NFL VIEW 32 – Carolina Panthers

Nicely done. I really like the format/template you are using in these articles. It covers the entire program, but allows for a smooth flow when reading. Hell, I read the Panthers View 32 twice just now... it was captivating, which is a good thing.

Panthers are going to be interesting and fun to watch early on for a change. Im interested in seeing how Darnold unfolds at QB, Christian is the NFL's consummate 'workhorse' and that defense is going to keep them in a bunch of games... I dig Chinn alot also.

 

Very thorough write up . Can’t wait to read the others

 

I don't know a lot about Carolina but any team that had to trade for Sam Darnold is probably going to fail.

 

I dont think he's all that bad. Look at the situation in NY. The change in scenery and a new coaching staff, a good run game and receivers who will compliment him, he just might surprise a few people.

 

“Cameron Erving is set to be the starting LT. Interestingly enough, Erving was ranked well within our system going into his draft but was selected to Cleveland during some of it’s most dysfunctional years. It was no surprise to see him struggle to get his career started as he was more raw material than a polished product, thrown into a blender where there would be little focus on helping him get to his next step.”

This is where you lost me Tim. It’s too easy to throw blame the Browns way when you have a higher grade on a player that fails to live up to your expectations.

Erving was drafted with the intention of sitting for a year to learn, then take over a spot on the line.

This is where the disconnect comes from, he was drafted to learn behind the number 1 offensive line in the league. Joe Thomas, Joel Bitonio, Alex Mack and Mitchell Schwartz were his mentors that first year. What bettor teachers could a young player have?

He wasn’t the player that you, and obviously the Browns scout team, thought he was. He hasn’t succeeded anywhere else he has gone. He is now on his 4th team in 7 seasons.

My take on Cam Erving is this:
An injury waiting to happen. Do not count on him to be any part of a successful offensive line.

If there is going to be a positive impact on their Oline, it will more likely come from the addition of Pat Elflein. He has had much more success than Erving in his short career.

IMHO though, Erving will be a liability in the growth of Sam Darnold. Without a viable LT, the line will struggle. That will be priority one in the 2022 off season.

(edit) This isn’t a disclaimer about the Browns state during this time period, they were a definite shit show.. but their offensive line specifically was the ONLY bright spot on a very shitty team in 2015 when Erving was drafted.

BTW, I really enjoyed the article and appreciate the time and effort into the piece. Right now I am looking forward quality content and that as high quality. So, thank you.

 

I wouldn't categorize what I posted as throwing blame, and considering you read the rest of the article I'm sure you noticed where I discussed Ian Thomas, which is what the phrase ‘interestingly enough’ turns off of.

What I stated was fact. Cameron Erving was coming into the league as more raw material than polished product that would need an opportunity to develop. He was drafted into a situation where his original OL coach was fired at the beginning of the regular season over a domestic issue, and he was then coached by an assistant that has nothing on his resume to suggest he was up to the task of developing talent. That was followed by a regime change and Hue ultimately playing him at center for a stretch. There was nothing positive coming out of the coaching situation in Cleveland, so while there may have been an opportunity for him to be mentored, there was also the factor of trade talks for Thomas and the overall downward trend of the team. I'm not saying that those guys wouldn't have been willing, or did not offer to help Cam develop, but there were circumstances involved that may have made that less of a possibility than a situation where the coaching staff and culture were firmly established.

However, I'll clearly give you the possibility of him being in a good mentor situation if you allow for the possibility of what I posted regarding the overall situation.

Well, he does have a ring after starting at LT for 8 games for the Chiefs...

However, the Chiefs obviously weren't interested in retaining him at his price tag to be a swing tackle for them, and the Cowboys didn't like what they saw after one season.

Yep, his history bears that out.

I have no problems with that opinion, and throughout the article I don't suggest he is the answer -

"The offensive line for the Panthers will be the largest question mark on offense with several names that need to find their proper place before week 1. Cameron Erving is set to be the starting LT. Interestingly enough, Erving was ranked well within our system going into his draft but was selected to Cleveland during some of it’s most dysfunctional years. It was no surprise to see him struggle to get his career started as he was more raw material than a polished product, thrown into a blender where there would be little focus on helping him get to his next step. Once relocated to Kansas City, Erving had more uneven play that started to level out and show some promise. However, his only year in Dallas looked shaky at best, which got him another plane ticket out of town. Now he’s tasked with possibly being the starting blindside protector, so there will be very little time for him to grow into his new role with Carolina. Greg Little will likely be his primary back-up, and has been solid in the ground game when healthy, which could be best categorized as ‘infrequently’. The interior of the line is going to have battles at both guard spots that could carry into the season, so having stability at center is a bit of a bright spot. Matt Paradis may not be one of the elite names in the league at his position, but there are definitely teams that are going to trot out worse options this season. The lone standout for this unit would be right tackle Taylor Moton. Simply put, Moton is a monster at the position is is going to end up with the kind of contract that may reset the market for RT. Overall, there is potential here for a unit to come together under OC Joe Brady’s system that far exceeds immediate expectations, and it will need to if the Panthers are to bring Sam Darnold up to the level of play that makes him their answer for franchise quarterback."

There's nothing in that passage that suggests Cam will be the answer at LT. It mentions that he scored well within my system, that he had a rough entrance into the league and that he has only had minimal success before being relocated two times since.

If that offensive line is going to be a positive for the offense it will likely be on the heels of what Joe Brady brings to the table schematically, which is what I suggest at the end.

 

I wasn’t scolding you, I was merely expounding on this particular part as I had a little insight into it. The entire article was well done. I simply had a thought about a singular part of it.

Locally it is just well documented on how much Joe Thomas took every offensive lineman, young and old, worked with them to make a solid unit.

Im not arguing for or against anything you stated in the article, just including some local insight.

 

I can dig it and I didn't take it as you coming at me.

It was an interesting nugget you dug out so I wanted to make sure that I was as concise as possible with my thoughts on that particular aspect.

 

It would be a surprise if he doesn't bust out of his second team this season.