The rapport that develops between Teddy Bridgewater and his new teammates will be a critical factor for the Panthers offense this year. Today, two of the most important members of that unit shared some thoughts on their new franchise quarterback with the media via Zoom calls.
The team’s No. 1 wide receiver D.J. Moore says that he was able to get in some throws with Bridgewater this offseason. Moore calls him a “real cool dude.”
DJ Moore on Teddy Bridgewater: he’s a real cool dude. pic.twitter.com/Y3F1PSIFRl
— Carolina Blitz (@KeepBlitzin) August 4, 2020
The timing and the trust between these two will be particularly crucial.
At the end of the year, either Moore or running back Christian McCaffrey will likely lead the team in targets. Moore was on a tear in the second half of the 2019 season before he was shut down the last two games. If he picks up where he left off, we could be looking at the first Pro Bowl Panthers receiver since Steve Smith in 2011.
There’s a lot that goes into the relationship between a QB and his WR1, though. For there to be a connection, a lot of other things have to go right first, beginning in the trenches.
For one thing, Carolina’s veteran center Matt Paradis will need to be on the same page as Bridgewater on protections and a whole lot more if this offense is going to get off the ground. Paradis told reporters that Teddy comes across as calm, collected and a reassuring presence in the huddle.
Paradis on Bridgewater: “He’s a reassuring presence. Very calm and collected. … He’s sharp, he’s moving quick, commanding the huddle.” #Panthers
— Myles Simmons (@MylesASimmons) August 4, 2020
This is good to hear.
While he doesn’t share the same physical gifts as Cam Newton, on film Bridgewater is every bit as good at commanding the huddle and making adjustments at the line of scrimmage as needed.
As for Paradis, he struggled in pass protection last year along with the rest of the Panthers offensive line. In the end, they tied the Dolphins for the most sacks allowed (58). Kyle Allen’s frequent scrambling around like a chicken with his head cut off didn’t help, but there needs to be a substantial improvement across the board in this area. Only right tackle Taylor Moton was truly consistent.
That is the name of the game this offseason, as in this team needs as much as it can get.
While they haven’t had any time until the last couple of days to practice together, Paradis, Michael Schofield and Russell Okung all played together previously with the Broncos. Paradis believes that will make a difference.
Paradis says having played with Russell Okung and Michael Schofield previously has helped, esp. considering all the reps the O-line lost in the spring.
— Joe Person (@josephperson) August 4, 2020
If those three can hold down the left side of the line, it will open up the field for Bridgewater, Moore and the rest of his weapons.
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