OFFICIAL 2024 PRESEASON GAME 2 THREAD: PANTHERS VS JETS

I don't think the 1's will play at all next week ( I have nothing to base this on lol other than we can't afford injuries , period ) We might see some 2's .

No one can afford injuries , especially to a starter, but we're in a team building mode and we're not deep at all. ( except at QB when Andy Dalton and he's has a injury )

Are we deep at WR
Are we deep at RB
It appears edge rushers, we aren't deep, nor defensive backs.

Do we have a stellar corp of linebackers . In Panther lore, we've always been very above average at linebacker.

I don't think the 1's  will play at all next week ( I have nothing to base this on lol other than we can't afford injuries , period )  We might see some 2's .

No one can afford injuries , especially to a starter,  but we're  in  a team building mode and we're not deep at all.  ( except at QB  when Andy Dalton and he's has a injury  )

Are we deep at WR
Are we deep at  RB
It appears edge rushers, we aren't deep,  nor defensive backs.

Do we have a stellar corp of linebackers .  In Panther lore, we've always been very above average at linebacker.

Some good points here, OP...

But here's the thing.  Are we deep at QB.?  Yes, FOR NOW.  Are we deep at RB.? Well, we currently have five (5) -- Hubbard. Sanders, Blackshear, Boone, and Johnson. And, of course, there is Jonathon Brooks who is "active" but on the NFI list. So six total RBs and there is an argument for keeping each of them.  Are we deep at WR.? Well, yes, FOR NOW. Currently have ten (10) on the roster. How about Edge guys or DBs.?? Well, OLBs, we have seven (7), but two of them are on the PUP.   How about DBs,? We have eight (8) Safeties and eight (8) CBs, so sixteen (16) total. And of course, our ILBs look very strong.

Sooo...The answer is YES, we are "deep" at all of these positions (sort of..).  FOR NOW.  The 'cheese gets binding' here in about nine days. Or, as the Brits would say, It becomes a "sticky wicket".  So, for the next week or so, we are indeed "deep" at all of these positions. But as we all know, when roster cut-down happens, on August 27 at 4:00 PM, all of that "deepness" disappears.

So, the question remains, will our #1s and #2s play in the third (and last..) pre-season game.?? As OP noted and I've mentioned several times, injuries are an unknown quantity. Yes, we need to avoid them if at all possible. BUT, as we also know, injuries are a part of this game. We can't back away from every on-field endeavor just because there is some risk. These guys (the #1s and #2s) need some contact time as well. They need to get into a smooth, reliable rhythm. I will contend that they NEED some full-contact snaps with opponents across from them ... just like the #3s and #4s do.

It's not a discussion about whether or not we 'need' to protect our guys from injury. Of course, that would be ideal. It IS a discussion about whether or not we can put a pro-quality team on the field to represent the Panthers come week 1. I will contend that all of these guys, as 'good' as they might be, need some time in the trenches.

Think about it like this. In about a week or so we will set our 53 roster.  If you allow for two QBs on the roster and three ST guys, LS, P, and K, that leaves exactly 48 slots available. Try dividing that up between Offense and Defense and maybe some 'specialist' dual role guys. It's going to be tough. It always is.  BUT, that has absolutely nothing to do with the reality of getting our TEAM ready to play on Week 1. These guys need more than just a passing familiarity with the playbook. They need to be SHARP, both mentally and physically. And that only occurs with repetition....

I will say this as MHO n be done with it. I think the reasoning so far is to evaluate who’s making the team(53) n who to keep on the ps. Gotta get a good look at them to know. Some showed out, some didn’t. Great to have film on them for later. Waivewire stuff. We evaluated the back end thoroughly. I’d love the startes to play, but I see the back end playing most of the game. It is low key very important! Gotta field 53 good ones n the ps. So around 70 guys. Lots of b/u players developing. I think that’s a good plan.

Thoughts?

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Maybe less is more, from the starters? I agree I’d love to see some snaps. I’m not HC. He seems to make me trust him. I don’t know why.

Is it a bad idea to vet the bottom of ure roster? Lots of hard work for the fringe guys. Bet they appreciate it. Get tape out there.

I will say this as MHO n be done with it.  I think the reasoning so far is to evaluate who’s making the team(53) n who to keep on the ps.  Gotta get a good look at them to know.  Some showed out, some didn’t.  Great to have film on them for later.  Waivewire stuff.  We evaluated the back end thoroughly.  I’d love the startes to play, but I see the back end playing most of the game.  It is low key very important!  Gotta field 53 good ones n the ps.  So around 70 guys.  Lots of b/u players developing.  I think that’s a good plan. 

Thoughts?

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Maybe less is more, from the starters?  I agree I’d love to see some snaps.  I’m not HC.  He seems to make me trust him.  I don’t know why.

I'm not coaching here. I'm not even an "armchair" coach. I know nothing about the 'inside information' around the team. I actually like Canales. He seems OK as a coach.

Everything I said up there ^^^ was about perception.  MY perception and the facts as I know them to be. It was about what I think, and about what I would like to see. As a fan, and as a Panthers supporter, I am looking for something to grab on to. Something to inspire some confidence. Seeing our #1s and #2s on the field, playing together AS A TEAM might ease the consternation around my woefully inadequate brain.

I hear you Hob. My post was meant to explain my thinking. I hope we see the 1’s, I think we will be evaluating. JMHO

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T<1. I hear the negative. Hoping for positive.

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After last year consternation is expected.

Who knows what is the best answer?  In the past we  have had coaches who were slow to adjust and were rather stuck in their ways.  Maybe Cananles is thinking outside the box, somewhat necessitated by injuries, and then in part to try to strengthen a team weakness...depth.  The 3 and 4's have gotten some valuable playing time accomplishing 2 things  1) Better evaluation  for making the decisions of who is on the team and 2) If that 3rd stringer is put in the game...they will have more gme experience.

We will find out early on how this approach impacts the readiness of the starters. On the positive side...they come into the season being fresh.

Who knows how this will work out.  But, it is refreshing to have a coach who is willing to be creative  and adapt and do it with conviction.

One more plus...The Saints will have little information for their prep for game 1.

2024 Draft Picks:

Give them a grade. I know, some haven't seen the field. Others limited. ( probably haven't been fitted for helmets lol )
We usually can't tell how well we've drafted till a player has been in the league for 2-3 years . The Luke's Cam's and Peppers are not the norm.

1 (32): WR Xavier Legette, South Carolina.
2 (46): RB Jonathon Brooks, Texas.
3 (72): LB Trevin Wallace, Kentucky.
4 (101): TE Ja'Tavion Sanders, Texas.
5 (157): CB Chau Smith-Wade, Washington State.
6 (200): DL Jaden Crumedy, Mississippi State.
7 (240): LB Michael Barrett, Michigan.

2024 Draft Picks:
Give them a grade.  I know,  some haven't seen the field.  Others limited. ( probably haven't been fitted for helmets lol )
We usually can't tell how well we've drafted till a player has been in the league for  2-3 years .  The Luke's Cam's and Peppers are not the norm.

1 (32): WR Xavier Legette, South Carolina. TBD-expecting great things
2 (46): RB Jonathon Brooks, Texas. TBD-expecting great things TBD-expecting great things
3 (72): LB Trevin Wallace, Kentucky. B+++
4 (101): TE Ja'Tavion Sanders, Texas. B+ expect him to be he starter by halfway
5 (157): CB Chau Smith-Wade, Washington State. C+
6 (200): DL Jaden Crumedy, Mississippi State. D+
7 (240): LB Michael Barrett, Michigan. D-

***&^%$#@!!@#$%^&
***&^%$#@!!@#$%^&

We will find out early on how this approach impacts the readiness of the starters. On the positive side...they come into the season being fresh.

Who knows how this will work out.  But, it is refreshing to have a coach who is willing to be creative  and adapt and do it with conviction.

One more plus...The Saints will have little information for their prep for game 1.

AGREED --- THIS ^^^^ !!!

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2024 Draft Picks:

Give them a grade.  I know,  some haven't seen the field.  Others limited. ( probably haven't been fitted for helmets lol )
We usually can't tell how well we've drafted till a player has been in the league for  2-3 years .  The Luke's Cam's and Peppers are not the norm.

1 (32): WR Xavier Legette, South Carolina. -- UNKNOWN. Lots of hype. Hopeful... But apparently lots to learn
2 (46): RB Jonathon Brooks, Texas. -- UNKNOWN. Drafting a rookie RB with a surgical knee.?? Unheard of--SMDH. Still, HopefulL...
3 (72): LB Trevin Wallace, Kentucky. -- A. The best of the draft class SO FAR
4 (101): TE Ja'Tavion Sanders, Texas. -- B+ SO FAR - Looking good against suspect low-level defenders.
5 (157): CB Chau Smith-Wade, Washington State. -- C Lots of hype. Lots of hat, but little cowboy.
6 (200): DL Jaden Crumedy, Mississippi State. -- C- Meh.. (I'm hesitant to give any rookie less than a "C" of some sort..)
7 (240): LB Michael Barrett, Michigan. -- C- Meh.. (See here ^^^)

I WANT to give Legette an "A" -- But, sadly, it's not possible. I THINK he's going to be a good one. --- Jonathon Brooks..?? SMDH -- A high-level talent RB coming off of a surgically repaired knee.??? -- SERIOUSLY.?? A RB with damaged wheels.?? I think -- I mean, well -- uhh -- shit, I don't know what to say.
THIS is a good exercise..