Eric Rowe: The Veteran Presence the Carolina Panthers Need in their Secondary?

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The Carolina Panthers continue to bolster their secondary with the recent addition of veteran safety Eric Rowe. The move comes on the heels of the team's signing of strong safety Von Bell and the re-signing of free safety Xavier Woods. In addition, the team is banking on some younger stars like Jaycee Horn and Donte Jackson, but both have struggled with injuries. Hopefully, adding experience allows the Panthers to maximize the younger players’ potential while ensuring they can manage if injuries continue to hamper their development. Oh, did I mention he’s feisty too?

Rowe brings a wealth of experience to the Panthers' secondary. He's played in 100 games and has 56 career starts, including two Super Bowl victories with the New England Patriots. His presence on the field could be a valuable asset for a Panthers team with a lot of young talent on both sides of the ball.

Rowe’s value come from more than his experience, but also his versatility. He’s played both cornerback and safety throughout his career. This is particularly helpful given the injury problems Carolina has had with their starting corners Jaycee Horn and Donte Jackson. He has five career interceptions and six forced fumbles, and he's proven to be a reliable tackler in both the run and pass game. Rowe’s

The addition of Rowe is just the latest move by the Panthers to improve their defense, which struggled at times last season. Bell, who spent the last two seasons with the Cincinnati Bengals, is expected to bring stability and physicality to the strong safety position. Woods, meanwhile, had a solid 2021 campaign for the Panthers and is expected to continue to anchor the free safety position.

With these veteran additions, the Panthers are looking to stabilize a defense that has shown promise over the past two years. At the same time, the team has also made significant investments in its offense, signaling a commitment to going all-in on that side of the ball. By bringing in experienced players like Eric Rowe, Xavier Woods, and Von Bell, the Panthers hope to improve upon their 2021 season and make a run at the playoffs in 2023. These veteran players bring a wealth of experience and leadership to the team, and their presence should help to guide and mentor the many talented young players on both sides of the ball.

As the offseason continues and the NFL draft approaches, the Panthers will look to continue to build on their defensive solid foundation. But with the addition of Rowe and the return of Woods and Bell, the team's secondary is already looking much improved and ready to compete at the highest level.

By Tony Dunn

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