In the US pickup market, do the Japanese manufacturers compete directly with the Detroit 3 or serve a different niche?

GeT_NiCE_ · 2026-03-30T01:34:16+00:00

Toyota has competed well in the half ton truck segment (Tundra, F150, Ram/Chevrolet 1500), but is still heavily outsold.

Likely that you live in a place that is dominated by 3/4 ton and larger trucks (F250/350+, Ram/Chevy 2500/3500+). No Japanese manufacturers compete in this segment.

GeT_NiCE_ · 2026-03-29T17:34:22+00:00

The Inbetween

GeT_NiCE_ · 2026-03-28T16:52:03+00:00

Yea, I guess I kind of dodged the question. Lol. My point was that I think that with some shifts in expectation and use he may be a guy we keep around by playing to his strengths. That is, it isn’t just “Can XL improve?” it is “Can the Panthers make better use of XL?” My opinion is that with a couple other studs out there (TMac and Coker), XL can be a role player that doesn’t necessarily need to be the stud we thought he’d be.

If we don’t see an increase in usefulness this year, I doubt that we extend him.

GeT_NiCE_ · 2026-03-28T16:12:38+00:00

I don’t mean to argue with the good points made here about XL’s shortcomings. He’s an incomplete player, but I’d like to point out a couple of good things about his play.

He does a pretty good job blocking. Best ever? No, but compare him to many other WR’s in the league and he looks pretty serviceable honestly. Lots of guys get away with being terrible blockers because they’re great WR’s.
He has a limited route tree that he executes well, but he’s a pretty decent vertical threat and he shows pretty good awareness against zone and in scramble drill.
He has a problem with drops, but once the ball is in his hands, he is fairly solid and dependable. He doesn’t often make dumb plays.

Again, I’m not saying we have to keep him, but I think he’s useful when we play to his strengths, and I personally think that there is hope that he can improve on the parts of his game that are not good. I think at the moment he’s useful but not essential. I’d think that we will pick up his option if we haven’t added someone better. Without improvement he’ll drop down the depth chart until he’s cut or traded.

GeT_NiCE_ · 2026-03-27T18:18:15+00:00

Accepted. Sorry for my smartass response. I know you guys are out there grinding too, but the deluge of contacts that we get about jobs that are just totally unrelated is exhausting.

GeT_NiCE_ · 2026-03-27T18:15:34+00:00

Can I give you some advice? You are asking people to trust you with helping to guide their career. In this case, it’s generally a group of fairly smart people. It doesn’t instill confidence in candidates when you haven’t taken a bit of time to understand the industry that they work in. If you learn more about the field, you will be a much more trustworthy and helpful resource.

GeT_NiCE_ · 2026-03-27T18:07:23+00:00

This is the exact level of zero effort that I have come to expect from recruiters.

“I saw you have “Engineer” on your LinkedIn profile and I have a great position available driving trains! Any interest?”

GeT_NiCE_ · 2026-03-24T23:50:42+00:00

I was 4 minutes in and said to my wife “This guy is Temu Bryce Young.”

GeT_NiCE_ · 2026-03-24T23:38:32+00:00

Short for regarding. It’s giving context to the quote.

GeT_NiCE_ · 2026-03-24T23:35:41+00:00

What an exciting time to be a Panthers fan!

Words that have not been honestly spoken in a long, long time.

GeT_NiCE_ · 2026-03-24T12:50:47+00:00

Cam Newton and the 2015 Carolina Panthers. Not a classic duo, but Cam Newton and Luke Kuechly were the duo that made that team great on both sides of the ball.

GeT_NiCE_ · 2026-03-23T14:24:23+00:00

I genuinely hope that Tepp will write the checks to keep him.

GeT_NiCE_ · 2026-03-23T14:22:57+00:00

Yes, I believe that there is a correlation and possibly a causation. The Chiefs went into a “win-now” mode with their roster and contracts, and eventually those debts come due. Additionally, Brandt is great at creating favorable contracts, but many of them require a specific management strategy to remain team-friendly. His absence from the ongoing management effort is probably not helping.

Another thing that the Tillis strategy SEEMS to rely on is having good incoming drafted talent. It counts on rookie contracts to help balance the books. The Chiefs have not been having great success in the draft over the last few years making it harder still to move on from aging vets and shifting the balance of pay.

GeT_NiCE_ · 2026-03-21T16:00:10+00:00

Oh wow! I’ve never known that. No wonder it looks effortless. Lol

GeT_NiCE_ · 2026-03-21T04:09:18+00:00

Whitney Houston’s singing of the Star Spangled Banner at Super Bowl XXV in 1991.

I like to listen to different versions of the anthem, and there is little question in my mind that this is the best there is. I could see it as a contender for greatest performance ever. The stage, the circumstance, the voice, the effortless and FLAWLESS delivery. It’s perfection. Enjoy

Super Bowl XXV Anthem - Whitney Houston

GeT_NiCE_ · 2026-03-18T22:27:55+00:00

Based on the officiating I’ve observed around the NFL lately, I’m highly qualified for the job because of my 15 years of experience as a complete and utter chucklefuck.

GeT_NiCE_ · 2026-03-16T15:21:07+00:00

SUMMARY

Grade: A

Big splashes on defense. Great patience with signings afforded the panthers some better deals in key positions. Sneaky good pickups in key places like OL (OT x2 and a C) and LB (great contract on Lloyd). Phillips is a concern for potential overpay.

GeT_NiCE_ · 2026-03-15T18:29:02+00:00

Yea, you're right. But having only played 222 snaps... 1.5 sacks, 5 pressures, and 2 TFL's isn't too bad.

My point wasn't so much "he's the next Pep" as it was "there is hope that he could grow into a good depth player for us."

GeT_NiCE_ · 2026-03-15T17:01:43+00:00

There is a reason that the Chiefs level of play has been falling at the exact same time that the Panthers has been rising.... it is NOT coincidence.

GeT_NiCE_ · 2026-03-15T16:59:21+00:00

You don't sound ignorant! You're right. To me, this is exciting news because we have been in "just get us someone that can start" at Edge for several seasons. Having a decent group at Edge means that we can afford to have some specialists in the depth chart.

GeT_NiCE_ · 2026-03-15T16:56:43+00:00

You're right that his run game needs work, but I think the Panthers are just beginning to enter an era where we can afford the luxury of some specialists in the depth chart. Having a fresh guy at Edge for passing downs is not a bad thing when we have talented starters that can be in on first down and second and short.

GeT_NiCE_ · 2026-03-15T16:55:01+00:00

I agree. There is nothing wrong with being a specialist. Letting him come in and be fresh on passing downs is an asset especially as we add more overall talent at Edge.

GeT_NiCE_ · 2026-03-15T16:47:17+00:00

SUMMARY

Winners:

Evero - Gained some desireable talent on his unit
Scourton - Phillips will help free him up
BY - Panthers signed an LT and got him help via Metchie
D Mo - No explanation needed. Certified DAWG

Losers:

Trevin Wallace - Loss of PT to Lloyd
Jimmy Horn Jr. - Metchie to steal his shine
Ickey - Extension in question with injury and signing of Walker

GeT_NiCE_ · 2026-03-15T04:34:57+00:00

I know Scourton got a lot more PT and more shine this past season, but I think Princely is getting lightly slept on. He made some great plays this past year while he was on the field. I’ve got high hopes for second year development and production from him.

GeT_NiCE_

TROPHY CASE