After a constant drumbeat of drafting defensive help as absolute necessity, super-productive AZ wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan as Panthers #1 pick was kind of astounding, and worthy of an ‘A’ no matter who you talk to. (Cowboys wanted at #12, too bad.) Morgan has a *bunch* more picks to continue improving DC Ejiro Evero’s defense in Year 3.
What’s not to like?
Morgan-Canales made it clear since free agency success that productivity at collegiate level and elsewhere would be given primary consideration, and Tet-Mc, legit? put up numbers at Arizona, https://pantherswire.usatoday.com/story/sports/nfl/panthers/2025/04/25/nfl-draft-expert-grades-panthers-tetairoa-mcmillan/83267508007/ especially in 2024 – 84 rec. for 1,319 yds./8 TDs. Whatever you might hear about his running style, at 6’4″, 219, he is going to become a problem as the best of size-speed improvements Panthers have brought together in receivers room any time recently.
50/50 balls on ‘up’ routes will be in the Canales-Young red zone reads. – GShork 4/25/25
Its not jinxing anyone about Ghost of Olsen (just wouldn’t it be nice…), nor Steve Smith liking any new Panthers WRs, Canales says he likes full RB and TE rooms, and McMillan is certifiably best wide receiver in Panthers group since, well, Spartanburg ’18, watching DJ Moore and McCaffrey. (I predicted 100+ for C-MC, wound up 104 catches and that incredible 1000-1000 season.)
Is this a Homer talking about a designated Number One? No, its going to be a prevailing thought, and its definite, an accomplished, WR1 person has arrived. Most expectations are Leggette rides his Dollar Bill regularly as he’s rewarded for practices, extra coaching. Its not comparison shopping results or pre-judging any Cali Connection, but Year Two results are supposed to increase – coaches and players are graded on it.
The $$$ Panthers put into supporting offensive line for Young and NFL run game identity, its been done with a definite plan. So has McMillan, and yes, the free agent signings featured enough well-regarded NFL defensive support at specific points to allow for a stud receiver selection in Round 1. The focus on Walker as smoke? Meh. Its a deep defensive draft.
GM Morgan has eight more picks, six on defense okay? I suggested ‘Trust’ the other day, today I’m Justifiably Impressed with #1, not just drinking the Koolaid. How many more good guys can Panthers accumulate for 2025? Stay on path of best practices, Dan!
After a relatively less newsworthy gap in football for fans, loaded with crackpot trade ideas online, the 24th draws nigh for Reality of Carolina Panther football operations.
At least nobody is suggesting they need to find a franchise QB in a draft with only two, and defense getting max attention is already a fact.
Spartanburg is in the rear view mirror for Panthers, Draft Day figures to boost DC Ejiro Evero’s defense considerably.
Nobody wants to Fail at Draft Picks
For any singular ‘expert’ who is naysaying the possible selection of Jalon Walker as a ‘tweener vs. the stud linebacker-edge rusher from Georgia HC Dave Canales and Morgan have both praised, did that young man do everything he was asked the last two years or not?
Just sayin,’ he’s nothing akin to the Shy Tuttle situation, where being a large individual was NOT the answer to being a nose tackle who could stop Panthers defense from giving up an unholy amount of yardage in 2024 season. (FYI – Bobby Brown III very possibly is)
With a solid belief in Morgan’s ability to judge talent and bring it home, the Panthers GM isn’t picking for the Cleveland Browns, whose success in digging out of a massive cap hit hole relative to QB DeSean Watson includes 40-year old Joe Flacco in the mix and *brutal*/astronomical numbers in next couple years. If they select Heisman Trophy winner Travis Hunter at #2 on Thursday, more bets would be on losing TWO positional starters to a freak accident than fixing offensive-defensive-economic situations.
Shedeur Sanders (4,134 yds. 37 TD/ 10 INT, 75.5 QBR) to Cleveland, or Giants? Didn’t his Dad say NO! to option of Brownies already? Whatever he supposedly lacks, Colorado went from a ONE-win team to 9-3 and playing in Valero Alamo Bowl in two years. Sanders was an underwhelming 16/23 for 208 yds, 2 TDs/2 INTs, 3 sacks in that 36-14 whipping by BYU. Would he fit in the Giants QB room? Like a glove.
Panthers already have nine picks in a 7-round draft, and Morgan continues to let it be known he’ll answer the phone and trade down if someone wants to talk about Panthers #8 position and more picks. Having done an outstanding job on accumulating several high quality defensive players during free agency, Panthers will not be taking flyers on 19 year olds like Charlotte Hornets did with their 2024 #6, Tidjane Salaun.
For those who haven’t noticed, ‘meddling’ Panthers owner David Tepper *still* hasn’t uttered a single negative about the process that Morgan, Canales, and VP/cap expert Brandt Tilis have taken in putting his team back on (fairly) solid footing. Pick for Mingo to Dallas is going to be well spent. https://www.dallascowboys.com/team/players-roster/jonathan-mingo/
‘Realistic Optimism’ says better than 6.5 Wins
Most prognosticators were correct about Panthers not doing better than 5.5 wins in 2024 season, but tapping them as only one game better in 2025 sounds like zero respect for how Panthers played in second half of season. A fumble while driving for a score in OT (Tampa Bay), and games to the wire against eventual Super Bowl teams Philadelphia – a 22-16 loss to Eagles in Philly, with Barkley gaining 124 yds. and Leggette failing to hold onto a late pass for a first down – and Kansas City (last second FG for 30-27 win) meant they were real damn close to eight wins.
Yes, Adam Thielen will be 35 before season starts, and after missing seven games with a hamstring injury, he’s still caught 151 passes (1,629 yds, 9 TDs) the last two years on a team lacking in quality-experienced receivers, especially Young’s rookie season (2023) when QB was under constant siege. He’s a slot receiver vs. a primary, which is still a position that bears upgrading.
6’5″ free agent Jalen Coker (Colgate, 32 catches/478 yds./2 TDs), didn’t get on the field until a 3 catch-41 yd. OT win over the Giants in Munich (11/10), and Xavier Leggette https://www.panthers.com/team/players-roster/xavier-legette/ of South Carolina, who has blazing speed, had solid rookie years. With extra coaching and focus, its expected (fingers crossed?) Leggette becomes a full-fledged terror for NFL secondaries in 2025. Panthers signing thousand yard rusher Rico Dowdle https://www.espn.com/nfl/player/stats/_/id/4038815/rico-dowdle from Dallas as a free agent was an understated but A-1 steal, adding a proven target (5 career rec. TDs) for Bryce Young in HC Canales’ offensive scheming as well.
Morgan might’ve reached a bit in drafting RB Jonathan Brooks (Texas) at #2, as he reinjured his surgically repaired ACL on a non-contact play during a late season ‘lets see’ appearance. The Panthers never rushed his progress, and while he might become another story like Panthers legend Thomas Davis, who had three consecutive ACL surgeries (2009-2011) and returned to play at an All Pro level, nobody can tell.
Dowdle has wheels, and should team easily with highly productive RB Chuba Hubbard https://www.espn.com/nfl/player/_/id/4241416/chuba-hubbard in Panthers backfield plans. Rico is on a make-good contract, and Hubbard is an icon for exactly such economic dealings.
Neither Brooks selection, nor how Morgan handled the saga of Diontae Johnson, who Panthers got from the Steelers for about to be released cornerback Donte Jackson ($14.3M contract) in pre-season – and wore out his welcome here and with the Ravens with butthead attitude – was more best practices than a misjudgment of talent to be held against him.
Year 30 in Charlotte
That massive $$$ hole called the quarterback in Cleveland, where ex-Jet Aaron Rodgers winds up (if anywhere), or whether NFC South division rivals ATL and New Orleans get a grip on QB situations the Panthers-Bryce Young seem to have worked out, not our problem. – GShorkey Draft Week ’25
Having arrived in ‘The Buckle the Bible Belt’ in 1995 at same time as Panthers, and having seen considerable highs (two Super Bowl appearances) and earth-cratering lows that include current seven year stretch of uninspiring football, Charlotte still isn’t Cleveland. A non-winner since #MrTeppers$ purchased team from original owner Jerry Richardson, this years version could well make – if not the sort of ‘resurrection’ many believers here hold personally – a revival worth discussing.
How three days of drafting new talent from the 24th-26th works out on a roster that has jettisoned a number of unknowns (and yeah, Shaq Thompson) since last season works out, the smart $$$ will be on GM Dan Morgan getting the right people for HC Canales to coach, with Brandt Tilis paying appropriately. That massive $$$ hole called the quarterback in Cleveland, where ex-Jet Aaron Rodgers winds up (if anywhere), or whether NFC South division rivals ATL and New Orleans get a grip on QB situations the Panthers-Bryce Young seem to have worked out, not our problem.
I’d be tempted to throw in the link from 15 years ago yesterday, which credited UConn for its back-to-back titles, the obvious relationship for Duke coaches then and now, and the biggest Dookie, Brian Zoubek. Only time anyone recalls Coach K just pounding you with size, including two Plumlees.
While Kyle Singler and John Scheyer have been quality players for years, Duke wouldn’t have been in the NCAA Finals if Brian Zoubek hadn’t finally played a full, injury-free season. Duke changed from its usual defensive pressure to Playing Big, *really* big with the Plumlee brothers going 6’10” and jumping all over people, but this past month especially, Zoubek (that would be MISTER Zoubek to you Cal fans) showed exactly what being BIG and talented means. Rip down a rebound and everyone around you seems to be only armpit high, that is the epitome of Large. Singler was the MVP of the Final Four, but capping a college career the way he did was great for Zoo.
(Just how precisely the finale mirrored Duke’s loss this year shows how close winning-losing such events often is.)
No problem acknowledging how tough Butler played – even the great Duke champs of the past rarely played in-your-shirt, hand-to-hand-combat intense D better than the Bulldogs did Monday night.
Frankly, if that last half-court heave by Haywood banks in, all the air would’ve come out of Dookie Nation’s chest for well into the future. Nobody would be questioning whether Coach K was full of it by saying this was his greatest championship, though many consider it his best coaching job because the talent wasn’t as overwhelming as past teams…
The bottom line, 5th year useful guy Zoubek earned the ring so many expected freshman Flagg, and a superbly well assembled set of teammates, to emerge from a chalk walk of #1s to the Final Four March Madness in San Antonio with. One short-armed, fallaway J, one bummer of a foul call was the difference. No Mr. Big finale.
The air HAS gone out of Dookie Nation, how and when will anyone know whether Cooper comes back? Yeah, yeah about his NIL value at Duke, $4.8 mill you say? They hustled his incubation time to make him a stud professional NBA legend at 19, won’t another year put a beating on his Year 4 valuations…Blah, blah, blah. Love the commercial where he gets sweated up at bingo. Or did the first 999 times. NBA body and smarts, got it.
Tough to maintain focus in college fishbowl? NBA is eighty-two games, THEN the abuse of playoff *series,* not onesies. Doubters about being ready? Mostly no doubt. Bird-like? C’mon. Stay or go? Pull the ripcord my man, be a great student-athlete example. Hey, that twin of yours who didn’t push up a class, he got any game?
Plenty of time to What If –
Two weeks from NFL draft, the Carolina Panthers don’t have exactly the same falling off a cliff decision with #8 pick as Flagg to NBA. Still plenty of guessing about HOW MUCH defense is enough, enabling the drafting of other than necessary edge rushers and linebackers from a deep group.
The What If – Penn St. tight end Tyler Warren fell to #8 Panthers pick, would Morgan prioritize XYZ (Walker from GA) on defense ahead of selecting ANOTHER tight end who blocks and catches very, very well, and would continue filling RB and a tight end room just about like HC Canales has frequently stated? https://www.espn.com/college-football/player/_/id/4431459/tyler-warren
While there’s still a quantity of #MrTeppers$ available, Morgan paid up for a LOT of talent in the most necessary places during ‘legal tampering period.’ The Panthers Football Operations people kept Ejiro Evero as Defensive Coordinator after a brutal statistical season – and a previous #4 rated one, before a solid linebacking corps went free agent. Morgan provided the ONE absolute that 3-4 defense required, a nose tackle who is great on holding up double teams with physical dimensions.
If you haven’t heard about a signee from Rams name of Rozeboom, he notched about as many tackles as Panthers D-line had last season (135), you will want to see how he operates.
Don’t sweat the Eagles DT (Williams) who blew Panthers off for $104MM of the Patriots money, *that* friends, is what over-paying looks like.
The Great American Family Experience, 9 am Saturday version
A little Control on the world, maybe
It never hurts to call a high strike to make sure the batter remembers we talked about getting swings vs. looks before the game. I love covering specific situations in pre-game talks, which become easy judgements when they happen (recently). I listen to what a manager wants to fix about something I also witnessed to develop possible explanations/resolutions.
I’ve been the plate umpire every time out because as old-ish veteran, I have the equipment the 15-year olds I’ve teamed with recently don’t. I’ve made a difference with many catchers, telling them to get bats out of the way, so they don’t interfere with a play. I tell the crowd how catchers move the location of pitches (very worthwhile talk). I picked up three games this week, and maintain LL is a healthy outing after WFH writing and blogging.
Pass on a Friday nite gig to play poker? Nahh, no guarantee I’d win big, and there’s those taxes, about two terrific hours of community involvement with the Great American Family Experience will help pay for.
$600 into Umpiring this Spring, I’ve gotten hit kind of regularly, a couple of the ‘particularly close’ genre. When pitcher barely had enough juice to bounce it off the edge of the plate – then right past the catchers ear, never even got a glove up – it doesn’t hurt, but the streak has ended. 4/5/25
The NHL playoffs begin April 19th. Possible latest ending date – June 23rd. I’m not a hockey bettor. Charlotte Hornets (19-61) fans will have open schedules shortly, but they weren’t really bettable either. There might be a reason to talk about LaMelo shortly. Just sayin,’ if Mavs can pull the pin with Luka a season after Finals, LaMelo is not untouchable as Face of Franchise.
I will tell any nice ladies in advance of the much hotter part of LL baseball season, yes, I will always accept a Gator or PowerAde, any flavor. Here’s to the Great American Family Experience.
Two weeks to Morgan Draft #2, not so bad waiting for actual progress vs. fantastical trades and must gets online verbiage. Grab yourself an Ultra (or Dr. Pepper) like Billy Bob in ‘Land Man,’ hang with a bad enough Good Woman you’re sure there’s not a snowballs chance of Happiness ever happening with, but rest assured, Panthers GM Dan Morgan is doing a *fine* job of investing #MrTeppers$, not yours.
If that includes getting a super chunk of ath-o-lete as a first rate, NFL ready offensive weapon for Bryce Young’s upcoming third year, I’ll be good with that.
I really do like the hat, here at Travers in Saratoga. GM Dan Morgan and I both have jaws, his FA signings in ’25 are looking about as good as me.
Thinking Panthers GM Dan Morgan has set DC Ejiro Evero’s defense up right already, with an honest to God nose tackle and hitting machine of a linebacker (135 tackles, 11 starts in 2024) named Rozeboom, and there’s still $$$ in the checkbook, so…
Whew! barely covers the first handful of Free Agent signees, and Morgan still plucked a jewel of a second running back from Dallas’ eye by adding Rico Dowdle https://www.espn.com/nfl/player/_/id/4038815/rico-dowdleto improve Bryce Young’s potential targets. $16MM for two years of Tommy Tremble’s future is part of fuller tight end-running back rooms that HC Canales stated was run-first in Year One. Mission accomplished by Hubbard, who was everything Panthers wanted from leadership, and well worth rewarding contract-wise.
Good blockers who catch footballs? Fannies have been waiting (for anything close to Ghost of Greg Olsen), would Canales et al dare take that TE from Penn State? $16MM for Tremble and J’Tav Sanders already here says maybe not, three’s a crowd.
Rozeboom from Rams is a bona fide stud, up through the ranks quickly – Noo-buddy! gets to question Morgan’s ability to judge prime football talent AND get it back to the cave. And then there’s Tilis.
3/13/25 GShork on Panthers GM early success shoring up Defense and keeping their own FAs.
The literally biggest, at 6’4″, 332 lbs. of the FAs is Bobby Brown III, who signed on for 3 yrs/$21MM; DL Tershawn Wharton (3 yrs. /$45MM) and Patrick Jones II (3 yrs/$20MM), plus Safety Tre’von Nehrig (3 yrs/$51MM) who is a genuine thumper in the back line. Is that working or not? JC Horn’s 4 yr./$100MM is possibly an out-sized contract extension after first healthy year of lock-down reputation. I recall Horn getting three PIs against Chiefs and it was considered excellent, but $100MM, its #MrTeppers$.
Panthers defense was particularly woeful in the line without Derrick Brown, and giving up over 3,000 yards was legitimate burn, sorry Shy. Let’s just clarify the Worst part though – It was ONE POINT more at 534 than previous record, which was in a 16 game season (Colts, 533). Leave WORST at the door (32.5), life wasn’t good at all. Putting big bodies in with Mr. Brown in Ejiro Evero’s 3-4, that is the difference maker that WILL change absolutely everything.
Yes, expectations! of becoming a much better unit front to back started with a whoosh this week.
It’s Thursday, Dan is always in the discussion
A’Shawn Robinson had a bunch of sacks, then wore out with constant use against run, Rozeboom is a bona fide stud, up through NFL ranks quickly https://pantherswire.usatoday.com/story/sports/nfl/panthers/2025/03/13/nfl-free-agency-panthers-christian-rozeboom-nickname/82384733007/ – but Noo-buddy! gets to question Morgan’s ability to judge prime football talent & get at least his fair share back to the cave. Will Trevon Wallace benefit from watching some (a ton) of film with Kuechly? NO DOUBT. Leggette with Stevie SuperStar? Again, have to believe that would be a goodness, even if he couldn’t turn Mingo into a route runner AND catcher.
Are the Panthers actually paying a premium, or has #MrTeppers$ become a non-factor? By all accounts, certain players are coming for Evero, previous experience positives https://www.panthers.com/team/players-roster/a-shawn-robinson/ Morgan showed he wasn’t actually a newbie last year just sitting in the big chair, getting an A-1 prospect in 1st round (Leggette) AND regaining a #2 pick for this year for openers. Verdict: Very much like Commanders rising from ashes, and Detroit as proof of scaling tough history, Success takes time and coordination. It is very definitely the Panthers defense’s time.
The old saw is that offensive lines get talked about until there ISN’T a concern-problem, and by all accounts, Christensen is a bargain-plus, https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/44210919/brady-christensen-agrees-deal-panthers, Mayes, Corbett (back from another injury year) are considered as a unit to be super-solid. Ensuring Bryce Young’s pocket safety (29 sacks, didn’t play 5 games) was a primary improvement of last free agency, and he scored six TDs, none of the Cam reaching the football over the goal line from HERE variety.
From thirty-four out means people are watching out for you. Trust is earned, there is a Leader, several of them in fact. Sunshine and joy in Charlotte? NC sunshine seldom leaves, and organizationally-speaking, Good is still the enemy of Great, but its still too early for philosophy. https://www.jimcollins.com/article_topics/articles/good-to-great.html
Salty lines love drive blocking, Chuba Hubbard and ANOTHER 1,000 yard guy who catches passes, yes, Panthers have a better batch of players coming to town, three year contract guys, not just ‘prove its.’ They did that elsewhere to everyone’s satisfaction in football brain trust here, go with it.
Morgan has talked early about excising emotion from In/Out decisions, and Shaq Thompson’s injuries finally put him over the bubble, even after buyer friendly terms last year. There was a single too-early rush about getting a certain nose defender who decided to take a bunch of Patriots money instead, and okay, as best practices Dan was in on that, and not long after, things worked out better on budget overall, thank you Bobby Brown III and Tershawn Wharton. By the time this blog-information gets read, you shouldn’t bet against more goodness happening.
The personnel is clearly better
Will Charlotte-Carolina people get crazy-hyped about Panthers resurrection of pride? No rush to judgement, but first batch of Year Two from Morgan has plenty of A-1 heft to it. Between today and first practice to see who’s who of additions to those bloodied and beaten through combat in the ring last year, there will be plenty of names forgotten as unnecessary.
Whatever I’ve said about Cam never throwing a receiver open, or putting a rainbow out there for Leggette or whomever to run underneath, its a part of the offense now. Stopping people from doing whatever they had in mind (almost certainly RUNNING the ball) is already a solid defensive proposal. Thanks Dan!
As a potential reporter on events of Season 2 of Canales, Morgan, Tilis (no #MrTeppers$), I’m okay with not having to visit training camp in the literal cauldron that Spartanburg was. The two times I journeyed to the Wofford campus, once to specifically see DJ Moore and C-MC, yow! This is what a best practices, successful rebuild should-does look like.
I was in Tampa ’81-’82 when the Selmon brothers, specifically LeRoy, who was All-Pro dominator-level defensive end in the day, Huuuugh! Green at other D-end (so fast, relentless), definite icon QB Doug Williams, and former USC star running back Anthony Davis, went all the way to NFC championship game, worst to first. My cousin Frank Ball was a drummer in Bucs band, for $5 I didn’t even use press credentials with ITS SPORTS! to get into Rowdies soccer games.
There’s that bitty little buzz in Charlotte, and just sayin’ – its NOT the Hornets https://www.espn.com/nba/team/_/name/cha/charlotte-hornets– but believing fans will be packing the Panthers practice site downtown this summer, when the new people are viewed as absolute positives (not like Diontae…), they’re mostly back and already happier.
East will never meet West on the scale of what Lakers have ALWAYS done about getting players they want-need compared to Charlotte Hornets, who continue to wander the backstreets of mediocrity. Hornets were willing to trade a center (Williams) who has been constantly out of lineup with injuries for a decent shooter (Knecht), because they (hopefully) can’t get down to Bullets level of badness for top picks.
Hornets picked #3 last year in draft and selected a 19-year old Frenchman, not a superstar 25-year old with a recent NBA Finals on his resume. ‘Nuff said?
The NFL season is officially over, and while the Eagles 40-22 triumph over Kansas City Chiefs wasn’t a complete surprise – or really that close – the Carolina Panthers had a very real chance to upset Philly earlier in the season, the difference being a non-catch by Xavier Leggette. Losses to Chiefs, Eagles, Tampa Bay were maybe less-dark spots on record, but starting his 2025 year, GM Dan Morgan made a first, minor change to the roster by signing kicker Matt Wright (15-16 FG for three teams in 2024), meaning Eddie Pinero, now a free agent but statistically the most accurate kicker (89.38%) in NFL history after three years here, may be gone.
More-Better Personnel, especially DEEE-FENSE! for Panthers, Hornets…?
Its easy to see the difference between how almighty Lakers swing a deal and how Morgan (and Hornets GM Peterson) work things in Charlotte. Lakers traded C Anthony Davis to Mavericks for an accomplished, younger (25 vs. 31) Doncic, after a Finals appearance (playoff avg. 28.9 ppg/9.5 reb/8.1 asst) that would usually make it unthinkable. Following up with a trade for good-numbers-when-not (but often) on-injured-list Hornet center Mark Williams, while sending sweet shooter Dalton Knecht, Cam Reddish, a 2031 unprotected first round pick and a 2030 pick swap east, was huge NBA news.
After Williams didn’t pass his physical (back) with Lakers, the trade being rescinded didn’t help the Hornets at all. Williams (and Ball) not having played perhaps one-third of games for several years due to injuries, is an undeniable fact of Hornets limping along with a familiar feeling 13-39 record. If Lakers saved Mavs from a $345MM+ max contract this summer with Doncic, coach J.J. Reddick is going to earn his paycheck relying on small ball, James, and better than average shooting until Davis’ defensive presence and 24.2 points, 10.7 rebounds, 2.5 assists and 2.3 blocks a game averages is somehow mitigated.
Whether that situation could change this year, or next, or (insert criteria and date) for Bugs is debatable, but Carolina Panthers are a team that visibly improved in second half of season, when previous regular target of dissing, QB Bryce Young returned to the controls, so lets talk about Next for them. #MrTeppers$ has *still* not bloviated regarding anything that smacks of ‘meddling owner’ in 2025.
‘The best thing about freshmen is they become sophomores’
It’s a memorable line by former Marquette basketball coach Al McGuire that brings a quantity of hope, that Carolina Panthers and HC Dave Canales 5-12 squad will indeed become a more competitive NFC South team in Year Two. 10-7 took the division for Tampa Bay, a much easier task than NFC North, where long-suffering but now proud and proficient Detroit Lions (15-2), the reborn Sam Darnold, waiting on a big contract somewhere after a career year (14-3) with Minnesota Vikings, and the Packers (10-4) will determine whether new head coach Ben Johnson in Chicago means as much to QB Caleb Williams as Bears fans hope he will.
BETTER IN YEAR TWO is the attitude, and everyone – especially Young – will be judged against HC Canales’ second year Success. WR Jalen Coker was a real UFA pickup, Xavier Leggette (4 TDs receiving) a fine first round prize going forward, TEs Ja’Tavian Sanders and Tommy Tremble contributed three TDs. The early free agent guard tandem of Lewis and Hunt, LT Ikem Ekwonu (again, after lousy 2023) and RT Taylor Moton (still da Man), and ace slot receiver Adam Thielen’s decision to return constitute progress. Chuba Hubbard (250 carries/1195 yds/10 TDs) holding up the running game HC Canales said was going to happen. That makes continuing Panthers reboot of offense more than just a pipe dream, even though RB Jonathan Brooks (#2 pick from TX) barely saw the field before reinjuring an ACL, and #3 RB Rahim Blackshear didn’t see much action.
Triple crown receiver Tee Higgins of Bengals (124 rec./1,708 yds./17 TDs) deciding to relocate to Charlotte because Cincy couldn’t come up with the $$MM to keep him paired with Joe Burrow, that would be a pipe dream.
Defense was brutally, historically bad – Next must change that in BIG way
Without stretching out the numbers, Panthers were dead last in yardage surrendered (404.5 ypg/31.4 pts.) while allowing 61 TDs; #23 against the pass (224.7 ypg/35 TDs), and yeah, they punched an awful lot of running back tickets while surrendering 180 ypg. Ravens were not surprisingly #1 against run (80 ypg), while Saints (#31, were at 141), and for perspective, the Jets (#17/121 ypg) and the Browns (#21/130 ypg), so the NFL put up *big* stats on the Panthers.
The Super Bowl Champion Eagles were #1 against the pass (174.2 ypg/22 TDs) and #10 (105.7 ypg) against the rush, and considering the beat down they put on Chiefs for three quarters, an ‘almost win’ in Philly still meant same thing – a loss – as 40-7 thumping by Commanders or 47-10 to start the season. There will be a lot of unfamiliar names leaving on defense, and a LOT of new names before final roster in August, don’t sweat who, what, why until then is legitimate.
Spending on guards Lewis and Hunt produced essentially the kind of offensive line safety Young needed, and even with the injury to C Austin Corbett after moving from guard to center and then Cade Mayes taking his role, the Panther O-line was their best unit overall. Chuba Hubbard proved his worth to Panthers, earning a new four year/$33MM contract.
Free agent defensive personnel seldom came through after the loss of stud defensive tackle Derrick Brown in Game One. Jadeveon Clowney had 5.5 sacks but didn’t hold the edge as hoped; D.J. Woonum (4 sacks, only played in 8 games), A’Shawn Robinson (320 lbs., 5.5 sacks) and Josey Jewell (3.5 sacks, 51 solo tackles) were useful when available. Shy Tuttle was never close to the answer as an NFL nose tackle, and MLB Trevin Wallace (8 starts, 64 total tackles, 1 sack, 2 fumbles forced) played in 13 games before a shoulder injury ended his season, will benefit long-term from getting the injured Shaq Thompson’s reps in the middle this year.
In his first year here, Morgan accepted the charge that he’d short-changed the defense while focusing addition of players that would improve Young’s offensive efforts. That Ejiro Evero’s 3-4 defensive strategy was constantly bull-whipped, after a 2023 season where they finished ranked #4 (293.7 ypg) – and before the meat of Panthers linebacking corps (Burns, Luvu, Grosse-Matos) left in free agency – is the singular reason Evero is still in Charlotte. Teams can understand a string of injuries will drag a team down, but none of the seven new head coaches would demand the guy who – relatively speaking – directed the Titanic, come work with them.
Even if ’81 Colts (33.3 ppg) surrendered ONE point less that Panthers new record, but in a 16-game season.
Okay, this isn’t the Panthers, but go with the idea of some teams having heads up their backsides or just hanging out, it works.
As a sportswriter, lets have some fun with what everyone else in NFL might see as ugly, deep, bad times in Charlotte, because considering how many other teams are entering, or already involved in, similar situations, WOW! The Panthers are picking EIGHTH!
5-12 seems to be fading to an elemental trust that ‘We have a/our QB’ and Good should be getting here soon, having put up with Bad & Ugly for a while. Yes Carolina, GM Dan Morgan knows Ejiro Evero’s Panther defense needs mucho help.
Everyone knew the priorities in 2024, and losing LOTS of defensive front-liners to injury all year has been noted. There are economics and choices coming, free agency and draft, and Panthers already have extra picks. Fannies should know, Morgan is *definitely* going to bring in better personnel on that side of the ball.
It wasn’t any sweeter that Bryce Young had a pedal to the metal (3 passing TDs, 2 running) in 44-38 season finale against Falcons a month ago, but its nooo problem to read (or watch ‘Hard Knocks’) about just how badly the Giants blew themselves up on Saquon Barkley to Philly situation. *AND* they kept HC Brian Daboll! (3-14) and GM Joe Schoen in their positions, AND told QB Daniel Jones to *NOT* play for them, just take the ($22.2MM) and run. None of that smacks of best practices in the NFL.
Panthers seem on rise, or has league become Haves & Nots
Pete Carroll will be 74 mid-September, and my goodness! has he got a heavy lift ahead with the corpse-like Raiders (4-13), 25 years removed from last playoff win. Al Davis’ kid is still the owner, a weird chip off the ol’ snakey-guy, Pierce was definitely in over his head. Raiders have a trio of no-name QBs on roster, and if the best they can do is select Boise State’s super-productive running back Ashton Jeanty with the No. 6 overall pick instead, that wouldn’t be going against type, and their rushing attack could use the help.
Positive thinkers to the max, which Carolina Panthers HC Dave Canales brought plenty of from his time with Carroll in Seattle, but Pete might need some of it back.
Everyone knew the priorities in 2024, losing LOTS of defensive front-liners to injury all year has been noted. There are economics and choices coming in free agency and draft – Panthers already have extra picks. Fannies should know, Morgan is definitely going to bring in better personnel.
2/10/25 GShorkey. The fact of too early-overlarge anticipation is two-edged. Having Charlotte fans give Morgan credit so early there’s Mora-level PLAYOFFS?! talk, its clear they care again. Carolina Panthers have drafted all defense recently – but really, not nine.
What is Liam Coen doing in Jacksonville? Oh right, he took the gig, then bailed to stay with Tampa Bay after a contract upgrade, then said okay again when the Jax GM got axed. Would any Panther fans like to have Trevor Lawrence…never mind, Clemson lovers would, but they have to stop calling him a ‘Generational Talent’ now that Jayden Daniels has shown his Truth in Washington.
Panthers and Jaguars came into the NFL together in 1995, but thirty years later, no self-respecting Carolinian would want to trade teams, even with eight ungood years since their *second* Super Bowl appearance in 2016.
Dallas? Bwah-hahahahaha! 7-10 this season, and whether McCarthy was a fool for trying to push Cowboys owner Jerry Jones for five-year contract vs. three, Brian Schottenheimer got HC nod for first time in career, which was meh stuff. I recall a joke about his Dad, Marty, something like, ‘How do you make a great team really good?’ (Hire Marty S.) He sure threw a spike into a dynamic San Diego Chargers crew (2002-2006) that included HOFers LaDainian Thomas (31 TDs in 2006), Junior Seau, and Drew Brees.
Just FYI, Schottenheimer the Elder ended a 21-year NFL coaching career with a .613 regular season winning percentage, but a .278 playoff (5-13) winning percentage. Without all the details, that still makes him the only NFL coach with at least 200 wins and a losing playoff record. Good luck to Brian in Big D, but as in NY, if you aren’t crushing it regularly enough, you are going to be *strongly* dissed and/or skewered and toasted.
Facing the retirement of several long-time producers and salary cap hell (like $54MM over the cap), nobody has stepped up for the New Orleans Saints open position because OC McConnell from Philly had to finish his season https://www.philadelphiaeagles.com/news/kellen-moore-named-new-orleans-saints-head-coach#: Relative to QB Derek Carr, who directed a 47-10 season opening wipeout that put a stink on Panthers most of the year, he might be a magic wand for two franchises if Saints (over budget) and Steelers (neither of last years QBs is signed for 2025) stew on their QB situations a little longer.
Carr has put up good numbers over eleven seasons (2024 – 67.7%/2,145 yds, 15/5 while missing last 4 games with broken left hand), four straight years of All Pro 4000+ yardage (2018-2021). He got a phat contract in 2023 – 4 yr./$150MM, $100MM guaranteed – and now has a $51.46 million salary cap figure for 2025 vs. current $12MM. That Saints might be parting with Taysom Hill – the studly Swiss Army knife guy, TE-QB-bomb squad dude who they thought might replace Drew Brees.
The Big Finish – Best/Worst
Dah Bearz got the shiniest apple in the basket by stealing Detroit OC Ben Johnson, getting big time passing yards out of Goff the last three years with Goff’s career and extended massive contract, having risen at controls of Lions offense. With plenty of cap space to spend – hopefully on some *much better* offensive linemen, and getting to coach 2022 Heisman winner QB Caleb Williams, now that he’s survived a *68 sack,* 5-12 season – should make them competitive. (Bryce had 62 last year, which sounded like a lot, ‘only’ 29 while sitting out five games in ‘24).
If Johnson is The Deal coach-wise, a LOT of Bears fans (like Charlotte fans with Young) still thought their Heisman guy would just walk in and make the whole thing better. Johnson’s deal, 5 years@ about $13MM/year, is a considerably better payday than Matt Eberflus ($6MM) earned as Bears HC. If you often get what you pay for – his .304 win percentage (14-32) was the third worst in Chicago franchise’s 105 year history.
Saving the NFL get-no-respect whipping boys for last, the J-E-T-S! (5-12) stole Detroit’s defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn (2021-2024) from Lions as well. Glenn was drafted 12th overall by Jets in 1994, played his first eight years there, and stated the obvious at his press conference while offering an honest, “This building is dying for a winner.”
Just below that obvious-well documented 14 years of playoff-less existence is the very real possibility that Glenn doesn’t want Aaron Rodgers mucking up his first year as Head Coach.
Rodgers has been…salty? Whack? Prolific? He finished 2024 season with a four-TD game, getting his 500th TD pass (now 503) and is close enough to 63k career yards to call it that. Bitchy? Demanding? Davantae Adams managed to get to NY (from Oakland) because Rodgers realllly wanted his favorite target from Green Bay days – but since Jets didn’t pick up the third year option of a prickly if fairly smart, magic mushroom-eating SOB based on way past history – meh, toodles, don’t let the door hit ya’ in yer a**, right?
Panther fans can relax juuuust a little
The Carolina Panthers have picked up a quantity of respect for how Young et al played the second half of season, although click bait headlines still include #MrTeppers$ as being an unbalanced/meddlesome owner (though not a peep since March), and Morgan’s perceived mistakes as a first year General Manager. Keeping DC Ejiro Evero after a brutal season of negatives (record 534 pts./34 per game against, last in defense against run by lots), will be tacked on to ‘mistakes’ if there’s not visible major improvement pretty immediately.
Panthers got effectively zero from Texas RB Jonathan Brooks (reinjured ACL) at #2 pick, and WR Diontae Johnson, in a trade with Pittsburgh for an about-to-be-cut DB Donte Jackson, and Johnson being a d*ck in two more cities after being sent away – shouldn’t hurt Morgan’s reputation. Getting Adam Thielen to return deserves attaboys! all around, and its super-legitimate Morgan brought enough bodies for Charlotte to field a team in finale against Atlanta. In moderate analysis, that puts them a good step ahead of many others in 2025 .
In Atlanta, Pittsburgh, Tampa Bay, Denver, Buffalo, and Detroit, the only uninjured stars resting on the sidelines were Kansas City Chiefs, who got skunked 38-0 by the Broncos, and the Buffalo Bills, a pyrrhic 23-16 victory for the Patriots, costing them any chance at overall #1 draft choice.
Serious football the final week left Joe Burrow’s Bengals out despite winning a 19-17 slugfest with the Steelers, who will take four straight losses, and a quarterback who calls for amnesia about that, into the playoffs. Mayfield’s Buccaneers are atop NFC South for 4th year in a row, and today Charlotte, North Carolina seems quietly satisfied with a QB whose efforts in finale make 2025 possibilities noticeably brighter.
For every sportswriter who tried to shovel dirt on Bryce Young’s professional grave when he was benched in Week 3, after first two awful weeks of hesitant play in 2024 (and a disastrous 2-15 in 2023), the confident field general Panthers drafted #1 last year emerged in gratifying fashion against the Falcons.
Yes, 5-12 only left them tied with the Saints at bottom of their division, but hey, Falcons (8-9) are sitting at home now too, and Young’s ‘Carolina Reaper’ reputation gained a little upgrade. Former Panther Sam Darnold’s Vikings (14-3) were thrashed 31-9 by Lions before a raucous crowd in Detroit (15-2) for the #1 seed and a week off, and despite a productive renewal of his career in Minnesota – 4319 yds., 35 TDs/12 INTs – his name was never brought up in MVP consideration.
Neither Young nor he is eligible for Comeback Player of the Year, and whomever believes Aaron Rodgers saying his two years in NY were the happiest of his four MVP awards career, hmmmm.
QB Whisperer, Dalton as a case study in Mentoring, or…?
While HC Dave Canales got the Panthers top job based on his success reviving the careers of Seattle’s Geno Smith and Mayfield (as OC in Tampa Bay), some questioned his play calling and commitment to Young early on. Exactly how and why the Heisman winner pulled things together after returning in Week 8 to end his year 4-6, will continue to be a question on many minds. Many more will decide that three passing TDs, his pair of runs to pay dirt, and another game without turnovers, his stacking of good outings is enough for now.
During the 30-14 thumping in Dallas (two INTs, two fumbles), and last week’s thrashing (48-14) in Tampa, where his respectable 15/28 for 203 yds./2 TDs (no turnovers) was overwhelmed by Mayfield going off for five TDs (27/32, 359 yards), the Panthers defense has been injured and under siege the entire season. ESPECIALLY against the run. Several ATL players put up strong stats -Bijan Robinson (28 carries/170 yds./2 TDs), WR Drake London (10/187 yds./2 TDs), and QB Penix’s 21/38 for 312 yds./2TD/1 INT, rushing TD) – isn’t Young’s responsibility.
The Panthers probably won’t win too many shootouts like this 44-38 overtime again without considerably more firepower, and the prospect of a more balanced offense-defense is a fingers crossed situation right now. Noboooody is denying the brutal injury report all season long, both thumbs up for the O-line working so well – there were several games where the starters played every snap, 65-75 a game. Bryce certainly benefitted from/contributed to that unity.
It might be too late to consider Miles Sanders contributions for a new contract in 2025, but his 17 carries/66 yds./ and winning score in OT, plus 3 catches/50 yds./TD can be considered a good example of nobody quitting. There were a couple catches with Ja’Tavian Sanders, Tremble, and Leggette climbed the ladder to bring high balls in, results being the primary consideration. Evero will probably go, please Mr. Thielen, another 70 catches please, sir.
Young is no longer hesitant in his throws or runs (six rushing TDs), he had completions to nine receivers against Atlanta and *13* games without turnovers overall. The constant blitzing he was subjected to last year (62 sacks) was cut in half (29 sacks) by GM Dan Morgan’s putting a new offensive line in place, beginning with free agent guards Hunt and Lewis. If his slight frame and 5’10” height was considered inadequate to the success of being an NFL quarterback, his passes are more often precise and strong now, even if not the crackling fastball of others like Burrow, Allen, Herbert, Nix, or Baker Mayfield’s darts.
While a personal observation of being duded up for tomorrow’s festivities is legitimate, watching the Washington Commanders Jayden Daniels and Falcons Mike Penix, Jr. trading lasers and darts on Football Night in America yesterday brought a pang of Oh my! regarding Bryce Young’s recovered relevance, and how far ‘up’ still is for Panthers.
Expectations for the Panthers were never lofty (picking Over 5.5 Wins is now a FanDuel loss), DT Derrick Brown being gone after first game hurt a lot, so getting more-better tacklers for Panthers defense should be top of GM Dan Morgan’s shopping list. Panthers were league worst against rush at 2830 yards (177 avg.), #2 Patriots allowed 2103 (131 avg.), Ravens were best run stoppers, 1305 (81.5). Just sayin’.
Sure, looking good is always worth talking about, and having seen Jayden Daniels games just twice this year, I’ll still tip the hat in congrats to a gentleman who HAS to be Offensive ROY.
Torrential rain in Charlotte caused a tree up the street to fall across Sharon Road and knocked out internet for ten hours, until after the Vikings Sam Darnold tore up Green Bay (33/43, a career best 377 yards, 3 touchdowns/1 INT) in a gut check 27-25 win over long time rivals. That earned him a joyous bathing https://www.nfl.com/news/sam-darnold-soaks-in-pretty-special-locker-room-scene-vikings-packers by his teammates, while Young’s Panthers were profoundly spanked by the Buccaneers 48-14 at Tampa Bay.
Minnesota rose to 14-2, and will play the Detroit Lions on Sunday, the winner gaining the #1 seed in playoffs and a bye in first round.
At least I got to see Daniels and Penix hook up for what should become a classic example of what a franchise (11-5) rising from the dead looks like. 2023 Heisman winner Daniels was 24/36 for 227 yds., 1 TD/ INT, adding 16 rushes for 127 yards wowed a national TV audience.
In only his second NFL start since taking the QB reins from (expected to be kicked to the curb shortly) Kirk Cousins, Penix was 19/35 for 223 yards, 1 TD/INT, which should silence ALL critics of Atlanta using its #8 pick in draft for Penix after signing Cousins to a lucrative 4 year, $180MM contract ($100MM guaranteed). Learning how far his skill set deteriorated after Achilles surgery, and Penix obviously strong left arm and accuracy, speaks to another big ‘dead money’ change in ATL, which blew $40MM on former star QB Matt Ryan.
History won’t be forgotten, Year 2 was still ‘Better’
Young didn’t play poorly, going 15/28 for 203 yards and a pair of touchdowns to the estimable Adam Thielen (5 catches, 110 yds./two TDs), while former Panther Baker Mayfield was a surgical 27/32 for 359 yds. and *5* touchdowns, with a pair of scoring throws to WR Mike Evans, who again tortured the Panthers with an 8 catch/97 yards and those touchdowns, afternoon.
It’s reasonable for Carolina fans to be thankful about most of how Bryce Young has performed since returning to QB1 status after an early season benching. To see a pair of ex-Panthers QBs raising their teams into the playoffs in dynamic fashion since leaving Charlotte, ok, one last hmmm for Scott Fitterer having actually gotten BOTH here on pretty good financial terms, and their not playing well enough to be asked to stay.
If it took six seasons of lousy football to stop #MrTeppers$ from being the meddler he was until deciding to let his football people handle all football matters in 2024, Washington turning things around 180 degrees (4-13 in 2023) in just one season has to be appreciated.
The difference in the McCaskey’s long-time ownership of the Chicago Bears – 101 year old Virginia McCaskey inherited the team in 1983 from her father, George Halas – with its legacy of lousy play, messed up administrative decisions, and constant coaching changes, the Harris Group’s purchase ($6.05 billion) and overhaul of everything – from new Head Coach Dan Quinn, to the front office, facilities, and a jaded fan base – from the massively unlikeable Daniel Snyder, and Tepper’s moving to off-stage and quiet regarding operations, should be a case study.
The only good thought possible from 2024 is, da Bears burned through all those picks, got their own Heisman winner in Caleb Williams, and have posted the same 4-12 record as Panthers, three games worse than 7-10 in 2023 (one game to go).
2025 arrives soon, Good Thoughts for portal?
Iowa State and Miami was a barnburner from start to finish, 35 points already scored with 2:23 left in the first period, 49 with 10:43 still left in the second. The Cyclones Rocco Becht (22/35, 270 yds./3 TDs) finished matters off with a QB sneak with less than a minute to go, stealing the Pop Tarts Bowl 42-41 for the school’s never-done-before 11th win of the season, despite five turnovers.
Ward sat out the second half after going 12/19, 190 yds., 3 TDs. His 158 career touchdowns is currently a Division I record, but Oregon quarterback Dillon Gabriel has 153, and up to three more games to take the record himself.
If viewers somehow failed to hear, “…and they had (X number) of players in the portal who didn’t play” 500 times, it was/will continue to be a theme throughout the college playoffs and beyond. Many players who weren’t starters all year got to strut their stuff as a result. Yay!
Jim Larranaga, 75, the Miami men’s basketball coach who quit over the weekend, summed up the frustrations of many – Alabama’s super-successful Lou Saban quit last year for same reason – by noting that they are only *two years* from having played in the Final Four, and it wasn’t that eight kids didn’t like playing there, simply that they could leverage NIL (name, image, likeness) more profitably elsewhere.
That’s not how a coach of 41 years wants to roll, the effort of recruiting and coaching day to day being overwhelmed by teenagers making money grabs, scholarship commitments tossed in the garbage because (simplistically) teenagers aren’t bound by signing ‘contracts’ as minors.
Count on hearing many of the same situations reprised come March Madness, except from Marquette. HC of mens basketball Shaka Smart will continue his best practices philosophy of building a program the old way, mixing freshman with seniors and an occasional grad student, like nobody else seems willing to any more, when winning brings so much pressure for immediate fixes.
The twelve team playoff – as the Dr. Pepper Dad explains it, “goes most of the way through January,” is a mother of a burden to true student athletes. (Standard) Eleven game season + Conference championship + up to four playoff games, equals **16** games. Restructuring college athletics, meh, a problem for next year. Just sayin’.
This is the most legitimate time to put one of those forever memorable pictures on display. I’ll probably put a Christmas ‘display’ vs. just a tree next time.
Assuming fellow Panthers game watchers saw the same plays, with QB Bryce Young getting whacked *twice* as he got off successful passes to Tommy Tremble and a drop in the bucket TD to David Moore, I was smiling myself when he peeled himself off the turf, and pretty much laughed about it to one of his linemen. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aZgXMwYy5fE
When you make a mistake on throws, like Arizona Cardinal QB Kyler Murray did on an interception (after being past the line of scrimmage), you hang your head on the bench. When you’ve done enough good work that smiling a lot after a heavy lick comes naturally again, that is Bryce now, not a colossal failure some painted him when the 2021 Heisman winner joined a team with very little talent, taking 62 sacks along the way to 2-15 record.
That said, the best thing beside Chuba Hubbard going for 25/152 yards and a pair of TDs (one the OT winner) was Cardinal RB James Conner being injured in 3rd period and not continuing his rampage, which ended after 15/117 yds/TD, plus 4 catches for 49 yds.
I said exactly that (technically, just ‘whew!’ as he stood on sidelines) when Cards scored last 10 pts. of regulation to tie things up. Conner is a beast, and it seems *everyone* they play is capable of carrying a couple Panthers tacklers for 6-12 more yards after contact.
Panthers GM Dan Morgan can fix that in off-season, right? Ahhhh, expectations!
HELL YES! on Bryce’s running (Chuba even more so)
Anyone who questioned Chuba receiving a four year, $33MM contract a couple weeks ago, who wonders why a team with their won-lot record is rewarding anyone, they couldn’t have been watching many games. Hubbard had 250 carries for 920 yds/5 TDs during last year’s disaster, and now has 1195 yards and 10 touchdowns. That’s a humble producer you want to keep happy, and it sends a signal league-wide about doing and deserving. Same with kicker Eddie Pinero, who missed a PAT in the game, but has also had a season (21/24) worth rewarding.
Panthers two early TDs were on 70-yard drives, and the ball control aspect of Hubbard’s running used up plenty of clock this year. 6’6”, 330-pound free agent guard Robert Hunt, and LG Damien Lewis proved to be $$$ well spent, as offensive line has been a strength when everyone else got injured.
The joy of watching Young take off for an untouched 34-yard jaunt early, then take off again for 23 yards and a touchdown was wonderful after seeing him steadily being beaten on for two seasons. As color commentator Mark Schlereth noted, when everyone’s back is to you in 1-1 coverage, you can pick up a lot of yardage. Panthers kept Kyler Murray in check (8 carries/63 yards) by clogging the middle so he didn’t escape upfield like Bryce.
Yes, it’s good to see plays work as needed. There was a flag next to spot where Hubbard made a block to keep a defender off Young on TD run, but penalty turned out to be on defender, so un-standard Panthers luck. Young scored early in first period in a small front corner of end zone, exactly where Moore caught his touchdown in 4th period, barely a foot from the boundary, with a defender draped across his back.
Those plays were an elemental difference from a LOT of Panthers experiences in 2024. (ie.- Thielen’s catch in end zone denied vs. Bucs, best defensive player Derrick Brown gone after first game, Diontae J.)
Yes, it would have been great to see what Brooks could’ve contributed, now he’s a project for 2025, good thoughts sent for another tough rehabilitation program on ACL that failed.
Bucs, Atlanta on the road, end of 2024
The Buccaneers played well against the Cowboys Sunday night in a 26-24 loss, leaving Atlanta and Tampa Bay tied with 8-7 records for the NFC South leadership. Charlotte may enjoy a spoiler role in who makes the playoffs, because Panthers play Tampa Bay this week, Atlanta to end the season Jan. 5th.
Michael Penix, Jr., the Washington Huskie QB Atlanta surprisingly selected at #8 in 2024 draft, has taken over for Kirk Cousins, and the lefty-slinger put up a solid 18/27, 202 yds/1 INT line that satisfied many, though fans had expected more from the $160 million ($100MM guaranteed) money Cousins got. Achilles surgery last year left him less capable of moving well on play action passes that were his bread and butter, but his career has been profitable and productive.
If Sam Darnold might be leaving Minnesota because he’ll want BIG $$$ (Mayfield got 3 yrs/$100MM after a season of Dave Canales ‘QB Whisperer’ in Tampa) after taking Vikings to 13-2 and tied with Detroit Lions for division lead, they’ll decide in last game of year. Cousins is not in that same space any more.
Will Panthers make it a three-game win streak to end the season? That would give them 6 for the year, beating the experts 5.5 predictions. (FYI – +600 I’ve previously mentioned is based on $100 bet, I’m only betting $20, so better beer in my microeconomy, not champagne, would be the celebration v. 20 x 600 craziness)
Let’s just say that Panthers are nowhere near the laughingstock-worst team in the NFL they were labelled most of last two seasons.
Panthers, Bears, Jets are 4-12 (Well, 4-11 Bears play Seahawks TH) What a disappointment *that* team was with Caleb Williams! Rookie QBs, who knew they aren’t all world-beaters? Maybe someone in Chicago should take a beating for shoveling Justin Fields onto the garbage heap (well, traded to Pittsburgh) because he didn’t make progress there as an NFL QB despite terrific physical skills.
Patriots, Raiders, Browns, Jags, Titans are all 3-12, Giants are 2-13, so there are nine other (of 32) teams in same or worse shape than Panthers. How’s THAT for something to put a little kick in your holiday eggnog?
Still my classic Panthers picture, Year 1 at Clemson vs. 49ers, Sam Mills on way to stopping Steve Young. Team is still working that Keep Pounding theme.
After LaMelo’s NBA season opening line of 38P/11A/8R, I questioned what level of production would be appropriate for Bryce Young to be considered as having a successful return to an NFL team’s leadership, how would on-field results look? Melo is injured again, but apples-to-apples, from a long time BoomerwithAttitude–sports writer’s POV, three beyond just solid games against Chiefs, Bucs, and Eagles are good by me.
Ex-Panther quarterback Sam Darnold painted the most prolific nyah-nyah!https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SeAzU97p4JE on former Viking-now Falcon QB Kirk Cousins Sunday, but in belly-of-the-beast fanwise Philly, Young again moved the Panthers decisively, going 19/34 for 191 yards, 1 TD/INT against first-caliber, NFL playoff-bound competition, going down to a single play at the end yet again, another L on bottom line.
Mostly. And I don’t hear all that much complaining by fan base.
Walking back for southbound rail after Tampa Bay game till now, I’m not delusional about recognizing, yes, it’s a very different team last four games, with confident NFL QB play and others doing their jobs. How Chuba extended his arm with ball for 1st down early in final drive for OT in Bucs game, instead of just going out of bounds (then dammit! later fumble, same level of effort). Adam Thielen showing the ball to someone on Bucs sideline who MUST have said No way! on one-handed-while-falling snag like I did in Sect. 524, but getting stiffed on that TD catch I saw and replay didn’t. Yes, it makes a difference to watch the game in happier circumstances than any recent experiences at BOA.
$15.95 for a Modelo Big Boy that stayed cold into 3rd quarter, I even tipped 15%. I was wearing 4 layers, won’t call it overkill, and on a nippy late afternoon, bless the dance team and yeah, the Purrcussion group of drummers. It wasn’t a full stadium, but it was Thanksgiving weekend, people out west who might attend are still in rough shape, not just cold or ungood record. If Panthers aren’t Our Team 100% right now, when?
Everyone is impressed by Josey Jewell, who has been everywhere. Trevin Wallace is finding a groove too, A‘Shawn Robinson, with a 1.5 sack day in Philly, even Saquon getting his, doesn’t mean everyone gets to run as far and free as Irving did for Bucs.
Sorrow for Brooks of course, but lately, hearing ‘worst in league’ noted, I want proof, so while Panthers scoring defense is last in NFL at 30.5 ppg, its down from right at 34 ppg. last month. They’re 30th (of 32) giving up real estate at 392.1 yds. per game.
And Helllooo, Dallas…
At 5-8, the Cowboys are in rougher shape than owner-standard bearer for willful, meddling old men, Jerry Jones, is willing to admit his franchise is mired in. He (apparently) won’t let lame duck Head Coach Mike McCarthy play QB Trey Lance instead of barely effective Cooper Rush, and while he still isn’t getting many props for it, #MrTeppers$ hasn’t opined about football operations since before free agency in March. 12/11/24 -A Tale of Two Teams Tango in 2024, our QB-owner guys are Okay-er.
If you caught the look of agony on Micah Parson’s face after Cowboys defense blocked a Bengals punt with less than two minutes left, and still turned ball over to Joe Burrow for the go-ahead score, note that the CarolinaPanthers have been to Super Bowls twice since Dallas last raised the trophy. It seems very likely that multi-billionaire Panthers owner David Tepper can see what ‘cantankerous’ looks like up close, so keep the discipline Mr. T. Getting to say, ‘Good game!’ while winning indeed counts, seems like things are aligned.
‘Gracious host’ is more often about bourbon choices, it has zero about getting to win on BOA turf. A painful, wincing handshake ‘n go, anything like after ‘boys getting thrashed by Packers in first round would satisfy…
Aside from Barkley getting a decent 124, and Eagles with 209 yards rushing overall, the Carolina Panthers defense has looked stronger, made more overall good stops, even better than Bucky Irving gouging them for 150+ and two walk-off field goals vs. Chiefs, Bucs might show. Holding Hurts to 108 yards passing- how many fantasy jockeys were betting on that leg? DC Ejiro Evero has kept better QBs than Cooper Rush from blasting Panthers recently, will Jaycee Horne and CeeDee Lamb going after it be an epic sort of afternoon? (Horne had three pass interference calls vs. KC, just sayin’.) Blitzes? Count on it.
Dallas shouldn’t be smiling at all about this visit, because whom is going up-Better could be defined. Some respect for three tight Panthers losses would be realistic, and just having Bengals yank their collective ‘nads HARD with that recovered block-game winning drive, well, we played Chiefs way better, but as some poet said, that (kind of loss) is gonna leave a mark. – GShork 12/12/24
Comparison shop Young’s stats, he isn’t a slinger yet, and what everyone has recently witnessed is, he’s not afraid to STICK one on a receiver either (ie. Moore, hopefully more with Leggette), and he’s spreading it around effectively – TEs Tremble and Sanders have made first career TD catches. With a QB doing right on LONG drives, shadow of the goalposts-15 play stuff, they’re still forced to overcome regular pre-snap flubs that make it tougher. Young has learned its okay to toss one away instead of trying to save a suddenly negative play. HC Canales mentioned that, although he tangles some actions in coach-speak at times.
You can’t miss the long-anticipated precise touch, or Young’s perceived-actual comfort of movement in the pocket, a direct result of GM Dan Morgan’s large free agent buy of guards Hood and Lewis early. Even though Austin Corbett was lost to injury after what was a successful move to center, the offensive line’s continuity has been a source of strength for Hubbard (over 1,000 after 26/92 yds. vs. Eagles, 8 TDs) and the rushing contribution Canales preached when he first arrived.
They’ve also only given up 22 sacks. That’s a fact worth putting out there by itself.
Leggette HAS to make the catches that this offense will rely on, is a best practices ultra-fact. Put that out there, just cuz.
Bandwagon?
Start with belief that GM Dan Morgan et al had assembled some front line players, especially with free agents, as offensive line got a pair of expensive, necessary guards, but O-line has played steadily-very well together, taking 100% full game snaps (71 vs. Philly) several times. Cade Mays has handled the protection and line calls while taking over for Austin Corbett, LT Ekwonu has regained his form, Moton is always business, *there hasn’t been 15 guards*, the tight ends both block and go downfield. (Yay! for Panthers icon Greg Olsen getting the color analyst gig this game.)
Fans are relatively happy about spiking Eagles while two TD underdogs, and A’Shawn Robinson with 4.5 sacks and Mr. Josey Jewell are welcome reinforcements, Horne is obviously taking matters seriously. My $20 bet is still six Ws, so I say Hellloo Dallas! and we’ll take care of Mr. Cousins and Baker soon as well. This new Team version, confident quarterback moving elements along, Panthers defense not getting rolled for 8-13 garbage yards after first contact, that’s just best practices in football.
Eddie Pineiro missed two opportunities against Tampa Bay that cost Panthers, made four against the Chiefs, 23/25 for season, and THAT’S how you ask for a raise. Innovative play calling by Canales, some freedom going for it on 4th down gutsiness, with Young triggering a play they both like, that’s a tinge of best practices as QB Whisperer, right?
A ‘W’, yes, that’d be extra okay too. Worried about losing out on #1 pick? That’s not a question for this Sunday.
‘Tis the season? Yes ’tis
Glad for previous tix, and yes, plenty of gratitude for things falling my way/best possible outcomes on MICROECONOMY front recently. I didn’t discuss politics at T’giving gathering, remarked to others I felt it was ok to wear Panther colors again. Charlotte people assembled were more concerned with family than QB play or what trashy/tragic political disagreements prez-elect is abusing for shock value.
I was thrilled about a Great T’giving around people enjoying blessings, then worked shifts Fri, Sat, Sun, Mon, TH at community groups Christmas tree lot. What better gig possible for positive affirmation all around, the ultimate family experience, a chance to speak well about years of this particular events history in the parish under primo Carolina blue skies and 61 degrees? If a Panther W went with another Sunday of gorgeous weather, pre-Christmas brisk though it might be, I’m willing to give Dallas the one point game is listed at.
Having always pointed to the Super Bowl season where Panthers were 9-0, then thumped the ‘Boys 31-14 on Thanksgiving, they were 10-0 before people here felt it was reasonable to start believing. Same deal Sunday, you want the bet, up to $5, respond by game time. Panthers 24-16.
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