The Panthers are entering a new era in 2020. For the last 10 years, the franchise enjoyed a great deal of success even if the ultimate prize was missing from the trophy case. What powered the team during the Ron Rivera era was a collection of special athletes, some of whom will go down in history among the best players of their era.
Pro Football Focus is currently in the middle of releasing a ranking of the top 101 NFL players over the last decade. With half of the list revealed, two franchise greats have already made the cut.
Former Panthers/current Seahawks tight end Greg Olsen was traded from the Bears to Carolina in 2011. For a while he was the most consistent producer at his position, notching at least five touchdowns his first five years with the team and totaling over 1,000 receiving yards each season from 2014-2016. Injuries slowed him down the last few years, but Olsen was still good enough to come in at No. 81 on PFF’s all-decade list.
“Greg Olsen is still going despite being drafted all the way back in 2007. Olsen dropped just 27 passes in the decade, or less than 5% of the catchable targets thrown his way. He was also consistently one of the most open receivers in the game, giving his quarterback an attractive place to go with the football more often than not.”
That he did. Unfortunately, Olsen was usually the only reliable pass-catcher on the roster during most of his time in Carolina.
The one exception to that rule happens to be the greatest player in franchise history, who also made PFF’s list. Former wide receiver Steve Smith was ranked No. 90.
“Smith was an incredibly physical presence, breaking double-digit tackles after the catch in six of the seven seasons he played this decade. Smith was a dynamic and complete receiver, bringing an attitude to the position that couldn’t have hurt. He had five straight seasons with a PFF grade of 79.0 or better in the decade.”
Smith finished his 13-year run in Carolina having caught 836 passes, totaling 12,197 yards and 67 touchdowns. After he was released in 2014, Smith continued to play at a high level for the Ravens three more seasons.
It may be a long time (if ever) before the Panthers find another receiver as tenacious and capable as Smith.
We will find out later in the week, but it would be surprising if both Luke Kuechly and Cam Newton did not make PFF’s list.
[lawrence-related id=622519]
[vertical-gallery id=622471]