Tag: A.J. Bouye

Cam Smith drew pre-draft comparison to former Pro Bowl CB

Miami would probably be happy to have Smith reach that peak.

When the Miami Dolphins selected South Carolina cornerback Cam Smith with pick No. 51, there were many who were confused by the decision, but it wasn’t because of Smith’s ability.

In fact, Smith has been projected by some to go in the first round, but slipping to the middle of the second was value that general manager Chris Grier felt he couldn’t pass up.

The confusion stemmed from Miami’s roster construction.

Heading into draft weekend, the Dolphins already had Jalen Ramsey and Xavien Howard, two of the league’s best, holding down the top two spots on the depth chart. Behind them would be 2022 undrafted free agent signing Kader Kohou, who proved to be a steal throughout his rookie season.

Nik Needham and Trill Williams were also two cornerbacks that were returning from injury who could provide depth and play valuable snaps when healthy. Then, there’s Noah Igbinoghene, a former first-round pick, and special teams aces Keion Crossen and Justin Bethel.

The room was loaded.

However, Miami saw an opportunity to add a talented player at a premium position, and they jumped at it.

During the pre-draft process, Smith was receiving some interesting NFL comparisons, including former Jacksonville Jaguars cornerback A.J. Bouye by NFL.com’s Lance Zierlein.

Bouye was signed as an undrafted free agent by the Houston Texans back in 2013. By the end of his rookie contract, he was working his way into a starting role.

He signed with Jacksonville in 2017 and immediately rewarded them with a Pro Bowl season.

In total, Bouye played nine seasons in the NFL, 2021 being his last, recording 366 tackles, 75 passes defended, 14 interceptions, two forced fumbles and a sack.

If the Dolphins were to Bouye’s career out of Smith, they’d probably be pretty happy with that. Especially, if the former Gamecock can reach the Pro-Bowl peaks that Bouye did.

With coaching from defensive coordinator Vic Fangio, cornerbacks coach Sam Madison and veterans like Ramsey and Howard, that outcome is achievable for Smith.

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List of Panthers free agents who remain unsigned

With CB Stephon Gilmore being swept up by the Colts, which of the Panthers’ 2022 free agents are still out there on the open market?

On Friday, the Carolina Panthers officially waved goodbye to cornerback Stephon Gilmore. The 2021 Pro Bowler and former AP Defensive Player of the Year might’ve served the franchise well in his eight games this past season, but now he’s off to the Indianapolis Colts on a two-year pact.

So, which of the team’s free agents remain on the open market? Well, these ones . . .

Panthers cut CB A.J. Bouye

Shortly after releasing DL Morgan Fox, the Panthers also gave walking papers to CB A.J. Bouye as they continue to free up more salary cap space.

The Carolina Panthers started off Monday’s legal tampering period by parting ways with defensive lineman Morgan Fox. But, he won’t be alone.

As announced by the team less than an hour into the action, cornerback A.J. Bouye has been released. The move saves the Panthers $3.5 million in salary cap space as they continue to free up cash for a certain move or two.

Bouye was initially inked to a two-year, $7 million contract last offseason. He was set to earn a $2.18 million roster bonus for the 2022 campaign.

The ninth-year veteran played in 10 games this past season—recording 28 tackles, three pass deflections and a forced fumble. With the defense presenting quite a few young and talented players at the position, Bouye and his bonus became a bit dispensable—at least in the eyes of a particularly motivated front office.

Between the releases of Fox and Bouye this afternoon, Carolina has now gathered themselves approximately $6.5 million in new cap space.

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Panthers CB A.J. Bouye to miss remainder of 2021 season

The Panthers have lost Jaycee Horn, Donte Jackson and now A.J. Bouye to the injured reserve here in 2021.

The Carolina Panthers built their secondary and they built it quickly as they headed into the regular season. A once barren area of the depth chart suddenly boasted the talented likes of Donte Jackson, Jaycee Horn and A.J. Bouye.

But, now, they’re without all three.

On Tuesday, the team announced the placement of Bouye on the injured reserve. The ninth-year veteran, who has been dealing with a foot injury sustained in Week 14’s loss to the Atlanta Falcons, did not play this past Sunday.

He joins Jackson and Horn on the shelf as the 5-9 Panthers scramble to finish off the final three games of their miserable 2021 campaign. They’ll have to do so on the backs of Stephon Gilmore, CJ Henderson, Keith Taylor Jr., Myles Hartsfield, Rashaan Melvin and Stantley Thomas-Oliver III remaining at the position.

Bouye signed a two-year, $7 million deal this offseason with Carolina, so this may not be the last of him in the black and blue. His first year saw him total 28 tackles, three pass deflections and a forced fumble over 10 outings.

To replace the void, the Panthers claimed defensive end Azur Kamara off waivers from the Dallas Cowboys. They, additionally, released running back Jacques Patrick from the practice squad.

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Panthers Week 15 injury report: WR DJ Moore questionable vs. Bills

With Matt Barkley’s move to the reserve/COVID-19 list, the Panthers may look to RB Reggie Bonnafon and WRs DJ Moore and Brandon Zylstra as emergency QB options in Week 15.

It may be particularly important that receiver DJ Moore is available for the Carolina Panthers this Sunday . . . for more reasons than just receiving.

On Friday, the team announced they placed third-string quarterback Matt Barkley on the reserve/COVID-19 list. With Barkley being a close contact to both Cam Newton and P.J. Walker, that development may obviously put Carolina’s ongoing quarterback carousel into more of a spin.

If Newton and/or Walker are somehow not available as a result, head coach Matt Rhule identified Moore, running back Reggie Bonnafon and fellow wideout Brandon Zylstra as potential emergency options for the Week 15 matchup with the Buffalo Bills.

Ho boy.

Moore, as he did all week, hit the practice field on a limited basis and is listed as questionable for the contest. Here’s the final report in its entirety:

Injury Wed. Thurs. Fri. Game status
CB A.J. Bouye Foot DNP DNP DNP Out
WR DJ Moore Hamstring Limited Limited Limited Questionable
G Michael Jordan Hamstring Limited Limited Limited Questionable
G John Miller Ankle Full Full Full –
LB Jermaine Carter Jr. Groin Full Full – –
QB Matt Barkley Illness – DNP

Bouye, who did not practice at all for the past three days, has already been ruled out. With Donte Jackson already done for the campaign, Bouye’s absence will likely spark more playing time for 2020 first-round pick and midseason acquisition CJ Henderson.

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Panthers CB A.J. Bouye reportedly drawing trade interest

Panthers CB A.J. Bouye has played well here in 2021. And, apparently, other teams have noticed.

The Carolina Panthers patiently waited to finally get to use A.J. Bouye this season. Now, they could already be seeing him out of the same door he just walked into.

According to MMQB senior NFL reporter Albert Breer, Bouye has drawn trade interest with the Nov. 2 deadline approaching. The ninth-year cornerback is amongst a few names Breer mentions for secondary-needy teams, and the Panthers aren’t necessarily hanging up the phone.

“Defensive backs are always hard to come by, and Denver’s become the place to call. Veteran corner Kyle Fuller is available, and the Broncos will listen to offers on safety Kareem Jackson (though they’re not actively shopping him),” Breer writes.

“The Panthers’ A.J. Bouye is another name teams have discussed, though I’m told Carolina would need a really strong offer to consider parting with him.”

In serving as the team’s primary slot defender since his return, Bouye has played quite well over his four games with Carolina. Pro Football Focus currently has him graded at a 71.7 in coverage while crediting him with eight stops against the run.

Perhaps another return, of one Stephon Gilmore, could make Bouye a bit more dispensable for this defense. But his solid overall play and pedigree, in addition to the fact that the Panthers are trying to jump back into contention, shouldn’t make Bouye an easy steal for any team.

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Panthers RB Chuba Hubbard scores first NFL touchdown

Panthers rookie RB Chuba Hubbard (with some help from fellow rookie Shi Smith) reached the end zone for the first time in his NFL career.

With Christian McCaffrey now on the injured reserve and set to miss at least the next three weeks, it’s definitely time for Chuba Hubbard to shine for the Carolina Panthers. So put on those sunglasses.

On Sunday, the rookie punched in his first NFL touchdown in the Week 6 matchup against the Minnesota Vikings. Hubbard’s 2-yard run into the end zone helped give the Panthers a 7-3 lead in response to an early interception from quarterback Sam Darnold.

Hubbard’s score was set up by a fumble recovery by linebacker Haason Reddick on the preceding possession from Minnesota. Cornerback A.J. Bouye forced the loose ball on wideout Justin Jefferson at the Vikings’ 40-yard line. Reddick picked up the rock for a 22-yard return to the 18-yard line.

Fellow rookie Shi Smith also cashed in on a nice play of his own during the drive. Smith, who is active for the first time in his pro career, took a 16-yard catch-and-run to get Carolina up to the 2-yard line.

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Analysis: Stephon Gilmore brings experience, skill to Panthers

Here’s our projected outlook at the Panthers’ cornerbacks for the remainder of this season (and beyond) following the Stephon Gilmore news.

When Carolina Panthers general manager Scott Fitterer told reporters he would “be in on every deal” earlier this year, he wasn’t joking around.

Last week, a significant injury exposed the lack of depth in Carolina’s secondary. With 2021 eighth overall pick Jaycee Horn sustaining a right foot injury that sent him to injured reserve, speculation arose around how the team would fill the major void.

That hole lasted four days. The day the team placed Horn on IR, they traded for second-year cornerback C.J. Henderson, a young and talented prospect the organization has been eyeing since the 2020 pre-draft process.

Today, though, the Panthers made an even bigger splash in the trade market, acquiring corner Stephon Gilmore from the New England Patriots in exchange for a 2023 sixth-round draft pick. Beyond just replacing Horn for what could be the remainder of the campaign, Carolina is improving their secondary enough to win now and in the future.

Including the newest additions, names like Donte Jackson and A.J. Bouye are in the exciting mix as well, highlighting the team’s defensive backfield. With injuries, though, each player figures to see the field on a different timetable.

Here’s our projected outlook for the Panthers’ cornerbacks for the remainder of this season and beyond.

Right now: Youth takes over on the outsides

Active: A.J. Bouye, C.J. Henderson, Donte Jackson, Keith Taylor Jr., Rashaan Melvin, Stantley Thomas-Oliver III

Starters: Donte Jackson (outside), C.J. Henderson (outside), A.J. Bouye (slot)

Inactive: Jaycee Horn (injured reserve), Myles Hartsfield (injured reserve), Stephon Gilmore (PUP)

Analysis: The loss of Horn will hurt the Panthers badly, at least for now. With the newly-acquired Gilmore on the Physically Unable to Perform (PUP) list until at least Week 7, the team must rely on the inexperienced but talented Henderson to hold down the fort opposite Jackson.

So far, the defense has rotated players like Taylor and Melvin at that position, but Rhule should begin relying more heavily on Henderson as he continues to get acclimated to Carolina’s system.

The veteran Bouye has played primarily in the slot, leading the team with 23 snaps at nickel in the team’s Week 4 loss to Dallas. We expect him to stay there despite recent injuries.

Later in the season: The first return from injury

Active: A.J. Bouye, C.J. Henderson, Donte Jackson, Keith Taylor Jr., Stantley Thomas-Oliver III, Stephon Gilmore

Starters: Donte Jackson (outside), Stephon Gilmore (outside), A.J. Bouye (slot)

Inactive: Jaycee Horn (injured reserve), Myles Hartsfield (injured reserve)

Analysis: With Gilmore elevated to the active roster from the PUP list, we project the team to send Melvin back to the practice squad.

Gilmore, once healthy, should take over Henderson’s spot as the primary starter opposite Jackson. We could, still, continue to see a rotation at the position based on matchups and game flow.

With players getting healthy midway through, Carolina has the potential to continue having one of the premier cornerback groups in the league heading into the postseason, should they qualify.

The offseason: Two top corners could hit the market

On the roster: A.J. Bouye, C.J. Henderson, Corn Elder, Jaycee Horn, Keith Taylor Jr., Madre Harper, Myles Hartsfield, Rashaan Melvin, Stantley Thomas-Oliver III, Troy Pride, Jr.

Pending free agents: Donte Jackson (UFA), Rashaan Melvin (UFA), Stephon Gilmore (UFA)

Analysis: This offseason, the Panthers have a pair of notable unrestricted free agents.

The team may try to retain both, with Jackson likely being a priority. We noted Jackson as a contract extension candidate this past offseason, so the Panthers should hope his price tag doesn’t see a significant increase now that they’ve waited an extra year. As for Gilmore, the two sides are reportedly content with letting the 2021 season play out.

The team should also get Horn and Hartsfield back from temporary injured reserve late into the season, with Pride, Jr. on season-ending injured reserve and looking to rejoin the team during the offseason. Harper and Elder are on the Panthers’ practice squad right now, so they could have a chance to compete for a roster spot this offseason, too.

Between Jackson’s strong start to the season and Fitterer’s magic working the phone lines, the Panthers could have one of the league’s scariest defenses that keeps getting better every week, especially as young players develop and injured ones continue to heal.

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Panthers snap count standouts: CB C.J. Henderson eases in

We learned a little bit on Sunday about how the Panthers will move forward without some key players.

Revisiting the Carolina Panthers’ 36-28 loss may not be fun for some, if not most, of you. But, like head coach Matt Rhule and quarterback Sam Darnold stressed after the game, you learn and move on.

So let’s learn a little something from how Sunday’s snaps were distributed in the Week 4 defeat.

4 takeaways from the Panthers’ 24-9 win over Texans

Through their three victories to start 2021, the Panthers defense is allowing just 9.7 points and 191 yards per game.

You wouldn’t have known by the overall feel of Thursday night’s outing that the Carolina Panthers moved to 3-0.

Well, they did.

So through the good and the bad of their trip to Houston, here are four takeaways from the consequential Week 3 victory.