Tag: Ian Thomas

5 Panthers who need to step up vs. Falcons Week 14

Here are five guys who need to step it up in today’s game.

The Carolina Panthers embark on a new era in today’s game against the Atlanta Falcons. For the first time in almost nine years, someone other than Ron Rivera will be coaching the team. That means opportunities for new coaches and players to prove themselves.

Here are five guys who need to step it up in today’s game.

OC Scott Turner

The Panthers are mixing things up on both sides of the ball in the wake of Rivera’s exit. Norv Turner is now a special assistant to the coach, opening up room for his son Scott (QBs coach) to take over offensive play-calling duties. Turner was reported to be Kyle Allen’s biggest cheerleader last year, so it will be interesting to see what he can get out of him.

TE Ian Thomas

Another key change will take place at tight end. Greg Olsen has been ruled out with a concussion, so we’ll finally get to see more of the other tight ends on the roster like 2018 fourth-round pick Ian Thomas. Last season, Thomas showed flashes as well as some rough edges. If he can prove himself, the Panthers can feel much better about their future at this position.

LB Shaq Thompson

Thompson just signed a four-year contract extension that makes him one of the top-five off-ball linebackers in the league in terms of annual salary. Thompson has done everything he’s been asked so far, but now Carolina is paying for elite production at this spot. Thompson has to earn it.

CB Donte Jackson

Last time these two teams played, Jackson was handily beaten in his one-on-one matchups with Calvin Ridley. He caught all eight of his targets, totaling a season high 143 receiving yards and a touchdown. Jackson may have been battling an injury last time. Either way, he has to do better this time around.

HC Perry Fewell

Nobody will be under the spotlight more than interim head coach Perry Fewell, who will become the first black head coach in franchise history. Fewell’s background is as a defensive backs expert and he’s part of the reason that unit has exceeded expectations this year. If nothing else, Fewell should have this team as motivated as they’ve ever been in recent years.

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Panthers coach Ron Rivera gives updates on Kyle Allen, Greg Olsen

Panthers coach Ron Rivera just wrapped up his regular Monday press conference.

Panthers coach Ron Rivera just wrapped up his regular Monday press conference. He answered questions about the team’s four-game losing streak, his own job security and a few key players.

First up, fans who are holding out hope that we might get to see what third-round draft pick Will Grier can do this season are not going to like this. Rivera told reporters that Kyle Allen will continue to start at quarterback.

Allen played brilliantly two weeks ago against the Saints, but he floundered against a far inferior Redskins team after a hot start. On the deciding play of the game, he missed a wide open Jarius Wright in the end zone even though he appeared to be looking right at him. Instead of letting it fly, Allen scrambled and ran himself into another sack.

That sort of up-and-down dynamic has defined Allen’s season. It’s also pretty typical of a backup quarterback – even a good one like Allen. The Panthers should definitely keep him around for that role. However, we know what Allen is. It’s past time to find out what Grier can be.

For whatever reason, Rivera seems completely uninterested in giving Grier any legitimate playing time. When he was asked, Rivera responded “who knows.”

Moving on, Rivera also gave an update on tight end Greg Olsen, who took a vicious shot to the head from Washington linebacker Ryan Anderson. Olsen appeared to be knocked out immediately from the blow and made no effort to brace his fall. Anderson was ejected, while Olsen went into the concussion protocol and did not return to the game.

Rivera says Olsen is still in the protocol but didn’t give any more information than that. He did seem to hint that Olsen will be out this week, saying Ian Thomas has to be prepared to step up.

Thomas was a fourth-round pick in the 2018 draft and like a number of other young players, he hasn’t seen much playing time this year.

For what it’s worth, Thomas looked sharp after Olsen left the game. He caught all four of his targets from Allen, totaling 24 receiving yards. Thomas showed potential last season but also a need to develop more. It will be interesting to see how much progress he’s made.

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