Alternatives to Cam Newton

This is The Drive with Josh Graham Podcast. Tune into The Drive weekday afternoons three to seven on Sports Hub Triad.

We are packed today! A big night in college basketball, Canes head coach Rod Brind'Amour in 30 minutes, but we start with football where I've been on record saying this, that the moment Luke Keakley surprisingly announced his retirement. The Carolina Panthers became a rebuilding team. The decision to move off Greg Olsen in late January, who's now a Seahawks by the way, was affirmation of that. So I think it's a matter of time before the Carolina Panthers move off of Cam Newton. I think it's gonna be via trade sometime before the draft in April.

But one thing we haven't discussed much, what's the alternative for Carolina? What are we gonna see at quarterback for the 2020 season? And I think there are two realistic quarterback options in free agency this year that are better than what the Panthers would have if they remained with Cam at quarterback. When I say realistic, I'm not talking about Tom Brady.

I don't think it's realistic that Tom is gonna choose a rebuilding franchise for his final season moving off from the New England Patriots. But I do think it's realistic you land another future Hall of Fame quarterback. I'm talking about Philip Rivers. Great short-term bridge quarterback. You can get him to a two-year deal. Whenever you're rebuilding, whether it's the NBA or the NFL, Major League Baseball, you don't want to be tied down to long-term contracts. Philip Rivers is one of the few quarterbacks that if you try to sign in this year's cycle, this year in free agency more quarterbacks available than I can remember in recent memory.

He is the one you can get on his shortest, on the shortest deal and still get productivity from. He's 38 years old but durability is going to be an upgrade from what you've had with Cam Newton. Cam missing the last two games of 2018 playing the second half injured with the shoulder injury, missing all but two games with the foot concern, and 2019 as we all know, Philip Rivers has played 16 games for 13 consecutive seasons. So you want to throw 38 out there but we're seeing Drew Brees announcing he's gonna return in his 40s. Already mentioned Tom Brady is still chucking along so I'm not really that deterred by 38 years old. Also it gives the Panthers an opportunity to learn what they have with Joe Brady. See when we talk about learning what you have it's always the roster that people talk about. Hey let's see what you have at quarterback, see what this offensive line can do gelling together defensively.

Can anybody stand out there? I think the same applies for coaches, especially when it's 30 year old offensive coordinator Joe Brady. Offensive, wonder kind, great at LSU, very well liked in the Saints organization, Michael Thomas got close to him, Drew Brees has always said nice things about Brady as long as he was there.

The numbers didn't lie at LSU. LSU was not an offensive power by any means in the SEC then Joe Brady arrives and they're great breaking records and winning a national title. If Philip Rivers is the quarterback we learn if Joe Brady can cut it or not at the NFL level. Give Joe Brady two years of Philip Rivers you figure out what exactly that's going to be. Also I think Philip Rivers might be the best comp to Joe Burrow or Joe Burrow coming out of the draft it's always gonna be who is this person I've heard crazy stuff said oh he reminds me of Joe Montana oh he reminds me of Aaron Rogers it's always the top quarterback in the sport they compared the number one pick to but I think it's Rivers. When I see that quick release it reminds me of Rivers. The accuracy that was his big drawing point coming out of NC State over 15 years ago but this is the thing that sticks with me Swagger. Is there a quarterback in the NFL who's been as good as Rivers has been consistently for over a decade who has the Swagger that he has?

I don't think so. Talking trash, not afraid to voice it publicly, not afraid to be demonstrative at points. That's what Burrow is too. Burrow he's flashy he doesn't mind talking to the guys at Barstool Sports and going out there and doing interviews where he says things that get people to react. He's been known to talk a little trash on the field so I like Burrow I liken Burrow to Philip Rivers so it seems that's a fit too to have Joe Brady working with Philip even though it's the latter stages of Phil's career. The second option that I think is realistic for Carolina is Teddy Bridgewater. He is a lower risk than Cam he is a cheaper longer-term option at 27 years old. Also you could argue I probably wouldn't believe this argument but you can make the argument that Teddy when he has played is more productive than Cam has been maybe aside from the 2015 season. There's enough sample size with both Teddy Bridgewater and Cam Newton that you could compare some of the significant quarterback figures when making arguments and the facts are this. Teddy has a better passer rating than Cam by six or five or six points. Better completion percentage than Cam.

Better win percentage than Cam. Last year played five games five wins for the New Orleans Saints and as I mentioned he's 27 Cam's gonna turn 31 in May. He is a cheaper lower risk than Cam Newton but out of those two Rivers and Bridgewater I'd prefer Rivers because I'm not convinced today Carolina is wanting to take on longer contracts. Bridgewater he's not gonna ask for another prove it deal. He's not looking to sign a one or two year contract and be a bridge quarterback or a Bridgewater quarterback probably the better way to say it with him.

No he's gonna want a four or five year deal. You only give Bridgewater that if you believe he's gonna win a Super Bowl for you. I'm not convinced you can win a Super Bowl with Bridgewater at quarterback. Just look at the San Francisco 49ers. Is there a better team that you could put around a quarterback than what San Francisco had? They won all the important areas of that Super Bowl they still lost.

Why? They don't have Pat Mahomes. So if the goal is to win the Super Bowl then why sign Teddy Bridgewater to four or five years? I'd prefer Rivers because that's a good guy to have in the building.

I think it fits from a culture perspective. Matt Ruhle's trying to install that. He's been given a lot of years, a lot of stability. He's secure in Carolina. Rivers he allows you to collect the draft capital trading away Cam Newton. Two year contract that isn't gonna hurt you much long term speaking. Also he allows you to draft a young quarterback and develop them over the next few years. Even if it's not in this draft, if it's not Herbert who's a first-round draft pick, this is a pretty deep draft. You can get a quarterback past the first round. Carolina they have a lot more needs than QB. If things don't work in the win column for the Panthers next year with Rivers at quarterback, well next year's a pretty damn good class too. Trevor Lawrence gonna be available, Justin Field seems to be a really good prospect, and who knows there might be another Joe Burrow like athlete who stands out next year.

We're talking about at draft time a year from now. 3 3 6 7 7 7 1 600 is the phone number. Cam Newton, Philip Rivers, Teddy Bridgewater, who would you want playing quarterback for the Panthers this fall?

3 3 6 7 7 7 1 600 if you want in on that topic. On Twitter at sportsubtriad. Also just selfishly speaking, covering every single one of the Panthers games, it is the more interesting option playing Philip Rivers. Like there aren't many quarterbacks I'm interested to hear what they have to say after a game. Philip would be one of those guys.

Also NC State, I'd say next to North Carolina has the most fans, the most alumni in the state of North Carolina, so it will be popular too. If Carolina is in rebuilding mode and things aren't gonna be great next year regardless if Philip Rivers is a quarterback, uh Philip's a guy who's gonna get you into the stadium. He's somebody you could put on a poster other than Christian McCaffrey.

So there are other ancillary reasons why it would make sense to sign Philip Rivers. On Twitter at sportsubtriad, if you want to chime in that way, Robert Walsh is the producer of this show. You got Aaron Gabriel in the house as well. Sawyer Dillon is somewhere doing things allegedly.

Rod Brindamore is gonna join us in 20 minutes. The thing I want to talk to Rod about, the stadium series I think represents growth of this state as a hockey market. Every single test that this state has faced in a hockey sense, they've passed. Oh can they be competitive? Can they be successful on the ice? I think two Stanley Cup appearances justify that in less than 23 years. Two more Eastern Conference Final appearances, including one last year. Longevity, it's not just all success.

Anyone can get behind a winner. What's gonna happen if you have nine straight years of not making the postseason? Carolina had that, they survived it, and this year they've sold out ten games at PNC Arena, the most they've sold out since the 2009 season, an Eastern Conference Finals team, and that year they only sold out ten.

So Carolina still has over a month to have more sellouts than that. There's a lot of momentum, they hosted the draft, they hosted the all-star game, I was there in 2011, this is another step. Rod Brindamore's been there almost every step of the way. He's been a player, one of the best players the Hurricanes ever had. He's now a head coach, he was an assistant coach for a half dozen years or so as well, so I'm interested in his perspective on that and he'll be here in a little over 15 minutes. Coming up though, why I expect things to get nostalgic and maybe a little bit awkward in Winston-Salem tonight. This is The Drive. The 95 Wake Forest ACC champions will be honored at the Joel tonight, and boy I expect things to get awkward and nostalgic fast.

How many things are both nostalgic and awkward? Think about that for a second boys, I'm not gonna be in Winston-Salem tonight, Sawyer's gonna be there instead, I'm gonna be in Raleigh for NC State Duke, I have some thoughts on that game in a minute. But Wake Forest, they have all ACC players being recognized tonight, in addition to Dave Odom whose name's gonna go into the rafters. That's happening before the game, so if you want to see coach Odom being honored, get there before seven o'clock.

At halftime they're gonna honor the 95 team. As Dave Odom told us on yesterday's show, they're wanting to honor every player who has been honored in the rafters who's able to make it. I don't think Chris Paul's gonna be a part of this.

Tim Duncan is a hard maybe, but Odom said yesterday that he thinks that he's going to be here later on tonight. But just like of the all ACC guys being recognized who went on to be NBA All-Stars, Josh Howard he's gonna be there, Muggsy Bogues I'm sure is gonna be there, Tim Duncan if he shows up. Then you juxtapose that with what is currently on Wake Forest's roster, I don't see one draft prospect on this team.

I'm not saying that to be mean, I'm not a guy who crushes college kids, that's not what I'm about here. But Brandon Childress isn't gonna be a NBA pro, probably gonna play basketball overseas if he wants to continue pursuing it. Chaundi Brown, if I had to guess probably not, especially when you have injury concerns this early on.

Olivier Sar shows flashes, not nearly enough and also not enough success for me to think he would be a draft pick. So I think tonight is gonna be a juxtaposition of what was versus what is. A beautiful pregame ceremony, that's what I'm expecting, with tremendous memories. Then it's gonna be Georgia Tech playing this Wake Forest team.

Then at halftime they're gonna build it back up, 95 team bring them out. We're gonna celebrate Randolph Childress the crossover, Jeff McInnis and we're gonna see the Joel getting loud as this is the 30th year anniversary of the Joel. Everybody's gonna be getting hyped in these videos. I just hope there's a lot of people in the stands to watch it. In the end I hope the pull of Tim Duncan being there, maybe, and Dave Odom being honored is enough to have a decent crowd at the Joel. But I'm not very optimistic on that. I'm not optimistic because if North Carolina, even bringing all the Tar Heel fans out, only packs that place two-thirds full, I don't think Georgia Tech on a Wednesday night with this Wake Forest team is going to bring out Deke fans in full force. I just don't think so. Especially if it's all gonna be on television too.

I hope I'm wrong, I hope I am, but that's the way I feel about it right now. Tonight it's going to remind Wake Forest fans what the standard should be. And to anybody who thinks that I'm being unfair to Danny Manning, that I'm being harsh, that I'm being the sports talk show host calling for people's heads, that's not what I'm about. I'm not somebody that calls for people's jobs. I think this might be the only time we've done it saying that Wake Forest or that a team would be better off with a head coaching change.

I don't even think we did it with Ron Rivera even though we said that's something that might be expected. So that's not what this show is. That's not what we're about here. However, I grew up in this state and my service, what I do here on the radio, is tailored towards my audience, not towards the people at Wake Forest. It isn't my job to pump up schools, to pump up Wake Forest, NC State, Duke, North Carolina. It seems people conflate those ideas and I completely understand it. You have your own lives with things that are complicated, more complicated than sports. You just go to this radio show because it's an escape and I like sports.

I don't expect you to understand all these different intricacies. But, I feel like in order to be sincere and genuine to the audience, I have to be honest when it comes to Danny Manning and Wake Forest. It's obvious that the Deacs aren't meeting the standard that was set by Dave Odom. The standard that was set by guys like Rodney Rogers, who we expect at the Jordan Knight, Randolph Childress, Tim Duncan, Josh Howard, Skip Prosser, Chris Paul, heck even Dino Gaudios, two or three seasons before things went down. Like, one NCAA tournament in six years for Danny?

Two in the last ten years? It's just not good enough. It isn't. And tonight's gonna be a reminder of that.

Here's what I find solace in though. I know John Curry understands it. I know it. Not based on conversations I've had with him, but he's somebody who is a proud Demon Deacon. He's a guy who used to have tickets and the upper level watching that 95 team. He went to school here. He knows Wake Forest history very well. He is well connected in the college basketball world and knows he can bring in a quality head coach if he so chooses. That's what he did at Kansas State, bringing in a really good coach at K State, replacing Frank Martin.

Who was it? Bruce Weber? So I really feel like Wake Forest has a director of athletics who understands the state of things, understands what the standard should be because he has an appreciation of the history. He's also somebody who's great at fundraising as well and if it takes a little bit of that to get to a buyout figure that's close to ten million dollars, I'm confident he can get the job done. Rod Brindamore, Carolina Hurricanes head coach, is going to join us in a little less than ten minutes in response to me saying that I think Philip Rivers should be Carolina's quarterback this year.

That's a better alternative to Cam Newton. I got a text already saying how fertile is Joe Burrow to think that that's the best comparison for him to Philip? How many kids would there have to be for Joe Burrow for you to say that that might be a comp there, Robert?

At this stage in his career, maybe having a nice little seed family of two to three kids, I would say he would be on pace. Right, okay. Any other awkward nostalgic stages of life you think you could compare to tonight? Wake Forest honoring the 95 team while having a team that's not gonna make the NCAA tournament for the third straight year? Maybe like seeing your dad's ex-wife somewhere? Like yeah, I remember you took me to museums but I also remember y'all fighting in public. I don't know, maybe something like that.

That sounded very close to the heart. Oh no, it wasn't me. I was just saying maybe.

Why'd you mention museum? No, it wasn't me. I promise it. I'm just gonna go back over here.

All right, that sounds good. You got something, Aaron? 3-3-6-7-7-7-1-600 is the phone number if you want to chime in. Like what do you imagine the conversations going to be among those guys who are draft picks in the NBA watching this Wake Forest team?

Like Josh Howard chopping it up with Muggsy Bogues, maybe Tim Duncan. They're looking at things saying, yeah I remember playing Georgia Tech and man I remember playing in this place. It was a little harder to get in. A little too comfy right now. A little too comfy getting into these seats. It's a little bit different than it was back when we were playing.

Just a hair different than what we're used to seeing this time around. NC State also plays Duke later on tonight. I think the Wolfpack is going to be in position to beat the Blue Devils tonight. NC State, they do a good job defending big so I'm not that concerned about Vernon Carey. NC State's been killed by perimeter shooting.

That's been the issue. Derrick Thornton going off the other night for BC. Jose Alvarado, Michael Devaux from Georgia Tech.

Ryan McMahon with those threes he went on a roll hitting at PNC Arena a few weeks ago. Duke meanwhile, they struggle against dribble penetration. Markelle Johnson, I think he'll have a bounce-back game. CJ Bryce, he's NC State's best player. Very good at driving to the basket and finding holes near the foul line and at the elbow. Look at the guys who have had success against Duke.

Trent Forrest, Cole Anthony, David Johnson. I was at the Stephen F. Austin game and saw a guard go off for 26. I think it's gonna be close but even though NC State has won four of the last six home games against the Blue Devils, I think it's going to be Duke winning a tight game tonight. Duke, they've won five ACC games by 30 plus but they've also closed well too.

North Carolina, Boston College, Florida State, those are all examples where Duke had to be tough and I think this Duke team is a little bit tougher, maybe a lot tougher than NC State here. And plus perimeter shootings hurt NC State and while Duke isn't a great perimeter shooting team, Alex O'Connell, he's played very well the last three games. Hitting important shots against North Carolina after seemingly being out of the rotation altogether. He hit the two most important shots against Florida State at home a couple nights later. I thought he was really good, especially when Zion walked into the building on Saturday against Notre Dame. Matthew Hurt, he's about 40% from three.

Joey Baker, another one to watch for. So NC State, they'll have a shot to win tonight just as long as Hurt, Alex O'Connell, and Joey Baker don't go off but if it's close, I just trust Duke a lot more to be tougher and to finish things out. I think they're gonna win a close game tonight and I'll be there to tell the tale. Fresh off a road win in Nashville, Hurricanes head coach Rod Brind'Amour joins the show next on The Drive.

No mercy, no pity, no fear. You're on The Drive with Josh Graham. In honor of Dave Odom, who was a guest on yesterday's show, and the 1995 Wake Forest Championship team that's going to be recognized at the Joel tonight, I have a list of my top ten things about the 1990s. We do a top ten list every single week. I was a 90s baby and I'm all about it. All about the 90s and I think we should dive head first into this because afterwards I have a couple free agents that the Carolina Panthers need to pursue.

A few free agents that I look at and say that's a good fit for Matt Ruhl and the Panthers, but let's get into the top ten. Oh yeah! Wooooo! Top ten things about the 90s! Number ten! My number ten thing about the 90s! Saved by the Beltron.

Goodbye. Do you have a favorite 90s TV show, Aaron? Family Matters. Robert.

Oddly enough, same. I had the biggest crush on Laura Winslow ever. It was all about Myra, bro. See, I don't know. Laura was jacked up.

She didn't have to do Steve like that. Number nine! My number nine thing about the 90s! Blockbuster Douglas.

Yeah, big upset that he's on the list. Blockbuster Douglas. One of my favorite things about the 90s. Where was that fight? Somewhere in Japan.

Tokyo. Yeah, happened like at 3.30, 4 o'clock in the morning. Everybody woke up.

Wait, what happened? Number eight! My number eight thing about the 90s. Brandon Beeney babies. Nick Nick Nick Nick Nick Nick Nick. If they're gonna take all the Carolina Panthers along with them to Buffalo, I'm gonna include him in my top ten list.

Then the rules. Number seven! My number seven thing about the 90s!

The Denver Ford Broncos. Could you imagine if something like the OJ chase happened in 2020? Like I don't want to think what the equivalent would be because I don't want to accuse anybody of a double murder, but that would be insane. Just crazy.

It kind of would be, it's breaking news, kind of like when Kobe passed we had the Pro Bowl going on and it cut into the Pro Bowl, cut into other programming, it infiltrated the Grammys. Yeah, one of the biggest thing that's ever happened. Number six! My number six thing about the 90s. Super Mario Lemieux.

It's-a me, Mario! Isn't that crazy how that one worked out? These are usually random. Did you have that?

I did, it just ended up working out. That's crazy. I love Super Mario, but I'll always be a Mario Kart and Mario Party guy more than anything else. 64 just revolutionized the whole 3d gaming thing before it was like a tabletop stroller or scroller and then once you had Mario 64 you had like a whole vivid world. I always rock with Yoshi. I don't care what game it is, I don't play unless I'm Yoshi. Even Smash Brothers, you're a Yoshi guy? Yoshi.

All the time. You can't kill him. He gets the double jump. He does get the double jump.

Then you can turn into a shell anytime something gets scary. Number five! My number five thing about the 90s.

Where's John Waldo? Yeah, baby! Austin Powers was the 90s? Sadly enough, I think so. I think the first one was in the 90s. Yeah, that checks out. Number four!

My number four thing about the 90s. Fresh Prince Fielder? I did not have sexual relations with that woman.

I did not sleep with that woman. In fact, we were up all night. Fresh Prince Fielder. Making the cut. I'm gonna move away from the awkwardness that you just threw on this segment. Number three! My number three thing about the 90s.

Chris Macarena? Oh, I hate that sound. Blood-curdling. It's a terrible sound. Nobody wants to hear this sound. That if you play again I would be really upset if you played.

Oh, just terrible. Number two! My number two thing about the 90s. Plaid Stevens? Is Plaid in?

I think anything's in now if you can rock it the right way. I'm not gonna be in here wearing plaid, but maybe once it gets colder, like if you wanted the lumberjack look, I think it really depends. Like if I went the lumberjack look tonight at Wake. Boy, I'm not going to Wake.

Going to NC State Duke. Would it work out? No. You need a beard and manly features. Yeah, you don't look tough enough for a lumberjack look.

Maybe like, yeah, I don't know. Number one! My number one thing about the 90s. When Roy Meets World. I love that show.

Mr. Feeny. Apparently my brother used to hang out with the guy who played Sean on that show. He was out in Los Angeles and they were at a party. Hung out just two or three times and then he kind of learned his name. Like it was something strong. Like I don't know what his first name was.

Something strong. How did they greet each other? Well no, they were just hanging out and then he recognized the guy's name. Wait a minute, where do I know you from?

Yeah, way back in the day I played Sean from Boy Meets World and that was like my brother's favorite show. Are you sure they didn't greet each other like... Are we gonna do this the entire segment? Okay, the rest of the segment. Things that didn't make the cut in the top 10 list.

Among things that didn't make the cut on this list. Taking that AOL. The New York Nickelodeon's. Taking the Overalls. Doc Martin's Broder. Rod Tidwell.

What's up? Grunge Rodriguez. Alright, here's some free agents I think the Carolina Panthers should go after.

Jordan Rodriguez gonna be with us from the Athletic Carolinas at 5.30. I think I'd prefer Philip Rivers at quarterback over Teddy Bridgewater if you're going to move off Cam Newton and I believe the Panthers are going to. The moment they learn that Luke Kuechly was surprisingly retired I think that sealed the deal there.

I think Philip Rivers he'd be a short-term contract guy if you're rebuilding you don't want long-term deals tying you down especially at the quarterback spot. How about this one? This is one you'll like. Robbie Anderson. Yeah. Where'd Robbie Anderson go to school? Temple. Which means he played for who? I don't remember that guy's name. Matt Rule. There you go. Who is the Carolina Panthers head coach. Yeah.

That guy. So that would check out and make some sense. Robbie Anderson was asked about maybe reuniting with this college coach. He said yeah that might be a pretty cool thing to do.

So it seems he's open to it. I don't think Robbie Anderson would be even the second best receiver on this team. I think DJ Moore, Curtis Samuel you need a third option and Robbie Anderson would be that. Maybe could be a second option if Curtis Samuel doesn't take another step.

And another player to consider is this. One of the best college players oh and thanks to Zach by the way it's Ryder Strong I'm talking about there who played Sean from Boy Meets World or excuse me when Roy Meets World. Tyler Matejkiewicz.

He's a free agent. If you don't know who Tyler Matejkiewicz is, another Temple guy. He's one of the best college linebackers I ever watched.

And for Pittsburgh he was one of the best special teams players in the entire league. What Matt Rule is looking to do right now is build a culture. Is there anybody you can find maybe available who represents Matt Rule's process and culture better? And somebody who played for him at Temple might have been his best player at Temple?

I don't think so. You bring that guy in he understands Matt Rule. He understands that he's gonna be setting the culture that's gonna give the Panthers a chance for success in the future.

They lost Luke Kuechly. Shaq Thompson gets the big contract so there's gonna be a little bit of a rotation in that line backing core. Matejkiewicz he could step in in that spot.

He will be a well-liked player from the fans. That's someone to look at and I'll throw one more name out there. Greensboro's own Eric Ebran. You lose Greg Olsen. Both teams parting ways there. I think they want Ian Thomas to grab hold of an opportunity. This is the only reason why Eric Ebran might not be the best fit. Ian Thomas he's been solid.

Not great. Not Greg Olsen quality yet but he's still very young. The tight end at Indiana going into his third year. Carolina is gonna want to develop that guy but you can have another tight end that he could potentially learn from and Ebran's that guy. He's had some issues in locker rooms but a homecoming for him would make some sense. He could catch some passes and Joe Brady he's great when he's working with tight ends of quality. Thaddeus Moss being the perfect example from LSU.

So those are names to consider. Philip Rivers, Robbie Anderson, Tyler Matejkiewicz and Eric Ebran as players the Carolina Panthers may or should go after. Coming up my prediction for Duke NC State tonight and the nostalgic night to come inside Joel Coliseum.

This is a Wednesday Drive. One of my favorite reoccurring bits we do from time to time is food and football with Jordan Rodrik, Panthers beat reporter but the athletic Carolinas wrote a very interesting story a few days ago about Cam Newton's foot status having the surgery on the Liz Frank in December and apparently that being ahead of schedule and he could be recovered from that foot and ready for football activities as soon as next month. So let's knock out the football and newsworthy portions first Jordan and appreciate your time as always. What's the most important piece of the Cam Newton information you learned? Yeah great question Josh I think that it's twofold the first is that he is on schedule for what he wanted from this by having the surgery you know when he had the surgery it was a Liz Frank tightening procedure pretty simple described to me I mean there is no simple surgery as we know but it's described to me at the time by a few people as relatively simple to what it could have been tightening the area around the Liz Frank joint and making sure that you know he's rehabbing at the time he was pretty optimistic about being able to resume into some football activity by March and pass a physical that looks like it would be the case according to the people that I spoke to who do have direct knowledge of that. So that's good news for Cam I think it offers clarity for the Panthers as this situation kind of unfolds and I think importantly not just for the Panthers but also importantly for Cam it offers a little bit of clarity as to what you know where he's going to be at ahead of free agency and ahead of the draft. The other thing is that I thought was really important is that he's been in the building on a weekly basis that I've been told so to me he's showing that he wants to be there he's showing that he's not by any means going to let them kind of just like block him out or be blocked out himself he's in the building making the effort so it seems to me like from his position he's kind of making things clear to them about what you want. We heard your voice last week asking questions to David Tepper as he had a charity event and was pressed on Cam Newton's radio row comments at the Super Bowl in Miami saying he absolutely expects to be back and there are a couple things I found interesting about that story blowing up he was asked about him being traded potentially or if he's received any inquiries already even though you can't talk about a player being traded the rules don't say you can do that until the new league year starts next month it would be tampering if David Tepper admitted that. I think it's a product this becoming a big story of owners speaking generally you don't see many owners talking not named Jerry Jones and it's a product of Cam Newton being one of the more polarizing quarterbacks we've seen the last decade also it was the middle of the week last week and the Super Bowl was a week and a half removed we needed something football to talk about it was red meat how newsworthy as someone who was standing right in front of David Tepper and hearing what he had to say how newsworthy do you believe his comments to be? Well I don't believe his comments were newsworthy I think that that's what that's been the line the company has been following for you know months now since he went on injured reserve the first time and and then you know I kind of outlined in my piece that when he went on injured reserve that kind of started and when he was hurt it kind of started this conversation about you know will they try to move on from him but it wasn't entertained as seriously as it was I started to amplify when you know Ron Rivera and the entire staff other than Marty Hurney who's drafted Cam left was out of the building so I think that amplified things but they've been saying the same thing about him and you know we're not making a decision until we know he's healthy we're not making a decision if he's healthy we don't know yet and so to me that's just been the same message I will say I understand the perspective of it appearing to be a little bit different because in previous interviews with David Pepper it's all been transcript it's all been written down kind of what he said well now people saw the various videos taken of him talking people saw exactly how kind of non-committal his comments were and how PR shut them down very quickly things like that and so I think that that aroused a little bit of suspicion and people who are maybe like on the fence about all of this and it certainly has increased the conversation around Pam and kind of the main question is well why you know why aren't the Panthers committing to him long term in the same way other teams with injured quarterbacks the Steelers Alliance are committing to their quarterback and for that I would say it's it you answered your own question I mean because they are clearly by doing this very much trying to figure out what their options are at the moment and if they don't know yet because they don't know whether he's healthy you know at least now they're optimistic that he will be and so maybe they can start issuing a little bit more clarity moving forward it's Jordan Rodriguez the athletic Carolina she's on Twitter at Jordan Rodriguez now let's get to the food portion of the conversation we were talking about the the famous group bone thugs in harmony changing their name to boneless thugs in harmony and apparently they're big Buffalo Wild Wing fans I'm interested in your viewpoint from we a wing eating perspective do you prefer boned in or boneless I think that boneless wings are good when you know in their own right but for me I really really like I'm a flat person so I really really like eating a good wing from Moosehead out here it's the best wings I've ever had and there's this blackened seasoning called Uncle Donnie's that they put on them and I'm a I'm a flat person all the way so in that regard if I could only get flat all the time I would only you know I would I would I would compromise that I would make sure that I'm not you know it's trading off and no longer being able to eat boneless wings is the trade-off then I would absolutely take that because I'm a total flat you're getting a standing ovation is that the best place you've eaten wings you've taken me there and it was an adjustment at first eating the first two wings or so having the charred wings at Moosehead in Charlotte are those the best wings you've had yeah those are abs I mean I've eaten wings in a lot of different cities including Buffalo I wish I could have eaten more types of wings I guess we have to talk to Marcel about that one but you told us that you ate 22 wings or so in one sitting in Buffalo I think 23 yes that was that was a good day but yeah I was that Moosehead's the best I mean that's just the absolute best wing of any place that I've been you're the absolute best when it comes to the Panthers coverage it's good to hear your voice and I'm sure we'll be catching up sometime soon thanks for doing this Jordan thanks Josh appreciate you man yeah that's Jordan Roderick she's on Twitter at Jordan Roderick I'm not sure if you've heard yet Robert but Tim Duncan is it Joel Colosseum and his outfit is getting reaction I was on record saying that Timmy D's fashion had improved after he retired he's looked fine on the San Antonio Spurs bench next to Greg Popovich during either a Tony Parker or Manu Ginobili ceremony where they were being honored he had this cool t-shirt with a blazer and a nice hairdo I don't really know what he's doing with this hairdo right now at the Joel there's pictures here he has what looks like a regular under shirt white undershirt he's wearing with just a Wake Forest old-school letter jacket on top and how would you describe this hairdo to somebody who doesn't have the visual Robert I also do not have the visual I'm trying to find this picture as Aaron how would you describe it Timmy D Timmy D is rocking like the looks like an asymmetrical dreadlock Bob is it the top dreadlock where they do it all in the sides of the sides of shade but it's kind of swooping to the left or the right okay so it's like business at the same time as pleasure I'm so glad he's back that's awesome having Timmy D in the building Dave Odom he told us yesterday that he believed Tim Duncan was gonna be able to make it all-star weekend I don't think you picked this Georgia Tech game to honor the 95 team if you didn't think Tim Duncan would be there right like it's the all-star week when's the next time Oklahoma City plays do we know for sure Chris Paul's not gonna be there I think we would know if CP 3 was gonna be in the house Oklahoma City they've been having a nice year they play Friday Friday so same night as the Spurs so theoretically he could have made it yeah but he wasn't on the 95 team excuses they were they're honoring the other players that have banners honoring Josh Howard they're honoring I think Muggsy Bogues they're gonna honor to Rondi Rogers and I honor a lot of great players that Dave Odom coached and Dave Odom didn't coach so it would be neat if you have CP 3 and Tim Duncan together but I'm not getting greedy it's cool that Tim Duncan is in Winston-Salem right now what Tim Duncan's at Winston-Salem I know NC State they are the ACC's last realistic shot at a fifth NCAA tournament team I think and they don't necessarily need to win the night but they have to beat Florida State or Duke to have a chance they need one more good win they're three and four and quad one wins they have Duke in Durham Florida State Saturday in PNC arena so you have Duke tonight FSU Duke in Durham two out of the three being at home you gotta win one of those three and then win two out of three against North Carolina Pitt and Wake two out of those three being at home win the first game in Greensboro that you play and that'll have NC State at 20 wins and I don't think they're gonna turn down this year a 20 win ACC team with four quad one wins I don't think that's gonna happen so tonight's a good opportunity because NC State has beaten Duke four of its last six times at PNC arena Syracuse needs pretty much a miracle they play at Louisville tonight Louisville hasn't played well the last two games but even if they beat the Cardinals tonight they need to win four of their next five at least three of those games are on the road even then they're at 19 regular season wins thought to do more damage in the NCAA tournament or excuse me the ACC tournament Notre Dame's toast one and six quad one games if five teams make the tournament and it's not even a given that Virginia is gonna make it at this point they're very much on the bubble according to Joe Leonardi five NCAA teams would salvage a down year for the ACC because I would still take the top three teams the ACC has versus anybody else's top three give me Florida State Louisville and Duke against anybody else I know Kansas is getting set to face Baylor in a top three showdown Kansas third ranked Baylor number one on Saturday but who's the next best team and the Big 12 West Virginia's ranked 17th if that's your best three I'm still gonna take Duke Louisville and I'm gonna take Florida State the Big Ten oh they might get ten teams this year oh really ten teams that's cool who's your best team Maryland yeah I'll take Duke over Maryland and I'll take Louisville over Maryland I might take Florida State and I'll take Maryland over Florida State but who's next Penn State you're gonna talk me into Penn State over Leonard Hamilton's team get out of town with that then after that Iowa those are the three best Big Ten teams Penn State Maryland Iowa pass Big East Nova Creighton Seton Hall I'd take Duke Florida State and Louisville over those three I just would so I think there's a chance for everything to be salvaged here NC State I don't quite think they're going to win tonight I think it's gonna be a close game spread six and a half that sounds about right I think Duke's a little bit better at closing games but I think it's gonna be a really good one at PNC arena tough choice tonight if you had the option NC State Duke or Georgia Tech Wake Forest Timmy D in the house they're honoring the 95 team what would you choose no respect disrespect to Tim Duncan but I probably still pick Duke NC State I'll probably head to the Joel that was good times there is more convenience going to the Joel but we're sending Sawyer Dylan there I'm going to Raleigh so I got the drive in front of me so you need to go ahead and get out of here oh no no we're not done yet we got take it to the house to do speaking of which Robert what do we got I found a loophole that's gonna make me the largest Guinness World Book of Record holder of all time I'm fascinated by this we take it to the house next