Hey, the Panthers made it to the Super Bowl last year as the NFC representative… this fact cannot be discounted. Something is going solid and well in that front office in Charlotte. What can the new management team for the Eagles learn from the Panthers?
Not a whole lot can be gleaned from the Panthers’ latest transactions:
| DATE | PLAYER | POS. | TRANSACTION |
| 4/12 | Mike Remmers | T | re-signed/restricted free agent |
| 4/4 | Kyle Love | DT | re-signed/unrestricted free agent, One-year contract (through 2016) |
| 4/4 | Michael Palardy | K | signed from Rams |
| 3/22 | Star Lotulelei | DT | team exercises option, Fifth-year option on rookie contract |
| 3/21 | Trenton Robinson | S | signed from Redskins, One-year contract (through 2016) |
| 3/15 | Paul Soliai | NT | signed from Falcons, Two-year contract (through 2017) |
| 3/10 | Joe Webb | QB | re-signed/unrestricted free agent, Two-year contract (through 2017) |
| 3/9 | Brad Nortman | P | declared free agent |
| 3/9 | Joe Webb | QB | declared free agent |
| 3/9 | Fernando Velasco | C | declared free agent |
| 3/9 | Charles Tillman | CB | declared free agent |
| 3/9 | Amini Silatolu | G | declared free agent |
| 3/9 | Kyle Love | DT | declared free agent |
| 3/9 | Roman Harper | S | declared free agent |
| 3/9 | Tyronne Green | G | declared free agent |
| 3/9 | Cortland Finnegan | CB | declared free agent |
| 3/9 | Jerricho Cotchery | WR | declared free agent |
| 3/9 | Frank Alexander | DE | declared free agent |
| 3/9 | Mike Remmers | T | Restricted Free Agent |
| 3/9 | Mike Tolbert | RB | re-signed, Two-year extension (through 2017) |
| 3/9 | Charles Johnson | DE | signed, One-year contract (through 2016) |
| 3/7 | Stephen Hill | WR | re-signed, One-year extension (through 2016) |
| 3/3 | Nate Chandler | T | cut |
| 3/3 | Dwan Edwards | DT | cut |
| 3/3 | Charles Johnson | DE | cut |
| 3/2 | Ben Jacobs | LB | re-signed/exclusive rights free agent |
| 3/1 | Josh Norman | CB | Designated franchise player |
| 2/18 | Jared Allen | DE | retired |
| 2/17 | J.J. Jansen | C | re-signed, Five-year extension (through 2020) |
| 2/16 | Wes Horton | DE | re-signed, One-year contract (through 2016) |
| 2/11 | Swayze Waters | K | signed from Steelers |
| 2/9 | Chas Alecxih | DT | signed |
| 2/9 | Rakim Cox | DE | signed |
| 2/9 | Brian Blechen | LB | signed |
| 2/9 | Ras-I Dowling | S | signed |
| 2/9 | David Foucault | T | signed |
| 2/9 | Marcus Ball | S | signed |
| 2/9 | Damiere Byrd | WR | signed |
| 2/9 | Reese Dismukes | G | signed |
| 2/8 | Charles Tillman | CB | Taken off IR, torn right ACL |
| 2/8 | Bene Benwikere | CB | Taken off IR, fractured left leg |
| 2/8 | Amini Silatolu | G | Taken off IR, torn left ACL |
| 2/8 | Nate Chandler | T | Taken off IR, right knee |
| 2/8 | Arthur Miley | DE | Taken off IR, undisclosed |
| 2/8 | Kelvin Benjamin | WR | Taken off IR, torn left ACL |
| 2/8 | Frank Alexander | DE | Taken off IR, torn right Achilles |
| 2/8 | Stephen Hill | WR | Taken off IR, torn right ACL |
| 2/8 | Tyronne Green | G | Taken off IR, undisclosed |
| 1/6 | Wes Horton | DE | practice squad addition |
| 1/5 | Charles Tillman | CB | Placed on IR, torn right ACL |
| 1/5 | Lou Young | CB | Activated from the Practice Squad |
So what are the Carolina Panthers doing that is so special?
Head coach Ron Rivera joined CNBC’s ‘Squawk Box’ to talk about what he learned during the Panthers’ successful 2015 campaign and how he is preparing for next season. “One of the biggest things I learned is that we have a great locker room, a great culture,” Rivera said. “The players take ownership. It has been tremendous to see how the players have taken over that locker room.” Rivera says he has several trusted captains who have helped build a culture of respect and accountability. WATCH VIDEO
The Panthers signed veteran defensive tackle Kyle Love to a one-year deal this week. Love, who became an unrestricted free agent when the new league year began March 9, rejoins the team that signed him as a free agent late in the 2014 season. Love played in two regular season games and one postseason game in 2014, then he developed into a key rotational player in 2015. Carolina also added competition to their punting situation Monday by signing Michael Palardy to a one-year contract. READ MORE
BREAKOUT CANDIDATES: Alex Helms of “Cat Crave” highlights three players who could have breakout seasons in 2016. READ MORE
MOCK DRAFT REPORT 5.0: New first-round targets make the cut this week at defensive end, safety and running back. READ MORE
Breakout candidates are Shaq, Funchess and Ealy in the above-referenced ”BreakOut” post. I think Shaq and Ealy will both have a huge season. Funchess should see his numbers go up just from the presence of KB being back. KB will demand double coverage and Funchess should be able to take advantage of single coverage.
Coach Rivera: “I like Funch and his size will create mismatches, however, he doesn’t have the natural ability to track the ball like KB does. It should be fun watching those two with Olsen all on the field but I hope to get a good slot receiver in the draft.”
“J-No said KB will demand double coverage, he said you’re not going to cover him with single coverage, you’re just not going to… Nobody knows KB better…”
Just trying to put all the Eagles hype in perspective here two weeks prior to the 2016 Draft. Let us remember who the real target is for 2016— yeah, it’s be all you can be and such— but the Carolina Panthers are the defending NFC champions. We have to conduct business in a way that changes that repeat possibility. Sure, winning the NFC East division is Job One— but Carolina has got to be in the gun sight, too.
It’s just my feeble attempt to interject some sensibility into the miracle-cure madness of Draft Fever, where we feel sometimes that the Eagles are just one great draft away from greatness. Relax, everyone—this year we still have to prove we can put enough together to beat the Carolina Panthers.
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