Tag: Matt Paradis

Panthers offensive line coach on 4 pending free agent starters: ‘It’s part of the game’

This year, things aren’t quite as bad but there’s still going to be some significant turnover.

The Carolina Panthers lost more snaps played this past offseason than any other team in the NFL by a wide margin. Those dramatic personnel changes were a big factor in their disappointing 5-11 finish to the 2020 season.

This year, things aren’t quite as bad but there’s still going to be some significant turnover. Where we’ll likely see the most change is the offensive line, where every starter except center Matt Paradis is about to become a free agent. Offensive line coach Pat Meyer says he’d prefer to keep them all, but understands it’s part of the business, per the team website.

“I would like to get them all back. Is that possible? No, I know that. . . I’d like to keep them all, but that’s not the nature of the business, so it’s like, hey, let’s elevate some guys, get somebody in, draft somebody. It’s part of the game, and it’s cyclical.”

To review, left tackle Russell Okung is 32 years old and missed nine games due to injury this year. He’s almost guaranteed not to return. Meanwhile, starting right tackle Taylor Moton is just 26 and has become an elite talent at his position. However, keeping him will be an expensive proposition, either by an extension or the franchise tag.

By comparison, keeping guards John Miller and Chris Reed around would be easy but losing both Moton and Okung would be exceptionally difficult to overcome.

Looking ahead, it’s clear the Panthers will have to use some of their draft capital to shore up this position group. Getting those picks right will be critical in determining just how far this offense can go, no matter who is under center.

[lawrence-related id=633321]

[vertical-gallery id=633329]

Carolina Panthers: The top 5 candidates to get contract extensions in 2021

Now, let’s take a look at a few who deserve contract extensions.

The Carolina Panthers have a ton of tough choices to make this offseason and that’s after they decide on a new general manager.

Yesterday, we identified four players who are most likely to be cut for cap savings. Now, let’s take a look at a few who deserve contract extensions.

Who are the 4 Panthers players most likely to get cut before next season?

Based on the structure of their contracts and the team’s roster situation, here are our top four candidates to be released.

The Carolina Panthers will only have about $16.2 million in salary cap space to work with for the 2021 season unless they do some trimming.

Some fans have suggested that they should release starting center Matt Paradis, for one. While cutting him would save the team $8.53 million, Paradis actually played well this season and is worth keeping around. In fact, if he leaves there’s a possibility all five starting offensive linemen will be turned over this offseason and that’s not a good idea to say the least. If anything, Paradis should be considered for an extension, which could save the team about $6 million this year, according to Over the Cap.

There are some good candidates to get cut, though. Based on the structure of their contracts and the team’s roster situation, here are our top four candidates to be released. All salary numbers are via OTC and assume a post June 1 designation.

Who is the best bounce-back candidate for the Panthers in 2020?

The current Panthers roster is an odd mix of rookies, rising young stars and veterans with something to prove after having a rough season in 2019.

The current Panthers roster is an odd mix of rookies, rising young stars and veterans with something to prove after having a rough season in 2019.

One of those vets looking for a turnaround is left tackle Russell Okung, who has been named by Pro Football Focus as the team’s top bounce-back candidate this coming season, per ESPN. PFF mentions Okung’s health issues, but also cites a career-low grade last year.

“A pulmonary embolism due to blood clots in his lungs limited Okung to six games in 2019, but he still produced the worst PFF grade of his career in that span. His run blocking was the key driver in the dip in play; he ended the regular season with a 56.4 run-block grade that ranked 55th among 89 qualifying players at the position and was by far the lowest mark of his NFL career.”

We see where PFF is going, but there are better candidates.

The first name that comes to mind is cornerback Donte Jackson, who suffered a regression in 2019 after a promising rookie year. Jackson remains extraordinarily fast and athletic. However, he has developed a habit of gambling in order to make big plays and opposing teams have taken advantage. Last season, Jackson allowed five touchdowns in coverage and a 103.2 passer rating. He also missed too many tackles. PFF took note, giving Jackson a 55.6 overall grade for the season. Jackson’s future could still be bright based on his physical gifts. Remember, there was a time when Marcus Peters went through a similar phase early in his career, and he’s since become one of the top 10 corners in the league.

Another quality candidate is the guy who may start on the other side, former Saints cornerback Eli Apple. He only gave up two touchdowns in 2019, but his passer rating when targeted was 100.9, a significant bump from the previous season. While PFF appreciated his run defense, Apple only got a 63.8 rating for the year. He’s in a similar situation as Jackson. With the right coaching, both could turn their careers around.

The best potential bounce-back player on the Panthers this year though is their starting center, Matt Paradis. He signed a three-year deal with Carolina last March and was supposed to offer a smooth transition into the post-Ryan Kalil era. Unfortunately, Paradis had a brutal 2019 season in pass protection. In the end, he earned a 43.8 pass blocking grade from PFF, bringing his overall grade down to 63.4 overall.

Part of Paradis’ issues may have been due to the fractured fibula he suffered the previous year. Sometimes it takes more than a season to fully recover from that kind of serious leg injury. The continually revolving door at left guard didn’t help Paradis, either. If he’s able to return to form in 2020, it will be a huge boost for Carolina’s entire offense. When healthy, Paradis has been one of the highest-ranked centers in PFF’s grading in the past.

Let’s open this up to a vote. Who do you think is this year’s top bounce-back candidate?

[polldaddy poll=10588966]

[lawrence-related id=627036]

[vertical-gallery id=626993]

2 key Panthers offensive players share thoughts on Teddy Bridgewater

Panthers D.J. Moore, Matt Paradis share thoughts on quarterback Teddy Bridgewater.

The rapport that develops between Teddy Bridgewater and his new teammates will be a critical factor for the Panthers offense this year. Today, two of the most important members of that unit shared some thoughts on their new franchise quarterback with the media via Zoom calls.

The team’s No. 1 wide receiver D.J. Moore says that he was able to get in some throws with Bridgewater this offseason. Moore calls him a “real cool dude.”

The timing and the trust between these two will be particularly crucial.

At the end of the year, either Moore or running back Christian McCaffrey will likely lead the team in targets. Moore was on a tear in the second half of the 2019 season before he was shut down the last two games. If he picks up where he left off, we could be looking at the first Pro Bowl Panthers receiver since Steve Smith in 2011.

There’s a lot that goes into the relationship between a QB and his WR1, though. For there to be a connection, a lot of other things have to go right first, beginning in the trenches.

For one thing, Carolina’s veteran center Matt Paradis will need to be on the same page as Bridgewater on protections and a whole lot more if this offense is going to get off the ground. Paradis told reporters that Teddy comes across as calm, collected and a reassuring presence in the huddle.

This is good to hear.

While he doesn’t share the same physical gifts as Cam Newton, on film Bridgewater is every bit as good at commanding the huddle and making adjustments at the line of scrimmage as needed.

As for Paradis, he struggled in pass protection last year along with the rest of the Panthers offensive line. In the end, they tied the Dolphins for the most sacks allowed (58). Kyle Allen’s frequent scrambling around like a chicken with his head cut off didn’t help, but there needs to be a substantial improvement across the board in this area. Only right tackle Taylor Moton was truly consistent.

That is the name of the game this offseason, as in this team needs as much as it can get.

While they haven’t had any time until the last couple of days to practice together, Paradis, Michael Schofield and Russell Okung all played together previously with the Broncos. Paradis believes that will make a difference.

If those three can hold down the left side of the line, it will open up the field for Bridgewater, Moore and the rest of his weapons.

[lawrence-related id=627006,627003,626990]

[vertical-gallery id=626849]

Panthers in tricky situation following Trai Turner trade reports

What they do with Turner will be a sign of where things are going this offseason.

To rebuild or to retool? That is the question for the Carolina Panthers here in early March. The latest news, according to ESPN reporter Jenna Laine, says the Panthers were shopping right guard Trai Turner around during the 2020 NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis this past weekend.

Your first instinct will likely tell you that this is a sign of a rebuild. Turner, a five-time Pro Bowler, is a core piece for Carolina, especially at just 26 years of age. If he—the most heralded piece of their offensive line—is up for grabs, then so is practically everyone on the roster.

On the other hand, maybe they’re just gauging the market. Even with those five consecutive Pro Bowl selections, which offensive linemen tend to earn off reputation anyway, Turner has produced some underwhelming results over the last few seasons.

So, is trading Turner at this point a wise move?

Well . . . it’s tricky.

If there’s one concept we can establish it’s that now is the time to try and flip Turner if ever. He is already a six-year veteran that’ll turn 27 in June with two years and a reasonable $20.5 million left on his contract. His trade value will never be higher than it is now.

What that trade value ultimately translates into, though, is difficult to say. That depends on which teams are willing to bite given their respective salary cap situations, draft capital and/or players that may pique the interest of general manager Marty Hurney and new coach Matt Rhule.

With the NFL being as open and creative as ever as far as trades go, the possibilities could be plentiful. So, what could a Turner deal bring in?

While the absolute best-case scenario would send a second-round pick back to Carolina, and that’s being extremely optimistic, let’s just be broad and safe for argument’s sake and assume Turner is swapped for a third-rounder.

The question is this: is a third-round draft pick worth the ensuing dominoes that would fall?

Dealing Turner, who is set to account for a $12.8 million cap hit in 20202, will result in the team eating nearly $9.6 million in dead cap money and it would save just $3.2 million.

What happens to the offensive line?

Most likely, we would see Dennis Daley take up starting right guard duties. Daley, despite displaying some useful versatility as a rookie, struggled through a largely up-and-down campaign in 2019.

Next, and you know this was coming, is the outlook for their starting quarterback this upcoming season, whoever that should be.

Would you be comfortable placing a recovering Cam Newton or a top prospect (perhaps Tua Tagovailoa?) behind Daley and Greg Van Roten at the guards, a left tackle in Greg Little who missed 12 games and a disappointing center in Matt Paradis?

We don’t even have to take into account that the group tied for a league-high 58 sacks allowed in 2019. That total is very much skewed by the learning curve of Kyle Allen, who couldn’t have navigated the pocket if he had a map, a compass and a GPS system.

In any case, unless that offensive line unit improves dramatically via an outside move or on their own merits, giving any quarterback that same front is a step towards chaos, not progress. Taking away Turner would make it even worse.

With all of that in mind, is Turner worth a third-round pick, $3.2 million in cap space and a depleted offensive line?

Although Turner has not been at the top of his game in recent years, he’s still far from a problem. Letting him play out the final two years of his deal and avoiding another addition to what’s already the highest total dead cap amount in football seems to outweigh the unknown of dealing him.

What they do with Turner will be a sign of where things are going this offseason. If they trade him, Carolina fans should prepare for a full-on fire sale and a bumpy, lengthy rebuilding process. If he stays put, their path back to contention won’t be so long or brutal.

Whether they blow it all up or rebuild on the fly, a decision needs to come soon.

[lawrence-related id=619085]

[vertical-gallery id=618329]

Analysis: How much change does the Panthers offensive line really need?

Fixing the unit will fall on Pat Meyer, who is expected to be named the team’s new offensive line coach according to Field Yates at ESPN.

The Panthers offensive line has been a sore point since at least Super Bowl 50, when Cam Newton got pummeled by the Broncos pass rush. The unit has been steadily in decline since and nothing the front office tries to improve it seems to work out.

Fixing the unit will fall on Pat Meyer, who is expected to be named the team’s new offensive line coach according to Field Yates at ESPN. Meyer has a tough task ahead of him, but the front line does not require the total rebuild some people are calling for.

Let’s break down the offensive line one spot at a time.

1. A new coach is the best way to improve

The best way this unit is going to get better in 2020 is benefiting from fresh leadership. The big challenge for Meyer will be how to break the group out of its bad habits while continuing to encourage what it does well. Mainly, he’ll want to keep the strong run blocking going while improving the pass protection across the board. If Meyer can do that, it will make a far bigger impact than any one (or two) new linemen can.

2. Matt Paradis isn’t going anywhere

A major key to turning things around is Paradis, who had as disappointing a season as any Carolina player. He signed a three-year, $27 million deal and we expected him to be an upgrade over Ryan Kalil. Instead, Paradis was a liability in pass protection and never seemed to settle in. Many fans want him cut, but that would be short-sighted and also come with a significant dead money penalty. Remember, Paradis was coming off a broken leg from 2018 and it may take another offseason to fully recover. If Paradis gets back to being the lineman he was in Denver early in his career, many of the unit’s issues (chiefly interior pass protection) will be solved.

3. Taylor Moton and Trai Turner are perfectly fine

The left side of the line is another story, but the right tackle and right guard spots are fine the way they are. Today, Turner will be playing in his fifth Pro Bowl and Moton has been the team’s most consistent lineman for a while. Moton should get a contract extension and Turner still has a few years left on his.

4. Left guard is easy to upgrade

If there’s one position the Panthers really do need to upgrade, it’s left guard. Greg Van Roten is a solid run blocker and teammate, but there’s a reason he has been a backup most of his career. Daryl Williams is not worth bringing back for this spot, either. If general manager Marty Hurney can find a solid young starting-quality guard in the draft or free agency, it will plug a huge hole and make Paradis’ job much easier.

5. The Panthers have 2 left tackles

Now we come to the great elephant in the room: what to do on the blindside? Since Jordan Gross’ retirement, this has been a problematic position. The good news is the Panthers have two promising options here. Greg Little and Dennis Daley are true left tackles who both flashed at times during their rookie year. Ideally, Little will stay healthy and wind up as the long-term starter. That would allow Daley to play one of the other spots (perhaps LG?). A lot of fans want a tackle in round one or two, but Carolina should give these guys at least another year to prove themselves. Patience is understandably tough given the way things have gone for this group in recent years. In this case, the solution (a true franchise left tackle) could already be on the roster.

The Panthers could definitely use more depth up front. Then again, that’s also true of practically every other NFL team. As bad as this unit looked last year, a couple tweaks and some better coaching could make a world of difference.

[lawrence-related id=617480]

[vertical-gallery id=617432]

Matt Paradis questionable, Curtis Samuel expected to play vs. Colts

Panthers center Matt Paradis questionable, Curtis Samuel expected to play vs. Colts.

At this time of the season, every NFL team is banged up and the Carolina Panthers are no exception to the rule. Throw in the typical seasonal sickness and you’ve got a very short-handed team.

On Saturday, the team announced that defensive tackle Woodrow Hamilton has been ruled out due to an illness. Center Matt Paradis also came down sick but did not have an official designation. Late last night, that changed. Paradis is now listed as questionable for today’s game.

If Paradis can’t play, the most likely candidate to take his spot at center is Tyler Larsen, who started 13 games in the absence of Ryan Kalil from 2017-2018 and did well.

In related news, wide receiver Curtis Samuel is also listed as questionable with a knee injury. Ian Rapoport at NFL Network says he’s expected to play.

Samuel has caught 50 passes this season, totaling 597 receiving yards and scoring six touchdowns.

Those numbers could be a lot higher if Kyle Allen had been able to connect with him on deep balls with any consistency. One key factor for the Panthers will be if rookie QB Will Grier is able to do any better.

[lawrence-related id=615972]

[vertical-gallery id=615778]

Panthers injury updates: 2 more players come down with illness

A bug going around the Panthers locker room has forced Carolina to make a couple of more changes going into Sunday’s matchup with the Colts.

A bug going around the Panthers locker room has forced Carolina to make a couple of more changes going into Sunday’s matchup with the Colts.

According to team reporter Max Henson, defensive tackle Woodrow Hamilton has been ruled out due to an illness. Offensive lineman Matt Kaskey is getting promoted from the practice squad to take his place on the active roster. In a corresponding move, linebacker Ramik Wilson was waived.

Center Matt Paradis has also come down sick, but he has no official status as of yet. Paradis has disappointed this season, especially in pass protection. If he can’t go, expect Tyler Larsen to take his place in the lineup.

Defensive tackle Vernon Butler also has the bug. He is listed as questionable, as is wide receiver Curtis Samuel (knee). Both are expected to play, though.

[lawrence-related id=615972]

[vertical-gallery id=615700]

Who are the 3 most disappointing Panthers of 2019?

Panthers 2019 season: Who are the 3 most disappointing performers?

The Panthers will finish with a losing record no matter how they finish out these last three games. That means the franchise’s streak of failing to have two winning seasons in a row continues.

A lot of things have to go wrong for a continued run of mediocrity like that and the front office will undergo dramatic structural changes this offseason. If you’re looking for specific individuals to blame though, here are three people who fell short of expectations the most in 2019.

C Matt Paradis

Matt Paradis
Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports

Carolina’s first significant move in free agency this year was to sign former Broncos center Matt Paradis to a three-year, $27 million deal. At the time, the signing was hailed as a sharp, under-the-radar kind of transaction that could pay off big for the Panthers.

Nine months later, it looks like one of the worst free agent signings of the year. Instead of being an upgrade over Ryan Kalil, Paradis has become an absolute liability. His struggles in pass protection have been a major factor in the overall offensive line catastrophe. Heading into Week 15, Paradis has earned a below-average 57.6 grade from Pro Football Focus.

Starting over at the position might be the best move for 2020. However, cutting Paradis would come with $7.2 million in dead money and only save $1.6 million against the cap. So, Carolina might be stuck with him for at least another season.

Pages: Page 1, Page 2, Page 3