Happy Half Hour Episode 50: The Honest Half Hour

I'm just grateful to be involved. What is that? Is that the Diamond Anniversary? Is that gold? Which is that? Is that? The turf anniversary? I don't know. If yourself, I don't say it's golden. We've done fewer episodes than The Rolling Stones, as we've got a third straight week with the Rolling Stones reference from it, like in the first three minutes, I get you like a gold crayon or something. You're looking at Darren. He looked right at Darren when he said that. I did not look at me.

You exude youthful energy. I do not. I don't know I should be on air saying I'm getting you something gold, Kristen, I don't. I mean, I don't know a crayon. Yeah I can, I can do it, cra Okay, alright, this is the happy half hour. But of course we're going to start with. UM. You know, there's some things that are not so happy, at least for Panthers fans. Let's let's start with the Eagles game. UM, and then let's talk injuries. What can be happier than that. I'm just

making Roy can't sounds over here. UM, Let's talk about this game. It felt like a different kind of loss. I mean, a loss is a loss is a loss. But the Seagulls game, in Matt rules own words, he wanted this one to hurt for a while. They should have won the game, and they didn't, and they didn't,

and you know, you could tell in the reaction. And I mentioned this in the mail bag on the website the other day, when Taylor Moten looked rattled after that game, that's when you know it's bad because that guy never gets rattled. And if there's one guy in that locker room who's always gonna take that, We're just gonna focus on the process. We gotta do all our own jobs right the right way every day. That's Taylor. I mean he's as regular and I don't mean that as normal,

I mean as steady as they come. And for Taylor Moten after that game to just look and hurt, I mean you could tell it was that's one that's going to wear on them for a long long time to come. You never know over the course of the season. Which win is a good win. You know that's bad loss. Yeah, right off the bat, and you know there's no getting around it. It did not go well, uh really in any facet in the second half of that game. Yeah,

it didn't. So how do you I mean the Vikings is a is a very winnable game, great coming to town, at least on paper. Well, you're our stats guy. What do you think I I I mean right now, the people in Vegas, I think it's a pick them like that. That was the last line that I saw. I think that, you know, being at home is going to help. I think obviously the way that they're talking about practice this week. You know, yesterday coach Rule said that was like one

of the best practices he's ever seen. You know, I mean, it's it's a coach. But at the same time, I think there's something too. There's a you know, there's as Darren said, there's kind of a wake up their focused.

But at the same time, you can go into a game and have all kind of the the intangible emotion, emotional locked in, You're ready to go, but sometime around the third quarter, maybe I don't know, some of those things kind of like you're you're, you're, the emotions kind of ware off, and it's it's kind of man to man, and it's talent to talent, and it's game plan to game plan. And in Minnesota is really good. Um. They

had three losses that are all could have been wins. Um. I mean they could be four and one, five and oh right now. I mean all of those games came down to it in the final fourth quarter in you know, one or two plays here there. Uh. But I do think this Panthers team being at home helps. Being at home really helps. Um. I don't think there will be Vikings fans like the way they were Eagles fans last week, hopefully,

But yeah, I mean being at home helps. And I think coming out in and you know, hopefully really getting a good first half and then coming out and knowing, hey, now we're it's third quarter, it's fourth quarter, like it's time to go, like we've got to We've got to go well. And and the Vikings, if if you want to take the small sample size that has been this season, are not great at scoring in the second half. So now, look, they could they could find that against the Panthers. Any

team can find anything on any given day. But it would be a good time for the Panthers to really put a great second half on a team. It would. And the problem is this week. I mean, these teams are very similar in the fact that they are both kind of small, marginal air of teams. And you know, they the Vikings had played nothing but close games. Um, they are sometimes fortunate, sometimes not, but they're built along the same platform. They they want to win with defense,

with running the ball, with keeping it close. I mean we call it clutching, grab, ugly it up, whatever you want to say football. That's the way Mike Zimmer wants to play. And that's the way right now the Carolina Panthers need to play to be able to, you know, compete against these kind of teams. I mean, it's you say, winnable game, but these are all sort of jury of their peers. Games right now, and I thought it was interesting, you know, and trying to look at it the other day.

I mean, if the season stopped today, the Carolina Panthers are a playoff team, which sounds weird based on the last thing we saw of them, which was the Eagles game. But at three and two and with seven teams making the playoffs, it's like, okay. So that's why coaches all the time talk about twenty four hour rule, flush it, move on, you know, focusing on that day's stuff that day, because if you let Philadelphia hang around too long, you

you don't want that to become a trend, obviously. But I think there comes a point where in those guys mind they stopped talking about it and all the focus was on a good Wednesday practice, because that's the thing you can control. It's it's a it's a great point. Um. I would love to to talk about each of the units very quickly if we can. I thought Matt rules

it's something great to the media. I believe it was on Monday where he said, you know, everyone is focusing in on the offense and special teams, but the defense that we've put together should never lose a lead in the fourth quarter. I thought that was a great point. So so let's start with the defense. But let's start with the portion of the defense that remains. And I

do think it's important too. And coaches always say, you don't want to make an excuse, but I think it's important to note that defense that gave up a lead in the fourth quarter was out there playing without Shack Thompson, J C. Horn, Justin Burrows. That matters. I mean, we

can't pretend it's not a factor, because it is. And especially when you saw some big leakage plays down the field, you know that stuff that when you're playing with a backup safety who's not used to being back there by himself in a spot where he's got to make a fast decision, as opposed to Justin Burrows, who's been around, who's aware, you know, maybe isn't the fastest guy or anything like that, but he is absolutely aware of where he's supposed to be and when, and those kind of

things make a difference. Well, yeah, I mean, I I was going to I saw a lot out there of kind of response to that from from coach, And I do think you know when you're when you're coming in you as a coach and as an organization, as a group, you know, you can't say, oh, you know, I mean we we all saw it. We all know who it's on. Like. Everyone has to come into the building wanting to get better and knowing that they can get better. You can't come in and say, man, we were you know, we're

one of the top defenses in the league. We're we're good. You know, once everyone else figures there, you know, like, no, I mean there. You have to always find what that motivation is and to get better, uh, you know, personally as a group, as a as a unit, all all of those things. And I was, you know, completely fine with with those comments and with kind of that approach, And you know, I thought it was great, and I think and you've heard the players. I talked to Jamaine

Carter after the game. He said the same thing. It's just it's on them. They that unit takes responsibility for the mistakes that that unit had, just as I'm sure the offense does, just a special teams does. No one's trying to shirk the responsibility and the expectation honestly should be higher on that side of the ball because that's where the most resources have been invisted. That's where they

spent the entire draft. That's where they go out and sign all these free agents this offseason to really firm up that side of the ball. And I think they walked into the season with question marks on offense, with question marks on special teams, but the defense was the thing they thought they ought to be able to count on weekend and week out. And you know, we're talking about matters of degree here, but yeah, they were the other ones. They got a little loose in the end.

It is tough though, when you you look at you know, people make stuff of the third core. I thought they played excellent in the first half, the third quarter up until the end of the third quarter with that big play. I mean they Hassan Reddick had two sacks, there was a fumble recovery Dante of the interception and the fumble recovery made some incredible place, uh, for most of the for for three quarters, I think, I'd say, and they've got you know, obviously they've got to be more consistent

about that, And it's one of those things. It's almost a shame that game unfolded the way it did because there was that one play and I think it was in the third quarter when Hassan takes Jordan's Blatta, who outweighs him by a hundred thirty pounds, rocks him back, and that was that first sack, and then gets around with speed. But it's like Hassan just took on a man who's basically half his weight, another fifty percent of his weight and just and just rode him back. I mean,

there were moments of that individual brilliance in there. But again, whether it's fair, whether it's unfair, I think there is going to be a higher expectation on those guys this season because they're the one better capable of influencing an entire game. And I would say, knowing those guys and and Darren talk to them all the time as well, I think they want that higher expectation that no one is running away from that. They want to be one

of the top defenses in the league. And what goes along with that is not giving up a lead in the in the fourth quarter, making just a few more plays. But also there were times where they did make some great plays and unfortunately the offense could not capitalize on it for a variety of reasons. I want to talk about the offense and Darren, do you want to give us the latest on on some of the injuries or or where you think we might land in terms of

some guys on that offense coming back. Well, I mean Christian McCaffrey obviously still working his way back from that hamstring it. On Monday, Matt Rule was hopeful on Wednesday, he said fifty fifty. So we'll see, you know, where it goes over the course of the week. Keep practiced on a limited basis a little bit last week and then was doubtful for the game. Obviously didn't play, So

we'll see what direction it points. But you know, I I think as you go through this thing, you know, at a certain point you've got to kind of expect. I mean it's like, if you know what Christians capable of when he's in there, great, but you know, until he's back out there on the field, I don't think you build plans around that. And and honestly too, but played well last week. He goes for a hundred yards on the ground and catch a few passes and does

some things. He's not Christian McCaffrey. There are very few people in the NFL are um. That's the Dalvin Cook, Alvin Kamara, group of backs. But she stood in and played well last week. And I think they've just got to adjust and that's the gonna be the buzzword for offense the rest of the year. I think expecting someone to ride in and save the day offensively isn't necessarily

the case. That offensive line, that set of receiver Sam Donald have to be the ones that fixed this thing because while they're trying to do stuff, and they're you know, certainly willing to make deals the way they have for cornerbacks in the last couple of weeks, but there's not I don't think that magic you know button you push

that's gonna mirror miraculously fix everything. There just isn't. So those guys, I mean, Cam Irving's back in practice this week, Pat l Flines back on the practice field, probably gonna get activated this week. You know, say what you will about the offensive line. There are two guys who were your opening week starters. If you go through an entire training camp and you say, okay, these two are part of our best five, put them back on the field.

And speaking with Matt Rule yesterday, UM for TV show asked him and we got asked about it in a press conference as well. If Cam Erving is healthy. You know, they had Taylor Moulton at left tackle last last week and Brady Christensen making his first start at right and you know, rules when they watched tape, they thought they both did a great job or a good job. With the caveat that no one on the team played well enough, no one coached well enough to to win the game.

It's on everybody thought they did a good job. But he wants Taylor Moulton back at right tackle, one of the best right tackles in the league. So so not only do you get healthy guys back, you also put a guy who was so great at his job over on the right, back in his natural position. And Taylor's never going to gripe about anything. He's just that guy. I mean, he's not going to complain. But I mean, even when he talked about it, you know, he said he was willing to play left tackle as long as

they need me to. I mean, and there was sort of that, you know, almost unspoken. He knows he's better on the right. They know he's better on the right. He's willing to fill in as long as they need him to. But I think he knows and you know, he's better on one side than the other simply because he's done it more. And how about special teams, you know, it was it was actually it was a bright spot last year when there were some issues, um on, both

on on the offense and the defense. Special teams they were inventive that that they you know, at the best of times last year, um and and they were really solid I think at the very least, Well, how to do you how do you think that they've been playing. I mean, Zane Gonzalez is kicking field goals and beating it into the end zone on Yeah, I mean those were things. I mean remember a month ago we were we were this guy was falling with with the kicker stuff.

And I mean, I think it's I don't I won't pretend to know nearly enough about special teams, protection and coverages and all that, you know, all that stuff to know, but yeah, I mean it feels like, you know, all of a sudden, here we have a protection on a punt and they almost get to one and then they get to the next one, and you know, whatever's happening kind of there in the middle. I mean J J Jansen is a veteran that's been around for forever, and

you know, it runs a stunt against him. But you know, there's obviously a lot of players and a lot of things involved with that um and I think it's it's tough when you feel like you're you're really trying to build that group to be a big part of how you're making plays, and then it goes you know, and then and then it goes against you, you know, And so yeah, I'm sure this wee. You know, they've focused

on those things. They're focusing on the protections. You know, they're getting protections better on field goals and extra points and you know they gotta keep working on that too. And one of the realities and I wrote about this a couple of weeks ago and it came popped up again the other day. Special teams is made up of backup guys. Traditionally, your backup linebackers, your backup defensive backs

make up the guts of what you're putting. You know what Chase Blackbrint has to work with well because of some other injuries and Shack Thompson's out all of a sudden, Frankie Luvu's play more snaps on defense and Frankie Luvu, who is a staple on those special teams unit now gets stretched a little thin. And I mean it's just kind of a I know, people hear that and they say, oh, you know what, to make an excuse, but those things are real, and injuries hit special teams first because those

guys are already changing tires on moving cars. Those guys are already trying to fix it on the fly. And what do I got this week? And who do I have to work with? And you know, okay, so now Sam Franklin may not be as available because Justin Burrows is out. I mean, just little things like that that people don't think of become big things. But that was kind of uh, I mean for me watching that game Sunday, it's like trying to figure out which snowflake started the avalanche.

I don't know, but once it started moving downhill, it wasn't turning around. It wasn't And so it's kind of hard to figure out which individual thing because there were a bunch of little things that happened all at once. And and piggybacking on that, you know, when people think of special teams, they think of you know what three or four or five names your your punter, your kicker, your holder, and maybe your returner. And there's so much more.

You know, all of the other ten or you know, nine guys on the field that make those guys jobs work. You know, when Alex Erickson is returning a kick, you know he needs someone to make that block or not hold when he's got a fifteen yard return and then it gets brought back or whatever. You know, there's so much more that's really involved there. And you know, Sean Chandler standing there, personal protector on punt and was basically put into a dist and of which one of these

two guys in my face do I block? I'm gonna try this one and hope for the best. And that's kind of I mean, and it is. It was one little breakdown here and there just kind of cascades and turns into something bigger. Now I know that we can't, uh, you know, go back to what ifs, But I do have a quick question for you before we get to to will Sta Out of the week. Darn you were talking about if the season ended today, they'd be a

playoff team three and two. Understandably, fans are worried they're upset right now, nobody wants to hear there, right, No, But I was gonna say if this team, um, you know, maybe let's say one a couple lost one, one one

lost one. Do you think people would feel differently about three and two if it didn't come off the heels of three wins to start the season and two straight losses or is it just the sentiment just because of the injuries, Like you said, there's so many great players for the Panthers that right now, are you know stacking up? I mean, and and I think last year, the memory of being three and two and then losing five in a row, it's kind of fresh for a lot of

people who watched this team on a regular basis. And it's interesting. I heard somebody ask the question earlier this week about, you know, do you think the Panthers are the three and O team of the first two weeks or the O and two team of the last two weeks? And I mean, to me, I think the answer is probably there the three and two teams, which sounds it sounds funny to say I would say that, Yeah, I

think there are three and two teams. This is this is kind of where it is, and and we thought that, you know, we thought they were better, we thought they were making progress, but they're not there yet. So I think if you project this thing out, I mean, they look like a team that's got a bunch of issues right now. I mean, with Christian stuff, with Shag being out another week. I mean, those are two big guys on either side of the ball. You know, we'll see

what happens in this Vikings game. But then if you start thinking ahead, okay, week seven against the Giants, thence to find Gilmore's eligible, and Justin Burrows is supposed to be back, and if Shock's back all of a sudden, that's a pretty good shot of talent back into your system, you know. And we'll see what happens with Christian and how he goes in his recovery. But you know, the stage is at least set for positive momentum. Absolutely, I agree christ Mark Ron Burgundy, Um, but I mean, they

there is some stuff out there right now. But I know at this moment, given the fact that the Eagles games the last thing anybody saw, it's kind of if you start thinking about positive things, it's like, what's wrong with you? Did you see that the other day, you know, and that's just kind of where we are, Darren cautioning against positivity. I like it will. How about we end it with some of your stats of the week. I heard it's not just one, You've got a couple rights

of the week. Well how about I mean we just mentioned the three and two? Did you know that this is the fourth straight year the Carolina Panthers have started three and two, which seems just kind of I would not have been able to say that off the top of my head, but now that you're saying it, yep, ye, So I'll go with this one. You know, obviously, we'll we'll track Christian McCaffrey's status throughout the week. Um, you

know Panthers dot com injury report, Darren Ghant. There it is, you know, go click it, click it more than once, many times, many times. But how about this for Chuba Hubbard, so last week goes for a hundred and one rushing yards. So I looked this up. Um, only one player in Panthers history has ever had two games in their rookie season of at least a hundred rushing yards. Do you

know who that was? Well, you told me this earlier and my natural inclination was that it was Christian McCaffrey, right, Jonathan Stewart, and he didn't do it in back to back weeks, So that could be something if we're watching on Sunday, you know, depending on how all the injury situation comes out. But if if Chuba's out there, if he's starting, if he's getting the same number of touches as he got last week and gets a hundred yards, that's a franchise record for the first route to go

back to back with a hundred yards. See, I would have figured that was a trick question, and I would have said, like Biakabatuca, Oh there you go. I'm like Stefan Gilmore, I remember Tomaca. Alright, so this is I don't know how happy this half hour was, but I think it was a realistic at a the fiftie episode, we change it to the honest um but not too excessive half hour. What do you think? Yeah, yeah, there's

no point piling on now. Alright, guys, Well we will see you next week for hopefully a happier half hour. All Right,