Tag: Jonathan Mingo

Panthers OC Brad Idzik on improving WR room: We’re gonna strip this thing down to the bolts

Panthers OC Brad Idzik is ready to start from square one.

New Carolina Panthers offensive coordinator Brad Idzik doesn’t plan on picking up where the last coaching staff left off.

The 32-year-old spoke with reporters on Tuesday afternoon, his first presser since being hired to the offensive coordinator position. When asked how he plans on improving the team’s production from its wide receivers, Idzik stated that they’re starting from scratch.

“Just lookin’ at the group—from here forward, operatin’ with a blank slate,” he replied. “So we are starting from square one with every single guy and investing in ’em and his development this offseason.

“From a veteran who’s been around like Adam Thielen and Diontae Johnson, all the way down to a young guy like Jonathan Mingo goin’ into his second year—we’re just letting them show us, through the things they put on tape this offseason, what is there progression looking like now currently? So we’re just excited to really just strip these things down to the bolts and build things up one day at a time.”

Fortunately, there’s almost nowhere to go but up for the group. Carolina’s wideouts struggled mightily with gaining separation through the 2023 campaign, one that saw the passing offense finish dead-last in the NFL at 161.2 yards per game.

Despite not having control of the play-calling duties just yet, Idzik may be the perfect man for that job. Prior to his career on the sidelines, the 6-foot-1, 200-pounder was a standout receiver at Mercer Island High School and played some college ball at Lehigh University and Wake Forest University between 2010 and 2012.

Idzik would then go on to coach the position, serving as the assistant wide receivers coach in Seattle for three seasons and as the wide receivers coach for Tampa Bay in 2023.

So, the Panthers’ pass catchers may be in good hands.

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Panthers’ 2023 rookie class ranked amongst worst in NFL

The Panthers didn’t get much of a return on their rookie class this past season.

Even with the No. 1 pick heading the pack, the Carolina Panthers’ rookie class fell far behind.

NFL.com analysts Eric Edholm and Chad Reuter recently ran back to the 2023 draft board and ranked last spring’s hauls. Down all the way at No. 28 are the Panthers, who received a ‘D+’ grade.

Edholm writes of first overall pick Bryce Young:

The prime disappointment was Young’s rookie season. The No. 1 overall pick started 16 games, and it was tough sledding for most of it. The environment seemed extremely unfavorable for learning on the fly, with the Panthers lacking elite weapons and cohesion on the offensive line. Carolina also fired head coach Frank Reich midseason, and it’s fair to wonder if turmoil on the coaching staff stunted Young’s growth. Tight end Hayden Hurst said after the season he thought Young had “too many voices in his head” during the trying season.

Young finished the campaign averaging 179.8 passing yards per contest with 11 touchdowns and 10 interceptions. So, no, that’s not a lot of bang for Carolina’s big-time buck.

The Panthers didn’t get much of a return on the rest of the kids they drafted either. Wide receiver Jonathan Mingo amassed just 418 yards and no touchdowns, outside linebacker DJ Johnson had as many quarterback hits as your grandmother did, guard Chandler Zavala finished with the worst Pro Football Focus pass-blocking grade (7.1) amongst all linemen with at least seven appearances and safety Jammie Robinson played in just 64 defensive snaps.

To add insult to insult, the Houston Texans—who picked behind the Panthers to start the festivities—ranked atop the list.

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Panthers sign J.D. DiRenzo to active roster, Mike Boone to practice squad

To fill Jonathan Mingo’s vacancy, the Panthers have signed G J.D. DiRenzo to their active roster while adding RB Mike Boone to the practice squad.

The Carolina Panthers had some adjustments to make this afternoon upon placing wide receiver Jonathan Mingo on injured reserve.

Taking Mingo’s place on the active roster is fellow rookie J.D. DiRenzo. The 6-foot-6, 315-pound guard was elevated from the practice squad to the game day roster in each of the past three weeks.

DiRenzo appeared in two of those three outings, recording four offensive snaps in the Week 15 win over the Atlanta Falcons and just one in the Week 16 loss to the Green Bay Packers. Each look, per Pro Football Focus, came as an extra blocker along the Carolina offensive line.

With DiRenzo now up, the Panthers have signed running back Mike Boone to take the hog molly’s place on their practice squad.

The 5-foot-10, 206-pound rusher has accumulated six NFL seasons—having spent time with the Minnesota Vikings, Denver Broncos and Houston Texans. He played in nine games for Houston this season, totaling 23 rushing yards on five attempts along with seven receptions for another 40 yards.

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Panthers place Jonathan Mingo on injured reserve

Jonathan Mingo’s rookie season is officially over, as the Panthers have placed the young wideout on injured reserve.

Jonathan Mingo’s rookie campaign is officially over.

The Carolina Panthers announced that they have placed the first-year wide receiver on injured reserve this afternoon. He will not, obviously, be available for Sunday’s regular-season finale against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers due to a foot injury.

A standout at the University of Mississippi, Mingo was taken by the Panthers in the second round of this past year’s draft. But the 39th overall selection, much like the rest of the Carolina offense, did not make much of a splash in 2023.

Mingo ends his season having reeled in 43 receptions for 418 yards and no touchdowns over 15 games. He also finishes with the third-lowest catch rate in the league at 50.6 percent—besting only New York’s Allen Lazard (46.9) and Arizona’s Marquise Brown (50.5).

The 22-year-old is now the second member of the Panthers’ 2023 draft class to have his season cut short. Guard and fourth-round pick Chandler Zavala was placed on injured reserve back on Nov. 29 due to a knee issue.

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Bryce Young on his clutch performance: Where else would you rather be?

There was nowhere else Bryce Young would have rather been than in Bank of America Stadium with the chance to win a football game.

It hasn’t happened many times this season, but Carolina Panthers quarterback Bryce Young took the lectern with a smile to start his post-game press conference on Sunday.

“Ah, it feels great. It feels great,” he told reporters. “These are a lot more enjoyable after wins. Feel great.”

Well, the rookie also played great this afternoon, leading his team to a 9-7 win over the visiting Atlanta Falcons.

Carolina’s second victory of the campaign was clinched due in large part to a 17-play, 90-yard drive to run out the wet and wild contest. The possession was highlighted by three incredibly clutch completions by Young—a 19-yarder to tight end Tommy Tremble, a 20-yarder to fellow rookie Jonathan Mingo and an absolute dot of an 18-yarder to DJ Chark.

Young’s work helped set up a 23-yard field goal for kicker Eddy Piñeiro with just one second remaining, a try that went through without a hitch. The No. 1 overall pick spoke about that timely touch.

“Where else would you rather be?” Young said of the mindset to start the drive. “Opportunity to go down and win the game. For me, there’s no other group I’d rather do it with. We all have faith in each other. We all believe in each other. It was just a great opportunity.”

That opportunity added to one of Young’s cleanest outings yet. He completed 18 of his 24 throws for 167 yards and a 93.6 passer rating—the second-highest of the season.

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Best and worst PFF grades from Panthers’ Week 14 loss to Saints

Panthers RB Miles Sanders earned his highest PFF grade of the season for his efficient Week 14 performance.

The Carolina Panthers recorded a grand total of zero touchdowns in their 28-6 loss to the New Orleans Saints on Sunday afternoon. But, in a bit of a surprise, a few of their offensive players impressed the film buffs.

Oh, and some didn’t.

Here are the best and worst Pro Football Focus grades from the Week 14 defeat:

Studs and duds from Panthers’ Week 14 loss to Saints

Miles Sanders impressed while helping the Panthers dash to a season-high in rushing yards.

The Carolina Panthers’ trip to New Orleans this weekend resulted in yet another loss. But there were some players who earned themselves some beads for their Sunday outings.

Here are the studs and duds from Week 14’s 28-6 loss to the Saints:

4 key matchups for Panthers vs. Saints in Week 14

Cameron Jordan isn’t the only Saints defensive lineman the Panthers will have to pay special attention to in Week 14.

Despite a difficult loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers last Sunday, the Carolina Panthers will try to keep choppin’ wood against another NFC South opponent this week.

And to make sure they end up with more lumber than the host New Orleans Saints, here are four key matchups they’ll have to win in Week 14:

Biggest storylines for Panthers vs. Saints in Week 14

Will Panthers QB Bryce Young finally get some help from his supporting cast in Week 14?

From bruised-up quarterbacks to bell-cow backs, the Carolina Panthers and New Orleans Saints have quite a few things in common. And those similarities, even if their records say slightly otherwise, are certainly worth watching here in Week 14.

Let’s take a look at the biggest storylines for Sunday’s NFC South clash.

 

Best and worst PFF grades from Panthers’ Week 13 loss to Buccaneers

Panthers DT Derrick Brown notched a season-high seven pressures in Week 13.

Who chopped the most wood in Sunday’s loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers?

Here are the best and worst Pro Football Focus grades for the Carolina Panthers in Week 13: