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Michael Oher posted on Instagram an image of his prescribed medications for what appears to be still the ill-effects of the concussion that ended his season last year. The Instagram post, which has now been removed, demonstrates that the health concerns surrounding concussions in the NFL are very real, especially for Oher.
Read MoreWhile Carolina made a few moves to bolster the Panthers secondary by signing nickel corner Captain Munnerlyn and veteran safety Mike Adams, it’s clear they are hedging their bets on young outside corners James Bradberry and Daryl Worley. Bradberry’s injury scare only highlights the weight of this wager.
We all know that Ryan Kalil has a funny side, Greg Olsen has that inner white rapper thing going on, and it Luke Kuechly, well, looks good in a hat. Well these three guys went on a guys camping trip and decided to trip out and make a video spoofing Cam Newton's birthday video. These guys crushed it. Cam, sorry bro, these mugs got ya! If you like keeping it loose and having a good time, this vid is for you. I hope it's a signal of the fun these guys are going to have this season.
A post shared by Ryan Kalil (@ryankalil67) on
By Tony Dunn
Follow @Cat_Chronicles for the latest news and opinions from the fan perspective.
Charlotte Observer's Jourdan Rodrigue caught up with linebacker Shaq Thompson after practice and asked him about fellow linebacker David Mayo, who many expect to take on a larger supportive role now that AJ Klein is with the Saints. Thompson's response was epic:
Read MoreIf you are an East Carolina Pirate, you know and love Zeek Bigger. He led the team in tackles in 2014 and 2015. His name alone sparks an excitement that was missing from last year's Pirates team. The ECU linebacker didn't get an invite to the combine after his senior year nor workout invitations from a pro organization in 2016. Bigger, however, wasn't going to let that adversity make him feel small. He played in a Spring Developmental League last season and attended Panther's rookie minicamp tryouts in April.
The Panthers have signed LB Zeek Bigger from East Carolina and waived LB Alex Bazzie.
— Steve Reed (@SteveReedAP) May 30, 2017
Today, the Panthers signed Bigger to the 90-man roster. It's a big day for Zeek and one step closer to bigger days ahead.
| Tackles | Def Int | Fumbles | |||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year | School | Conf | Class | Pos | G | Solo | Ast | Tot | Loss | Sk | Int | Yds | Avg | TD | PD | FR | Yds | TD | FF |
| *2012 | East Carolina | CUSA | FR | LB | 13 | 9 | 9 | 18 | 0.0 | 0.0 | |||||||||
| *2013 | East Carolina | CUSA | SO | LB | 12 | 39 | 38 | 77 | 5.0 | 2.0 | 1 | 29 | 29.0 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 0 | ||
| *2014 | East Carolina | American | JR | LB | 13 | 66 | 74 | 140 | 3.5 | 0.0 | 2 | 68 | 34.0 | 1 | 4 | 1 | 0 | ||
| 2015 | East Carolina | American | SR | LB | 12 | 51 | 47 | 98 | 6.5 | 1.5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | |||
| Career | East Carolina | 165 | 168 | 333 | 15.0 | 3.5 | 3 | 97 | 32.3 | 1 | 10 | 1 | 0 | ||||||
Luke 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.
Read MoreI realize the Panthers decided to "evolve" their offense. Their identity was that of a power running scheme until this week. The top two selections proved the team brass wasn't lying when they nabbed a pair of 200 pound running backs in The Holy Terror and in Pest Wild.
Read MoreThe Buffalo Bills traded up in both the 2nd and 3rd rounds, just the ahead of the Panthers. In both of these rounds, the selected players that the Panthers had met and of positions that Carolina addressed in that same round.
Read MoreAfter Leonard Fournette went to the Jaguars at #4, the Panthers were targeting three players: Jamal Adams, Christian McCaffrey, and O.J. Howard. The Jets took Adams at #6, leaving Carolina to choose between the dynamic running back from Stanford and the well-rounded tight end from Alabama.
Read MoreCarolina is interested in a safety and in Melifonwu too. The Panthers have met with him four times. Dave Gettleman affirmed the Panthers were seriously interested in Jamaal Adams if he would have been there #8.
Read MoreNot everyone is, but I’m super pumped to have McCaffrey in Charlotte. He is who I had us taking and I’m buying his jersey ASAP. He adds excitement and impacts the game in multiple ways. The Panthers need a play maker not named Cam Newton on offense and now they have one. Here are a few names to watch for tonight as the Panthers
Read MoreToday is Draft Day! Who do you want? Who do you think the Panthers get? It is the ultimate reality show for NFL fans as the drama unfolds tonight at 8:00 EST. There’s no better way, as a Panthers fan, to watch the drama unfold than to hang out with the #C3 gang and fellow Panther fans. Tune in starting at 7:45 by clicking here to get to our Youtube Channel.
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