Panthers On Tap: A Carolina Panthers Podcast
Episode 139: Training camp battles and expectations
(upbeat music) - You're listening to Panther's On Tap. I'm Curtis Brown joined by Bryson Kargley. We're just too fan sharing our love for the game in Carolina, Panther's football. So join us, crack open a cold one, some bubbly, a little wine, some scotch. We don't care, whatever makes you sleep better at night. Before we dive into the episode, a little self-promotion, stop what you're doing. Go give us a follow on Twitter @PanthersOnTap. Join the discussion on our Facebook group. We have over 2,500 members. You can listen to us, wherever you get your podcast, just search Panthers On Tap. All righty, it's, after really, it's been, what, three and a half, four years. We are finally live with you guys tonight on Panthers On Tap. Excited to get into things. We've been off really, I think, it's been more than a month, July 13th, I think was our last episode. So it's been a long time. I know you guys have been waiting a while, but it's training camp time. So we thought we'd go up big. We're gonna start doing live episodes from here on out, which is exciting. We got some big news coming up. Might have a partnership here shortly. So we got some things coming down the pipeline that we're excited about and getting ready to roll here. Training camp, first time ever in Charlotte. This is the time of year that jobs are won and lost. Bryson, are you ready to roll tonight? - I'm so ready, man. The best three words in the English language, football is back. - I'm excited. - I'm excited. - I'm excited. - Dude, it's, well, and it always, it gives you a little hope. I mean, everyone starts off at that zero and zero slate, clean slate for everyone. So I gotta ask you, what are you drinking tonight? We used to do this. I think we're gonna bring this back from here on out as well. So what do you got in your glass over there, or can? - Yeah, I can. First of all, always using the Bobati Show. Coosie, shout out to him. Got my Panthers culture shirt on that he sent me, repping some of my favorite people on Twitter. But I'm drinking a beer called the lighting's bad, but something cold, it is from Ed Minos in Charleston, South Carolina. It is my favorite light beer on the market. It is so good. - Wow. - I think you'd like it a lot, Chris. But the name is sweet, something cold, and that's exactly what it is. It's great, man. So I highly recommend it. - Yeah, well, for folks that don't know, I'm coming off of COVID. I actually had COVID last week when we were on two fans, or I knew I was gonna get this wrong. I knew I blew it, two fans in the stands, which another great Panthers creator, we had a lot of guys on there that we look up to and appreciate, so if you go check them out as well. But we were on there last week, I was sicker than hell. I almost canceled, I'm like, no, I can't do that. We already committed, but yeah, I'm drinking. I'm drinking what I had left from when we went to the beach a couple of weeks ago. So I got a Pacifico choking that down here. It's actually pretty smooth. I wish I had a lion, but a lot to talk about tonight. First training camp practice today, finally got to see some of the new guys, got a lot of new faces coming out of this team, obviously a new staff as well. So we really got a lot to talk about, but before we get into that, I did wanna take a moment of silence. I wanna show you guys this. It's sad times in the Spartanburg area this evening, and really this whole week in the next couple of weeks, and that's this. So we just wanna take a moment of silence for the Peachoid up in, or down in Gaffney there. So let's take a few seconds here to remember the beautiful site that this provided, all of us Panther fans, when we were driving down to Spartanburg. Amen. All right, cheers, enough of that. But yeah, these are some of the photos that we took headed down to Spartanburg the last couple of years of that beautiful peach, and just thought it would be funny to showcase that, because I know a lot of people really miss that it isn't in Spartanburg any longer, but we're now in Charlotte, which we both love. It's a little bit closer to our neck of the woods. But let's get into it. Let's talk, let's talk football, let's talk about what kind of transpired today. And I guess we'll just start off, Bryson, just your overall observations of day one in Charlotte. And yeah, we'll just kick it off from there. Yeah, I think one of the most apparent things from day one really that we've seen is the connection between Bryson and Deontay Johnson is real. Dead Canal has made the comment that the offense is essentially, you know, where's Deontay Johnson at right now? And they're trying to fit other people in to that offense and find a spot for them. But the connection, it looked natural. It looked like they've been playing together for years. From a little bit that we saw a couple of videos I saw on Twitter, but that connection was great. I love seeing it. Exactly the kind of receiver that Bryson needs. And I think it's, I think getting Deontay Johnson and what is it, like the seven or six rounds he's going in right now in fantasy football is going to be a steal. So I'm going to be doing that in every league that I can because I think he's going to have those similar numbers to Adam Thielen last year. So that was great to see. I caught a little bit about of Eddie Pinero. I think he had a really good day. Five for five kicking, I think is what I saw. 52 yarder. Yep, 52 yarder. So got a little competition going there. I don't think Harrison, Nevis, kicked it off. I don't know if they're rotating days or whatever the case is. But yeah, that was cool to see. And I think Andy Dalton threw a pick six to Alex Cook. I was worried at first because I saw 7 on 7 pick six. Alex Cook, like the quarterback wasn't named. So I was like, oh, here we go. If we're going to blame Bryson, but I was kind of happy to see it was Andy Dalton when he and Bryson had a really good day by all accounts. Yeah, I mean, I think out of the jump, establishing that connection early with Deontay Johnson was good to see. I saw a couple of the videos as well. And I'll just tell folks that are listening to us. We appreciate everyone right now. Give us your comments, suggestions, any questions you guys got, we'll answer them. But for folks who play fantasy football, you better go get Deontay Johnson because the guy's going to light it up for you. And I don't think a lot of people-- I think a lot of people are going to be sleeping on his connection with Bryce Young this year. And I think Panther fans kind of get a step up in that regard when it comes to him. I think he's going to get a lot of touches. Hopefully, a lot of touchdowns this year. Again, it's early on, I don't want to be sipping the juice too early here. But I think you're going to see a lot of that with Johnson and Bryce Young. And, you know, Canales talked about that today. Like, they want to find someone to feature in this offense. And right now, that's Deontay Johnson. And he is a special talent. And they're going to take, you know, every bit of advantage of that. And you're going to see mismatches off that. And I think establishing a connection with that early, that's also going to build off of just other targets for Bryce. And it's going to open things up for other guys. Because, you know, the defenses are going to see that. And then you're going to see Theo. And, obviously, he got open a lot last year. But you're going to see Theo and you open. You're going to see Leguet open. Mingo tremble. And then, obviously, he's going to have his check down, too, at the running back position. So I think that's really good. What'd you think of Leguet today? Because it sounded like he had-- he took things pretty hard, which I was refreshed to see. I mean, that's good. I don't remember. I don't recall Mingo being that way at all last year, from what I can remember from some of his press conferences. But Leguet really-- he seemed pretty beat up about, you know, his performance day. I don't think he caught a pass. Obviously, we weren't at practice today. But from what we've seen, it didn't look like he got a ton of activity. And he just wanted things to get cleaned up. And it was good to see him because he missed, you know, mandatory minicamp. He was there, but he wasn't playing because of the hamstring. So it was kind of good to see him out there. But I'm glad that he's, you know, he's not satisfied at all, which is really good and refreshing. Yeah, he's hungry, for sure. I think I saw my K-tweet that he got some endarounds, but I don't know if he was targeted in any of the 717 drills. So, you know, I'm happy to hear that, you know, he wants to be involved and he wants to be part of the offense. I mean, that's exactly why we drafted him in the first round. So it's refreshing to hear, like you say. I thought the comment from J.C. Horn was pretty cool about lining up opposite of him. And you're hanging on for dear life because he's so damn strong that I thought that was hilarious. And yeah, I think we're going to see more of him, obviously, throughout training camp. And he'll be involved and he will hopefully be less harder on himself, you know, more we get through training camp. But, you know, it's day one. And let's, let's see where it goes. Let's talk about J.C. Horn. You mentioned him a little bit. And they were asking him today about, you know, contract talks, which I'm glad they did because, obviously, we know he's on his fifth year option right now, they picked it up. But where do you see J.C. Horn? It sounds like no contract talks have really been established at this point and, you know, it seems like, I think, I think the quote today was he just wants to make, he just wants the front office to know he's available. And, you know, he's here and he's ready to go. And he's not, like, holding out or anything. He's just happy to be where he's at and, you know, prove to them that he can stay healthy for a full season. Yeah, I absolutely love that attitude that he's bringing. I think someone of his caliber of talent could go the other way and be a holdout and want that new contract. And although he's not been on the field, I think, you know, the team would probably have to get into it just with the lack of depth of that position. So, for him to, like, be so real about it and realize that he hasn't been on the field as much as he wanted to be, whether that's, you know, outside of different circumstances or not, I think that's refreshing to hear as well. I think Canalus has really brought a lot of buy-in to this team from offense and defense and even special teams, minus the kicker maybe. But yeah, I think seeing Horn on the field hopefully having a healthy season, he's going to earn that contract. We all know what he can do when he's healthy. And we just kind of see him put it together. And when God forbid, he gets injured this year, but I think this is the year that we finally do get the full JC Horn season and he's known around the league as one of the top corners in the league. Yeah, Carter asks, what would we be willing to pay JC Horn? I guess I'm kind of eating my words if I'm a GM right now because I remember I tweeted out the other day on our account, panthers on tap on Twitter, go check us out. If you're not on there already. But he, they had a, I think it was PFFs, someone had a ranking out there and it was the top 10 corners in the league. And I straight out said, like if he's healthy, I think he's a top 10 corner in this, in the NFL. And I truly believe that. And I think probably you would agree with me on that or he's damn near at that cusp of that, at that 10 mark. But I'm just looking at contracts right now. The top like 10 guys is like 19 and up a year. He'd probably be looking between like 13 to 15, I would think, million a year. And I'm trying to remember that Dante Jackson contract, he got a couple years ago in Carolina paid him. Obviously I think he's way better than Dante. But I think it would be probably in that range and I would probably be comfortable within that range with him. 'Cause I do think he's a, he's a helpful player. But I'm just looking at some of these guys right now that should, to various Ward at 13 and a half, Carlton Davis, 14, Jalen Johnson, 19 a year. So it would probably be in that range. And it could even be more. I mean, if, if, if he plays a full season this year, it could be in the 18 to 20 range. And Carolina will have to make a decision then. But yeah, I think if he can play a full season and prove that he's available, you got to keep like guys like that around. You can't keep getting rid of players. You're, you can't keep getting rid of your best players and getting rid of them and dish them out to other teams. 'Cause that's, there's no way to sustain success that way. So I think Carolina, I mean, obviously, if he does play a whole season and is healthy, I think he's worth, he's worth another contract for sure. - Yeah, and getting rid of your best players for pennies on the dollar as well. So I think, you know, there's two different scenarios. Obviously he's injured again. You really consider what it's worth moving forward. He's obviously pretty injury prone if it happens again. And you really think is it worth, you know, giving someone a long-term contract that hasn't proven to this point, he's been able to stay in the field. But he plays a healthy season. I think you're going to be a little bit higher than the 13 to $15 million range just based off of the talent and the play that will see the season. Because again, I think I agree with you. He is definitely the top 10 corner if he's healthy. He is the true lockdown, take away a half of the side of the field and you just don't target him because he's there. He is where he needs to be. I think we've seen that when he's been on the field. So I would think he'd be a little higher, maybe like 17 to 19 million a year. And I would pay that absolutely if he's healthy and able to play a full season this year. Even if he's not, like if he plays 10, 12 games and we see that level of play, then I think you still consider it just based off of, again, the lack of depth of that position. This is a player you invested in a top 10 pick in just a couple of years ago. And Carolina doesn't have an embarrassment of riches. Like you have to deal with what you got. And in JC Horn is definitely one of the best players on this team and unfortunately he hasn't been able to be on the field as much as he would like to be. So I think you really consider paying him either way, but yeah, I would, no doubt, I would pay JC Horn that 17 to 19 million dollars a year. - Let's go to some of the questions and we can kind of filter in some of the stuff too from obviously day one of training camp. But expectations for this offensive line, let's start there and kind of transition. And just curious, Bryson, where we're at, obviously we didn't, these guys were an impasse. They're just, you can't take a whole lot from it. I know I saw the Mike K tweet, something about some pressure off the left side, but it sounded like it really wasn't on icky and obviously these guys aren't in pads. So it's tough to really evaluate really anyone in the trenches at this point. But what are your expectations for this offensive line? Just kind of set the scene of what you guys, what you think of the new additions and then some of the guys that have returned and your expectations for them this season. - Yeah, I mean, starting with the new additions, I think you got two of the best guards in free agency, you got the best guard in free agency. And then Damien Lewis, who was one of the best ones, I think the guard positions to be pretty solidified and it might take some time to get some continuity, some familiarity with it one another on the offensive line because it does take getting to know one another and where they're gonna be and their tendencies to really mesh. So it might start off a little rough to begin with, but I think pretty quickly we'll see that what we pay for those guards is gonna be worth it. I think Taylor Moten is the most consistent player on this team and he has been for, I don't know how long he's been here a long time. He is one of the most consistent right tackles in the NFL, and I think he's gonna be that again. God forbid any injuries along that offensive line, but the center position and the left tackle is definitely a question Mark to say the least. Obviously we've talked about it before, but the center position, Austin Corbett, not playing center ever and then throwing him in there. And I saw like today, Brady Christensen was taking a little bit of center snaps and I'm assuming he might be the backup by KBD's. I don't know what that situation is, but the center is a question Mark for sure. I do have faith in Austin Corbett's gonna be a decent center and potentially a good one, just because he was a really good guard when he was healthy, but he is coming off some serious injuries and hopefully he can stay on the field. I think he has the tools to be a good center. He's athletic, he can move. If he's smart, I didn't find my climaxers and blisters and things like that, but Brashong's gonna need, but I think Corbett has potential there and I hope it goes the right way or not the wrong way, because if you have pressure of the middle S, the worst kind of pressure you can have is a quarterback, especially a quarterback of Brashong's size. So left tackle, different story. I think he came to Kwanu is one of his last pants with us to show that he can be a starting left tackle in the NFL. Obviously you invested what was at the sixth pick in him, all the tackles early in that draft are kind of struggling a little bit, but I think at Kwanu, really, if he doesn't perform up to the ability that we hope he does, then this offense is gonna struggle because that's Brashong's blind side. We saw the issues we had last year of the, if he getting beat time and time and time again, I mean, he was a revolving door at left tackle and it was bad, I mean, to put it nicely, it was bad. So I hope he has improved and, you know, from some of the interviews that we've seen this offseason from him about, you know, understanding that last year was unacceptable and him realizing that. I hope he has taken the steps this offseason to prepare and be better, you know, show that in training camp and then show that week one versus the Saints in New Orleans. So we'll see, I'm nervous about the center and left tackle, a lot more nervous about left tackle than I am center. I think it's a little different from you, but yeah, I think expectations-wise, they're gonna be better than they were last year, just based off of the guards that they added. - And of course, they have to be, I mean, they invested heavily in that interior. - For sure, so gonna be better than last year, I don't know how much better. Obviously, like I said, it's gonna take some time for these guys to get some continuity and really more each other's tendencies, but I'm hoping it's better than last year. I mean, that's my expectation really, just improvement. - Yeah, I'm echoing a lot of what you said, but the biggest, two biggest concerns for me is left tackle and center. Aquano 11 sacks in 2023, which was among the most in league at his position. And he also, I think he gave up almost twice as many sacks. This past year, then he did his rookie season. So obviously he had the sophomore slump. There's no doubt about it. He didn't get very much help at those guard spots as well though. So he does get a little reprieve there a little bit because that left guard position and really the other guard spot was a revolving door all season. I think there was like six to eight different guys that started there all year and half those guys won't start on any other roster in the league. So there's no doubt about he's got to step up. He had an awful season last year. And this offense is tailored more to what he was good at in college and what he succeeded at in the run game and run blocking. So hopefully that you see a jump there. And then obviously he's got Damian Lewis on his side and then on the other side is Robert Hunt. I do think, I think people need to relax their expectations a little bit with Damian Lewis 'cause I don't think he's the best guard in the world but he's definitely better than what they had and a step up. But I would have felt more comfortable if honestly Robert Hunt was a side of Icky. If I'm being brutal, I know Hunt had played at the left guard position. So it makes sense to keep him there. But I mean the right guard spot. But Hunt, I feel would help out Icky more than Lewis would. And that's just, I think Hunt's way is a better guard than what Lewis was in Seattle. So that is my biggest concern is Icky Aquano's growth. Can he make that jump off the sophomore slump and then Corbett? It scares the hell out of me. I get it, he was a really good guard when healthy but back to back, season ending injuries for him. He played, he had 62 starts at guard in the NFL over like 70 some games and has never started in a regular season game at center which I feel like the center spot is gonna be vital for Bryce Young and his development with a young quarterback. The center position is really important for a young guy and calling out protections and making adjustments along that offensive line and helping out Bryce Young. And I think that's gonna, I think Carolina's banking off of Corbett and just his veteran leadership to make that slide over. And I hope it sounds as easy as they make it sound 'cause behind him, there's like no one. We're talking about Kate Mays and Brady Christensen. I believe Brady would, Brady Christensen would probably be the backup and Brady Christensen has never played a snap at center either. So you're talking about the starter and the backup never played a snap at that position which that's a little scary to me. So those are the two positions I circle on that offensive line but I'm hoping that group as a unit collectively with the guard investment they made, it's gonna help the stress of those other positions out and help them. And we're gonna see a much more efficient product on the field offensively. But yeah, we'll see once the pads come on. We're not gonna really know. I wanna see when the pads come on, clowny go up against it, he's gonna get worked. I mean, it's gonna be a tough sledding and hopefully he can battle through it because clowny's one of the best to do it out there. So hopefully Icky can show that he's up for the task and bounce back from last year. Before we get into the next group, I just wanna ask you, since we haven't touched on it with training camp, what are your thoughts on the, just the setup overall of the Charlotte training camp? Because that's obviously new for a lot of folks. They got a VIP section, selling drinks, alcoholic drinks at the practices, which is definitely new. They didn't have that on Wallford, they had that thing pretty locked tight down at that college in Sparkle City. But just your thoughts, what the overall setup, obviously we haven't been there. So it's hard for us to really, we're just going off of pictures at this point, but overall setup of training camp in Charlotte right now. - Yeah, I mean, from what I've seen in pictures, like you said, we haven't been there, but from what I've seen in pictures, I mean, it looks good. I like the stands that they built. I like that they're allowing recording. They weren't doing that in Spartanburg. Yeah, at Wallford and the drink circle, I mean, I'm gonna be drinking one on there for sure. So. (laughing) - I think we both are. There's no doubt about that. - Yeah, and they're making you get tickets to enter, and I guess they're monitoring how many people are there. So the VIP section, awesome. I think they've made improvements. There's probably still some room to grow, for sure, but they kind of built this pretty quickly. Got things together, and I think it's good for the timeframe they did it in, and I'm excited to get there and actually see it, and have a strong opinion about it, but from what I've seen, it looks decent. - Yeah, I give credit to Carolina for getting it together, like you said, very quickly, 'cause they didn't have a lot of time to do it. And the fields from what I can tell, we'll obviously their grass, which is crazy. They're playing on grass in Charlotte. Can you believe it? Breaking news throw a banner across the screen. Probably won't happen ever in that stadium, but grass fields, so it'll be nice to see. I'm sure they'll get beat up over the next couple of weeks. And by the time the Jets come to town for joint practices, that field's gonna look like shit, I'm sure. But hopefully not, hopefully. Yeah, I think the VIP section's cool. It sounds like they got enough room. I think folks need to learn. If you guys are listening to this, you don't have tickets, still go to those practices, 'cause people that got tickets aren't showing up, and there's walk-ins to be had. So, if you don't have a ticket and you still wanna go check them out, let's pack it, let's show some fans across the country that, we still support this team and show out, even though they're just putrid. These last couple of years. Cooling center though. That cooling center, I get it. There's a couple of teams in the NFL across the NFL that have them. But man, that looks like, I just pictured breaking bad. They're hooking up math in that damn thing. That's what I got out of the little cooling shelter they had. It's cool. I think it's a good feature for the players, 'cause it does get so hot in Charlotte, not as hot and as in Spartanburg probably, but it's good for them. But I just pictured breaking bad like this like dumpy ass trailer thing. I don't know. What would you think of the cooling center? I thought it looked like something was straight from like a prison. (laughing) It looked like something from a beer or the somewhere, but no, I agree. I think it's cool. I think they said they had it set at 20 degrees in the trailer itself. So, you know, players. Wow, they did that. Yeah, they're trying to impress. Yeah, yeah, I'm sure. But yeah, I mean, I think it's a great addition. You know, it does get really hot. I think today, well, it was like 90 degrees. So, let them get in there, you know, take a break, cool up and then get back out. So, yeah, hopefully that's one of the things that'll make some improvements on in the future, with at least the looks of it. We'll see, but I think it's a great addition to the practice facility. All right, let's get back to the football now a little bit. And I wanted to pose this question to you because I feel like we haven't heard much about this guy. Coming into his second year sophomore season, and it was kind of an up and down, like really most players on this team, really up and down first year for him. But Jonathan Mingo, and this is the question I thought of, was do you think he's a lock for wide receiver for him? People might think I'm crazy for asking that, but I'm just curious, where do you think he stacks up in that wide receiver room? - Yeah, I think I'm a little bullish on Mingo. I think people have been really harsh on him for his rookie season in the NFL. Under the same coaching staff, Brian Shen was under, used out of position, not his natural spot on the football field as a wide receiver. Obviously wasn't receiving great coaching. I don't think that's in question at all. And on a team that was struggling all around, I think in my opinion, Mingo had a down in an upward trajectory of the season. I wouldn't say it was up and down. I think he started rough and then towards the end of the year, really showed flashes of being a good wide receiver in this league. So I think under his new coaching staff, with a better offensive line, better weapons around him where he's not trying to be the number one or number two receiver, I think he's gonna show some flashes more often than he did last year. And I do think that, I mean, it's hard to say a lock for number four, but I think he's gonna be involved in this offense and be an integral part of it. So I think, you know, he's got some competition. Terrence Marshall, Jr., we've been seeing stuff about him. But, you know, we hear stuff about him every offseason. It feels like we care to line us. So with him and then you got like the undirected rookie, Jalen Coaker, who everybody's high on. I think there's some, and then David Moore, the wide receiver they signed this offseason has history with canals. I think there's some competition and Mingo's gonna have to show it in training camp that he can be on the field and I think he will. I still have high hopes for Mingo. I think they draft him in the second round for a reason. I think he's got every tool that he needs to be a good wide receiver in this league. And I think he's gonna put it together this year. And I think he's gonna surprise a lot of people. So I wouldn't be comfortable saying he's a lock no matter what the wide receiver for, but I think if he's not for to start the year, he will move up through the depth chart and become that by the end of the year. - I think he's a lock. - I do, I think he might have gone quietly in this offseason, but I do think there's chemistry built from last year and there's a lot of room for growth out of him. And I think he has the potential to be a pretty decent receiver. It's just, can he put it all together? And I think that connection he had with Bryce Young last year, it just doesn't go away. So I do think, yeah, TMJ, you might have heard a little bit of chatter about him, but have you really heard chatter about him in the regular season? Like, so I do think just based off of that connection and also, I mean, they drafted this guy high and I get it. I guess you can say it's a new regime and Kamala says no ties to him. Dan Morgan was part of that front office that made the decision whether you wanna agree with it or not. And I do think they wanna see what they got in him. So I do think, I do think at the end of the day he will be wide receiver four and then beyond that, I'm curious to see kind of where it shakes out. I think ISM could really ascend. - Yeah, that he might maintain his returnability. And I also think he, I don't know, it just seems like he provides some sort of spark or energy to this team, very similar to Sam Franklin whenever he's in the, he's just on the field. Like, he's just so, I don't know, he's electric with the ball in his hands too when he gets the opportunity. So I'm curious to see how his growth, 'cause you know, Kamala's is coming in this with a fresh shot eye. So what is, you know, what is he gonna see in ISM? Obviously TMJ, you got guys like David Moore, that's, you know, known canals as offense from Seattle and obviously in Tampa Bay. And David Moore got some play in time last year with the Bucks even in the playoffs. So I think, you know, I'll be curious to see how many wide receivers they actually carry on the team. And then I think you're gonna see some of these guys too on the practice squad that I'm sure they're gonna call up 'cause we all know about injuries in this league. So, but yeah, just going back to Mingle, I think he's got a pretty good shot at that four spot and I don't think he'll break you into that top three. I think obviously they brought in Johnson for a reason and he's already got a pretty good connection with Bryce Young and then they traded up for Leagueat and they really like him. And I think that sky's the limit for him. The guy's a physical specimen. He's got really good speed and I really hope, you know, Bryce Young and him can build that connection 'cause they really didn't get to work much in many camp because he was out with hamstring. So, he got a lot of catching up to do, but I think they'll get there hopefully and, you know, building, you know, this offense won't, you won't see, you know, you'll see wide receivers actually open this year, which will be a good change of phase. - He's so nice. - Let's talk about the running back room. Looks like, you know, Miles Sanders got some play in time today, a pretty decent amount. Looks like Chewba Hubbard obviously got play in time. What do you think about this, how they stack up across the board? Obviously, Jonathan Brooks is out news this week. He's starting the training camp on the active non-football injury list. He's coming off the torn ACL that he had in November and, but he can be activated at any time. So, what are your thoughts? I guess let's start with Jonathan Brooks is I know it's been a while since we really talked and since we're going live tonight and got some folks in here. What were your thoughts on the Brooks, you know, pick? And then what are your thoughts on this running back room right now currently with obviously him out? - Yeah, starting with Brooks, I love the pick and I think they picked in for a reason. So I'll get into that in a minute. But obviously super talented out of Texas, the best running back in the draft, it was a very surprising pick. I was not expecting that one, so ever. And I was excited when they did it. You know, people can argue that maybe they should go in center, maybe they should want another position there, but they selected him for a reason. And I'm excited about it whenever he is healthy and able to get back on the field. I think he's a true three down running back. He touched them on the back field and run between the tackles and run outside the tackles. A bigger, bigger guy with speed. I think he's a running back that's gonna grow with Bryce and be a formidable duo for a quarterback and running back in the NFC South and in the NFL as well. So I think that there are reservations from this front office and this coaching staff on Chuba Hubbard being a three down running back. And I think I have reservations about it as well. I think Chuba Hubbard is a good, a really good running back too. And I think he's a serviceable running back one. I think last year, Chuba was one of the few bright spots in this offense, so not taking away from that. I think Chuba has struggled throughout his career and being that receiving threat out of the back field. I think he's struggled with what's pick ups. I think he's been great running the ball downhill, a North and South runner. He's not the elusive back that's gonna make people miss and be that home run threat, which I think Brooks is gonna be. But I think with a one, two punch of Brooks and Chuba mixing Miles Sanders in because I think Miles Sanders is that three of the three. I think it's a really good running back room. I think Brooks is gonna be super surprising for people when he hits the field. And they're really gonna understand why he was the second round pick and a surprising pick for Carolina. I think he, again, he just brings so much versatility as that true running back one, three down back that can be counted on when you need it. So I would say Brooks won when he's healthy, Chuba too, and then Miles Sanders three. And I think that's a good running back room. I think it provides a lot of versatility. A lot of maybe Miles Sanders is bringing up their down third and long and he's then receiving back there. I think that's more of his specialty, but looks like from camp, from today at least, he had some really good runs. So maybe with the new guard additions and improved coaching staff and offensive line, then maybe he finds his footing and kind of surprises people this year. But last year, we're just so disappointing. I don't know if I trust that at all. Being one of the first paid running backs and free agency and a decent contract for running back and then having the year that he did was disappointing for sure to say the least. So Chuba stepped up and that's why Chuba is kind of the lead dog right now. But I think this coaching staff really does like Jonathan Brooks. That's why they selected him in the second round. Again, I think there's reservations in regards to Chuba being that true three down back. And I think when Brooks steps on the field, it's his job to lose. - Yeah, I like the running back room. I think it's pretty stacked at this point. I think Chuba proved last year he could carry the guard. Obviously, Canales really liked Brooks and that's why they got him in the second round. And you see the excitement in the blueprint videos of him when they drafted him. So I'm excited to see when he gets on the field. And I think that's gonna provide a boost for the offense. But I also do like Hubbard. I thought he played really well last year. I'm not, I wasn't too big of a fan of Sanders and never really had been with him and Philly. I really wanted them to keep the guy that was escaping me already around, that they let a foreman, that they let go to Chicago. I really was hoping he would stick around. But I think there's, you know, you paid Sanders so you can't really, it'd be a tough pill to swallow to cut him. And Brooks is not coming off injury. So you don't know when he's gonna be back. I don't hate Sanders as the second because I do think in a different offense, he can maybe thrive in a canallist, you know, a run, a more run heavy offense. So we'll see what happens. Maybe he has a resurgent from last year in Frank Reich's ragtag of a fucking offense. I mean, it was pitiful, it really was. So if you're gonna, if you're gonna give everyone, if you're gonna give people a pass in the offense, you gotta give some of these guys who we didn't like either a pass slightly as well because, and I get it. They paid, you know, Sanders a lot of me. I'm not saying give the guy a pass 'cause he had a shitty season, but he gets a little, you know, something when he had an awful, awful offensive coordinator last year and really head coach. So you would even do an, you know, this canallist run offense and, you know, see if he can carve out a role like in Tampa Bay with their backup. And, you know, they had a, they went with White a lot, but they had a two, they had some tandems in there where they would bring in and you saw that in the playoffs a little bit too. So I don't know, I'm not completely, let's, you know, shut the door on Sanders. Let's just, you might as well see what he's got. And they also have Penny on the roster too. Like that guy, he obviously knows canals as well from Seattle, obviously a pretty big stature dude. He's a big specimen as well in that backfield. So we haven't really heard much about him and we'll see kind of how his role plays out. He might just be there until I think personally he's just there until Brooks comes back. And once Brooks is ready, I think I don't think we see Penny anymore to be honest with you, but we'll see. We'll see how it shakes out. I do think that running back room though is fairly deep once Brooks comes back healthy. I mean, he was regarded as the best running back in the draft and he showed that at Texas, the guy could do it all. Like you said, I think he can play all downs and catch the ball of the backfield. He's elusive as hell. He's got a nice spin move. Just from some of the games I watched last year, I really liked him. That was one of the players I highlighted this past season. We talked about leading up to the draft. So I do like the Brooks decision. Could they, we discussed this a little bit with two fans in the stands last week off the, recording or the live stream we did. But could they have went center at that second pick in the second pick 39 or whatever they, I know they traded back a little bit there, but there was a couple of centers out there that could have maybe won after. I guess you could argue with that all day long, but they did what they did. And I think Brooks is going to be a nice feature for Bryce Young, not only in the run game, but also an outlet when things break down. So let's go to Bryce Young, let's talk about it, because you're gonna get the comparisons. We already got, I don't know if you saw this video the other day and I always, when I can have the chance to talk shit about Bears fans, I'm gonna. They had a video of some young kids. I think they were wearing like Bryce Young camp shirts or something from one of his camps that he hosted and Caleb Williams signed the shirt. And everyone was like, oh, he signed Bryce Young's shirt or whatever. I was like, whatever, stay in Chicago. You guys will remain Green Bay. And right now Detroit's, that's their division. Chicago ain't touching that shit at all. So we'll see how Caleb plays this year. I'm not a big fan of him. I think he's arrogant as hell, not my style for at the QB position. He's just run me the wrong way. So, but yeah, enough about Chicago, but let's talk about Bryce Young a little bit here. And I don't even remember how I posed this. I don't know if this is fair. I might get eaten up for this, but can Bryce Young be the guy in Carolina? Obviously we know the stats from last year. We know what he was in, but can he be the franchise, the future this team needs? And I'll just leave you to that. I'll give you the floor. - Yeah. I think the answer is unequivocally 100% without a doubt. Yes, he can be the guy. I think Bryce Young has every single intangible trait. Anything you want to see from a quarterback, Bryce Young has that. People talk about his size. Last year was sacked. I don't know how many times, but it was like 62 or 66 times he was sacked. Missed one game, playing behind the worst offensive line in the league. I think Bryce Young squashed those questions about can he last in the NFL with his stature? Played at Alabama against really good competition. Obviously a lot of those guys he played against in the NFL. I think those questions in the first place were kind of dumb, but it is what it is. I think he answered those questions. I think Bryce Young coming out of college, the talk about him was him being a mental savant, the brain, the processing. And I think last year was a sum of all of the bad parts in Carolina from the coaching staff. I mean, the GM fired, the coaching staff, the offensive line, then of course, coming down to Bryce Young. And Bryce Young took a lot of the blows from the media and Bears fans and some Panthers fans. And I think taking that out of context and putting it all on Bryce Young is just not there. Because we all know fans of football know true fans that without an offensive line, without protection, without wide receivers getting open, there's not much a quarterback can do. I don't know if there was a quarterback last year that you could have put in Bryce Young's position and he would have succeeded outside of maybe like Patrick Mahomes, the best quarterback in the league. So I think without a doubt, Bryce Young can be the guy. I think he will be the guy. I think he's gonna improve under canals, based off of canals' history of work, his resume, which we've talked about a hundred times, his work with Gina Smith and his work with Baker and hearing Baker talk about, you know, Dave Canales be that quote unquote optimist bully. And I think their personalities mesh so well together, Bryce Young's and Dave Canales. I think they're similar when it comes to the personality. And I think, you know, he's a perfect match. Like I said, on two fans in the stand, I don't know if they could have hired a better head coach for Bryce Young than Canales with just matching personalities and being that optimist that he is. And I think Bryce Young needs that. I think Bryce Young is as well. I think he's pretty optimistic. He's never like two down on himself or too high. He's very just mellow. And I think that's exactly what you need in a quarterback, me and FL. I think with the addition of Deontae Johnson, we're gonna and exhibit really get. I think we're gonna see strides this year. Another year, you know, I think last year's a learning lesson for Bryce Young. I think it'll be the first to tell you that he needed to be better. You know, there were some plays that were on him. And I'm not gonna run from that. Like we saw some missed deep balls. We saw some misthrows, some interceptions. But I think when you're in the mix of everything that was going on last season, you know, I don't blame him for struggling even when things were open or, you know, things were there on the field. So I think I have full confidence in Bryce Young. I do think he was the right pick. I think he's gonna be the good court. I think he's gonna be the best quarterback for Carolina moving forward. And, you know, I didn't buy his jersey for no reason. Like, I really do believe in the guy. And I think with an improved offensive line and improved weapons, he's gonna show people that, you know, he was the right pick. And I think me and you both are ready to pull those receipts and in reach week, some of the things that we've got saved. - Oh, they're in the book, Mark Spade. - In the book, Mark, we're ready, man. Because, you know, people have done nothing but shit on him for a year and a half. And I'm so ready to just call them out and see them switch up, you know. Oh, Bryce Young's the guy, yeah. I knew he was just, it was just a bad year last year. And, you know, these are the people that are saying he's a boss after year one, under everything I just talked about. So yeah, unequivocally, yes, he can be the guy. - Yeah, I mean, I believe in him 100%. If you've watched our show at all, you know that, you know, we were the Bryce believers from the get go and I'm gonna stand behind that, just from what I watched in his college tape. And I do think it was a complete shit show last year. But I'll say this, you can take the five 10 and the slight frame and shove it up your ass because he proved last year that he can take a hit in the NFL and it didn't come to a surprise to anyone who watched him in college because I remember numerous times we talked about it. Go pull up the Tennessee game when they were playing Alabama was playing Tennessee and Bryce Young get lit up a couple times. Go watch some of those games where he got beat up and the guy got it right back up and, you know, was slinging it. So he proved that last year. That was the biggest knock on him. And shout out, Bryce and you said it too. You mentioned I'm a bland and edger or in the chat. We appreciate you guys listening and Carter as well. Thank you guys so much. But yeah, I totally believe in Bryce Young and I think he was in a really bad situation last year. Now he doesn't get a free pass though either. I think he had an awful season and I think there are things that he needs to work on and things that the coaching staff let him get away with last year. J.K. is footwork which he sounds like clearly is working on this, you know, off season and with Canales and Canales is very focused on the details and, you know, you do your one of 11. That's his big, you know, talking point. Don't do too much. Just do what we want you to do and that's it. And everything else will fall into place. And I think, I think that approach with Bryce has helped. But I also do, you know, think that Canales has taken a harder approach to say like, you know, these are the things like we see here, like, your footwork isn't great. We need to work on that. I don't, I think that was disregarded last year, you know, by that great piece that Joe person put out with the athletic that just dropped a bombshell on everything that was going on behind the scenes with the organization last year. So yeah, I do think, you know, they put, you know, some good pieces around Bryce's off season went out, you know, fix that interior, kind of took that approach of, you know, the Drew Brees model built up this nice offense, a big stout offense alignment up the middle, especially with him being a, you know, a shorter quarterback in the importance of the middle of the offense line. But I do have reservations about Icky. I don't, I don't know if Icky's the guy and that concerns the hell out of me. I'm, you know, I'm out on Icky until he proves me otherwise that he can hold down that left side because, you know, those other guys can do so much. And if you've got guys coming free, it's only going to shrink, you know, Bryce's timing and what he, the decisions he needs to make quickly. But I agree with you. I think Canales is going to be, was it good hire for him? Carolina didn't have a ton of options. So I mean, they, they went with the guy that was, you know, the quote unquote, you know, the offense of guru and, you know, helped, I would say rebuild Baker and helped rebuild and bring back Geno Smith. And I think it's going to be good for Bryce. And then, you know, Deontay Johnson, I think that was a very underrated trade by Dan Morgan. I don't give him props very often, but I think that was a good move by him. Get rid of a guy that you were going to cut in Deontay Jackson anyway. And you got, you know, a receiver that, you know, the biggest asset of his game was separation. And that was the worst part of the wide receivers last year. So you, that was a plus on that side of the ball. So yeah, I mean, I think they've done, done some things. I have a scene you need to do more and we'll, we'll see how it shakes out. But I think unequivocally, like you said, I think Bryce Young can do this thing. I think he can turn it around. I think Cam Newton, I was watching his show before we got on your fourth and one. And someone, a fan had asked, what do you think's more likely to happen this year? And we don't have to get into the Stroud debate. They said, you think CJ Stroud has a sophomore slump or Bryce Young is a top 16 quarterback in the NFL. And I'll just, I'll just stick to the back half of that question. Do you think Bryce Young can be a top 16 quarterback this year and bounce back from his, probably one of the worst rookie seasons ever for a QB? - Yeah, I think he can be, but that's not my expectation. I don't expect him to make a jump like that. I think like you, like you mentioned, there's a lot of ifs, what ifs on this offensive line up center and left tackle, is the only gonna take a step back? Does not get any younger? How is Lee Gett gonna look coming into a rookie season with some question marks about his abilities? I mean, there were some question marks. And Deontay Johnson, who is a great separator at wide receiver, but there were, you know, rumblings about his behaviors in the locker room and, you know, the Steelers who have a great history of, you know, drafting receivers and developing them, moving on from him for a seventh round, picking up in Deontay Jackson. You know, I think there's a lot of what is, but I think if everything falls into place and the offensive line is good, and these receivers are good as well, the tight end group takes a step forward, your TV on Sanders is a good player and Jonathan Brooks gets on the field. Then I think, yeah, he could be a top 16 quarterback and somebody that we really do take a leap forward, not just a step, but I think progress is all I wanna see. So last year, I mean, you can argue probably one of the worst quarterbacks in the league based off of his circumstances, but if he jumped forward to a top 20 quarterback, if he was 19, 20, 21, 22, you know, I would be happy with that because it's progress. It's, it would lead to more wins. I don't know how much more than two, but it would lead to eventually more wins. And I think the progress is all I need to see. And I, I truly believe that I will see progress. - Yeah, and I just wanna, for folks that are tuning in, we got a lot, a lot of people out there, we do appreciate the support, but if you guys have not subscribed on our YouTube, while I have you here live, please do it, hit the button. We wanna get, we wanna keep increasing that subscriptions from all of you. So please subscribe to this channel. We do appreciate all the support. Let's start, let's go to the defense, Bryson. We've talked a lot about the offense. Let's talk about defense because there's some things happening. Caroline is bringing in some folks. And before we get into that, before we talk about some of the visits that are coming up, I just wanna get your overall sense of what you think of the defense right now. And we'll start, let's start with the front seven here. And your expectations for them, I'm talking edge, I'm talking into your defense line, I'm talking about the linebackers, that group, I know you're high on the linebackers. So let's talk about the front seven. What are your expectations this year? 'Cause Caroline lost a lot, five starters from this past season. One of my guys, one of your guys, Brian Burns, Frankie Louvoo, Jeremy Chin. There's a couple others, I'm escaping me. But those guys, what do you think they did to bring in and try to regroup from what they lost? And some of the guys they drafted as well. - Yeah, I think the addition of Jadaby on Clowney was astronomical, it was important, they had to do it. And I'm glad they got the job done in signing him to Carolina, bringing him home and coming off one of his best years in the NFL. I think he's gonna be one of the most important players on my defense and I think he's gonna be really good. Coming from a great system in Baltimore, but I think he's gonna bring a lot of veteran leadership and pressure and sacks. So that was probably one of the most important additions to the defense this offseason. I think of course, opposite of him on the other side of the edge. It's a big question Mark, DJ Wong's injured, don't know when he's gonna be back. Like you mentioned, they didn't bring in some guys for workouts, I don't know what it's gonna look like there. They talked about DJ Johnson today. I think Dan Morgan did. I know you have some dislike towards Mr. Johnson, but he wasn't. (laughing) - Hey, if we're going up what you said, look at you, you got to give him some slime. (laughing) - Well, the guys like 30 fucking years old already, it's like, holy shit. (laughing) - Oh man. So yeah, the edge is a question, Mark. You know, the day on clown is getting younger, for sure. DJ Wong, he had eight sacks last year, but how much of that was the no hunter getting double teamed and him doing clean up duty. But we'll see what happens there. I think the interior of the offensive line is one of the strongest positional groups on this team. You have Derek Brown, who's a top five defensive tackle. They bring an H on Robinson. They have shy total, draft and drafted per media. I think that room is a lot better than it was last year. I think H on Robinson is going to really improve the run game or the run defense. And then of course Derek Brown. I think those two guys are going to demand a lot of attention when they are lined up together. So, and of course clowny is as well. So maybe long on the still on clean up duty and that helps him get those eight sacks again or possibly more. But yeah, I think the interior is pretty set. And then like you mentioned, the linebackers. I'm really high on Josie Jule. I love the signing. I think he is in the perfect scheme. He showed it. He had his best year as a linebacker in the NFL under Elborough. I think he comes in, you know, he's an immediate leader. We've seen from the blueprint his relationship with Shaq Thompson. I think Shaq Thompson was playing some of his best football in his career last year before he got injured. And I think you bring in guys like Trevor Wallace, the rookie who is, you know, just a freak athlete who's probably a little raw at this point, but bring some speed to that linebacker room. I really do like that group. So, yeah, I think my expectations for the front seven. Probably take up maybe a step back from last year is based off of the losing Browning Burns and losing Frankie Lulu and losing Jeremy Chin who really didn't have a big role, but was a good player. I just don't think the coaching staff really could figure out where to put him, which doesn't surprise me with the amount of bad decisions that we saw from that staff. But I still think it's gonna be a formidable, at least decent defense. And I think under Elborough, who is one of the best defensive coordinators in the NFL, I don't think anybody can argue that. I think he's gonna work as magic. And I think it's gonna be a group that isn't as bad as we are expecting. I think everybody's expecting to take a major step back. But I don't think they will. If they say healthy, I think we'll see maybe a little bit of a step back. But I think there's still gonna be a defense that can give some stops, that can force turnovers. And I think people are gonna be a little bit surprised about that. Yeah, I'm really holding out hope that Clowney is just a menace. Like just plays out of his mind this year. Ten sacks like dominates one of his best years ever at 30 plus years of age. Clowney's, he talked about this in blueprint, I believe. Probably about a month or two ago now. And I mentioned this on two fans in the stands last week was, he's playing in a very similar system that he played in in Houston. So I think that's an advantage for him. He's gonna work match ups. They're gonna find mismatches for him. And that's kind of what they did in Houston when he was first drafted there. And the only fall back to that is Wanna Miss out. And Wanna was supposed to be the number two guy. The guy on the other side of the line from him. And he's not there right now. And we don't know when he's coming back. They are keeping this, you know, is he gonna be ready by week one? They don't know. Is he gonna be ready for training camp? They don't know. So that uneasiness scares the hell out of me. And then we find out they're bringing in three guys. So you know what that tells me? Wannam is not seeing the field anytime soon. And therein, I don't know if you want to say panic mode and are bringing in guys right now. We'll talk about them in a little bit here, but I just want to give you my take on the front seven. Like you said a little bit, I think Wannam rode the coattails a hunter. And, you know, he had some garbage time sacks. I saw a couple of them against Justin Fields. We all know what the bear's offense line was, just a complete disaster. So he got, he made a lot of his money coming, you know, going up against Chicago. So, you know, can he do that? And can he sustain that? I know he had the eight sacks last year. So those are my two biggest questions. And then the guys behind them chase on. I'm just not buying it. I want to see it. I hope it happens. But this just feels like another, you know, pipe dream project. Caroline is trying to reclamation some guy who didn't pan out in Jacksonville. Was a first round pick didn't live up to the, you know, where he was picked at. Didn't have a lot of sacks. I take a lot of stock and, you know, Jacksonville fans, they watch their games. They see this guy play day in and day out. We're not seeing this shit. If you, I ain't buying anyone to say that they went out and watched every game chase on played in. The guy was not very good, according to their fans. And I'm going to put some stock into that. I do. I just, I know, I know they watched the game. So until I see him prove it, you know, he said, you know, he, I think he said, you know, Carolina got a steal and, you know, don't be sold out on him. Okay, then show it up in the game, you know, show up for a voluntary workouts, which he didn't, you know, show up to some of this stuff. You're in a proof of ear. Let's see it. Like, let's see the work. So I'm out on him until I see it otherwise. And then we got, you mentioned DJ Johnson. We are what day one of camp? Where's DJ Johnson today? Working out on the sideline. Who is a guy Dan Morgan, which foolishly fell on the sword for? Why would you do that? Foolishly fell on the sword and said fans are sleeping on DJ Johnson. He could have pushed it off. He could have said this was Scott Fitter's draft pick. He could have shot it. He couldn't have said anyone we're sleeping on on the edge group. He could have said you're sleeping on a lot of guys. He didn't have to name him. He chose this DJ Johnson. If he is going to own that pick now, he is going to own that pick. And when he could have, he could have the pricing. He could have went like this. This dusted his hands off and let that go. He chose the fall and the sword for him. So I mean, DJ Johnson better show up because, you know, apparently we're sleeping on him. So another guy. And then we have Barno's out coming off of a major injury. So yeah, this edge group, I think, is the most worrisome for me outside of secondary right now, you know, barring a serious injury. And we'll talk about that a little bit with J.C. Horn. Him staying healthy this year. But yeah, this edge group, it scares me. It really does. There's a lot of guys out and we haven't even hit what? Day two of training camp. So let's talk about though, the guys that they're bringing in because obviously, you know, Carolina, there is some concern there. And we got to give our boy, Mike K. We've had him on numerous times on this show, coming in with the goods. And these are the couple of guys that they brought in are they're bringing in. So we have Carl Lawson. It sounds like a guy that we've talked about a lot on this show, Bryce. I know both of us were, you know, pretty big fans of Yannick and Walkway. And then you also have the guy that, you know, is from has played on this team. He was here last year. It was supposed to be, you know, kind of Marquis Haines's year last year. It seemed like coming into training camp. That's what we were all talking about. And, you know, he's coming off, you know, he battled a lot of injuries this past season. So they're bringing all three of these guys in. I just wanted to get your thoughts on, you know, who do you like out of this group? And what, you know, what value can they add for this edge group that's really beat up the size clownier right now? Yeah, I think adding any of these guys would be a positive for a group that's super thin, like you say. Carl Lawson, I think, you know, I know the name. I know he's got history with the Bengals and the Jets. I'm not super familiar how his last season went with the Jets, but I think adding anyone with his caliber of name and potential would be beneficial in a room that really doesn't have very many names besides Tommy. And then, like you mentioned, theonic and gawk way last season. We were pretty high on him coming in. I think he had a kind of a disappointing season in Chicago. But again, a player that, you know, has that name and that recognition and has the ability to get to the quarterback. And I think, you know, would be a great addition to this room. But honestly, I think I like Marcus Haynes the best out of the three. I think he's battled some injuries for sure in Carolina, which unfortunately has kind of derailed his career here. But I believe he's the youngest of the three. I think he's got what it takes to be an effective edge rusher. He's got that speed. And I think that might be what we need on this defensive line because clown. He's not a burner. I don't think either of these two other guys are either. I think if Marcus, Marcus Haynes could stay healthy, he could really challenge one for that opposite spot. And maybe this is this year that he's supposed to come on and really be that guy. So I would be happy with any of the three, but I would think I would like Marcus Haynes the best. Yeah, we'll get to some of our comments just here in a little bit, but just kind of going through these guys. And then I will kind of want to talk about the interior D line a little bit here. I know you touched on it. But Bryson, I'll be honest, I was looking these guys up before we got on here. And I'm like, this is a fucking walking wounded. I mean, all three of these guys, which is crazy. So I love Yannick. I was a big fan of Yannick when he was with Frank Reich and Indy. It sounds like he's not the typical mold for, you know, whatever he likes in his edge rushers. And he would probably be not as great against the run. But he gets sacks. But Yannick's coming off a broken ankle. Carl Lawson dealt with back injuries in New York last year. And that's why he didn't play much. And Marquis had back, he had back issues last year with Carolina. So like all three of these guys are coming off of, you know, they're either battling injuries or, you know, Yannick's coming off a major injury. And I, Yannick, I think he, he actually just went, I think he tried out with Miami, maybe, and Miami ended up going with Agba, a Manny Agba over him. So I'm wondering if his, you know, his health came back and it wasn't great. So that's a red flag there for me. Edgar mentioned Carl Lawson kind of fitting that threshold at edge. I'd be more inclined to him over Haynes just based off of his track record in the past. And some of the sack numbers and pressure she's put up is a little bit better than Haynes. I think Haynes obviously has a leg up because he's got the film familiarity, but is the guy healthy? And that's the question with all these guys. Which one is the healthiest? And I think that might be who they end up going with on just off their, you know, health records because all three of these guys have been dealing with injuries. Which that's literally what this room, what they're, you know, struggling to find is someone who can actually be in there and be. But I do think there's value with Carl Lawson and his experience in veteran, you know, his leadership for some of these younger guys that they, like a DJ Johnson, like a Jason who, you know, who's trying to bounce back. So I think that can add some value. And I also think Yannick too has some veteran leadership because he's been also in the lead too. So if I had to pick anyone, I'd probably go with Carl Lawson going back kind of back on what, you know, I said last year, Yannick, because the guy's coming off like a major ankle surgery, which is like, what are we doing here? But I mean, maybe the guy's healthy. I don't know. So we'll see how it shakes out. But I just want to touch on the interior because we talked about this last week with the guys with two fans in the stands. And this interior defense line and Bryson, you talked about this. So I'm just echoing this a little bit. This interior defense line should take a major step this year. Like, this is the, what do you want to call it, the best position group on this defense. I personally think between A. Sean Robinson and Derek Brown, who is the best player on the team right now, teams will no longer be able to run down our throats on defense, which I can't tell you the last time that it's been a while. Teams would run at will when they wanted to on this team. And that was always something Carolina struggled with. And I think for the first time this year, barring an injury, they are going to be set in that interior. And I think, and I talked about this last week, I really think it's going to help shy Tuttle out and ease some pressure on him and make him a better player. And we're going to get the shy Tuttle in his best years when he was in New Orleans. And that's what I'm excited about. And I think Derek Brown, I think, you know, Robinson's also going to help Derek Brown out greatly too, because he's going to ease a little bit of pressure because I mean, have you seen Robinson in the blueprint videos, the guy is fucking massive. I mean, he is huge. And I don't know, I'm just excited for the interior defense line. I think that's going to help. And I also think it's going to help, you know, some of it's going to help the edge rushes out a little bit. So maybe that's where we see, you know, an extended hand from, you know, Derek Brown and Aisha Robinson for obviously clowny. I don't know how much really help he needs. It's going to, you know, it's going to be hard to double Derek Brown and, you know, you got clowny as well. You're going to double him or you're going to double Derek Brown, you also got Robin. So there, I mean, there are some, there's positives there. So that's like the clowny signing with you. Can you imagine if Carolina didn't get clowny? Like, I remember it was, do they go chase young or clowny? That was like the whole conversation this past offseason. Can you imagine if they didn't get either of the guys? Like, we're sitting here with DJ one of them, Chase on and DJ Johnson. And, you know, maybe they would have went edge in the draft end, but I don't, it's like, I can't even think what they would have done it. They didn't get clowny. It's crazy. What in bad news for sure. All right, let's talk about the secondary. Because that was another group of concern. I feel like for a lot of people as well. And what are your thoughts? I know there's a couple of guys that you like that, you know, maybe not a lot of people are talking about right now. So what is your thoughts on the second area as a whole and just your overall expectations for them going into training camp? Yeah, I think to start with the safeties, you know, bringing them fuller, Xavier Woods, bringing a guy like a mixed Scott. I think the safety room is pretty set in a decent group. I would say they're probably the second best on the defensive roster as far as positional groups. So no really concerns there, but as far as the corners go. They brought in Dan Jackson to be the corner back to. I think there's going to be an open competition for that spot. You know, they did pay him to play as the corner back to, but I think a guy I really like a lot to Sean Jamison, who came in last year, first start against Justin Jefferson played really well. Against arguably the best fighters here in the league. I think I think he's got a lot of potential. Obviously just going to continue to grow as a player in the league. Sign him off the practice card, I think with the 49ers and a couple weeks later was playing really good defense versus Justin Jefferson, like I said, so I like him a lot. I think he's going to compete for that spot. And you got other guys like we've heard the coaching staff is really high on the caprio. I think Mike K told us that so I think obviously the room looks a little different if JC Horn goes down. We're probably grasping at straws for that position and it's going to be a struggle for sure. Unless they bring in another veteran like Gilmore, which hopefully that they can swing, but I mean at this point, I've kind of lost hope on that. But I think with JC Horn and then Dane Jackson or Jameson or Budel, opposite of him and of course you got guys like Troy Hill and Charles McWade in the nickel. I think it's a decent cornerback room. It definitely does lack depth. But I'm excited for the potential of Dane Jackson because, you know, Dane Morgan was really high on him in Buffalo. I think he really aided in them drafting him and then Buffalo, you know, he saw some playing time last year as a starter, not as much as you would hope for your potential quarterback to. But when he was on the field, I think he, I think his tape shows that he was pretty decent and, you know, performed to a high enough level to potentially, you know, get a full time cornerback to roll on the team. So, I think that there's going to be a lot of competition in that room, especially for that two spot. And I think Jamison is may surprise some people and win it out. But I think the team is really looking at Dane Jackson for that number two spot and we'll see how it plays out. But I think they need to stay healthy. That's the number one concern there. If they're not healthy, we have some real issues in Carolina, because we got guys covering some of the best receivers in league, even in the NFC South, you got, you know, Drake London, Mike Evans, and what's his name with New Orleans. Chris Olave, Chris Olave, I mean, like, even in the NFC South, that we're going to be playing these teams times a year. These receivers are good. They're really good. And I think without JC Horn, you have some concerns there. So, the group definitely lacks depth, but I think if healthy that they can perform up to expectations, I believe. Yeah, I think that, I mean, it's the biggest mystery is Dane Jackson. Like, what can this guy do? He hasn't played 17 games as a starter. He's filled in a couple of times and he's done, you know, a decent job. It sounds like in Buffalo during those times, but can he do it for a full season? And can he go up? Like you said, can he go up again? Are you going to trust him going against a Chris Olave or Chris Godwin and, you know, holding his own? And that is the big question mark. No one knows that. We're not going to know that until pre-season regular season starts. So, and I think fans are a little hesitant on that and you should be. I mean, the guy was a center-owned pick. We don't know if this guy, you know, we can trust Dan Morgan because it's Dan Morgan's guy, but we're not going to know until this guy. He sees the feeling he's circling against some of these dudes. So, I think the uncertainty there is scary. I do like Troy Hill as another guy we wanted back this, you know, this offseason glad they brought him back. I don't know a whole hell of a lot about Smith Wade. I know he had a decent senior bowl and that's kind of how he rose up the, you know, at that nickel spot. He really hadn't played nickel much in college and then he had, you know, a really nice job. At the senior bowl and that's kind of how he rose up. But then the big question mark too is JC Horn. Can this guy stay available? And that will always be the biggest question. If he goes down, it could get hairy, kind of like last year. But, you know, like you said, you know, brutal, filled in, you know, decently this past year. Jamison filled in well until he got hurt. So, like these guys have had starting reps under their belt now, which is nice, but there's just still not that number two is still unknown. And it sounds like it's Dane Jackson's job and, you know, Dan Morgan, even in his presser this week, spoke very highly of him. But, you know, Dan Morgan, I know everyone in the chat's going to agree with me. Go out your front door and knock on your neighbor Gilmore's door and get meringue because we'd like to see him back in Carolina. I don't know where he's at. It sounds like from what I was told. From my little sources I got that, you know, Gilmore is not in any rush whatsoever and he does not want to be in training camp and he'll probably show up right before the season starts if he's going to sign with the team. So, we'll see what happens. I think he's going to play the long game and he obviously probably wants money and probably wants to play for the winner. So Carolina might not be there, but Dan Morgan's his neighbor, clowny, South Carolina, maybe Lee get can pull some strings. I don't know. Maybe they can get some, maybe they can, you know, offer them a back together or an event there in Columbia, South Carolina. But no, I mean, I know I know people want that, but it sounds like they're comfortable with dating Jackson at this point. I just kind of wanted to go back quickly just shout out to Zach Rappport for putting this. I didn't know this. I just found this out. Caroline is also bringing in Kimoko Terre. I hope I'm saying that right. If I'm not, I am not great at pronouncing names, but the guy was a former sec around pick with the Colts. He put he just recently put out a workout video and sounds like he might or he's going to be working out with Carolina as well. So Carolina clearly has some concern with that edge position. There's no doubt about it. They're bringing all these guys in. So no matter what they say in the press conference, it's a bunch of bullshit. They're worried about that position 100%. But while we have everyone in here, a bunch of our viewers are going up. We love to see it. We appreciate your guys's support. Please. If you do not subscribe to our YouTube page, I'm going to keep pushing it. Please hit that subscribe button on YouTube. We love all your guys's support and we'll continue on with this conversation right now, but I just had to do a little bit of housekeeping there. Right. So two fans in the stands had this question and I thought it was a good one. And I was, let's pick one on offense, one on defense. I think really give you heads up on that. But that's kind of where we're looking at drafted or undrafted which rookie could have an impact year one in the league for Carolina. Yeah, I think the easy one into one offense is we get in Brooks. But I really think Brooks is going to surprise people. I mean, obviously, he came in highly touted. I think pretty consensus and then we'll run back in the draft. He wasn't injured. He might have been a first round pick. I think once he hits the field, it's going to open up so many possibilities for this offense moving forward. Like we mentioned earlier, three on running back and can be receiving threat who can run between and outside the tackles. I think he's, he's the guy moving forward, you know, bringing back some of that Jonathan Stewart, some of that Angel Williams, some of that not as close, but some of that Christian McCaffrey esque style of running back. So I think he's going to be an instant impact as soon as he gets to the field. And obviously, we get a speech for himself on defense. It's a little harder, you know, they drafted Trebren Wallace, the linebacker who out of Kentucky, which a lot of people thought was a reach, and they drafted them. But Dan Morgan identified him, and like we mentioned on two fans in the stand like Dan Morgan, who is, who has the record for most tackles in a Super Bowl in the history of the league who has this pedigree of being a really, really good linebacker in college and so, you know, goes out and identifies this guy and makes it a priority to draft him, whether it be a reach or not. I think Wallace plays with an edge. He's got speed, obviously, one of the faster linebackers in the draft. He's going to make an impact for sure. You know, he's got to work on this coverage abilities a little bit, but I think whether it be on special teams or on defense, once Wallace is ready, I think he's going to be a really good player in Carolina for a long time to come. If you want to go, I'll start with defense because that's where you ended on, and I talked about this last week, but I think this Michael Barrett guy, they got in the seventh round from Michigan linebacker. Special teams is going to play a more bigger role than people think with these new rule changes for the kickoff. And I think this guy could carve out a pretty nice role on special teams. I mean, he was Michigan, but one of the best defenses in college football last year, if not the best. And he was a guy was the all time winning his player in Michigan football history was a tackle machine. And I feel like he could, you know, he's not, it's a pretty loaded linebacker room at the top, you know, Shek Thompson, Jewell, or obviously going to be the starters. And then they have, you know, Trevor and Wallace as well. So I don't know how much of an impact this guy's going to have on defense, but when it comes to special teams, I think this guy could, you know, have a really nice role on that side and, you know, you got to look at guys like, you know, Sam Franklin, who really made a name for himself. For this team, really, like, this guy was, you know, this fiery attitude made his role on special teams and then he slowly got opportunities at safety. So, like, that's kind of the role I see with this guy like I think he can make a name for himself. And I think you could see him, you know, kind of, you know, slowly here and there, you know, be thrown in on a, you know, a third down when Shek Thompson's, you know, tired, whatever the case may be, or you could see him get an increase role. But I do think, I do think he could carve out something really nice so just shout out because the guys are in your two fans in the stands, you know, we took this question for me all last week. I thought it was a good one. And, you know, you talked about a Bryson offense, I think for me, I think it's Jonathan Brooks, I really do. And I know Lee Gett was, you know, the number one pick, but I just think how much Dave Canales plans to run on offense. And I think people are underestimating and I'm going to warn everyone now since, you know, we've got a couple hundred people in here. Carolina is going to run the ball when you don't want them to run the ball this year, it's going to happen. So get your cry and throw it out the damn window, go draft one of these running backs because they're going to pound the hell out of the ball all season and you're not going to like it at points. But that's what Dave Canales did last year in Tampa Bay and you saw Tampa Bay fans bitch about it. And it's going to happen in Carolina. They were going to run the ball down teams throats. That's what they're going to do. And I think Jonathan Brooks is going to have a major impact with that when he comes back healthy. I do think he's going to be the guy when he is healthy and ready to roll. And he's a Dave Canales guy. And that's, that's whether you like Chuba or Miles Sanders or whoever you like or Black Shear. Once Brooks is healthy, he is going to be the main dude. And that's, it's just too damn bad. And he's good. And I think he's going to do great. I do. I think he was, I think he was a good pickup and I'm excited to see what he can do. And I think that's what we're going to do. And I think that's what we're going to do. And I think that's what we're going to do. And I think that's what we're going to do. And I think that's what we're going to do. And I think that's what we're going to do. And I think that's what we're going to do. And I think that's what we're going to do. And I think that's what we're going to do. And I think that's what we've been hearing for like the past three years from everyone that tremble was supposed to be the guy. And I've heard, I haven't heard that Ian Thomas is supposed to be a guy. The guy's been trash. We all know that. I should be on the roster. But somehow he'll find a tight end screen this year and piss me off. But yeah, I mean, I forget, I forget about that tight end group and Sanders and it sounds like right now. It just from what I see. And I don't know if you agree with this person, but it seems like it's tremble Ian Thomas and then Sanders below that on the on the depth chart. But who knows. I mean, maybe this guy will show up in preseason and really make a name for himself and cement himself above, you know, some of those guys. Yeah, I agree with that, that order in the depth chart currently. I am a big tremble fan. I have been since he was drafted in Carolina. I think he's played with some pretty bad quarterbacks in his career in Carolina for this point. This season, we're going to see a lot of improvement from him. I think he should flashes his athletic ability is blocking ability is catching ability is run after the catch. I think he's a good tight end. I think he's going to show that this year. I am high on your TV on Sanders as well. I've seen enough of Ian Thomas. I think he should be scooted down the depth chart a little bit. Put him in there is like a swing tackle esque tight end blocking tight end. I don't think he should be getting targets at this point in his career. We've seen enough in Carolina. And I'm tired of it just like you are. But Sanders, I think you know you watch the tape from Texas and he's so consistent. You know he he had some of the best hands in the draft were tied in. He is a true pass catching threat at that position which Carolina hasn't had for a while. So I think he's going to he's going to, you know, etch out a role for himself on this team might take a while because again he's a rookie and it's going to take time to learn this offense and get that. Comfortable with with Bryce Sean but I think eventually he's going to be a really good player for this team as well. So. But can't battle still watch. I think. Of course tight ends like we just talked about. We talked about the cornerbacks corner back to Dan Jackson versus the Sean Jamison versus bootle versus whoever else they throw in there. Hopefully Gilmore at some point. But I don't think if Gilmore's on the team is not going to be much of a battle. But I think that that position is going to be fun to watch. And then who's playing opposite edge of a clownie. I mean, they signed one of them. Right. We talked about it. He's not healthy. So who's it going to be any of these four guys they're bringing in for tryouts is DJ Johnson. Are we sleeping on DJ Johnson like Dan Morgan said like maybe he's he's worked his ass off this off season. You're drinking the collide. He's quickly approaching retirement according to Curtis. But, but I think, you know, he was a project. You know, you, you so we drafted DJ Johnson off of the size. Hey panning, dude. Panicked on that pick. They did. They did. And I think hopefully it'll pan out but not a player I have high hopes on just like you. But, but I'm not as harsh with you. As you are. My God. I think you're ready to cut on today. But, but I think, you know, who's going to step up. You know, you have an opportunity to to really pan out or just, you know, take control of a starting position on this team office of the clownie. So, you know, who's coming in day in and day out working their ass off to get that spot and to show this team that show the NFL that you are a starting edge defender in this league and you can get to the quarterback. So, I think there's a lot of positions we could talk about. I, I saw two fans and CJ in the chat talking about the kicker, you know, Eddie Pinaire versus the bigger kicker. Yes, you know, my thunder. That's where I was going to go. Kickers need love, man. Like, that is, that's like one of the biggest ones, I think. And then I agree. I think edge edge is the obvious outside of clownie who who is going to line up across the line from him. And, I mean, I shouldn't say that. I mean, on the other side of the line from him. And it sounds like it's going to be a free agent because Carolina is in panic mode to get one because DJ Johnson's, you know, sitting out with one with an illness. But, yeah, kickers, like, is it Eddie P or is it a thicker kicker? Meevis and Meevis, it sounds like didn't kick today. I think they're going to maybe alternate every day, so maybe we'll see Meevis tomorrow. You know, Meevis, big dude, he reminds me, you know, you don't watch this. Might lose some people here, but Badger's had a massive kicker a couple years ago, Italian dude. I mean, the guy was like a linebacker and just, just fat kicker and he reminds me of him. And, but he's got a leg. I mean, the guy, he's what, kicked a 60 yarder at Missouri. He's hit a couple 60 yarders. It sounds like in mini camp. And I think that excites fans. That excites probably me. I mean, that excites me as well. Like, this guy can launch the shit out of it. And Eddie P can't do that. I'm still an Eddie P fan. I've, I'm not going to just slight the guy just because they're bringing in someone else. We both liked Eddie last year, steady Eddie. That was our nickname from Eddie Money, whatever you want to call it. The guy would make kicks. It's just, once you hit 50 and beyond, it's like, holy shit. And then you missed the one in Atlanta and everyone remembers the one in Atlanta, the one you can't miss. You miss two of them that year are in that game. So, yeah, Eddie, Eddie had a good day today. You mentioned it off the top of the episode five for five, hit a 52 yarder. So, it's going to be interesting. May the best man win. I mean, it competences everything in a kicker. And when you have it, you're on. And when you don't, you don't, you're awful. And you're only as good as your next kick. So, yeah, it'll be interesting. I don't know who's going to, I'm curious when we actually go to camp. We should be there. Hopefully, I think next week is when we'll be there and get to see some of this in action and see, you know, which kickers go on which way. But yeah, 50, like, it's, it would be nice when your offense is struggling to put points on the board. When you get close at the 50, you're not, you know, not going out there and you're actually, or you're punting it like they did last year in what Chicago was the game. So, yeah, so, yeah, I mean, it'll be interesting battle there, another position. And we talked about this early on in the episode, but that wide receiver, the back end of the wide receiver room. Who's four, five and six, or, you know, how many receivers do they do they do they carry seven? Do they carry five? Do they carry six? And I don't know what Tampa Bay carried last year, that might be something to look into of how many wide outs they had. But who is four, five, six, seven? You got, you know, a guy who a lot of people were intrigued by Coker. It sounds like he was cleared to play. He was initially on the public, but they took him off. So that's good sign for him. For a guy who's really trying to fight, you know, undrafted was, you know, highly regarded as an undrafted pickup. You got TMJ, the TMJ project, the guy they, you know, wanted to be traded last year. They didn't give it to him, or there wasn't anyone out there interested in him. He's trying to fight for the spot. You got ISM who's got, he's like the Sam Franklin on offense. The guy's got energy up the house and just is, he's just, he's electric when he's on the field and has the ball in his hands. I don't know. I really like him. I'm always pulling for that, dude. What's your thoughts on feeling while we're talking about wide receivers? I just, I'm getting a little weird. I'll go ahead. No, I was going to say I looked up quickly what the Buff said last year now and kept five, five receivers on the roster. Exactly. And I've, I've seen that in someone's, someone like depth chart projections that they might carry five. But yeah, what's your thoughts on feeling, it's, did he work out with Bryce Young this off, like, in the, in June? Yeah. Like maybe I'm making a big deal out of this and there doesn't need to be, but like, he was very heavily involved with JJ McCarthy. And I don't remember seeing him working out with Bryce Young. He might have been there. Maybe I'm wrong. Maybe I missed it. But I don't know. I mean, I didn't see it. If it was out there either, he's been with JJ McCarthy what like two or three times and there's been video. I think there was like a report out saying that the Panthers could cut him and he would go back to Minnesota and play with JJ. Well, and then he had the comment when he was on the golf course that, you know, he wanted to go to the Kansas City last year and then they didn't want him or something like that. Yeah. And then he was on a part of my take and, and, you know, talking about how he thought he was going to retire a Minnesota Viking and he was upset about it and, you know, no hard feelings towards Minnesota, but, you know, he really wanted to be there for his whole career. You know, where he's at, I think, you know, from all accounts, he's a good teammate. And I think he. Well, yeah, he's talked well, like good about Bryce Young. It's not like the guys trashing anyone. I just, I don't know, I just get some weird. It just seems like there's something going on there. Maybe not. Maybe I'm just reading into it. No, no, I agree. I mean, I think when you see your wider your best wide receiver from the previous season, working out with a different team supporter back more than once. There's, there's a little bit of like, okay, what's going on here, you know. But, you know, maybe Bryce Young's been working with a lead get in the Auntie Johnson more and, you know, the ones kind of cast off. I don't know what the situation is, but it is a little strange and we'll see how it plays out. But I do not buy in whatsoever to the quote unquote rumor that the Panthers are considering cutting feeling, you know, I don't think that's a smart move. You don't get rid of Bryce Young's best target last year, whether he was force fed or not. There's a connection there. Absolutely. The only wide receiver that you know has chemistry with Bryce Young, you do not cut. You don't do that. I don't buy that rumor whatsoever. And that's what I tweeted about it as well. So, so yeah, we'll see how it plays out. But, you know, maybe it was just, I believe feeling, you know, still has a house up there and, you know, I think that's where most of those families from. It grew up in Minnesota, went to high school, went to college, and then played there. So, I think, you know, he's just got a connection there and maybe that's all it is. Yeah. Well, I think we're going to leave it there. And, you know, again, like I said, we're going to be at, I think, four or five practices and we'll do a weekend. They push out content and this is our first live show. We appreciate everyone who tuned in all the comments. We do appreciate the support. Because yeah, we were a little nervous coming into this tonight with with going live and stuff. It just adds another element. But I think it went well and we just appreciate and we're going to keep it up and we'll try to do it weekly on Wednesdays at this same time and we'll keep it rolling. And, you know, hopefully we have, you know, good things to talk about this season because we, you know, we're due for it. We really are. So I just just somehow skipping. Make sure you guys subscribe to our YouTube channel. Follow us on Twitter. You can listen to this podcast. It'll be dropped on all of our platforms in the morning as well. If you want to listen to it over, if you haven't listened to it yet, please do. It's wherever you get your podcast. And we will see you guys next week. Thank you for tuning in.
Curtis Rauen and Bryson Karbley discuss the new faces, battles and expectations as the Panthers begin training camp in Charlotte.