December 16, 2025 • 11 mins
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Mark as Played
Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:00):
Nick Carboni of NBC Charlotte Sports Director sports anchor. He's
back with us for a Tuesday conversation, Nick Carboni, what's
going on, brother?
Speaker 2 (00:07):
How are you?
Speaker 3 (00:08):
What's up?
Speaker 2 (00:08):
kV?
Speaker 1 (00:08):
How you doing?
Speaker 2 (00:09):
Man? Good? Good?
Speaker 1 (00:10):
Just chewing on a couple of things, and I'll dive
right in Panthers loss on Sunday. I'll get your take
on the game itself in just a second. But one
thing that really has my text line Hummond right now
is what we brought up, and it's the fact that
Dave Canalis, who is an offensive minded guy, is his
team is averaging eighteen point nine points per game this season.
Speaker 2 (00:30):
That is twenty eighth in the NFL. And it seems to.
Speaker 1 (00:33):
Me that despite a seven and seven record, which we
all agree is the most important thing, wins and losses. Primarily,
wins are the most important thing, but only eighteen point
nine points per game. Only the Saints, Browns, Titans, and
Raiders are averaging fewer points per game than Carolina. Should
that bother fans?
Speaker 3 (00:50):
Yeah, I mean it's certainly sure company, and I think
it has a lot to do with the continued search
for an identity for this team. And I think admitted
continued search, something that Canal has brought up the other day.
From a team standpoint and an offensive standpoint, I mean,
one week and we've seen it changed week to week.
(01:11):
They commit to the run with both backs and the
approach is great, and then the next week it's totally different.
Same with the passing attack. One week it's like we
trust the downfield pros and we trust the quarterback and
the receivers, and then the next week it's not. So
they certainly have the personnel to be better than that.
(01:31):
You know. The quarterback I think hasn't been consistent either, obviously,
and it's a young receiving corps, but we've seen him
do it, and that's the whole thing with this team.
You see him do it one week and then they
don't the next. So I would just be more concerned
with the lack of consistency overall. And you know, I'd
(01:52):
be really concerned if that showed up throughout next season.
You know, somewhat it's somewhat expected this year, although the
swings up and down are so violent in general.
Speaker 1 (02:04):
So you walked away from Sunday's loss against the Saints
thinking what about that performance?
Speaker 3 (02:11):
Roof blew it I mean, and I think they basically
said the same thing. They had a humongous opportunity to
beat a team that they told us even yesterday in
the locker room they should have beat. They really should
have beat them the first time, which would have, you know,
put them in a better position now as well. But
this this week, and this game at home against the
(02:31):
backsliding Bucks squad at Bank of America Stadium could have
been the biggest game in a decade. They handed the
keys to the division back after holding it for three
days and a week. They didn't even play, so they
blew it. But as we've seen with this team, they
tend to respond well. And if you look at the
schedule based on that data of the last month and
(02:53):
a half or so, they'll they'll beat the Bucks twice.
But we all know that's not how it works. But yeah,
they squandered a ten point lead and a golden opportunity
against an eliminated team that they absolutely should have beat.
So it's a painful, growing pain for this team that's
kind of had those ups and downs all year.
Speaker 1 (03:12):
One thing that's kind of left me and I think
a lot of other people miffed is the fourth and
inches call on Sunday early in the fourth quarter. It's
not even that I mind them going for it. I
probably would have kicked the field goal, But then again,
I can't faull to coach for being aggressive, especially not
if it works out.
Speaker 2 (03:26):
But I saw you.
Speaker 1 (03:27):
You were one of the many people posting the quote
yesterday about Dave Canalis being reluctant to use Bryce Young
in those quarterbacks neek situations. I think Dave said he
runs about a buck ninety. But like we see so
many other teams who have packages in place, even if
their quarterbacks aren't diminutive, like Aaron Rodgers got taken off
the field last night and they're running that play with
the tight end. Are you surprised that, again, an offensive
(03:48):
minded head coach does not have a better or let's say,
more diverse options in those situations.
Speaker 3 (03:54):
Yeah, it is surprising at this point in the season,
given some of the athletes they do have available to them,
that they don't have that package. I definitely didn't mind
the call. I think Jason Bennetti was on the broadcast.
What did he say? It was like a third of
a yard. Maybe you've got the horses up front to
do that. You've got the horses in the backfield to
do that. But you know, when it's that tight and
(04:17):
you don't have the quarterback by your own admission, physically
that's built for that, which I agree with, then you've
got to have some sort of plan B. And maybe
that goes to the inexperience of this coaching staff. I mean,
there's a lot to think about. There's a lot to
learn for a young head coach and his staff, and
you know, he said it's something they're working on. These
(04:38):
last three weeks would be a nice time to have it.
Speaker 2 (04:40):
You mentioned Jason Bennetti.
Speaker 1 (04:42):
I told Smoke before the show, I didn't sleep well
last night, and I'm pretty sure it's because I had,
you know, a string of nightmares that alternated between Chris
a Lave running wide open and Jason Bennetta yelling there's
a marker on the field during Sunday's broadcast. If I
hear there's a marker on the field one more time,
I'm going to lose my mind. But the last one,
in partarticular, the Tyler shot quarterback draw up the middle,
(05:03):
Lathan Ransom comes in like a hate seeking missile, hits
him on the shoulder, by the way, gets flagged and
it turns what would have been probably a fifty some
odd yard field goal into a forty seven yard field goal.
We got guys like JJ Watt, JJ Jansen Team JJ
suggesting that the quarterback baseball slide should be eliminated from
the game because these quarterbacks are exploiting it and these
(05:25):
defenders don't really have many good choices in the situation.
Speaker 2 (05:27):
What are your thoughts on that, Yeah.
Speaker 3 (05:30):
To ask a player in real rookie or twelve year
vet like I know as a rookie that committed the penalty,
to ask a defensive player to keep all of that
in mind in real time, and Laythan Ransom had the
awareness to know, like, I can't let him get another
inch because of the field goal distance. So he's coming
(05:50):
in hot, He's coming in where he sees the quarterback going.
It is a penalty in today's NFL. But that's begging
the question from the people you just mentioned of whether
the and I was witnessed, Kyle, I don't know how
long ago it was the ACC Championship, a game Canny
Pickett's infamous fake flide, and I don't remember which Panthers
(06:10):
player it was. Or maybe it was multiple mentioned to
us this week, like you come in like that, you
come in soft, and he can fake slide and pick
up another fifteen yards. So you know, I wouldn't mind
if the NFL looked at that for sure, but you know,
in this particular moment, it was the wrong play by
(06:30):
a rookie safety.
Speaker 1 (06:32):
Nick Carboni, NBC Charlotte Sports Director, Sports anchor with us
for his Tuesday conversation. As the week progresses, as we
always do, we continually turn the page. I'll check in
with some friends in Tampa this week. But like early
here on a Tuesday, you know, we know this team
has gone win loss, win loss. So the fun joke
today is that we should expect them to beat the Bucks,
lose to the Seahawks, and then beat the Bucks again.
(06:53):
But you know, given what you've seen from Tampa and
given what you just saw from Carolina, what's your early
read on this game Sunday?
Speaker 3 (07:00):
Yeah, I think it's going to be a good game.
These Division games, for the most part, has tended to
be dog fights between teams that are you know, pretty even.
I mean, for a team that's quote unquote dominated the division,
the Tampa Bay Buccaneers haven't been blowing anybody's doors off.
They've just been waiting for somebody to keep free bub
and challenge him on it. So can the Panthers do
(07:22):
that two of the next three weeks. I wonder how
much life the Bucks who are ticked off got from
watching that Panthers lost the other day and knowing that
they kind of have a slight inside track back at
the division now. But they have been playing really poor football.
Their defense, which is Todd Bowles calling card, has been abysmal.
(07:44):
That fourth and twenty eight, third and fourteen sequence against
Atlanta the other night was horrid, and that may get
Todd Bowles fired if they do in fact miss the playoffs. Baker,
obviously he's been banged up. He seems like he's not
kind of putting on the magic show that he's able to.
Sometimes you know he's going to be gritty, but you
know he's susceptible to a mistake and if he's not
(08:05):
as mobile, maybe the Panthers can apply some pressure. How
they generate that is up to them, but maybe maybe
they can get creative in this game and make him really,
really uncomfortable. It got Brooks back, He got some of
their offensive weapons back, So that scares you a little bit,
But you know, Panthers, they're slight underdogs. That's probably where
(08:26):
they want to be. Given how the last eleven or
twelve games, his favorites is gone. I really don't have
a lean either way, but you know, based on what
we've seen from Carolina this season, for the most part,
I think they'll come in prepared and hungry and wanting
to play better football at home.
Speaker 1 (08:46):
Hey, before I let you go, kan Ka Nipple has
got seven games of twenty five points or more. That's
more than every other rookie combined to the NBA, as
I understand it. Michael Scotto on the Yes Network a
couple of nights ago, got on TV and said that,
you know, the Hornets view is starting to view him
as the face of the franchise.
Speaker 2 (09:05):
That's a really big statement. What are your thoughts on that?
Speaker 3 (09:08):
Danielle Stein and I were in this office that I'm
in right now Sunday night watching that game and saying,
right now, at the present moment, it is Tom Kinnipple's
team that could change. Brandon Miller had a great game
the other day, and he's getting healthier and back in
his groove, LaMelo ball for all we know, could you know,
get over this most recent ankle injury, come back, play
(09:30):
a string of games and play at an all star level.
But even when he's been healthy, that hasn't been in
this year. And we'll see what his future holds. But
he's been a revelation kN Kinipple has. I mean, I
know for a fact that the Hornets liked the reasons
they drafted him for. But also when they got him
in the building, Kyle and Youfford folks stay this too,
they realize, Oh, he's a little bit more than a shooter.
(09:53):
He can do a little bit of everything, and he
can do some of it really well. He can create
better than we thought, he can finish better than we
thought he could pass, He plays winning defense. This guy's
got a real chance to be the face of the franchise.
I'm not ready to crown him just yet, but so
far this season, by Miles Bridge's own admission, he's been
the best player on the Charlotte Hornets. And you know
he's gonna get sick of the losing too if he
(10:15):
If he isn't already, we've had that discussion. So right now,
he is the best player on the team, and he's
got a chance, as I told you last last week,
to be, you know, in an ideal world, a one
A to Brandon Miller or somebody else going forward.
Speaker 1 (10:28):
So I think Charles Lee said after the win against
Cleveland he've used that as maybe a turning point moment
for this team. Do you agree with that or is
this just one of those odd results in the NBA.
Speaker 3 (10:38):
It feels nice to sit here for two days and
enjoy it, right. It's like almost like they have final exams.
It's like a college basketball schedule in December. I hope so.
And I think really that hinges on health. Obviously, they
got green back, Miller has you know, produced a little
more and hopefully is getting over some of his injury woes.
(10:59):
But I think to do that this year, it will
require Lamela to come back, be healthy and play at
the level he does. I know they've played well in
points without him, and people want to point to that,
but you know, I think it can be if Miller
stays in his groove and continues his ascension, and you know,
you'd love to see what LaMelo Ball can do with
that group.
Speaker 1 (11:19):
Nick Carboni, NBC Charlotte Sports director sports anchor with us
every Tuesday. As always, Brother, great to talk to you.
We'll see you Sunday.
Speaker 2 (11:25):
You too, Bud.
Nick Carboni of NBC Charlotte Sports Director sports anchor. He's
back with us for a Tuesday conversation, Nick Carboni, what's
going on, brother?
Speaker 2 (00:07):
How are you?
Speaker 3 (00:08):
What's up?
Speaker 2 (00:08):
kV?
Speaker 1 (00:08):
How you doing?
Speaker 2 (00:09):
Man? Good? Good?
Speaker 1 (00:10):
Just chewing on a couple of things, and I'll dive
right in Panthers loss on Sunday. I'll get your take
on the game itself in just a second. But one
thing that really has my text line Hummond right now
is what we brought up, and it's the fact that
Dave Canalis, who is an offensive minded guy, is his
team is averaging eighteen point nine points per game this season.
Speaker 2 (00:30):
That is twenty eighth in the NFL. And it seems to.
Speaker 1 (00:33):
Me that despite a seven and seven record, which we
all agree is the most important thing, wins and losses. Primarily,
wins are the most important thing, but only eighteen point
nine points per game. Only the Saints, Browns, Titans, and
Raiders are averaging fewer points per game than Carolina. Should
that bother fans?
Speaker 3 (00:50):
Yeah, I mean it's certainly sure company, and I think
it has a lot to do with the continued search
for an identity for this team. And I think admitted
continued search, something that Canal has brought up the other day.
From a team standpoint and an offensive standpoint, I mean,
one week and we've seen it changed week to week.
(01:11):
They commit to the run with both backs and the
approach is great, and then the next week it's totally different.
Same with the passing attack. One week it's like we
trust the downfield pros and we trust the quarterback and
the receivers, and then the next week it's not. So
they certainly have the personnel to be better than that.
(01:31):
You know. The quarterback I think hasn't been consistent either, obviously,
and it's a young receiving corps, but we've seen him
do it, and that's the whole thing with this team.
You see him do it one week and then they
don't the next. So I would just be more concerned
with the lack of consistency overall. And you know, I'd
(01:52):
be really concerned if that showed up throughout next season.
You know, somewhat it's somewhat expected this year, although the
swings up and down are so violent in general.
Speaker 1 (02:04):
So you walked away from Sunday's loss against the Saints
thinking what about that performance?
Speaker 3 (02:11):
Roof blew it I mean, and I think they basically
said the same thing. They had a humongous opportunity to
beat a team that they told us even yesterday in
the locker room they should have beat. They really should
have beat them the first time, which would have, you know,
put them in a better position now as well. But
this this week, and this game at home against the
(02:31):
backsliding Bucks squad at Bank of America Stadium could have
been the biggest game in a decade. They handed the
keys to the division back after holding it for three
days and a week. They didn't even play, so they
blew it. But as we've seen with this team, they
tend to respond well. And if you look at the
schedule based on that data of the last month and
(02:53):
a half or so, they'll they'll beat the Bucks twice.
But we all know that's not how it works. But yeah,
they squandered a ten point lead and a golden opportunity
against an eliminated team that they absolutely should have beat.
So it's a painful, growing pain for this team that's
kind of had those ups and downs all year.
Speaker 1 (03:12):
One thing that's kind of left me and I think
a lot of other people miffed is the fourth and
inches call on Sunday early in the fourth quarter. It's
not even that I mind them going for it. I
probably would have kicked the field goal, But then again,
I can't faull to coach for being aggressive, especially not
if it works out.
Speaker 2 (03:26):
But I saw you.
Speaker 1 (03:27):
You were one of the many people posting the quote
yesterday about Dave Canalis being reluctant to use Bryce Young
in those quarterbacks neek situations. I think Dave said he
runs about a buck ninety. But like we see so
many other teams who have packages in place, even if
their quarterbacks aren't diminutive, like Aaron Rodgers got taken off
the field last night and they're running that play with
the tight end. Are you surprised that, again, an offensive
(03:48):
minded head coach does not have a better or let's say,
more diverse options in those situations.
Speaker 3 (03:54):
Yeah, it is surprising at this point in the season,
given some of the athletes they do have available to them,
that they don't have that package. I definitely didn't mind
the call. I think Jason Bennetti was on the broadcast.
What did he say? It was like a third of
a yard. Maybe you've got the horses up front to
do that. You've got the horses in the backfield to
do that. But you know, when it's that tight and
(04:17):
you don't have the quarterback by your own admission, physically
that's built for that, which I agree with, then you've
got to have some sort of plan B. And maybe
that goes to the inexperience of this coaching staff. I mean,
there's a lot to think about. There's a lot to
learn for a young head coach and his staff, and
you know, he said it's something they're working on. These
(04:38):
last three weeks would be a nice time to have it.
Speaker 2 (04:40):
You mentioned Jason Bennetti.
Speaker 1 (04:42):
I told Smoke before the show, I didn't sleep well
last night, and I'm pretty sure it's because I had,
you know, a string of nightmares that alternated between Chris
a Lave running wide open and Jason Bennetta yelling there's
a marker on the field during Sunday's broadcast. If I
hear there's a marker on the field one more time,
I'm going to lose my mind. But the last one,
in partarticular, the Tyler shot quarterback draw up the middle,
(05:03):
Lathan Ransom comes in like a hate seeking missile, hits
him on the shoulder, by the way, gets flagged and
it turns what would have been probably a fifty some
odd yard field goal into a forty seven yard field goal.
We got guys like JJ Watt, JJ Jansen Team JJ
suggesting that the quarterback baseball slide should be eliminated from
the game because these quarterbacks are exploiting it and these
(05:25):
defenders don't really have many good choices in the situation.
Speaker 2 (05:27):
What are your thoughts on that, Yeah.
Speaker 3 (05:30):
To ask a player in real rookie or twelve year
vet like I know as a rookie that committed the penalty,
to ask a defensive player to keep all of that
in mind in real time, and Laythan Ransom had the
awareness to know, like, I can't let him get another
inch because of the field goal distance. So he's coming
(05:50):
in hot, He's coming in where he sees the quarterback going.
It is a penalty in today's NFL. But that's begging
the question from the people you just mentioned of whether
the and I was witnessed, Kyle, I don't know how
long ago it was the ACC Championship, a game Canny
Pickett's infamous fake flide, and I don't remember which Panthers
(06:10):
player it was. Or maybe it was multiple mentioned to
us this week, like you come in like that, you
come in soft, and he can fake slide and pick
up another fifteen yards. So you know, I wouldn't mind
if the NFL looked at that for sure, but you know,
in this particular moment, it was the wrong play by
(06:30):
a rookie safety.
Speaker 1 (06:32):
Nick Carboni, NBC Charlotte Sports Director, Sports anchor with us
for his Tuesday conversation. As the week progresses, as we
always do, we continually turn the page. I'll check in
with some friends in Tampa this week. But like early
here on a Tuesday, you know, we know this team
has gone win loss, win loss. So the fun joke
today is that we should expect them to beat the Bucks,
lose to the Seahawks, and then beat the Bucks again.
(06:53):
But you know, given what you've seen from Tampa and
given what you just saw from Carolina, what's your early
read on this game Sunday?
Speaker 3 (07:00):
Yeah, I think it's going to be a good game.
These Division games, for the most part, has tended to
be dog fights between teams that are you know, pretty even.
I mean, for a team that's quote unquote dominated the division,
the Tampa Bay Buccaneers haven't been blowing anybody's doors off.
They've just been waiting for somebody to keep free bub
and challenge him on it. So can the Panthers do
(07:22):
that two of the next three weeks. I wonder how
much life the Bucks who are ticked off got from
watching that Panthers lost the other day and knowing that
they kind of have a slight inside track back at
the division now. But they have been playing really poor football.
Their defense, which is Todd Bowles calling card, has been abysmal.
(07:44):
That fourth and twenty eight, third and fourteen sequence against
Atlanta the other night was horrid, and that may get
Todd Bowles fired if they do in fact miss the playoffs. Baker,
obviously he's been banged up. He seems like he's not
kind of putting on the magic show that he's able to.
Sometimes you know he's going to be gritty, but you
know he's susceptible to a mistake and if he's not
(08:05):
as mobile, maybe the Panthers can apply some pressure. How
they generate that is up to them, but maybe maybe
they can get creative in this game and make him really,
really uncomfortable. It got Brooks back, He got some of
their offensive weapons back, So that scares you a little bit,
But you know, Panthers, they're slight underdogs. That's probably where
(08:26):
they want to be. Given how the last eleven or
twelve games, his favorites is gone. I really don't have
a lean either way, but you know, based on what
we've seen from Carolina this season, for the most part,
I think they'll come in prepared and hungry and wanting
to play better football at home.
Speaker 1 (08:46):
Hey, before I let you go, kan Ka Nipple has
got seven games of twenty five points or more. That's
more than every other rookie combined to the NBA, as
I understand it. Michael Scotto on the Yes Network a
couple of nights ago, got on TV and said that,
you know, the Hornets view is starting to view him
as the face of the franchise.
Speaker 2 (09:05):
That's a really big statement. What are your thoughts on that?
Speaker 3 (09:08):
Danielle Stein and I were in this office that I'm
in right now Sunday night watching that game and saying,
right now, at the present moment, it is Tom Kinnipple's
team that could change. Brandon Miller had a great game
the other day, and he's getting healthier and back in
his groove, LaMelo ball for all we know, could you know,
get over this most recent ankle injury, come back, play
(09:30):
a string of games and play at an all star level.
But even when he's been healthy, that hasn't been in
this year. And we'll see what his future holds. But
he's been a revelation kN Kinipple has. I mean, I
know for a fact that the Hornets liked the reasons
they drafted him for. But also when they got him
in the building, Kyle and Youfford folks stay this too,
they realize, Oh, he's a little bit more than a shooter.
(09:53):
He can do a little bit of everything, and he
can do some of it really well. He can create
better than we thought, he can finish better than we
thought he could pass, He plays winning defense. This guy's
got a real chance to be the face of the franchise.
I'm not ready to crown him just yet, but so
far this season, by Miles Bridge's own admission, he's been
the best player on the Charlotte Hornets. And you know
he's gonna get sick of the losing too if he
(10:15):
If he isn't already, we've had that discussion. So right now,
he is the best player on the team, and he's
got a chance, as I told you last last week,
to be, you know, in an ideal world, a one
A to Brandon Miller or somebody else going forward.
Speaker 1 (10:28):
So I think Charles Lee said after the win against
Cleveland he've used that as maybe a turning point moment
for this team. Do you agree with that or is
this just one of those odd results in the NBA.
Speaker 3 (10:38):
It feels nice to sit here for two days and
enjoy it, right. It's like almost like they have final exams.
It's like a college basketball schedule in December. I hope so.
And I think really that hinges on health. Obviously, they
got green back, Miller has you know, produced a little
more and hopefully is getting over some of his injury woes.
(10:59):
But I think to do that this year, it will
require Lamela to come back, be healthy and play at
the level he does. I know they've played well in
points without him, and people want to point to that,
but you know, I think it can be if Miller
stays in his groove and continues his ascension, and you know,
you'd love to see what LaMelo Ball can do with
that group.
Speaker 1 (11:19):
Nick Carboni, NBC Charlotte Sports director sports anchor with us
every Tuesday. As always, Brother, great to talk to you.
We'll see you Sunday.
Speaker 2 (11:25):
You too, Bud.
Popular Podcasts
Stuff You Should Know
If you've ever wanted to know about champagne, satanism, the Stonewall Uprising, chaos theory, LSD, El Nino, true crime and Rosa Parks, then look no further. Josh and Chuck have you covered.
Dateline NBC
Current and classic episodes, featuring compelling true-crime mysteries, powerful documentaries and in-depth investigations. Follow now to get the latest episodes of Dateline NBC completely free, or subscribe to Dateline Premium for ad-free listening and exclusive bonus content: DatelinePremium.com
Betrayal: Weekly
Betrayal Weekly is back for a brand new season. Every Thursday, Betrayal Weekly shares first-hand accounts of broken trust, shocking deceptions, and the trail of destruction they leave behind. Hosted by Andrea Gunning, this weekly ongoing series digs into real-life stories of betrayal and the aftermath. From stories of double lives to dark discoveries, these are cautionary tales and accounts of resilience against all odds. From the producers of the critically acclaimed Betrayal series, Betrayal Weekly drops new episodes every Thursday. Please join our Substack for additional exclusive content, curated book recommendations and community discussions. Sign up FREE by clicking this link Beyond Betrayal Substack. Join our community dedicated to truth, resilience and healing. Your voice matters! Be a part of our Betrayal journey on Substack. And make sure to check out Seasons 1-4 of Betrayal, along with Betrayal Weekly Season 1.