The Nick Wilson Show

It is safe to say that many Carolina Panthers fans have quit on QB Sam Darnold, and rightfully so, as Darnold has posted just 7 touchdowns to 12 interceptions this season. But given how much he is owed next season, it is likely that Darnold will at least be on the roster, and will enter the off-season as the favorite to start the season opener in 2022. One of the many tasks at hand for Matt Rhule this off-season is to hire an offensive coordinator, after firing Joe Brady during the bye week. Rhule mentioned after the firing, that he stepped out of his comfort zone when hiring Brady, and wants to get to playing his brand of football. No names have been mentioned yet for the position, as Jeff Nixon is currently holding that role, and potentially auditioning to be the next OC, but Ellis Williams joined Wilson & Norfleet this afternoon, and this to say about the play-caller, in regards to Sam Darnold being the signal-caller:

Whenever a player decides it is time to move from college to go to the NFL, one of the first things that get mentioned is the legacy that player is leaving behind. Some are great, some aren't, but nonetheless, every player leaves a legacy. UNC QB Sam Howell announced last Saturday that he would be leaving UNC for the 2022 NFL Draft. That decision doesn't come as a surprise as Howell entered the season high among every NFL Draft board, a preseason Heisman candidate, and the QB of a preseason top 10 team. While Carolina stumbled to the way of a 6-7 season, Howell still continued his stellar play, as he will leave Chapel Hill, holding 21 school records. The Tar Heels though were just 20-17 in games started by Howell, which brings into question what will his lasting legacy be at UNC? Brendan Marks joined Wilson & Norfleet earlier today, to answer just that:

There was a lot of mixed reaction when the Panthers traded for Sam Darnold back during the 2021 off-season, to be the starting QB for the Panthers. While in New York, Darnold was maligned by poor coaching, little supporting talent, which led to him being one of the worst quarterbacks in the NFL. Still, Matt Rhule saw something in Darnold, to make a move for him. After a 3-0 start, Rhule was looking like he made the right decision, but an avalanche of mistakes in the second against the Dallas Cowboys, brought back the Darnold everyone saw in New York, and it hasn't been the same since. This season, Carolina is 4-6 in games started by Darnold, as he has thrown for just 7 touchdowns, against 12 interceptions, as he has struggled to protect the football,even going back to his college days at USC. NFL writer for MMQB Conor Orr, joined Wilson & Norfleet earlier this afternoon, and had this to say about Darnold's play:

Yesterday the finalist for 2022, Pro Football Hall of Fame were announced, and among the finalists was former Saints and Panthers Linebacker, Sam Mills. Mills was an original of the Panthers franchise after they entered the NFL in 1995, and was a major part of the success the franchise enjoyed right away. As you well know, Mills passed away from cancer in 2005. During his battle with cancer, Mills was a member of the Panthers coaching staff and coined the phrase "Keep Pounding" which is still synonymous with the team today. During his lengthy playing career, Mills was selected to 5 Pro Bowls and was named All-Pro 3 times. Panthers.com writer Darin Gantt joined Wilson & Norfleet earlier today, and this to say about Sam Mill's Hall of Fame candidacy:

The Carolina Panthers are 5-10 in large part to below average play at the quarterback position, as they have started Sam Darnold, Cam Newton, and PJ Walker under center this season. The QB position is the most important position in football, and arguably all of sports, yet that hasn't stopped Matt Rhule from neglecting the position. Rhule is likely coming back for a third season, despite being just 10-22 in the NFL, but there will be expectations to win, and win big. In order to do that though, the Panthers will need to revamp the QB position right? Josh Klein from the Riot Report joined Wilson & Norfleet earlier today and said:

From a 3-0 start, to the hot seat, it has been a very trying season for Panthers HC Matt Rhule, who is still trying to prove he belongs in the NFL. The Panthers have lost 10 of their last 12 games and were officially eliminated from playoff contention with yesterday's 32-6 loss to the Tampa Bay Bucs. The recent losing streak has brought into question the job status of Matt Rhule, who signed a seven-year, $63 million dollar contract just two seasons ago, and yet is only 10-22 in the NFL. Panthers beat reporter for The Charlotte Observer joined Wilson & Norfleet earlier today, and offered this opinion as to why it would make sense to move on from Rhule: "You look at his record in November and December for the past two years, and you worry about momentum, like where is this headed. Why isn't this team building towards success?" What kept John Fox and Ron Rivera in Charlotte for extended periods of time, were successful ends to seasons, that show glimpses of hope for the future, which were proven true as the Panthers would make the Super Bowl under both Fox and Rivera. Matt Rhule is still searching for his first signature win in the NFL, something that if you don't have after two seasons in the NFL, doesn't lend well to your long-term future. 

The Carolina Panthers have lost 9 of their last 11 games, and after a 3-0 start, they sit at 5-9 and are virtually out of the playoff picture. The recent losing streak which extended to four games on Sunday in Buffalo has raised the question of Matt Rhule's job security in Carolina after this season. Rhule, who signed a seven-year, $63 million dollar contract roughly two years ago, is 10-20 in the NFL. Despite his struggles in the league, he was sought after for all the premium openings in college football, but never really considered leaving. There's no denying that Matt Rhule was David Tepper's guy, remember he out-bid the New York Giants for Rhule's services, and even visited Rhule's house to interview him, and offer him the job. During the struggles of this season in particular, Tepper has been very quiet, which hasn't eased any concerns Rhule may be having. Joe Person from The Athletic joined Wilson & Norfleet, and had this to say on the matter: "It feels like this is a franchise were somebody needs to say something. Everything I keep hearing is that Rhule is probably safe" Tepper has only made a handful of public comments in the last year or so, but this feels like the appropriate time to hear from the NFL's richest owner, as his franchise is currently suffering from the fourth consecutive losing season, the first time that has ever happened in the history of the Carolina Panthers. 

The inaugural season for Charlotte FC is nearing, as last night they held their expansion draft, adding three players to their roster for the upcoming 2022 season. Today their full schedule for the season was released. Last night on Sports Radio FNZ, our very own Willie P hosted draft coverage for the club and followed that up with a visit on Wilson & Norfleet. Willie was asked about the playing model we can expect from Charlotte FC in Bank of America Stadium, and he replied:  An attacking style. He (Miguel Angel Ramirez) wants to play on the other side of the pitch. He wants to have an aggressive mindset. He wants to have very fast wingers and forwards that can keep the ball centralized, and in the attackng zone. 

There's no denying that the transfer portal has changed college football over the last couple of seasons, as college athletics is going through a major overhaul with NIL, the portal, etc. Another major example of that was former Oklahoma QB Spencer Rattler, who entered the season as the presumptive favorite to win the Heisman Trophy and be the #1 overall pick in the 2022 NFL Draft. Rattler was benched during the annual Oklahoma-Texas showdown, and outside a brief stint against Baylor, didn't play much the rest of the way, as freshman QB Caleb Williams guided the Sooners to a 10-2 record, and a berth in the Alamo Bowl. After the season concluded, Rattler announced he was entering the transfer portal, after losing his starting job, and his head coach Lincoln Riely left Norman for Los Angeles, to try and revive the USC program. After roughly 3 weeks of speculation of where Rattler would land, we got that answer last night, as he announced he will be transferring to play at South Carolina. The Gamecocks are currently 6-6 and will compete in the Duke's Mayo Bowl against North Carolina, on Thursday, December 30th in Charlotte. Shane Beamer more than exceeded expectations entering the season, and with the transfer of Rattler, the Gamecocks could be in store for a big season in 2022.  Richard Johnson from the SEC Network, joined Wilson & Norfleet earlier this morning, and when asked about what attracted Rattler to Columbia, Richard replied: If he has eyes on getting to the next level (NFL), and getting to the next level quickly, one decent year in 2022 at South Carolina, against the likes of Georgia, against the likes of Clemson, against some of the teams South Carolina will play next season, will be a rocket booster pack for him.

There have been many successful college football coaches that have made the jump to the NFL, and it didn't work out. Names that come to mind our Lou Holtz who won a national championship at Notre Dame, Steve Spurrier who won a championship at Florida, Bobby Petrino who built Louisville into a national program, and oh Nick Saban who is arguably the best coach in the history of college football. When the Panthers lured away Matt Rhule from Baylor and outbid the Giants to get him, it was perceived that David Tepper had found in Carolina what Mike Tomlin is in Pittsburgh. A 10-19 record later, it appears that Rhule's time in Carolina is running short, as players started voicing their concern in the media following the loss to Atlanta yesterday. Urban Meyer entered the NFL this season when he took over the Jacksonville Jaguars, and the #1 overall pick in Trevor Lawrence. Meyer had won national championships at both Florida and Ohio State, before taking on the NFL. Jacksonville has managed only two wins this season, as their coach has had issues both on the field and off the field. He's fought an uphill battle from day one, and it doesn't seem to be getting any better, any time soon.   Mello Miller from the Draft Scout joined Wilson & Norfleet earlier today, and when asked about the struggles of Rhule and Meyer he replied: I'm more surprised at the struggles of Matt Rhule than Urban Meyer. (Rhule) I thought that he would be such a good NFL pedigree guy. That he could come in, and pair him with Joe Brady, would be pretty good Ironically enough, it looks like both Matt Rhule and Urban Meyer are headed to faster exits than anticipated upon their arrival in the NFL.