Panthers load up, Tepper flips out and a rally sausage (?) in the sports moments of the week
Posted April 30, 2024 5:54 p.m. EDT
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Panthers think offense-first at NFL Draft
In case there were any questions about new general manager Dan Morgan's team-building philosophy, they were answered at the NFL Draft this weekend.
Bryce Young's success on offense is Carolina's number one priority. Point blank period.
Last season, Young and the offense had to struggle and strain for every scoring drive, producing only 38 plays of 20+ yards in 17 games.
That's simply not good enough, as evidenced by the team's 2-15 record.
So what did Morgan do? He went out and spent three of his first four draft picks on skill position players, and was aggressive in doing so.
The Panthers were clearly enamored with South Carolina receiver Xavier Legette (and after watching him speak to the media, I can see why), so they didn't leave anything to chance, hopped up one spot to grab him at No. 32 overall, and secured a 5th-year option in the process.
They also upgraded the running back room, executing two trades that netted them Texas running back Jonathon Brooks and a 2nd round pick next season (making up for the one Scott Fitterer lost in the Bryce Young trade last year).
I have to say I was surprised to see the Panthers use this high a pick on a currently-injured running back. It certainly seems like the roster has other, more pressing needs.
Then you watch his highlights and it makes a little more sense.
Carolina didn't have to make any moves to secure its 4th round pick, Texas tight end Ja'Tavion Sanders.
Again, the Panthers spurned bigger needs on defense to get Bryce Young another weapon, and it could end up being the steal of the draft class.
Sanders is the kind of pass catching threat that Carolina hasn't had since Greg Olsen left.
His presence over the middle should help Young get more comfortable throwing to that area, which should then open things up on the outside as well.
Not everybody is happy with this Panthers draft class and I certainly understand the criticisms.
They may have reached a bit for Brooks and linebacker Trevin Wallace in rounds 2 & 3, did nothing to address the need at edge rusher and didn't take a cornerback until the 5th round.
But at the very least, you have to say that the new front office has a clear vision for what they want to accomplish next season and that's to get the most out of Bryce Young and the offense.
It wasn't perfect in its execution, but it is something to build around.
Yeesh, another David Tepper incident
It's not quite "throwing a drink on an opposing fan" bad, but Panthers owner David Tepper had another cringeworthy episode last week.
It seems that Tepper, while out and about in Charlotte, came across a local restaurant displaying the following message on its sign: "Please let the coach & GM pick this year".
Clearly a jab at Tepper, but nothing too crazy, right?
Well, turns out it was something that the Panthers owner just could not let slide, so he entered the restaurant (apparently with a security guard in tow) to argue with the host!
Now, the restaurant says Tepper was being "playful" and not angry or belligerent, but you watch the security footage and tell me that it doesn't make your skin crawl.
It's awkward (especially when he takes off the host's hat). It should be beneath him.
But it's not.
In 2010, Tepper said in an interview that sometimes he fantasizes about buying an entire restaurant just so he can fire one waiter.
Quarterbacks dominate Round 1
It was a historic night for quarterbacks at the NFL Draft, with six being selected in the first 12 picks.
Caleb Williams, who went No. 1 overall, is the headliner going into the 2024 season, with many comparing his skill set to Patrick Mahomes.
Williams has drawn criticism, however, for some of his quirks (like painting his nails) and personality, reminiscent of another top pick -- former Panthers great Cam Newton.
Newton was a guest on NFL Network's "Good Morning Football" on Friday, showing his support for Williams and laying out a simple game plan for how to silence the haters.
At the No. 3 overall pick, North Carolina quarterback Drake Maye was selected by the New England Patriots, as they begin their post-Belichick, post-Brady era.
As we covered last week, Maye was one of the more polarizing quarterback prospects in this year's class, but most analysts seem to be in lock-step now.
Almost everyone is calling for the Patriots to let Maye sit as a rookie and learn from (NC State alum) Jacoby Brissett as he deals with a sub-par supporting cast.
It's a nice thought, but teams rarely have the patience to stick with their game plan if the season is going south.
We'll see when Maye takes over the reins in New England, but my bet is sooner rather than later.
And then, there's the Atlanta Falcons, who shocked everyone by taking Michael Penix Jr. with the No. 8 overall pick.
Some crucial context here, the Falcons just gave $100 million guaranteed to free agent quarterback Kirk Cousins this offseason, then went out and spent a Top 10 pick on his backup!
To make things even worse, Cousins -- who was saying just last month that he signed with Atlanta so he could finally be on the same page with the front office -- was completely blind-sided by the pick and leaked to the media that he was upset.
So not a great start to their marriage.
Predictably, there are some analysts taking the contrarian point of view, touting the Falcons' pick as some sort of genius move.
It's not.
Look, Penix could turn out to be really good, but he's already got major injury concerns that will probably lead to a shorter career lifespan, and he has no shot to play until he's at least 27 years old.
No matter which way you slice it, this pick ">doesn't make a lot of sense.
Canes bring 3-1 series lead back to Raleigh
The Hurricanes very nearly completed a first round sweep Saturday in New York, but a double overtime goal for the Islanders extended the series for at least one more game.
Carolina will get a chance to close it out Tuesday night in Raleigh and move on to face the New York Rangers in the second round.
In order to close things out, the Canes will look to take the fight to the Islanders just as they did in Game 3, scoring three goals early and forcing New York to pull starting goalie Ilya Sorokin.
In the other crease, Freddie Andersen has been spectacular for the most part, including one very memorable save from his side, to seal Game 3. Carolina will obviously need him to stay sharp as well.
But the biggest key to wrapping up the series is to keep the Islanders stars in check.
Mathew Barzal scored twice in Game 4 (both assisted by Bo Horvat), after recording just one point in the previous three series games.
If Carolina is able to shut down New York's top line, they have the superior depth that should be able to close things out on Tuesday.
But if that doesn't happen, watch out.
The Canes have put themselves in great position, now they need to close things out ASAP.
LeBron, Durant bow out of NBA Playoffs
In case you didn't notice, a new generation has taken the reins in the NBA.
LeBron James continues to be awesome at age 39. He posted 30 points, 9 assists and 11 rebounds in Game 5 on Monday.
But then the Lakers lost in heartbreaking fashion. Again.
Their 12th loss in the last 13 tries against Nikola Jokic and the Denver Nuggets.
Incredible though he is, this is not LeBron's league anymore. The days of him leading his team to an NBA Championship are over.
The same can be said, although not as glowingly, about Kevin Durant.
Durant's Phoenix Suns went out in embarrassing fashion on Sunday night. They got swept by the Minnesota Timberwolves, who are advancing past the first round for just the second time in franchise history.
KD, like LeBron, didn't play poorly. (That distinction goes to Bradley Beal who scored just 9 points after declaring "I'll be damned" before letting his team get swept.)
In the close out loss, Durant was terrific with 33 points, 9 rebounds and 4 blocks.
But anybody who watched this game, or this series, can clearly see who the alpha dog is now.
The changing of the guard is happening.
Instead of Steph Curry dropping 47 points to carry his team to a road playoff win, it's Jalen Brunson.
Instead of Cavs-Warriors as the seemingly inevitable NBA Finals matchup, it's Celtics-Nuggets.
Maybe I'm late to the party, but after seeing two of the game's greatest players ever get bounced in the first round on back-to-back nights, it finally hit me.
A new era in the NBA is here.
Behold, the rally sausage
Baseball is a strange game with strange people observing strange superstitions.
Our latest example comes to us from Minnesota, where the Twins have turned their season around thanks to a so-called "rally sausage".
Rather than have me try to explain it, just listen to Twins manager Rocco Baldelli try to do it. ">It's way funnier.
The mastermind behind this whole thing is catcher (and UNC Wilmington alum) Ryan Jeffers, who may just be a genius.
Thanks to the sausage, the Twins have won 8 straight games entering Tuesday, averaging 7.5 runs per contest.
Jeffers admits that, eventually, the squad is going to have to retire the original for fear of a health code violation, but they're riding the hot streak while it lasts!
Sports are weird sometimes.
We'll see you next week.
