Tag: a’shawn robinson

Best and worst PFF grades from Panthers’ Week 1 loss to Saints

Panthers QB Bryce Young was saddled with the second-worst PFF grade of his career.

As painful as this may be—let’s give it a go, shall we?

Here are the best and worst Pro Football Focus grades for the Carolina Panthers from their horrendous season-opening loss to the New Orleans Saints:

Best of the offense

Stephen Lew-Imagn Images

1. LG Damien Lewis: 80.0
1. TE Feleipe Franks: 80.0
3. RG Robert Hunt: 79.5
4. C Austin Corbett: 71.7
5. RB Mike Boone: 69.0

Well, at least those investments on the interior offensive line paid off right away.

Only one pressure was attributed to the trio of Lewis, Hunt and Corbett. Each earned a pass-blocking grade of at least 84.6.

Worst of the offense

Chris Graythen/Getty Images

15. QB Andy Dalton: 53.3
16. TE Jordan Matthews: 47.5
17. TE Ja’Tavion Sanders: 47.4
18. WR Jonathan Mingo: 45.2
19. QB Bryce Young: 32.6

Young brings up the rear after one of the stinkiest showings of his NFL career. He completed 13 of his 30 passes for 161 yards and two errant interceptions.

Best of the defense

Jim Dedmon-USA TODAY Sports

1. DE A’Shawn Robinson: 73.0
2. SS Xavier Woods: 71.5
3. DT Jayden Peevy: 70.8
4. OLB Jadeveon Clowney: 69.5
5. CB Mike Jackson: 65.1

Robinson, another free-agent signing from this spring, also played well in his Panthers debut. He, as did Woods, recorded a pair of stops.

Worst of offense

Stephen Lew-Imagn Images

13. MLB Josey Jewell: 48.7
14. DE Derrick Brown: 47.7
15. DT Nick Thurman: 46.2
16. NT Shy Tuttle: 29.5
17. FS Jordan Fuller: 28.0

Fuller, in his first outing for Carolina, was charged with five receptions for 116 yards on five targets.

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Initial 53-man roster projection for the 2024 Panthers

Here is our final projection for the Panthers’ initial 2024 53-man roster:

Now that the preseason is officially in the books, the Carolina Panthers have another task to tackle—the big cutdown.

Between now and 4 p.m. ET on Tuesday, the Panthers and the rest of the NFL’s 31 teams must get down to their initial 53-player rosters.

Here is our final projection for Carolina’s initial 53:

Quarterbacks (2)

In: Bryce Young, Andy Dalton
Out: Jack Plummer

Plummer impressed in the summer finale, completing 21 of his 29 passes for 278 yards and two touchdowns. But that still won’t be enough to devote a third spot on the roster to a quarterback.

Running backs (4)

In: Chuba Hubbard, Miles Sanders, Raheem Blackshear, Mike Boone
Out: Jaden Shirden
Reserve/NFI list: Jonathon Brooks

Boone has benefitted from the inactivity of both Blackshear and Brooks, who isn’t expected back for at least a handful of weeks into the regular season. And luckily for the former, his successful track record as a kick returner keeps him around.

Wide receivers (6)

In: Diontae Johnson, Adam Thielen, Xavier Legette, Jonathan Mingo, Ihmir Smith-Marsette, David Moore
Out: Terrace Marshall Jr., Michael Strachan, Jalen Coker, Sam Pinckney

The sixth and final spot came down to Marshall Jr. and Moore. Moore’s experience on special teams and his previous history with head coach Dave Canales in both Seattle and Tampa Bay give him the edge.

Tight ends (4)

In: Tommy Tremble, Ian Thomas, Ja’Tavion Sanders, Jordan Matthews
Out: Feleipe Franks, Jacob Hollister, Jesper Horsted

Matthews earned his spot with a spectacular summer. The 32-year-old opened the preseason with a team-high 48 receiving yards in New England and ended it with a touchdown to kick off the last outing in Buffalo.

Offensive linemen (9)

In: Ikem Ekwonu, Damien Lewis, Austin Corbett, Robert Hunt, Taylor Moton, Brady Christensen, Yosh Nijman, Cade Mays, Chandler Zavala
Out: Ricky Lee, Jeremiah Crawford, Mason Brooks, Andrew Raym, Jack Anderson, Ike Boettger, Tyler Smith

Given that he’s the only true center on the roster, Raym has a shot to stick on. But the versatility of backups such as Nijman, Christensen and Mays allows the Panthers to keep the number of hog mollies at nine.

Defensive linemen (5)

In: Derrick Brown, A’Shawn Robinson, Shy Tuttle, Nick Thurman, LaBryan Ray
Out: Jaden Crumedy, T.J. Smith, Ulomoo Ale, Jayden Peevy, Walter Palmore, Junior Aho

Crumedy, the team’s sixth-round selection from this spring, could be in trouble while dealing a high-ankle sprain. So could Smith, who’d be a favorite to sneak back on as a practice squad member after recording a pair of sacks this preseason.

Outside linebackers (5)

In: Jadeveon Clowney, K’Lavon Chaisson, DJ Johnson, Eku Leota, Luiji Vilain
Out: Cam Gill, Derrick McLendon, Kenny Dyson
Reserve/Physically unable to perform list: D.J. Wonnum, Amaré Barno

Vilain and Gill could be battling for the fifth locker. But if it actually doesn’t go to either, look for the Panthers to pick up a pass rusher off the street.

Inside linebackers (4)

In: Shaq Thompson, Josey Jewell, Trevin Wallace, Claudin Cherelus
Out: Chandler Wooten, Tae Davis, Aaron Beasley

Canales does not take special teams prowess for granted. Cherelus and Wooten could claim spots with theirs.

Cornerbacks (6)

In: Jaycee Horn, Michael Jackson, Troy Hill, Chau Smith-Wade, Dicaprio Bootle, D’Shawn Jamison
Out: Willie Drew, Chris Wilcox, Quandre Mosely
Injured: Dane Jackson

The “significant” hamstring injury to Jackson (Dane, that is) could force the Panthers to keep a few outside options—including both Bootle and Jamison.

Safeties (5)

In: Xavier Woods, Jordan Fuller, Nick Scott, Jammie Robinson, Alex Cook
Out: Demani Richardson, Rudy Ford
Injured: Sam Franklin Jr.

As Canales has stated, there’s no replacing Franklin Jr.—who will be out for quite a bit while healing up a broken foot. Cook, however, could give the Panthers a little bit back on special teams.

Specialists (3)

In: Eddy Piñeiro, Johnny Hekker, JJ Jansen

Well, nothing to see here.

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Marshon Lattimore’s 27-yard pick-six is the Saints Play of the Day

We’re turning the clock back to 2017. Marshon Lattimore’s 27-yard pick-six off of Matthew Stafford is the Saints Play of the Day:

We’ve got 27 days to go until the New Orleans Saints kick off their 2024 regular season, which make’s Marshon Lattimore’s 27-yard pick-six our Saints Play of the Day. Lattimore intercepted Detroit Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford to help run up the score in a 2017 win at home, and it turned out that the Saints would really need the points.

The Lions entered this game with a better record (3-2) than the Saints (2-2), but they were six-point underdogs inside the raucous Superdome. And the final score was much further apart than that. Lattimore’s pick-six was one of two defensive touchdowns the Saints scored on the afternoon,

Lattimore’s defensive touchdown gave the Saints a 45-10 lead midway through the third quarter, but the game wasn’t over yet. The Detroit offense scored two touchdowns on 22-yard passes from Stafford. Jamal Agnew cut through the Saints special teams unit for a 74-yard punt returned for a touchdown. And then A’Shawn Robinson kept their scoring streak alive with an interception of his own, returning it two yards into the New Orleans end zone. The Saints punted on their next possession and were suddenly holding onto a 45-38 lead when Detroit took over. Had Lattimore not scored earlier the game would have been tied.

Thankfully, Cameron Jordan came through to save the day. Agnew had muffed the punt and recovered it at his own 1-yard line. When Stafford dropped back to pass from his own end zone Jordan deflected the pass and snatched it out of the air for another pick-six. Wil Lutz hit the extra point and the Saints held on for a 52-38 victory. They wouldn’t lose again for the next five weeks.

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Panthers projected depth chart heading into 2024 training camp

You may want to keep this projected depth chart handy ahead of the Panthers’ 2024 training camp.

Summer break is nearly over for the Carolina Panthers.

On Friday, rookies will report back to Charlotte for the start of this year’s training camp. They’ll be followed by the veterans after the weekend, who will be in right before the first outing of practice on Wednesday.

But what do the team’s pecking orders look like across the program as of now?

Here is our full projected depth chart for Carolina’s current 90-man roster heading into camp:

Offense:

1st 2nd 3rd 4th 5th 6th 7th
QB Bryce Young Andy Dalton Jack Plummer
RB Chuba Hubbard Miles Sanders Jonathon Brooks Raheem Blackshear Rashaad Penny Mike Boone Jaden Shirden
WR Diontae Johnson Jonathan Mingo David Moore Cam Sims Sam Pinckney
WR Xavier Legette Terrace Marshall Jr. Michael Strachan Jalen Coker Daewood Davis
SWR Adam Thielen Ihmir Smith-Marsette
TE Tommy Tremble Ian Thomas Stephen Sullivan Ja’Tavion Sanders Jordan Matthews
LT Ikem Ekwonu Yosh Nijman Ricky Lee Jeremiah Crawford
LG Damien Lewis Cade Mays
C Austin Corbett Brady Christensen Andrew Raym
RG Robert Hunt Chandler Zavala Nash Jensen J.D. DiRenzo
RT Taylor Moton Badara Traore Christian Duffie

Defense:

1st 2nd 3rd 4th
DE Derrick Brown LaBryan Ray T.J. Smith Junior Aho
DT Shy Tuttle Nick Thurman Ulumoo Ale
DE A’Shawn Robinson Jaden Crumedy Popo Aumavae
OLB Jadeveon Clowney K’Lavon Chaisson Amaré Barno Eku Leota Derrick McLendon
ILB Shaq Thompson Trevin Wallace Chandler Wooten Claudin Cherelus
ILB Josey Jewell Tae Davis Michael Barrett Jackson Mitchell
OLB D.J. Wonnum DJ Johnson Cam Gill Luiji Vilain Kenny Dyson Jr.
CB Jaycee Horn D’Shawn Jamison Lamar Jackson
CB Dane Jackson Dicaprio Bootle Willie Drew
SS Xavier Woods Jammie Robinson Sam Franklin Jr. Demani Richardson Clayton Isbell
FS Jordan Fuller Nick Scott Alex Cook
NCB Troy Hill Chau Smith-Wade

Special teams:

1st 2nd
K Eddy Piñeiro Harrison Mevis
P Johnny Hekker
LS JJ Jansen
KR Raheem Blackshear Ihmir Smith-Marsette Xavier Legette
PR Ihmir Smith-Marsette Xavier Legette

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New Orleans Saints game previews: Week 1 vs. Carolina Panthers

We’re kicking off our New Orleans Saints game previews with Week 1’s opener against the Carolina Panthers:

Our New Orleans Saints game previews kick off with Week 1’s opener against the Carolina Panthers. How much help does Bryce Young have? What’s different about the Panthers from the last time they crossed paths with the Saints? And how does this game impact the all-time series history between the two rivals?

Let’s start with the obvious. Neither of the two head coaches leading Carolina in 2023’s games against the Saints will be patrolling the opposite sideline this time — not after Frank Reich was fired at midseason and replaced by interim coach Chris Tabor. The Panthers recruited former Tampa Bay Buccaneers offensive coordinator and Seattle Seahawks quarterbacks coach Dave Canales as their new head coach, envisioning him as the mentor Bryce Young needs to adjust to life in the NFL.

Young could use the help. His rookie year was rough by every measure after the Panthers traded up to the top of the 2023 draft to pick him. He only completed 59.8% of his pass attempts (31st) while scoring 11 touchdown passes (28th), throwing 10 interceptions (tied for 13th-most) along the way. His 5.5 yards per pass attempt ranked lowest among the league’s 32  starting quarterbacks.

To help him, the Panthers signed free agents like offensive guards Robert Hunt and Damien Lewis, defensive tackle A’Shawn Robinson, outside linebacker Jadeveon Clowney, and inside linebacker Josey Jewell while trading for wideout Diontae Johnson. They were without the No. 1 overall pick in this year’s draft after trading it to get Young, but Carolina drafted wide receiver Xavier Legette (South Carolina) and running back Jonathon Brooks (Texas) to get him more help.

There will be a lot of new faces on Carolina’s sideline, but one constant is defensive coordinator Ejiro Evero. He was retained by Canales after coaching up a defense which ranked sixth-best in yards per play (4.9) despite bagging a league-low 11 takeaways. While his run defense needs improvement  — the Panthers allowed 25 touchdown runs, more than anyone else — they also need to do a better job getting after the quarterback. Carolina’s 27 sacks were the lowest total in the league, and they traded their  best pass rusher Brian Burns (who accounted for 8 of those sacks) to the New York Giants. Evero will be leaning hard on those veteran free agents to right the ship.

As for the all-time series history? The Saints lead the Panthers 31-28, including the playoffs, with back-to-back wins last season. That’s after Carolina won three out of four games against New Orleans between 2021 and 2022. Starting the 2024 season with a win and setting good vibes right away would be big. Everything starts in September.

  • Game information: New Orleans Saints vs. Carolina Panthers
  • Location: Caesars Superdome, New Orleans, La.
  • Date: Sept. 8
  • Time: Noon CT/ 1p.m. ET
  • TV Channel: FOX

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A’Shawn Robinson on why he signed with the Panthers: ‘Why not?’

Why did A’Shawn Robinson sign with the Panthers this offseason? Well, why not?

Some familiar faces helped lead A’Shawn Robinson into unfamiliar territory.

On Wednesday, the veteran defensive lineman sat down for his first press conference since signing a new three-year, $22.5 million deal with the Carolina Panthers. He confirmed that his past connections with the coaching staff, most notably defensive coordinator Ejiro Evero, was a key to landing in him in the Queen City.

“I think it played a good part of that,” Robinson said. “Comfortability, knowing the scheme. Coming from it in L.A., just being used to that. Knowing the coaches, them knowing how I play and me knowing how they operate and how they want things done—I think that was very important to me. I know that they’re honest and they’re real about everything, and they want guys to be on point and honest and real about everything that goes on.”

Robinson and Evero shared a sideline in Los Angeles for two seasons, when the latter was a safeties coach and secondary coach/passing game coordinator in 2020 and 2021. The two helped the Rams capture its second Lombardi Trophy in their 23-20 win over the Cincinnati Bengals in Super Bowl LVI.

The big man was then asked why he joined the Panthers, who were the furthest team away from that mountaintop in 2023.

“Why not?” he replied. “It’s a great scheme, a great team, great city. I love the south, comin’ from Alabama. It feels like home. But coming to this scheme, I feel like it fits me perfectly.”

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Ejiro Evero talks about Panthers’ familiar free-agent signings

Panthers DC Ejiro Evero will be reunited with some familiar faces from his LA and Denver days.

Continuity is key in the NFL—and unfortunately for the Carolina Panthers, they haven’t experienced a ton of it in recent years. But some familiar faces will be in the building, even if they weren’t on the team last season.

Defensive coordinator Ejiro Evero, who was retained through the transition into new head coach Dave Canales, spoke with reporters on Thursday afternoon. He was asked about a few of the front office’s free-agent signings, particularly the ones he has a history with.

“The first part is that those guys are all very, very good football players,” Evero said. “They’re smart, they’re tough, they’re instinctive, they play hard, they’re great teammates. So from that standpoint, they uplift their team.”

Evero will be reunited with linebacker Josey Jewell, whom he coached as the Denver Broncos defensive coordinator in 2022, as well as defensive lineman A’Shawn Robinson and safeties Jordan Fuller and Nick Scott—his guys over from the Los Angeles Rams days. They’ll all look to add to the defense that allowed the fourth-fewest total yards in 2023.

And although there will be some familiarity between he and his players, that doesn’t necessarily mean their roles will be the same in Carolina.

“The defense is gonna be a little bit different than how we played it in Denver, how we played it at the LA Rams,” Evero added. “So from that standpoint, it’s gonna be a little bit of an adjustment. But havin’ those guys on our team right now is such a huge step forward for us.”

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Former Alabama DT A’Shawn Robinson signs two-year deal with Carolina Panthers

Carolina Panthers sign DT A’Shawn Robinson to a three-year $22.5 million deal

After spending the 2023 season with the New York Giants, former Alabama Crimson Tide defensive tackle [autotag]A’Shawn Robinson[/autotag] will be joining the Carolina Panthers for the upcoming season on a three-year deal worth $22.5 million. The Panthers will be the fourth stop of Robinson’s career after being drafted to the Detroit Lions out of college.

Robinson had one of the most productive NFL seasons of his career in New York as he started 13 of 17 games and accounted for 62 total tackles and two passes defended. At this point in his career, Robinson is already Super Bowl Champion and securing his families financial freedom is probably his top priority.

The Panthers and Robinson had a ton of mutual interest as Carolina’s DC Ejiro Evero and Robinson worked together in Los Angeles. Robinson will be a key piece of Carolina’s defense that is now in the middle of a rebuild after trading away Brian Burns yesterday.

Contact/Follow us @RollTideWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Alabama news, notes and opinion. You can also follow Sam Murphy on Twitter @SamMurphy02.

Panthers officially announce 5 free-agent signings

The Panthers made their reported free-agent agreements officials ones at the start of the new league year.

Happy New Year, Carolina Panthers fans!

With the start of the new league year came the official announcement of the team’s five newest free-agent signees. So, yes, those terms are no longer reportedly agreed upon—they’re definitely agreed upon.

Set to join the Panthers are guards Robert Hunt and Damien Lewis, defensive lineman A’Shawn Robinson, linebacker Josey Jewell and cornerback Dane Jackson.

Hunt and Lewis were the first two names to surface for Carolina, who were seeking to fortify their interior offensive trench for quarterback Bryce Young. And they did, with the duo expected to sign multi-year deals (Hunt for five and Lewis for four) at a combined $153 million.

Robinson will help solidify the opposite trench. The 6-foot-4, 330-pounder is expected to ink a three-year, $22.5 million pact.

Jewell could serve as the replacement for the departed do-it-all backer Frankie Luvu. He spent a season under Panthers defensive coordinator Ejiro Evero, who served in the same role for the Denver Broncos in 2022.

Jackson, who has ties to president of football operations/general manager Dan Morgan, comes over from the Buffalo Bills.

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Panthers reportedly agree to terms with DT A’Shawn Robinson

According to NFL Network, the Panthers are expected to sign DT A’Shawn Robinson to a three-year deal.

After adding a pair of hog mollies on Monday, the Carolina Panthers turned their attention to the opposite side of the trenches.

As first reported by NFL Network insider Mike Garafolo, the team has come to terms with defensive tackle A’Shawn Robinson. Per Garafolo, the 28-year-old veteran is expected to sign a three-year, $28.5 million deal.

Robinson was selected in the second round of the 2016 NFL draft by the Detroit Lions. The University of Alabama product stayed in the Motor City for four seasons—where he totaled 172 tackles, 5.0 sacks and three forced fumbles over 58 games.

He’d then move out west to join the Los Angeles Rams beginning in 2020. There, Robinson would cross paths with current Panthers defensive coordinator Ejiro Evero, who served as the Rams’ safeties coach, secondary coach and passing game coordinator.

This past season saw Robinson record 13 starts in 17 games for the New York Giants. The 6-foot-4, 330-pounder amassed 62 combined tackles, the second-highest total of his eight-year career.

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