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.
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.
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.
For those experts who thought they saw a glimmer of Hope for (better than 5.5 projected) wins in accumulation of better talent for 2024, Sunday was nearly as good as Charlotte sunshine, with due respect to friends and unfortunates in the disasters of Carolina mountains from Helene. I was early a.m. Friday-late Sat. night without power, *two* trees came down on apartment building next to me, and a third one was taken down because there was ungood lean to it.
Apologies if there’s a hard-fast rule about not (admitting) taking some moral victory from a strong showing in an overall loss, like Little Leaguers who won’t rub where they’ve been hit by a pitch, or ask for time from an umpire while carefully picking themselves out of the dirt from a pickoff attempt.
As an umpire, I’m always looking in case runner gets sloppy, its a legit analogy to say someone’s keeping tags on Panthers game by game process, and most sports fannies will admit, heck yeah! plenty of Good Points to consider about 34-24 loss to Bengals.
Dalton’s grip on offense, O-line Respect is legit
Putting several strong elements up to the rest of NFL light –
Offensive line played 100% of snaps together, no sacks this week, two vs. Raiders. Chuba Hubbard went 18/104 yds/TD, exactly the running strength HC Canales has preached since Day 1. Brooks might not be exactly ready after PUP period, two weeks of 100+ by Hubbard is always legit to point out.
Generally under-utilized lately, Miles Sanders picked up nine touches for 46 yards, new TE star possibility Ja’Tavian Sanders had two catches for 16, Xavier Legette (lee-gett) took a great zap! TD catch from Dalton, but dropped two others.
Panthers went 68 yards with opening drive, didn’t put it in endzone, no points. J’T Sanders on goal line was my thought.
Never a bad thing for other teams to worry about you pulling a fake punt, and punter Hekker has made the pass more than a couple times in career, nothing wrong or way strange with the attempt.
Bengals Brown falling inside the five, then getting up quicker than a Panther defender, to score with one second left in half.
Two pass interferences at goal line, all of these are difference between win-lose in the NFL. Accept it? Not a whiff of discontent today.
Hence the overall Attitude, team and fan-wise, Panthers collectively missed a half-dozen solid opportunities to do something that might have made a difference. Ja’Marr Chase’s 63 yards of getting bumped but not *tackled* for Bengals, their 130 yards rushing in second half after 11 in first, will be remembered by Ejiro Evero’s Panther defense. Yes, there are going to be standards again.
Canales comment in post-game about Legette’s semi-breakout game, with 6/66 yds. and that TD, was 100% Good Teaching Moment stuff. ‘Secure the catch, then be special,’ could become a credo for WR room. Mingo looked like he *wanted* those extra yards.
You saw it, more than decently better than 2023
At a time when Bryce Young’s name is going to be used at lower levels than in past year, thinking he didn’t learn LOTS even watching would be wrong. One drive at end of pre-season never convinced me there was a leadership passage figured out. Go ahead with that QB Whisperer thing, but changing horses for an offensive mindset based on upgraded receivers and running the ball, yes, this is a better TEAM.
Commentator Moose Johnson noted the size of Panther WRs, Mingo is big for a slot guy, Thielen will be back though.
Appreciating the difference that GM Dan Morgan and team developed in identifying the dawgs they wanted in the trenches, this 1-3 moment honestly feels like a Team Thing. There were empty seats in the stadium, and no judgement on that, lots of bad happening. Watching the giddy galloping of Leggette for his first pro TD, 3rd rounder Wallace getting an upgrade on playing time in the middle after Shaq and Jewell injuries, nothing like experience, though not all of it will be great.
Dropping small passes can kill drives instead of start – Message accepted.
Wrap up and take down, not arm tackles, is a best practices must do.
Ties are like kissing your sister, so Sunday’s 34-24 loss wasn’t like that, and no, Evero’s secondary didn’t stop Burrow’s 22/31, 232 yd/ 2 TD/1 INT day, but he wasn’t carving on them either. Even with a clutch pass interference call on goal line, Jackson’s presence on back line is noted, Horn is close to being what Panthers need every week, a stud cover guy who takes one side of field away. Secondary has given up 9 TDs in 4 games though, that fact has got to change.
FOX Sports says Panthers are #24 in overall defense (353.1 ypg), Dallas is #25 at 355.3, and has given up 8 rushing TDs. The Eagles (204.7) and Cowboys (209.5) are behind #16 Panthers (201.7) in passing D, at 151.3 a game, Panthers rush defense is 29th.
I was early for a field ump assignment, under the lights at Independence Field Wednesday, and saw the coaches working on it, but 10 hours plus of tropical rain Monday was still around, a tarp didn’t help home plate area enough. Decently hit grounders were seriously slowed by grass/turf. For whomever does the pants this week, that red clay on uniforms is gonna be tough.
With a yellowed full-full moon above, and the artistic coloration of a building beyond right field, we played seven, the full two hours and fifteen allowed.I congratulated Corey, the home plate Blue, around him and 1st base line looked WWII stuff, where ‘slogging’ is operative word.
I’ll get back to the ballers a little later, such a shareable youth sports event. Muddy? Pssshhh. Yes, my outlook on Wednesday, but MONDAY Panthers are #1 story. Hold the awww, Bryce is gone moans. Andy Dalton is the QB who just won Panthers first game in as BIG a way as you could believe, AND defense stoned the Raiders run game with just 54 yds. allowed. Absolute team effort.
And then came Dalton
Diontae Johnson most definitely, 8 catches/122 yds/TD, Leggette 2/42 yds, Tremble 3/29, Hubbard 5 rec/55yds/TD, plus 21/114 yds. lugging it, Thielen 3/40 yds/TD, that means all dawgs got fed. Of course, that brings up the absolute change in norms coming at benching of Bryce Young after 0-2, deer-in-headlights performances that weren’t appreciated. No excess judgement on ultimate decision maker, but Bryce, by any metrics of successful QB play, needed to sit.
Sunday was elemental, empirical – Did using a very good veteran #2 QB satisfy the idea more could be/needed to be done offensively? Yes. Next football decision and hold the Awww, Bryce...
Next action, and Reality at 37, is Dalton isn’t the forever QB, the expectation is Bryce will return to helm, but Panthers were down 30-3 by time I finished polishing my season opening blog and turned on game. Unreal. I think the way Saints mauled Cowboys for 44 in Big D the week after wasting Panthers has to be considered along the way, just sayin’. Carr is throwing it pretty well.
The Panthers defense got gouged regularly by Chargers without Derrick Brown, but somehow the Eagles are giving up worse than 6.7 per rush, so call it a spear set in place vs. Raiders for front seven Panthers.
This Monday morning, I still believe Panthers have significantly better personnel in 2024 than before Morgan, Tilis, Canales started running football ops. I’ve given #MrTeppers$ props for not talking much, but bringing back those Game 1 projections of mine seem a lot more real now, after Dalton has connected long and with Everybody on passes, and hung a genuine W on the board. 2024/09/08/it-wont-be-a-jinx-to-say-panthers-start-2024-with-a-w-in-dome/
There’s no denying its a different game with experienced vet like Dalton, and yes, everyone got healthy with his distribution. Yes, he’s only guy in NFL so far with 300+ yds., 3 TD day. 437 yards sounds like lot of contributors because it was. By the money numbers, Panthers were +5.5 (didn’t interest me), and over/under was 39.5 (-115), nobody was expecting fireworks like 36-22. HC Canales has always maintained that running football would be difference maker, and they would be doing it – Hubbard and O-line produced.
Give it up for 3 sacks and INT, only allowed 3/11 on 3rd down. That’s Evero’s hot buttons for Panthers defense, sacks and getting off on third downs.
Uhhh, no, its not JUST one win. Glad to have the Red Rifle working with live ammo. Stay strong Panthers defense. Not seeing any cred that Canales somehow abused Bryce by pushing belief in his abilities (yada yada). No, that was QB Whisperer Coach.
It says Cincinnati on schedule next, that would seem a legitimate tester. See ya’ Sunday.
The epitome of athletic team effort, well, sort of
About umping a muddy, full moon game, it was 10-11s vs. 12-13s, same org, everybody on same system. Corey was plate ump, handled the truly mucky area, people moved gingerly around the plate all night. To keep their balance, batters weren’t taking full cuts either. Still, no bitching about the conditions, that’s what was working for me. Making a few calls during ball game, fine panorama of the evening down near an active park, with some live music from back of a bar, a short block from back of theater behind home place. Runners and nearby girls soccer, a little wet, yep.
Wednesday evening as symbolic of athletic team effort, meh, but youth baseball works for me. I appreciated how the pitchers pitched, not stressing balls and strike calls, a little heavy, maybe. Hey, *everybody* runs on pass balls. Outfielders didn’t just miss fly balls, they tracked them down and usually found the cutoff man effectively. What’s to complain about? we got a game.
There were people sitting in the stone-ledge amphitheater behind home, someone always went to find balls fouled out of play. A wet field didn’t bother watchers. The coaches wiped off and rotated the balls steadily, telling their pitchers, ‘Take a good one.’ One of younger team, Wyatt, I recognized from last week. Had to chuckle when his Dad, coaching at first, just shook his head, “Ahhh, maybe some day he’ll learn how to hit a curve ball.”
My four games at Saturday assignment at Carmel MS, and three nights next week, started at 8:30 (-3:15), but its barely five miles from my house. I’ve always said-felt umpiring, being a Blue, was my contribution to the American Family Experience. $60 when you’re plate umpire is a legitimate contribution to my microeconomy too. Extra groceries, y’know.
Just maybe, sometimes, I’m a guy who can make a difference with a young pitchers (obvious) flaws. When you start umpiring, they tell you don’t be chatty with people on other side of fence, just takes one call to get them going wrong.
Answer: Sorry, I’m a yakker. Extra talking kind of got me sideways with a commissioner type Saturday, specifically a thrown bat and my calling runner out vs. just warning. All about safety issues Mr. Manager. Maybe a little #Boomerwith Attitude.
If you hear it hit, its no big deal
Clipped by a 15 yr. old fastball-foul tip to bone in forearm. Thanks to coach with ice pack! Mon. after. from wrist to elbow.
Sunday I’ll be back at Sedgefield, where I got foul-tip clipped this Spring. Whether arm was broken (not) was an immediate concern then, ice pack arrived just in time or it would’ve blown up. Supposed to be 13-unders today, little less velocity. The ‘hear it hit aspect,’ crowd always ohhh!s when you take a crack! in chest protector or mask, but its more not hearing it, that means it caught meat (me).
Being Blue is still a physical challenge. I always get a chuckle for saying, “I don’t get out of bed if not going to get hit at least a couple times.” The best thing a Blue can ever do is Out! call, standing over finale to a play at third when tag is high, runners foot got underneath it. Bam! Case closed.
After a stiff one to the grill in Spring, I took off mask and said, “I’m gonna think about that one an extra second,” just for little theater. I haven’t taken a nutter in all my years, fingers crossed. I consider that a ‘best practices.’
Turns out a beef from Sat. caused me to be off Sun. I’m almost glad, lost $120, but when I left after one o’clock, it was 89 degrees, turned out to be a scorcher afternoon, mid 90s, blazing Carolina blue sky. I finally washed my cruddy car instead. I wonder if that clay in Independence Park dried out. Here’s where that staying hydrated focus meant taking care of yourself – Sedgefield is a hike around to back side of school, no services for bottled water.
The Panthers trainwreck 2-15 season won’t immediately and finally be put to rest, the team didn’t survive a death march through the usual cauldron of Spartanburg heat for training camp, and only a few prognosticators elevate expectations to even the 5.5 wins the oddsmakers have set. (My $$ is down on that, couple bucks on winning NFC South at +1100 is legitimate)
Today, against an NFC South Saints team with numerous flaws itself, I’ll go with Canales positive outlook and several on-the-money throws to those offensive additions Panthers need to produce a very acceptable WIN, not a Feel Good close loss.
YES! About JT, DJ, a Cool Canales, and #MrTeppers$
Writing in the shadow of a 1:00 season opener in New Orleans, few things matter more than seeing a revamped Panther offensive line keeping what is still an above-average Saints defense off of quarterback Bryce Young. Having survived – a very accurate assessment – a 62 sack first NFL season in Charlotte, almost every factor in free agency and draft was tied to improving his situation.
Starting with a pair of guards getting big $$$ as GM Dan Morgan’s first move, and a surprising 4th round pick to add a potential star (finally!) tight end like Ja’Tavian Sanders that changes the conversation of ‘Nothing since Olsen left,’ the naysayers will be able to breathe easier later this afternoon.
Contributions from the fast, studly Xavier Leggette, highly proficient route runner Diontae Johnson from Pittsburgh for about to be released Donte Jackson, the reliable veteran slot receiver Adam Thielen has always been (103 catches/1014 yds/4 TDs in 2023), and the emergence of Jonathan Mingo https://www.espn.com/nfl/player/stats/_/id/4426485/jonathan-mingo as a threat should bring a dynamic change from last years weak (tied for NFL low) 13.9 scoring average.
IMHO, very few have given team owner David Tepper sufficient credit for letting Morgan, Head Coach Dave Canales, and Executive VP of Football Operations (‘the cap guy’ to many) Brandt Tilis, run his team without even dabbing a big toe in matters. While he’s still getting described as disruptive in national press, he hasn’t opined about ANYTHING that’s been done since March. If/when that changes about 4:00 this afternoon, nobody should blame him for going a little extra yackety-yak happy.
He won’t be projecting a division title, but he can allow himself to congratulate eeeeeverybody mentioned above for getting the once proud NFL franchise’s rebuild on righter track without having to sweat taking a major load of guano.
Defensive Coordinator Ejiro Evero stayed in Charlotte after a #4 rated year for Panthers defense that would have gotten him head coaching consideration in a lot of other league situations, and a well-deserved whew! for Morgan about that. The cabinet is not empty despite the drain of last years linebacking corps, but the return of veteran Shaq Thompson (8 years a Panther) from a season-ending ankle injury against Saints in a Monday Night game, and rising expectations of Kentucky product Trevin Wallace (6’1″, 244 lbs, 3rd round) as a reliable middle LB and A-1 banger/blitz problem will count heavily.
Extra Points (but not Pinero related)
The secondary seems to have become a personnel strength, and credit Morgan with using the Panthers status as first in line for anyone worth while that got to waiver status; he picked up *six* on cut-down day (90 to 53), meaning he had to bump several names from the 53-man roster who originally made the cut. S Jordan Fuller, formerly of LA Rams, was an easy pickup back in March, and fits exactly the size and experience profile Evero likes at the back end.
Several names, including S Demani Richardson, who had two picks in joint practices with the Jets and another in pre-season win over Bills; veteran Jordan Matthews, (32 ) a converted WR who was elevated to regular roster after a couple other TEs haven’t fully recovered from dings; and undrafted QB Jack Plummer (Louisville), who had a sterling effort against the Bills (21/29 for 278 yards, 2 TDs to Jalen Coker and Terrace Marshall Jr., one sack) to earn being kept, will be heard from soon. Okay, maybe not from Marshall, who is now in San Fran.
Second round stud RB Jonathan Brooks will be on PUP (physically unable to perform football duties) list until after fourth game of season. Not pushing him to return from torn ACL surgery last November means cutting someone when he returns, so last years mainstay at RB will continue to be Chuba Hubbard (238 carries/902 yds/4 TDs) in meantime. Austin Corbett, who had ACL surgery in 2022, didn’t play in 2023, and is now switched to center position on Panthers redone O-line. LT Ikem Ekwonu will shake his sophomore season negatives, while Taylor Moton has a 100 game long string of starts at right tackle.
Prediction: Having noted several times that Sanders at TE would be targeted in the red zone early, getting a start today moves my prediction up a game, from third to second at latest. His speed is rated as ‘just shy of elite,’ he’s a touch it-count it guy. If he’s watched enough of Olsen tapes to have a ninja ability about disappearing-reappearing to catch a pass for first downs, or break away for long gainers, he’s going to be a tough cover nightmare around the goal line every week.
Morgan will be viewed as a seer and not just lucky that Sanders somehow fell to #101 in draft, and when Brooks gets into lineup and defenses have to be concerned about him on play action, Young will gain valuable half-seconds to find his new, faster-better receivers, including Mingo, who often failed to separate from coverage in 2023.
Pinero was seen as a silent holdout who thought he deserved more $$$, but he’s not a long-range leg, and will never be mistaken for original franchise member-Panther legend John Casey (1995-2011, over 1400 points). Kicking situation is settled, in the short term at least.
QBs running and throwing because they *needed to,* thats how it USED to be for QBs on ungood teams got abused. Ask any Manning about Archie. A Legend, took that his whole career. Tampa for me was when the Bucs started getting some respect. Nobody forgets they started out 0-26.
The great Coach John McKay, who left a successful USC program to coach the expansion Tampa Bay Buccaneers, put it classically pithily, when asked what he thought of his team’s execution,
“I’d be for it.'”
So work with me on the analogy – like Bryce, I looked cool-clean in July (at Saratoga in Up-State NY)- but now its for real 2024. Looks good, meh, its still a john selfie. Getting some $$ on them, just in case, $10 on division, could be legit ? 8-9?
I was there a couple years later, 1980-82. Yeah, most called them the Suck-aneers, but 9-7, heroic stuff from their Before, Lost in 2nd round. My cousin Frank was in the band, I was a sport writer, Bucs and Rowdies soccer. I’ve seen pretty bad, Doug Williams was barely over 50% passing.
I’m not 100% convinced about Young’s worthiness, after one damn drive in preseason; mixed practices with the Jets was the O-line’s ‘don’t get hurt’ mentality until its For Real Blocking and Blitzes vs. Saints. It sure *sounded* like they’ve done a fine job of getting better personnel in camp, I trust GM Dan Morgan (with #MrTeppers$) no problem. Canales, fingers crossed about the Whispering.
Start taking the points, Panthers will probably always get, how many is enough? give them (or play 49ers?) I arrived in Charlotte in 1995, same as Panthers, and #1 fact worth stating again is always, until they went 10-0 by whipping Cowboys on Thanksgiving, almost nobody thought they were Super Bowl worthy. lol Amen! on the first shot out of barrel today (and my over 5.5 in short term).
CDTalent Enterprises 