Wes & Walker Hour 1: Adam Thielen Headed Back to Minnesota

In the first hour of the show, the guys tell you what they make of the Adam Thielen trade, discuss who benefits the most from the trade in the wide receiver room and get the listeners opinions on the trade on the phone lines. 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Episode Transcript

Speaker 1 (00:03):
Crowd only on Sports Radio ninety two point seven a
half am going u fnzy Fineze, He's the Wesson Walker show.

Speaker 2 (00:17):
Even a crowd, no what's coming there? It finally happened, folks,
and we're here to talk about in Wesson Walker in
the midday Sports Radio ninety two seven WFNZ. Adam Thielen
has been traded. As of about ten am today, he

(00:39):
is now with the Minnesota Vikings. He is no longer
a Carolina Panther, and we have all the analysis for
you right here again on Western Walker from twelve to three.
We want to hear your thoughts. Seven oh four five
seven oh ninety six ten. That is the world famous
FanDuel text line seven oh four five seven oh ninety
six ten. We'll be broadcasting all day giving you that

(00:59):
Adam dealing analysis and the Chandler Vaulta Studios CV Injury
Law dot Com, CV Injury Law dot Com. One call.
That's all the Carolina's personal injury lawyers. Panthers getting a
lot of national love today with Adam thlen being traded
in Minnesota serving as the top top top headline on
the NFL page on ESPN dot com. You go to

(01:19):
the athletic, you see the most surprising cuts from each team,
and hudder Renfro is the cover of that piece on
the athletic. A lot of wide receivers in the news
for Carolina. One might be coming back to the Panthers,
but one is not. With Adam Thielen going back home
to Minnesota after spending really all his life there, including
a big portion of his professional life. How do you

(01:40):
feel surface level watching Adam thlen go for basically the
Panthers profiting with a fourth round pick.

Speaker 3 (01:46):
Well, the thing for me is, and I've said it
before when we were speculating about this, is that I
am happy for Jalen Kocher because he's a guy that's
gonna now step into that void and show everybody what
I've been feeling like the entire time that he's the
best of the young receivers. And so I think he's
now in store for a really good season now that

(02:07):
he will be able to take some of those reps
from Adam Thielen. So and also it tells me that
the Panthers feel very comfortable with their young core of
receivers if they were willing to let Adam Thielen go
That's one of the things I take from it as well,
is that they feel confident in what they have with
the young guys, and they're ready to go and let
them grow with Bryce young.

Speaker 2 (02:25):
Okay, it's a warcry Wednesday too. Yeah, how did I
even forget about that? There's so much to discuss waiting
to excel, says I can't wait for He says, Warcraft Wednesday.

Speaker 3 (02:35):
That sounds a lot more boring. Warcraft. What would be
a warcraft? We would make a gun like out a
ceramics something, or an arrow, or we would all that
sounds like a video game.

Speaker 2 (02:44):
I think we all do that show where we just
pig out on a whole bunch of junk food and
we have cheeto fingers and we snored and sniffle a
couple of times and talk about how we don't get women. Sorry. Warcraft,
so basically the show that was just on the air.
That's it. That's it. That's right. It sound a lot
like the Prod Squad. I'm just kidding. Shoppy also takes
offense to it. I was gonna say he probably does. Yeah, yeah,

(03:06):
he probably does. Anyway, Warcraft is fine. I don't know
why I'm taking uh, I don't know why I'm shooting
at you, guys. I apologize. Let's get back on track here.
We got stuff to talk about with Adam Thelen's trade.
Let's pull up to the scene and then war cry,
and then get off the bus. That's the order of operation.
At the count of three, let out all your frustrations
watching the most trusted wide receiver leave Carolina for the

(03:27):
past two years. Let out all your joy for profiting
a fourth round pick, watching that value come back in
return for trading theling. Do whatever you want to. At
the count of three, one, two, three, beat me once again.

(03:49):
This is gonna be a bit. It's gonna last for
a long time. Open up the doors, flounding.

Speaker 4 (03:54):
We looked good getting off the bus.

Speaker 2 (04:02):
News came in just a couple hours ago. The Panthers
will receive a twenty twenty six fifth round draft pick
and a twenty twenty seven fourth round draft pick, while
the Vikings get Adam Thielen, a conditional twenty twenty six
seventh round pick and a twenty twenty seven fifth round pick.
The other thing to note here is that sources told
ESPN Joe Person everybody checking in on the matter. Sources

(04:24):
told everyone that the Vikings will be paying the remainder
of feeling salary for twenty twenty five. That's worth approximately
seven million dollars. So no small thing there. While we
keep the big picture out in front of us, the
Panthers looking to contend for a postseason spot in twenty
twenty six, that salary cap does roll over, just like
the salary does that you save with restructuring Taylor Moten's contract.

(04:46):
So that's also something just to keep in mind. But basically,
the way that we can simplify this is that the
Panthers profit a twenty twenty seven fourth rounder and they
swap fifth rounders with Minnesota. How do you feel about
the value coming back?

Speaker 3 (04:59):
I mean, I thought the Panthers were trying to play
hardball here. I thought that there was potentially the Panthers
looking for a third round in return or something in
that neighborhood, and so to get these future picks, I'm like, okay,
but we know in the NFL, I mean future picks, yeah,
they'll I guess you worry about those when you get there.
But the NFL is all about the right now. And
if I'm going to trade a god, that's going to

(05:20):
be an integral part of my team. I want something
that's going to be able to help me at least
by next season. So not sure about these futuristic picks
they have here yet.

Speaker 2 (05:30):
I think maybe it's all about the now for other teams.
The Panthers have been operating that it's not all that
much about the now in twenty twenty five. That's how
they've been operating, and that's why I think they're saving
a lot of their cap space to go after it
in twenty twenty six, when they still have one more
year left of Bryce Young's rookie salary. Actually just saw
an article with the most It was a don't be

(05:52):
surprised if article from Dan Graziano on ESPN dot com,
and the Panthers feature there was don't be surprised if
Bryce Young receives a contract extension by the end of
this upcoming season, which is what we would all expect
around here, but maybe nationally people don't know what Bryce
has been doing. So if you extend Bryce Young that

(06:13):
contract hits after twenty twenty six, or the real big
payout hits after twenty twenty six, you still have a
lot more money to allocate to other resources. Now that
you have the Taylor Moton restructuring, now that you have
the seven million dollars saved. With that, I'm theling going
over to Minnesota. And that value holds for a long
time with a draft pick. And I've always said draft picks,

(06:33):
the values of those draft picks, Perception is reality, with
those specifically perception being that they're really valuable. So when
people operate with how valuable they are, negotiations, even if
you don't, even if you might say the fourth round
pick might be a backup, the fourth round pick might
be a punter, it could be anybody. Yeah, but they
don't operate like that. And that's the real thing to

(06:56):
point out here, Even if you're absolutely right, it's a
logical way of thinking, and you're not wrong by pointing
out the fourth rounder could be a complete bust. Yeah,
in fact, there's a decent chance of that fourth rounder
being a complete bust. But when you're negotiating and you're
trading these draft picks, gms do not operate. It's always
the what if. And I've always said too in the

(07:17):
NBA as well, as soon as those draft picks grow
arms and legs, they lose value. It's all about the
what if. It's about what we could do. We could
package it for anything. It could turn into a star,
a star, fame, it could turn into anything we want to. Man,
it's the mystery box, except all you talk about are
the positives with it, and so it's the perception being

(07:40):
reality here. I do think that the fourth round pick
coming back, that's about one hundred cents on the dollar.
To me, it's what I've been saying this entire time,
when there was so much smoke around thel and going
back home to Minnesota. But then people would say, well,
they don't really have a fourth round pick, and that's true,
but here the Panthers are getting one in twenty twenty seven.
They at least still swap some fifth rounders here, and

(08:02):
so you eventually get that same kind of value. I
think it's a fair deal. If Minnesota was so desperate
for wide receiver death. Albert Breer is out here tweeting
out that the Vikings paid a hefty price to go
get thelan. There's going to be a lot of different
opinions on this. Ultimately, I think it's a totally equal
deal for both parts.

Speaker 3 (08:18):
Yeah, and so now the Panthers can move on, as
I said, with a cord that excites a lot of people,
with the core that, like I said, has a lot
of potential here, and I think it puts a little
bit of pressure on everybody involved now that DeLand is
no longer there to be that dependable veteran we have
d Rock writing in thoughts better than just letting him

(08:39):
play out and then walk away.

Speaker 2 (08:41):
It was always what did you value more? Did you
want Adam Thland to play out the rest of the
season and then bounce without having anything in return, something
to worth risk, something worth risking, possibly, especially if you
kind of fall backwards into the postseason. But you are
going to lose him for nothing. He's going to retire
and he can sign wherever he wants to if you

(09:02):
ask him, and you ask his wife, that destination seemed
to be Minnesota. I don't know if he hated it
here in Carolina. I don't think he hated it. I
don't want to even put that question out there, but
it does seem more and more as we have these
reports rolling in that Adam Thelen wanted to be back
with the Vikings, and we know about his wife wanted
to be back in Minnesota. I mean, we could still

(09:24):
technically call it speculation and we were assuming with the
stories they were putting out. But we even have a
latest Instagram story saying, thank God, so glad that we're back.
It was a roller coaster, Adam, THELN is so strong
and all that stuff. Perhaps you want to roll your
eyes a little bit. Yeah, perhaps you don't, and you
can understand whatever they're in Minnesota now, But I will
say it did seem like maybe that had a part

(09:47):
increasing the wheels on a potential deal being done. The
fact that Thelyn did want to go back home.

Speaker 3 (09:52):
Yeah, and I think that that was something the Panthers
wanted to be able to help him out with. I
think that sometimes certain organizations they feel like that he
came here and kind of has played a small part
in their resurgence, especially if they eventually get on track
and start to become a playoff contending team, they will
feel like that Adam Thlen helped him get there because
he did. As I said, that Panthers offered him an

(10:13):
opportunity to do something that he wasn't going to get elsewhere.
He was not going to go anywhere else in this
league and be the number one option, and the Panthers
gave him a chance to show that gave him a
chance to show that he can still play in this league,
which made Minnesota want him back.

Speaker 2 (10:28):
Seven oh four five seven h ninety six'. Ten The
FanDuel text, line it's popping right, now All american geologists,
says we're going to pick Up renfro again now that
theolin is. Out, YEAH i think they, Do you think?

Speaker 5 (10:40):
So?

Speaker 2 (10:41):
YEAH i. DO i think they Cut Hunter renfro yesterday
because he's a veteran and he's not eligible for, waivers
so you have a little bit more control and, Hudder
renfro has a lot of control where he would not
if he was a younger, player and then he hit
waivers and then he's subject to play for any team
that decides to pick him. Up now that doesn't have to.
Happen there is a little strategy, here and we've Seen

(11:01):
Dan morgan work with waivers before in a strategic way
with the Whole Jalen coker situation last. YEAR i think
a lot of this was based on. Strategy it was
either going to Be Hunter renfro And David moore that
was going to be, released so they would not have
to go through. Waivers, now there's still is some risk,
here Like Hunter, renfro despite him saying he wants to
play close to The South carolina, line he could say

(11:23):
that until another team comes in and offers him more
money than What carolina would. Like there's that. Possibility so
you have that risk for sure that you're. Taking but
maybe you hold the hometown kid hostage in this. Regard
you Keep David, moore who might Be Dave canalis's, guy
but he's not from The carolina so maybe he's fine
going home wherever it. IS i don't even know where he's,

(11:44):
from BUT i don't think it's from The. Carolinas so
you take your chance that the hometown kid wants to
play here so badly that he doesn't sign with another
team that might be, interested and then you just go
ahead and pick him back. Up as soon as you
get This adam thieland trade. DONE i think he comes.

Speaker 3 (11:58):
Back, Yeah, well be pretty, cool BECAUSE i know he
was a player that a lot of people did not
want to see. Go so if they're able to bring
Back Hunter, renfro THEN i think that's even more of
a win that comes out of this whole.

Speaker 2 (12:09):
Deal all, right what gets you chomping at the bit
here with? This like It's Jalen. Coker it seems like
all of the opportunity with him playing in the. Slide
so what does it do for all the? Receivers is
it Just coker that sees a lot more targets from
this or does everybody eat a little bit more Because steeland's?

Speaker 3 (12:25):
Gone, YEAH i think that everybody's gonna eat a little bit.
More LIKE i, Said Jalen coker now steps into his.
Role we know that he can play in the slot
and he can play on the outside as, well because
he was the guy that was kind of the odd man,
out because you felt like That carolina is one of
the teams in the league that runs three wide receiver
formations as much as, ANYBODY i think over seventy, Percent

(12:46):
and so you knew That coker was not going to
get the opportunities that he would get If leland weren't
in the. Picture he was going to have to wait
for maybe somebody to go, down and you never want
that for him to be able to slide in there
as that THIRD wi.

Speaker 2 (13:00):
Out so now that's no longer a. Word let me
just rapid fire some of these text messages IN i
want to help the people get their voice out on
this all, Things carolina, Says i'm hoping you're right With.
Renfro but they could have done the exact same thing
with More, no they absolutely could. HAVE i think they
Value David moore a little more so because Of Special team's,
impact but they could have done the same. Thing you're,
Right jags fan And waxaw glad to hear thelan is

(13:22):
not coming To jacksonville for week. One he was young security.
Blanket the security blanket is now gone and it could
be a few weeks before he finds another. One great,
point that's absolutely something The panthers are going to have
to deal. With Bird Dog. BlackBerry, Yeah Adam deln's, wife
she was a little too happy about that one for.
Me and then he gives the. Work, yeah she didn't
Get so that means you're putting in work to that.

(13:43):
Post it's not just musings that you're typing out and pressing.
Send you're putting some artwork behind. IT i like the,
effort which means you put some care behind. It Mister
Positivity cocher is our version of. Theling now let's GO
i think they're different, players but they play the same.
Position coker camp Play thiland's, position but totally understand the

(14:03):
sentiment walk him down, Says, hey we could pick Up
Hunter renfro and we also have a little bit more
cash around these. Parts that's also. True final one before
we take a quick break seven oh four writes IN
q is his. NAME i think the trade was, brilliant
awesome For. Coker, also The panthers didn't have to give
Up Jimmy. Horn they didn't have to give. HIM i
don't know about the time and preseason that he's mentioning,
here but he does say no tape for showing their

(14:25):
hands With Jimmy. Horn that's what he's. Mentioning, okay so
you don't put out a lot of film On jimmy
and then he can be this surprise. Element whatever you
might do in the regular, season nobody can gain plan.
For so there's that, element according TO q on the, Text,
YEAH i mean.

Speaker 3 (14:38):
Maybe So i'm slightly worried About Jimmy Horn junior that
he could be one of Those camp all. Stars but
he's here and we're gonna see now because the reps
that he will get in game action will be With Bryce,
young so hopefully he will get a chance to show
what he can.

Speaker 2 (14:52):
Do And Martinsville clark says people need to stop Dismissing
bryce And. TREMAINE i just got to see. Him i've
only note about the kid essentially for like a, week,
Right just so, Wait i'm not dismissing. Him if You're bryson's,
Cousin Martinsville, clock then tell them That i'm rooting for, him,
Baby absolutely rooting for. Him we're rooting for everybody here
with The Carolina, panthers and that doesn't Include Adam thlen.

(15:13):
Anymore after he got traded back home To. Minnesota The
panthers profit a fourth round. Pick how are you feeling about?
It we're reading your text and we're providing all of
our thoughts right here On Weston Walker Sports radio ninety
two to SEVEN, wfnz plenty more to, come trying to

(15:43):
figure out the mood the vibes around The Adam thelen
trade From panthers. FANS i, think for the most, part
it's a mixed, bag AND i expected that because thelin
at thirty five years, old one of the older receivers
in the, league probably going to retur this. Year and
if he wasn't going to retire this year based on
all the reports were getting about him wanting to play In,

(16:05):
minnesota maybe he just would have played under a one
year contract back home with The vikings after the season
was over and. Done with either, way any of those two,
situations any of them play, out The panthers do risk
Losing Adam theln for. Nothing and so With Jalen cocher
blossoming the way that he, did with him having what
turned out to be an awesome training camp and they

(16:27):
gave him a whole bunch of stuff to work on
in the, offseason he shows up, disciplined having lost, weight
looking more, athletic and becoming productive in That Browns panthers
joint practice and then taking off boom right after that joint.
Practice dude looked. Awesome guess, What he played slot and
did a pretty damn good job With Adam thelen's absence
because of injury last year at that same. Position different

(16:49):
types of, Players maybe more vertical slot For coker than
What theland, was but even still good. Player so they're
betting On temac a top ten. Pick it's okay to
bet on those. Guys they're betting On Jalen, kocher who
had he played more games last, YEAR i think probably
would have been on pace for something like what six
fifty something like, that maybe. SEVEN i could just be

(17:09):
pulling that out from, wherever but it's something along those.
Lines and maybe the riskier, proposition which we shouldn't be
saying this about a first round pick compared to an undrafted,
guy but a little bit. Riskier how much are they
depending On xcel with this right? Now wes the pressure
for all these young wide. Receivers what does it look
like for each of these.

Speaker 3 (17:28):
Guys, yeah it looks pretty palpable for each of these young.
Men when you talk About tedtoro and, McMillan this definitely
clears the path for him to be the number one
receiver on this, roster and he's expected to perform as.
Sets and we talked about how in the preseason one
against vanilla, coverages haven't you know he hasn't got to
see the physicality of THE nfl. Yet, well guess, what

(17:50):
you're going to be getting every team's top corner each.
Week so that's going to be a challenge for him
in and of, itself and can he rise to the
occasion and exevierly get as. Well now this is a
guy that a lot has been made of the mistakes
that he's, made some of the drops and some of
those things Will now you become the de facto number,
two and people will expect you to perform as, such

(18:11):
especially with your first round. Pedigree nobody's looking at you and, saying,
well you, know he was a fifth rounder or a sixth.
Rounder you, know whatever we get from, Him if we
can get a solid, season that's.

Speaker 2 (18:20):
Great, no they expect you to have great.

Speaker 3 (18:22):
PRODUCTION i would think that people expect for Excel In
tetoroa to.

Speaker 2 (18:27):
Be one of the better young duos in all the.

Speaker 3 (18:29):
Football but now here Comes Jalen cocher after a very
productive season in which he outshined the first round, pick
and so there are high expectations for, him AND i
think that he's going to be able to perform to
those because just by, default his route, running his, hands his,
DEPENDABILITY i think that's just going to come out all
in the. Wash so for each of these young, receivers

(18:50):
and even when you talk About, cocher now he's going
to be expected to be that dependable, guy the route,
runner the guy is going to be where he needs
to be all of those, Things Adam, thielen and in
that slot, position he's going to be expected to pick
that slot that slack up. Now so for, everybody like they,
said it's time to grow. Up you're not puppies. Anymore
and so that's the thing that is going to put

(19:12):
the pressure on each of those three is that it's
time to grow up because people are expecting things now
of each of.

Speaker 2 (19:18):
Them AND i totally get. It you're not wrong when
you say, that except they are. PUPPIES i can't play
the game. Yet so he, is even if he can't
act like, one he still is a. Puppy excel after
one Year jalen kocrafter one, year they still kind of
are puppies in the grand scheme of, things and yet
they got to act like big. Dogs Dan morgan, saying
where's the dog and all these dudes introductory press? Conference

(19:39):
we need some dogs back In bank Of America. Stadium
we want people people to fear the logo. Again, well
then we're asking a lot from the young.

Speaker 3 (19:47):
Receivers and that's a group that has great, size you,
know and in, physicality they're an imposing.

Speaker 2 (19:52):
Group of young wilde.

Speaker 3 (19:53):
Outs we're not talking about you, know little jitterbuds like
a tank deal or somebody like.

Speaker 2 (19:58):
That he's the only. One, yeah, yeah.

Speaker 3 (20:00):
All kind of big guys THAT i expected to be
physical and impose their will on other defensive.

Speaker 2 (20:04):
Backs you, know we've had a couple of people ask
the same question that grown up lunchables, ask WHICH i
want those to? Exist if they, do and send me a.
Picture who will serve as that safety outlet For? Bryce
if the eland excelled at? That if you're asking me
what my concerns are going into this, season a couple of. Them,
one you just you lose a good football player this
year that you get a fourth round pick in. Return that's,

(20:26):
OKAY i understand what the vision. IS i don't think
that you lost the. TRADE i don't think, that but
you do lose a good football. Player and so what
was he good? At? That being the safety, valve being
somebody out of the slot that knew how to get.
Open and if he didn't get, Open wes he was
very short handed last, year my. Man according to a

(20:47):
couple different, OUTLETS pff goes by their own, Whatever but
basically he had a seventy percent catch rate that was
among top ten one point. One that was among top
ten of all. RECEIVERS i think tied for six accordingate
it was seventy seven percent according To Pro Football. Reference
whatever you want to go, with it's damn good and

(21:07):
who's your guy to have?

Speaker 4 (21:08):
It?

Speaker 2 (21:08):
Guy David moore dropped quite a bit of passes last.
Year excel dropped quite a bit of. Passes cooker. Didn't
T mac was very shorthanded in. College dude didn't drop.
Anything he dropped a decent amount this. Offseason so are
you depending on t mac immediately turning into what he
was in? College which is. Understandable Jamar chase had the

(21:31):
same thing he. HAD i was looking back at his
preseason stats the other day just to compare him to
what t mac was. Doing there was a game where
he got targeted four, times dropped all of, Them yeah
except T. Maxx, Now, JAMAL i remember the, narrative D
it was people were legitimately starting it was a, bust
and people were legitimately scared about that four throws on,
target dropped all of them in a preseason. Game it

(21:52):
was kind of. Wild but Then jamar became just, fine just,
fine AND i would. Give i've joked about. IT i
would consider giving my first born in a trade For
jamar at least i'd consider. It So Team act just
does his college ways come. Back you got to have
got to have, it, guys and you just traded your
got to have a. Guy and then the other one
that we view as that short yardage Chains mover And Hunter.

(22:14):
Renfro you did cut. Him we can expect him back,
maybe but it's not a foregone. Conclusion it is not
a guarantee that he comes. Back Because Mike kay of
The Charlotte observer just tweeted, out it's my understanding That
Hunter renfro will have some. Suitors The panthers will have.
Competition that's the risk you take when you go ahead

(22:35):
and welcome the fourth round.

Speaker 3 (22:35):
Pick, yeah AND i, think like we, said the trump
card for The panthers the proximity to The South carolina.
Line AND i think at the end of the, day
as long as The panthers can have a competitive offer
with those other, guys AND i think it'll be just.
Fine but as far as gotta have a, guy think
for right, now out of the, GATE i think it
will Be Jayalen COKER i mean one drop on thirty
two catches last year for, him and you mentioned the catch.

(22:57):
Percentage he's just a guy that we talked about him
with our peers here AT. Wfnz and what DID kyo
say when he talked about when he interviewed. Him he,
said you can just feel a burning desire for this.
Guy these are the types of players that the league
is built off. Of AND i Know i've said that
before about undrafted free agents and late round, picks but

(23:17):
this guy will never ever lose the chip on his
shoulder because he went undrafted and he was uber productive
At Holy. Cross but he's gonna, look he's gonna find
little things every single.

Speaker 2 (23:28):
Day AND i don't care what he says. Too he
looks at his teammates that he's in the room. With,
yeah we're, Buddies yeah we're.

Speaker 3 (23:33):
Friends but at the end of the, day especially in
that same, draft he's still looking AT exhl like you
got picked over me, too Dog LIKE i still feel,
that you, KNOW i still feel LIKE i was the
best receiver in that. Draft that's just how athletes, think
even though they'll be friendly and they'll be good to,
Go SO i like. It man And i'm excited for this. Receiver,
Quote like we talked in THE nba about league past

(23:55):
teams and stuff like that that are fun and. Young
that's what The panthers now. Have you, know you've got veteran,
backs but you've got young. Wideouts so it's going to
be fascinating to see how these this trio.

Speaker 2 (24:07):
Develops The Sunday Ticket, Boys, yeah that's what they. Do
ticket boys that we live In, charlotte that we don't need,
it we don't need, it we don't need. It BUT
i tune In Sunday ticket team right here In carolina
BECAUSE i do think they could be really. Fun and
you are, Right cocher is shorthanded and T mac was
that At. Arizona there are a couple of avenues you
can explore to have that guy back on your. Roster

(24:28):
With Adam thielen going back up To, minnesota it's just
you know what you can get from him in THE.
Nfl and, again he was a good player despite the.
INJURIES i didn't see a lot of slowing down from
last year compared to the previous. Season he actually improved
his yards per route run was still pretty damn good
in that category as. Well so good. Player you just traded,

(24:49):
one but at least you get a fourth round pick in.
Return when the guy was going to leave and, walk
you wouldn't get. It he was gonna leave and you
weren't gonna get. Anything and SO i do. Understand wait
for that forth round to turn into A hall Of
FAME a, Baby i'm ready for. It mccaukeey writes in,
well this nineteen, ninety this nineteen ninety kid now feels very.
Old maybe we can get a SURPRISE Jj jansen touchdown this.

(25:10):
Season they got a good return, though building for the. Future,
yeah it is always weird to discuss and legitimately Think
wes That delyn is an old receiver And i'm like
two and a half years away from. Him, YEAH i
still view myself as very, young just because most people
in my life are older than. Me and Yet i'd
be somewhat. Washed people would be talking about me on

(25:33):
the football field right, now somewhere To, walker they'd say Washed. Walker,
MAN i don't know If i'm signing him to a.
Deal it's only a one year. VETMAN i don't care
what he did previous. Years he's thirty, two he's about
to be thirty three In. November it is. WEIRD i
UNDERSTAND i do have some self awareness. There Charlotte BOURNE
gj says Losing adam's rout running in a critical year,

(25:53):
goodness and Then salesman writes this in My panthers aren't
winning The Super bowl this year because of past buffoonery
By David tepper and Its lackey's twenty twenty five is
the perfect season to see if our wide receiver corps
can develop and to see If bryce can elevate the
room as a. Whole focus on that last, Point, well,
yeah go, Ahead, no you go. Ahead so what you're gonna?
Say my question to you and then you can fill

(26:14):
in with whatever you want, to of, course but we
talked about the pressure with the other. Receivers how much
pressure is there On Bryce? Young, now, yeah and you look.

Speaker 3 (26:23):
At him as a force multiplier type of, player at
LEAST i do after the way that he finished the,
season because nobody was going to accuse this receiving core
of being as good as The bengals or some of
the others around the. League and we saw How bryce
played thrown with, anticipation the big time throw STAT i
bring that into the equation just to show That bright's
is gonna put the ball where supposed to. GO i

(26:45):
think at this point the computer that we've drafted him
to be is there to where a pre snap post.
SNAP i know What i'm, SEEING i Know i'm supposed to.
Go so now you're going to feel like and when
some of the mistakes, happen and sometimes fans don't always get,
it but you're gonna look get some of the mistakes
now that will come from this. Offense is it's gonna
be more SO i would bet on, it more so

(27:05):
being on the receivers than On Bryce. YOUNG i feel
Like Bryce young has in a.

Speaker 2 (27:11):
Very great grasp on this offense and what he's.

Speaker 3 (27:14):
Doing SO i think sometimes there may be some miscommunication
and inceptions where he throws it right to a guy
and everybody watches, like oh what is he? Doing but
it's probably one of those young receivers might have gotten,
confused maybe there was a reroute and he read the coverage.
Wrong BUT i Trust Bryce young and his FOOTBALL iq
one THAT i trust these Young rod receivers right. Now
so with you saying that it's his job now to

(27:38):
be able to correct those guys to be able to
stay on the same page with them so that those
mistakes are kept at a.

Speaker 2 (27:43):
Minimum t ray and Fort mill, says love That Ocho
cinco loves our receiving. Course still have y'all seen, That Dre,
yes he's still. GOOD i didn't want to Lose oho
by Trading, thiel and that would have. HURT i like
adopting him as A panthers, fan and so that would
have hurt having lost. HIM i do think as far
as the pressure is divved, OUT i agree with. You

(28:04):
i'm pretty much all of. IT i do think it's
more divv'ed out to the wide. Receivers there's some For
bryce because if you are a force, multiplier there's always
going to be at least at the back of your
brain what you do have a couple first. Rounders Jalen
coker did show you. Something it's all about. Framing But
Jalen coker showed you something as rookie. Season so this
receiving cord looks to be pretty. Fun hunter RENFRO, i he's.

(28:26):
Back he's still a short handed. Guy from what we
saw in training. Camp why aren't you producing with these
players in front of? You there still is that, possibility
BUT i don't think that's going to. HAPPEN i do
think more, so now you're going to see more targets
for all the. RECEIVERS i had kind of set the
over under just myself For temac at one hundred and
fifteen targets this. Year it's where you see a lot

(28:49):
of the top ten guys usually camp, out some of
the top top Dudes malik Neighbors, pukinakua who wasn't a
top ten. Receiver but the great rookie wideouts they get one,
sixty one, seventy they're immediately true like an all Pro
Pro bowl type. Guy Team mac WITH thelan on the.
ROSTER i put at one point. Fifteen are we putting
that number up? Now BECAUSE i would, YEAH i think.

(29:10):
So there will be some more targets that will come his.
Way Because delan's, GONE i would, say a, man do
we go one? Thirty? HEY i think one'd be safe
to say that it's a, lot a lot of action for.
Him now if you're talking about let's, GO i don't
know not to math this to, death like nobody wants
to listen to a math, show but just to divvy
it on, OUT i guess you're going with twenty extra

(29:32):
something like that for Tam. Mac maybe you give however
many extra To Jalen. Cocher excel is the toughest one
for me to figure, out just because they are not
the same player at. All so how much did if
we focus on the other first round picked up and
the wide receiver that we feel the worst about right
now of the top, three what Does thelan's absence mean

(29:53):
for The South carolina first?

Speaker 3 (29:55):
Round, YEAH i think it's certainly going to be more
fool going on his plate. Too he's going to to
get more targets and he's going to be expected to step,
up and you talk about early season pressure with. HIM
i think it's certainly going to be there For. Excel
and the question is does he acquiesce to that because
people are going to look at him and, say all, right,

(30:15):
man you know it's going to be more catches coming your.
Way we know that a lot of the coverage is
going to be going at Tartor. Roa just by, default
he's going to be the number one. Guy he's the
fifty to fifty balls, specialist so teams are going to
be rolling the covers to him and put more of
a focus on. Him i'm not sure that teams have
that respect For excel right, now and he's going to

(30:36):
have to go out and earn. It so When Bryce
young comes to him with those, opportunities he's going to
have to make the most of.

Speaker 2 (30:41):
Them there can't be any more.

Speaker 3 (30:42):
Excuses that can't be key drops in big spots in
to my.

Speaker 2 (30:46):
Bads, no my bad is.

Speaker 3 (30:47):
Done when it's third and, eight third nine And bryce
comes to, you you have to haul that thing in
because that's what you're expected to. Do because quarterbacks Like
Bryce young that are smartest he, is he's going to
go to the guy that's.

Speaker 2 (30:59):
Open he's not going to be paying.

Speaker 3 (31:00):
Attention oh, WELL i gotta get T mac going, Now
OH i gotta Get exhaled. Going it's going to be
who gets open in the, progression where does the red?
Go and that's Where i'm going to deliver the. Football
and when he does, it he's going to expect you
to be. There so For, excel the reputation that he's
earned a little bit of not having the short, hands
that's going to have to.

Speaker 2 (31:19):
Change who's going to be the guy to have it
guy for this? Team, now you can let us know
who you think it. Is seven oh four or, five
seven ninety six to, ten that's The. Panthers that's The
FanDuel text. LINE i Heard walker in my.

Speaker 4 (31:29):
HEAD i.

Speaker 2 (31:32):
Heard. THAT i, SAID i Heard. WALKER i Heard. WALK
i was.

Speaker 3 (31:35):
Walking walker could be the go to. Guy what's happening
in my? Hands what could you?

Speaker 2 (31:39):
Take? Two three targets the? GANG i believe myself to
have very good, hands all, right two to? Three my
separation score is a complete. Zero, yeah contested catch. Score
i'm pretty.

Speaker 3 (31:50):
Good and then your brain getting in a way thinking
about those backers hunting over the middle, man because that's
the one thing when you see those backers and they
look quick and, fast, intitch you.

Speaker 2 (31:59):
Know WHAT i. Wants here's WHAT i would, Want. DAVE
i need you to give me a very specific route
tree to. Run, OKAY i don't need a big. PLAYBOOK
i need about two, Pages, max AND i really want
to work a lot more on the. Sideline i'm going
to stay away from the. Backers no, Safeties i'm good on. Them.
No hopefully everybody else is paying so much attention because

(32:20):
you're you're not Doubling walker. Mail that's not happening you're
doubling everybody. Else so let me work on the. Sideline
send me a little bit further past the backers because they're.
BIG i don't want them hit. Me so then just
throw it close to out of bounds AND i can even.
DIVE i feel good about my diving catches out of,
bounds AND i can soften the. BLOW i think.

Speaker 3 (32:37):
After a couple of, games, though they're going to start
to pick up on. That and then when you go
out there to line up at, receiver you're going to
hit those.

Speaker 2 (32:43):
Words you don't want to hit.

Speaker 3 (32:44):
It AND i, said, hey you going to the, sideline
you're going to the, side and.

Speaker 2 (32:47):
What number would you?

Speaker 5 (32:47):
Wear?

Speaker 2 (32:48):
Eighty? What or would you wear a single? Digit what
we want single. DIGITS i let's give you. Nine let's
give YOU i like. Nine bryce is, Nine SO i
got a. YEAH i don't, know, MAN i kind of like.
Five who's here is?

Speaker 5 (33:03):
That?

Speaker 2 (33:03):
Rico we're about. Seven seven's. Okay it's not great.

Speaker 3 (33:09):
Seven going to the sideline and going to the. Sidelince
so now you gotta switch that round. Up but Now
i'm just a force. Multiplier everybody else is getting. Open
OR i could just do it down sideline. Touchdown oh,
okay yea. Doubles Now bryce is gonna have to use that. Anticipation,
yeah because that safety is going to be common.

Speaker 2 (33:28):
Now it is. True speaking Of, rico last point on,
THIS i Think rico is an underrated part of it
and gotta have a guys so. Deeling we're worried about
short yardage chain. Moving rico can do. That now you
could not rely On. CUBA i love the story that
he's on the jugs machine every single. Day It's rudy,

(33:52):
esque make AN hbo special about. IT i love. It
he's just not a great pass, catcher great between the.
Tackles we all know how it feel about. You But
rico showed us something man, like some real receiver skills
in two preseason games where it's the diving, catch it's
the contested, catches it's picking up yards after the. CATCH
i think they're going to use him a decent, amount

(34:14):
AND i think that is actually a potential guy to
have a guy and or just other safety valve that
you can use that you did not have last, Year
no doubt about.

Speaker 3 (34:22):
IT i mean the, Checkdown, okay people hate the Checkdown
charlie's but sometimes the checkdown can turn turn into a.
Touchdown you're ready to receive some phone, calls like we're
on the, sidelines staying away from the.

Speaker 2 (34:33):
Safety, YEAH i know you. Are you're also you also
once weighed three hundred pounds in your. Life i'm kamping,
though because now the tight.

Speaker 3 (34:40):
End in middle, school we played against some serious linebackers
At Carmel Middle school AND i intentionally did not turn
around to.

Speaker 2 (34:48):
Pass, okay that.

Speaker 3 (34:49):
HAPPENS i did not want to get blown up right
like it's you was playing the. Linebackers they had the
tape all over their face mask, too like you know
how guys would take it and put tape over the
could look even. Sicker it was like two or. Three
i'm like. THAT i was, like, man look that's HOW.

Speaker 2 (35:04):
I know you're doing too, much AND i know you're
about to do too much to my, body about to destroy,
me AND i don't want. That seven oh, four, five
seven oh ninety six. Ten we're taking phone, calls, MAN
i think this is the kind of thing that happens
around here that has us taking your phone. Calls we
want to hear from, you not only on the text.
Line we want to hear from you on the phone
line call the same number seven oh four, five seven
oh ninety six to ten calls on the other side

(35:27):
of the break taking your phone calls on The west
And Walker Show sports rated ninety two to SEVEN. Wfnz
people dialing in because they got thoughts On Adam thield
and traded to The Minnesota vikings of The panthers net
a fourth round PICK. D he's calling in on the

(35:49):
phone line right. Now it's SEVEN o four five seven
oh ninety six TEN. D we appreciate the.

Speaker 6 (35:53):
Time.

Speaker 2 (35:53):
Man what's, up KES. D can you hear?

Speaker 5 (35:58):
Me?

Speaker 2 (35:59):
Yeah, okay what's?

Speaker 5 (36:00):
Up?

Speaker 2 (36:01):
Man how are you feeling? Good?

Speaker 5 (36:03):
Good?

Speaker 2 (36:03):
Good how are You we're doing all? Right? Man what
are your thoughts on The Adam deeling? Trade?

Speaker 6 (36:07):
MAN i honestly just think the trade was kind of
what was kind of like ass backwards saying it don't
it doesn't make sense TO i look at our position
WHEN i think about, OFFENSE i look at us as,
okay what do we have as a? Lock And i'm
looking at receiver that those was one of the things
THAT i had as, us you, know having as a
lock something that we were going to. PRODUCE i know

(36:28):
that our receivers are, young BUT i felt like we
were going to produce what Having adam feeling there gives
a little bit of, time you, know for the other
receivers to get their grooves back, excel et. Cetera AND
i just don't feel like we got. That it's, like
now we just let dealing go we one receiver go,
Down we're one.

Speaker 4 (36:43):
Receiver we're just not.

Speaker 6 (36:45):
There AND i just don't understand what was the what
was the point of the, Trade like it's like we
swapped for what a fourth a fourth got a fourth,
round and then we gave them a fifth, Round like
we could have just had him through half to we
could have had him through the first half of the
season and then traded him to a team that's dealing
with injury or something like, That like just to trade
him prematurely don't know what you're gonna come out with the.

Speaker 4 (37:06):
Season it just doesn't trade just doesn't make.

Speaker 2 (37:10):
Sense, yeah thanks for the phone, CALL. D i think
all those concerns make sense to. Me with him saying
the trade doesn't make, SENSE i would, say is it
better to just go ahead and lock in a fourth round?
Value and If Jalen cocher and t mac and, excel
they all step. Up perhaps the numbers are down For
theland this, Year, wes and you don't get that if
you decide to trade him at the trade. Deadline And,

(37:32):
minnesota were they just gonna go ahead and pick up kJ?
Osborne were they gonna go after a different wide receiver
after you'd already said? No And minnesota they were inclined
to go after thel and and bring them home because
they also have. Familiarity there is no guarantee That minnesota's
gonna want him at the. Deadline that's WHY i think
The panthers decided to strike, now ALTHOUGH i understand every
single one of these. Concerns, yeah and when you.

Speaker 3 (37:54):
Look at, it they talk about how the twenty percent
chance that fourth round picks be come full time starters
in THE, Nfl and SO i think for a lot
of fans that's the thing they look. At they, say,
hey we have a guy that's approven commodity that could
help us this. Year to trade it for a big
risk of a future draft, selection because you don't know
what you're gonna get from a fourth round. Pick BUT

(38:14):
i think, again this is fans being worried about the,
unknown and if these young receivers come out in the
first couple of weeks and they show improve AND i
think all will be. Willing people won't be as concerned
as they are right. Now all, right we Have vikings, Fan.
Devin he's calling in on our own. Line all, Right, Devin,
look we have this receiver that we're sett in your.
Way Adam. Thielen he's been in the league for a.

(38:35):
While he did a pretty nice job here with The.
Panthers he played for some other team before.

Speaker 2 (38:39):
That i'm not. Sure how are you feeling about this
brand new wide receiver you've never heard?

Speaker 4 (38:43):
Of?

Speaker 5 (38:44):
Oh, Man i'm loving.

Speaker 4 (38:45):
It i'm loving. It you, KNOW i.

Speaker 5 (38:49):
Was i've been a fan for a long, time you,
know thinking back to The minneapolis miracle days Where Stefon
diggs caught that amazing, pass you, know to send us
to the conference. Finals you, know but we Wouldn't we
never would have been put in that situation Without. Veeland,
MAN i.

Speaker 2 (39:04):
CAN'T i can't wait to have him. Back where Does
steeling rank on the hierarchy of Greatest vikings of all? Time,
LIKE i, know he's not top. FIVE i don't he's
not top, ten, Right? Like do do you? Guys hold
him with the same type of reverence that you do
other legendary.

Speaker 5 (39:17):
Vikings you're talking about players in, general not just wide.

Speaker 2 (39:21):
Receivers, yeah just players in. General oh.

Speaker 5 (39:24):
Man. Uh to, Me i'm a little bit of a
younger fellow, Myself so for, me he's top, ten, Okay
BUT i think if you went all, time he'd be
top twenty five for. SURE i think top twenty. Five but, yeah,
guys you, know mainly mainly WHAT i wanted to ask
you guys was with feeling being. Gone you, KNOW i

(39:49):
know That teed is going to be number one on
the depth start for, sure, right but who's going to
be that number one yak artist For bryce this year
with him?

Speaker 4 (39:57):
Gone?

Speaker 2 (39:58):
Yeah thanks for the, Poker thanks for the phone, Call. Devin,
yeah who do you think it?

Speaker 5 (40:01):
Is?

Speaker 4 (40:01):
Was?

Speaker 3 (40:02):
YEAH i MEAN i think when you talk, yack it's
gonna have to be. Exhale. Right this is the guy
that the attempted to use as a gadget guy last.
Year wanted to run him on, reverses and you, know
he's got that body that people love to go along
with the, speed and so, yeah he would be the
number one candidate THAT i would think would be the
guy to catch it and take it a long.

Speaker 2 (40:23):
DISTANCE i think he's going to have to be schemed
up from what we've seen so far to get. THAT
i Think timak is an underrated yat. GUY i think
you saw that in. COLLEGE i think there's some film
with how smooth and fluid he is where he's not.
Slow he's. Four he ran a four five five forty
something like that at that. Height that's just. Fine AND

(40:44):
i do think that he's. Nifty he's not a burner
where he's going to run the four to two on
the sidelines and outrun all the, corners BUT i do
think that he's nifty enough to where he can pick
up some yards after the. Catch it's a good, point,
though because we don't have a lot of those guys
that are excellent in that specific. Category Maybe Jimmy horny would.

Speaker 3 (41:01):
Be your guy for, that but he's not gonna see
the front enough for you to really classify hims.

Speaker 2 (41:05):
As, such especially not. Early all, Right, chief dialing in.
Chief we appreciate the phone. Call how are you?

Speaker 7 (41:09):
Doing, hey how you guys doing?

Speaker 2 (41:12):
Today? Man oh we're doing all? Right one of your? Thoughts,
well real, QUICK i Mean i'm not.

Speaker 7 (41:17):
MAD i mean it's fifty to fifty on that, man
BECAUSE i Love Adam.

Speaker 5 (41:22):
Bieling, man he's a repossession.

Speaker 7 (41:23):
Guy get the yards out to. Catch but you gotta
look at, age you gotta look at, injury you gotta
look at like you, said what happens if trade? Deadline
nobody wants, him get a little something for. Him Like belichick,
said get rid of a guy a year earlier to
get a little bit out even though you don't want.
To but sometimes you have to make their hard. Choice
great locker room, Guy i'm gonna miss. That so we
need renfro And David moore to step up and be

(41:44):
statesmans in that locker room for those.

Speaker 4 (41:46):
Receivers.

Speaker 7 (41:47):
Man but other than, That i'm pretty excited, man, because
like you guys, said Die rico down and all, THAT.

Speaker 5 (41:51):
I think we're gonna be.

Speaker 4 (41:52):
Okay.

Speaker 7 (41:52):
Man people need to pump the brakes a little bit on.

Speaker 2 (41:54):
That love the phone call chief awesome, stuff, Man what
you think about chiefs?

Speaker 3 (41:57):
Called, yeah those are great points that he brought to the,
table getting rid of a a year early and being
able to get some compensation out of. Them so if
you really want to go glass half full, approach as you,
said at the end of the, Day minnesota wasn't going to,
budge AND i Guess carolina felt like they wanted to
get some compensation instead of.

Speaker 2 (42:15):
Nothing so you did get you some stuff. Out we
were so focused on The viking's not having a fourth
round pick this year that we didn't really put into
consideration that they do have other fourth round, picks and
so that's what they. Got that was what we felt
like was the fair value if you were to trade
one piece for, another and that's what they. Got all,
right we'll fit in this one caller here real quickly
before we move on to the. Campus kona will final,

(42:37):
caller what's? Good how are you doing?

Speaker 4 (42:39):
Well my, guys great, show loving, it but we appreciate.
It i'm hating this right, now man number, Ninety, Like
i'm just hating this right now BECAUSE i feel Like
deeelan's just one of the good guys and we just
need that presence in the locker. Room and you, know,
sure So whatdy's thirty.

Speaker 2 (42:59):
Five years, Old so WHAT.

Speaker 4 (43:01):
I just If excel had just given me a little
more something in the, PRESEASON i would HAVE i would
have been okay with. That but, LISTEN i don't know
what's going on behind the.

Speaker 5 (43:12):
SCENES i get.

Speaker 4 (43:14):
It maybe they are just blowing the doors off in
practice and we're not seeing. EVERYTHING i hope To god that's,
true because, MAN i want this team to be, Great
and SOMETIMES i wonder like you were talking, about like you,
know asking that other guy about other Famous vikings. Players,
DUDE i don't think Those Minnesota vikings people up there

(43:34):
wanted to see. YOU i, mean like you remember How
Jared allen came here and played BY i MEAN i
know that was a different, thing but, like is this
guy gonna finish his career for The?

Speaker 2 (43:42):
Panthers could they make it to? It, like could they
make a playoff?

Speaker 4 (43:45):
Run like it's just, oh they were The vikings were
gonna do whatever it was possible to get at them.
BACK i JUST i was, thinking please please keep the.
Guy but that's not the way it. Goes it's just
like the Whole christian McCaffrey. Store we got to be,
cute we got to send him and make him. Happy
so that's the way it, goes all, right.

Speaker 2 (44:03):
Well, Miserable, well we appreciate, it, man thank you for
the kind of great. Call also another greade that's just
Sports radio at it spin us right, there we appreciate.
Well final thoughts before we go to campus corner On
will being miserable with all the points you.

Speaker 3 (44:15):
Know, YEAH i MEAN i think that again it points
to the. Uncertainty will is unsure what these young guys
are gonna. Bring like you, said he didn't see enough From,
excel because that's gonna hurt if you get rid of
a guy Like Adam deeling and then one or more
of those guys don't live up to. Expectations and what
does that look. Like does it look like them being?
Blessed maybe, Not but does it look like them just

(44:37):
being a? Jag it could look like. That and so
For patha, FANS i think that's the biggest feel that
they have is that they had something that they could
depend on when they talked about this receiving, corps they could, say,
hey we do Have Adam, deeling a guy that we.

Speaker 2 (44:49):
Trust he Mentioned excel. First IF xcel shows you more
than what he did last, year this is a little more,
palatable no doubt about. It this is a lot more,
palatable your first round pick looking some closer to the
first round of than what he did last. YEAR i
think If excel does, THAT i think you're okay with,
this especially because now it doesn't feel like a lot
hinges ON tmac being a complete stud as your ex,

(45:12):
receiver it doesn't completely rely On it still feels like
that a little, bit even with What coker.

Speaker 3 (45:18):
Did, YEAH i agree with the, man and So, excel
this is a huge year for. Him fans are really
counting on. Him because it also feels like too THAT
i think the fans feel like they're getting essentially house
money With Jayleen coker because he was an undrafted free,
agent because it doesn't feel like the expectations are as
high for him among the fans as they are.

Speaker 2 (45:37):
Other people like. You you're ready for him to take.
OFF i am. TOO i love him. Man you probably
like him more and a bit, more BUT i think he's.
Awesome LIKE i JUST i want that guy on my
football team because he catches everything and he's just gonna
work extremely hard to Maybe coker can be the leader
without being thirty five with his work ethic because guess,
WHAT xcel and T mac view themselves in the same,

(45:58):
category being very close in, age and so they're gonna
See cocher competing his tail off that's gonna have to
force them to compete their tail off. Too, YEAH i
think it's gonna be a natural progression For. Cocher All,
Right campus ConA Cone Upstate Defensive preview coming up. Next
Sports radio ninety two to SEVEN.

Speaker 1 (46:14):
Wfnz listen to The west And Walker show weakis from
noon to three only On Sports radio ninety two point SEVEN.

Speaker 2 (46:21):
Fm COM, ufnz

Speaker 3 (46:23):
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