Tag: Carolina Panthers

2 Panthers players make Pro Football Focus Top 101 list for 2019

Two Carolina Panthers are on Pro Football Focus’ annual list of the top 101 players in the NFL.

Two Carolina Panthers are on Pro Football Focus’ annual list of the top 101 players in the NFL.

Recently-retired inside linebacker Luke Kuechly came in at No. 40 on their list. Even though it wasn’t his best season and there’s a good chance he was playing in pain, he still ranked among the top five performers at his position. Here’s what they said about No. 59.

“The only year that he didn’t make the list was his rookie season, but from that moment on, he has been one of the best linebackers the game has seen. This season marked the first year since 2013 that his overall PFF grade dipped below 90.0 for the season, and yet it was still good enough to rank inside the top five among all linebackers, with more playing time than three of the four players ahead of him.”

All-Pro running back Christian McCaffrey was the other Panther who made the cut. He came in at No. 24. They had him graded as the second-best receiving running back behind Austin Ekeler.

“He was third in the league in rushing yardage but topped 1,000 receiving yards on 116 catches. As a receiving back, only Austin Ekeler had a higher PFF grade, but McCaffrey’s rushing grade couldn’t quite match up to the best backs in the league this year.”

McCaffrey is currently the subject of an exhausting Twitter debate over whether or not the Panthers should pay him a long-term extension. Giving running backs huge contracts generally doesn’t pan out in the NFL. However, McCaffrey may be a unique case because of his receiving ability and importance for Carolina’s offense.

Team-building and market value aside, McCaffrey is now indisputably the best running back in football.

[lawrence-related id=618080]

[vertical-gallery id=617845]

Greg Olsen admits his ‘pride was hurt’ by release from Panthers

When the Panthers and long-time tight end Greg Olsen parted ways last week, it was reported as a “mutual decision.”

When the Panthers and long-time tight end Greg Olsen parted ways last week, it was reported as a “mutual decision.”

Apparently, that narrative got oversold, according to Olsen. He told the Charlotte Observer that he wanted to stick around if the Panthers would have him and admitted his pride was hurt by his release.

“I never said I didn’t want to be part of whatever future direction they are going. It just wasn’t meant to be. It wasn’t in their plans. . . I don’t want to rush into a hasty decision because my pride was hurt.”

Olsen is reported to be meeting with the Bills today. He also has visits set up with Washington and Seattle this week.

Speaking of overblown narratives, if Olsen is interested in an always-popular revenge game, the Redskins are on Carolina’s 2020 schedule.

[lawrence-related id=617967]

[vertical-gallery id=617954]

Panthers DB Cole Luke signs 1-year contract extension

Like Bonnafon, Luke spent the whole 2018 season on Carolina’s practice  squad

The Panthers are beginning to re-sign some of their pending restricted free agents for the 2020 NFL season. Yesterday, the team announced that backup running back Reggie Bonnafon was signing a one-year extension. Today, it’s defensive back Cole Luke.

Like Bonnafon, Luke spent the whole 2018 season on Carolina’s practice  squad. He worked his way up and earned some playing time this year. Luke was on the field for 15 defensive snaps (1%) and 117 on special teams (24%).

This move is all about secondary and special teams depth. They’re going to need a whole lot more of both if they’re going to turn things around.

[lawrence-related id=618027]

[vertical-gallery id=617954]

2020 NFL draft prospect profile: Ohio State CB Jeff Okudah

Let’s take a look at Jeff Okudah and what he could bring to Carolina’s defense.

There is no question the Panthers secondary struggled last year, with Donte Jackson and Eric Reid floundering in coverage and plenty of mediocrity to go around for the rest. Tre Boston and James Bradberry made up the lone bright spots. However, they are both set to become free agents.

On the bright side, the team’s pass rush improved tremendously. Now, they just need more ball hawks on the back end to take advantage. Even if the team re-signs Bradberry, Matt Rhule and his staff still need to find another outside corner who can force turnovers and free Jackson up to return to his natural nickel position.

Fortunately, the cornerback class in this year’s NFL draft is deep. One player stands head and shoulders above the rest, though. Let’s take a look at Jeff Okudah and what he could bring to Carolina’s defense.

Scouting Report:
Okudah (6-foot-1, 200 pounds) is one of the best corner prospects we have seen in recent years. The Ohio State product possesses elite man coverage skills and is also rock-solid in zone. Okudah is a rare corner who is sticky in coverage and can mirror even the best route runners in football. His ball skills are also a strength, as he racked up three interceptions and nine pass breakups this past season. He gets beat off the press occasionally. However, Okudah has outstanding closing speed to make up for it.

Highlights:

Okudah vs. Clemson

Okudah vs. Michigan State

Okudah vs. Indiana

Okudah vs. Washington

College numbers:
35 games, three interceptions, 18 pass breakups, two fumbles recovered, 64 solo tackles, one forced fumble.

Fit with the Panthers:
Adding a piece like Okudah would free up new defensive coordinator Phil Snow to be more scheme-diverse with his coverages and blitzes. If they were to utilize him as a true man-to-man press corner, the whole unit could improve. With Okudah locking down one side of the field, Eric Reid could play more as a blitzer or box safety where he’s a better fit. It also would allow Jackson to move to the slot, eliminating the group’s weakest link. If Okudah is there at No. 7, the Panthers can’t go wrong picking him.

[lawrence-related id=618001]

[vertical-gallery id=617954]

Greg Olsen disappointed Bears haven’t called him

For those Bears fans holding out hope for Greg Olsen’s return to Chicago, prepare for disappointment. The Bears haven’t reached out to him.

They say home is where the heart is. But that doesn’t appear to be the case for the Bears when it comes to tight end Greg Olsen, who started his career in Chicago.

Olsen and the Carolina Panthers mutually parted ways, but Olsen is still very much interested in playing in the NFL. Olsen has scheduled meetings with the Bills and Redskins, according to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport.

But everyone is wondering if another meeting will take place between Olsen and a certain team in Chicago.

Olsen appeared on the Waddle & Silvy Show on ESPN 1000 Tuesday, where he opened up about whether or not the Bears had contacted him.

“I’ll be honest in my heart I was hoping they would have been one of the first calls,” Olsen said. “To my knowledge we have not heard from them. Whether or not they do or not is hard to say.”

With the Bears in desperate need of production from the tight end position, bringing in Olsen would sense on the surface. But with Olsen’s injury struggles and cap hit — which for 2020 was to be $11.675 million — it doesn’t make much sense for the Bears.

For those Bears fans holding out hope for an Olsen return to Chicago, it looks like your hopes are going to be dashed.

[lawrence-related id=437333,437308,437166,437221]

Panthers’ owner, head coach make special visit to restaurant where owner was killed

Panthers owner David Tepper and head coach Matt Rhule paid a special visit to a legendary Charlotte restaurant.

Carolina Panthers owner David Tepper and head coach Matt Rhule made a special visit to a legendary Charlotte restaurant Tuesday. The stop at Brooks’ Sandwich House had special meaning because the owner of the local legend had been senselessly murdered in December.

From Panthers.com

David Brooks’ twin brother Scott was murdered on an early December morning when he arrived at the eatery. Tragic. Senseless. A revered community member taken away in an instant.

After a period of grieving and recovering, David and his family re-opened the sandwich shop this past Saturday. As you can imagine, the grieving and recovering is still ongoing.

“I’m doing OK,” Brooks said. “Sometimes it’s a struggle from day to day because things have changed so much. Without the support of my wife and kids…they kept pushing me and kept pushing me. I knew we had to go on.”

David and Scott Brooks were running the three-generation, family-owned business that was started by their father, CT, in 1973. The small, counter-serve restaurant is known for its burgers, hot dogs and chili. For the past two months, the popular restaurant had become a place for people to grieve and remember. Now it is again a place to eat and celebrate.

Tepper and Rhule brought along a team helmet autographed by both the owner and head coach.

“I love going to local places and I love to eat,” Tepper said. “Places like that are landmark-type places. I’m happy to go there. I’ll be happy to go again. It was a lot of fun.”

The owner and coach went to the counter, and followed the restaurant’s tradition, ordering them “all the way.”

“Fantastic,” was Rhule’s review. Tepper added, “”There is only one way to go. and that’s all the way.”

*****

Police are still looking for the suspects, who authorities believe were attempting an armed robbery of Scott Brooks as he showed up to open the cash-only restaurant. The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department and the Charlotte office of the FBI are offering a combined $21,000 reward for informing leading to an arrest. Anyone with information is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 704-334-1600. 

Panthers DE Wes Horton is retiring from football

Horton played six games for Carolina this year and 83 in his career.

Panthers defensive end Wes Horton has announced his retirement from the NFL in a post on Instagram.

It sounds like Horton does not want to risk further injury.

View this post on Instagram

Just a quick update for all the family, friends, and fans of mine. I’ve been back and forth on my future playing football and after coming to a conclusion I will be stepping away from the game of football. I’ve made this decision off two reasons. The first is my overall health. The little injuries I’ve accumulated over the years have finally caught up to me and when weighing the risk, I’d rather preserve what’s left of my body. Second reason being the conviction Christ has put on my heart to help teach and mentor the next generation. All my life has been about me and what I needed to do to find personal success. I believe I found that success as a undrafted rookie playing 7 seasons and at one point being tied for the most sack fumbles in the NFL. With all that being said, I will be coaching the defensive line at my high school Notre Dame in Sherman Oaks. I plan on bring G2X to the high school level to help these next generation of rushers. I want to thank Coach Washington, Sam Mills, Ryan Neilson, Ed Ogeron, Jethro Franklin, Nick Holt, and Anthony Vitale along with all the friends and family that helped me get to where I got. And lastly to all the Wes Horton fans. The real ones who didn’t see me as a flashy, big name player but saw that I came to work every Sunday with the intention of be great. Wesso, over and out 🤙🏽

A post shared by Wes Horton (@wesso_96) on

Horton played six games for Carolina this year and 83 in his career. He was a respectable backup most of that time, totaling 15.5 sacks, 24 quarterback hits and 13 tackles for a loss.

[lawrence-related id=618001]

[vertical-gallery id=617845]

Panthers announce 1-year extension for RB Reggie Bonnafon

Carolina Panthers announce 1-year contract extension for RB Reggie Bonnafon.

The Carolina Panthers have announced a one-year contract extension for running back Reggie Bonnafon.

Bonnafon played quarterback, wide receiver and running back during his career at Louisville, but he went undrafted out of college and spent the 2018 season on the practice squad. As you might expect, he hasn’t gotten a whole lot of playing time behind the team’s All-Pro starter, Christian McCaffrey.

This past season Bonnafon was on the field for just 68 offensive snaps, or 6% of the team’s total. For what it’s worth, Bonnafon looked good in the one game he got opportunities, posting 80 yards and a touchdown on just five carries against the Jaguars Week 5. His true value is on special teams, where was a regular in 2019 – logging 245 snaps there (51%).

Looking ahead, Bonnafon should continue to be the No. 2 back on the depth chart ahead of Jordan Scarlett. Unless McCaffrey gets injured he’s unlikely to make a big impact.

[lawrence-related id=618001]

[vertical-gallery id=617954]

Seahawks interested in veteran tight end Greg Olsen

Former Carolina Panthers star tight end Greg Olsen is slated to head to the Great Northwest and the Seattle Seahawks on a free-agent visit.

The Seattle Seahawks are in the full swing of the offseason and they certainly are not wasting any time moving forward in 2020. As the team plans ahead to the new season, there is an open desire from quarterback Russell Wilson to add more superstar talent to the roster.

Perhaps this could come in the form of an old rival of the Seahawks.

On Tuesday morning, ESPN’s NFL insider, Adam Schefter, reported former Panthers tight end Greg Olsen has scheduled a visit with the Seahawks.

In one of the more shocking developments this early in the offseason, the Panthers announced there was to be a mutual parting of ways between their organization and the longtime star tight end.

Olsen may not be a Panther anymore, but don’t expect him to sit idle. On Saturday before the Super Bowl during the NFL Honors, Olsen had a tweet which certainly piqued the interest of Seahawk fans everywhere.

After battling injuries in 2017 and 2018, Olsen returned to play in 14 games. His raw numbers didn’t leap off the page, but he was playing with a backup quarterback the majority of the season and watching the games showed he is still more than capable.

Seattle’s interest in Olsen is certainly understandable. Due to more season-ending injuries to Will Dissly, and nagging health concerns with Luke Willson, the Seahawks became rather thin at the position towards the end of the year. Not to mention all the years Olsen has played against the team, which has provided the Seahawks with plenty of first-hand experience as to what he can bring to the field.

The Seahawks could use a solid veteran presence at tight end, especially with Dissly coming back off yet another arduous rehab. At 34 years old, Olsen is no spring chicken. But he does seem to have some gas left in the tank, and Wilson seems to agree.

[lawrence-related id=55881]

Panthers 2020 mock draft: The best lineman available edition

The Panthers need to get better and younger on both sides of the line of scrimmage this offseason.

The Panthers need to get better and younger on both sides of the line of scrimmage this offseason.

In our latest seven-round 2020 mock draft, our strategy was to select the best lineman available in the first three rounds, then move on to other concerns on the roster. Here’s how it played out.

No. 7: Iowa OT Tristan Wirfs

Tristan Wirfs
Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports

There are so many significant roster holes for Carolina to fill this offseason that it’s difficult to even know where to begin. That said, it’s tough to pass on a prospect like Wirfs. He has the size (6-foot-5, 322 pounds), build, polish and athleticism to be a difference maker at the next level right away. If the Panthers want to keep their current starting right tackle Taylor Moton, they could slide Wirfs inside and fill their hole at left guard.

Pages: Page 1, Page 2, Page 3, Page 4, Page 5, Page 6, Page 7