August 27, 2025 • 41 mins
In the second hour of the show, the guys tell you what they expect this season for App State and Charlotte's defenses and look at the other rookies and if they have regrets about not selecting certain players.
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Speaker 1 (00:00):
You were listening to the West and Walker show.
Speaker 2 (00:02):
I just wasn't in the SpongeBob like that nasty looking
up a cartoon.
Speaker 1 (00:06):
I couldn't get into it.
Speaker 2 (00:07):
It's wes too nasty. Yeah, it's like we get weird.
I don't necessarily like animals being animated and stuff. And
then with SpongeBob and all that stuff, I just couldn't
get into it.
Speaker 3 (00:18):
And Walker that takes like what sixty percent of kids
movies away from you like a lion, So like a
cartoon that's different.
Speaker 4 (00:27):
Only on Sports Radio ninety two point seven FM WFNC.
Speaker 2 (00:32):
The SpongeBoy just had a lot of ugly creatures. That's
the best way for me to put it. It was a
lot of creatures. The talking crab that was ugly as hell.
SpongeBob was ugly, Like I couldn't get on CD. I
couldn't get into it. I think ugly as hell. We
(01:04):
got some breaking news. What we got going on Flounder?
All right, Well we're asking Flounder to do a lot.
I do think that we made a couple of waiver
wire pickups.
Speaker 1 (01:13):
What you got, flatt, I got it.
Speaker 5 (01:14):
We've got the panthers claiming Demory mathis from Denver and
Delvon Campbell from the Chargers. Domary matthis the guy that
is reunited with defensive coordinator as Zero Everro as a
rookie had his best season with him, and then Campbell
six four to two five wide receiver averaged sixteen point
(01:37):
eight yards per catch over five seasons at Illinois Nevada
and then South Carolina.
Speaker 2 (01:42):
Yeah, and then this preseason he averaged eighteen point four
yards per catch as well. And he is out of
the University of South Carolina.
Speaker 1 (01:51):
Yeah.
Speaker 3 (01:51):
Just so a couple of tidbits on each of these
players you just mentioned. The one on the wide receiver,
Demari Matthis was a guy that a lot of people
around the league were pointing at and saying because the
Broncos have a lot of depth in their secondary, this
is a talented player that was just out there for grabs.
Panthers pretty high up on the waiver wire. I think
they were eighth among all teams because it's structured like
the way it is for the NFL Draft, with how
(02:12):
bad you were, the higher priority you get.
Speaker 1 (02:14):
So they were eighth.
Speaker 3 (02:15):
They go get their guy that had his best season
under a Vero. Don't know what this means for Corey Thornton.
Don't know what it means for some of the other
guys that were the forty eighth player that made the
team on down, especially at each of these positions. Don't
know what it means with Campbell coming in for bryceon Tremaine.
Don't know what it means for Hudder Renfro. But you
(02:35):
mentioned I don't know if I heard you mentioned the
height or not. Oh, yeah you did, Okay, I was
reading about more of Mathis. But yeah, six', four another big,
guy Because Dan morgan's got a, type LIKE.
Speaker 2 (02:45):
I, said and long as. Well can't forget that sixty.
Four i'm sure he's got those gangly arms That Dan morgan.
Speaker 3 (02:51):
Likes aren't this? Right does it look like? This it's,
right it looks like. Yours you would fit The Dan
morgan mold, man perhaps a lot or two for a
couple of. Months and, yes that's your. Going will you
be my? Trainer, yeah let's Go playna.
Speaker 1 (03:03):
Be toughs on. Now you. Can't you can't get mad at.
Now And i'm talking.
Speaker 3 (03:05):
Good i'll use my anger out on the punching, back all, right,
bet all, right there we. Go all, right let's talk about.
It we talked About app's offense yesterday twenty twenty. Five
what is that going to look? Like now it's time
to talk about the street. Fence So, founder you know
what to. Do drop that.
Speaker 6 (03:18):
Intro it's the sound you waited munths to.
Speaker 7 (03:21):
Hear it's caused some of your greatest, triumphs even the
missing and walk raids and your biggest heartbreaks history made.
Speaker 1 (03:34):
By Apple atchim's.
Speaker 6 (03:35):
Days they went On president Of urge Straight National. Championship
it's the option At Georgia.
Speaker 8 (03:41):
Tech It's howard's, rock the smoke In, miami and.
Speaker 6 (03:48):
Every saturday you tap that it's happening again And.
Speaker 3 (03:52):
Apple latching status done it.
Speaker 6 (03:54):
Again the weight is. Over college football is.
Speaker 2 (03:59):
Here. Appstate you KNOW i had to give you guys
a hard, time But, walker just to give you a
quick review this. Unit in twenty twenty, four they were
a far crop from what they were in twenty twenty
three when they were fifth in scoring. Defense last year
they were, Twelve and we talked about how one of
the staples of App state football is running the ball
(04:20):
and stopping the. Run but they were tenth in run
defense last, year fourteenth in defensive, efficiency and they had some, games,
man where it was just. Ugly give up three hundred
and eighteen rushing yards To South alabama with five, touchdowns
and then seven hundred and twelve yards of offense they
gave up to The Clemson. TIGERS i get, it BUT
i harkened back to when you And flinda thought That
(04:42):
Appalachia state was going to put up more of a
fight against The Clemson tigers than what they, did and
that game was over with. Quickly they gave up multiple
long touchdowns in the first, Quarter you've down thirty five to.
Nothing they were zero to five when giving up thirty plus.
Speaker 1 (04:56):
Points so in That clemson, game the game.
Speaker 3 (04:58):
Was over with in the FIRST i thought App stave
was going to put up much more of a fight
against every opponent that they, played not Just. Clemson and
even with my high expectations for The mountaineers last, year
there's always that possibility That clemson molly WAPs him because
of the disparity between the. TWO i did not expect
them to give up as many points as THEY i
(05:19):
did not expect. THAT i think the big thing about
BECAUSE i wasn't here for the preview On. Monday just
to give you a few of those thoughts where it
went wrong for me and my assessment OF app AND
i think for the most, part where it just went
wrong period, factually where it went wrong For. App we
all Thought Joey aguilar was going to be a four
thousand yard passer and it just didn't. Happen so the,
offense while the defense was, terrible the offense didn't really
(05:41):
take off and they couldn't run the. Ball Joey aguilar
wasn't a superhero like we all thought he was going to.
BE i know you were clamoring for him to wear
a different black and gold transfer Into wake FOUR.
Speaker 1 (05:52):
Us it would have taken, WELL i.
Speaker 3 (05:53):
KNOW i think that's the thing that goes to point to, coaching,
right the fact That aguilar is still so coveted'll so
wanted out there in the, portal but did not have
an amazing year AT App state last.
Speaker 1 (06:04):
Year so then we focused on the.
Speaker 3 (06:06):
Defense they got a whole bunch of different, players one
of those you'd like to have some, experience but also
maybe you don't want a whole lot of returning players
on that side exactly when you're giving up that many point.
Totals you mentioned some of the games fifty two To,
marshall forty eight To South alabama thirty eight To.
Speaker 1 (06:22):
Coastal that's not my app, state.
Speaker 2 (06:24):
It is Not man and SO Dj smith is coming
in to take over that. Defense App state linebacker from
two thousand and seven to two thousand and, ten and
so we'll start right, there former, player the pride is.
There do you think that that could be enough to
be able to get this unit close to what they once?
Speaker 1 (06:44):
WERE i think.
Speaker 3 (06:45):
SO i think the fact that you're starting to get
some of the talent that you, have and any homegrown
talent that you're going to be able to get is
going to be. Awesome but you just need some more
dudes on that side of the, ball and you need
more star players. Everywhere, honestly we can blend offense and
defense when we discussed, that but it just didn't feel
like they had any of their stars play like stars last,
year including going back to that quarterback. Position, so now
(07:06):
that you're revamping a defense and trying to find some
guys that you think can be, leaders you do have
your leading or your leading tackler coming back is going
to Be Kyle, arnhold who had fifty five tackles last.
Year but like fifty five tackles as your lead, guy well.
Speaker 1 (07:20):
He was a third leading.
Speaker 3 (07:21):
Tackler was kind top guys are going, well but your
top returning is What i'm. Saying, yes, yes your top
returning tackler only had fifty five going to point to
even the guys that are, returning it's not like they
set the world on. Fire so with some new additions,
here hopefully you can have this nice blend of we
can put all of our superhero prowess and some of
the new, additions and then the other guys can just stay.
(07:43):
Steady they know the, scheme they can play a little
bit more up to speed with their familiar WELL i
guess nobody has familiar, yeah because it's a new coaching.
Speaker 2 (07:49):
Set and the thing, is you, know flanning on when
we were talking about this, team sometimes every good returning
starter isn't a good returning, starter. Okay and so for
the defensive, line for a unit that gave up so
much last, year zero starters are, back so you get
a fresh. Start, okay you might've hit rock bottom last,
year and so you've got some new. Guys Thomas davis
a solid hybrid edge rusher on the outside they're going
(08:10):
to be depending on a lot from him and that
they brought in through the. Portal Dylan manuel From Charleston.
Southern he had a very strong year last year in THE.
Fcs he was a Freshman All american from Phil, steel
so they're going to be depending on him to rise
up the ranks as. Well then you've also got FORMER
Nc state Transfer Nick, campbell which they're counting on him
(08:33):
a lot as well as well As Kevin Abrams verwayne
two and he is in his seventh, year so the
old man needs to be able to get it. Done
so this defensive, line it all starts. There zero starters,
return but they do have some talent there that's.
Speaker 1 (08:47):
Available we'll see how that shakes.
Speaker 3 (08:49):
Out you, know it's interesting to, me despite seeing a
guy come from The power five level and Dal logins
taking over that head coaching, vacancy you don't see a
lot of The power five transfers where you just think
it superior talent and they're going to be better as
soon as they go down a. Level, really what App
state did was they got a lot of guys from
EITHER fcs or schools that you would consider beneath App. State,
(09:09):
upfront and with the guys that had awesome, years they
decided we're going to put a little more stock into
the numbers that they did. Produce i'llbeit for a different
school rather than the guys that were supposed to but.
Didn't i'll be it at a bigger. School and SO
i like that philosophy as. Well perhaps interesting because it
is Dow login's coming from the VAUNTED sec At arkansas
(09:30):
And South. Carolina, no he just subscribes to the if
you ball, here then you can ball anywhere, theory AND
i like that theory more so than the other one
of well if you didn't ball, here Then i'll just
bring you down a level and then it'll all turn
out for. You, now, man that's not how it works
all the. Time so that's just an interesting transfer portal.
Speaker 1 (09:47):
Strategy all.
Speaker 2 (09:48):
Right when we come, back we're going to finish up
talking about this app state defense because we have a
lot more to get. To this is The wes And Walker.
Speaker 4 (09:55):
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(11:18):
wes And. Walker so getting back into the conversation with
the app state defense and if you had to pick
an aspect that you wanted to return, to this defense
to give some of that bite. Back, man it's really
hard because they're kind of in a position just like
the team. Here they were seventh in their conference in
sacks last, year AND i talked about how the run
(11:39):
defense was abysmal. Too BUT i think for, defense you
have to start with the run defense because you want
to keep teams behind the, chains and so for App,
state you're going to have to do. That and we
talked about the defensive, line but then as we move
into that second, level you talked About arnholt and him
coming back this year as the third leading. Tackler he's
going to be a guy that they want to turn
(12:00):
into a stud in that. Defense at the lineback. Position
they've got a couple OF sec transfers, There brayshawn Little
john Followed Coach loggins From, missouri and Then Ronnie porter
From South. Carolina so we'll see who emerges out of those.
Guys And so IF i had to pick an aspect
of this App state defense that must improve for them
(12:21):
to try to get back to once they once, WERE
i would start with the run, defense and then IF
i can get a little more pass, words, Cool BUT
i think that the run, defense if you can keep
teams behind the. Chains that's a big help in and of.
Speaker 3 (12:32):
Itself i'm looking for the secondary, too because we've seen
some stars really at all three levels of App state,
before but they've had some really excellent corners in past.
YEARS i do think that App state is one of
those teams that if they can stop the, pass like
if you could have Just i'm looking for them to
get back to what they were Because App, state if
you go back and form that identity of being one
(12:54):
of the best schools at this level in the, country
what were they looking. Like, well they could run the
football really. Well they always had a quarterback that you
could at least, trust even if they weren't the outright
star of the. Team and then on, defense you could
stop the, run you had willing. Tacklers but they would
turn out some talent in that secondary, Also So i'm
looking at, also just can you limit the big plays
that you gave up so many last?
Speaker 1 (13:15):
Year they gave up a.
Speaker 3 (13:16):
Ton your point is probably a little more enhanced by
this stat but looking at some of the red zone,
stats they were absolutely. Abysmal how about allowing foes to
score on thirty six of thirty nine red zone. TRIPS
i just only that's just go aham and put the
points on the. Bolt just disgusting. Stuff So, okay maybe
the defensive line is the thing you're looking at more
(13:37):
so in the red, zone just because it's hard to
get big plays only twenty twenty five yards out, ANYWAY
i just think if you can limit some of the big,
PLAYS i expect some regression back to the mean in
the red. Zone so if the red zone numbers can
only go up from what they saw last year and
you limit big plays with the secondary lock and some
guys down back, THERE i think this defense is going
to be set up for a lot more success than
(13:58):
they were last.
Speaker 2 (13:59):
Year and that leads me to the next, segment going
to the secondary of this defense and the power for
transfer THAT i think will have the biggest impact for.
Them it's Cornerback jaden. Mcburrows he's a guy that comes
over from The university Of. Michigan he appeared in nineteen
games for The. Wolverines he had thirteen tackles in an.
Interception so a tricky player because he wasn't very good At.
(14:19):
Michigan there's a reason why he exited the. Program but
could he come over to App state and kind to
revitalize what he could have been coming Into. Michigan we shall,
see BUT i think they're going to be leaning on
him a lot and his power for experience to come
into that secondary to help them limit those big. Plays
he's also got a couple OF sec transfers at, safety
(14:41):
but those guys are more depth pieces right. Now dylan
has he comes From arkansas And Emery floyd comes From South.
Carolina so those guys right now are not slated to
be in the starting. Lineup and then you also have
returning Corner Ethan. Johnson and then you Have Jordan favors
who was Thirteen All Sun belt in twenty twenty, three
and Also Miles. Farmer he will be the other safety
(15:04):
and he had massed over one hundred tackles In nebraska And.
Syracuse he played in a few games last year for App.
State so the secondary has some. Promise BUT i think
when you look at the power forward transfer THAT i
think will make the biggest. IMPACT i would have to
go With jaden mcburrows From. Michigan, YEAH i had mcburrows as.
Well you also have Some South carolina guys coming. In
WHEN i talked about only really focusing on some of
(15:25):
the players that were coming from the below levels. Up
it's really on the defensive, line, honestly that that point is.
True everywhere, else there's a lot Of power five guys
to choose. From i'm looking at the twenty four to
seven look right, now a bunch of three stars all
over the place that you have coming in from The
power five. Level and as you see when coaches come
from The power five level Or power, Four i'm always
(15:46):
going to say power. Five, yeah power five is still,
easy still stick, WITH i.
Speaker 3 (15:50):
Know but so The power four, level you do have
Your Ronnie porter linebacker coming over From South. Carolina there's
a couple of other game cocks THAT i was trying
to look at as well that you see linked on
twenty four to. Seven but a bunch of three, stars
like you got some three star guys that you're having
to rely on with your what you're losing eight starters
(16:11):
from last, Year so there are plenty of guys to
choose from that you have coming over from the big.
Schools it's just upfront that you have some of those
smaller school guys that produced at that.
Speaker 2 (16:19):
Level axe all, right that's the App Statete defense with
twenty twenty five, Founder what are your thoughts on this
defense and what they can bring to the table this.
Speaker 1 (16:25):
Year, well, damn they can't be much worse than they
were last.
Speaker 5 (16:28):
Year SO i, mean for, THEM i think the thing
that you're looking for is that this team rushes the
passer better than they did a year. AGO i, MEAN
i think coming back they have like three sacks from
a year ago that are back on the. Roster weren't
a team that really got after the quarterback, well and
they only created four interceptions last. Year they got to
(16:49):
be better at creating. Turnovers so for this, UNIT i
think those are going to be the key things for.
Them especially if you're going to be a team that's
going to give up yards in the run game or
you're going to give up yards in the, passing you've
got to be able to have those havoc, plays those,
sacks those. Turnovers so hopefully for App state they get
to see some of those this.
Speaker 2 (17:09):
Season All, right we will see if the former App
state Linebacker Dj smith can indeed bring this App state
defense back to. Glory and now we're gonna turn the
page and talk about their opponent's. Defense The charlotte forty nine,
ers and what is this crew going to?
Speaker 3 (17:24):
Do so?
Speaker 2 (17:24):
Flound did you already know what to? Do let's give
them a double. Dose drop that intro for The charlotte
forty nine ers.
Speaker 7 (17:30):
Defense it's the sound you waited much to. Hear it's
caused some of your greatest, triumphs.
Speaker 6 (17:39):
The post, fix the tax, time today your biggest. Heartbreaks
the first time in Tar bred, History sarlotte Beatsa power five,
Opponent CLUB.
Speaker 8 (17:50):
La, indeed it's the option At Georgia. Tech It's Howard's
rock the smoke In miami and Every saturday you tap that.
Sign college football is, here.
Speaker 5 (18:09):
All.
Speaker 2 (18:09):
Right The charlotte defense for twenty twenty five will be
led By Nate, fanis who was a co defensive coordinator
At ohio in twenty twenty. Four they get five starters,
back and this is a crew that's going to run
a four to five. Alignment that's alignment is starting to
become more and more popular around, football and he's going
to hope to bring over that same success that he
(18:31):
had In ohio because The bacat defense was one of
the nation's best last. Season they were number ten in total,
defense number three and rushing yards, allowed And ohio was
one of just six programs in the country to allow
under one hundred yards rushing per. Game so that is
a rugged unit when you are able to do that
and hoole teams under one hundred yards. Rushing so how
(18:52):
excited Should charlotte fans be About Nate fanis and can
he transfer that defensive dominance From ohio to The Queen
city because he's got a lot of new pieces to
be able to work.
Speaker 3 (19:03):
With the guy has created a lot of talent Alongside Tim.
Albin if you go and you check out some of
the players that he is in charge of, developing whether
he be a position, coach whether he be a graduate,
assistant whether he be co defensive. Coordinator each of those
years that he's spent At ohio at different, spots there
are so many different players that he developed on his.
Watch talking about some first, team second Team All conference
(19:26):
guys that you just keep rolling down the list And
i'll save you The Quentin polings To Chad, Morris i'll
go ahead and stop with what they were able to
accomplish At. Ohio the other thing is the guys that
stayed At ohio that were so good that we're making
ALL mac teams on the defensive side of the. Ball,
well you could also look at some of the guys
that were transferring out Of ohio that we give a
lot of credit To Tim albin. With but if you're
(19:46):
bringing some of your staff over and you're starting to
develop some of those players a little bit more so
on your particular side of the, ball THAN i would
love to see that happen here In. Charlotte we've Had
Alex heidsmith he goes to THE. Nfl we've Had ogunjobi THE.
Nfl Brad Lambert west was really the last guy that
we saw have a bunch of talent Like gammol And
(20:07):
Jawan foggy and some of those other really good. Players
it's been really tough Since Brad lambert Slash Glenn spencer
and that's.
Speaker 1 (20:16):
It that's all we. Got, defensively we've been pretty terrible
for a long. Time.
Speaker 3 (20:19):
NOW i do feel a lot more confident about this
defense improving because a little like App, state the only
way you seemingly can go is.
Speaker 1 (20:27):
Up they were a bad.
Speaker 2 (20:28):
Defense zero starters returned on the defensive, line And Brayden
mullen is the best of the transfers on that defensive.
Speaker 1 (20:35):
Line he was a two Time ALL Ivy league.
Speaker 2 (20:38):
Pick he earned first team honors last, season and he
comes Into charlotte with twenty and a half tackles for
loss and.
Speaker 1 (20:44):
Thirteen and a half sacks in his.
Speaker 2 (20:46):
Career and so the thing with This charlotte, defense they
finished tenth or worse in every important. Category and so
this defense is going to have to be led by
the d. Line we know, that and the question is
are they going to have enough beef up front to
be able to do, so especially when you talk about
stopping the, run because that defensive, tackle the slated starters
are a bit. Undersized when you look at this, crew
(21:08):
and it starts With Jamarion, solomon he goes six one two,
seventy not necessarily ideal size for a defensive, tackle and
then Make O williams Or MACY O, williams excuse, me
six one two.
Speaker 1 (21:21):
Eighty so these.
Speaker 2 (21:21):
Guys are a little bit, undersized but that doesn't mean
that they don't have the fight in the skill because
we know That charlotte has had some big guys that
have been in the middle of that defense and it
has not.
Speaker 1 (21:31):
Mattered so with that crew up.
Speaker 2 (21:34):
THERE i Think Brad mullin is the guy that you
really look at to lead this unit and be their,
anchors so to. Speak but how worried Should charlotte fans
be since they don't have any starters coming back on
their defensive.
Speaker 1 (21:45):
Side this is a good. Ridk that's. Fine, yes that's. Okay,
yeah we're all. Good that's.
Speaker 3 (21:49):
Okay we can just have all the new guys come
in and hit the reset. Button you mentioned some of
the other. Players one guy THAT i really want to
shed some light on, though That i'm excited about is, somebody,
yes out Of Northwest Mississippi Community.
Speaker 1 (22:02):
College, okay that's.
Speaker 3 (22:03):
Right It's Jalen, JOHNSON a Different Jalen, johnson not the
one that is the cornerback in THE. Nfl but he's
an edge rusher that had a nice career over. There
in two seasons With Northwest mississippi had six, sacks ten
tackles for. Loss and a guy That i'm hoping can
be able to blossom here With fanas With Tim, albin
and it just feels Like i'm looking for some star
(22:24):
power to where we can really turn the volume up
at a position of. Impact he's six.' four he does
provide a little bit of size for you with that kind.
Of height he comes in at two point Fifty on.
Charlotte's website so do you look the part and can
you play? The part there are some indicators to suggest that.
He CAN so i really like that jump that he's
helping us. Out with even with some of the small
guys that, you mentioned who are the dudes that look
(22:46):
good getting off of. The bus this is one of
those players coming off.
Speaker 2 (22:49):
Of the Edge for charlotte and then For the charlotte forty,
NINE ers i think the prime spot to look at
as a strong part of, this team not just this
defense on, the linebackers and we've talked a Lot About.
Speaker 1 (23:00):
Reid williford.
Speaker 2 (23:01):
He's back He led charlotte with seventy, seven tackles six
and a half tackles for loss in. Two sacks but
then they also Bring In, shaye taylor who was a
big git to follow along With coach albin and. The
crew he was Third TEAM all mac. Last year and
then they Also Have gavin willis who comes In. From
bucknal he had one hundred and twenty nine tackles. Last
(23:22):
year so this is a strong group of linebackers that.
THEY have i think this is going to be the
catalyst for this defense if the guys up front can
keep their. BODIES clean i think if this defense, MARKEDLY
improves i think you would have to start with the
LINEBACKERS because i think that's where the.
Speaker 3 (23:39):
Studs, are yeah, NO doubt i agree. WITH you i
do think that You have conley at safety that is
also going to really help. You out, and SO really
i THINK the x factor for this defense is can
your defensive line produce just enough for everybody to just
be able to run free on the? Back End because
conley's not afraid, to tackle and you have your linebackers
that you just mentioned all, their stats they ACKed up
(24:00):
a ton of Tackles with gillis at what he Did At,
buck now so or willis. EXTREME matter i Just Combined
Gavin willis willis what he Did At Big. Buck, now
so if you can just have a bunch of those dudes,
RUN free i think that's the way you're. Successful defensively
can your defensive line step up just enough for all
that talent on the back end?
Speaker 1 (24:19):
To, produce yeah and you talked about the second there
Saw What.
Speaker 2 (24:21):
Jaquarius conley they have him listed as a nickelback and
he would be a big one, six one two hundred and.
Fifteen pounds he's Regarded as charlotte's. Best player he's A
Preseason all conference Selection by Athlon. And field steel And
Safety caleb curtin is a guy that could also be.
A headliner he's a TWO Time Fcs All American First
Team All Colonial athletic association pick Out of elon the past,
(24:45):
two seasons he Led the phoenix and tackles. Both years
he had eighty and twenty twenty three and seventy five.
Last season so this is one of those hungry guys
that's coming up from a lower league that's going to
be ready to play because they're gonna. Need it no
defender picked off more than two passes last season, for
them and creating turnovers was an issue for. This team
twelve takeaways in. Twelve games you're going to need more
(25:08):
to be able to get. It done AND so i
think the biggest key to turning around, this defense obviously,
For me i'm going to always go to. The trenches
it starts there because everybody else benefits off of. Their
play you don't even have to be the best unit,
Out there but can you keep those linebackers clean so
they can fly around and make plays and create just
enough noise and you can always combine the linebackers on.
(25:30):
The blitz but this secondary has some talent. Back THERE
if i had to look at another unit on this
TEAM that i feel, good about it would. Be them
Because With jiaquarius conley regarded as the best defensive player on,
This Team, caleb curtin a guy that's gonna come over
with nice pedigree Out, OF elne i think that there
are some good foundational pieces For coach fantis and For
(25:50):
coach albin on this defense to help turn this.
Speaker 3 (25:53):
Thing, around yeah he was voted a captain by his team.
Coming in we actually heard from him with press availability
Yesterday with charlotte's. Press conference i'm really happy that he's
won able to put all the stuff that he had
to go through the last couple of years behind him
and just focus on. Playing football, And Clearly, tim albin
somebody that we know can evaluate talent at a, high
(26:14):
level he wanted To keep conley on, this team and
he wanted to keep him on the team. So badly
he then eventually Named him Macaptain alongside, conley's teammate so
he's going to be a big part of. This DEFENSE
and i continue to look At what fannis wants. TO
orchestrate i think, you're RIGHT and i think it's on
purpose that you have such, good linebackers such good back,
end players and that if your defensive line can, hold
(26:36):
up then you can see some multiple one hundred tackle
seasons like what he's produced with some of the other Linebackers.
At ohio and so this seems to be the philosophy with.
This defense and even if the defensive line makes, some
mistakes you have a lot of really talented players that
can clean those.
Speaker 2 (26:52):
Mistakes, up yeah and this defense is going to be
tested right off on a bet because the game that
we've been advertising Here on friday Versus app state is
a huge game and this is a nice barometer for.
Both teams where are you at? Right now this is
not you playing some patsy to start the season off
to look good. For everybody this is going to be a.
Real test app's got a lot, to prove so they're
going to try and push this forty nine ers. Defense
(27:14):
around and then you've Got The North carolina tar heels
a power. For opponent So this charlotte defense is not
going to have a lot of time to get things.
In order they're going to need to. Start fast these
players that we've been, speaking about they're going to have
to come out off of the rip and be guys
that you can count on and be able to. Make
plays else we could be seeing some ugly scores and
(27:34):
ugly outcomes For the charlotte forty.
Speaker 3 (27:36):
Nine ers I'VE never i told you, this yesterday, not
never but it's been a While since i've gone Into
a charlotte football Season giving charlotte the benefit of. The
Doubt and i'm doing that with this coaching regime because
nobody's had the type of Resume that alvin has Or that.
Fannas has going back all the WAY to i, would
say Maybe You're glenn spencer, defensive coordinator and some of
(27:57):
the guys that were There With, brad lambert who was
the first ever Coach in charlotte, football history those guys
had some things you could point to, AND say i was.
Speaker 1 (28:05):
Successful Here With, will healy it was.
Speaker 3 (28:08):
A gamble you took one of the youngest coaches in college,
football history and he had a remarkable Turnaround with Austin
p as the RAW ross ceo Type approach kent head
coach brought us to A first. Bowl GAME but i
put so much of that On What alex atkins was
able to do as a genius play caller in, my
opinion that eventually landed him a Job With, florida state
helping him go undefeated in conference play and in regular
(28:30):
season play being the orchestrator of. It all who are
the coaches that we can, trust, on man who are
or trust in and who we can? DEPEND upon i
think now you have a few of. Those GUYS and
i would trust our defensive coordinator quite a lot With
What tim alvin. Is doing bringing him and they've worked
together for what a, DECADE now i think having that
(28:52):
familiarity in that trust and everybody being on the, SAME
page i think that's going to be a huge thing
for them.
Speaker 1 (28:57):
As, well ronald do you Like this charlotte defense in twenty? Twenty,
FIVE yeah i.
Speaker 5 (29:00):
Definitely think it's gonna. Be better you, Know me i'm
A Huge dequarius, conley guy was when he Was. AT
carolina i think he's a great Fit for. CHARLOTTE defensively
i think The. Linebacking corps the Fact That reed williford
came back thought he was going, to start And Now
hunter bailey is telling us. HE'S not i think it
shows you the depth at, that position you feel really confident.
About that and then defensively or on the defensive, LINE
(29:24):
rather I Mean BRAYDON mullen i think is the guy
to keep an eye on. RIGHT there i expect him
to take some a step in the, right direction, you
know coming Up.
Speaker 1 (29:33):
From dartmouth and here's. THE thing i forget who.
Speaker 5 (29:38):
Told who, Said THIS and i don't remember if it
was on this show or if it was on. ANOTHER
shows i heard it somewhere that you always want to
go with guys that are coming up as opposed to
guys that are coming down when you're at these mid,
major schools because guys that have failed at the previous level,
they still, you know for, some reason they don't click at.
(29:58):
THESE Levels u we've seen some guys that have, had
success but there's. Not many you'd rather have the guys
that are coming up because they are going to be
more motivated to. Prove THEMSELVES and i think there's a
lot of those types of guys that are On this.
Charlotte DEFENSE so i expect these guys to be pretty successful.
This YEAR and i love the continuity, of having, you
know a guy that's been with you for so many
(30:20):
years as the. DEFENSIVE coordinator i do think that's gonna
work Wonders.
Speaker 1 (30:24):
For, CHARLOTTE yah i think you might have heard that from.
Speaker 2 (30:25):
Your boy i'm not, quite SURE but i KNOW that
i feel that way guys that are coming up as
opposed to guys that are coming down because also to
us some of the attitude and entitlement that comes. With it,
you know you come to these programs and you're, looking,
LIKE well i Was at MICHIGAN or i Was At.
Ohio state well it didn't. Work out that's why, You're,
here okay so you need to. Chill out you, Know
what i'm going to lay claim. TO it i just
(30:45):
mentioned it in the last segment With. App state so
that's the it's Just the West and.
Speaker 3 (30:52):
Walker philosophy we know both coaches taking this approach in
a lot. Of Ways DAL maybe i overstated It with
dal because there are plenty of players in the linebacker
and lineback and corps and secondary that he's getting from
some of the, bigger schools but up front he Didn't
And TIM albin i wonder how much of that is
a good thing because it's on purpose or it's because
(31:15):
this is the only type of player that you can.
Go after, EITHER way i like the players that, they
have and that's ultimately. What Matters, all, right folks when we,
come back we're gonna. Talk rookies are There?
Speaker 2 (31:24):
Any panthers there are there any players That the panthers
may already be regretting that they didn't select based off
how they performed in. The Preseason On sports ready on
ninety TWO, Seven wfnz, welcome.
Speaker 1 (31:48):
Back folks this Is the West And. Walker show the
one o'clock hour is.
Speaker 2 (31:52):
Almost done we will soon be heading into the two,
o'clock hour And the panthers continue to. MAKE moves i
Saw some panthers Fans clamor i'm for This. On Twitter
the panthers plan to Add Quarterback hendon hooker and RUNNING Back,
Dj dallas so ONE ex acc guy and THEN another,
ACC Guy dj dallas as well From A miami hurricane
(32:14):
to the, Practice squad so there. You go dallas was
a twenty twenty fourth round Pick, by seattle so he's
got a Background with canalis, and idsig what do you
think of As the panthers fans Rejoice Because hendon hooker
is here and He's A north.
Speaker 3 (32:27):
CAROLINA key a lot of People Wanted hendon hooker in,
the draft and this is. What happens people fall in
love with the quarterbacks that are supposed to go in
the second through fourth rounds, and, say hey maybe they
could be The Next. Tom brady didn't work Out for Hendon,
in detroit they decided to leave, him be but a
lot of people were really wanting him Around The. Queen
city so now you. Get him he's a THIRD. String
(32:47):
qb perhaps you can develop him enough to turn into
a backup Quarterback When andy dalton. Is Gone bryce shung
is still YOUR, franchise qb because that is what we
all hope for. Around Here But hendon hooker coming back
after what was an excellent season that he Had at
tennessee to end his, collegiate career took him a little
while to get Going At, virginia tech but even had
some nice stuff in blacksburd that he.
Speaker 1 (33:07):
Gave YOU so i like.
Speaker 3 (33:09):
THE talent i like what you Have In, hendon HOOKER
and i think it's worth a shot giving him THAT
third qb spot over what you Got In jack Plumber And,
bryce perkins who you brought in for essentially.
Speaker 1 (33:19):
A game and that, was it.
Speaker 2 (33:20):
All Right So nick bumgardner Of the athletic put together
his preseason rookie, winners list which twenty twenty five draft
first rounders Thrived, in august and so he broke it
down into, different tiers and in his, winners tier there
were some interesting names that he. Had there so just
checking In with panther FANS because i know a lot
of them were excited about what they Saw from. Tetoroa
(33:41):
McMillan then we remember around, Draft Time jalen walker was
a guy that we all thought would more than likely
be to pick because he was the dominant selection in
a lot of. Mock drafts so we'll start though with the,
first rookie the guy that was my favorite offensive lineman in,
this draft and he went To The New, Orleans Saints.
Kelvin BANKS and i did watch a little bit of
the game when They Played, san DIEGO and i saw
(34:03):
some reps, from HIM and i thought he looked. Really
good but they talked about how he was outstanding and
protection this preseason didn't allow a pressure and fifty four
snaps as a, left tackle talked about how he had
a little bit of technique stuff that he needed to,
clean up but they said that this will Probably Allow
trevor penning to move inside to. Left Guard But, kelvin
banks from, all accounts was. Outstanding here so With ikey
(34:25):
akuano and with the questions that we have, WITH him
i know that we wanted to see this year play
out to kind of get a. Final verdict but do
you kind of regret Not Picking. Kelvin banks was his
play strong enough for you, to, say man maybe the
panther should have gone in.
Speaker 3 (34:40):
That, direction no it's going to be tough for me
to completely sway my opinion one way or. The OTHER
but i Do Like kelvin banks not allowing a single
sack and not allowing pressure.
Speaker 1 (34:50):
At all.
Speaker 3 (34:50):
That's fantastic not allowing a single pressure in fifty, four
snaps as, you mentioned with some of the, stats THERE
and i would take that every day of. The Week
Maybe kelvin banks can step up in a Way that
fuwaka just never really did. Last year saw some film
heads not pleased with what he PROVIDED for i.
Speaker 1 (35:07):
LIKED them i liked the.
Speaker 3 (35:09):
PICK too i thought it was a, nice. Pick worthwhile
it had zero issues. With it and so if he's
not going to step up and be a first, round
value you can't miss on two offensive linemen in.
Speaker 1 (35:19):
A row doesn't seem like they missed at least through three.
Speaker 3 (35:22):
Preseason games run game run blocking pretty terrible, For him
but guess what they teach you to do at. Left
tackle they need you to protect. The quarterback and if
you don't allow a single pressure as a, left tackle
it's gonna be. All right you're gonna get a lot
of money in. This League So kevin banks good For
the Saints because i've hated a lot of stuff that,
they've done especially in. Free agency just their philosophy makes
(35:44):
no sense. To me but draft, PICK wise i liked
the attempt at drafting offensive lineman last year and. SAME
thing I Thought kevin banks was the worthwhile selection.
Speaker 2 (35:52):
This year and to, be fair in his ready to,
start category he does Have tedor roa McMillan, in there
and he did dismiss his drops in that they would
have been. Tough catches but he feels like that he
is a young man that is ready. To go so
you did get pretty much what you wanted Out of tetoroa,
This preseason but then going down To those atlanta, Pass
(36:13):
Rushers jalen walker is a guy that's been having a
little bit of a tough time. With injuries in his,
write up, he says Per The Athletics, Josh kendall walker
has missed more than Half of atlanta's padded workouts this
month because of hamstring and. Growing injuries they said neither,
seemed major, they, said However so atlanta expects to have
Him for, week one but how he'll perform is another
(36:33):
questioning he wasn't a guy we heard a. Ton about
And Then James. Fish jr they said he had Flashes during.
Falcons camp he had seven Pressures against Detroit. And tennessee
but he's not going. To start he's still on the
depth Chart Behind, leonard FLOYD the. Kg veteran they said
he is going, to play but just a matter of.
How much now you get a little bit of a
mixed Bag with pierce because they talk about how much
(36:54):
they liked him. And camp he brings attitude and he's
a guy that they see a lot of. Potential with
still he's not going to. Start either do you feel
Like that carolina might have? Dodged one not picking either
of these.
Speaker 3 (37:05):
Young men maybe they didn't, dodge one but it's nice
to see that they're not immediately wrecking shop as soon
as they stepped foot IN an nfl.
Speaker 1 (37:13):
Football field Now, With peers i'm.
Speaker 3 (37:15):
WITH you I think pierce has shown you something that
is interesting with getting after the quarterback quite, a bit
had a good pass rush, win rate was providing pressures in,
the preseason had plenty. Of wins i'm cool. With, that
yeah that's what you drafted him, to do is rush.
The passer it's crazy to see how many fights he's
(37:35):
gotten it in. Traded camp, right away like YOU and
i were just dying laughing at the side studio talking
about how he is living up to all of the
worries that everybody had for him coming Out. Of tennessee
AND it's i know that you had some Comments From
josh Hipel On. James pearce we liked having him Here. At, tennessee.
(37:57):
YadA YadA it. Just happened wasn't Wasn't a he didn't
come out and stomp on all those reports and the
fact that like. It's hilarious every report you see or
every day there's something new With what pierce is doing in.
Training camp that's a Lot, Of, yespa okay it's a
lot as a rookie coming in and saying all. THIS
stuff i think he's even demanding what music to play
(38:18):
in the.
Speaker 2 (38:19):
Locker room you got to have a set on you
to come into the locker room and tell the vets
what you want to. Be Played and i'm guessing if
you don't want to play what he wants to play
is probably going to result in.
Speaker 3 (38:31):
A confrontation, i, Mean so i'm of two schools of thought.
On that you sound like. A problem i'm not, gonna
LIE but i kind of love IT because i want
more ridiculous stories.
Speaker 1 (38:42):
From, it okay but you sound like. An issue can
play looks to get after.
Speaker 3 (38:47):
The Quarterback The jalen walker stuff as a, continued rample
just YOU and i were both likely.
Speaker 2 (38:53):
Quite, fancy okay, All right so the other wide receiver
in this division though that he will be compared to
to talking about. Tetroa McMillan he also made the list
of Winners A mecca abuka Out Of. Tampa bay they
said he's been ready to play IN the nfl for.
Two years they talked about all the great traits and
they said he flashed it all even before Arriving In.
Tampa bay they talk about, the, route discipline, the HANDS,
(39:15):
football iq all of, those things and they Said with
jayalen McMillan On Ir chris godwin still on the, pup
list they said he's been given more opportunity on what
had looked like a crowded depth chart and that he
could be a guy that takes. Off quickly and so,
FOR me i, would, SAY yeah i would still stick
with my original SAYING that i Wanted A. MECCA abuka
(39:37):
i thought he was the best first round receiver in
this draft AND that i would have taken him, over
ANYONE and i still stick. By that but that's not
a Shot. AT tartaroa i do like some of the
THINGS that i saw, from HIM but i still would
Go to.
Speaker 3 (39:49):
Mecca, BOOK yeah i don't think you heard a single
bad thing about him in the pre. Draft process any
national podcast you, listen to with all of the different
voices they have in their ear with, different franchises apparently
they would get a call from other teams Outside Of
tampa bay, and, Say Yeah, tampa bay they just got an.
(40:09):
Awesome one he was a guy that we loved that
we just decided to address a. Different position but you
didn't hear a bad thing, About him and so if
you were convinced that he was the number one wide
receiver in the pre, draft process all you've seen is,
confirmation bias and it might not even be misguided. Confirmation
bias this is THE one i think if you're asking
me WHO am i most scared of IN The nfc
(40:31):
south being the, Best Rookie kelvin banks could be that
guy and just be an awesome. Left tackle that's, true
too but there's a little added bonus here of drafting
the same exact position and then having a guy go
eleven spots later at. That spot abuka looks to be
a real real issue for all sorts. Of teams and
the work ethic, is there the precise, route running is
(40:52):
there just enough explosion to be able to do a
whole bunch of stuff with the football in.
Speaker 1 (40:56):
His hands that's.
Speaker 2 (40:57):
The, one yeah still would take t mak, over HIM
though i would still take Team, At yeah BUT if
i Drafted a mecca at, number eight let me.
Speaker 3 (41:06):
Just, trying yeah they're, both awesome and they're, both different
but they're. Both awesome and then the Last guy i'll
bring in and then we're up against a. Little bit
but another guy just wanted to throw. In that we
all talked about a lot.
Speaker 2 (41:15):
Around Here, tyler warren also listed in, the winners thought
about how you have some things to clean up with the,
run blocking but as, a receiver he's been like that
for catches sixty five yards and. Limited work said he
looks to be a plus producer as. A rookie so let,
Us know. Panther fans on the FanDuel, text line is
there anybody that we talked about or maybe that we
didn't talk about that you regret it not taking in?
(41:37):
The Draft On sports radio ninety TWO, seven wfnz when,
we return the two o'clock, hour begins listen To the
West And.
Speaker 4 (41:45):
Walker show we teased from noon to three Only On
sports radio ninety two POINT.
Speaker 6 (41:50):
Seven FM com Ufnz
Speaker 8 (41:52):
Lee official home Of The Charlotte sports fan
You were listening to the West and Walker show.
Speaker 2 (00:02):
I just wasn't in the SpongeBob like that nasty looking
up a cartoon.
Speaker 1 (00:06):
I couldn't get into it.
Speaker 2 (00:07):
It's wes too nasty. Yeah, it's like we get weird.
I don't necessarily like animals being animated and stuff. And
then with SpongeBob and all that stuff, I just couldn't
get into it.
Speaker 3 (00:18):
And Walker that takes like what sixty percent of kids
movies away from you like a lion, So like a
cartoon that's different.
Speaker 4 (00:27):
Only on Sports Radio ninety two point seven FM WFNC.
Speaker 2 (00:32):
The SpongeBoy just had a lot of ugly creatures. That's
the best way for me to put it. It was a
lot of creatures. The talking crab that was ugly as hell.
SpongeBob was ugly, Like I couldn't get on CD. I
couldn't get into it. I think ugly as hell. We
(01:04):
got some breaking news. What we got going on Flounder?
All right, Well we're asking Flounder to do a lot.
I do think that we made a couple of waiver
wire pickups.
Speaker 1 (01:13):
What you got, flatt, I got it.
Speaker 5 (01:14):
We've got the panthers claiming Demory mathis from Denver and
Delvon Campbell from the Chargers. Domary matthis the guy that
is reunited with defensive coordinator as Zero Everro as a
rookie had his best season with him, and then Campbell
six four to two five wide receiver averaged sixteen point
(01:37):
eight yards per catch over five seasons at Illinois Nevada
and then South Carolina.
Speaker 2 (01:42):
Yeah, and then this preseason he averaged eighteen point four
yards per catch as well. And he is out of
the University of South Carolina.
Speaker 1 (01:51):
Yeah.
Speaker 3 (01:51):
Just so a couple of tidbits on each of these
players you just mentioned. The one on the wide receiver,
Demari Matthis was a guy that a lot of people
around the league were pointing at and saying because the
Broncos have a lot of depth in their secondary, this
is a talented player that was just out there for grabs.
Panthers pretty high up on the waiver wire. I think
they were eighth among all teams because it's structured like
the way it is for the NFL Draft, with how
(02:12):
bad you were, the higher priority you get.
Speaker 1 (02:14):
So they were eighth.
Speaker 3 (02:15):
They go get their guy that had his best season
under a Vero. Don't know what this means for Corey Thornton.
Don't know what it means for some of the other
guys that were the forty eighth player that made the
team on down, especially at each of these positions. Don't
know what it means with Campbell coming in for bryceon Tremaine.
Don't know what it means for Hudder Renfro. But you
(02:35):
mentioned I don't know if I heard you mentioned the
height or not. Oh, yeah you did, Okay, I was
reading about more of Mathis. But yeah, six', four another big,
guy Because Dan morgan's got a, type LIKE.
Speaker 2 (02:45):
I, said and long as. Well can't forget that sixty.
Four i'm sure he's got those gangly arms That Dan morgan.
Speaker 3 (02:51):
Likes aren't this? Right does it look like? This it's,
right it looks like. Yours you would fit The Dan
morgan mold, man perhaps a lot or two for a
couple of. Months and, yes that's your. Going will you
be my? Trainer, yeah let's Go playna.
Speaker 1 (03:03):
Be toughs on. Now you. Can't you can't get mad at.
Now And i'm talking.
Speaker 3 (03:05):
Good i'll use my anger out on the punching, back all, right,
bet all, right there we. Go all, right let's talk about.
It we talked About app's offense yesterday twenty twenty. Five
what is that going to look? Like now it's time
to talk about the street. Fence So, founder you know
what to. Do drop that.
Speaker 6 (03:18):
Intro it's the sound you waited munths to.
Speaker 7 (03:21):
Hear it's caused some of your greatest, triumphs even the
missing and walk raids and your biggest heartbreaks history made.
Speaker 1 (03:34):
By Apple atchim's.
Speaker 6 (03:35):
Days they went On president Of urge Straight National. Championship
it's the option At Georgia.
Speaker 8 (03:41):
Tech It's howard's, rock the smoke In, miami and.
Speaker 6 (03:48):
Every saturday you tap that it's happening again And.
Speaker 3 (03:52):
Apple latching status done it.
Speaker 6 (03:54):
Again the weight is. Over college football is.
Speaker 2 (03:59):
Here. Appstate you KNOW i had to give you guys
a hard, time But, walker just to give you a
quick review this. Unit in twenty twenty, four they were
a far crop from what they were in twenty twenty
three when they were fifth in scoring. Defense last year
they were, Twelve and we talked about how one of
the staples of App state football is running the ball
(04:20):
and stopping the. Run but they were tenth in run
defense last, year fourteenth in defensive, efficiency and they had some, games,
man where it was just. Ugly give up three hundred
and eighteen rushing yards To South alabama with five, touchdowns
and then seven hundred and twelve yards of offense they
gave up to The Clemson. TIGERS i get, it BUT
i harkened back to when you And flinda thought That
(04:42):
Appalachia state was going to put up more of a
fight against The Clemson tigers than what they, did and
that game was over with. Quickly they gave up multiple
long touchdowns in the first, Quarter you've down thirty five to.
Nothing they were zero to five when giving up thirty plus.
Speaker 1 (04:56):
Points so in That clemson, game the game.
Speaker 3 (04:58):
Was over with in the FIRST i thought App stave
was going to put up much more of a fight
against every opponent that they, played not Just. Clemson and
even with my high expectations for The mountaineers last, year
there's always that possibility That clemson molly WAPs him because
of the disparity between the. TWO i did not expect
them to give up as many points as THEY i
(05:19):
did not expect. THAT i think the big thing about
BECAUSE i wasn't here for the preview On. Monday just
to give you a few of those thoughts where it
went wrong for me and my assessment OF app AND
i think for the most, part where it just went
wrong period, factually where it went wrong For. App we
all Thought Joey aguilar was going to be a four
thousand yard passer and it just didn't. Happen so the,
offense while the defense was, terrible the offense didn't really
(05:41):
take off and they couldn't run the. Ball Joey aguilar
wasn't a superhero like we all thought he was going to.
BE i know you were clamoring for him to wear
a different black and gold transfer Into wake FOUR.
Speaker 1 (05:52):
Us it would have taken, WELL i.
Speaker 3 (05:53):
KNOW i think that's the thing that goes to point to, coaching,
right the fact That aguilar is still so coveted'll so
wanted out there in the, portal but did not have
an amazing year AT App state last.
Speaker 1 (06:04):
Year so then we focused on the.
Speaker 3 (06:06):
Defense they got a whole bunch of different, players one
of those you'd like to have some, experience but also
maybe you don't want a whole lot of returning players
on that side exactly when you're giving up that many point.
Totals you mentioned some of the games fifty two To,
marshall forty eight To South alabama thirty eight To.
Speaker 1 (06:22):
Coastal that's not my app, state.
Speaker 2 (06:24):
It is Not man and SO Dj smith is coming
in to take over that. Defense App state linebacker from
two thousand and seven to two thousand and, ten and
so we'll start right, there former, player the pride is.
There do you think that that could be enough to
be able to get this unit close to what they once?
Speaker 1 (06:44):
WERE i think.
Speaker 3 (06:45):
SO i think the fact that you're starting to get
some of the talent that you, have and any homegrown
talent that you're going to be able to get is
going to be. Awesome but you just need some more
dudes on that side of the, ball and you need
more star players. Everywhere, honestly we can blend offense and
defense when we discussed, that but it just didn't feel
like they had any of their stars play like stars last,
year including going back to that quarterback. Position, so now
(07:06):
that you're revamping a defense and trying to find some
guys that you think can be, leaders you do have
your leading or your leading tackler coming back is going
to Be Kyle, arnhold who had fifty five tackles last.
Year but like fifty five tackles as your lead, guy well.
Speaker 1 (07:20):
He was a third leading.
Speaker 3 (07:21):
Tackler was kind top guys are going, well but your
top returning is What i'm. Saying, yes, yes your top
returning tackler only had fifty five going to point to
even the guys that are, returning it's not like they
set the world on. Fire so with some new additions,
here hopefully you can have this nice blend of we
can put all of our superhero prowess and some of
the new, additions and then the other guys can just stay.
(07:43):
Steady they know the, scheme they can play a little
bit more up to speed with their familiar WELL i
guess nobody has familiar, yeah because it's a new coaching.
Speaker 2 (07:49):
Set and the thing, is you, know flanning on when
we were talking about this, team sometimes every good returning
starter isn't a good returning, starter. Okay and so for
the defensive, line for a unit that gave up so
much last, year zero starters are, back so you get
a fresh. Start, okay you might've hit rock bottom last,
year and so you've got some new. Guys Thomas davis
a solid hybrid edge rusher on the outside they're going
(08:10):
to be depending on a lot from him and that
they brought in through the. Portal Dylan manuel From Charleston.
Southern he had a very strong year last year in THE.
Fcs he was a Freshman All american from Phil, steel
so they're going to be depending on him to rise
up the ranks as. Well then you've also got FORMER
Nc state Transfer Nick, campbell which they're counting on him
(08:33):
a lot as well as well As Kevin Abrams verwayne
two and he is in his seventh, year so the
old man needs to be able to get it. Done
so this defensive, line it all starts. There zero starters,
return but they do have some talent there that's.
Speaker 1 (08:47):
Available we'll see how that shakes.
Speaker 3 (08:49):
Out you, know it's interesting to, me despite seeing a
guy come from The power five level and Dal logins
taking over that head coaching, vacancy you don't see a
lot of The power five transfers where you just think
it superior talent and they're going to be better as
soon as they go down a. Level, really what App
state did was they got a lot of guys from
EITHER fcs or schools that you would consider beneath App. State,
(09:09):
upfront and with the guys that had awesome, years they
decided we're going to put a little more stock into
the numbers that they did. Produce i'llbeit for a different
school rather than the guys that were supposed to but.
Didn't i'll be it at a bigger. School and SO
i like that philosophy as. Well perhaps interesting because it
is Dow login's coming from the VAUNTED sec At arkansas
(09:30):
And South. Carolina, no he just subscribes to the if
you ball, here then you can ball anywhere, theory AND
i like that theory more so than the other one
of well if you didn't ball, here Then i'll just
bring you down a level and then it'll all turn
out for. You, now, man that's not how it works
all the. Time so that's just an interesting transfer portal.
Speaker 1 (09:47):
Strategy all.
Speaker 2 (09:48):
Right when we come, back we're going to finish up
talking about this app state defense because we have a
lot more to get. To this is The wes And Walker.
Speaker 4 (09:55):
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(11:18):
wes And. Walker so getting back into the conversation with
the app state defense and if you had to pick
an aspect that you wanted to return, to this defense
to give some of that bite. Back, man it's really
hard because they're kind of in a position just like
the team. Here they were seventh in their conference in
sacks last, year AND i talked about how the run
(11:39):
defense was abysmal. Too BUT i think for, defense you
have to start with the run defense because you want
to keep teams behind the, chains and so for App,
state you're going to have to do. That and we
talked about the defensive, line but then as we move
into that second, level you talked About arnholt and him
coming back this year as the third leading. Tackler he's
going to be a guy that they want to turn
(12:00):
into a stud in that. Defense at the lineback. Position
they've got a couple OF sec transfers, There brayshawn Little
john Followed Coach loggins From, missouri and Then Ronnie porter
From South. Carolina so we'll see who emerges out of those.
Guys And so IF i had to pick an aspect
of this App state defense that must improve for them
(12:21):
to try to get back to once they once, WERE
i would start with the run, defense and then IF
i can get a little more pass, words, Cool BUT
i think that the run, defense if you can keep
teams behind the. Chains that's a big help in and of.
Speaker 3 (12:32):
Itself i'm looking for the secondary, too because we've seen
some stars really at all three levels of App state,
before but they've had some really excellent corners in past.
YEARS i do think that App state is one of
those teams that if they can stop the, pass like
if you could have Just i'm looking for them to
get back to what they were Because App, state if
you go back and form that identity of being one
(12:54):
of the best schools at this level in the, country
what were they looking. Like, well they could run the
football really. Well they always had a quarterback that you
could at least, trust even if they weren't the outright
star of the. Team and then on, defense you could
stop the, run you had willing. Tacklers but they would
turn out some talent in that secondary, Also So i'm
looking at, also just can you limit the big plays
that you gave up so many last?
Speaker 1 (13:15):
Year they gave up a.
Speaker 3 (13:16):
Ton your point is probably a little more enhanced by
this stat but looking at some of the red zone,
stats they were absolutely. Abysmal how about allowing foes to
score on thirty six of thirty nine red zone. TRIPS
i just only that's just go aham and put the
points on the. Bolt just disgusting. Stuff So, okay maybe
the defensive line is the thing you're looking at more
(13:37):
so in the red, zone just because it's hard to
get big plays only twenty twenty five yards out, ANYWAY
i just think if you can limit some of the big,
PLAYS i expect some regression back to the mean in
the red. Zone so if the red zone numbers can
only go up from what they saw last year and
you limit big plays with the secondary lock and some
guys down back, THERE i think this defense is going
to be set up for a lot more success than
(13:58):
they were last.
Speaker 2 (13:59):
Year and that leads me to the next, segment going
to the secondary of this defense and the power for
transfer THAT i think will have the biggest impact for.
Them it's Cornerback jaden. Mcburrows he's a guy that comes
over from The university Of. Michigan he appeared in nineteen
games for The. Wolverines he had thirteen tackles in an.
Interception so a tricky player because he wasn't very good At.
(14:19):
Michigan there's a reason why he exited the. Program but
could he come over to App state and kind to
revitalize what he could have been coming Into. Michigan we shall,
see BUT i think they're going to be leaning on
him a lot and his power for experience to come
into that secondary to help them limit those big. Plays
he's also got a couple OF sec transfers at, safety
(14:41):
but those guys are more depth pieces right. Now dylan
has he comes From arkansas And Emery floyd comes From South.
Carolina so those guys right now are not slated to
be in the starting. Lineup and then you also have
returning Corner Ethan. Johnson and then you Have Jordan favors
who was Thirteen All Sun belt in twenty twenty, three
and Also Miles. Farmer he will be the other safety
(15:04):
and he had massed over one hundred tackles In nebraska And.
Syracuse he played in a few games last year for App.
State so the secondary has some. Promise BUT i think
when you look at the power forward transfer THAT i
think will make the biggest. IMPACT i would have to
go With jaden mcburrows From. Michigan, YEAH i had mcburrows as.
Well you also have Some South carolina guys coming. In
WHEN i talked about only really focusing on some of
(15:25):
the players that were coming from the below levels. Up
it's really on the defensive, line, honestly that that point is.
True everywhere, else there's a lot Of power five guys
to choose. From i'm looking at the twenty four to
seven look right, now a bunch of three stars all
over the place that you have coming in from The
power five. Level and as you see when coaches come
from The power five level Or power, Four i'm always
(15:46):
going to say power. Five, yeah power five is still,
easy still stick, WITH i.
Speaker 3 (15:50):
Know but so The power four, level you do have
Your Ronnie porter linebacker coming over From South. Carolina there's
a couple of other game cocks THAT i was trying
to look at as well that you see linked on
twenty four to. Seven but a bunch of three, stars
like you got some three star guys that you're having
to rely on with your what you're losing eight starters
(16:11):
from last, Year so there are plenty of guys to
choose from that you have coming over from the big.
Schools it's just upfront that you have some of those
smaller school guys that produced at that.
Speaker 2 (16:19):
Level axe all, right that's the App Statete defense with
twenty twenty five, Founder what are your thoughts on this
defense and what they can bring to the table this.
Speaker 1 (16:25):
Year, well, damn they can't be much worse than they
were last.
Speaker 5 (16:28):
Year SO i, mean for, THEM i think the thing
that you're looking for is that this team rushes the
passer better than they did a year. AGO i, MEAN
i think coming back they have like three sacks from
a year ago that are back on the. Roster weren't
a team that really got after the quarterback, well and
they only created four interceptions last. Year they got to
(16:49):
be better at creating. Turnovers so for this, UNIT i
think those are going to be the key things for.
Them especially if you're going to be a team that's
going to give up yards in the run game or
you're going to give up yards in the, passing you've
got to be able to have those havoc, plays those,
sacks those. Turnovers so hopefully for App state they get
to see some of those this.
Speaker 2 (17:09):
Season All, right we will see if the former App
state Linebacker Dj smith can indeed bring this App state
defense back to. Glory and now we're gonna turn the
page and talk about their opponent's. Defense The charlotte forty nine,
ers and what is this crew going to?
Speaker 3 (17:24):
Do so?
Speaker 2 (17:24):
Flound did you already know what to? Do let's give
them a double. Dose drop that intro for The charlotte
forty nine ers.
Speaker 7 (17:30):
Defense it's the sound you waited much to. Hear it's
caused some of your greatest, triumphs.
Speaker 6 (17:39):
The post, fix the tax, time today your biggest. Heartbreaks
the first time in Tar bred, History sarlotte Beatsa power five,
Opponent CLUB.
Speaker 8 (17:50):
La, indeed it's the option At Georgia. Tech It's Howard's
rock the smoke In miami and Every saturday you tap that.
Sign college football is, here.
Speaker 5 (18:09):
All.
Speaker 2 (18:09):
Right The charlotte defense for twenty twenty five will be
led By Nate, fanis who was a co defensive coordinator
At ohio in twenty twenty. Four they get five starters,
back and this is a crew that's going to run
a four to five. Alignment that's alignment is starting to
become more and more popular around, football and he's going
to hope to bring over that same success that he
(18:31):
had In ohio because The bacat defense was one of
the nation's best last. Season they were number ten in total,
defense number three and rushing yards, allowed And ohio was
one of just six programs in the country to allow
under one hundred yards rushing per. Game so that is
a rugged unit when you are able to do that
and hoole teams under one hundred yards. Rushing so how
(18:52):
excited Should charlotte fans be About Nate fanis and can
he transfer that defensive dominance From ohio to The Queen
city because he's got a lot of new pieces to
be able to work.
Speaker 3 (19:03):
With the guy has created a lot of talent Alongside Tim.
Albin if you go and you check out some of
the players that he is in charge of, developing whether
he be a position, coach whether he be a graduate,
assistant whether he be co defensive. Coordinator each of those
years that he's spent At ohio at different, spots there
are so many different players that he developed on his.
Watch talking about some first, team second Team All conference
(19:26):
guys that you just keep rolling down the list And
i'll save you The Quentin polings To Chad, Morris i'll
go ahead and stop with what they were able to
accomplish At. Ohio the other thing is the guys that
stayed At ohio that were so good that we're making
ALL mac teams on the defensive side of the. Ball,
well you could also look at some of the guys
that were transferring out Of ohio that we give a
lot of credit To Tim albin. With but if you're
(19:46):
bringing some of your staff over and you're starting to
develop some of those players a little bit more so
on your particular side of the, ball THAN i would
love to see that happen here In. Charlotte we've Had
Alex heidsmith he goes to THE. Nfl we've Had ogunjobi THE.
Nfl Brad Lambert west was really the last guy that
we saw have a bunch of talent Like gammol And
(20:07):
Jawan foggy and some of those other really good. Players
it's been really tough Since Brad lambert Slash Glenn spencer
and that's.
Speaker 1 (20:16):
It that's all we. Got, defensively we've been pretty terrible
for a long. Time.
Speaker 3 (20:19):
NOW i do feel a lot more confident about this
defense improving because a little like App, state the only
way you seemingly can go is.
Speaker 1 (20:27):
Up they were a bad.
Speaker 2 (20:28):
Defense zero starters returned on the defensive, line And Brayden
mullen is the best of the transfers on that defensive.
Speaker 1 (20:35):
Line he was a two Time ALL Ivy league.
Speaker 2 (20:38):
Pick he earned first team honors last, season and he
comes Into charlotte with twenty and a half tackles for
loss and.
Speaker 1 (20:44):
Thirteen and a half sacks in his.
Speaker 2 (20:46):
Career and so the thing with This charlotte, defense they
finished tenth or worse in every important. Category and so
this defense is going to have to be led by
the d. Line we know, that and the question is
are they going to have enough beef up front to
be able to do, so especially when you talk about
stopping the, run because that defensive, tackle the slated starters
are a bit. Undersized when you look at this, crew
(21:08):
and it starts With Jamarion, solomon he goes six one two,
seventy not necessarily ideal size for a defensive, tackle and
then Make O williams Or MACY O, williams excuse, me
six one two.
Speaker 1 (21:21):
Eighty so these.
Speaker 2 (21:21):
Guys are a little bit, undersized but that doesn't mean
that they don't have the fight in the skill because
we know That charlotte has had some big guys that
have been in the middle of that defense and it
has not.
Speaker 1 (21:31):
Mattered so with that crew up.
Speaker 2 (21:34):
THERE i Think Brad mullin is the guy that you
really look at to lead this unit and be their,
anchors so to. Speak but how worried Should charlotte fans
be since they don't have any starters coming back on
their defensive.
Speaker 1 (21:45):
Side this is a good. Ridk that's. Fine, yes that's. Okay,
yeah we're all. Good that's.
Speaker 3 (21:49):
Okay we can just have all the new guys come
in and hit the reset. Button you mentioned some of
the other. Players one guy THAT i really want to
shed some light on, though That i'm excited about is, somebody,
yes out Of Northwest Mississippi Community.
Speaker 1 (22:02):
College, okay that's.
Speaker 3 (22:03):
Right It's Jalen, JOHNSON a Different Jalen, johnson not the
one that is the cornerback in THE. Nfl but he's
an edge rusher that had a nice career over. There
in two seasons With Northwest mississippi had six, sacks ten
tackles for. Loss and a guy That i'm hoping can
be able to blossom here With fanas With Tim, albin
and it just feels Like i'm looking for some star
(22:24):
power to where we can really turn the volume up
at a position of. Impact he's six.' four he does
provide a little bit of size for you with that kind.
Of height he comes in at two point Fifty on.
Charlotte's website so do you look the part and can
you play? The part there are some indicators to suggest that.
He CAN so i really like that jump that he's
helping us. Out with even with some of the small
guys that, you mentioned who are the dudes that look
(22:46):
good getting off of. The bus this is one of
those players coming off.
Speaker 2 (22:49):
Of the Edge for charlotte and then For the charlotte forty,
NINE ers i think the prime spot to look at
as a strong part of, this team not just this
defense on, the linebackers and we've talked a Lot About.
Speaker 1 (23:00):
Reid williford.
Speaker 2 (23:01):
He's back He led charlotte with seventy, seven tackles six
and a half tackles for loss in. Two sacks but
then they also Bring In, shaye taylor who was a
big git to follow along With coach albin and. The
crew he was Third TEAM all mac. Last year and
then they Also Have gavin willis who comes In. From
bucknal he had one hundred and twenty nine tackles. Last
(23:22):
year so this is a strong group of linebackers that.
THEY have i think this is going to be the
catalyst for this defense if the guys up front can
keep their. BODIES clean i think if this defense, MARKEDLY
improves i think you would have to start with the
LINEBACKERS because i think that's where the.
Speaker 3 (23:39):
Studs, are yeah, NO doubt i agree. WITH you i
do think that You have conley at safety that is
also going to really help. You out, and SO really
i THINK the x factor for this defense is can
your defensive line produce just enough for everybody to just
be able to run free on the? Back End because
conley's not afraid, to tackle and you have your linebackers
that you just mentioned all, their stats they ACKed up
(24:00):
a ton of Tackles with gillis at what he Did At,
buck now so or willis. EXTREME matter i Just Combined
Gavin willis willis what he Did At Big. Buck, now
so if you can just have a bunch of those dudes,
RUN free i think that's the way you're. Successful defensively
can your defensive line step up just enough for all
that talent on the back end?
Speaker 1 (24:19):
To, produce yeah and you talked about the second there
Saw What.
Speaker 2 (24:21):
Jaquarius conley they have him listed as a nickelback and
he would be a big one, six one two hundred and.
Fifteen pounds he's Regarded as charlotte's. Best player he's A
Preseason all conference Selection by Athlon. And field steel And
Safety caleb curtin is a guy that could also be.
A headliner he's a TWO Time Fcs All American First
Team All Colonial athletic association pick Out of elon the past,
(24:45):
two seasons he Led the phoenix and tackles. Both years
he had eighty and twenty twenty three and seventy five.
Last season so this is one of those hungry guys
that's coming up from a lower league that's going to
be ready to play because they're gonna. Need it no
defender picked off more than two passes last season, for
them and creating turnovers was an issue for. This team
twelve takeaways in. Twelve games you're going to need more
(25:08):
to be able to get. It done AND so i
think the biggest key to turning around, this defense obviously,
For me i'm going to always go to. The trenches
it starts there because everybody else benefits off of. Their
play you don't even have to be the best unit,
Out there but can you keep those linebackers clean so
they can fly around and make plays and create just
enough noise and you can always combine the linebackers on.
(25:30):
The blitz but this secondary has some talent. Back THERE
if i had to look at another unit on this
TEAM that i feel, good about it would. Be them
Because With jiaquarius conley regarded as the best defensive player on,
This Team, caleb curtin a guy that's gonna come over
with nice pedigree Out, OF elne i think that there
are some good foundational pieces For coach fantis and For
(25:50):
coach albin on this defense to help turn this.
Speaker 3 (25:53):
Thing, around yeah he was voted a captain by his team.
Coming in we actually heard from him with press availability
Yesterday with charlotte's. Press conference i'm really happy that he's
won able to put all the stuff that he had
to go through the last couple of years behind him
and just focus on. Playing football, And Clearly, tim albin
somebody that we know can evaluate talent at a, high
(26:14):
level he wanted To keep conley on, this team and
he wanted to keep him on the team. So badly
he then eventually Named him Macaptain alongside, conley's teammate so
he's going to be a big part of. This DEFENSE
and i continue to look At what fannis wants. TO
orchestrate i think, you're RIGHT and i think it's on
purpose that you have such, good linebackers such good back,
end players and that if your defensive line can, hold
(26:36):
up then you can see some multiple one hundred tackle
seasons like what he's produced with some of the other Linebackers.
At ohio and so this seems to be the philosophy with.
This defense and even if the defensive line makes, some
mistakes you have a lot of really talented players that
can clean those.
Speaker 2 (26:52):
Mistakes, up yeah and this defense is going to be
tested right off on a bet because the game that
we've been advertising Here on friday Versus app state is
a huge game and this is a nice barometer for.
Both teams where are you at? Right now this is
not you playing some patsy to start the season off
to look good. For everybody this is going to be a.
Real test app's got a lot, to prove so they're
going to try and push this forty nine ers. Defense
(27:14):
around and then you've Got The North carolina tar heels
a power. For opponent So this charlotte defense is not
going to have a lot of time to get things.
In order they're going to need to. Start fast these
players that we've been, speaking about they're going to have
to come out off of the rip and be guys
that you can count on and be able to. Make
plays else we could be seeing some ugly scores and
(27:34):
ugly outcomes For the charlotte forty.
Speaker 3 (27:36):
Nine ers I'VE never i told you, this yesterday, not
never but it's been a While since i've gone Into
a charlotte football Season giving charlotte the benefit of. The
Doubt and i'm doing that with this coaching regime because
nobody's had the type of Resume that alvin has Or that.
Fannas has going back all the WAY to i, would
say Maybe You're glenn spencer, defensive coordinator and some of
(27:57):
the guys that were There With, brad lambert who was
the first ever Coach in charlotte, football history those guys
had some things you could point to, AND say i was.
Speaker 1 (28:05):
Successful Here With, will healy it was.
Speaker 3 (28:08):
A gamble you took one of the youngest coaches in college,
football history and he had a remarkable Turnaround with Austin
p as the RAW ross ceo Type approach kent head
coach brought us to A first. Bowl GAME but i
put so much of that On What alex atkins was
able to do as a genius play caller in, my
opinion that eventually landed him a Job With, florida state
helping him go undefeated in conference play and in regular
(28:30):
season play being the orchestrator of. It all who are
the coaches that we can, trust, on man who are
or trust in and who we can? DEPEND upon i
think now you have a few of. Those GUYS and
i would trust our defensive coordinator quite a lot With
What tim alvin. Is doing bringing him and they've worked
together for what a, DECADE now i think having that
(28:52):
familiarity in that trust and everybody being on the, SAME
page i think that's going to be a huge thing
for them.
Speaker 1 (28:57):
As, well ronald do you Like this charlotte defense in twenty? Twenty,
FIVE yeah i.
Speaker 5 (29:00):
Definitely think it's gonna. Be better you, Know me i'm
A Huge dequarius, conley guy was when he Was. AT
carolina i think he's a great Fit for. CHARLOTTE defensively
i think The. Linebacking corps the Fact That reed williford
came back thought he was going, to start And Now
hunter bailey is telling us. HE'S not i think it
shows you the depth at, that position you feel really confident.
About that and then defensively or on the defensive, LINE
(29:24):
rather I Mean BRAYDON mullen i think is the guy
to keep an eye on. RIGHT there i expect him
to take some a step in the, right direction, you
know coming Up.
Speaker 1 (29:33):
From dartmouth and here's. THE thing i forget who.
Speaker 5 (29:38):
Told who, Said THIS and i don't remember if it
was on this show or if it was on. ANOTHER
shows i heard it somewhere that you always want to
go with guys that are coming up as opposed to
guys that are coming down when you're at these mid,
major schools because guys that have failed at the previous level,
they still, you know for, some reason they don't click at.
(29:58):
THESE Levels u we've seen some guys that have, had
success but there's. Not many you'd rather have the guys
that are coming up because they are going to be
more motivated to. Prove THEMSELVES and i think there's a
lot of those types of guys that are On this.
Charlotte DEFENSE so i expect these guys to be pretty successful.
This YEAR and i love the continuity, of having, you
know a guy that's been with you for so many
(30:20):
years as the. DEFENSIVE coordinator i do think that's gonna
work Wonders.
Speaker 1 (30:24):
For, CHARLOTTE yah i think you might have heard that from.
Speaker 2 (30:25):
Your boy i'm not, quite SURE but i KNOW that
i feel that way guys that are coming up as
opposed to guys that are coming down because also to
us some of the attitude and entitlement that comes. With it,
you know you come to these programs and you're, looking,
LIKE well i Was at MICHIGAN or i Was At.
Ohio state well it didn't. Work out that's why, You're,
here okay so you need to. Chill out you, Know
what i'm going to lay claim. TO it i just
(30:45):
mentioned it in the last segment With. App state so
that's the it's Just the West and.
Speaker 3 (30:52):
Walker philosophy we know both coaches taking this approach in
a lot. Of Ways DAL maybe i overstated It with
dal because there are plenty of players in the linebacker
and lineback and corps and secondary that he's getting from
some of the, bigger schools but up front he Didn't
And TIM albin i wonder how much of that is
a good thing because it's on purpose or it's because
(31:15):
this is the only type of player that you can.
Go after, EITHER way i like the players that, they
have and that's ultimately. What Matters, all, right folks when we,
come back we're gonna. Talk rookies are There?
Speaker 2 (31:24):
Any panthers there are there any players That the panthers
may already be regretting that they didn't select based off
how they performed in. The Preseason On sports ready on
ninety TWO, Seven wfnz, welcome.
Speaker 1 (31:48):
Back folks this Is the West And. Walker show the
one o'clock hour is.
Speaker 2 (31:52):
Almost done we will soon be heading into the two,
o'clock hour And the panthers continue to. MAKE moves i
Saw some panthers Fans clamor i'm for This. On Twitter
the panthers plan to Add Quarterback hendon hooker and RUNNING Back,
Dj dallas so ONE ex acc guy and THEN another,
ACC Guy dj dallas as well From A miami hurricane
(32:14):
to the, Practice squad so there. You go dallas was
a twenty twenty fourth round Pick, by seattle so he's
got a Background with canalis, and idsig what do you
think of As the panthers fans Rejoice Because hendon hooker
is here and He's A north.
Speaker 3 (32:27):
CAROLINA key a lot of People Wanted hendon hooker in,
the draft and this is. What happens people fall in
love with the quarterbacks that are supposed to go in
the second through fourth rounds, and, say hey maybe they
could be The Next. Tom brady didn't work Out for Hendon,
in detroit they decided to leave, him be but a
lot of people were really wanting him Around The. Queen
city so now you. Get him he's a THIRD. String
(32:47):
qb perhaps you can develop him enough to turn into
a backup Quarterback When andy dalton. Is Gone bryce shung
is still YOUR, franchise qb because that is what we
all hope for. Around Here But hendon hooker coming back
after what was an excellent season that he Had at
tennessee to end his, collegiate career took him a little
while to get Going At, virginia tech but even had
some nice stuff in blacksburd that he.
Speaker 1 (33:07):
Gave YOU so i like.
Speaker 3 (33:09):
THE talent i like what you Have In, hendon HOOKER
and i think it's worth a shot giving him THAT
third qb spot over what you Got In jack Plumber And,
bryce perkins who you brought in for essentially.
Speaker 1 (33:19):
A game and that, was it.
Speaker 2 (33:20):
All Right So nick bumgardner Of the athletic put together
his preseason rookie, winners list which twenty twenty five draft
first rounders Thrived, in august and so he broke it
down into, different tiers and in his, winners tier there
were some interesting names that he. Had there so just
checking In with panther FANS because i know a lot
of them were excited about what they Saw from. Tetoroa
(33:41):
McMillan then we remember around, Draft Time jalen walker was
a guy that we all thought would more than likely
be to pick because he was the dominant selection in
a lot of. Mock drafts so we'll start though with the,
first rookie the guy that was my favorite offensive lineman in,
this draft and he went To The New, Orleans Saints.
Kelvin BANKS and i did watch a little bit of
the game when They Played, san DIEGO and i saw
(34:03):
some reps, from HIM and i thought he looked. Really
good but they talked about how he was outstanding and
protection this preseason didn't allow a pressure and fifty four
snaps as a, left tackle talked about how he had
a little bit of technique stuff that he needed to,
clean up but they said that this will Probably Allow
trevor penning to move inside to. Left Guard But, kelvin
banks from, all accounts was. Outstanding here so With ikey
(34:25):
akuano and with the questions that we have, WITH him
i know that we wanted to see this year play
out to kind of get a. Final verdict but do
you kind of regret Not Picking. Kelvin banks was his
play strong enough for you, to, say man maybe the
panther should have gone in.
Speaker 3 (34:40):
That, direction no it's going to be tough for me
to completely sway my opinion one way or. The OTHER
but i Do Like kelvin banks not allowing a single
sack and not allowing pressure.
Speaker 1 (34:50):
At all.
Speaker 3 (34:50):
That's fantastic not allowing a single pressure in fifty, four
snaps as, you mentioned with some of the, stats THERE
and i would take that every day of. The Week
Maybe kelvin banks can step up in a Way that
fuwaka just never really did. Last year saw some film
heads not pleased with what he PROVIDED for i.
Speaker 1 (35:07):
LIKED them i liked the.
Speaker 3 (35:09):
PICK too i thought it was a, nice. Pick worthwhile
it had zero issues. With it and so if he's
not going to step up and be a first, round
value you can't miss on two offensive linemen in.
Speaker 1 (35:19):
A row doesn't seem like they missed at least through three.
Speaker 3 (35:22):
Preseason games run game run blocking pretty terrible, For him
but guess what they teach you to do at. Left
tackle they need you to protect. The quarterback and if
you don't allow a single pressure as a, left tackle
it's gonna be. All right you're gonna get a lot
of money in. This League So kevin banks good For
the Saints because i've hated a lot of stuff that,
they've done especially in. Free agency just their philosophy makes
(35:44):
no sense. To me but draft, PICK wise i liked
the attempt at drafting offensive lineman last year and. SAME
thing I Thought kevin banks was the worthwhile selection.
Speaker 2 (35:52):
This year and to, be fair in his ready to,
start category he does Have tedor roa McMillan, in there
and he did dismiss his drops in that they would
have been. Tough catches but he feels like that he
is a young man that is ready. To go so
you did get pretty much what you wanted Out of tetoroa,
This preseason but then going down To those atlanta, Pass
(36:13):
Rushers jalen walker is a guy that's been having a
little bit of a tough time. With injuries in his,
write up, he says Per The Athletics, Josh kendall walker
has missed more than Half of atlanta's padded workouts this
month because of hamstring and. Growing injuries they said neither,
seemed major, they, said However so atlanta expects to have
Him for, week one but how he'll perform is another
(36:33):
questioning he wasn't a guy we heard a. Ton about
And Then James. Fish jr they said he had Flashes during.
Falcons camp he had seven Pressures against Detroit. And tennessee
but he's not going. To start he's still on the
depth Chart Behind, leonard FLOYD the. Kg veteran they said
he is going, to play but just a matter of.
How much now you get a little bit of a
mixed Bag with pierce because they talk about how much
(36:54):
they liked him. And camp he brings attitude and he's
a guy that they see a lot of. Potential with
still he's not going to. Start either do you feel
Like that carolina might have? Dodged one not picking either
of these.
Speaker 3 (37:05):
Young men maybe they didn't, dodge one but it's nice
to see that they're not immediately wrecking shop as soon
as they stepped foot IN an nfl.
Speaker 1 (37:13):
Football field Now, With peers i'm.
Speaker 3 (37:15):
WITH you I think pierce has shown you something that
is interesting with getting after the quarterback quite, a bit
had a good pass rush, win rate was providing pressures in,
the preseason had plenty. Of wins i'm cool. With, that
yeah that's what you drafted him, to do is rush.
The passer it's crazy to see how many fights he's
(37:35):
gotten it in. Traded camp, right away like YOU and
i were just dying laughing at the side studio talking
about how he is living up to all of the
worries that everybody had for him coming Out. Of tennessee
AND it's i know that you had some Comments From
josh Hipel On. James pearce we liked having him Here. At, tennessee.
(37:57):
YadA YadA it. Just happened wasn't Wasn't a he didn't
come out and stomp on all those reports and the
fact that like. It's hilarious every report you see or
every day there's something new With what pierce is doing in.
Training camp that's a Lot, Of, yespa okay it's a
lot as a rookie coming in and saying all. THIS
stuff i think he's even demanding what music to play
(38:18):
in the.
Speaker 2 (38:19):
Locker room you got to have a set on you
to come into the locker room and tell the vets
what you want to. Be Played and i'm guessing if
you don't want to play what he wants to play
is probably going to result in.
Speaker 3 (38:31):
A confrontation, i, Mean so i'm of two schools of thought.
On that you sound like. A problem i'm not, gonna
LIE but i kind of love IT because i want
more ridiculous stories.
Speaker 1 (38:42):
From, it okay but you sound like. An issue can
play looks to get after.
Speaker 3 (38:47):
The Quarterback The jalen walker stuff as a, continued rample
just YOU and i were both likely.
Speaker 2 (38:53):
Quite, fancy okay, All right so the other wide receiver
in this division though that he will be compared to
to talking about. Tetroa McMillan he also made the list
of Winners A mecca abuka Out Of. Tampa bay they
said he's been ready to play IN the nfl for.
Two years they talked about all the great traits and
they said he flashed it all even before Arriving In.
Tampa bay they talk about, the, route discipline, the HANDS,
(39:15):
football iq all of, those things and they Said with
jayalen McMillan On Ir chris godwin still on the, pup
list they said he's been given more opportunity on what
had looked like a crowded depth chart and that he
could be a guy that takes. Off quickly and so,
FOR me i, would, SAY yeah i would still stick
with my original SAYING that i Wanted A. MECCA abuka
(39:37):
i thought he was the best first round receiver in
this draft AND that i would have taken him, over
ANYONE and i still stick. By that but that's not
a Shot. AT tartaroa i do like some of the
THINGS that i saw, from HIM but i still would
Go to.
Speaker 3 (39:49):
Mecca, BOOK yeah i don't think you heard a single
bad thing about him in the pre. Draft process any
national podcast you, listen to with all of the different
voices they have in their ear with, different franchises apparently
they would get a call from other teams Outside Of
tampa bay, and, Say Yeah, tampa bay they just got an.
(40:09):
Awesome one he was a guy that we loved that
we just decided to address a. Different position but you
didn't hear a bad thing, About him and so if
you were convinced that he was the number one wide
receiver in the pre, draft process all you've seen is,
confirmation bias and it might not even be misguided. Confirmation
bias this is THE one i think if you're asking
me WHO am i most scared of IN The nfc
(40:31):
south being the, Best Rookie kelvin banks could be that
guy and just be an awesome. Left tackle that's, true
too but there's a little added bonus here of drafting
the same exact position and then having a guy go
eleven spots later at. That spot abuka looks to be
a real real issue for all sorts. Of teams and
the work ethic, is there the precise, route running is
(40:52):
there just enough explosion to be able to do a
whole bunch of stuff with the football in.
Speaker 1 (40:56):
His hands that's.
Speaker 2 (40:57):
The, one yeah still would take t mak, over HIM
though i would still take Team, At yeah BUT if
i Drafted a mecca at, number eight let me.
Speaker 3 (41:06):
Just, trying yeah they're, both awesome and they're, both different
but they're. Both awesome and then the Last guy i'll
bring in and then we're up against a. Little bit
but another guy just wanted to throw. In that we
all talked about a lot.
Speaker 2 (41:15):
Around Here, tyler warren also listed in, the winners thought
about how you have some things to clean up with the,
run blocking but as, a receiver he's been like that
for catches sixty five yards and. Limited work said he
looks to be a plus producer as. A rookie so let,
Us know. Panther fans on the FanDuel, text line is
there anybody that we talked about or maybe that we
didn't talk about that you regret it not taking in?
(41:37):
The Draft On sports radio ninety TWO, seven wfnz when,
we return the two o'clock, hour begins listen To the
West And.
Speaker 4 (41:45):
Walker show we teased from noon to three Only On
sports radio ninety two POINT.
Speaker 6 (41:50):
Seven FM com Ufnz
Speaker 8 (41:52):
Lee official home Of The Charlotte sports fan
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