They’ve been getting roasted on social media for that poll today. Not sure who thought that would be a good idea.
Cam came into the worst team in the league and never had playmakers around him or a good OL. He’s the most impactful for me. Turned us from last to a near SB winner.
While it is BS Cams not on the list I’m still picking Keuchly over him. Luke was a generational talent. Cam can’t even get another contract.
Didn’t even play the SB year because of his ACL. Had to throw to a heavily used Jericho Cotchery instead (although he definitely caught that ball in the super bowl).
As great as he was I don’t know if I can forgive him for kicking it out of bounds to set up a guaranteed patriots win in the super bowl. Subbing him in to do the kickoff for the first time that year is also on the coaches though. They’re not the goats but I think guys like Mike Minter, Mike Rucker, Moose Muhammad, Kris Jenkins and others don’t get near enough appreciation. Add Stephen Davis and Deshaun Foster to that list. Dan Morgan if he stayed healthy would be up there
I also have a soft spot for Kerry Collins. Met him when I was like 7 or 8 wearing a full kit wanker Kerry Collins uniform and he was super nice, plus he got us to the nfc championship game so quickly. Lamar Latham, Tyrone Poole and others were childhood heroes, this is bringing me back. Obviously Sam Mills was part of that group as well
It literally hurts me every time I think of that play. It was our first big gain and I can clearly remember feeling like we had momentum. It was obviously a catch. Next play Stew tweaks his knee and is useless after that, next play after that, Von Miller strip sack on the 2 yard line. It’s literally a completely different game if they call that a catch. fuck.
All right boys I’m all the way in on Carolina Panthers now. Very excited about this Rock Hill facility
Even more in on Panthers now Does anybody know if Tepper gives money to other colleges in the area? UofSC announces Nicole and David Tepper Scholarship to support sport and entertainment management education, diversity and COVID-19 relief Spoiler Posted on: July 13, 2020; Updated on: July 13, 2020 By Allen Wallace, [email protected], 8037775667 The University of South Carolina has announced the establishment of The Nicole and David Tepper Scholars Program in the university’s acclaimed Department of Sport and Entertainment Management. The Nicole and David Tepper Scholars Program will provide four-year scholarships to a cohort of four incoming freshmen each year. Tepper Scholars will receive $10,000 per year toward their education and will gain access to additional enrichment opportunities. Selection for the Tepper Scholars Program will be based on academic merit to recruit the best and brightest students, with an emphasis on supporting student diversity and first-generation students. The first cohort will receive additional funding this year to provide immediate relief for financial difficulties related to COVID-19. The new program is being created with an impactful gift from Nicole and David Tepper of more than $567,000 over the next three years. “The University of South Carolina is deeply grateful for David and Nicole Tepper’s leadership in supporting education excellence and opportunities across the Carolinas and here in Columbia,” says University of South Carolina President Bob Caslen. “This transformative and generous gift will make an immediate and lasting impact on the personal and professional success of the next generation of sport and entertainment management leaders.” The Teppers’ charitable efforts are focused on the core beliefs that everyone deserves an education and access to health care resources, and that no one should go to bed hungry. David Tepper is the founder and president of Appaloosa Management, L.P. and owner of the NFL’s Carolina Panthers and Charlotte’s Major League Soccer team. “Dave and I want to make sure education and the college experience is accessible during this global pandemic,” says Nicole Tepper. "This gift is designed to help students stay in school and on the path toward earning their degree. UofSC's Department of Sport and Entertainment Management is one of the very best programs in the country with an impressive faculty roster that is innovative and business focused. We have seen firsthand their industry expertise, passion and commitment to building the next generation of leaders in our field. We hope this gift will ensure continued personal growth and outstanding career preparation for UofSC sport and entertainment management students.” The university’s Department of Sport and Entertainment Management is recognized as the No. 1 program in the nation and has built a roster of world-class faculty and alumni. The first cohort of four Tepper Scholars will be selected from the more than 300 freshmen who have been accepted to the degree program for fall 2020. Future cohorts will be recruited for fall 2021 and 2022. “Our students are incredibly fortunate to learn from industry leaders, and this powerful new partnership with Nicole and David Tepper will shape the future of sport and entertainment management for generations to come,” says Matt Brown, chair of South Carolina’s Department of Sport and Entertainment Management. “We are deeply grateful and very excited for the young people whose lives will be changed by these innovative programs and scholarships.” The Department of Sport and Entertainment Management is part of the university’s College of Hospitality, Retail and Sport Management and offers bachelor’s, master’s and Ph.D. degree programs. More information on the college and its degree programs is available at sc.edu/hrsm.
The Athletic's mid-season breakdown and grades: Spoiler Favored at home against an Atlanta team they’d already beaten and one that had already fired its head coach, the Panthers seemed poised to notch a Thursday night victory and hit the halfway point at 4-4. Matt Ryan, Julio Jones and Raheem Morris had other ideas, handing the Panthers a 25-17 loss that dropped Matt Rhule’s team to 3-5, ahead of a couple of tough matchups against Kansas City and Tampa Bay. “I think Bill Parcells said it best: ‘You are what your record says you are,’” Rhule said. “I like our team’s work ethic. I like their fight. We don’t always do what we should do at the right moment. We sometimes improvise too much. That’s all a part of growing.” A player-by-player analysis of the Panthers’ roster through eight games: Quarterbacks Grade: B Teddy Bridgewater: Steady Teddy was leading the NFL in completion percentage a couple of weeks ago, but a couple of shaky performances have dropped him down the list a bit. In fairness, Bridgewater’s choppy play of late has coincided with some bad performances by his offensive line, forcing Bridgewater to move out of the pocket to try to keep plays alive, which has never been his forte. Still, Bridgewater (nine TDs, six INTs) has not come up clutch with the game on the line the past three weeks: In two of those losses, his final pass was intercepted. P.J. Walker: It looks like Joe Brady is trying to carve out a role for Walker in much the same way he uses Curtis Samuel. Walker played three snaps at wide receiver against the Falcons. And while the ball never came his way, you have to believe there’s a trick play in Walker’s future. The former XFL player also saw his first action at QB when Bridgewater was out with a neck injury, completing 1 of 4 passes for 3 yards. Will Grier: The Charlotte native has been inactive for each of the past three games, which is not a great development for the third-round pick from 2019. Rhule’s decision to use Walker as the backup QB was influenced in part by Walker’s role as the emergency running back with Christian McCaffrey and Reggie Bonnafon sidelined. If Grier is still behind Walker when the running backs return, we’ll have an idea of where Grier stands with the new coaching staff. Running backs Grade: B Christian McCaffrey: The All-Pro back has missed six weeks with his high ankle sprain, but Rhule sounded optimistic that McCaffrey would be back for this week’s trip to Kansas City. The Panthers were smart in being cautious with McCaffrey. Giants running back Saquon Barkley, who returned a few weeks earlier than expected from a high ankle sprain last year, has since admitted it bothered him the rest of the season. The Panthers need a healthy McCaffrey the rest of this season and, more importantly, in 2021 and ’22 when they hope to be in a better position to contend. Mike Davis: The former South Carolina standout kept the running game afloat after McCaffrey went down in Week 2. Davis leads the league with 21 broken tackles, while drawing praise from the coaching staff for his professionalism and his “pissed off” running style. It will be up to Brady to find ways to keep Davis involved in the offense once McCaffrey returns. Trenton Cannon: The former Jet is on the 53-man roster primarily for special teams. With the injuries at the position, Cannon has seen some time in the backfield, with six carries for 18 yards. Alex Armah: There were questions in the preseason about whether there would be a role for a fullback in Brady’s offense. And over the past three games, Armah has totaled only 13 offensive snaps. His value is as a blocker and a special teams contributor. Receivers Grade: A Robby Anderson: Always able to blow the top off the defense, Anderson has taken his game to a new level while playing for his former Temple coach and catching passes from his offseason throwing buddy. Anderson has ranked among the league’s receiving leaders all season. DJ Moore: The first-round pick from 2018 hasn’t caught as many passes as Anderson, but he’s made the most of them with an 18.9 yards-per-catch average. Moore didn’t have a reception until the final drive against the Falcons, then pulled two catches — including a 42-yarder that gave the Panthers a final shot. Curtis Samuel: The former second-rounder has gone from a possible trade piece to Bridgewater’s most trusted receiver in the clutch. Samuel entered Sunday’s games as the NFL leader in third-down catches (16), as well as third-down conversion receptions (12). Pharoh Cooper: The South Carolina product has been reliable as the Panthers’ primary returner, although he’s yet to break a really long one and fair-caught the Falcons’ only punt Thursday night at the 5-yard line. Brandon Zylstra: Made the team after a terrific training camp in which he caught everything thrown to him. With Seth Roberts’ release and Keith Kirkwood’s collarbone injury, Zylstra is now the No. 4 receiver. Tight ends Grade: C-minus Ian Thomas: With Greg Olsen gone to Seattle, many observers thought this would be a breakout year for Thomas. It hasn’t happened. But perhaps Thomas’ performance against Atlanta (season-high three catches for 28 yards) is a positive sign for the second half. Chris Manhertz: Bridgewater tried in the preseason to transform Manhertz into a receiving tight end. And while that hasn’t happened, he’s still a dependable blocker. Colin Thompson: The former Temple tight end has carved out a role as an extra blocker following an XFL stint last spring. Offensive line Grade: D Russell Okung: Injuries limited the two-time Pro Bowler to five games. When healthy, Okung has played well. Trai Turner, whom the Panthers traded to the Chargers for Okung, has dealt with his own injuries. Chris Reed: The former Jaguar opened the season on the COVID list following a positive test, then became the starter at left guard. He’ll want to burn the tape of Thursday’s Atlanta game, in which he struggled repeatedly in pass protection. Matt Paradis: Paradis started the season strong after struggling in 2019 during his first year in Charlotte. But he’s regressed a bit in recent weeks, especially while trying to block in space on screen plays. John Miller: The Panthers’ right guard, who played at Louisville with Bridgewater, has started seven of the eight games and has impressed Rhule with his work ethic and approach. Taylor Moton: Playing in a contract year, the former second-round pick has been the Panthers’ most consistent blocker and keeps increasing his value. Greg Little: This was to be an apprenticeship year for the second-round pick in 2019. But with Okung (calf) out vs. the Falcons, Little didn’t exactly make the most of his chance. He was replaced by Trent Scott early in the third quarter after allowing a couple of pressures. Trent Scott: One of three players with ties to offensive line coach Pat Meyer, Scott gives the Panthers position flexibility with his ability to play guard and tackle. Dennis Daley: The former South Carolina standout started nine games at left tackle as a rookie, and was expected to be the starter at left guard this year. Instead, he’s been a reserve whose development — like Little’s — has been slow. Michael Schofield: Started the first two games at left guard while Reed was out. Schofield has missed the past two games while on the COVID list. Tyler Larsen: The fifth-year center/guard has been sidelined for three games while on the COVID list. Sam Tecklenburg: The undrafted center, who played for Rhule at Baylor, was brought up from the practice squad last month. Defensive line Grade: C+ Brian Burns: The edge rusher and Spiderman enthusiast has been the Panthers’ best player on defense. Burns has three of the Panthers’ eight sacks, all three of which were strip-sacks. The three forced fumbles were tied for third in the NFL entering Sunday’s games. Kawann Short: A second shoulder surgery in as many years ended Short’s season early and may have signaled the end of his tenure in Carolina, considering his nearly $21 million cap figure for 2021. Zach Kerr: The veteran defensive tackle, one of the only seven players on the active roster 30 or older, has filled in nicely for Short. Rhule hopes to have Kerr back this week after he sat out the Falcons’ game with a toe injury. Derrick Brown: The No. 7 overall pick is still looking for his first sack. But Brown has been stout at the point of attack: His six tackles for loss are most among rookies and rank in the top 10 among all players. Marquis Haynes: The 6-2, 235-pound Haynes has figured something out in his third season. He’s tied with Burns for the team lead with three sacks after posting just one his first two years. Stephen Weatherly: The free-agent acquisition has underwhelmed on the edge, but is coming off a season-high, four-tackle game against Atlanta that included a hit on Matt Ryan. Yetur Gross-Matos: It’s been a tough start for the second-round pick from Penn State, who missed one game early in the year with a concussion and has been sidelined for the past three with a high ankle sprain. Had a strip-sack against the Cardinals’ Kyler Murray in Week 4. Efe Obada: The Panthers waived Obada as part of their final roster cuts, then re-signed him two days later. Good thing: His versatility has helped plug some injury holes up front, and he picked up his first sack against the Falcons. Bravvion Roy: With Kerr out, the sixth-round pick from Baylor started and played a season-high 37 snaps against the Falcons. The beefy, 330-pounder had one tackle against Atlanta and has nine stops on the year. Woodrow Hamilton: The second-year player with the presidential-sounding name has gone back and forth from the practice squad to the active roster a couple times this season. Austin Larkin: The former practice squad defensive end has appeared in three games, logging a season-high 11 snaps against Atlanta last week. Linebackers Grade: C Shaq Thompson: The defensive captain is second on the team in tackles with 66. But the Panthers need more impact plays from Thompson like the one he made vs. the Chargers, when he punched the ball loose and also recovered. Jeremy Chinn: The Panthers still list the second-round pick as a safety, but his primary spot has been outside linebacker. The second-round pick from Southern Illinois has done a little bit of everything, from a successful fake punt to a team-leading 67 tackles, most among all rookies. Tahir Whitehead: Whoever replaced Luke Kuechly faced an impossible task, and so it has gone for Whitehead. The ex-Raider went from playing 90 percent of the defensive snaps in Week 1 to just more than half of them by midseason, as the missed tackles and coverage lapses piled up. Whitehead received a one-year, $2.5 million deal from Carolina. So the Panthers almost certainly will be breaking in another middle backer in ’21. Jermaine Carter: With the emergence of Chinn, Carter has become something of an afterthought on Phil Snow’s defense, though the former Maryland linebacker has remained active on special teams. Adarius Taylor: Taylor, then known as Adarius Glanton, began his NFL career in Carolina as an undrafted free agent in 2014. Taylor’s best game came in Week 7 at New Orleans, where he collected six solo tackles in just 18 defensive snaps. Julian Stanford: Signed in August during training camp, Stanford is the Panthers’ leading special teams tackler with four stops. Secondary Grade: D Donte Jackson: The third-year cornerback from LSU has battled through a turf-toe injury all season. Jackson pulled down his team-leading third interception before aggravating his toe against Atlanta. (Incidentally, that total matches that of the Giants’ James Bradberry, whom the Panthers should have re-signed.) Rhule has said he respects Jackson’s willingness to play hurt, unlike Eli Apple, for example. Rasul Douglas: That Douglas was arguably the Panthers’ best corner within days of being claimed from Philadelphia at roster cutdowns speaks volumes about the position group. Douglas’ importance to the secondary was reinforced in losses to New Orleans and Atlanta the past two weeks while he was on the COVID list. Corn Elder: In his second year during his second stint in Charlotte, it looks like the light has come on for Elder. The Panthers’ fifth-round pick in 2017 has done a nice job at nickel covering the opponent’s slot receiver. Tre Boston: The 28-year-old Boston ranks third on the team’s tackles chart, just behind Chinn and Thompson. As one of the last lines of defense, Boston’s missed tackles are often glaring. But his athleticism and strength allow Snow to use him as a blitzer and closer to the line of scrimmage when needed. Juston Burris: The Raleigh native and ex-NC State defensive back started the first six games before cracked ribs landed him on injured reserve. Troy Pride Jr.: With Apple beginning the year on IR, the fourth-rounder from Notre Dame was thrown into the fire immediately. Pride has excellent speed, but his inexperience shows up several times a game. Sam Franklin: The undrafted rookie from Temple took over as a starter when Burris went down. He had four tackles against Atlanta last week, but was whistled for a holding penalty on third down late in the first half. Kenny Robinson: The fifth-round pick from West Virginia, by way of the XFL, spent the first six weeks on the practice squad before being activated. He’s played exclusively on special teams in his two games. Stantley Thomas-Oliver: Thomas-Oliver, a former receiver at Florida International, went from the practice squad to special teams to covering Julio Jones seemingly in the blink of the eye. Sean Chandler: The Panthers plucked Chandler off the Giants’ practice squad last month to provide safety depth and help on special teams. Myles Hartsfield: For Hartsfield, figuring out what position meeting to attend could depend on the day. The undrafted rookie from Ole Miss has seen game action at safety, running back and on special teams. Special teams Grade: B Joey Slye: It says a lot about Slye that he jogged out for a 65-yard field goal against the Saints expecting to make what would have been the longest kick in NFL history. And damn if he didn’t miss it by a foot or so. Joseph Charlton: Media members (raises hand) had fun on Twitter when the rookie from South Carolina put a couple of punts over the wall during camp. He explained later that one of them was intentional: Then he angled one out of bounds at the Atlanta 5 the other night to give the Panthers a comeback shot. J.J. Jansen: The team’s longest-tenured player got his 15 minutes of fame when he downed a punt in the shadow of the goal line at Los Angeles, helping the Panthers to their first win of the season. Coaching Grade: B Rhule has had his young team prepared and playing hard, despite some unique COVID-year challenges for the rookie coach. With the exception of a few red-zone and fourth-down calls, Brady has been an innovative play-caller who’s going to be in the mix for head-coaching jobs sooner rather than later. Snow has overseen a unit that’s in the middle of the pack in the major defensive categories, despite shortcomings in the secondary and the lack of a consistent pass rush (some of which can be attributed to his affinity for three-man fronts).
So is this a try to win year or a tank year or what? The Gamecocks suck. Teach me how to be a NFL fan
It’s time for Rhule to start winning but with this OL and Darnold we should be firmly mediocre. Defense looks good.
I like Rhule, but agree that he is fucked until we address the OL, which has been a problem for about the past 10 years.
Yeah I like him and Fitterer but trading for Darnold and signing Elflein and Erving for decent money to start on the left side of the OL makes no sense to me. For whatever reason this team cannot figure out how to put a good OL together, it’s been horrific since Kalil, Gross, and Wharton were pro bowlers
Defense has potential to be top 7-8 in the league but probably will end up 10-15 because of the offense can’t stay on the field. Jaycee Horn looks phenomenal. Offense, who knows. I think Darnold has looked terrible. Dude is afraid of his own shadow in the pocket. If he can be effective, just effective, with CMC and the WR - offense could be good enough. Ultimately, I think Darnold isn’t good enough, and the OL isn’t good enough. My guess is Panthers are 500 and in a ton of close games until December and then those last 4 we fade to missing the WC by a game or two. Something like that.
I agree. I'd take the over on the 7.5 win total but I'm not too confident. Remember it's 17 games and 14 teams make the playoffs now.
Meant to say this in my earlier post but I completely agree. Watching him play that Steelers game you'd have never guessed he played at USC and in the NFL in the huge NY media market. He looked nervous/twitchy/happy feet all over the place for a meaningless preseason game. To his credit, you can definitely see the arm talent. He can make all the throws asked of him and his ball placement is pretty good, but if he's the QB of the future for this franchise he's really going to have to improve his decision making and game management.
I noticed the arm talent too. 3-4 throws looked like interceptions in the air and then they were right where they needed to be. If he was actually comfortable stepping up in to the pocket, letting routes develop, and stepping into throws at a league average level - he could be pretty good. Unfortunately I think we are going to see a bottom 10 YPA and a whole lot of 6 yard out routes on 3rd and 9.
I think you're probably right but the homer in me is holding out hope that Brady/Ryan can scheme up some simple looks for him to push it downfield. Ultimately if we turn into the offense you're describing we should have just stuck with Teddy.
Imo yes. By winning I mean get a wildcard spot or at least get close and show some marked improvement across the board.