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In the spirit of Thanksgiving, I thought I’d share three things that I’m thankful for (football-wise). There are many things for me to be thankful for this year but this short write up focuses on football. Leave what you are thankful for in the comments below and have fun reading what everyone is thankful for in Panther Nation.
Read MoreCarolina Panthers football has always been about two things: Running the ball and about a ferocious defense. If the Panthers are to make a deep run in the playoffs this year, they have to have both of these going for them. The defense is playing well and its success depends on overall health and specifically on Luke Kuechley’s return. So this article is going to take a look at the run game.
Read MoreIf comparisons work, Mike Shula can't get the Carolina Panthers offense to be great again, and his Dad's assistant helped make the case. Thanks to Tom Olivadotti for the inspiration to write this article.
Read MoreAgent 89, now an analyst on the NFL Network, came on and predicted the 49ers to upset the Panthers today. To you, Smitty, I say IceUpSon. Here’s why I see good things coming today.
#pantherNation make your predictions here & RT
— PanthersDrafter (@PanthersDrafter) September 10, 2017
I'm going #Panthers 34-20
Most NFL games come down to QB play. I see Cam as ready and a full go and to play well. Folks worry about his lack of playing time in the pre-season. All I have to say to that is 2011 opener where Terry Bradshaw opened the season by saying he was shocked the Panthers took Cam #1 overall and he looked for him to struggle mightily. Then at half time, good ol’ Terry says “I love Cam Newton.” And Cam went on to a 400+ yard game. I look for a similar game today.
I do see good things happening today as I believe the Panthers’ offensive line has the ability to be a top 5 unit this season. Should they stay healthy, Cam and company should return to the swag-waving crew that the folks in Carolina love and opponents fear.
Two other players I also anticipate big days from are Christian McCaffrey and Julius Peppers. These are two players that add a little somethingsomething to the Panthers and I believe will be keys to the Panthers’ success in 2017. Here are some of Panther Nations’ tweets feeling the swagger heading into San Francisco:
47-14 Panthers Win!
— Tim Lucero (@djtimon) September 10, 2017
28-10 Carolina
— Levi Derosby (@LDerosby) September 10, 2017
So, to you, Agent 89: We love you, but Ice Up Son!
The Panthers meteoric blast off of optimism came back to earth on Saturday. The clean and virtually mistake free game vs the Texans seems like ages ago. Turnovers, penalties, and blown assignments were the theme of the day in Nashville. Should Panther Nation be upset? I have to say that...
Read MoreThis is year four of the C3 Fantasy Football League. Four divisions of 12 teams battle it out throughout the season. Each week there are Panther prizes given out for random contests. Every team is a Panthers fan and every week is a blast. Next week (Tuesday, August 22) is the draft order selection show. We will be giving a way a Luke Kuechley jersey and other cool Panthers
Read MoreWhen I think of the 2017 Panthers I am excited and nervous. This team could go 12-4 or 4-12. This team is improved over the 15-1 team of two years ago; however, the team lacks...
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This is the Panthers’ year. Yes, Super Bowl 52 is my prediction. With Thomas Davis, Julius Peppers, Ryan Kalil , and Greg Olsen nearing the ends of their career, our time is now. The stars seem aligned for a Panthers run. Here are the four reasons
I am more excited and intrigued about Training Camp this year than ever before. There is so much yet to play out and every day is going to be like watching an epic game of Jenga. So many pieces impact the entire team and there are so many possibilities. Super Bowl 52 Champions is one of those possibilities and...
Read MoreThere is a lot to be excited about as a Carolina Panthers fan in 2017. The season is full of promise with major upgrades on both sides of the ball. However, there is one position on offense that is a glaring weakness that could hold the team back. They say you are only...
Read MoreWith Panthers fans hoping for a 2017 Championship run, so many things must go right. But the for the Offensive Line this is especially critical. Here are some of my thoughts concerning the 2017 Panthers offensive front.
Read MoreLuke Kuechly probably feels like he's had another concussion after being beat with concussion related questions dating back to last season. He's missed nine game games in two seasons over it. Six of which he was actually in the concussion protocol. The others last year were after he was cleared and mainly precautionary due to the teams playoff chances and risk of other injury.
Read MoreHope's are high once again for the Carolina Panthers heading into 2017 following a slew of strong free agent signings in the off-season and bolstering up the offense in the recent draft with play makers and protection for franchise quarterback Cam Newton.
The media has taken notice as well and some are liking a bounce back year for Cam Newton and the Panthers new-look offense. Big free agent signings such as bringing back home Julius Peppers and Captain Munnerlyn have many seeing this defense getting back into the top ten after being one of only two teams to be there for three consecutive years before dropping back last year.
In a recent rankings article, Gil Brandt has the Panthers ranked 9th on his top ten list of most talented teams in the NFL heading into 2017. Only the Atlanta Falcons (3rd) also made the list, although I imagine the Buccaneers weren't far outside of the top ten. Here's what Brandt had to say. You can read the full article here.
It can sometimes seem as if quarterback Cam Newton is perpetually at a career crossroads, but I think he'll have a big year this year. He's certainly not lacking for weapons, with rookie matchup nightmares Christian McCaffrey and Curtis Samuel joining running back Jonathan Stewart and tight end Greg Olsen on offense. Signing Matt Kalil to protect Newton's blind side was a key improvement. This team looks capable of scoring 500 points. On defense, Carolina helped itself by bringing back defensive end Julius Peppers and cornerback Captain Munnerlyn and signing safety Mike Adams. If healthy, linebacker Luke Kuechly is one of the best at his position, while there's no reason defensive tackle Kawann Short shouldn't perform.
It was clear following a highly anticipated 2016 season with a losing record that Carolina had to make some changes. They did just that in one the busier off-seasons Panthers fans have seen in years.
If everyone pans out and can stay healthy, the Panthers could be right back playing again in January for the fourth time in five years.
Written By Tripp Morgan
Follow @TrippMorgan6 and @Cat_Chronicles for the latest surrounding the Carolina Panthers.
It's only May, but is that really to soon to start eyeing potential Panthers fantasy star? I don't think so, and these fantasy sites don't either. So I jumped in to get an early look at where some of the experts have our offensive rookies Christian McCaffrey and Curtis Samuel ranked.
SCOUT.COM-"FANTASY STUDS"
RB CHRISTIAN MCCAFFREY, CAROLINA PANTHERS
McCaffrey brings a much-needed dimension to the Panthers that they have lacked for years. He is a unique pass-catching back with an ability to run the ball as well. I don’t expect him to blow anyone away with his rushing numbers. However, he has the potential to be PPR gold. His presence should also help Cam Newton out immensely forcing the defense to focus more underneath so he can blow the top off when the opportunity presents itself.
Curtis Samuel did not make this list.
NFL.COM'S TOP 20 FANTASY ROOKIES
12. Curtis Samuel, WR, Carolina Panthers
Samuel is a player to watch during camp, as the Panthers don't have much at wide receiver behind Kelvin Benjamin (who is reportedly overweight) and Devin Funchess. A versatile player in the mold of a Percy Harvin, Samuel could etch out a role in the Panthers offense as a potential slot receiver who also sees a handful of carries. The Ohio State product will have some late-round appeal in most fantasy leagues.
Projection: 21 carries, 113 yards, 0 TDs, 47 receptions, 506 yards, 4 TDs
2. Christian McCaffrey, RB, Carolina Panthers
McCaffrey isn't considered a good fit for the Panthers offense in the minds of some analysts, but has this unit ever had a runner with his skill set? You don't draft someone eighth overall and not use him to the best of his abilities, and he fills a need in an offense that lacks playmakers. McCaffrey can do it all on the gridiron, and I think he'll be a better fantasy option than veteran Jonathan Stewart as a rookie.
Projection: 153 carries, 677 yards, 4 TDs, 54 receptions, 433 yards, 2 TDs
FOX SPORTS TOP 15 FANTASY ROOKIES
Like Christian McCaffrey, Samuel is a collegiate RB/WR playmaker for Cam Newton. With Kelvin Benjamin and Greg Olsen running vertical routes, Samuel can be used in a variety of ways underneath like Julian Edelman.
The combination of McCaffrey and Samuel paired with Cam Newton’s talents is scary. For my initial thoughts on McCaffrey, please check out my post-first round feature.
SPORTING NEWS FANTASY ROOKIE RANKINGS
We already have the "Run CMC" T-shirts, but the question is, just how much will Carolina let McCaffrey run?. It's selling him short as a five-to-10-carry change-of-pace guy, as McCaffrey is underrated as a physical finisher and even better as advertised as an open-field receiver. Given he's behind aging and worn Jonathan Stewart (30), he must be drafted as an RB2. The Panthers were short on dynamic difference-makers last year, and McCaffrey should get every chance to be a consistent one.
Curtis Samuel didn't crack their top 17.
As expected, it sounds like a lot of the fantasy gurus are high on McCaffrey out of the rookie class this season. He could be especially valuable in PPR formats.
It seems many are also liking the potential value of the Panthers second round draft pick Curtis Samuel out of the 2017 rookie class. His best value could be in the mid-rounds based on these early rankings (unless your draft has defensive players).
Written By Tripp Morgan
Follow @TrippMorgan6 and @Cat_Chronicles for the latest surrounding the Carolina Panthers.
Article Thumbnail Photo by Jesse Fraetis.
There has been a lot of scrutiny thrown Kelvin Benjamin's way the last couple months. The Panthers former first round pick showed up overweight once again this off-season, something he also struggled with in college.
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