Tag: Matt Paradis

The Buccaneers can replace Ryan Jensen with these free agent centers

With center Ryan Jensen’s knee injury, here are the free-agent replacements best suited to help Tom Brady with protections.

Obviously, player injuries are never good. But injuries to key players on a team at the start of training camp? That’s a real ouch. This happened to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Thursday, when center Ryan Jensen went down with a knee injury during practice. All indications point so a severe injury, sadly, which leaved the Bucs in a real jam as they prepare for the 2022 season. Backup Robert Hainsey took over for Jensen to get through practice, and perhaps Hainsey — a 2021 third-round pick from Notre Dame — can step in for the long term, however long that term may be.

However, Hainsey was a right tackle for the fighting Irish, so he’s relatively new to the position. That might be suboptimal when you’re dealing with the best defensive disruptors in the world, and your quarterback (that Tom Brady guy) has always struggled against pressure right up the middle. Keep in mind that after Ali Marpet’s retirement and the Bengals stealing Alex Cappa in free agency, the Bucs will be breaking in two new guards. Tampa Bay traded for Shaquille Mason, Brady’s former Patriots teammate, and that’s a great deal for Brady and the Bucs. We ranked Mason as the NFL’s sixth-best offensive guard this year, so right guard should be sewn up. Left guard seems to be a battle between former reserve Aaron Stinnie and rookie Luke Goedeke.

Still, replacing Jensen will be tough. Not only has Jensen been the ideal power center for the Bucs’ run game, he’s also pressure-proof. Last season, Jensen allowed just four sacks, five quarterback hits, and 18 quarterback hurries on 886 pass-blocking reps. To earn Brady’s trust as a shot-caller with protections at such a high snap volume is no mean feat.

Still, this is where the Buccaneers are right now. Here are the most obvious possible replacements for Jensen should the news be at its most unfortunate.

Matt Paradis is a potential free agent fit for the Cardinals

With the possible retirement of Rodney Hudson, the Cardinals could look to the former Panthers center Matt Paradis.

The Arizona Cardinals’ offseason continues as the team is potentially going to lose three-time Pro Bowl center Rodney Hudson to retirement.

It’s a tough loss at this point in the offseason, but it seems as if the team knew about the potential retirement months ago. Had the Cardinals not traded the No. 23 overall pick in the trade for Hollywood Brown, they reportedly would have drafted center Tyler Linderbaum and also targeted center Cam Jurgens in the second round.

A potential option for the team is free agent center Matt Paradis, who was a splash free agent signing for the Carolina Panthers a few seasons ago.

The 32-year-old was an integral part of the 2015 Denver Broncos Super Bowl championship and spent four years with the team. He then signed a three-year, $29 million deal with Carolina.

Paradis posted a 66.9 PFF rating last season but suffered a torn ACL in week nine. He’s likely still on the market due to the recovery process from the injury but it’s plausible for him to return for Week 1.

Offensive line coach Sean Kugler coached Paradis when they were both with the Denver Broncos. Should he be healthy enough to play in the near future, bringing in a good veteran player with familiarity could help ease the loss of Hudson.

Left guard Justin Pugh took reps at center during minicamp, but moving him over would only create another hole. Bringing in a veteran center like Paradis would allow Pugh to remain in his natural position and solidify the left guard role.

The Cardinals cannot afford to not properly address the offensive line, particularly with the massive investment they are about to make in Kyler Murray. The division rival 49ers and Rams both have two of the league’s most dominant defensive lines, so keeping Murray clean will be crucial for their success.

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List of Panthers free agents who remain unsigned

With CB Stephon Gilmore being swept up by the Colts, which of the Panthers’ 2022 free agents are still out there on the open market?

On Friday, the Carolina Panthers officially waved goodbye to cornerback Stephon Gilmore. The 2021 Pro Bowler and former AP Defensive Player of the Year might’ve served the franchise well in his eight games this past season, but now he’s off to the Indianapolis Colts on a two-year pact.

So, which of the team’s free agents remain on the open market? Well, these ones . . .

Bleacher Report says this 1 available free agent can help Jaguars

Bleacher Report believes the addition of former Carolina Panthers center Matt Paradis would be a great get for the Jaguars if they can make it happen financially.

The Jacksonville Jaguars entered 2022 NFL free agency as one of the teams with the most cap space at over $39 million. After signing nine free agents, they are left with about $6 million and will need about $9 million to sign their draft class, according to Over The Cap.

Bleacher Report released its list of one available free agent that could help each team in 2022. David Kenyon believes former Carolina Panther center Matt Paradis would be an immediate and valuable contributor for Jacksonville after its 2021 starter Brandon Linder retired this offseason. However, the Jaguars have some cap hurdles to clear if they want to even start considering the idea of adding him. Here is what Bleacher Report had to say:

Given the injury struggles Brandon Linder faced in eight NFL seasons, his retirement was hardly a surprise. Still, he leaves a major vacancy in the middle of the Jacksonville Jaguars’ offensive line.

J.C. Tretter is the flashy name, but he’s probably out of the Jags’ price range following their free-agency splurge.

Matt Paradis, on the other hand, might be looking for a prove-it deal. Unfortunately for the Boise State product, a torn left ACL abruptly ended his 2021 campaign in November.

Jacksonville re-signed Tyler Shatley and may turn to him as Linder’s replacement. However, the Jags could add Paradis and protect the ability to use Shatley’s versatility in case a rookie underperforms or the oft-injured Brandon Scherff misses time.

Kenyon makes a great argument that I agree with if Jacksonville can make it happen financially.

Shatley will likely be Linder’s replacement at center unless the team adds someone like Paradis. General manager Trent Baalke inked Shatley to a new two-year deal in the early portion of the offseason. In 532 snaps, he only committed three penalties and allowed zero sacks in 2021, according to Pro Football Focus.

Paradis would be an excellent addition if Jacksonville could get him for a cheap one-year deal since he likely wants to prove his worth after recovering from a torn left ACL. He recorded only one penalty and two sacks in 562 snaps. But Baalke would have to make some significant maneuvers to create cap space to sign him while also maintaining enough cap space to sign the Jags’ incoming draft class.

Panthers place LT Cameron Erving, C Matt Paradis on IR

The Panthers’ offensive line will now move on without LT Cameron Erving and C Matt Paradis for the foreseeable future.

We’re running out of fingers to count how many different offensive line combinations the Carolina Panthers have used this season. So, hopefully, we can grow a few more.

Until then, the counting will continue as the team announced they’ve placed center Matt Paradis and left tackle Cameron Erving on the injured reserve.

Paradis, who tore his ACL in Sunday’s 24-6 loss to the New England Patriots, will miss the remainder of the 2021 campaign. Erving, meanwhile, had an MRI scheduled for Monday to determine the severity of his calf injury.

As for the incoming Week 10 matchup with the Arizona Cardinals—the Panthers will likely tab Dennis Daley and Pat Elflein to replace Erving and Paradis, respectively.

Carolina also announced a pair of departures, as they’ve waived running back Royce Freeman and linebacker Clay Johnston.

The return of star rusher Christian McCaffrey and the signing of Ameer Abdullah has made Freeman, who played in eight games, a fourth wheel. He totaled 77 yards on the ground over 21 carries.

Johnson appeared in six games, posting a combined 10 tackles.

The team, additionally, signed punter Lachlan Edwards up to the active roster and placed practice squad wideout Aaron Parker on the injured reserve as well.

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Panthers C Matt Paradis reportedly out for remainder of 2021 season

According to @RapSheet, the Panthers have lost C Matt Paradis for the rest of the 2021 season.

The Carolina Panthers didn’t take just one big loss on Sunday.

Other than the game itself, a hapless affair that ended in a 24-6 defeat to the New England Patriots, the team has reportedly lost starting center Matt Paradis for the rest of the 2021 campaign. NFL Network insider Ian Rapoport was first on the unfortunate development.

The seventh-year lineman exited the Week 9 tilt after just the second offensive snap for the Panthers. He was carted off into the locker room with what is now being identified as an ACL tear.

Carolina has dealt with numerous issues along their offensive line this season—whether those problems have arisen through injury or just pure talent deficiency. The group is also without right guard John Miller, who is currently on the injured reserve, and may have to deal with another loss in left tackle Cameron Erving following his exit from today’s contest.

Week 10 will now mark what’ll already be the seventh different configuration of the offensive front this season.

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4 takeaways from the Panthers’ 24-6 loss to Patriots

The Panthers took a nasty spill to the Patriots in a helpless Week 9 effort.

The Carolina Panthers had seemingly found some footing with their Week 8 victory in Atlanta. But, now, they’ve slipped. Again.

Here are four takeaways from their nasty spill to the New England Patriots.

Panthers C Matt Paradis ruled out vs. Patriots

The Panthers ruled C Matt Paradis (knee) out for the remainder of their Week 9 matchup against the Patriots.

The Carolina Panthers’ injury concerns heading into Sunday revolved around their offensive battery of quarterback Sam Darnold and running back Christian McCaffrey. But it was another key member of that unit that raised another problem in the health department.

On the first drive of their Week 9 matchup with the New England Patriots, center Matt Paradis went down with a knee injury, according to AJ Ross of CBS Sports. The seventh-year lineman was carted off to the locker room and subsequently ruled out for the remainder of the game.

Sam Tecklenburg, who’s in his second professional campaign with the Panthers, took over on the third play for the group. The Baylor University product has appeared in all eight games in 2021, with each of his 34 previous snaps coming on special teams.

Paradis’ injury now makes for the unfortunate trinity of what was Carolina’s starting interior line to begin the year. Left guard Pat Elflein was ruled inactive prior to kickoff as he continues his return off the injured reserve while right guard John Miller remains in his stint in street clothes.

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Panthers snap count standouts: Offensive line stands strong vs. Falcons

The Panthers’ sixth different configuration of their offensive line in 2021 stayed on the field all day and did not allow a single sack.

After an ugly four-game losing streak pulled them down into the cellar of the NFC South, the Carolina Panthers were in desperate need of a clean outing in Week 8. Fortunately, that’s precisely what they got.

That clean outing, which resulted in a 19-13 win over the Atlanta Falcons, was guided by a strong gameplan and, of course, a few interesting showings in the team’s final snap counts of the afternoon.

Panthers Week 8 injury report: LB Shaq Thompson questionable vs. Falcons

Panthers HC Matt Rhule says he expects LB Shaq Thompson to suit up against the Falcons in Week 8.

All things considered, the Carolina Panthers should’ve come out of Friday’s practice relatively satisfied on the injury front.

In the team’s final report heading into their Week 8 matchup with the Atlanta Falcons, three offensive linemen—two of them starters in left tackle Cameron Erving and center Matt Paradis—did not receive a game designation. That, of course, implies they’re each good to go for what’s been a struggling front all season.

(So while they may not be great, at least they’re not out.)

The biggest name of the bunch, linebacker Shaq Thompson, has been given the questionable label after an encouraging week of practice. What’s more encouraging, though, is what head coach Matt Rhule had to say about him—as he told reporters he expects the seventh-year defender to suit up.

Here’s the final report in its entirety:

Injury Wed. Thurs. Fri. Game Status
CB C.J. Henderson Shoulder Limited Limited Limited Questionable
LB Shaq Thompson Foot Limited Limited Limited Questionable
WR Terrace Marshall Jr. Concussion DNP DNP Limited Out
FB Giovanni Ricci Concussion Limited Full Full –
T Cameron Erving Neck Full Full Full –
T Daviyon Nixon Knee Limited DNP – –
DE Darryl Johnson Hamstring – DNP DNP Out
T Trent Scott Finger – Full Full –
C Matt Paradis Back – Limited Limited –

As for cornerback Stephon Gilmore, the Panthers will take the same approach as they did last week. They’ll gauge his progress going into tomorrow and make a call from there.

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