by Anthony Ingraffia
Now that 2018 MVP, Patrick Mahomes, led Kansas City Chiefs with a supporting cast of great players both on offense and defense capped off the season by hoisting up the Lombardi in Super Bowl LIV and making history by being the youngest player to win both an MVP and a Super Bowl title as well as the youngest player to be named Super Bowl MVP we look toward the 2020 NFL season.
It is quite clear that after the unfortunate season the Carolina Panthers endured and struggled through, David Tepper has decided it’s time for a change and had begun what Panthers fans would see as a full rebuild process. Tepper has hired an entire new roster which began the well rounded and proven leader Matt Rhule, who is known for completely 180-ing two college programs (Temple and Baylor). Rhule brings a vast array of football knowledge on offensive, defense and special teams. From what I have observed, Coach Rhule gets his guys to buy into the winning culture and trains the team to put it all together to WIN. Following the hire Matt Rhule, a huge and bold hire of Joe Brady, now former offensive coordinator of the National Champion LSU Tigers. This man spearheaded LSU’s explosive offense all season long. The Panthers then introduced Phil Snow as their new defensive coordinator. Snow worked with Rhule at both Temple and Baylor and was responsible for making both defenses much better. Following those three big coaching hires, they also made some adjustments to their assistant coaching assignments, one specifically with Jake Peetz, from running backs coach (who coached Christian McCaffrey during his MVP like season this year) to quarterback coach.
Now the big question many Panthers fans and football analysts may be asking is who will be quarterbacking the Carolina Panthers in 2020? Well I will tell you. Now before I say who I want, everyone who reads this needs to know Cam Newton is my favorite football player of all time. I have been watching him since he was at Florida to Blinn to Auburn and to the Panthers; he in fact is the reason I came to like the Carolina Panthers. Cam Newton will be quarterbacking the Carolina Panthers in 2020! Why you may ask? Following his unfortunate lisfranc injury which sidelined him for the 2019 season, Cam Newton was and still is THE GUY in Carolina. Many argue about his 2018 season in which he suffered an untimely injury to his throwing shoulder after being hit by TJ Watt in a loss to the Steelers. The Panthers had a 7-2 record with a healthy Cam. When Cam Newton is healthy, he is the most dynamic player in the NFL. We have seen what healthy Cam Newton can do; go 15-1 and make it to the Super Bowl and have an MVP type season. Cam has been rehabbing his injury to get back on the field to full health and it is quite evident he working his way to 100% through his posts and attitude during his interviews. Football is a team sport and I believe the new coaching staff is going is going to build around Cam and a recent interview I have seen, Cam and the new coaching staff have had quite positive talks and they want to see what a fully recovered Cam Newton can do with weapons like Christian McCaffrey, DJ Moore, and Curtis Samuel. Let’s not forget Cam helped revitalize the former Panthers stars Greg Olsen and Steve Smith helping them achieve career high years! #KeepCamInCarolina2020
With Cam Newton and the QB controversy likely silenced, the Panthers can focus on what I believe they need to do to address their team needs in the draft. With the retirement of the great Luke Kuechly, the Panthers have lost the nucleus to their defense. Luke was a 7 time Pro Bowler and had a knack for the ball. He was at the center of every play on defense and linebackers of his caliber are extremely rare. He will be greatly missed but we wish him a happy retirement. With that being said, I believe that Shaq Thomson will be playing in place of Luke Kuechly. There is still a major need to improve both offense and defense. When it comes to addressing the defense, there are two major positions the Panthers must draft. An interior defensive lineman and a linebacker. Derrick Brown out of Auburn is a strong pick for the Panthers at number 7. The Panthers must buff their pass rush first. We can see what an effective pass rush can do to an offense just by observing the 49ers defense. In terms of the linebacker position with the absence of Luke Kuechly, we need someone who will maintain depth at linebacker. A strong linebacker to draft, in my opinion, would be Isiah Simmons out of Clemson at the 7 pick. Personally, I would draft Derrick Brown at 7 and scoop Patrick Queen in the second round.
As for the offense, it is absolutely necessary the Panthers draft an additional lineman. The offensive line is a desperate need and a key factor of the offense’s success in both the passing game and running game. They must protect Cam and open up the holes for Christian McCaffrey. The wide receiver position and tight end position are in need of depth now too. Luckily, because DJ Moore and Curtis Samuel stepped up this season, it is important they keep up the momentum in 2020. I feel they can sign a notable receiver in FA this year rather than address it in the draft. Notable potential targets would be AJ Green or Robby Anderson, whom the panthers have expressed interest in. As for the tight end position, the Panthers parted ways with Greg Olsen who I call “good ol’ reliable” or “bread and butter”. I am sad to see him go but wish him nothing but the best and I enjoy watching him play. I think Ian Thomas can establish himself as a pass catching tight end. However, if the Panthers decide to go for a tight end in FA, I would target Eric Ebron or Hunter Henry. Jacob Hollister would also be a good target as well considering I got to evaluate him while he was having much success in Seattle.
Overall, the new coaching staff give the potential for the Panthers to be extraordinary if they can piece it together and gel. We have seen great turn around and improvements from the 49ers, who were in Carolina’s shoes about a year ago. The sky’s the limit for the Carolina Panthers and they have a great potential to have the same successful seasons they have previously had. I, as a Panthers fan, am excited for these new changes and will be there for the ride! Keep Pounding!
I am striving to have at-least 1 new piece of content posted to my page every single day, whether it be my own or a friend or family member. I am working on a Giants offseason outlook piece that I plan on posting Wednesday night. I know my blog has been all over the place but the goal for me right now is to put out entertaining & amusing material for those who choose to read it. Once free agency and the draft nears, I will shift my focus toward strictly Giants posts only, as that is what this blog page is intended to consist of. Thank you for all the positive feedback and support in real life and via Twitter! To follow the author of this Carolina Panthers article, you can find him on Instagram —> @anthonyi2020
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