Tag: Curtis Samuel

Panthers place Christian McCaffrey on injured reserve

Panthers place Christian McCaffrey on injured reserve

As he himself put it on Monday, Christian McCaffrey is facing a challenge—about a month and half’s worth of recovery from a high-ankle sprain. That challenge, one he’s looking to undercut in a quick return to the field, will now be spotted at least three games of his season.

On Wednesday, the Carolina Panthers officially announced that they have placed McCaffrey on the reserve/injured list. His designated stint there, which is more temporary than in years past due to the league’s COVID-19 protocol, will be up in three weeks.

The All-Pro back can, if determined healthy enough, make his comeback as soon as the team’s Week 6 matchup with the Chicago Bears on Oct. 18. For now, in a corresponding move, the Panthers have elected to move offensive lineman Chris Reed to the active roster in McCaffrey’s place.

With their superstar out, Carolina currently has only two running backs at their disposal—Mike Davis, the starter for the foreseeable future, and third-year veteran Trenton Cannon, whose last carry came with in Week 16 of the 2018 campaign as a member of the New York Jets.

A wild-card, perhaps, to replace McCaffrey’s heavy workload could come in the form of wideout Curtis Samuel. Back in July, head coach Matt Rhule highlighted Samuel’s versatility, stating the team could utilize the speedster as a “running back, a slot receiver or an outside receiver.” Samuel was primarily used out of the backfield during his time at the Ohio State University, averaging 7.5 yards per carry and scoring 15 touchdowns on 172 attempts from 2014 to 2016.

Until we see otherwise, however, it’s Davis’s number that’ll be called most often beginning this Sunday against the Los Angeles Chargers.

[lawrence-related id=629104]

[vertical-gallery id=629082]

Panthers Highlights: Curtis Samuel’s slick corner route beats Raiders DB

We have our first highlight of the Panthers’ 2020 season.

We have our first highlight of the Carolina Panthers’ 2020 season.

Watch wide receiver Curtis Samuel run a sharp corner route to beat Raiders free safety Erik Harris and make a 16-yard catch on a nice ball from quarterback Teddy Bridgewater.

Bridgewater also connected with Robby Anderson on the team’s first pass of the game for a first down.

The drive stalled after Samuel’s catch, but it did help get Carolina in field goal range. Joey Slye connected from 47 yards out, giving the Panthers an early 3-0 lead.

After going three-and-out on their first drive, the Raiders answered on their second with a touchdown, aided by a 45-yard catch by rookie wideout Henry Ruggs III. Josh Jacobs finished the scoring drive with a short run.

Raiders 7, Panthers 3.

[lawrence-related id=628641]

[vertical-gallery id=628550]

4 questions about the Panthers offense going into the 2020 season

Here are four of the most important questions about the offense heading into this season.

The Carolina Panthers are set to begin their 2020 season on Sunday.

This team is radically different on paper than the one we last saw take the field in December against the New Orleans Saints. With a new coaching staff, a different starting quarterback and a remodeled offensive line, there are tons of questions about how this unproven group will perform.

Here are four of the most important questions about the offense heading into this season.

Can they protect Teddy Bridgewater?

Teddy Bridgewater
(AP Photo/Chris Carlson)

The last guy who held Teddy Bridgewater’s job took some serious physical punishment during his nine-year run with the team. Contrary to popular opinion, it’s not because Cam Newton is a running quarterback. Most of the hits he took over the years were due to poor playcalling and frequently-atrocious pass protection.

One thing we know about Bridgewater’s game is that he exels at making quick reads and getting rid of the ball. That should help cut into the team’s allowed sack total. Last season that number was 58, tied with the Dolphins for the most in the NFL.

Bridgewater also needs his offensive linem to help keep him upright, though.

The Panthers have two above-average starting offensive tackles in Russell Okung and Taylor Moton. They should be able to keep Teddy clean from most edge rushers. However, the rest of the line is far from reliable. Center Matt Paradis was a major liability in pass blocking last season and the guard rotation has been downgraded following the loss of Trai Turner.

A lot of factors will go into how much pressure Bridgewater has to deal with, but improving in pass protection is at the top of that list. Offensive line coach Pat Meyer hasn’t been given much to work with on the interior. He needs to find a solution, though.

If he can’t and Bridgewater winds up running for his life the way Deshaun Watson did last night against the Chiefs it will keep a low ceiling on a potentially explosive passing attack.

Pages: Page 1, Page 2, Page 3, Page 4

Panthers 2020 training camp: 5 takeaways from Friday’s practice

Here are a handful of takeaways from the media.

The Carolina Panthers have wrapped up another practice at 2020 training camp. Here are a handful of takeaways from the media.

Panthers quarterbacks put in extra work

Teddy Bridgewater
(AP Photo/Chris Carlson)

Today’s session was a little more low key than most this week.

Instead of practicing in full pads, players were just in shells and the offense and defense worked separately. After it was over, quarterbacks Teddy Bridgewater, P.J. Walker and Will Grier put some extra work in with the wide receivers and other pass catchers.

Bridgewater was spotted coaching up backup running back Reggie Bonnafon on his route running.

Defensive ends Efe Obada and Yetur Gross-Matos also stayed late. They might both be competing with Stephen Weatherly for the opportunity to start on the other side of the defensive line opposite Brian Burns.

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

Panthers Highlights: WR Curtis Samuel makes a circus catch at practice

Watch Samuel reel in a rare behind-the-head catch on a pass from Teddy Bridgewater at today’s practice.

Training camp MVP might be the most meaningless media non-award that goes around every year. We have to take what we can get in 2020 though, especially with no preseason games. So far the frontrunner for the Carolina Panthers appears to be wide receiver Curtis Samuel, who has drawn a lot of buzz for his work so far.

Watch Samuel reel in a rare behind-the-head catch on a pass from Teddy Bridgewater that was tipped by Corn Elder at today’s practice.

Shades of the highly-underrated Cole Beasley.

You may not remember because it was roughly 2,000 years ago, but Samuel was also a popular camp MVP pick last year. Unfortunately, the rapport he had going with Cam Newton on deep passes didn’t carry over into the regular season after Cam’s foot injury. Kyle Allen never got into a rhythm with Samuel, whose uncatchable ball rate was among the highest in the league.

And so we go into year four of waiting for the seemingly inevitable breakout season from No. 10. At least this time around Samuel will have an upgrade at offensive coordinator.

[lawrence-related id=627657]

[vertical-gallery id=626849]

Watch: Curtis Samuel talks about the Panthers’ speed at wide receiver

Without question wide receiver is the strongest position group on the Carolina Panthers’ roster going into the 2020 season.

Without question wide receiver is the strongest position group on the Carolina Panthers’ roster going into the 2020 season.

One reason why we’re expecting big things from this group this year is their speed. Watch Curtis Samuel talk about the team’s speed at this spot during his Zoom call from Thursday.

[lawrence-related id=627438]

[vertical-gallery id=627426]

Panthers WR Curtis Samuel comments on offseason trade reports

Despite the clear statement here and the team’s stance, don’t expect the trade rumors to go away.

Curtis Samuel has been the subject of trade rumors practically since he was first drafted by the Carolina Panthers several years ago. This offseason was no different, as there were multiple reports leading up to the 2020 NFL draft that teams were still calling about him.

For what it’s worth, the front office has always publicly stated they have no intention of dealing Samuel to another team. Samuel also seems to be committed to Carolina. When he was asked about the reports during his Zoom call with the media today, Samuel said they’re “past that” and he is focused on the Panthers.

Pretty clear. That said, Samuel is entering the final year of his rookie deal and the fact he hasn’t been given a contract extension yet raises questions about his long-term future with the franchise.

Despite the clear statement here and the team’s stance, don’t expect the trade rumors to go away. If there’s still no extension by late October and the Panthers are clearly out of the playoff race (hardly a stretch to imagine) then it might make sense to deal him to a contender at the deadline and cash in while they still can.

If the 49ers pick up Tavon Austin, that probably takes one potential trade partner off the table. There are several others that could use a weapon like Samuel, though.

[vertical-gallery id=627426]

[vertical-gallery id=627426]

Panthers wide receivers: Separation stats for Curtis Samuel, Robby Anderson

Samuel’s negative EPA/play number illustrates just how much the Panthers’ quarterbacks failed him last year.

The Panthers wide receiver room is arguably the best position group on the entire team. Heading into the 2020 season, they have a strong 1-2-3- combination with D.J. Moore, Curtis Samuel and Robby Anderson and a couple of intriguing young pieces further down the depth chart.

Those top three names all get their jobs done in different ways, giving incoming offensive coordinator Joe Brady three unique weapons to put to use in his passing attack in addition to an elite pass-catching running back in Christian McCaffrey. Getting open is one of the most important elements of the game for modern receivers. On that front, Carolina has one of the best in the league and possibly also one of the worst.

According to a new analysis by Josh Hermsmeyer at FiveThirtyEight, in 2019 Curtis Samuel had one of the best seasons of any receiver in the last three years when it comes to separation over expected per play. Samuel averaged 0.24 yards more than expected, coming in just behind Tyreek Hill’s 0.25 in 2018.

via FiveThirtyEight

Samuel’s negative EPA/play number there illustrates just how much the Panthers’ quarterbacks failed him last year. He remains one of the NFL’s most accomplished receivers at creating separation, though. Hopefully Teddy Bridgewater will have better luck finding him than Kyle Allen and an injured Cam Newton did.

On the flipside, Carolina’s big free agent signing at the position this offseason is not so adept in this part of the game. Robby Anderson’s 2018 season with the Jets ranked last in SOE/play.

via FiveThirtyEight

The Panthers should continue to take advantage of Samuel’s speed and separation as a deep threat, regardless of what the plan is for Anderson.

[lawrence-related id=627306]

[vertical-gallery id=626993]

4 Panthers players who could be traded in 2020

Here are four players who might get moved at some point this year.

The Carolina Panthers are entering a rebuilding period. Even in our best-case scenario projections for the 2020 season, they won’t win more than eight games or compete for a wild card spot. That means it makes sense for them to consider trades that will help them build for the future by stockpiling more draft picks.

Here are four players who might get moved at some point this year.

K Graham Gano

Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports

Why: Gano was the most accurate field goal kicker in the league in 2017. However, that was an eternity ago in football terms, especially after he sat out all of last year with a fractured femur. Plus, the Panthers have a younger, cheaper option already on the roster in Joey Slye, who also has better range. Dealing Gano to another team rather than cutting him would prevent adding on to the already ridiculous dead cap figure for this year.

Best potential trade partner: The Giants’ kicker Aldrick Rojas just got into some hot water after being arrested for a hit-and-run and he had a previous DUI on his record, so he’s probably on his way out. General manager Dave Gettleman is also familiar with Gano from his time in Carolina, so New York makes sense on several levels. If they can get a sixth or seventh for Gano, it’s worth considering.

Pages: Page 1, Page 2, Page 3, Page 4

Who is the most underrated player on the Panthers’ roster?

There are several guys who are currently on the roster that are underrated for one reason or another.

The Carolina Panthers lost a ton of talent this offseason. Some of the players who are no longer with the team will likely wind up in the Pro Football Hall of Fame some day. While it’s extremely tough to replace so many franchise legends, it does represent an opportunity for lesser-known players to step up and make a name for themselves.

There are several guys who are currently on the roster that are underrated for one reason or another.

Even the team’s starting quarterback is often overlooked. Teddy Bridgewater may have a reputation as a game manger, but he’s more capable than people are giving him credit for and it’s not fair to compare him with Cam Newton. Wide receiver Curtis Samuel is also criminally underrated due to the injuries and poor QB play he’s had to deal with. On defense, some folks seem to have forgotten how impactful defensive tackle Kawann Short can be after he missed most of 2019 with a shoulder injury.

Let’s find out who Panthers fans think is the single most underrated player on the team right now. Vote in the poll below and let us know who you think it is on Facebook or Twitter.

[polldaddy poll=10567519]

[lawrence-related id=625408]

[vertical-gallery id=625425]