many clubs have two arenas to play at; there isn’t enough clout to put women’s hockey ahead of the circus, y’know?

BIG 19,285 crowd for inaugural in Toronto, New York (playing in Bridgeport, CT) had 2,201 the next day. There’s an interesting story of a player who became first person traded, and a league-wide awareness that uprooting players with families isn’t going to be order of the day. https://www.msn.com/en-us/sports/nhl/trade-considerations-5-things-pwhl-teams-need-to-think-about-before-making-deals/ar-BB1iFhID

My Smallish Piece – Head Coach, Women’s Ice Hockey Club

I still have the jacket, obviously, but who would have foreseen professional women’s hockey in 1979? I first touched the women’s side because my roommate knew I had a big ol’ Monaco and could take lots of girls and gear the year before, when we played his girlfriend’s former team – the Ithaca Shooting Stars had a twenty year old organization even then. Roommate breaks up with best player end of year, she and one of our goalies wouldn’t be playing. I mostly recruited over foosball tables, where I found Barb Hain, an ath-o-lete who went from field hockey to hockey to lacrosse, and at late night boyfriends intramurals.

Half our girls used intramural helmets without face cages, only a few had jerseys. Our practice times were M 8:00 am and TH 2:00 pm, just before they resurfaced the ice for the Men’s team. All of the freshman took every opportunity to improve their skating during free skate sessions, and we lost a fierce competitor who would’ve been our captain, Kitty Olejarski, because she fell against the boards and seperated two discs, which constitutes a broken back.

Did I say ‘fierce’? A year earlier she’d cross-checked me (using stick held between two hands to hit/push) in scrimmage with men’s B team, asking why I was never on the ice when she was. When I did the same to her, unfortunately/stupidly across her chest instead of an arm, she took a full swipe at my face with her stick. Catching it (fortunately!) with a glove, I *immediately* apologized for the unwise retaliation. Whew!

Talking about dumb college kid – Knowing how much she’d counted on playing, when she came to a practice, I actually let her ‘just skate around slow’ while wearing her back brace! At one point, I let her flip some pucks into the net. Nowadays, another accident that might’ve paralyzed her would probably result in a couple million dollars being taken out of the SUNY Brockport budget.

When they started squealing at the nasty, cold, wet jerseys I tossed to several, I said, “Put ’em on, we need to tape numbers on them.”

— Coach Shorkey, 2024 – Admitting I’d forgotten about disgusting state of jerseys on a Friday night, the memory of the smell when opening that carry bag still makes me laugh out loud. I expect it always will.

Our team only played together once before Christmas break (@RIT), then against a mens B league team where our defense couldn’t move guys out, a definite question of strength. Guys kept chopping away in close, to tune of 72 shots on goal, and 11-5 final score. I couldn’t have been happier when Judy Dufresne came off and said, “Guess I kept my stick on the ice,” the one piece of goalie knowledge I could offer to make a coaching difference.

Adding a little color to things, ‘Space Cadet Jeanette’ (Crozier, freshman) had cross-checked guys several times, but they weren’t allowed to check the girls. When the referee told me guys were getting pissed it wasn’t called, I motioned her to stop cross-checking, and mere seconds later, she said ‘What?’ to me when she went off for a hard slash. Then, after the game, instead of getting signed up for classes, she walked to the hospital at end of Brockport (only a mile), and had her *appendix out* about two hours later!

There *might* have been a trainer available if she’d fallen or been checked and ruptured on the ice, but I don’t know for sure there was.

Could you help us out with some jerseys?

My coaching career mostly focuses on a pair of home-away games, against a beautifully well-equipped, from skates to helmets, sticks, and uniforms, varsity team from Ithaca College. I was a student-coach with a rag-tag group called the Brockport St. Women’s Ice Hockey Club.

Best buddy Ivan Marquez (who okayed gas money from student government) was tight with Men’s Coach EJ McGuire, who eventually rose to VP NHL Scouting after years as an NHL assistant coach. Back then he was the coolest guy you could know, trying to get young men to come to a D-III state school. I didn’t have enough green jerseys to put on our girls for game at Ithaca, could he help us out?

“Sure. Couple of you guys, give Glenn your jerseys.” Bam! Five sweaty ones, right after practice, in the bag, thanks a lot guys.

First game at our ice we’d lost 3-1, with an empty net, length of ice tally with :02. We’d pulled our goalie and gotten a half-dozen shots on them, textbook stuff. Best player on the ice was Linda Wilcox, a dorm director at Brockport who was able to play for us after four years of varsity at Ithaca, because we weren’t an ECAC team. Former teammates certainly knew who they were up against, a studette protecting goal, a great puck mover and coach on the ice.

Every athlete is extra proud when their parents or significant family and friends see them doing well. The kicker for me was brother Steve, who worked in Sports Information at Cornell, knew I was coming, because Ithaca scheduled game at Cornell’s Lynah Areana. While my parents and Aunt Jo, Uncle Howard, cousin Mike were there to see his basketball game, their coming to my game was a bonus, one I have never forgotten.

Barb Hain, who started the day with ‘freshman flu’ (hangover) benefited greatly from a two hour delay when Cornell’s men’s team needed a short practice because they were still in ECAC playoffs. Four girls scored two goals apiece in an 8-2 win, and my feet didn’t touch the ice going over to shake the IC coach’s hand afterwards. I was in glory, three piece suit and print shirt, two-tone shoes, opening and closing the door with, “Next line up!” a little crazy when we had nine girls and a goalie, defense people were always double shifting.

Great stories have unusual twists, so when Judy became full time after 2nd goalie who split time quit, we found out she was a MUCH better goalie. Judy was very competent, waved her glove stylishly when making stops, and I mentioned the attitude . In fact, my ONLY rule as a coach was for defense: “Nobody gets close enough to put shavings on Judy’s back,” because low-scoring games were our best hope.

Head Coach is still one of my favorite athletic achievements, right up there with winning an Upstate Rugby Championship. There’s also NO chance I’ll ever forget Mom saying, “All those girls have such enormous rear ends.”

Could it have been their girls didn’t want to get near our fragrant ones? Don’t know, but 45 years later, its smile-worthy. Good thoughts for the Professional Women’s Hockey League for sure.

Thanks for sharing a moment in female sports history with me, the ladies mentioned most prominently above, and Caroline Beam, Rose Bronchetti, Heidi Clement, Jeanne Martin, Terry McGrath, Aileen Renner, Debbie Napoli, and Nancy Turner, who made it memorable.

Such a damn fine piece of women’s hockey news, thought maybe you’d want to know more. Yay!

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Business, Sports

Hornets are 13-41 at Break – What Have They Got in Year 35?

by gshorkeyblt2Leave a Comment on Hornets are 13-41 at Break – What Have They Got in Year 35?

It’s reasonable to leave Panthers GM Dan Morgan, Head Coach Dave Canales, and Cap Specialist Brandt Tilis to the business of getting Burns and Luvu signed for Evero’s defense. Check out the Hornets, post-almost everyone you might’ve known, and welcome back, Miles Bridges.

Nobody can be sure what the cards portend for 13-41 Hornets, but most will settle for Miller scoring, Bridges holding the fort, and being competitive, in a year when not a lot of fans are feeling it cheering-wise for Panthers.

When its stated as ‘The Hornets are 13th in the East,’ the Detroit Pistons lost 28 in a row to start 2023 season, are 8-46 in Central Division, and the 9-45 Wizards are still in the NBA, if not noticeably better, behind them. Grant Williams, whom I disliked as a Celtic, may be an acquired taste if he becomes productive again in teal. ‘If LaMelo…’ and his almost 24 ppg when available overarches almost everything possible in Charlotte, Bridges and Brandon Miller are solid solid.

Goodbye to Gordon Hayward, a productive guy in many respects, a firebird from the ashes physical story to be hanging 14.5 ppg/4.7 reb./4.6 asst, and 46.8 shooting, but thirty-four and ending a 4 yr./$120M contract, Hornets got some resources for him, he should help in OKC too. PJ Washington to Dallas (for Williams) hasn’t impressed anyone in a while.

Gone also is Mitch Kupchak, long time Hornets GM/President. Things needed to change, Charlotte will always thank Michael, who is still a minority owner, but there is still a huge disconnect between the beloved Bugs of yore, who led the league in attendance seven straight years, and whats needed now.

The last exciting team Charlotte had was 2015-16, Jeremy Lin doing a flashback to his Lin-sanity year in New York. Clifford did get them to playoffs with defensive emphasis. https://www.sbnation.com/nba/2015/12/18/10575088/jeremy-lin-highlights-stats-hornets-helping

New Owners

Rick Schnall has been a minority owner of the Atlanta Hawks, and is co-president of Clayton, Dubilier & Rice LLC. Gabe Plotkin is the founder and chief investment officer of Tallwoods Capital LLC, had previously acquired a minority stake in the Hornets in 2019, and is now a majority owner. Both men previously served as alternate governors on the NBA Board of Governors. Without having checked any Forbes profiles, and having heard some plans about improving the arena area, deep pockets to improve team personnel and civic engagement are desirable traits.

Not dramatic histories compared to the early years at The Hive, no more GOAT who didn’t (usually) spend for stars to come to Charlotte. Okay, no more cheapo-creepo Shinn, or Bob Johnson wondering, “Where’s that local support I was supposed to get for bringing b-ball back?” (fyi -Hubie Brown said he didn’t want to coach any of the 12 over-priced guys on the roster, there was nothing special about product or the boxes either.)

Clifford has now logged eight seasons in the Hornets organization, perhaps a surprising 196-214 in first term (2013-2018), and  finished in the top 10 in both points allowed and defensive rating five times. Defense still wins games in the NBA.

Really, who is playing the next 28 games?

On the most positive side, rookie stud Brandon Miller is as advertised. He clearly has the tools to score twenty-plus every night, not afraid to mix it up on defense. https://www.msn.com/en-us/sports/other/brandon-miller-proving-why-he-was-worthy-of-no-2-pick-just-a-minute/ar-BB1ikQe9 Hornets have a worthy pair of forwards with Miles Bridges on floor again. His 21.5 ppg/7.1 reb./3.4 asst. makes him the rock to build with, being an unrestricted free agent after this year is an interesting fact. (They will pay the man, count on it)

Two other ‘A’ grades will go to recently added Grant Williams, whom everyone hopes is now in a good place to blossom his leadership and game, and the hard-working Nick Richards, a true 7′ rim-runner who is putting up 10/8 nights off avg. 26 minutes, shooting 69% from floor. At 25, he is coming into focus as a strong role player, considered a bargain at $5M. https://www.espn.com/nba/player/_/id/4278076/nick-richards

There’s some hesitation in whatever gets written about LaMelo Ball as face of the franchise, and 7′ Mark Williams, both of whom are productive when on the court. Williams (12.7 ppg/9.7 reb) and shooting 65% has only been in 19 games (26 min. per), Melo (23.9 ppg/8 asst) only 22 games. Seeing some franchise-level production before his 5 yr./$205M extension kicks in should include on court minutes.

Appreciating their numbers doesn’t make them the primary assets they need to be, call them ‘teachers pet C ratings,’ and Williams more like a D for missing so much time. Its been a while since Hornets have produced a strong center presence, at twenty-two, Williams will continue to get some time to develop.

If anyone has seen Nick Smith, Jr. play in 37 games this year, he ran a decent point, good to know for future, because he’s going to get more reps in G-League for foreseeable future. Hornets like his 45% gunning on 113 threes, more is better, and he won’t turn 20 until April.

Sorry, then some Other Guys

Seth Curry, J.T. Thor, Tre Mann, Bryce McGowens, Cody Martin are bench players with lesser profiles. Mann is a 6’3″ guard, OKC’s #18 pick. We shall see, nobody would deny keeping anyone besides Shai Gilgeous-Alexander on the bench. https://www.nba.com/thunder/news/afterallstar-240219

McGowens and Martin are B players, McGowens (6’7,” 21 y/old) out of Nebraska is seen as a rotational player fitting a ‘3 and D’ role, Martin has the physical part of guarding on the perimeter down, his 34% on 3s and 53% FT makes him an offensive liability. The 6’10” Thor is in his 3rd year, and hasn’t shown any defensive extra or battle on the board strength to make up for minimal offense – being 21 can’t be an excuse for nothing. Does Curry have anything left in the tank at thirty-four.

Coach Steve Clifford

Clifford has now logged eight seasons in the Hornets organization, a surprisingly decent 196-214 in first term (2013-2018), has finished in the top 10 in both points allowed and defensive rating five times with several teams. Defense still wins games in the NBA, especially when you haven’t had reliable 3-point scorers to keep other teams honest. Clifford has the career nuts https://www.nba.com/hornets/news/charlotte-hornets-name-steve-clifford-head-coach to indicate where Hornets are heading, and with proven scorers and some healthy added stats from Melo and Williams along the way, there’s still only 28 games to go.

New management is going to be careful, but ten more wins, 23-59, that might be enough to avoid Loserville tag.

POV - Content Creation, Sports

Super Weekend – Great Ride and Chili, Thrilling Game, A Val-Day Gripe

by gshorkeyblt2Leave a Comment on Super Weekend – Great Ride and Chili, Thrilling Game, A Val-Day Gripe

San Francisco 49ers kicker Nick Moody will be facing immense, lets say ‘fan focus,’ for missing a PAT in Sunday’s Super Bowl that may well become as legendary as Scott Norwood’s misfire.

Buffalo’s Norwood, whose 47-yard kick passed wide right from being a game winner against the NY Giants, defined their first of four straight Super Bowl losses. In a commercial titled ‘Neverending Fan,’ from five years ago and still useful, his granddaughter models his jersey, just a flash of NORWOOD across her shoulders, with Grandpa’s wink to the salesman ending the ad…

Trust me, Buffalo fans know his name as surely as Cubs fans remember who messed up that foul ball, before the Cubbies gave up EIGHT runs in 2003 NLCS.

Poignant moment, *over thirty years* (1/ 27/91) after, Coach Marv Levy, Kelly and the K Gun, Brruuuuce! Smith, ‘Thermal’ Thomas, the estimable duo of Andre Reed and James Lofton, deserving of NFL adoration, no rings.

For those not inticately part of todays ‘Bills Mafia,’ Ancient History division, Scott Norwood is the standard for disappointment.

Now, with one missed PAT – Moody was 3-3 on field goals, two of over 50 yards – Nick becomes the Same Guy as Norwood, creating a proclaimed dynasty for the Chiefs, and massive disappointment for Niner Nation, again.

You have to be IN IT to WIN IT

The incandescent play of McCaffrey all year long, leading the league with 339 touches/1439 rushing yards/21 total TDs (67 receptions/564 yds/7 TDs), in a high octane offense and formidable defense, wasn’t San Fran being fitted for those rings that were destined in 2023, before Mr. Irrelevant, rookie Brock Purdy, about got an arm torn off last year vs. Philly in NFC Championship game?

The conspiracy people are going nutso about who was-wasn’t supposed to win-lose.

DunKings with Brady, Damon’s ‘This is anything.’ Killer line. The Hawai’ian football team post-fire story – yes, sports clearly lift communities.

On the basis of one missed PAT – 19-16 not 20-16 – and the rookie Moody was 3-3 on field goals, two of over 50 yards – he became the Same Guy as Norwood, back-back-3 in 5 years a dynasty prolaimed for the Chiefs, and massive disappointment for Niner Nation, again.

–2/11/24 I’m relaxed, awed about CMC’s manly efforts, agree -shut up Romo! great chili.
And I hit my book Submission clean.

As a writer, I’d take 2 million hits about my submitted online product any time possible. https://www.wattpad.com/myworks/218725526-a-triple-shot-of-karma-&-platinum-fury-focus In the NFL, in communications that Moody will get regarding one specific moment of defeat, snatched from the jaws of victory, its going to be, ‘What have you done for us lately (blank)?’ same negative stuff 2 million times.

Standard Buffalo Joke: They changed the area code in Buffalo, now its O-4-4.

Etheridge’s ‘I’m The Only One’ kicked it off

Blue-yellow for Ukranian solidarity, the antique Ferrari hat at Hotwalkers Ball post-Queens Cup, I am That Guy.

I haven’t cranked up tunes in my car and hollered along in a while. Just sayin,’ but after a great training ride with my fat wheel (10 mi. to Pineville line/back) mountain bike, and before I rewarded myself with a terrific crusted chicken breast and well-browned fingerling potatoes dinner, with a well-poured Guinness, I let myself pound the idea I’m still closer to getting a book published than holding a Good Woman.

As a Romance Writer, I present Marlena, as a worthy example of One Who Knows when the Universe has delivered Her Man.

–2/14/24 How’s LeSharque for a pen name?

That ride affirmed expectations of my physical strength at sixty-seven. I’m still a solid 190, fit my Hugo Boss suit well, take time for shooting hoops regularly, still have some tennis skills as part of bellweather activities. Friday night I accepted nomination for a club officer position with our Mens Club. Based on great vibes from those spoken with during recent Pierogi Night (> 600 served), I’m respected and thought responsible among my peers and community.

My physical-mental confidence, after a ten mile ride and full of that tasty chicken / fingerling potatoes dinner Saturday was excellent, with that mental confidence traced directly to hitting a single ‘here’ button for an online submission, a professional Must Do I need to accomplish more often. Submissions are like PATs, after tactical completion of the writing process, it hurts a bit when done unsuccessfully, but NOT trying is an operationl clunk.

Overall, what Norwood or Moody might stress about is miles from my own peace of mind. Except that its Valentines Day, and I’ve checked off all the other boxes involving deserving. Maybe I touched on something years ago, but shit! we had a pandemic since then. IMHO, ‘Healthy’ and ‘I promise not to poach your backhand’ should be way, way more positive factors in my favor.

The underlying question of “How’s your horizontal mambo going?” blew out with Melissa’s wailing about being The Only One, and DAMMIT! She’s right. I’m deserving of wanting the All That, super Great, everything you’d want in the Her of your life, emotionally ready for go with today’s flow, because we sure as hell shouldn’t be saving ourselves for anything after going through that pandemic, Woman. What the HELL else do I have to prove to the Universe to rate yelling Bingo!, if not literally aloud, then for physical accuracy?

Sex for a Past-60 Writer in #MeToo Era: Something is Amiss

Try bumping into me at Fresh Market tomorrow. I’m a Good Person, alive, ready to travel. Happy Valentines Day good thoughts for all. And the hollering, it works. Not bad at all, so I’m keeping emotions as part of New Normal and Social Goodness too.

Glenn

Business, Sports

‘Monsieur Spade,’ Would GM Dan Morgan-Burns Contract He Deserves Qualify for New Normal?

by gshorkeyblt2Leave a Comment on ‘Monsieur Spade,’ Would GM Dan Morgan-Burns Contract He Deserves Qualify for New Normal?
No, that’s not GM Dan Morgan, I do my own version of Sam Spade, hard-boiled detective.

Watched newest take on a hard-boiled detective series with Clive Owens, who, after putting a foot into bad guy’s face 7-8x during questioning, gives bloodied black ops guy instructions for his bosses, then answers question of ‘Why should they believe (you’re different)?’ with a simple, “Because you’re alive.”

‘Monsieur Spade,’ set in 1963 France, features political intrigue about guns, Algeria and constant subtitles. Spade disparages his own French along the line, but the overall story and action is strong enough to make watchers effort of necessary reading worthwhile. Sam Spades rep as not being shy with a gun from San Fran background is known.

Almost everyone in Charlotte who has suffered through The Tepper Years at helm of Panthers can get behind that Why should…? if not the because. In the short period of time since the Panthers 2023 season (2-15) mercifully ended – with enough media negativity about MrTeppers$ and meddling to sink a battleship – the operant feeling is a universal-deserved “Show us.”

A New Normal POV should include NOT being kicked around BOA Stadium.

GM Dan Morgan has the unenviable task of keeping defensive standout Brian Burns with Ejiro Evero’s #4 ranked squad, at a level of paycheck that should’ve been handled back in June.

Morgan is still remembered as a hitting machine on 2003 Super Bowl team, long before Luke Kuechly arrived. Whether he impresses his credibility on fans here won’t require literal boots to the face, but its not the time for being regarded as a nice guy either.

Head Coach Dave Canales

The departed Scott Fitterer proclaimed all Panthers needed to do in 2023 was plug in a good QB, even when it meant stripping the franchise of almost all offensive talent (and 2024 #1 pick) along the way. Most notable topper of course, DJ Moore moved to Bears (96 receptions/1364 yards/8TDs) and had a career year.

After giving Panthers credit for *finally* putting extra bodies in the O-line room instead of bouncing personnel around to cover injuries as operational theory, there’s no reason for piling on blame-wise when eight right guards and seven LGs passed through those positions. Bryce Young (thankfully) didn’t get broken, and since 62 sacks didn’t kill him, hopefully he learned lots.

That Panthers stole – a word that came up repeatedly – better personnel as entire NFL was searching for GMs, Head Coaches, and coordinator personnel outside their teams. Dave Canales came from Tampa Bay for the HC position, and brought Bucs receivers coach Brad Idzik along to be Offensive Coordinator. If they got All Pro Mike Evans to come too, THAT would be more than cool.

Being young, 42, and notably successful in getting well-dinged veteran QBs Geno Smith (Seattle, 2022 Comeback Player of the Year) and Baker Mayfield (Buccaneers) back on track, whether/how far Canales can move the whole Charlotte operation out of an extra nasty time since Tepper bought the team. https://www.statmuse.com/nfl/ask/carolina-panthers-record-since-2018 There will be a plethora of free agent signings, Panthers will be looking at lots of extra possibilities. Haven’t heard a $$$ amount to go with six-year contract length yet…

Yes, you heard right, NFLPA team surveys rated Panthers facilities D-, with players 100% against the move from regular turf to composite because Tepper has a soccer team playing on same surface, and regular grass can’t take that.

Executive VP of Football Operations

New Executive VP of Football Operations Brandt Tilis, with14 seasons experience in the Kansas City Chiefs front office, three as Vice President of Football Operations (2021-23), will have plenty of input on Burns front, having served as the Chiefs lead contract negotiator for Patrick Mahomes 10 year, $450M contract.

There should be a huge organizational Whew! knowing they’ll keep Defensive Coordinator Ejiro Evero here another year. While still giving up too many points for an impotent offense to overcome – 24.5/game was 29th in league, barely behind Broncos 24.3 and Colts 24.4; Commanders were worst at 30.5), the 2023 Panthers ranked fourth in yardage (294 total yards per game, 122.4 rushing/171.5 passing). Panthers denying several teams requests to interview Evero for their DC roles was legitimate. https://www.footballdb.com/stats/teamstat.html?group=d&cat=t

Bill Belichick, Commanders OC Eric Bienemy, and Titans Mike Vrabel not getting new gigs in the significant number of changes is not Panthers problem now. To be a little snarky, that former Panther Coach Ron Rivera is interviewing for job swap as DC coach in Dallas, after Cowboys DC Dan Quinn went to Washington as Head Coach, thats two other organizations that have bigger concerns than Charlotte. Snyder is gone from Washington, so only Jerry Jones in Dallas has a twitchier reputation as an owner than Tepper right now.

Morgan, Canales, his overall assistants much more on same page than Reich’s all-star hires array. Cam Newton being an edgy dresser and great community ambassador means something less today. That Canales become the whisperer of QB touchdowns and wins from team is only valid concern.

— Jerry Jones didn’t keep McCarthy/Prescott because they’re good guys, 12-5 three straight years is a desirable level of winning, but its possible Belichick *didn’t* get a gig because he isn’t though.

Take the Points

While ‘No’ is going to be a common response for Panther fans on believing the next edition of team is going to be All That, its legitimate to take the relative points looking upward. Consider holding back any collective opinion that it *couldn’t* get worse than 2-15 felt for next two months to NFL draft, or seven months till home opener vs. Washington Commanders though.

Dave Canales has been given a six year contract (still haven’t heard a number to go with that), a decently different scale for a guy who made $400k as QB coach two years ago, but its kind of a penalty stroke on MrTeppers$. If Ben Johnson (Detroit) was putting a $15M per year figure on his candidacy, and the thankfully gone Matt Rhule got 7 years/$60M, midpoint on that would be $12M-13M+.

Many opine math of paying off a third big coaching contract, if he gets antsy about un-major progress, should give even a billionaire owner like Tepper reason to let his football people control operations and actually STAY in background, not just use it as a line with a reporter.

Sports

Super long off-season ahead for Panthers in 2024 (and Please! not Belichick)

by gshorkeyblt2Leave a Comment on Super long off-season ahead for Panthers in 2024 (and Please! not Belichick)
Panthers face a murky, uncertain situation on the field and in the front office. Getting #MrTeppers$$ to take a seat vs. trying to run football operations himself, here’s hoping for more light and fun in the future.

So you opened Fansided mail Monday and found out #GMScottFitterer is no longer a Panther management person. There’s a regular stream of departures on player side coming as well, not many ‘make good’ one year contracts panned out. (Perhaps I drank the KoolAid, *might* have thought so too), but guy who said, “All that’s necessary is dropping a good QB into mix for 2023 Success” is working same unemployment line as ex-HC Frank Reich.

A LOT of NFL teams aren’t happy with their results – Arthur Smith is gone in Atlanta (7-10 all 3 years), Chargers will continue getting blown out if Herbert doesn’t throw five TDs (give Dan Marino a call about Truth of that). If Belichick and Pats are calling it quits as dance partners, the joy of millions awaits official word of the split. Asking #MrTeppers$$ to not bring him here is legit – nobody liked HIM, just the rings Brady won for all.

That Detroit Lions are only #3 seed based on ref’s decision in Dallas game (sigh, this crew has a hoo-hah *every*week*), its still a considerable way up the professional mountain to NOT be considered the proverbial red-headed step-child (31-68) that the Carolina Panthers have become.

Admitting that dissing the Lions organization about the Matt Millen years (don’t ask) was always an easy blast, now I’m stuck with the Loser’s Refrain, “We’ll getcha next year.” Can’t knock their Pistons hoopsters, who recently recorded 28 straight losses for a single season record, when Charlotte (8-25) and San Antonio (5-30) have ugly as sin records too.

After Dan Campbell’s first year (2021), Lions were 3-13-1, getting Jared Goff and three high draft picks in return for long-suffering Lions QB Matt Stafford, who promptly won a Super Bowl with Rams. Stealing OC Ben Johnson from them (with considerable #MrTeppers$$), maybe call it payback for letting Panthers think they could do same thing by just adding a QB (and a coach for every position)?

Three Months to Draft

No sense getting cranked up about2024 draft when #1 pick Panthers clearly need is in hands of Chicago, who will decide to keep Justin Fields after last few solid games this year www.espn.com/nfl/player/_/id/4362887/justin-fields, or trade current QB for more draft capital. The smart money is on them using that improvement as a solid rationale for trading Fields and selecting Caleb Williams (USC) at #1 this year.

Fields had a very different second half of the season, noooo doubt he has arm and legs to do even better, but if Tepper wasn’t happy with results of previous QBs Fitterer brought in, grabbing an iffy fourth-year guy who seemed on edge of gone in Chi-town won’t fly. Bears will want max return from in any trade, challenge (ha!) would be Panthers having no draft capital to work with.

Fitterer is GONE – Who’s in?

Welcome to the Carolinas, and top flight coach and necessary General Manager, know your boss will have you on speed dial.

I came to Charlotte the same year as Panthers (1995), saw my first game at Clemson, and getting a picture of Steve Young about to be met on a goal line quarterback sneak by a missile named Sam Mills, was a thrill. There have been two Super Bowl trips for Panthers, New England (Brady’s 1st win, 2003) and Denver (2016), neither of which ended in wins. The Cam-Olsen-Kuechly-Davis unit Charlotte loved (HC Ron Rivera, 76-63-1 has most victories) was cool, but 2023 was a HUGE trough for Panthers,

Since the offensive line was a primary sore spot, with Young frequently wearing someone with other teams jersey by time he took second step from center, thats GOT to be place to start. Ikem Ekwonu at OLT two years ago seemed like a godsend for stability, but a huge falloff in overall effectiveness (and brutal overall injury situation, just sayin’) was at center of Panthers pathetic output.

The difference in Newton at 6’5″, 260 running the RPO (run-pass option) with his size and speed from Game One couldn’t be further from the reality of 5’10” (maybe) 195 lb. Bryce Young being sacked *62 times.*

–Myself and EVERYONE in Charlotte, throughout 2023 season. Howell (Wash.) was a victim 65 times. 3rd was ol’ Zach W. (Jets, 46)

Yes, I thought off 7-10 record, with terrific running game results from D’Onta Foreman, and a solid defense would benefit the new quarterback greatly. How Foreman wound up in Chicago on a one-year contract is NOT what should have happened, and Fitterer was certainly the loser on that contract. How much $$$ did D’Onta want again? becomes relevant when he/Panthers were willing to part with their only talented receiver, DJ Moore, to get absolute #1 pick, and he had a career year with Chicgo https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/M/MoorD.00.htm .

If the Panthers find their Head Coach before Ground Hog Day (that’s fast), it will almost surely be because #MrTeppers$$ whacked someone like Detroit’s Johnson with his checkbook. Best practices is using FOOTBALL PEOPLE to make such decisions, which would mean he really hasn’t chosen to use those resources yet. With the deepest pockets among NFL owners, that whacking is undoubtedly his (second/only) best route, because overpaying after the shine has come off Panthers in a big way seems mandatory.

Tepper gave up on Reich, but he can’t go after another QB in draft. For anyone who really thought the choice of Young was unanimous, that Tepper miiiiight have pushed for him will probably take a while to be outed.

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Fans and #MrTeppers$$ are Dissatisfied, Charlotte Teeters on ‘Loserville,’ Young survives 2023

by gshorkeyblt2Leave a Comment on Fans and #MrTeppers$$ are Dissatisfied, Charlotte Teeters on ‘Loserville,’ Young survives 2023
Looking good for NYE always counts, but even Daddy Warbucks cut couldn’t save Panthers from a shaved monkey effort vs. JAX

Nobody is likely to say it out loud and proud, Charlotte area sports fans are having a crisis of belief in local teams. That the Pistons lost 28 in a row is only a distraction to our own situation (5-27). There’s Fields doubters and another #1 pick possible in Chicago, both NY teams, with $45M Rodgers and Zack the Unloved, plus Danny’s $40M ACL, are bigger deals, Discomfort with sub.500 in Charger-land with strong armed Herbert, and gutless-cheap leadership? We got a guy doing double duty here!

Cleveland? Yeah, $92M into Watson deal, still something seriously wronger there QB-wise, but congrats to Flacco and Brown’s defense. Patriots? (Bleep) Belichick.

Truly, a great many teams are dissatisfied with their football prospects this late in their seasons. Hey, they’re barking about playing bad for real in Philly, and Kansas City too. That 7’4″Wembanyama kid in San Antonio, getting 18.9 pts., 10.3 rebounds, 3 blocks, and Spurs are 5-27. Forty, maybe sixty more pounds, he’ll be the second coming of Ralph Sampson.

Saturdays dinner date seemed to hedge her approval on my acceptance of her poor USC (5-7) Gamecocks, so losers are everywhere, not just Panthers.

Chicago must’ve felt the love, at least they sent thanks again for officially gaining Panthers 2024 #1 overall pick – and of course, for DJ Moore having his best day ever.

Does the last game matter?

While a considerable number of teams are still technically alive in the NFL parity world, #MrTeppers$$ took an unkind swerve with what’s inevitably going to be labeled a #TepperToss while at game in JAX. Feeling foolish, maybe a little thin-skinned DT? Sure seems like it. Gettin’ whupped 26-0, with half-dozen sacks to finish out the Panthers 2023, some trash-talking Jax fans might push your buttons.

Whether Mr. T has become introspective about previous meddling as adverse to Successful Football Operations, or he still wants to ‘pair’ coaches is still in question. If Detroit’s Johnson was close last year, that $15M-plus payday could be real, but who feels good about a non-expert Boss standing on their turf? Evero will probably stay on defense vs. assume HC role, but as noted before, Sportwriter Guy me being wrong about every turn for three years, we’ll see.

Last games matter because its what everyone gets plenty of time to remember, players and fans, and coaches. People still say, ‘Cam didn’t reach for that ball!’ in the 2016 Super Bowl. In a 2-14, slow train wreck season, with busted expectations aplenty, players still want opportunities to do better. If your contract is up, can anything done *today* keep me in memory of those who might still have opinions about my playing anywhere again? Do Zack Wilson or Ken Pickett wish certain things hadn’t been said or confirmed about playing time?

Ask Russell Wilson how it feels to get benched for his last games in Denver, so he doesn’t get dinged! and Broncos wouldn’t be allowed to cut him to save a $54M contract year in the spring. Will Brian Burns *still*put himself on the line one more game without a new contract? Will Panthers defense want to mess with Mayfield getting a rich contract in Tampa? Could be a pride thing both ways.

Ask a long haul COVID sufferer about an old axiom about what fails to kill us only makes one stronger, 2-14 losing is bad losing. Steve Wilks got major credit for 2022 team‘s intestinal fortitude, amping fan interest, an effective, run-oriented offensive line, and team cohesion. Wilks was stiffed by Tepper, another choice is necessary, so WhoDat? in 2024.

–1/2/24 Glenn S. And Everybody wants who? and how much? so that’s where the betting sites are going overtime.

How many Oles! does Fitterer have?

Having admitted that Sportswriter Me left the sackcloth wearing and moaning to others most of this season, the question in bullfights and management moves is slipping the sword behind the animals strong neck to end things, hopefully with the elan-deadly seriousness of a matador. We’re talking about #GM Scott Fitterer now, because the talent level, albeit with a surprise or two, isn’t comforting to many. How many Oles! might be fulfilled by someone besides ‘the guy who wants to be in on everything,’ will be part of 2024 considerations.

I only caught pieces of the Jaguars game, was thrilled that the Kung Pao sauce I tried with chicken/broccoli stir-fry, and a bold California red from my arrived-for-New Years shipment from Nat Geo wines, was so tasty as a working lunch. Just my job to see the slog before the blog. No pressure to produce in the immediacy of a blitz like Bryce sees, a late, ugly crumbling by the Panthers just a feeling to be noted.

The good game against Green Bay, that last-gasp 33-30 loss, might have meant something…but no, goose egg.

I could afford to be civilized – a good game on another channel wouldn’t be a problem. Still had wine and good kung pao, no throwing laptops required. Brother and I later opined about relative calm of Mr. Richardson’s generous spirit over 25 years of Panther ownership and community, compared to the number of flawed, expensive relationships since Tepper. It still sucks he got run out, Daniel Snyder lasted 20 years.

Are we super aware #MrTeppers$$ supercedes all else over six years of ownership? Nope, just regular aware, and aware of his $875M Rock Hill facility deal blowing up too. I’m actually wondering who’d take the job here (Just please, not Belichick!)

Loserville? Check the numbers

For those who desire major league baseball here, an established and beloved team like the Hornets – rescued to some degree by Carolina hero Michael Jordan (who got paid off LARGE, and given an attaboy!) for trying so long with this franchise – the Hornets seem financially incapable of fielding a quality team. That said, there’s no real option for a bigger baseball stadium , and the $$$ for a lineup to fill a 45,000 seater with a *competitive* team would require *real* deep owner pockets for half of 162 game season is a fantasy. What new management can do about fanning interest for Hornets is also in question.

For seven years and 364 games, the Hornets led the NBA in attendance 7x, essentially sold out (capacity 23,819). Charlotte lost its team because Mecklenburg County taxpayers said NO! to a new arena for owner George Shinn. In 2022-23, their regular season average was 17,123 per game, (89.7% of 19,077). Now, LeBron sells out.

The sellers-scalpers don’t come down on prices for Steelers, Cowboys, Giants, Packers games at BOA. but even with a cheap flight and two overnights in Charlotte, the economics of tickets here aren’t a problem for those fans who can’t get tickets back home. Fans leaving at halftime because they have a 4:00 BBQ, *that’s* a problem.

  • Panthers (2-14) Still tough to believe Tepper yanked plug on Reich mid-season. Was there consensus on 5Ws of coaching hires, or BRYCE?
  • Hornets (7-23, 13th (of 15 in East) Scoring 110.6 ppg, allowing 121.4 ppg. This hasn’t been your Dad’s Hornets for a long time.
  • Knights Baseball (International League, 18-56 in 2023, 29.5 games out)
  • Checkers Hockey https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charlotte_Checkers (16W-11L-3T, 6th in Atlantic Div. AHL – Hershey leads with 54 pts),
  • Charlotte FC (10W- 13Draw-11L) in 2023, 13-3-18, 42 pts. in 2022 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charlotte_FC. (Hiring 3rd coach, same as Tepper with Panthers last 3 years)

Give the Queens University Royals Mens team some slack for 6-9 record in second season of Division I basketball, but 0-8 on the road. Games on 6th, 10th, 12th.