Keep tabs on Carolina Panthers
In terms of stability that owner David Tepper has preached, his organization has fallen short. Nonetheless the powder blue and black proudly march into the 2023 off-season with high hopes of progress. The year prior ended on a higher note than it started which might be about all you can positively sum up, but looking deeper into the roster and staff there may be some potential getting overlooked. Steve Wilkes filled in post the midseason firing of “the savior” ,Matt Rhule.
College offenses have continually failed in the Pros but that didn’t stop Rhule from trying to rebuild his previous success at the universities of Temple and Baylor. Without a long term answer at quarterback and seemingly less trust from the rest of the roster led to turmoil amongst the offense. However, among the defensive front you’ll find some of the hidden gems that could be appetizing for the newly named head coach, Frank Reich and defensive coordinator, Ejiro Evero. The latter was renowned across the league and predicted as a successor for a number of head coaching jobs , chooses this enticing defense to coach up instead and improve his resume even more which speaks for itself. The former, Frank , is a known quarterback coaching talent which plays to perfectly into the Panthers hand.
With names such as Dj Moore, Brian Burns, Derrick Brown and many others, it should be a relatively quick turnaround. New coach Reich will address his QB room either via the draft or free agency, but don’t overlook the current situation. A former highly rated draft pick sits in that room waiting for his opportunity, one Matt Corral who was injured in the preseason during his rookie campaign. He and Reich may hit it off at the training complex and decide they want to move forward together , which seems likely as the current situation stands. The team sits ninth in drafting order, unless they trade up , it’s unlikely they land the qb1 Reich wants at the helm. As for free agency you’ll see many average quarterbacks plus the potential of Bmores stud, Lamar “action “ Jackson. Going all in for Jackson just isn’t what Reich’s history displays. A young, strong armed quarterback, who is easily moldable, the most important key to coaching in any instance. Reich may look to build off the strong running attack Wilkes was able to portray later in the season!
Going with Evero for the defensive coordinator position continues to provide the stability that Tepper has wanted all along. From the roots of coaching greats like Dom Capers and Sean McVay, Evero brings a fast paced, playmaking defense that relies heavily on pressure from the front 4. Praised many times for leadership and people skills as well, Reich should trust Evero early on with the young talent he’s inherited.
Predicting a turn around coming soon, these Panthers have new life currently being pumped into the entire organization. The division they sit in proves to be wide open after infamous Brady retires from the Buccaneers. A division title has to be the goal for the new staff, and seems very attainable. Keep a loose eye on the Panthers upcoming season, they’ve been provoked, now they’re on a hunt to keep pounding.
Provoked, but Keep Pounding
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