December 1, 2025 • 40 mins
Dave Canales joins Anish Shroff, Jim Szoke and Eugene Robinson on "Panther Talk" to recap the Panthers huge win over the LA Rams, praise Derrick Brown's performance on Sunday, discuss how the team navigated the short week, and so much more!
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Mark as Played
Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:00):
The following is an exclusive presentation of the Carolina Panthers
and the National.
Speaker 2 (00:04):
Football League Panther Doll and their doll and They're to.
This is Panther Talk on the Carolina Panthers Radio network.
Speaker 1 (00:16):
Rice Off play Action has time of the pocket, throws
downfield for McMillan, makes the come to the twenty.
Speaker 3 (00:22):
He's got the pen.
Speaker 2 (00:23):
The BDE tucks down, tay Back.
Speaker 1 (00:26):
Touchs down Carolina had the Panthers take the lead. What
six thirty four to go?
Speaker 4 (00:32):
I saw our guys respond to the challenge, respond to
a short week, be really focused on a modified week
where we weren't able to get out there and really
practice until Friday with any speed, you know. And the
guys were focused and locked in on the plan. And
it took all that communication to get it done.
Speaker 2 (00:48):
And now, along with Jim zoki and Eugene Robinson, here's
a niche shrouf with Panther Talk live from the Panthers
broadcast facility at of America Stio.
Speaker 1 (01:04):
Week thirteen officially in the books, the Panthers get there
well deserved and long awaited bye week. Welcome to Panther
talking to you, Shrop Jim Zokie Eugene Robinson, the head
coach of the Carolina Panthers, joining us as always, Dave Knalis.
I know you guys are excited about the bye week,
but what a way to go into the bye week.
(01:27):
Short week, La Rams, You've had almost twenty four hours
to digest kind of what took place shorthanded on defense
when you kind of look back, what did Sunday reveal
about this team?
Speaker 4 (01:39):
Unbelievable team win, determination, overcoming adversity, and then opportunistic coming
up with some huge plays on defense taking points off
the board with the early interception, you know that Derek
Brown batted up to Nick Scott there, and then Mike
Jack just pattern recognition and making sure he comes up
with the catch and scampering down the sideline for that one.
And then of course finishing the game on that last
(02:01):
sack fumble by Derek Brown and DJ Wantam picks it
up and we were all pretty excited. I might have
had contact with the official on that one, and I apologize.
I was one of the yes. I was one of
the people that was standing in the white really excited
about the play and felt horrible about it, you know,
because the official went down and so I was able
to go up up to him afterwards, and you know,
(02:23):
that could have impacted the game. And we have to
make sure that we're smarter in that spot. And I
got to make sure I get out of the guy's
way because what if it turned into a touchdown or
what you know, what if what if it's brought him
back to a point where they could get the ball
back and get into a field goal situation and send
it to overtime. So but anyway, it was just an amazing,
amazing finish by the group, and uh, just a really tough,
(02:44):
physical football game, just like we like it.
Speaker 1 (02:46):
You're the head coach. Does that cost you in kangaroo
court or the rules? I don't know.
Speaker 4 (02:50):
I don't I don't make those rules, so we'll see.
Speaker 5 (02:53):
Well, coach, were you in the locker room? You said
that you guys have not played your best football yet more.
Speaker 4 (03:00):
I truly believe it, And that's always got to be
the pursuit is to find our best the constant weekly
growth that we're looking for. And I'm talking about assignment football.
I'm talking about guys being where they're supposed to be
when they're supposed to be there in all phases. And
to play that kind of clean football that's out there
for us. That's our that's our goal, and that's our mission,
is to continue to improve fundamentally, it is the teams.
(03:22):
Are the teams that improve on the basic, most basic
level at this point of the year are the ones
who play their best football in December, Coach, I want to.
Speaker 5 (03:30):
Go to this deep over by McMillan when he went
across the field, did he make any adjustments on that,
because as he went across on that deep over, he
looked like he angled up towards like deeper down the
field as opposed to making the deep over became more like,
I don't.
Speaker 6 (03:45):
Know, Yeah, I know what you're saying. Yeah, he was adjusting.
Speaker 4 (03:48):
He was adjusting to the throw, and you know, he
basically just had two guys crossing on the play action
pass and Xavier was going over to the left. The
post safety chose him, so all of a sudden there
was no help deep and the corner was kind of
in the low hip on t Max. So Bryce saw
that layered the ball a little deeper. So t mac
was really just adjusting to the pass because Bryce was
(04:08):
trying to throw them open too space for the touchdown
and it worked out great.
Speaker 7 (04:12):
Just to follow up on that, you know, the two
fourth and shorts that are long touchdowns, you would think
by just the nature of it, those are lower percentage
plays during deep How much confidence you must have had
to dial those up and trust the guys that come
through with those plays.
Speaker 4 (04:24):
Yeah, we liked the matchup. Brad brad Izick and I
and Mike BERCOVICI were kind of the third down cadre
that gets together and you know, tries to find our
different matchups, and you know, we liked the fact that
those corners are really talented corners, but they're smaller than
our guys. Our guys are huge, you know, And we
decided to put Jalen Coker one on one on that side,
(04:44):
and we got the look that we wanted. They were
in a Manda Man look and Bryce just delivered the
ball perfectly so he could run it in and really
cashed in on some of those opportunities.
Speaker 6 (04:54):
When you look.
Speaker 1 (04:55):
Back at the third quarter in particular, it seemed like
that I kind of set the tone for the entire
second half. They had the ball for what three plays?
How much of that was intentional? The way you guys
used that thirteen personnel and tried to wear out that
front for LA.
Speaker 4 (05:12):
Yeah, just riding the momentum of what was happening up front.
We were getting good movement and our backs were running hard,
and I felt like this is the type of moment
that we could take advantage of. Let's keep the rams
offense on the sideline, but also like let's lean into
what's working for us here on top of it. Did
start raining pretty good in that time, so I had
to be really selective with the passes that we had.
(05:33):
But thanks to Goody and the run pod putting together
a great plan, you know, we had some variety in
our different personnels and different looks, and the big boys
upfront executed and we were able to stay out there
for a while.
Speaker 5 (05:44):
Coach I was talking to Jordan Gross and we were
talking about the office of line and how the office
of line needs to be in step with the quarterback
on his drops and so can you go over what
that looks like for the office of line? Do they
get back deeper, do they set short? What does that
look like when the quarterbacks going through a three to
five some step draw.
Speaker 4 (06:03):
Yeah, it's it's all tied into whether we're throwing it quickly?
How long is this pass coming out? So they're actually
people may not know, but our offensive linemen are listening
for the past concepts. They don't need to know exactly
what the pattern looks like.
Speaker 6 (06:16):
They just know.
Speaker 4 (06:17):
In this series, we got to make sure, hey, this
is a seven step drop, I have chip help I don't.
So they have to be tied into some of those things.
And you know, if it's coming out really quickly, that
can jump set a guy and keep them at the
line of scrimmage. And so that all is tied in
with Bryce's drops.
Speaker 7 (06:31):
The running game obviously a huge commitment with the two
running backs getting to thirty five carries and typical fickleness.
You hear Cuba being chanted in the crowd for Rico.
Was the start before this was an even split in
this game? Was that kind of the mindset you had
going in that might be even split as far as
the two backs in their work, Yeah, just.
Speaker 4 (06:48):
Trying to make sure that they both have an opportunity
to impact the game in a positive way. And you know,
the way that we were, you know, trying to continue
to do it is Cuba has been our primary third
down back now for a couple of weeks, he's excellent
in protection. And then we do run the ball when
it's third and whatever. You know, it could be third
and long on a draw play could be third and
medium or short, trying to give them past looks and
then hand the ball off. So he gives us that
(07:09):
great opportunity to be balanced and have variety in there.
And then of course just making sure that they're fresh,
making sure that they're going out there and they don't
have to think about saving anything in the tank. Just
cut it all loose every single play. We'll roll you
guys out there, in and out. It takes being efficient
on third and fourth down to get more opportunities to
(07:30):
run the ball. You see the contrast of the Niners
game one for seven on third down. Then you go
back to this week and we were fifty six percent
or something like that between third and fourth down. More
opportunities to run the ball, get into your play actions
and open up the playbook.
Speaker 1 (07:43):
As you move into the month of December, more cold
weather football, even here in Charlotte, having Cuba back to
being Cuba. How big is that for your run game.
Speaker 4 (07:53):
It's huge, It's huge, and this is exactly the vision
this is what we need and to be able to
play this time of year. And just speaking historically, not
just necessarily for us, but speaking historically, it's why the
commitment to the run game early in the season it
all pays dividends because the guys have a rhythm about
what you're doing. They understand how we're attacking things. The
(08:14):
receivers are a part of this, and it's the teams.
In December, with weather in different ways, you give yourself
a chance to continue to be successful and be balanced
because of the commitment to the run game.
Speaker 5 (08:24):
Coach Derek Brown made his presence known all day long yesterday.
When you look at Derek Brown, who does he remind
you of? I mean, I got some names that come
to mind, Cortes, Kennedy I played with, and of Warren
Sapp Who does he remind you of?
Speaker 4 (08:40):
I've played, I've had a chance to coach a bunch
of good defensive linemen. I really just can't compare anybody
to Derek Brown. He's one of a kind. He is
big and powerful, and it's the motor that's the part
that really impresses me with him. Is for such a
big man, he chases screens down you know, he comes
out the stack and he'll show up on a pass concept,
you know, after the run, and really just that kind
(09:02):
of character and leadership that he shows for us is
something that just has been really unique and really special
for me to watch.
Speaker 7 (09:07):
Obviously, credits to the players, but to talk about your
defensive coaching staff and special teams that matter, with all
the moving parts in a short week, with different guys
moving with the injuries and so forth. There, you know,
what a credit to have such sound schemes that we
could see defensively, everything covered up down the field, and
special teams really not missing much of a beat except
that one kick return.
Speaker 4 (09:24):
Yeah, an excellent job of pressing into the game plan.
It was not perfect. We let some stuff out there,
and you know, we missed the matches on the back
half a couple of times, you know, between the linebackers
and the dbs, but in general, guys were where they
were supposed to be. And and you know, coming off
of that short week, not being able to really get
into our running and practicing until Friday, you know, because
of the because of the quick turnaround, but the guys
(09:46):
were really intent on being focused on the game plan
and then came out there with a couple of new
guys helping us out on special teams as well.
Speaker 6 (09:53):
Coach did a short week help?
Speaker 5 (09:55):
I mean my contention is that when it was a
short week, man, you have the focus and get in
and you got to really focus.
Speaker 6 (10:02):
So did that help at all?
Speaker 4 (10:04):
I don't know if it helped. I know that the
guys met the challenge and we're up for it, and
you're right in those moments you have to just say, Okay,
what do I have to do today, you know, and
make sure that you're all in on what's happening today.
Win the day, have a one and no mentality every
single day.
Speaker 1 (10:19):
Coach Lathan Ransom got his first career start. When you
watch the film, what was your assessment of his play?
Speaker 4 (10:24):
Physical, very aggressive, throwing his body around, just like we
love he plays. He plays game, plays the game right.
He's got some stuff he'd be up here telling you
that he would like to correct, and you know those
things are being talked about and adjusted, but I just
love the style of play. It just continues to show up.
He had some amazing hits in the game on on
Kiren Williams and the Backs, and they had some great
(10:45):
runs too. It just it was a cool battle to
watch and to see Lathan out there playing at the
safety spot and showing up and helping his team.
Speaker 6 (10:52):
And then what did Richison give to you?
Speaker 4 (10:54):
Also just versatility and he's really in tune with what
we're doing. A guy that communicates really well on the
back half, and he did a good job on the
opportunities that he got.
Speaker 7 (11:05):
Last thing, just the atmosphere of that game making Bank
of America a tough place for opponents to come into.
I felt like the rain was almost energizing. The crowd
was into our top of the chanting and so forth.
The players responded to it as well. But as a
coach and just looking out at that, what did it
feel like to just make this a tough environment for
an opposing team to come into?
Speaker 4 (11:23):
It was wonderful And it definitely was something that you
could feel the delayed game at the end, they were
so loud, and even just in the third quarter on,
you know, there were third and fourth down rush opportunities
where they had to go silent and they were, you know,
having to communicate quickly. They were up against the clock.
That's an advantage for our rush group. That's an advantage
for our linebackers and safeties as they're trying to disguise
(11:45):
different things. The longer we can get them into account,
we can hold things and try to mask what we're
doing a little bit more. But I could feel it.
It was amazing when the run game got going. The
crowd was behind it, and we could feel that energy
and play off of that momentum, and so it was
a major impact.
Speaker 1 (12:01):
As you get ready for the buye and you kind
of get ready for the last four games with everything
in front of you, You've checked off a lot of
boxes in terms of progress and improvement this season with
this team. What's the next rung on the ladder for
the Carolina Panthers.
Speaker 4 (12:14):
Yeah, how long can we maintain that championship mentality? One
to no mentality? You know, and every game is so important.
We're gonna come off the bye. We can play the
Saints who played us great the first time, and they
had a great game plan they executed well that day.
So we just have to be focused on the Saints
when we get back and take advantage of this bye week,
make sure we put something back into the tank and
show up with that intentionality to be right back to
(12:36):
our focus right back, getting right back to really good football.
Speaker 1 (12:39):
Get some rest, and hopefully the guys can heal up
a little bit. Panthers head coach Dave Kanalis, you've been
listening to Panther Talk. Here are on the Carolina Panthers
radio network.
Speaker 2 (12:51):
This is Panther Talk. Pron do you buy Bank of America?
What would you like the power to do? I know
you're someone who tells the truth, and I'm gonna ask
you a question.
Speaker 4 (13:04):
How hurt were both of your calves?
Speaker 3 (13:06):
And don't lie to me?
Speaker 8 (13:08):
Yeah, I mean to be honest, I don't want to disclose, Okaying,
all right? I had kind of not just my calf,
with my whole left legs, some stuff going on there,
and obviously I wanted to come back. I wanted to
help the team win. I played through stuff throughout my career,
so I just told myself, look, no matter if you're
thirty percent, twenty percent, whatever it is, go out and play.
(13:33):
And I felt that, you know, I could do that. Obviously,
I wasn't up to par, wasn't doing what I need
to do. It took me a long time to get
back healthy.
Speaker 9 (13:42):
Pretty much.
Speaker 8 (13:43):
Last week was the first time I kind of felt
back to myself a little bit, and this week obviously
a little more so. It's been has been some ups
and downs, for sure.
Speaker 1 (13:54):
That was after the game on Sunday, Jake Delom asking
Suba Hubber about his calf, his leg injury, and a
very honest answer from Cuba. And you know, it's easy
when you're on the outside looking in to say, wellyo, Rico,
Dawdell's the guy, and feed Rico and what's wrong with
Cuba and trade Cuba. Cuba's not the guy, like Cuba
(14:17):
was hurt and you kind of got an honest response.
And now he's been a tough cookie since he's been here.
We saw it as a rookie in twenty twenty one,
he played through some pain. Cuba is back to be
in Cuba, and we started to see signs of that
in the Atlanta game, saw some more signs of that
against San Francisco, and then yesterday it was pretty much
(14:39):
a time share. He had the thirty five yard touchdown
catch seventeen carries season high eighty three yards. When we
had Dave Canalison, he talked about the value of two
productive running backs this time of the year, when you're
going to lean on your ground game more, and boy,
the Panthers equipped to do that. You have Rico Dowdell,
who's on pay for a thousand yards, he's what seventy
(15:01):
yards away from one thousand, and now you've got Cuba
back to being Cuba. I think what we saw on
Sunday in terms of the way they split the carries,
the way they rotate it in that looks to be
the cocktail for this running game.
Speaker 6 (15:15):
No doubt about that.
Speaker 5 (15:16):
And I would just say this, this is the reason
why you want your team to be healthy as you
go into bye weeks, or get healthy from a bye
week as you move into November December, because the healthy
teams in November December, those teams typically win games. And
the fact that Tuba's back to his full strength, you
(15:37):
can tell, you could tell the way he ran the
ball that you could tell, oh, that's more Cuba like
all right, And I like the honesty, but every football
player knows this. If you're hurt, that is a major
disadvantage to you, and you got to get healthy. You
have to, because sometimes coaches don't have the time to
go ahead and wait for you to get healthy. That's
(16:00):
why when ric O'Donnell was showing out. They don't have
the time to wait for you to go ahead, because
they got a business to run. They got games to win.
So that's standpoint. We all know that. So I'm glad
that Tube's back. I'm glad that he's healthy, and I'm
glad that he was honest about it, because that's a
lot of vulnerability to say that, you know what, Hey,
a line man, I was jacked up, dude, and you know,
and it didn't look good for me. That's underneath it
(16:22):
didn't look good for me. But now I'm back. I'm
glad he's back.
Speaker 7 (16:25):
I want to just add on to some of the
things you said in today's NFL was seventeen regular season
games in the long playoffs, the best teams are often,
as you said, the ones that are fortunate with injuries.
It's because a lot of teams have good teams and
good players, but they don't make it to be that team.
But they might look great through October, but then the
attrition hits. You've got to have the ability to take
(16:46):
care of your team's health. And they've done it, and
we'll see get the Bible. I never would have thought
a bye week in early December would have been optimal.
It seems to be hitting it exactly where you need,
especially to get all these defensive guys back. Jac Horn
should be ready role for the next game. Obviously, get
Merrick back from the suspension. But about the guys, maybe Claude,
Cheryl List and some others in there. So that's all important,
(17:06):
and don't forget too in that And again nobody asked him,
so you'll know. Rico Daudo has been battling a quad
over the past month and he's probably not one hundred
percent of the bye week for him. These two backs
coming back out of the bye week with some extended
time to hit those last four regular season games literally running,
I mean, that's going to be powerful.
Speaker 1 (17:23):
We said this on the show when Rico was in
the midst of that great stretch with Miami and Dallas
and Green Bay. We said, don't forget about Cuba. You're
going to need Cuba at some point in the season,
and we needed him on Sunday. They don't win that
game against the Rams without Cuba. Hubbard the other piece
for the run game, which it's not definite, but there's hope.
(17:48):
Robert Hunt has a chance to put us back at
some point. It's not definite. You hope he can, but
there is a chance that you get Robert Hunt back.
We're talking Jim about now, getting your best offensive lineman
back makes your passing game better, makes your run game better,
makes your offense better.
Speaker 7 (18:05):
Pro Bowl guard leader on that line brings energy and
juice on top of that, And even if he comes
in in a rotational role, if he can come back
and do that, that would add so much for a
team that's been so banged up on the offensive line,
just because obviously it's a plug and play wherever he
comes in at certain times where you can spot him in.
And we're talking again with Jordan Gross of the post game.
You used to be back in the days of IR.
(18:26):
You went on IR, your season was over done, and
now you have the ability, with today's medicine and with
today's rules to be able to come back within the season.
You forget Robert Hutt. He can come back and play.
The season is so dang long. If you get injured early,
you got a chance to come back. So again, as
you said, don't know for sure, but just having that
possibility is enticing. And if you make the playoffs, you know,
maybe he's a playoff guy, but just whatever the case is,
(18:47):
if you get him out there and it's safe to
put him out there without adding to his previous injury
with the biceps, and that'd be great.
Speaker 9 (18:53):
You know.
Speaker 5 (18:53):
And another thing you think about, I think Bryce has
found some comfort behind this offensive line. He threw the ball,
the pockets, the throwing lanes, and how he stepped up
and move in the pockets sometimes he's out of the pocket.
I'm like, man, Okay, Bryce, this is what you are
comfortable with this line, and they are comfortable with you.
(19:13):
And now you add another person like Hunting back to
the mix, Dude, I think his comfort level only increases.
And so now I'm expecting that ball to be distributed
because McMillan only got one catch. I mean I thought
he would get the ball like ten times, a big catch,
a big catch. But but the way I look at
what's going on with Bryce, I think you're gonna see
(19:35):
distribution and equal distribution across the field. You're gonna see Coker,
You're gonna see it. Look at you go see McMillan.
You're gonna see everybody getting touches off that based on
the comfort he has seeing in that pocket because of
the officive line of what they're giving him.
Speaker 1 (19:48):
Yeah, And I think Dave Canalis deserves a lot of
credit because he took a lot of heat last week
nationally locally. And when you do this long enough, I'm
always loath to question play calling because there's so much
that goes into it that is unseen and it's unsaid,
and it's easy to swell. They only ran it to
(20:10):
the running backs nine times, and Dave Canal's admitted, yeah,
we probably could have run it more. But you were
coming off a game in which Bryce Young also threw
for four hundred and forty eight yards. You were playing
a defense that was thin, that was beat up, that
had not shown the ability to rush the passer or
come up with takeaways. The forty nine ers had what
two or three interceptions all season going into that Monday
(20:30):
night game. So you decide to throw it. And sometimes
it's one of those situations where you have a third
and twelve and you call a draw play and if
you pick up thirteen, it's a genius play call, and
if you pick up four, the crowd booze yeah, right,
Or if it's third and eight from the plus forty
five and you run for four yards and the crowd booze.
(20:50):
It's no, you're running because now it's fourth and four,
fourth and three, and guess what you can run? You
can pass, you can play action, and you have the
whole playbook open and you're setting it up for four downs.
So there's a lot that goes into play calling. But
I just thought the way Dave Canalis managed the game,
especially the third quarter long drives, staying on the field,
(21:14):
keeping Matthew Stafford on the sideline. It's funny because rainy weather,
the Rams were able to run the ball. Nobody today
is talking about, oh, why didn't Sean McVay run.
Speaker 2 (21:23):
The ball more?
Speaker 1 (21:25):
Nope, you could have easily made that case.
Speaker 3 (21:27):
No, their yards per carry were excellent in the game yesterday.
In fact, they.
Speaker 7 (21:30):
Were seven point two yards per carry, as Blake Krum
was eleven and a half yards per carry in that game.
I also liked the way that coach coached during the week,
because there was talk about after the game. Of course
he only ran the running backs nine times the week before,
and he not only owned up to that, he went
and met with Rico Daudo talked to him to the
point where Rico was asked about it in the locker
(21:51):
room last week and Rico said, we're good. He goes,
he came to me, he talked to me, and I
want the ball, and he knows I wanted to so
they had, you know, all on the same page. He goes,
there's a great player coach relationship when you can have that,
because it's easy when things are going well and you
win the game and whatever. But you lose and you
had a guy that's a star player that didn't have
(22:12):
as big of an opportunity, and you guys talk it
through together, and then you come out and you run
the ball with the running backs thirty five times in
the win yesterday. It doesn't always work out to a
Niche's point. You could plan thirty five runs, they can
go for thirty five yards. But when it works and
you come out of something that was a negative, make
a positivebout it.
Speaker 5 (22:29):
You know one thing that me and a Niche we
were talking about, and I think we talked about this
off air and whatnot. We talked about the secret to
winning the game against the Rams is control the crock.
What's by your offense, stay on the field and keep
that offense off the field, and I thought the third quarter.
Speaker 1 (22:45):
Give us some credit. We did talk about that on
the air, Yeah, it was on the record.
Speaker 2 (22:48):
Yeah.
Speaker 5 (22:49):
So I thought that that was one of the secret
sauces because I said, look, you can't let this offense
on the field.
Speaker 6 (22:54):
They got too many weapons.
Speaker 5 (22:55):
They got a quarterback who's abase who's got thirty touch stoles,
only two in us they can score points. They got
two elitied receivers. You gotta watch out. So the best
way is you gotta keep your defense off the field
and keep your offense on the field.
Speaker 6 (23:10):
And they got to eat up to clock and then.
Speaker 5 (23:13):
Convert that to a score, whether it has three points
to seven points, you gotta convert.
Speaker 1 (23:17):
Yeah, And in the third quarter they did that. The
Panthers had a long touchdown drive to begin the third quarter.
The defense forced the Rams into a three and out.
The next time the Rams touched the ball was a
couple of minutes into the fourth quarter. They had the
ball for three plays the entire third quarter. The Panthers
were able to lean on that offensive line change the
complexion of the game. You get into the fourth quarter,
(23:38):
and that's where the Panthers have been great They've actually
been a really good second half defense. We'll talk more
about that later in the show. We also have Jim's
Chat with Kirk Coleman. All that ahead. Here are on
the Carolina Panthers Radio Network.
Speaker 2 (23:53):
This is Pan third Talk Bronto you buying atreon health
type Atrian Health, we do more to keep you moving, achieving,
striving at every age and stage so you can live fully.
Speaker 7 (24:08):
Former Panthers safety Kurt Coleman spent three seasons with Carolina,
the first of which was part of that outstanding Super
Bowl fifty team. Proud product of Ohio State University, he
works at Charlottett And High School these days, in addition
to the work you hear him do with us on
the Carolina Panthers Radio Network broadcasting games.
Speaker 3 (24:23):
Looking forward to a great conversation with Kurt Coleman.
Speaker 2 (24:26):
Thirty seasons of Panther Football a celebration of the players, coaches,
and other key figures who've contributed to the organizational success.
Speaker 6 (24:37):
Kurt Coleman.
Speaker 7 (24:38):
I love him not just because he's an Ohio State guy,
but one of our favorite Panthers of all times, and
anytime he's on a broadcast with us makes a better
experience as well. You enter the NFL's a seventh round
pick of the Philadelphia Eagles.
Speaker 3 (24:51):
Where you would play your first four years.
Speaker 7 (24:53):
This is where you strike up that relationship and friendship
with Sean McDermott, right your defensive backs coach. He becomes
your defensive core Later a few years later in Carolina,
you end your career in Buffalo with him as a
head coach.
Speaker 3 (25:04):
How much did Sean McDermott be to your pro career?
Speaker 9 (25:08):
I think it was incredible.
Speaker 10 (25:12):
Again, you feel like there are you know, for me,
I'm a man of faith, and there are people that
God puts it all around you.
Speaker 9 (25:20):
Whether you recognize them or not, that's up to you.
Speaker 10 (25:23):
But when I first got to Philadelphia, I remember Sean
and I remember this vividly. Like he he was very
hard on rookies, you know, the older guys. He would
kind of let go and you got to you gotta
And I had to understand that he was taken over
a position that from Jim Johnson, who was, in my opinion,
one of the Hall of Fame defensive coordinators in the NFL.
(25:44):
So he was taken on a role of he was
trying to live up to the Jim Johnson name, and
he had his own spinning flavor on things, but it
was this very complicated defense and he was hard on us.
And I remember one day he goes, just so you know,
I can go back there and play the game of football,
and I laughed at him.
Speaker 9 (26:03):
I was like, there's no way you could do what
we do. Well.
Speaker 10 (26:07):
You know, I'm very naive at this time in my life.
So you know when you look at Sean's pedigree being
a national wrestler, going to William and Mary and being
a great safety there and unfortunately never got the opportunity
to play in the NFL. But his point of saying
that was if you're smart enough, if you prepare enough,
(26:28):
and if you understand the game, you put yourself in positions.
Now it's whether or not you have the ability to
make the player or not, but you can always stay
one step ahead if you prepare it well enough. And
that's the lesson that he gave me was you can
stay around this game for a long time. You just
better be able to work and do all the little
things that's gonna take to stay in this game. And
(26:50):
sure enough, I mean I was fortunate enough to have
a year underneath him at Philadelphia, and then when it
was my opportunity to hit free agency in twenty fifteen,
it may sense to only come to Carolina and play
underneath him again because I knew within that defense I
could be successful. And then obviously just to finish off
my career up in Buffalo. It was a great year
(27:11):
and it was some things that hopefully I was able
to leave those guys around me.
Speaker 9 (27:15):
I went up there this past summer when we had
a chance.
Speaker 10 (27:18):
To call their game and it was just great to
be around that coaching staff and around Sean again.
Speaker 7 (27:22):
Yeah, great to see Sean and Brandon Bean and that
group all doing doing well. The former Panther connections there,
and you mentioned signing as a free agent, you had
a year in Kansas City in between Philadelphia and Carolina.
You played three years with the Panthers, but that first
year was the year Super Bowl fifty year. The team
goes seventeen and one heading into that Super Bowl, and
people need to remember, I mean, what a key figure
(27:43):
you were on the field with that too. Seven interceptions
and a touchdown that year, and you had twenty one
picks in your career, but seven a third of them
coming that magical year. So not only a great defense curve,
but just talk about your role in that and just
what an amazing run that you guys had that year.
Speaker 9 (27:59):
It was a an incredibly special year.
Speaker 10 (28:01):
And I remember back in preseason, We're down in Watford
in Spartanburg and it was after a long hot practice
and you know, some whoever's been down to Spartanburg, there's
something about that era where it just never moves and
the heat just sits on you. But I was doing
an interview and after I got done, I had called
my dad and we were just talking about how camp
(28:22):
had gone or was going. And for me, I wasn't
dubbed or penciled in as a starter. I was I
think by all terms, I was going to be a
really solid backup and obviously can go in and sparingly.
And I remember telling my dad, I said, there's something
special about this team and he was like, well, what
do you mean.
Speaker 9 (28:41):
I'm not sure.
Speaker 10 (28:42):
And you just couldn't put your finger on it, but
whether it was the great mix of young with the veterans,
and you had your classical cam, but then you had
the TD cam, like if anyone was around practices TD
and Cam went at it every single day and it
was a competition between offense and defense.
Speaker 9 (29:02):
But then you would have Luke who was like.
Speaker 10 (29:05):
He was quiet as far as verbal, but then he
was so intense when it came to actual playing. And
then you had the Jno who was getting ready to
have his come out party of I Am Batman arriving
on scenes. So it was just so many mixes of personalities.
It was such a great place. You wish you could
capsize that moment in time and you know, to go
(29:27):
through that season. I knew this defense was going to
be something special, so that you were special.
Speaker 9 (29:33):
But for me, it was my time to shine.
Speaker 10 (29:36):
But all I had to do was my job, and
that was what was so special because you had great.
Speaker 9 (29:40):
Guys in front of you.
Speaker 10 (29:41):
I just had to just do my job, and when
the ball came my way, you just make them lent.
Speaker 2 (29:46):
Subscribe to thirty seasons of Panther Football on the iHeartRadio app,
Panthers dot com and Team Apple Apple podcast or Spotify.
This is Panther Talk. You buy coke indeed deserves the
(30:07):
great taste of Coca cola. Because fan work is thirsty work,
and eh.
Speaker 1 (30:13):
Jim Eugene back with you here on the Carolina Panthers
Radio network. It's Panther Talk. It is the start of
the bye week, a well deserved bye week. It's coming
late in the season, the Panthers bye week coming and
week fourteen, thirteen weeks in the books, and the Panthers
finally get this reprieve. They need it. A few things
(30:34):
that have stood out this season, and we talked a
lot about the offense, but the defense and Eugene. One
of the things that we've kind of noticed here is
how Agiro Rivero has deployed pressure and has made the
halftime adjustment in some of these games. The Panthers on
(30:54):
the season are giving up, you know, in the neighborhood
of seven eight points per game in the second half.
It's one of the best marks in the NFL. They've
been a really good second half defense. And what we
have noticed is in the first half, a lot of
times it's a lot of dropping coverage, not a lot
(31:14):
of pressure.
Speaker 3 (31:15):
Second half they seem to get.
Speaker 1 (31:17):
More aggressive on defense. And I know they've had the
turnovers the last few games in the first half, but
the aggression on defense we've seen in a lot of games. Okay,
second half, Let's turn up the heat a little bit.
Speaker 5 (31:27):
And we saw that too, because against the Rams in
that first half, I was sitting there going like, you
need a bliss more. You need to get half of
this guy a little bit more, because you can't let
Stafford sit back there.
Speaker 6 (31:38):
He's going to kill you on zone.
Speaker 5 (31:40):
He's able to find that receiver and wait and throw
him open or not throw him open. He's gonna find
his guys. And so I was calling for that. You
gotta get you gotta get more pressure on him. And
in the second half we saw that, we saw more
pressure on the quarterback. But I think you're absolutely right.
That's been the theme throughout this season. First half, not
(32:01):
as much pressure, second half, just getting tons of pressure.
I think with the skill level that we have upfront
and in the secondary, I think and I think you
send them your backers and you get you mug up
into megaps and you get after people because you have
a secondary that can hold up and you got guys
who are putting pressure on the quarterback. And so coach
(32:25):
Jerrod going for I'm like, you know, hey, get after
these cats, man. I think that's one of the recipes
that is a key to Wak's success is when you
get after people.
Speaker 7 (32:35):
I think two, when you get in the next game
Trayvon Marrigan.
Speaker 10 (32:39):
J C.
Speaker 3 (32:39):
Horn looks like he'll be back for that as well.
Speaker 7 (32:41):
You can be a little bit more of a risk
taker because that back end of the defense is more solid.
But to your point, sometimes you can help them out
by getting pressure there because now Stafford doesn't have the
time to look downfield to let that play develop. So
it's kind of like pick your poison a little bit.
As long as you succeed in doing it, you have
to mix it up.
Speaker 3 (32:57):
You can't just do the same thing for four quarters.
Speaker 5 (32:58):
And I will say this, that interception by by Jack
against Nicolea and that in that game from inside technique
and he takes it to the house quarterbasket, gonna be
thinking twice about saying, oh, we could go ahead and
go on Jack's side and not go to jacon hornside.
They're gonna be thinking twice about that, because that was
a beautiful interception. Even the pass that Nicolea caught towards
(33:20):
the end zone. I said, that was great coverage. He
actually got Jack got his hand in there. That's just
a great play by a great receiver, and I'm sitting
here like this, Jack, you are establishing yourself as one
of these great corners in the league because you're doing
stuff against one of the best receivers in the league.
Speaker 1 (33:37):
He's the perfect guy to have opposite JC because teams
are not going to throw to j. C. Horn whole lot.
He's got five picks entered last week, tied for first
to the NFL. And you took the words out of
my mouth. I'm watching the replay again because that highlight's
been all over the one handed catch where Nikola and
Jack are essentially lockstep the sideline and Nicoua turns his
(33:57):
hand in the opposite directionind of reverse palms it in.
Mike Jack had his hand there exactly was I mean
this close. Mike Jack was this close from coming up
with a one handed interception or bringing that in or
having a PBu almost had two. Mike Jack's got three
picks this year.
Speaker 6 (34:15):
I mean he might have.
Speaker 1 (34:17):
He's had a chance to have about five or six
this year.
Speaker 6 (34:20):
Yeah.
Speaker 5 (34:20):
And and what it does is when you see those
two plays and when the court, when the coaches isolated
those plays, and when they go when it go against him,
they're going to like this, hey man, this guy is
not a slous man. This this guy is opposite Jase Horn,
but don't sleep on his skills. This guy right here
can go ahead, and he can go ahead and hurt you.
And so I like what I saw, even in that
(34:42):
defeated play, I said, that was a great defensive try
to stop. That's just outstanding play by a great receiver.
Speaker 6 (34:49):
Great receiver.
Speaker 3 (34:50):
What are gloves made out of these days?
Speaker 7 (34:52):
I have no idea, dude, because they have to be
so tacky. I'm not taking anything away from the cool,
but that is not human.
Speaker 5 (34:58):
That's not natural for you to go ahead and well,
Chris Carter could do that with the big old dang
hands of this, but that's really not natural. I'm like this,
how did he catch that ball right there? It's like
he backhanded the ball. It's like doing something with a
tennis racket that you's not supposed to do with a
tennis racket, you know. I'm like, Wow, it was outstanding,
But you can lose sight of it because you would
think that man, Jack got just beat for a big play.
Speaker 6 (35:22):
No, he didn't.
Speaker 1 (35:23):
Great play, great player.
Speaker 6 (35:24):
Great play, great player. That was some good work.
Speaker 1 (35:27):
Speaking of great play Jim Bryce Young to the last
three games. Now, I think we're starting to see what
we've kind of wanted to see all along. And sometimes
the numbers get skewed because even when his numbers weren't
popping off the page, the Panthers were winning a lot
of those games because the recipe was run the football,
and they were playing the run really well in some
of those games. But I think over these next four games,
(35:50):
if Bryce can build on the sample size that we
saw against Atlanta, that we saw this Sunday against LA,
we're going to need that down the stretch against Tampa,
against Seattle, certainly against New Orleans, who seems to have
Bryce's number.
Speaker 7 (36:05):
Yeah, and I think, you know, he's doing some of
the more difficult things, which are game winning drives and
fourth down conversions and things like that. I mean, those
were great throws that he made that were both touchdowns
and were clutch because they're fourth down.
Speaker 3 (36:17):
There's no fifth down.
Speaker 7 (36:18):
So I mean the fact that he has that moxy
to be able to it's a different position, Like you
have to be a leader, you've got to be a player,
but you also have to have a mentality. There are
different things that go into being a quarterback than any
other position out there as a smart kid obviously, So
you're seeing a lot of it. And we've always said
it's just a matter of that consistency from week to
week as far as what his role goes in now.
And that's what he only needs to beat you, Jens,
(36:39):
that part of his role in the offense. He doesn't
have to go out there be Patrick Mahomes. He can
be the distributor and when he does that, that's when
the team does its best.
Speaker 1 (36:49):
All right, we will look ahead to the bye week
and look ahead to the end game. Yes, four games
left in the season and everything including the postseason. In
front of the Carolina Panthers. You're listening to the Carolina
Panthers Radio Network.
Speaker 2 (37:08):
Panther Talk continues on the Carolina Panthers Radio Network.
Speaker 1 (37:15):
It is the holiday season and visions of the postseason
dance in the heads of Carolina Panther fans. It's all there.
You're a half game out of the division lead, chasing Tampa.
Two games remain against the Bucks. You still have Seattle,
so you've got to go through Baker and Sam. But
before all that, you have a bye week. But coming
(37:35):
out of the bye. I think this is the biggest
game because it's the next game. That's the old coaching cliche,
But that's the one game on the schedule that remains
where you look and say, you absolutely cannot lose. You
got to go beat the Saints. What happened to Bank
of America Stadium when the two teams met earlier in November, debacle.
(37:56):
That was a game where the Panthers played their worst game,
still could have won that game. Yes, you gotta go
to New Orleans. That team's out of the playoff hunt.
They're two and ten, they are angling for a high
draft pick. Eugene that say, take care of business, go
win that game by two touchdowns.
Speaker 5 (38:14):
This is I mean, if there's any incentive at all
coming off this pass win against the Rams, you have
all the incentive you need because you know, you just
be a quality opponent, one of the best opponents in
the league, bar none, bar none. And now when you
look at the Saints and look at the margin in
which you lost and you could have won that game,
(38:36):
you have to be telling yourself collectively as a group,
but we're gonna go down there and stuff with mud
hole in these cats. We're gonna go down here and
be them like they stole money. You have to be
saying that. Now. You ain't gonna say that to you
all everybody else, but you're gonna say that among them boys. Dude,
we let these cats come up on against us. We
gotta go down there and take care of business. And
that's what's gonna be the theme. Go take care of
business because that team I don't believe is on your
(38:58):
level at all.
Speaker 7 (39:00):
We've been talking about the highs and lows. I think
as yet reason number ninety nine. While the bye week
comes at the right time because it's dead up, down, up,
down up bye week. Now, I got two weeks to
focus on the next one, That's what I'm talking pattern,
and win a lot more than you're losing over these
next four games coming up here.
Speaker 3 (39:16):
So it does give you a chance to heal up.
Speaker 7 (39:18):
Also gives you a chance to early refocus on getting
ready for a big road game coming up and hopefully
a win down there.
Speaker 1 (39:23):
I think that's also the next step handling success. Right,
You beat Green Bay, then you lost to New Orleans,
You have the great win against Atlanta, you lost to
San Francisco. There have been these ups and downs, Like
you said, can you now handle success? Because if this
is going to manifest, if a playoff reality is to happen,
(39:45):
you're gonna have to string together some victories at the
end of the season.
Speaker 3 (39:48):
Yeah, and I think this team is well aware of it.
Speaker 7 (39:51):
And I'll think it was you came out flat as much.
Sometimes you just know, you know, block and tackle or whatever.
It's not like you weren't into the game. So you
also personnel matters, I think at this level two, having
healthy players, I think is probably gonna be biggest thing
of all getting back.
Speaker 5 (40:03):
We're healthy, and we're getting healthy as we move into December.
And when you win in December and get to punch
a ticket to the playoffs.
Speaker 1 (40:10):
And we will be rested. Enjoy the bye week, all
you out there, get some sleep, to sleep
Speaker 6 (40:17):
You know that's right, perchance to dream.
The following is an exclusive presentation of the Carolina Panthers
and the National.
Speaker 2 (00:04):
Football League Panther Doll and their doll and They're to.
This is Panther Talk on the Carolina Panthers Radio network.
Speaker 1 (00:16):
Rice Off play Action has time of the pocket, throws
downfield for McMillan, makes the come to the twenty.
Speaker 3 (00:22):
He's got the pen.
Speaker 2 (00:23):
The BDE tucks down, tay Back.
Speaker 1 (00:26):
Touchs down Carolina had the Panthers take the lead. What
six thirty four to go?
Speaker 4 (00:32):
I saw our guys respond to the challenge, respond to
a short week, be really focused on a modified week
where we weren't able to get out there and really
practice until Friday with any speed, you know. And the
guys were focused and locked in on the plan. And
it took all that communication to get it done.
Speaker 2 (00:48):
And now, along with Jim zoki and Eugene Robinson, here's
a niche shrouf with Panther Talk live from the Panthers
broadcast facility at of America Stio.
Speaker 1 (01:04):
Week thirteen officially in the books, the Panthers get there
well deserved and long awaited bye week. Welcome to Panther
talking to you, Shrop Jim Zokie Eugene Robinson, the head
coach of the Carolina Panthers, joining us as always, Dave Knalis.
I know you guys are excited about the bye week,
but what a way to go into the bye week.
(01:27):
Short week, La Rams, You've had almost twenty four hours
to digest kind of what took place shorthanded on defense
when you kind of look back, what did Sunday reveal
about this team?
Speaker 4 (01:39):
Unbelievable team win, determination, overcoming adversity, and then opportunistic coming
up with some huge plays on defense taking points off
the board with the early interception, you know that Derek
Brown batted up to Nick Scott there, and then Mike
Jack just pattern recognition and making sure he comes up
with the catch and scampering down the sideline for that one.
And then of course finishing the game on that last
(02:01):
sack fumble by Derek Brown and DJ Wantam picks it
up and we were all pretty excited. I might have
had contact with the official on that one, and I apologize.
I was one of the yes. I was one of
the people that was standing in the white really excited
about the play and felt horrible about it, you know,
because the official went down and so I was able
to go up up to him afterwards, and you know,
(02:23):
that could have impacted the game. And we have to
make sure that we're smarter in that spot. And I
got to make sure I get out of the guy's
way because what if it turned into a touchdown or
what you know, what if what if it's brought him
back to a point where they could get the ball
back and get into a field goal situation and send
it to overtime. So but anyway, it was just an amazing,
amazing finish by the group, and uh, just a really tough,
(02:44):
physical football game, just like we like it.
Speaker 1 (02:46):
You're the head coach. Does that cost you in kangaroo
court or the rules? I don't know.
Speaker 4 (02:50):
I don't I don't make those rules, so we'll see.
Speaker 5 (02:53):
Well, coach, were you in the locker room? You said
that you guys have not played your best football yet more.
Speaker 4 (03:00):
I truly believe it, And that's always got to be
the pursuit is to find our best the constant weekly
growth that we're looking for. And I'm talking about assignment football.
I'm talking about guys being where they're supposed to be
when they're supposed to be there in all phases. And
to play that kind of clean football that's out there
for us. That's our that's our goal, and that's our mission,
is to continue to improve fundamentally, it is the teams.
(03:22):
Are the teams that improve on the basic, most basic
level at this point of the year are the ones
who play their best football in December, Coach, I want to.
Speaker 5 (03:30):
Go to this deep over by McMillan when he went
across the field, did he make any adjustments on that,
because as he went across on that deep over, he
looked like he angled up towards like deeper down the
field as opposed to making the deep over became more like,
I don't.
Speaker 6 (03:45):
Know, Yeah, I know what you're saying. Yeah, he was adjusting.
Speaker 4 (03:48):
He was adjusting to the throw, and you know, he
basically just had two guys crossing on the play action
pass and Xavier was going over to the left. The
post safety chose him, so all of a sudden there
was no help deep and the corner was kind of
in the low hip on t Max. So Bryce saw
that layered the ball a little deeper. So t mac
was really just adjusting to the pass because Bryce was
(04:08):
trying to throw them open too space for the touchdown
and it worked out great.
Speaker 7 (04:12):
Just to follow up on that, you know, the two
fourth and shorts that are long touchdowns, you would think
by just the nature of it, those are lower percentage
plays during deep How much confidence you must have had
to dial those up and trust the guys that come
through with those plays.
Speaker 4 (04:24):
Yeah, we liked the matchup. Brad brad Izick and I
and Mike BERCOVICI were kind of the third down cadre
that gets together and you know, tries to find our
different matchups, and you know, we liked the fact that
those corners are really talented corners, but they're smaller than
our guys. Our guys are huge, you know, And we
decided to put Jalen Coker one on one on that side,
(04:44):
and we got the look that we wanted. They were
in a Manda Man look and Bryce just delivered the
ball perfectly so he could run it in and really
cashed in on some of those opportunities.
Speaker 6 (04:54):
When you look.
Speaker 1 (04:55):
Back at the third quarter in particular, it seemed like
that I kind of set the tone for the entire
second half. They had the ball for what three plays?
How much of that was intentional? The way you guys
used that thirteen personnel and tried to wear out that
front for LA.
Speaker 4 (05:12):
Yeah, just riding the momentum of what was happening up front.
We were getting good movement and our backs were running hard,
and I felt like this is the type of moment
that we could take advantage of. Let's keep the rams
offense on the sideline, but also like let's lean into
what's working for us here on top of it. Did
start raining pretty good in that time, so I had
to be really selective with the passes that we had.
(05:33):
But thanks to Goody and the run pod putting together
a great plan, you know, we had some variety in
our different personnels and different looks, and the big boys
upfront executed and we were able to stay out there
for a while.
Speaker 5 (05:44):
Coach I was talking to Jordan Gross and we were
talking about the office of line and how the office
of line needs to be in step with the quarterback
on his drops and so can you go over what
that looks like for the office of line? Do they
get back deeper, do they set short? What does that
look like when the quarterbacks going through a three to
five some step draw.
Speaker 4 (06:03):
Yeah, it's it's all tied into whether we're throwing it quickly?
How long is this pass coming out? So they're actually
people may not know, but our offensive linemen are listening
for the past concepts. They don't need to know exactly
what the pattern looks like.
Speaker 6 (06:16):
They just know.
Speaker 4 (06:17):
In this series, we got to make sure, hey, this
is a seven step drop, I have chip help I don't.
So they have to be tied into some of those things.
And you know, if it's coming out really quickly, that
can jump set a guy and keep them at the
line of scrimmage. And so that all is tied in
with Bryce's drops.
Speaker 7 (06:31):
The running game obviously a huge commitment with the two
running backs getting to thirty five carries and typical fickleness.
You hear Cuba being chanted in the crowd for Rico.
Was the start before this was an even split in
this game? Was that kind of the mindset you had
going in that might be even split as far as
the two backs in their work, Yeah, just.
Speaker 4 (06:48):
Trying to make sure that they both have an opportunity
to impact the game in a positive way. And you know,
the way that we were, you know, trying to continue
to do it is Cuba has been our primary third
down back now for a couple of weeks, he's excellent
in protection. And then we do run the ball when
it's third and whatever. You know, it could be third
and long on a draw play could be third and
medium or short, trying to give them past looks and
then hand the ball off. So he gives us that
(07:09):
great opportunity to be balanced and have variety in there.
And then of course just making sure that they're fresh,
making sure that they're going out there and they don't
have to think about saving anything in the tank. Just
cut it all loose every single play. We'll roll you
guys out there, in and out. It takes being efficient
on third and fourth down to get more opportunities to
(07:30):
run the ball. You see the contrast of the Niners
game one for seven on third down. Then you go
back to this week and we were fifty six percent
or something like that between third and fourth down. More
opportunities to run the ball, get into your play actions
and open up the playbook.
Speaker 1 (07:43):
As you move into the month of December, more cold
weather football, even here in Charlotte, having Cuba back to
being Cuba. How big is that for your run game.
Speaker 4 (07:53):
It's huge, It's huge, and this is exactly the vision
this is what we need and to be able to
play this time of year. And just speaking historically, not
just necessarily for us, but speaking historically, it's why the
commitment to the run game early in the season it
all pays dividends because the guys have a rhythm about
what you're doing. They understand how we're attacking things. The
(08:14):
receivers are a part of this, and it's the teams.
In December, with weather in different ways, you give yourself
a chance to continue to be successful and be balanced
because of the commitment to the run game.
Speaker 5 (08:24):
Coach Derek Brown made his presence known all day long yesterday.
When you look at Derek Brown, who does he remind
you of? I mean, I got some names that come
to mind, Cortes, Kennedy I played with, and of Warren
Sapp Who does he remind you of?
Speaker 4 (08:40):
I've played, I've had a chance to coach a bunch
of good defensive linemen. I really just can't compare anybody
to Derek Brown. He's one of a kind. He is
big and powerful, and it's the motor that's the part
that really impresses me with him. Is for such a
big man, he chases screens down you know, he comes
out the stack and he'll show up on a pass concept,
you know, after the run, and really just that kind
(09:02):
of character and leadership that he shows for us is
something that just has been really unique and really special
for me to watch.
Speaker 7 (09:07):
Obviously, credits to the players, but to talk about your
defensive coaching staff and special teams that matter, with all
the moving parts in a short week, with different guys
moving with the injuries and so forth. There, you know,
what a credit to have such sound schemes that we
could see defensively, everything covered up down the field, and
special teams really not missing much of a beat except
that one kick return.
Speaker 4 (09:24):
Yeah, an excellent job of pressing into the game plan.
It was not perfect. We let some stuff out there,
and you know, we missed the matches on the back
half a couple of times, you know, between the linebackers
and the dbs, but in general, guys were where they
were supposed to be. And and you know, coming off
of that short week, not being able to really get
into our running and practicing until Friday, you know, because
of the because of the quick turnaround, but the guys
(09:46):
were really intent on being focused on the game plan
and then came out there with a couple of new
guys helping us out on special teams as well.
Speaker 6 (09:53):
Coach did a short week help?
Speaker 5 (09:55):
I mean my contention is that when it was a
short week, man, you have the focus and get in
and you got to really focus.
Speaker 6 (10:02):
So did that help at all?
Speaker 4 (10:04):
I don't know if it helped. I know that the
guys met the challenge and we're up for it, and
you're right in those moments you have to just say, Okay,
what do I have to do today, you know, and
make sure that you're all in on what's happening today.
Win the day, have a one and no mentality every
single day.
Speaker 1 (10:19):
Coach Lathan Ransom got his first career start. When you
watch the film, what was your assessment of his play?
Speaker 4 (10:24):
Physical, very aggressive, throwing his body around, just like we
love he plays. He plays game, plays the game right.
He's got some stuff he'd be up here telling you
that he would like to correct, and you know those
things are being talked about and adjusted, but I just
love the style of play. It just continues to show up.
He had some amazing hits in the game on on
Kiren Williams and the Backs, and they had some great
(10:45):
runs too. It just it was a cool battle to
watch and to see Lathan out there playing at the
safety spot and showing up and helping his team.
Speaker 6 (10:52):
And then what did Richison give to you?
Speaker 4 (10:54):
Also just versatility and he's really in tune with what
we're doing. A guy that communicates really well on the
back half, and he did a good job on the
opportunities that he got.
Speaker 7 (11:05):
Last thing, just the atmosphere of that game making Bank
of America a tough place for opponents to come into.
I felt like the rain was almost energizing. The crowd
was into our top of the chanting and so forth.
The players responded to it as well. But as a
coach and just looking out at that, what did it
feel like to just make this a tough environment for
an opposing team to come into?
Speaker 4 (11:23):
It was wonderful And it definitely was something that you
could feel the delayed game at the end, they were
so loud, and even just in the third quarter on,
you know, there were third and fourth down rush opportunities
where they had to go silent and they were, you know,
having to communicate quickly. They were up against the clock.
That's an advantage for our rush group. That's an advantage
for our linebackers and safeties as they're trying to disguise
(11:45):
different things. The longer we can get them into account,
we can hold things and try to mask what we're
doing a little bit more. But I could feel it.
It was amazing when the run game got going. The
crowd was behind it, and we could feel that energy
and play off of that momentum, and so it was
a major impact.
Speaker 1 (12:01):
As you get ready for the buye and you kind
of get ready for the last four games with everything
in front of you, You've checked off a lot of
boxes in terms of progress and improvement this season with
this team. What's the next rung on the ladder for
the Carolina Panthers.
Speaker 4 (12:14):
Yeah, how long can we maintain that championship mentality? One
to no mentality? You know, and every game is so important.
We're gonna come off the bye. We can play the
Saints who played us great the first time, and they
had a great game plan they executed well that day.
So we just have to be focused on the Saints
when we get back and take advantage of this bye week,
make sure we put something back into the tank and
show up with that intentionality to be right back to
(12:36):
our focus right back, getting right back to really good football.
Speaker 1 (12:39):
Get some rest, and hopefully the guys can heal up
a little bit. Panthers head coach Dave Kanalis, you've been
listening to Panther Talk. Here are on the Carolina Panthers
radio network.
Speaker 2 (12:51):
This is Panther Talk. Pron do you buy Bank of America?
What would you like the power to do? I know
you're someone who tells the truth, and I'm gonna ask
you a question.
Speaker 4 (13:04):
How hurt were both of your calves?
Speaker 3 (13:06):
And don't lie to me?
Speaker 8 (13:08):
Yeah, I mean to be honest, I don't want to disclose, Okaying,
all right? I had kind of not just my calf,
with my whole left legs, some stuff going on there,
and obviously I wanted to come back. I wanted to
help the team win. I played through stuff throughout my career,
so I just told myself, look, no matter if you're
thirty percent, twenty percent, whatever it is, go out and play.
(13:33):
And I felt that, you know, I could do that. Obviously,
I wasn't up to par, wasn't doing what I need
to do. It took me a long time to get
back healthy.
Speaker 9 (13:42):
Pretty much.
Speaker 8 (13:43):
Last week was the first time I kind of felt
back to myself a little bit, and this week obviously
a little more so. It's been has been some ups
and downs, for sure.
Speaker 1 (13:54):
That was after the game on Sunday, Jake Delom asking
Suba Hubber about his calf, his leg injury, and a
very honest answer from Cuba. And you know, it's easy
when you're on the outside looking in to say, wellyo, Rico,
Dawdell's the guy, and feed Rico and what's wrong with
Cuba and trade Cuba. Cuba's not the guy, like Cuba
(14:17):
was hurt and you kind of got an honest response.
And now he's been a tough cookie since he's been here.
We saw it as a rookie in twenty twenty one,
he played through some pain. Cuba is back to be
in Cuba, and we started to see signs of that
in the Atlanta game, saw some more signs of that
against San Francisco, and then yesterday it was pretty much
(14:39):
a time share. He had the thirty five yard touchdown
catch seventeen carries season high eighty three yards. When we
had Dave Canalison, he talked about the value of two
productive running backs this time of the year, when you're
going to lean on your ground game more, and boy,
the Panthers equipped to do that. You have Rico Dowdell,
who's on pay for a thousand yards, he's what seventy
(15:01):
yards away from one thousand, and now you've got Cuba
back to being Cuba. I think what we saw on
Sunday in terms of the way they split the carries,
the way they rotate it in that looks to be
the cocktail for this running game.
Speaker 6 (15:15):
No doubt about that.
Speaker 5 (15:16):
And I would just say this, this is the reason
why you want your team to be healthy as you
go into bye weeks, or get healthy from a bye
week as you move into November December, because the healthy
teams in November December, those teams typically win games. And
the fact that Tuba's back to his full strength, you
(15:37):
can tell, you could tell the way he ran the
ball that you could tell, oh, that's more Cuba like
all right, And I like the honesty, but every football
player knows this. If you're hurt, that is a major
disadvantage to you, and you got to get healthy. You
have to, because sometimes coaches don't have the time to
go ahead and wait for you to get healthy. That's
(16:00):
why when ric O'Donnell was showing out. They don't have
the time to wait for you to go ahead, because
they got a business to run. They got games to win.
So that's standpoint. We all know that. So I'm glad
that Tube's back. I'm glad that he's healthy, and I'm
glad that he was honest about it, because that's a
lot of vulnerability to say that, you know what, Hey,
a line man, I was jacked up, dude, and you know,
and it didn't look good for me. That's underneath it
(16:22):
didn't look good for me. But now I'm back. I'm
glad he's back.
Speaker 7 (16:25):
I want to just add on to some of the
things you said in today's NFL was seventeen regular season
games in the long playoffs, the best teams are often,
as you said, the ones that are fortunate with injuries.
It's because a lot of teams have good teams and
good players, but they don't make it to be that team.
But they might look great through October, but then the
attrition hits. You've got to have the ability to take
(16:46):
care of your team's health. And they've done it, and
we'll see get the Bible. I never would have thought
a bye week in early December would have been optimal.
It seems to be hitting it exactly where you need,
especially to get all these defensive guys back. Jac Horn
should be ready role for the next game. Obviously, get
Merrick back from the suspension. But about the guys, maybe Claude,
Cheryl List and some others in there. So that's all important,
(17:06):
and don't forget too in that And again nobody asked him,
so you'll know. Rico Daudo has been battling a quad
over the past month and he's probably not one hundred
percent of the bye week for him. These two backs
coming back out of the bye week with some extended
time to hit those last four regular season games literally running,
I mean, that's going to be powerful.
Speaker 1 (17:23):
We said this on the show when Rico was in
the midst of that great stretch with Miami and Dallas
and Green Bay. We said, don't forget about Cuba. You're
going to need Cuba at some point in the season,
and we needed him on Sunday. They don't win that
game against the Rams without Cuba. Hubbard the other piece
for the run game, which it's not definite, but there's hope.
(17:48):
Robert Hunt has a chance to put us back at
some point. It's not definite. You hope he can, but
there is a chance that you get Robert Hunt back.
We're talking Jim about now, getting your best offensive lineman
back makes your passing game better, makes your run game better,
makes your offense better.
Speaker 7 (18:05):
Pro Bowl guard leader on that line brings energy and
juice on top of that, And even if he comes
in in a rotational role, if he can come back
and do that, that would add so much for a
team that's been so banged up on the offensive line,
just because obviously it's a plug and play wherever he
comes in at certain times where you can spot him in.
And we're talking again with Jordan Gross of the post game.
You used to be back in the days of IR.
(18:26):
You went on IR, your season was over done, and
now you have the ability, with today's medicine and with
today's rules to be able to come back within the season.
You forget Robert Hutt. He can come back and play.
The season is so dang long. If you get injured early,
you got a chance to come back. So again, as
you said, don't know for sure, but just having that
possibility is enticing. And if you make the playoffs, you know,
maybe he's a playoff guy, but just whatever the case is,
(18:47):
if you get him out there and it's safe to
put him out there without adding to his previous injury
with the biceps, and that'd be great.
Speaker 9 (18:53):
You know.
Speaker 5 (18:53):
And another thing you think about, I think Bryce has
found some comfort behind this offensive line. He threw the ball,
the pockets, the throwing lanes, and how he stepped up
and move in the pockets sometimes he's out of the pocket.
I'm like, man, Okay, Bryce, this is what you are
comfortable with this line, and they are comfortable with you.
(19:13):
And now you add another person like Hunting back to
the mix, Dude, I think his comfort level only increases.
And so now I'm expecting that ball to be distributed
because McMillan only got one catch. I mean I thought
he would get the ball like ten times, a big catch,
a big catch. But but the way I look at
what's going on with Bryce, I think you're gonna see
(19:35):
distribution and equal distribution across the field. You're gonna see Coker,
You're gonna see it. Look at you go see McMillan.
You're gonna see everybody getting touches off that based on
the comfort he has seeing in that pocket because of
the officive line of what they're giving him.
Speaker 1 (19:48):
Yeah, And I think Dave Canalis deserves a lot of
credit because he took a lot of heat last week
nationally locally. And when you do this long enough, I'm
always loath to question play calling because there's so much
that goes into it that is unseen and it's unsaid,
and it's easy to swell. They only ran it to
(20:10):
the running backs nine times, and Dave Canal's admitted, yeah,
we probably could have run it more. But you were
coming off a game in which Bryce Young also threw
for four hundred and forty eight yards. You were playing
a defense that was thin, that was beat up, that
had not shown the ability to rush the passer or
come up with takeaways. The forty nine ers had what
two or three interceptions all season going into that Monday
(20:30):
night game. So you decide to throw it. And sometimes
it's one of those situations where you have a third
and twelve and you call a draw play and if
you pick up thirteen, it's a genius play call, and
if you pick up four, the crowd booze yeah, right,
Or if it's third and eight from the plus forty
five and you run for four yards and the crowd booze.
(20:50):
It's no, you're running because now it's fourth and four,
fourth and three, and guess what you can run? You
can pass, you can play action, and you have the
whole playbook open and you're setting it up for four downs.
So there's a lot that goes into play calling. But
I just thought the way Dave Canalis managed the game,
especially the third quarter long drives, staying on the field,
(21:14):
keeping Matthew Stafford on the sideline. It's funny because rainy weather,
the Rams were able to run the ball. Nobody today
is talking about, oh, why didn't Sean McVay run.
Speaker 2 (21:23):
The ball more?
Speaker 1 (21:25):
Nope, you could have easily made that case.
Speaker 3 (21:27):
No, their yards per carry were excellent in the game yesterday.
In fact, they.
Speaker 7 (21:30):
Were seven point two yards per carry, as Blake Krum
was eleven and a half yards per carry in that game.
I also liked the way that coach coached during the week,
because there was talk about after the game. Of course
he only ran the running backs nine times the week before,
and he not only owned up to that, he went
and met with Rico Daudo talked to him to the
point where Rico was asked about it in the locker
(21:51):
room last week and Rico said, we're good. He goes,
he came to me, he talked to me, and I
want the ball, and he knows I wanted to so
they had, you know, all on the same page. He goes,
there's a great player coach relationship when you can have that,
because it's easy when things are going well and you
win the game and whatever. But you lose and you
had a guy that's a star player that didn't have
(22:12):
as big of an opportunity, and you guys talk it
through together, and then you come out and you run
the ball with the running backs thirty five times in
the win yesterday. It doesn't always work out to a
Niche's point. You could plan thirty five runs, they can
go for thirty five yards. But when it works and
you come out of something that was a negative, make
a positivebout it.
Speaker 5 (22:29):
You know one thing that me and a Niche we
were talking about, and I think we talked about this
off air and whatnot. We talked about the secret to
winning the game against the Rams is control the crock.
What's by your offense, stay on the field and keep
that offense off the field, and I thought the third quarter.
Speaker 1 (22:45):
Give us some credit. We did talk about that on
the air, Yeah, it was on the record.
Speaker 2 (22:48):
Yeah.
Speaker 5 (22:49):
So I thought that that was one of the secret
sauces because I said, look, you can't let this offense
on the field.
Speaker 6 (22:54):
They got too many weapons.
Speaker 5 (22:55):
They got a quarterback who's abase who's got thirty touch stoles,
only two in us they can score points. They got
two elitied receivers. You gotta watch out. So the best
way is you gotta keep your defense off the field
and keep your offense on the field.
Speaker 6 (23:10):
And they got to eat up to clock and then.
Speaker 5 (23:13):
Convert that to a score, whether it has three points
to seven points, you gotta convert.
Speaker 1 (23:17):
Yeah, And in the third quarter they did that. The
Panthers had a long touchdown drive to begin the third quarter.
The defense forced the Rams into a three and out.
The next time the Rams touched the ball was a
couple of minutes into the fourth quarter. They had the
ball for three plays the entire third quarter. The Panthers
were able to lean on that offensive line change the
complexion of the game. You get into the fourth quarter,
(23:38):
and that's where the Panthers have been great They've actually
been a really good second half defense. We'll talk more
about that later in the show. We also have Jim's
Chat with Kirk Coleman. All that ahead. Here are on
the Carolina Panthers Radio Network.
Speaker 2 (23:53):
This is Pan third Talk Bronto you buying atreon health
type Atrian Health, we do more to keep you moving, achieving,
striving at every age and stage so you can live fully.
Speaker 7 (24:08):
Former Panthers safety Kurt Coleman spent three seasons with Carolina,
the first of which was part of that outstanding Super
Bowl fifty team. Proud product of Ohio State University, he
works at Charlottett And High School these days, in addition
to the work you hear him do with us on
the Carolina Panthers Radio Network broadcasting games.
Speaker 3 (24:23):
Looking forward to a great conversation with Kurt Coleman.
Speaker 2 (24:26):
Thirty seasons of Panther Football a celebration of the players, coaches,
and other key figures who've contributed to the organizational success.
Speaker 6 (24:37):
Kurt Coleman.
Speaker 7 (24:38):
I love him not just because he's an Ohio State guy,
but one of our favorite Panthers of all times, and
anytime he's on a broadcast with us makes a better
experience as well. You enter the NFL's a seventh round
pick of the Philadelphia Eagles.
Speaker 3 (24:51):
Where you would play your first four years.
Speaker 7 (24:53):
This is where you strike up that relationship and friendship
with Sean McDermott, right your defensive backs coach. He becomes
your defensive core Later a few years later in Carolina,
you end your career in Buffalo with him as a
head coach.
Speaker 3 (25:04):
How much did Sean McDermott be to your pro career?
Speaker 9 (25:08):
I think it was incredible.
Speaker 10 (25:12):
Again, you feel like there are you know, for me,
I'm a man of faith, and there are people that
God puts it all around you.
Speaker 9 (25:20):
Whether you recognize them or not, that's up to you.
Speaker 10 (25:23):
But when I first got to Philadelphia, I remember Sean
and I remember this vividly. Like he he was very
hard on rookies, you know, the older guys. He would
kind of let go and you got to you gotta
And I had to understand that he was taken over
a position that from Jim Johnson, who was, in my opinion,
one of the Hall of Fame defensive coordinators in the NFL.
(25:44):
So he was taken on a role of he was
trying to live up to the Jim Johnson name, and
he had his own spinning flavor on things, but it
was this very complicated defense and he was hard on us.
And I remember one day he goes, just so you know,
I can go back there and play the game of football,
and I laughed at him.
Speaker 9 (26:03):
I was like, there's no way you could do what
we do. Well.
Speaker 10 (26:07):
You know, I'm very naive at this time in my life.
So you know when you look at Sean's pedigree being
a national wrestler, going to William and Mary and being
a great safety there and unfortunately never got the opportunity
to play in the NFL. But his point of saying
that was if you're smart enough, if you prepare enough,
(26:28):
and if you understand the game, you put yourself in positions.
Now it's whether or not you have the ability to
make the player or not, but you can always stay
one step ahead if you prepare it well enough. And
that's the lesson that he gave me was you can
stay around this game for a long time. You just
better be able to work and do all the little
things that's gonna take to stay in this game. And
(26:50):
sure enough, I mean I was fortunate enough to have
a year underneath him at Philadelphia, and then when it
was my opportunity to hit free agency in twenty fifteen,
it may sense to only come to Carolina and play
underneath him again because I knew within that defense I
could be successful. And then obviously just to finish off
my career up in Buffalo. It was a great year
(27:11):
and it was some things that hopefully I was able
to leave those guys around me.
Speaker 9 (27:15):
I went up there this past summer when we had
a chance.
Speaker 10 (27:18):
To call their game and it was just great to
be around that coaching staff and around Sean again.
Speaker 7 (27:22):
Yeah, great to see Sean and Brandon Bean and that
group all doing doing well. The former Panther connections there,
and you mentioned signing as a free agent, you had
a year in Kansas City in between Philadelphia and Carolina.
You played three years with the Panthers, but that first
year was the year Super Bowl fifty year. The team
goes seventeen and one heading into that Super Bowl, and
people need to remember, I mean, what a key figure
(27:43):
you were on the field with that too. Seven interceptions
and a touchdown that year, and you had twenty one
picks in your career, but seven a third of them
coming that magical year. So not only a great defense curve,
but just talk about your role in that and just
what an amazing run that you guys had that year.
Speaker 9 (27:59):
It was a an incredibly special year.
Speaker 10 (28:01):
And I remember back in preseason, We're down in Watford
in Spartanburg and it was after a long hot practice
and you know, some whoever's been down to Spartanburg, there's
something about that era where it just never moves and
the heat just sits on you. But I was doing
an interview and after I got done, I had called
my dad and we were just talking about how camp
(28:22):
had gone or was going. And for me, I wasn't
dubbed or penciled in as a starter. I was I
think by all terms, I was going to be a
really solid backup and obviously can go in and sparingly.
And I remember telling my dad, I said, there's something
special about this team and he was like, well, what
do you mean.
Speaker 9 (28:41):
I'm not sure.
Speaker 10 (28:42):
And you just couldn't put your finger on it, but
whether it was the great mix of young with the veterans,
and you had your classical cam, but then you had
the TD cam, like if anyone was around practices TD
and Cam went at it every single day and it
was a competition between offense and defense.
Speaker 9 (29:02):
But then you would have Luke who was like.
Speaker 10 (29:05):
He was quiet as far as verbal, but then he
was so intense when it came to actual playing. And
then you had the Jno who was getting ready to
have his come out party of I Am Batman arriving
on scenes. So it was just so many mixes of personalities.
It was such a great place. You wish you could
capsize that moment in time and you know, to go
(29:27):
through that season. I knew this defense was going to
be something special, so that you were special.
Speaker 9 (29:33):
But for me, it was my time to shine.
Speaker 10 (29:36):
But all I had to do was my job, and
that was what was so special because you had great.
Speaker 9 (29:40):
Guys in front of you.
Speaker 10 (29:41):
I just had to just do my job, and when
the ball came my way, you just make them lent.
Speaker 2 (29:46):
Subscribe to thirty seasons of Panther Football on the iHeartRadio app,
Panthers dot com and Team Apple Apple podcast or Spotify.
This is Panther Talk. You buy coke indeed deserves the
(30:07):
great taste of Coca cola. Because fan work is thirsty work,
and eh.
Speaker 1 (30:13):
Jim Eugene back with you here on the Carolina Panthers
Radio network. It's Panther Talk. It is the start of
the bye week, a well deserved bye week. It's coming
late in the season, the Panthers bye week coming and
week fourteen, thirteen weeks in the books, and the Panthers
finally get this reprieve. They need it. A few things
(30:34):
that have stood out this season, and we talked a
lot about the offense, but the defense and Eugene. One
of the things that we've kind of noticed here is
how Agiro Rivero has deployed pressure and has made the
halftime adjustment in some of these games. The Panthers on
(30:54):
the season are giving up, you know, in the neighborhood
of seven eight points per game in the second half.
It's one of the best marks in the NFL. They've
been a really good second half defense. And what we
have noticed is in the first half, a lot of
times it's a lot of dropping coverage, not a lot
(31:14):
of pressure.
Speaker 3 (31:15):
Second half they seem to get.
Speaker 1 (31:17):
More aggressive on defense. And I know they've had the
turnovers the last few games in the first half, but
the aggression on defense we've seen in a lot of games. Okay,
second half, Let's turn up the heat a little bit.
Speaker 5 (31:27):
And we saw that too, because against the Rams in
that first half, I was sitting there going like, you
need a bliss more. You need to get half of
this guy a little bit more, because you can't let
Stafford sit back there.
Speaker 6 (31:38):
He's going to kill you on zone.
Speaker 5 (31:40):
He's able to find that receiver and wait and throw
him open or not throw him open. He's gonna find
his guys. And so I was calling for that. You
gotta get you gotta get more pressure on him. And
in the second half we saw that, we saw more
pressure on the quarterback. But I think you're absolutely right.
That's been the theme throughout this season. First half, not
(32:01):
as much pressure, second half, just getting tons of pressure.
I think with the skill level that we have upfront
and in the secondary, I think and I think you
send them your backers and you get you mug up
into megaps and you get after people because you have
a secondary that can hold up and you got guys
who are putting pressure on the quarterback. And so coach
(32:25):
Jerrod going for I'm like, you know, hey, get after
these cats, man. I think that's one of the recipes
that is a key to Wak's success is when you
get after people.
Speaker 7 (32:35):
I think two, when you get in the next game
Trayvon Marrigan.
Speaker 10 (32:39):
J C.
Speaker 3 (32:39):
Horn looks like he'll be back for that as well.
Speaker 7 (32:41):
You can be a little bit more of a risk
taker because that back end of the defense is more solid.
But to your point, sometimes you can help them out
by getting pressure there because now Stafford doesn't have the
time to look downfield to let that play develop. So
it's kind of like pick your poison a little bit.
As long as you succeed in doing it, you have
to mix it up.
Speaker 3 (32:57):
You can't just do the same thing for four quarters.
Speaker 5 (32:58):
And I will say this, that interception by by Jack
against Nicolea and that in that game from inside technique
and he takes it to the house quarterbasket, gonna be
thinking twice about saying, oh, we could go ahead and
go on Jack's side and not go to jacon hornside.
They're gonna be thinking twice about that, because that was
a beautiful interception. Even the pass that Nicolea caught towards
(33:20):
the end zone. I said, that was great coverage. He
actually got Jack got his hand in there. That's just
a great play by a great receiver, and I'm sitting
here like this, Jack, you are establishing yourself as one
of these great corners in the league because you're doing
stuff against one of the best receivers in the league.
Speaker 1 (33:37):
He's the perfect guy to have opposite JC because teams
are not going to throw to j. C. Horn whole lot.
He's got five picks entered last week, tied for first
to the NFL. And you took the words out of
my mouth. I'm watching the replay again because that highlight's
been all over the one handed catch where Nikola and
Jack are essentially lockstep the sideline and Nicoua turns his
(33:57):
hand in the opposite directionind of reverse palms it in.
Mike Jack had his hand there exactly was I mean
this close. Mike Jack was this close from coming up
with a one handed interception or bringing that in or
having a PBu almost had two. Mike Jack's got three
picks this year.
Speaker 6 (34:15):
I mean he might have.
Speaker 1 (34:17):
He's had a chance to have about five or six
this year.
Speaker 6 (34:20):
Yeah.
Speaker 5 (34:20):
And and what it does is when you see those
two plays and when the court, when the coaches isolated
those plays, and when they go when it go against him,
they're going to like this, hey man, this guy is
not a slous man. This this guy is opposite Jase Horn,
but don't sleep on his skills. This guy right here
can go ahead, and he can go ahead and hurt you.
And so I like what I saw, even in that
(34:42):
defeated play, I said, that was a great defensive try
to stop. That's just outstanding play by a great receiver.
Speaker 6 (34:49):
Great receiver.
Speaker 3 (34:50):
What are gloves made out of these days?
Speaker 7 (34:52):
I have no idea, dude, because they have to be
so tacky. I'm not taking anything away from the cool,
but that is not human.
Speaker 5 (34:58):
That's not natural for you to go ahead and well,
Chris Carter could do that with the big old dang
hands of this, but that's really not natural. I'm like this,
how did he catch that ball right there? It's like
he backhanded the ball. It's like doing something with a
tennis racket that you's not supposed to do with a
tennis racket, you know. I'm like, Wow, it was outstanding,
But you can lose sight of it because you would
think that man, Jack got just beat for a big play.
Speaker 6 (35:22):
No, he didn't.
Speaker 1 (35:23):
Great play, great player.
Speaker 6 (35:24):
Great play, great player. That was some good work.
Speaker 1 (35:27):
Speaking of great play Jim Bryce Young to the last
three games. Now, I think we're starting to see what
we've kind of wanted to see all along. And sometimes
the numbers get skewed because even when his numbers weren't
popping off the page, the Panthers were winning a lot
of those games because the recipe was run the football,
and they were playing the run really well in some
of those games. But I think over these next four games,
(35:50):
if Bryce can build on the sample size that we
saw against Atlanta, that we saw this Sunday against LA,
we're going to need that down the stretch against Tampa,
against Seattle, certainly against New Orleans, who seems to have
Bryce's number.
Speaker 7 (36:05):
Yeah, and I think, you know, he's doing some of
the more difficult things, which are game winning drives and
fourth down conversions and things like that. I mean, those
were great throws that he made that were both touchdowns
and were clutch because they're fourth down.
Speaker 3 (36:17):
There's no fifth down.
Speaker 7 (36:18):
So I mean the fact that he has that moxy
to be able to it's a different position, Like you
have to be a leader, you've got to be a player,
but you also have to have a mentality. There are
different things that go into being a quarterback than any
other position out there as a smart kid obviously, So
you're seeing a lot of it. And we've always said
it's just a matter of that consistency from week to
week as far as what his role goes in now.
And that's what he only needs to beat you, Jens,
(36:39):
that part of his role in the offense. He doesn't
have to go out there be Patrick Mahomes. He can
be the distributor and when he does that, that's when
the team does its best.
Speaker 1 (36:49):
All right, we will look ahead to the bye week
and look ahead to the end game. Yes, four games
left in the season and everything including the postseason. In
front of the Carolina Panthers. You're listening to the Carolina
Panthers Radio Network.
Speaker 2 (37:08):
Panther Talk continues on the Carolina Panthers Radio Network.
Speaker 1 (37:15):
It is the holiday season and visions of the postseason
dance in the heads of Carolina Panther fans. It's all there.
You're a half game out of the division lead, chasing Tampa.
Two games remain against the Bucks. You still have Seattle,
so you've got to go through Baker and Sam. But
before all that, you have a bye week. But coming
(37:35):
out of the bye. I think this is the biggest
game because it's the next game. That's the old coaching cliche,
But that's the one game on the schedule that remains
where you look and say, you absolutely cannot lose. You
got to go beat the Saints. What happened to Bank
of America Stadium when the two teams met earlier in November, debacle.
(37:56):
That was a game where the Panthers played their worst game,
still could have won that game. Yes, you gotta go
to New Orleans. That team's out of the playoff hunt.
They're two and ten, they are angling for a high
draft pick. Eugene that say, take care of business, go
win that game by two touchdowns.
Speaker 5 (38:14):
This is I mean, if there's any incentive at all
coming off this pass win against the Rams, you have
all the incentive you need because you know, you just
be a quality opponent, one of the best opponents in
the league, bar none, bar none. And now when you
look at the Saints and look at the margin in
which you lost and you could have won that game,
(38:36):
you have to be telling yourself collectively as a group,
but we're gonna go down there and stuff with mud
hole in these cats. We're gonna go down here and
be them like they stole money. You have to be
saying that. Now. You ain't gonna say that to you
all everybody else, but you're gonna say that among them boys. Dude,
we let these cats come up on against us. We
gotta go down there and take care of business. And
that's what's gonna be the theme. Go take care of
business because that team I don't believe is on your
(38:58):
level at all.
Speaker 7 (39:00):
We've been talking about the highs and lows. I think
as yet reason number ninety nine. While the bye week
comes at the right time because it's dead up, down, up,
down up bye week. Now, I got two weeks to
focus on the next one, That's what I'm talking pattern,
and win a lot more than you're losing over these
next four games coming up here.
Speaker 3 (39:16):
So it does give you a chance to heal up.
Speaker 7 (39:18):
Also gives you a chance to early refocus on getting
ready for a big road game coming up and hopefully
a win down there.
Speaker 1 (39:23):
I think that's also the next step handling success. Right,
You beat Green Bay, then you lost to New Orleans,
You have the great win against Atlanta, you lost to
San Francisco. There have been these ups and downs, Like
you said, can you now handle success? Because if this
is going to manifest, if a playoff reality is to happen,
(39:45):
you're gonna have to string together some victories at the
end of the season.
Speaker 3 (39:48):
Yeah, and I think this team is well aware of it.
Speaker 7 (39:51):
And I'll think it was you came out flat as much.
Sometimes you just know, you know, block and tackle or whatever.
It's not like you weren't into the game. So you
also personnel matters, I think at this level two, having
healthy players, I think is probably gonna be biggest thing
of all getting back.
Speaker 5 (40:03):
We're healthy, and we're getting healthy as we move into December.
And when you win in December and get to punch
a ticket to the playoffs.
Speaker 1 (40:10):
And we will be rested. Enjoy the bye week, all
you out there, get some sleep, to sleep
Speaker 6 (40:17):
You know that's right, perchance to dream.
Popular Podcasts
Dateline NBC
Current and classic episodes, featuring compelling true-crime mysteries, powerful documentaries and in-depth investigations. Follow now to get the latest episodes of Dateline NBC completely free, or subscribe to Dateline Premium for ad-free listening and exclusive bonus content: DatelinePremium.com
Stuff You Should Know
If you've ever wanted to know about champagne, satanism, the Stonewall Uprising, chaos theory, LSD, El Nino, true crime and Rosa Parks, then look no further. Josh and Chuck have you covered.
The Bobby Bones Show
Listen to 'The Bobby Bones Show' by downloading the daily full replay.