Tag: Carolina Panthers

Sam Mills overlooked in Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2020

Former New Orleans Saints and Carolina Panthers linebacker Sam Mills was not voted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2020.

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The Pro Football Hall of Fame announced its Modern-Era Class of 2020 on Saturday, and unfortunately, late New Orleans Saints linebacker Sam Mills was left on the outside looking in. The 48-strong selection committee had a tough task with so many highly-qualified finalists, but ultimately, just five players were able to make the cut. The Hall of Fame made those inductees official in a statement:

The Modern-Era players for the Class of 2020 were just announced on stage during taping of NFL Honors, a two-hour primetime awards special that will air nationally tonight at 8 p.m. (ET and PT) on FOX. They include safety STEVE ATWATER, wide receiver ISAAC BRUCE, guard STEVE HUTCHINSON, running back EDGERRIN JAMES, and safety TROY POLAMALU. The five newest Hall of Famers were joined on stage by the living members from the Centennial Slate.

It’s a tough break for Mills’ family, friends, and supporters. His candidacy had never reached the finalist stage before, having stalled out as a semifinalist three times over the last two decades. Mills died of cancer in 2005, so others have had to carry his torch in pursuit of recognition in the Hall of Fame. He was an early face of the expansion-franchise Carolina Panthers, and a bronze statue in his image guards Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte to this day.

However, it won’t get any easier next year. Big names like Peyton Manning and Charles Woodson will become eligible for the first time in 2021, and they’re both shoo-ins as first-ballot Hall of Famers. Here’s hoping Mills’ legacy will get the respect it deserves — it’s a shame that there isn’t a gold bust next to his old “Dome Patrol” teammate Rickey Jackson, who was inducted in 2010. At least Mills’ memory endures among his fans and those close to him.

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Watch: Cam Newton talks commitment to Panthers, new OC Joe Brady

Cam Newton says he’s absolutely sure he will be returning to the Panthers.

Cam Newton says he’s absolutely sure he will be returning to the Panthers. That revelation came Friday night in an appearance with CBS Sports, laying to rest a great deal of potential unease for fans regarding the 2020 offseason.

There have been a lot of trade rumors and speculation about his future, but for Newton’s part he says he never even considered leaving Carolina. He also talked about new offensive coordinator Joe Brady’s professionalism. Here’s what he had to say to SiriusXM last night at radio row in Miami.

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Panthers 2020 potential free agent target profile: WR A.J. Green

With that in mind, our next potential 2020 free agent target profile is Bengals wide receiver A.J. Green

The Panthers have a new offensive coordinator and apparently will be keeping Cam Newton around at least for another year.

While the team has a plethora of roster holes to fill this offseason, there’s nothing wrong with adding some more firepower on offense. With that in mind, our next potential 2020 free agent target profile is Bengals wide receiver A.J. Green.

Career stats:

After a strong three-year run at Georgia, Green was picked by Cincinnati in the first round of the 2011 NFL draft, just three picks after Newton. In 111 games, he’s totaled 602 catches, 8,907 receiving yards and 63 touchdowns. Green has made the Pro Bowl seven times and peaked on the NFL100 list at No. 9 back in 2014.

Pros:

When he’s healthy, Green is about as good as wide receivers come. The numbers he’s posted are sensational considering he’s worked with Andy Dalton for most of his career. Green’s size (6-foot-4, 210 pounds) helps make him one of the game’s best red zone targets. He has superb hands, a wide catch radius and excels at making tough plays in traffic. Green is also a threat to go deep. He’s averaged 14.8 yards per reception in his career. Adding him could give Carolina an elite 1-2-3 wide receiver combination with D.J. Moore and Curtis Samuel.

Cons:

Green missed half of the 2018 season and all of 2019 due to injuries. He will be 32 years old by the time next season begins and it’s worth wondering if he can ever return to his peak production. The Panthers wouldn’t need 1,400 yards or 10+ touchdowns from him, though. The real question is of course the price. Green is the only star receiver in this year’s free agent class and might command a lot on the open market.

Probability: Low

It’s tantalizing to think what the Panthers could do with Green, D.J. Moore and Curtis Samuel all on the field at the same time with a healthy Cam Newton and Joe Brady calling the plays. However, Green would qualify as a luxury signing. This team needs to address the trenches and the back end of the defense before thinking about more weapons.

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Cam Newton on if he’s sure he’ll return to the Panthers: ‘Absolutely’

Newton has one year remaining on his contract.

Panthers quarterback Cam Newton just dropped a bomb shell at radio row in Miami for Super Bowl LIV.

In an appearance with CBS Sports, Newton was asked if he’s sure he will return to the Panthers. He answered with a double “absolutely” and said he left his conversation with team owner David Tepper, general manager Marty Hurney and new head coach Matt Rhule feeling inspired.

Newton also said he feels he has a lot to prove. Watch.

We had begun to worry about the potential of Newton leaving given what looks like a major rebuild underway, so this comes as a pleasant surprise.

Newton has one year remaining on his contract. When he was healthy in the first half of the 2018 season, he looked every bit as potent as he’s ever been.  It will be fascinating to see what the team’s bright young offensive coordinator Joe Brady gets out of the former league MVP.

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Matt Rhule’s 2020 coaching staff revealed by Panthers

The Panthers have announced the staff for new head coach Matt Rhule.

The Panthers have announced the staff for new head coach Matt Rhule.

Most of the names are familiar or have already been reported on, but there are a few new ones. Here’s a review of Carolina’s 2020 staff, per the official team website.

Head coach: Matt Rhule
Offensive coordinator: Joe Brady
Defensive coordinator: Phil Snow
Special teams coordinator: Chase Blackburn
Quarterbacks coach: Jake Peetz
Assistant QBs coach: Matt Lombardi
Running backs/senior assistant coach: Jeff Nixon
Tight ends coach: Brian Angelichio
Wide receivers coach: Frisman Jackson
Offensive line coach: Pat Meyer
Assistant OL coach: Marcus Satterfield
Coaching assistant: E.J. Barthel
Defensive run game coordinator: Al Holcomb
Defensive line coach: Mike Phair
Assistant DL coach: Frank Okam
Linebackers coach: Mike Siravo
DBs coach/defensive pass game coordinator: Jason Simmons
Cornerbacks coach: Evan Cooper
Coaching assistant: Cedric Whitaker
Coaching assistant: Grant Udinski
Assistant special teams coach: Ed Foley
Strength & conditioning coach: Jeremy Scott
Assistant to head coach: Matthew Delgado

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Christian McCaffrey reveals who he thinks is the best running back in the NFL

SportsPulse: We talk all things Panthers with running back Christian McCaffrey. Find out what he has to say about Matt Rhule and Carolina moving forward without Greg Olsen.

SportsPulse: We talk all things Panthers with running back Christian McCaffrey. Find out what he has to say about Matt Rhule and Carolina moving forward without Greg Olsen.

Watch: Cam Newton gushes about Greg Olsen to TMZ in Miami

For a while there, there was no more consistent quarterback/tight end duo in the NFL than Cam Newton and Greg Olsen.

For a while there, there was no more consistent quarterback/tight end duo in the NFL than Cam Newton and Greg Olsen. Now that Olsen and the Panthers have agreed to part ways after nine years, some more emotional farewells are in order – just two weeks after the franchise lost All-Pro linebacker Luke Kuechly to an early retirement.

Last night, TMZ cameras spotted Newton and Olsen emerging from what they described as an emotional, boozy dinner in Miami, which included running back Christian McCaffrey and his rumored girlfriend Olivia Culpo.

Afterwards, Newton and Olsen came out and took some pictures together and spoke for a while. Watch a spirited Cam gush about Olsen’s accomplishments and say you can’t talk about the great tight ends without including him.

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With Olsen out of the picture, Newton’s future seems cloudier than ever. It certainly looks like the Panthers are headed towards a total rebuild.

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Report: Norv Turner won’t return to Panthers in 2020

Former Panthers offensive coordinator Norv Turner will not return to the team’s coaching staff in 2020.

Former Panthers offensive coordinator Norv Turner will not return to the team’s coaching staff in 2020, according to a report by Jourdan Rodrigue at the Athletic. Turner turned over play-calling duties to his son Scott after Ron Rivera’s firing. Scott will be following Rivera to Washington, but it wasn’t clear until now if Norv would be retained in any role on Matt Rhule’s staff.

The Turners have already been replaced by Joe Brady, who was LSU’s passing game coordinator this past season after spending two years on Sean Payton’s staff with the Saints.

Turner got a lot of criticism during his run in Carolina, but we think he actually did his job well. To some extent, he helped modernize a dinosaur-aged offense and when he had Cam Newton healthy they were capable of competing with any team in the league.

Unfortunately, Newton was only truly himself for about eight of the 28 games Turner was the OC.

Considering the pass protection and the level of quarterback play Turner had to work with, he did a solid job and he should land on his feet.

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Could we see a Greg Olsen reunion with Bears?

The Bears are in the market for a tight end, and one of the game’s best just became available. But should Chicago target Greg Olsen?

It’s no secret that the Bears are in the market for a tight end, and one of the game’s best just became available.

The Panthers and tight end Greg Olsen have mutually decided to part ways after nine seasons, the team announced Thursday. Olsen, a 13-year veteran, is still interested in playing football, and he’s open to exploring potential opportunities.

“At this time I have not closed the door on any potential career options,” Olsen said. “I still have the love of football in my heart and will explore all opportunities presented to me.”

Olsen’s agent Drew Rosenhaus told ESPN’s Adam Schefter that he “will be in communication with other teams after the Super Bowl.”

Maybe one of those teams will be the Bears, who are surely targeting tight end as a priority this offseason. That, and Olsen started his career with the Bears. Olsen played four seasons in Chicago before being traded to Carolina for a third-round pick in 2011.

Looking back, it was one of the worst trades in Bears history, as Olsen went on to become a three-time Pro Bowler and two-time second team All-Pro with the Panthers.

But should the Bears target Olsen in free agency?

Ultimately, it doesn’t make much sense for the Bears. Olsen’s injury struggles and cap hit — which for 2020 was to be $11.675 million — might make that difficult.

Considering the other needs the Bears need to address this offseason, general manager Ryan Pace likely won’t shell out all of that money on a tight end with injury concerns when there are other options available in free agency and the NFL Draft.

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Analysis: Greg Olsen’s exit signals a total rebuild for Panthers

Greg Olsen and the Panthers have agreed to part ways after a successful nine-year relationship.

Greg Olsen and the Panthers have agreed to part ways after a successful nine-year relationship. During his time in Carolina, Olsen established himself as one of the top tight ends in the NFL. He made three consecutive Pro Bowls from 2014-2016. During that time, he was the most reliable producer at his position in the sport, even including Gronk.

If the Panthers are cutting Olsen, they’ll save about $8.1 million in salary cap space. Doing so will carry a dead money penalty of $3.7 million, according to Over the Cap.

Olsen leaving is about much more than just a great tight end nearing the twilight of his career. This move at this time is another clear signal that the franchise is beginning a genuine total rebuilding period.

The work began in December, when head coach Ron Rivera was fired following a stunning home loss to Washington. Rivera was soon replaced by Baylor coach Matt Rhule, who has brought in a bevy of new assistants who will be tasked with keeping the next generation of this team competitive.

That future became much cloudier after the sudden retirement of inside linebacker Luke Kuechly. His exit means Phil Snow’s defense will have to rebuild around a new nucleus.

Now that Olsen is also out of the picture, it’s obvious where things are going. Any veteran who had a rough year or who has a questionable contract is likely to be given the boot this offseason.

Cam Newton fans probably have the most to be worried about with this news. Olsen was Newton’s favorite receiver and it’s not difficult to imagine this will be a significant factor in deciding Cam’s future. The more the team moves on from core pieces like Kuechly and Olsen, the less likely it is they’ll be keeping Newton around for the rebuild.

Newton is the best quarterback currently on the roster and he was an MVP not too long ago. However, he’s also entering the final year of his contract and has been dealing with injuries for nearly the last three and a half seasons. More major changes may be coming soon.

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