The Offensive Tackle Swap

/
The Offensive Tackle Swap

One of the biggest needs going into this offseason for the Carolina Panthers was the offensive tackle position. So what did the Carolina Panthers do to try to improve Cam Newton's blindside? They chose not to resign OT Byron Bell and instead signed OT Michel Oher. Bell was not resigned because he was one of the worst tackles in the league last season, but he still found a new home with the Tennessee Titans. Oher was released from the Titans because of his injury and poor play. That was a very interesting swap.

Read More

So Which UDFA's Have the Best Chance to Crack the Roster?

/
So Which UDFA's Have the Best Chance to Crack the Roster?

With the rookie mini-camp over and with the upcoming team's other offseason workouts set for the summer, I wanted to pose a question out there to Panthers fans on whom they can see actually sticking to the final roster out of the ten priority UDFA's (undrafted free agents), the team signed after the draft came to a close? 

Read More

Closer Look at Devin Funchess: Interview with Mark Snyder of Detroit Free Press

/

C3 caught up with Michigan Wolverine beat writer for the Detroit Free Press to get some more insight on Carolina's second round pick.  The Panthers moved up to Funchess, a guy with tight-end size and wide-receiver athleticism, but what did they really get in this Michigan product?  He's a guy who had a startling slow combine 40-yd time, but bounced back with a startling fast Pro Day 40-yd time.  He's got some crazy tools, size, catch radius, and athleticiscm, but he wasn't all that productive in college and had a concerning 8.8% drop percentage.  

So who really is Funchess?  Is he the 4.47 Pro Day guy or is he the 4.7 run backwards guy?  We wanted to know, so we found someone who has followed him throughout his high-school and college career. 

From the Interview:

"He's eternally been caught in between what he is."

"He saw an opportunity to be a dynamic wide receiver, and that is going to be a better position for him going into the NFL." 

"He's crazy athletic and he's pretty fast."

"He never got the ball in the prime spots and he always had guys right on him after the got the ball."

"After that first game there wasn't really any consistency or productivity."

"There were a number of times he could have impacted their season by keeping things moving and he just never got to that point.  He dropped balls in critical situations definitely."

 "There's a potential for him to be a dynamic pass-catcher."

Why Cameron Artis-Payne Could End Up the Most Valuable 2015 Draft Pick

/
Why Cameron Artis-Payne Could End Up the Most Valuable 2015 Draft Pick

With the 2015 NFL Draft now closed for another year, most of us now are left debating on a player or players that Dave Gettleman and the Carolina Panthers decided to select and give our 2 cent's worth on if it was the right move or the wrong one at the time. I want to focus a little on our last draft selection this year, and why this new Panther might end up being the biggest contributor for us from the draft class of 2015.

Read More

Who is Shaq Thompson? An Interview with Someone Who Knows

/
Who is Shaq Thompson? An Interview with Someone Who Knows

Few were not surprised when the Carolina Panthers picked Shaq Thompson at #25 overall in the 2015 NFL Draft.  Most of the guys people wanted or projected were gone by the Panthers pick.  Todd Gurley shockingly went to the Rams, Andrus Peat went to the rival Saints, and hometown favorite DJ Humphries went one pick before to the Arizona Cardinals.  As the Panthers pick came up, few thought that out of who was left it would be a “tweener” linebacker out of the University of Washington.  A linebacker who is the size of a safety when the Panthers were in desperate need of a left tackle and a wide receiver?  

Read More

C3 Mock 3.0

/
C3 Mock 3.0

Draft week is here, and C3’s Mock Draft 3.0 is here.  This version takes is our final version and is our predictions of what we think will happen and we are not allowing for any trades. Smokewagon is back making his picks along with me in the First Round.  We each give insight as to why we think each one makes sense.  And as usual, we look at some of these selections from a Panthers Fan point of view, but no matter who you are a fan of, take a look and let us know your thoughts.  You can follow me on twitter at @PanthersDrafter and Smokewagon (@SamSslater96)

Read More

Ricky Proehl High on Stephen Hill

/
Ricky Proehl High on Stephen Hill

“I can’t say enough about this kid,” wide-receiver coach Ricky Proehl raved about Steven Hill on Bustin Loose with Frank Garcia and Mark Yarboro.  Yarbs (Yarboro) brought up Hill with the reservation most Panthers media does when addressing the enigmatic former 2nd round pick who many view as a hopeless bust.  

Proehl thinks otherwise, stating “he did nothing but work his tail off….I can’t wait to get my hands on him this spring and in the offseason so as to showcase what he can do. This will be a big spring for him.” 

Read More

Charlie Casserly Continues Baseless Hate of Cam Newton

/
Charlie Casserly Continues Baseless Hate of Cam Newton

The former NFL GM, who stated he would take “Kevin Kolb over Cam Newton 100 times out of 100 chances," Charlie Casserly, just can’t help but hate on Cam Newton. 

By this point, the hate has just become tired. Winston hasn’t thrown a pass yet, and he’s better than a 2-time Pro Bowler and former Offensive Rookie of the Year?  Charlie “tuna” Cassorole is still just as asinine as he was when he was heaping praise on Kevin Kolb.

Read More

Charles “Big Money” Johnson Gives Alan Ball Financial Lesson

/
Charles “Big Money” Johnson Gives Alan Ball Financial Lesson

Charles Johnson knows a little something about money.  I mean, he is known around the league as “Big Money.” On the field, he’s made a living putting quarterbacks on their backs.  Off the field, he keeps a low profile, well if you don’t count those expensive toy cars he collects.  He’s a guy who leads by example.  Like most men of few words, when Big Money speaks, you should listen.  When he talks about money, you better be all ears.

Read More

Kurt Coleman: A Mike Mitchell Redux

/
Kurt Coleman: A Mike Mitchell Redux

The Carolina Panthers signed safety Kurt Coleman, formerly with the Kansas City Chiefs, to a 2-yr contract. It’s a move, much like Mike Mitchell in 2013, that may just be Gettle-magic.  A just 2.8 with a mere 600k guaranteed, the contract is tremendously team friendly, landing Carolina with a player with a nose for the ball who is hungry to make their way back into a starting rotation. 

Read More

Is a Steve Smith Return to Carolina in the Works?

/
Is a Steve Smith Return to Carolina in the Works?

80s Big Hair band Cinderella said it best, “Don’t know what you have until it’s gone.”  Well Panthers fans loved who they had and love what they lost, Carolina legend and greatest all-time offensive player, Steve Smith.  Like any break-up with a true love, things didn’t go well when Carolina parted ways with Smitty last season.  Like any break-up with a true love, we continue to Facebook and Twitter stalk our lost love.  Well love may just prevail if there is truth to this tweet that Carolina is working to bring Steve Smith home:

Read More

Backyard Ballers: Ten Prospects from Five Schools in the Carolinas

/
Backyard Ballers: Ten Prospects from Five Schools in the Carolinas

The Panther’s have a great home field advantage when it comes to scouting instate talent, the state of North Carolina currently has 7 division 1 football programs. This number may seem low, but it is actually tied for second in the nation behind Texas, and will move to solo second when the Charlotte 49ers move up in 2015. When you add the two outstanding football programs in the South Carolina Gamecocks and Clemson Tigers, the Panther’s have the ability to tap into backyard talent like no other team. Here is a couple prospects to keep your eyes on:

Read More

Would You Accept Julius Peppers If He Came Home To Carolina?

/
Would You Accept Julius Peppers If He Came Home To Carolina?

The Carolina Panthers might have the opportunity this offseason to bring Peppers back if the Green Bay Packers decide to release him. According to his contract, he is scheduled to make $9.5 million next season, and will carry a $12 million dollar cap figure. If the Packers release Julius Peppers they could gain $7 million in open cap space. At age 35, Peppers can still be a dominant pass rusher in this league. He proved it during the 2014 season with 44 tackles, seven sacks, two interceptions, and two touchdowns.

Read More